What’s in a Name?- Saul Alinsky

What do John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Sargent Shriver, Saul Alinsky, Dorothy Day, Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu and Lech Walesa have in common?  All of them had a passion to change the world in which they lived to a more just, more peaceful, more equal society. All did their share to alleviate poverty, injustice, and inequality. And all of them and several Bishops, priests, and politicians from around the world were awarded the Pacem in Terris Award.  The description of this award from Wikipedia is:

"The Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award is a Catholic peace award which has been given annually since 1964, in commemoration of the 1963 encyclical letter "Pacem in Terris" (Peace on Earth) of Pope John XXIII. It is awarded "to honor a person for their achievements in peace and justice, not only in their country but in the world."[1]
The award was begun, in 1963, by the Davenport Catholic Interracial Council[2] of the Diocese of Davenport in the U.S. state of Iowa. Since 1976, the award has been presented each year by the Quad Cities Pacem in Terris Coalition. In 2010, sponsors of the award were the Diocese of Davenport, St. Ambrose University, Augustana College, Churches United of the Quad-Cities, Pax Christi, The Catholic Messenger, the Congregation of the Humility of Mary, the Sisters of St. Benedict, the Muslim Community of the Quad Cities, and the Sisters of St. Francis.[3]"

So when Catholic Newt Gingrich rails against President Barack Obama for being a follower of Saul Alinsky's radical politics, I would urge the Speaker to learn and know that a strong contingent of Catholics, from Iowa of all places, has awarded Mr. Alinsky, a Jewish man, this prestigious award, and he should also know that the President was only 10 when Alinsky died, and hardly a follower of him. Probably, many of the policies that President Obama has put into play and wishes to enact would also be in line with what the Pacem in Terris awards committee deems meritorious and worthy of award. So why not call President Obama a Pacem in Terris radical? Probably because just the name Saul Alinsky sounds so foreign and a little scary for a name, sort of like Barak Hussein Obama (or even Newt Gingrich.)

Flip-flopping

Flip-flopping means changing your expressed ideas to match the mood or sentiments of a given group in order to gain their adulation and support. ( I made up this definition, but I think it is accurate.) It is used often of politicians in pursuit of high office to deride their change in positions, or actions taken that were different from what they have expressed. Any deviation from a previously held position is looked upon as a traitorous flip-flop.

I do not like to use such a derisive term for anyone, unless it is apparent, and transparent that such is the case.

I like to leave room for growth through thoughtful reconsideration. I would not like to be held to the ideas which I held at any other stage of my life, other than the present. Some of my ideas from ages past are still valid, some are vastly changed. I believe those which have changed are steps toward growth; those which are still valid have been refined; all are subject to future refinement through thoughtful reconsideration.

Here are some unembellished examples:

Might makes right-I remember writing a composition about this for the English regents examination in high school. I justified a strong military with the notion that USA could do whatever, as long as we had the might to do it. Simple, yes; also unprincipled and naïve. I no longer believe that. I have grown and changed my mind. I now question the use of the military in almost all circumstances, and would welcome diplomacy as the ultimate source of peace in the world.
Catholic education should be the rule for Catholics, and it should and will be supported no matter what- Throughout the years, I have come to realize the value of a public education as I participated in that as a teacher and guidance counselor over the years. For all the good  of the Catholic education that I had, I have come to realize that there are huge benefits that come through the public process, and that is important to support.
Martin Luther King- When he first opposed the War in Vietnam, I thought he was overstepping his  boundaries. Within months, I had changed my mind about his stance on the war, and realized he was right on.
Divorce- It was a huge no-no when I grew up, but over the years, I have come to understand why it happens, and why it is necessary at times to save individuals involved in a bad situation.

There are many other thoughts, attitudes, ways that have shaped the me who is writing and living now. Thank the source of life and love for that.

I think that is the way with most people. We should never judge; but listen. Listen for the grown up; listen for the now person; listen to understand. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Scott and Sheila

Man keeps Death Penalty in Focus

 http://www.registerstar.com/articles/2012/01/10/news/doc4f0bc08d000ec408406526.txt

This article in the local paper from last week is about two friends of mine who have dedicated themselves to speaking the truth to power under very difficult circumstances. Being an advocate for prisoners, whether in our prisons in North Carolina and Texas, or offshore in Guantanamo,  Afganistan, or the "black sites" mentioned in the article, requires thoughtful commitment, inspiration, and fortitude that is over and above where most of us are in our thoughtful lives. We rarely think of the prisoners because of the reputation they have, and our own cynical attitudes... "If they are in prison, they must be bad, or have thought about being bad to us or others." The imprisoned managed to get a call out from Jesus in the sermon on the mount, mentioned in the beatitudes, of which there are only eight.

Righting wrong, crying out for justice and against injustice, is what the gospel is all about. Giving people rights such as trial by jury, speedy adjudication, and freedom from cruel and inhuman punishment is part of what our Constitution is about.

I think Scott and Sheila have it right in the cause that they pursue so ardently. We should support them in any way we can if we are not on the front lines of this movement to assure rights for all people, even those we usually look upon as most despicable. When rights are eroded in any way, it is like the shoreline of our great beaches after a hurricane, and the sands shift quickly, leaving other rights in the balance.

Go Scott and Sheila!