Social Security Concern

Social Security is a covenant for the common good - a central expression of our national values and moral priorities. As a person of faith, I am troubled by Congress' narrow focus on privatization in the Social Security debate.

My faith tells me "to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1:17). The Social Security debate should value all our nation's people and our commitment as a society to provide dignity and opportunity for working people and their families, for the elderly, for those with disabilities, and for children who have suffered the loss of a parent.

Public opposition to privatization plans is rising. As you think about Social Security during the August recess, I ask that you listen and "be open to the needs of the people" (Isaiah 32:3). I ask that you help broaden the discussion now and that when Congress reconvenes you will help keep the promise for all God's people. The following principles will shape my judgments about Social Security proposals and your leadership.

1. Social Security benefits for the vulnerable and less fortunate should not be reduced. Social Security has been one of the most successful anti-poverty programs our country has known, but the needs of the less fortunate are missing from the debate.

2. Social Security retirement benefits should be strengthened and protected from risk. We must "honor thy father and thy mother" by not gambling on their future.

3. Private accounts created by reducing benefits should be opposed. Private accounts "carved out" from the existing benefit structure risk Social Security's basic guarantee and do not address the long-term health of the program.

4. Future generations should not be burdened by deficits and misguided budget decisions. There has been little discussion of how many proposals would affect the deficit; Social Security cannot be addressed in a vacuum, ignoring budget and tax choices that are contrary to the common good.

5. Retirement planning should not be restricted to Social Security. Proposals should supplement, but not replace Social Security; help low- and middle-income families save more; and strengthen and make more accessible employer pension funds.

Please adhere to these principles, reflected in Call to Renewal and Sojourners' July 27 Roll Call ad, and make sure that any Social Security proposals you support honor these commitments.

Will you join...? Go to www.sojo.net

Mystery Bugs and Strange Diseases

I recently decided that I was going to try and cut out all pig from my diet. I wasn't sure why until I read this...

BEIJING, China (Reuters) -- Authorities in southwest China are investigating a mysterious disease that has killed 17 farm workers and left 41 others ill after they handled sick or dead livestock, state media said on Monday.

The government of Sichuan province has dismissed speculation that the deaths were caused by bird flu or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), an assessment affirmed by the World Health Organization.

"From the information we have it doesn't seem to be related to bird flu. We made that distinction based on the symptoms described to us by the government," Bob Dietz, a WHO spokesman in Manila, told Reuters by telephone.

"This (disease) doesn't seem to have a large pneumonia content or a large respiratory problem," Dietz said.

The deaths were probably caused by a bacteria that spreads among pigs, the state-run China Daily quoted Zeng Huajin, a senior official with the Sichuan provincial health department, as saying."

Of course, a few slices of bacon never killed anyone did it...?

The Sign

It comes and goes
like rain
its a dull pain
knows no foe

sickness sets in
a dark grin
its a no win
on his face sin

black as night
a grim sight
in his heart
grows a mark

spreading, what
to do but
ask for help
let out a yelp

ask for faith and love
and a sure hope
grace to cope
a sign from above

Are we allowed to live together...?

i have been discussing the recent U2 concert with some friends and fellow attendees, which has resulted in some intense conversations about bono and U2, but more interestingly about the idea of "coexist" in general. does God call us to coexist with men and women of other religions (as bono stated, we all come from abraham anyway) or does God call us to a different standard...? this is a huge question.

there are some out there calling bono a false prophet, nothing more than a famous musician abusing his power as a star to corrupt the minds of the millions in order to preach a message of peace and love that is unbiblical. i certainly don't know what U2 is actually trying to say, but i believe there is something for us to hear in the message of coexist; namely that all humans have the right to live without being degraded and disrespected. desmond tutu says it poetically:

"Humans are of infinite worth intrisically because they are created in God's image. Apartheid, injustice, oppression, and exploitation are not only wrong; they are positively blasphemous because they treat the children of God, as if they are less than His."

there is no way to believe in coexist, without believing in a personal, relational father who loves beyond human capacity even to understand such concepts as love. the human being can not exist without God and thusly cannot coexist without God. so, is bono preaching something unbiblical...? i suppose we can't know exactly what he is trying to say unless he tells us directly. he certainly is not my God. he is a man with a message.

if we look to those who have created the most amazing positive change in the past couple of centuries, it was those who fought evil with good. sure, some of them were generals who overtook nazi germany, and some were rebels who stood physically in the way of evil's path. yet, the most amazing change has been the result of love; a powerful, incredible, visionary love. some may call it pacifism. but, martin luther king jr, was no pacifist. corrie ten boom was no pacifist. desmond tutu was no pacifist. they were warriors for love. they would accept nothing less than equality for all people, so that everyone could experience the amazing grace that can only come from a god of forgiveness. there is no future without forgiveness and there is no coxist without Jesus.

the set list, amazing - really amazing

Here it is - the set list from A'dam second show. The highlight was... every song. Wow. Pictures and more action to come soon.

Vertigo
Out of Control
Electric Co.
Elevation
New Year’s Day
Beautiful Day
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
City of Blinding Lights
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Running to Standstill
Pride In the Name of Love
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You

All Because of You
Yahweh
Vertigo

Gone for a Long Time

Hey Y'all - sorry for the absence and delay in posting. The graphics card on my laptop burned up for the second time in three years and Toshiba is too ghetto hooptie to fix it here in Amsterdam. So, I still have yet to get it replaced. I've been out of it. I will try and post something new real soon...