On pots, books, & protests

{1} Hobbies can and should be fun. In recent weeks, my daughters and I have been making clay pots. They are imitations of the distinct styles of Mohawk, Onondaga, and Susquahannock pots. These pots with serve as planters in our house. Perhaps I will use the combined pots & plants as presents for people who I give presents to, outside of our house.

{2} Books can and should be fun, too. Hence, today I bought “Game Change,” by Heilemann & Halperin. It was 30% off the cover price. Although I have only started it, the book reminds me somewhat of one of my all-time favorites, “An American Melodrama: The Presidential Campaign of 1968,” by the British authors Chester, Hodgson, & Page. Clearly, 1968 differed significantly from 2008. However, '68 influenced '08. It is fascinating to read how Senator Clinton, in 2004, thought about a possible run's negative reaction (in the context of public and press reactions) in terms of how Senator Robert Kennedy was “welcomed” into the Democratic Primary.

RFK in '68, and Clinton in '04, were first-term US Senators from New York, a state they had moved to in order to gain that seat. Both had planned to serve out at least one full term, before a possible presidential run. But events – including an out-of-touch, out-of-control President, and an unpopular war – created pressure for them to run. History is, of course, filled with “what ifs?”

{3} Books can and should be educational. Thus, I also picked up Timothy Ferris's new book, “The Science of Liberty.” Of course, I have just started it. One of the things that I like about it is found on page 22, where the author provides a diagram of how he views the major groups of political thinking. Rather than a straight line, with democrats to the left, and republicans to the right (with all others falling off the edges, just as surely as sailors risked in Columbus's day), he makes a triangle: one point is conservative; one liberal; and one progressive. Each is at equal distance to the other two. I suspect that this illustrates some of the on-going tensions between schools of thought on this forum.

I also like the book's basic concept, that the rise in global consciousness regarding the benefits of democracy is absolutely rooted in the advances in scientific knowledge. This concept does not cause the author to take an “anti-religious” position at all. Quite the opposite, he provides examples of where individual religion/spiritual beliefs work hand-in-hand with democratic practices, as well as where institutionalized religion does the very opposite.

I also enjoy the Zen Maxim the book opens with:

Great doubt: great awakening.
Little doubt: little awakening.
No doubt: no awakening.

{4} The rally/sit-in/demonstration/live-in scheduled for March (I think?) that has been mentioned in a few O.P.s here sounds very interesting to me. I am hoping that I will be able to attend. I am going to try to contact some of the people putting it on, as I have a couple of questions about what is planned.

As I've noted before, I like the idea of an up-dated “Poor People's Campaign,” such as Martin Luther King, Jr., was planning in 1968. Although I suppose that I am in a tiny minority, my idea of a good form of “civil disobedience” would be a totally non-violent “prayer-in.” Though it might only appeal to me – and possibly a couple others – I think it could make a powerful statement to some of the officials in Washington, DC. I actually believe that President Obama might be more likely to “hear” that type of statement. Plus, to be polite, we wouldn't even ask to be fed while incarcerated. It would surely be rude to ask the powers-that-be to both keep society safe from those who wish to stand/sit/kneel quietly, and pray for the divine powers of the universal energy force to wipe the greed, ignorance, and hatred from our elected representatives' eyes, and also ask them to feed us.

Peace,
H2O Man

Someone I love and respect said today that he wishes Palin would be come president because maybe that would bring the whole house of cards down and we could start over by scratch. Extreme, yes, but after the last 8 years who thought we'd be in the mess this country is now in. Doubt is everywhere and trust is gone. Many of us no longer believe we will see the change we hoped for and that extreme measures are all that are left.

I like the idea of a prayer-in but I would be concerned about it being taken over by the 'big prayers' who would see it as an opportunity to lead the country to their Christian faith.

to pray for them, too .... though I would ask others to.

I'm thinking more of a small group.

It has worked before

thank you very much....

Much appreciated.

it's been more than 10 years since I've been arrested for something that matters.

disobedience...discourse....

civil war. That wouldn't be nice, at all.

A must

Oh, wait, never mind, just got carried away there for a second.

Dissemble :evilgrin:

or was it December?

thanks again, H20 Man!

but how many can afford to go?

where it sounded like assistance might be available. It sounds like something a bit longer-term than a march is being planned. I like that idea.

and it was interesting because it was necessary learn where to collect the materials as they couldn't be bought in my town. Forming them gave me a new appreciation for baskets (and the skill and the patience) I saw on display after that. :)

are interested in basket-making. They have been reading one of my books on homesteading, which has valuable "how to" instructions. They are lucky, because everything that they need grows out near our pond.

Gandhi liked to "spin and weave." He understood that the hand was the tool that refined the brain. His advocacy of cottage industries may have seemed naive on the surface, as did his liberation theology based on non-violence. Yet it was an important part of the non-violent revolution in relationships -- between people, and between people and their living environment -- rather that a grasp for political power.

Though it is just my opinion, I suspect that Gandhi would have liked your efforts at producing pine needle baskets.

Little suspecting he had them cornered, so to speak.