EVE OF THE U.S. 2016 ELECTIONS

So it has been several months since my last post. At that time after reviewing what I see as the state of the world today – with the gutting of democracies and the unabashed efforts of the super wealthy 1% to create a global plutocracy - I proposed a critical calling for our time. This calling led to three questions: (1) What are the actions and strategies that can effectively counter this global reality? (2) What approaches will enable those of us (the 99%), who are by far the majority, to fatally wound, to undermine, to bring an end to the direction of this plutocratic movement envisioned and controlled by the super-wealthy 1%? And, a final question: (3) What are the structures and practices that need to be put in place to build a world of true justice, equity, and peace? At the time I said that I would explore these questions in my subsequent postings. So here we go!!

I must confess, it has taken me this long to do a first follow-up . . . because it is not entirely clear to me what the answer to these questions might be. Over the last few months, events in our world – in my world – have made it even more difficult to envision how best to proceed. At the time of my last post there was a movement under way in Brazil – my heart country – to remove the duly elected President. It was clear that the grounds for removing her were fabrications representing economic and corporate interests as well as the interests of members of the congress and senate who wanted to put an end to the investigation of corruption charges against them. At the time I could not have imagined that this parliamentary coup could actually succeed, but succeed it did. And in the following weeks - and now months, despite almost daily street demonstrations and currently a growing occupy movement, and despite challenges from professional and student groups and social movements in Brazil as well as outcries from the international community (except the notable absence of the U.S. government), the propogators of the “golpe parlamentar” (parliamentary coup) continue to move forward in blatant disregard to the outrage. Their interests and sense of power are such that they really don't seem to fear or care about their country or the people.

Meanwhile here in the US – my birth country – we've watched as the two-party farce, with the support of a sensation-seeking media, have produced two candidates for the presidency each the least liked by their respective party. On one side of the political theatre a racist, xenophobic, misogynist, foul-mouthed, narcissistic, tax-evading supposed billionaire with possible traitorous ties to Russia. Shortly after the election – win or lose – he is due in court to face child rape and rackateering charges. His opponent on the other side is a woman who maintains secretive close ties to corporate and banking elites and supports the continued projection and probable increased use of US military power globally. Hanging over her head are accusations of poor judgement and possible criminal charges related to use of personal emails in her role as Secretary of State. Furthermore it has come out that her party manipulated the primary campaign process to ensure her victory over a more progressive and likely the most popular candidate in the race.^* And as has been the case for decades, both parties controlled the electoral process in such a manner as to guarantee that no alternatives to the two-party hegemony are able to gain any significant foothold. Here, as in Brazil, the powers-that-be demonstrate a total disregard for any real interests of the citizenry.**

These are just two examples, not to mention the on-going wars and pillage in the Middle East, the forced migration of peoples on a scale not seen since WWII, the often violent opposition to outsiders in so many places in our world today, and the blatant violence of police against protestors and against communities of color including the current police violence against protestors on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota. The list goes on and on. So -- what to do?

We live in desperate times! Those of us who dream of a world of justice, equality and peace face a challenge. Who are we called to be? What stands are we called to take? What will it take to effectively counter and subvert the present reality? What will it take to bend the course of history in a new direction? Clarifying our own values and vision and deepening our understanding of the current powers and structures are two keystones in the archway of an effective path forward.

* Excellent insightful reflection by philosopher Cornel West on the state of Democracy in the 2016 elections here in the United States: Spiritual Blackout in America.
** http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/julian_assange_and_john_pilger_discuss_the_20161105 

THE HUMAN CAPACITY FOR AMAZING GREATNESS: WHAT IF . . .

Our niece, Paola, came to spend time with us over the holidays and one of the things we did together was to visit the Kennedy Space Center. This was the third time Isaura and I had been there, a tourist attraction that in our estimation wins easily over Disney.

At Kennedy one journeys through the history of space exploration that, less than a century ago, was only imagined in the figures and stories of comic books. Kennedy's new 90,000 square foot Shuttle exploration area boasts the latest in interactive learning technology. At the center of the display is the Atlantis orbital spaceship viewable from a variety of angles and from two different levels. The size of a “portly” jumbo jet, the shuttle's gigantic open cargo bay and expansive tile-covered underside leave an impression of hugeness and grandeur, diminished only when one views the solid rocket boosters and external tank required to lift it into orbit.

Another part of the space center that I always find incredibly impressive is the Apollo Center, 

Isaura and Paola at the "base" of the
Saturn V Rocket

with its display of the mighty Saturn V Rocket that launched humankind on their journey to the moon. Standing, it is the height of a 36-story building and weighs 6.2 million pounds. Generating over 7 million pounds of thrust, this rocket was able to launch 130 tons of space capsule, moon landing craft, other equipment, and astronauts into earth orbit, a piece of machinery truly of “Star Wars proportions.”

As we drove up to the Kennedy Visitor Center, it was with anticipation of being awe-struck again and being able to introduce our niece to the grandeur of it all. And, the thought that came to mind for me was: What if we, the human community, were to put all of our energy and resources into this human capacity for amazing greatness? What could our world be like?

Of course I am aware of the critiques and concerns about the space program and of the fact that this enterprise can be and is used for purposes not so noble – like extending our ability for spying and for taking warring power into outer space. The Star Wars movies certainly show this side of human capability. But what if . . . what if . . .

According to a recent U.S. News & World Report article, in the last decade plus the United States has spent over $4 Trillion dollars on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the cost continues to rise!¹  By comparison, only 5% of this amount ($209 Billion) was spent on the 30 years of the space shuttle program, which began in 1981 and ended in 2011. Emphasizing the positive efforts in the space program focused on research related to health, nutrition, extending our understanding of the human body and gaining greater knowledge of the cosmic neighborhood of our solar system and beyond, imagine what we could do by doubling or tripling the amount of money spent on this program. And what about much less technologically costly and difficult efforts right here on planet earth, like ridding the world of diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS, eliminating hunger, ensuring education for all, and creating a world economic system that guarantees a modicum of equality ensuring that every single adult and child would have the resources needed for a descent, healthy, and dignified life. I am sure that other goals could be added to these and, given the creative and inventive capacity of humankind illustrated in the exhibits at the Kennedy Space Center, that these could all be achieved at probably less than the cost of 10 years of modern war.

“I realized up there that our planet is not infinite. It's fragile. That may not be obvious to a lot of folks, and it's tough that people are fighting each other here on Earth instead of trying to get together and live on this planet. We look pretty vulnerable in the darkness of space.”  Alan Shephard - the first American in Space, Commander of the Apollo 14 mission, and the fifth person to walk on the moon.

But even if the cost were eventually higher, wouldn't our world be a incomparably better place if we focused our energy, thought, creativity and resources on constructive, positive efforts rather than wasting so much in efforts that amplify our capacity to kill, maim and destroy?

May we, in this New Year that is before us, join hands in creating the energy needed to launch and support efforts that highlight, encourage, and strengthen the human capacity for amazing greatness.

1  http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/03/28/the-total-iraq-and-afghanistan-pricetag-over-4-trillion