The Monetary-Industrial Complex

So there you have it. When a Republican is president, the Fed eases interest rates in election years by much more than the objective economic circumstances dictate. Conversely, when a Democrat is president, the Fed tightens interest rates in election years by much more than the objective economic circumstances dictate. And for a while, anyway, the economy responds. And so do voters.

Nice little racket, eh?

Top CEOs Give 10 Times More To McCain Than Obama; McCain Promises Huge Tax Breaks For Them In Return

Today's Meditation: thanks to poetseers.org

My Song


This song of mine will wind its music around you,
my child, like the fond arms of love.


The song of mine will touch your forehead
like a kiss of blessing.


When you are alone it will sit by your side and
whisper in your ear, when you are in the crowd
it will fence you about with aloofness.


My song will be like a pair of wings to your dreams,
it will transport your heart to the verge of the unknown.


It will be like the faithful star overhead
when dark night is over your road.


My song will sit in the pupils of your eyes,
and will carry your sight into the heart of things.


And when my voice is silenced in death,
my song will speak in your living heart.


~ Rabindranath Tagore

" I touch God in my song
   as the hill touches the far-away sea
     with its waterfall.
The butterfly counts not months but moments,
   and has time enough."


~ Rabindranath Tagore

There's more:

Well, to be honest, me either.

So what do you think about the Democratic National Convention opening with a service by a Pentecostal minister? Apparently some Atheists are not so pleased and have written to ask that they be included in the "interfaith" service. The minister does not appear very receptive to the idea:

"Atheists speaking at an interfaith service ... does that work?" Daughtry asked this week. "I don't quite know. But they're part of the party, you treat them with respect. I'll give them an answer."

Personally, I advise Reverend Daughtry to consult with a certain pastor of my acquaintance. That pastor has managed, as a Christian minister, to oversee interfaith services which included Buddhists, Atheists, Muslims, Pagans, Jewish and... well, that's all I can think of but I'm sure there were more. How does it work? It just works.

To her credit, Reverend Daughtry already plans to include Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist speakers.

What do you think?

Here's where I went to church this morning while everyone else was asleep, reading or at the beach.

Nice place, they did a very good job of welcoming a fairly diverse group of worshipers. And they sang! I don't know if it was the acoustics or the enthusiasm, but it was loud in the sanctuary.

Anyway, it's a pleasure to be in the pew for once instead of up front, even if I did zone out halfway through the really very good sermon.

This one just makes me giggle!  I am just about to leave for my 6th day in a row of work--I'm tired!!!  I worked last night, so I only watched a bit of the forum last night--I didn't get to watch Obama at all.  I mostly heard the flap about how well McSame did...well--he should have.  I was put off by the quick, simplistic answers--haven't we all had enough?  We have had eight long years of over simplistic answers that simply do not work.  I am so tired of the lies about Obama's tax policies--Tony Perkins should ashamed of his lies last night on CNN.  Very interesting definitions of Christianity these people have.  Anyway....doesn't anyone believe we have to PAY for this war and all this spending one of these days?  Sheesh.  

Have you seen the lies against Unions?  Groups like Unionfacts.org are running anti-union ads constantly around here.  McSame spouted their rhetoric.  Somehow, I just can't imagine these groups, funded by the likes of Wal-mart REALLY have the worker's best interests at heart!  They don't want to lose the ability to harass workers themselves. Americans are just so dumb--we have fallen for the management arguments hook, line and sinker throughout our history--unlike Europeans.  Why do we protect the wealthy--are we really stupid enough to believe the "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" myth?  Maybe it's the "I'm gonna win the Lottery" myth.

As I type, I sit wedged between Zanzibar and Maggie May--they were groomed on Friday and look glorious.  I woke up yesterday morning with Zanz, lying on her back in the crook of my arm (all 50 pounds of her).  Her paws were draped across my body and her face was on mine.  No one has dared to tell these two that they are actually dogs.  They bring such joy and laughs.  

So, what are you up to?  What are your plans for the week?  We are going to head up north to Polly's Pancake Parlor on Wednesday morning for the annual pilgrimage.  I really need to start painting--I'm tired of my wall colors!!!!  Will post photos when done!

Help yourself to coffee or whatever--grab some danish or a strawberry cheese croissant and a chair and chat with us for a while!

Some shows that were perhaps ahead of their time are finding new life on cable and satellite channels.  I’m discovering some for the first time and am finding strong spiritual elements in them.

I don’t know how I ever missed Joan of Arcadia but I am glad it is being replayed now.  The show is about a young woman, played by Amber Tamblyn, who receives instructions from God speaking in the guise of ordinary people.  The reasons for the instructions are never clear to Joan at first – and she balks at following them.  But when she does follow them, it turns out to be to her benefit.  This show is now marked for recording at my house – I don’t want to miss a bit of Joan’s journey.  She gets more explicit instructions than most of us – but we all follow clues without really knowing where they will lead, don’t we?  And if we look closely enough, we can see God working through everyone we meet.  I think so, anyway.

Promoted by Rain

Friends, this is Grant from the Matthew 25 Network.

Tomorrow will mark a turning point of the faith and politics dialogue in America as Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain come together to discuss faith at Saddleback Church.  The Republican Party has nominated a man who has failed to ignite the GOP’s traditional Christian voting bloc.  While, the Democrats have nominated Sen. Barack Obama who is unabashed in speaking about faith, and who is igniting the imaginations of Christians nation-wide.

The forum will also be the first time clergy have appeared in a commercial to speak out in support of a Democratic Presidential Candidate.  Clergy are tasked with counseling families through health-care crisis and job-losses, with helping congregants inject a moral-mindset in world-affairs, comforting families of those lost at war, and continuously being the voice of ‘the least of these’ to those who often have the most.  Thousands of Pastors, Priest, Sisters, and Brothers who have stood on the sidelines in the past are speaking out this year for one candidate – Barack Obama.

Happy Hour has begun!  Hope your day is going well.  I need to run off to work.  It is the BIG sale weekend.  I took Mom this morning and we spent way too much money, but got some great stuff.  I got some sweaters and a great jacket which will all work for my real job!!  The Poodles got groomed--they look so gorgeous!  They are exhausted...it's hard work to look so good!  Other than that, not much happening at this end--how about you?  Any plans for the weekend?  What are you eating and drinking?  Grab a libation and pull up a chair and chat for a while!  

Promoted by Rain

About a month ago, we announced the creation of Living Liberally's new network of religious progressives: Praying Liberally. Now, the first chapters are beginning to get off the ground starting with Wilmington, Delaware on Thursday, August 21st. We're really fired up about getting  this great new network into action.

As Wilmington chapter leader Frank Bell puts it:

As I see it, the point of this thing is give persons of a reality-based persuasion a chance to look at issues from a perspective informed by faith without anyone's giving them funny looks because they profess a faith--and to allow those who may not have a religious perspective to participate in the discussion without penalty.

Troops Abroad Donated 6:1 To Obama  Seems Ol' McSame's message just isn't hitting home.

Unfit For Publication: Obama Camp Debunks Lies In Right Wing Smear Book

Larry King: Media Matters Confronts and Destroys Obama-Smearer Jerome Corsi

[editor's note, by PoliSigh] Early morning for me....see you later!

Today's Meditation:

Thank you, God,
for your messengers that you send to us.

Thank you for your angels
that show us your mercy, power and judgement.

Help me to remember that you are with me in many ways.

Make it part of my mission today,
dear Lord,
to seek the angels that you have sent just for me.

Today's photo was taken at the New Hampshire Veteran's Cemetary.




There's more......

I know relatively little of the Bible and possibly a tiny bit more about Jesus, and to be frank, most of what I know, I dislike. I am deeply troubled by a God who kills the firstborn of the captors of his Chosen or who would not merely allow, but actually plan for his son to be nailed to a tree.

Yet after attending pastordan's interfaith service at Netroots Nation I caught myself thinking :

The Jesus that pastordan talks about... that Jesus I could accept as the Son of God. That Jesus I could follow.

pastordan has not converted me; I still worship under the full moon, but I suspect that I am not alone in finding Christianity more welcoming not just because of pastordan but due to a host of caring, committed people of that faith who gather here.

pastordan has asked us more than once what we can do, as a community, to carry our progressive beliefs, rooted in our various faiths (or lack thereof), out to a wider audience. It seems to me that it is possible that as a result of the attack on pastordan, we may well see a wider audience coming to us.

For any visitors over the next few days, I say welcome. Pull up a chair, join us for coffee or Happy Hour. If your heart is heavy or you have a joy to share, please visit the Daily Prayer Closet. I think you will find us a friendly bunch. Feel free to ask questions contribute.

Be aware that as in most houses of worship, those who are disruptive, hostile or rude first receive patient benefit of the doubt but should it continue, they are firmly invited to find other places to share their thoughts.

And please rest assured that regardless of what others may say, the proprietor - pastordan - is indeed a man who is committed to the truth of the Word of God. It just seems to this biblically ignorant Pagan that pastordan often finds that truth in places like the The Beatitudes.