J o y T o T h e W o r l d :
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J o y T o T h e W o r l d :
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An article I recommend . . .
Strategic Compromises and Burning Flames
A single flame, with patience, can light a million candles.
by Stephen Dinan
stephen@radicalspirit.org
The debate among progressives these days revolves around choosing the
right Democratic candidate to defeat Bush. There is a singular intensity
and urgency about this quest, a sense that all that is good and beautiful
in the world hangs in the balance.
Many have come to the conclusion that their best hope is Howard Dean,
even if they don't like everything about him. The logic goes that he's
progressive enough and "palatable" for the supposedly vast tract of more
conservative America that backs Bush, beats the war drum, and believes
media hype. He's as big a stretch as we can hope for in today's
climate. It is simple logic: strategic compromise in the service of
defeating Bush.
While I certainly understand the impulse behind those who back strategic
compromise, I think it actually does more harm than good in the long
term. Instead, I want to offer an alternative vision, one in which each
of us dares to stand as a burning flame for that which we believe in,
even if that might not seem strategic or popular at first.
Before I look at what it means to be a burning flame, though, I want to
point out some major problems with strategic compromise to defeat Bush:
1) Strategic compromise largely emerges from fear. At the root, there is
often a sense that the only way one's real truth and real passion can
impact the world is to be aligned with someone that is more powerful. In
other words, there is a fundamental sense of inferiority or impotence
underneath strategic compromise. That sense of impotence is conveyed to
all those who listen. Each and every time someone says, "Well, I like
Kucinich better but I think Dean is more electable so I'm backing him"
there is a confession of powerlessness, a statement that "I don't have
the power to truly affect people, to lead them, convince them, and
empower them. So I will follow the herd." Strategic compromise is thus
at least partially an abdication of leadership.
2) Focusing on defeating Bush is a negative goal. Negative outcomes can
certainly bring benefits in the long term but negative goals tend to burn
people out and skew our passions. The enduring missions, the ones that
can lead to major, sustainable change, are born out of a positive vision
for what we want to create and how we want to live. When we focus our
energy mostly on the negative - deposing Bush - we are not channeling
enough of our life force into the groundwork that can build the world we
want. In my experience, sustainable growth happens with a mix of
something like 80% creative, constructive energy and 20% challenge and
dismantling of the old: 80% positive, 20% negative. Different people
can stomach different balances but for the larger population, I think
that's a sustainable recipe. I thus believe that our choice of
candidates should primarily be born from our vision of what we truly want
to create rather than what we dislike.
3) Strategic compromise does not change the image in the media
mirror. Values-oriented studies have revealed a large and growing
population in America labeled the Cultural Creatives who share a similar
range of progressive values but are mostly unaware of each other or the
power this population wields. The reason is that the Cultural Creatives
are not yet reflected in the media mirror, which includes political
processes. Strategic compromise postpones the moment when this
substantial force for positive change begins to recognize itself in its
media reflection.
4) Strategic compromise often puts different parts of ourselves at odds
with each other, which diminishes the amount of life energy we can
utilize. When our heart battles our mind or our soul conflicts with our
will, much of our creative magic is locked up rather than extended to the
world via our mission. Strategic compromise leads people to burn out
over time because of the lack of alignment,
5) Strategic compromise discourages the best people from entering
politics because they do not see adequate popular support for their
positions. Politics is left to ego- and power-driven members of the old
order rather than exemplars of the emerging culture. This holds true for
current politicians, who are discouraged from audacious programs and
incendiary truthtelling because they don't yet see popular support for
those positions. Strategic compromise thus does not encourage the
emergence of more conscious, compassionate, and courageous political
leadership.
6) Strategic compromise reinforces the collective climate of fear that
has lingered from 9-11. Fear rarely leads us to our noblest achievements
and fear has colored American actions in a way that has squandered our
good opinion in the world. Fear has led us to drift from the noble
ideals at the heart of the American dream and to tolerate the removal of
key freedoms by the Patriot Act, as well as pour vast amounts of creative
potential into erecting barriers rather than erasing them. Fear has put
America off mission. When we speak from a place beyond fear, it assuages
the fears of those who listen and begins to rekindle the dream of America.
The mentality of strategic compromise contrasts sharply with the mindset
that leads to "burning flames." A burning flame is someone whose body,
emotions, heart, mind, and soul are lit up with a purpose, someone who is
on fire with a calling. A burning flame is passionate and purposeful.
A burning flame is love with a mission. The mindset of a burning flame is
profoundly contagious because almost everyone hungers to be a burning flame.
We want to be people of wisdom, depth, and passion that really make a
difference with others.
However,
the vast majority feel they do not either have the talent, the time, or
the boldness to be a burning flame. They look at friends and families
and see mostly compromise, contraction, and dashed ideals. They carry
wounds from the past and shroud their hopes for the future to avoid
disappointment. This is a safe but cramped way to live.
Being a burning flame, by contrast, is a bold statement. It is risky
because it means putting our deepest dreams on the line and exposing them
to ridicule, censure, and doubt. However, being a burning flame affects
people in powerful ways because burning flames are creators of reality
rather than victims of it. Burning flames are the source of companies
and churches and non-profit foundations. They organize communities and
movements. They put people in space and invent the
future. Step-by-step, they help our species evolve by leading us beyond
the known.
The realm of politics is an important place to be a burning flame, a
stand for the truth, love, and creative magic deep in our
souls. Government affects every facet of our lives. It provides the
compass setting for our entire country. It is a statement to the world
of our national identity.
When we take a stand for a candidate we love who conventional wisdom says
is "not electable," and we do so with courage and conviction, we affect
the people around us in profound ways. The first, and most important, is
to show them that they need not choose strategic compromise out of
fear. There is an option and they know someone who is willing to take
that option. That in itself can be revolutionary.
The other thing is that the ripples begin. One by one, others are
affected by the burning flame. Inspired. Challenged. Mobilized. Slowly
but surely. As each person steps out of their own cocoon of fear, they
touch others. The first candle, once lit, can ignite others others.
The magic comes through multiplication. If one "burning flame" has an
impact on perhaps 30 people and leads three others to dare to stand as
burning flames themselves, the process begins to ripple outwards. In six
months, one burning flame could, from the ripple effect, have deeply
affected 20,000 people and sparked 729 other burning flames. In twelve
months, that same power would touch 16 million people and spark 531,000
other burning flames. It all depends on our willingness to first unveil
the spark in our own hearts and stand in it publicly and powerfully.
So, I urge others to first find what is in your inmost heart. What is
that unique gift that you have for the world that every part of your
being can unify behind? I then encourage you to find a political leader
who is as close to that as possible and get behind them. Powerfully. No
matter whether they seem electable or not. Because this is your statement
to the world about who you are and what you want to see in the
world. This is how you identify yourself to your allies. This is your
empowerment and your blessing.
For me, I have chosen to be a burning flame for Dennis Kucinich. He is
the most noble, intelligent, compassionate, and visionary person that I
have seen run for president. He is a brightly burning flame himself,
seeing through the veils of today to a better tomorrow. He is courageous
and willing to lay himself on the line, to stride boldly in a time of
fear. He is the kind of leader who can take America beyond aggressive
nationalism to truly global leadership.
For me, it doesn't matter whether Dennis Kucinich only gets 1% of the
vote because he embodies what I want to see in the world. He is my
political dream, in the flesh. Backing him is my statement to the world
that..
THIS is the level of integrity I want to see in our leadership
THIS is the level of consciousness I want to see on the world stage
THIS is the kind of man I want to lead me
THIS is the future I want to see for America
THIS is the image I want to see in the media mirror
THIS is the world I want to live in.
When I stand as a burning flame for him, it affects others. One by
one. Through that process, Dennis becomes electable and the people who
believe in what he represents begin to see themselves as powerful
creators of our reality who have many, many, many allies.
So dare to become a burning flame for what is in your heart and encourage
other people to do so as well. They hunger for it. And you deserve it.
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and a few more . . . .
President Boooosh. We Are “In A Pickle”
Go to:
http://www.opednews.com/boyne1103_pickle.htm
About the author:
James Boyne dboyne@aol.com is a computer trainer, and former sales executive for IBM, Sony and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He is a former staunch conservative Republican who after becoming of victim of the health care industry, has researched, studied, and written about the health care industry as a freelance satirical writer. He has made a 180 degree turnabout an now supports Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) for President. Mr. Boyne has a B.S degree in Marketing, and MBA in Marketing/Economics, and a degree in Certified Financial Planning.
. . . . . .
DECEPTION BY OMISSION
By Charley Cropley, ND
Go to:
http://www.oasistv.com/news/11-21-03-story-2.asp
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Be Informed & Active
They pretend to tell us the truth, and we pretend to believe them.
- Duncan Long, about the mainstream press.
About the media:
www.fair.org - Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting
B e I N F O R M E D
www.betterworldlinks.org - 30,000 Links!!!
www.altpress.org/direct.html - Alternative Press Center's Online Directory
www.publicintegrity.org - Center for Public Integrity
www.commondreams.org/community.htm - Progressive Community Links Page
www.knowthecandidates.org/ktc/RefLinkext.htm - a page of links
www.commondreams.org - News and Views for the Progressive Community
www.alternet.org - Independent Media Institute
www.buzzflash.com - headlines, news, & commentary for a geographically-diverse, politically-savvy, pro-democracy audience
www.truthout.org
www.csmonitor.com - Christian Science Monitor
utne.com/webwatch - Utne Reader Web Watch
www.consciouschoice.com - Connecting the marchers and the meditators
www.motherjones.com
www.thenation.com
www.inthesetimes.com
www.progressive.org - The Progressive
www.counterpunch.com - bi-weekly radical attitude, muckraking newsletter
www.zmag.org/ZNET.htm - community committed to social change (Z magazine)
thewitness.org - A feisty and opinionated journal
www.tompaine.com
www.axisoflogic.com - Finding Clarity in the 21st Century Mediaplex
www.cooperativeresearch.org - Center for Co-operative Research
www.iacenter.org - Information, Activism, and Resistance to Militarism, War, and Corporate Greed
www.sojo.net/index.cfm/action/ - Sojourners: Voice and Vision for Social Change
www.oneworld.org/gemini/current.html - Gemini News Service (International)
www.oneworld.net - A community of social justice orgs.
news.pacificnews.org - creating a more inclusive public forum
newsinsider.cjb.net - Source for under-reported news
globalinfo.org - News Service of the Developing World
www.igc.org/index.html - The Progressive Community
www.ucsusa.org/index.html - Union of Concerned Scientists
www.transnational.org - Foundation for Peace and Future Research
www.democracymeansyou.com
www.freespeech.org - Free Speech TV
yellowtimes.org - unconventional viewpoints of current events
www.fpif.org - Foreign Policy Think Tank
www.aclu.org
www.pww.org - People's Weekly World, "working-class news and opinions"
www.democrats.com
www.democraticunderground.com
www.webcom.com/peaceact/ - Practical, Positive Alternatives for Peace
www.veteransforpeace.org
www.addictedtowar.com
www.warresisters.org
www.globalexhange.org
www.wartimes.org
www.nonviolence.org/vitw
www.vvaw.org - Vietnam Veterans Against the War
www.objector.org - promotes resistance to war and preparations for war
www.nonviolence.org - source for up-to-minute news and commentary
www.activism.net
www.usip.org - United States Institute for Peace
www.amnestyusa.org
www.hrw.org - Human Rights Watch
www.democraticmedia.org
www.commoncause.org - Voice of the people against corruption in govt.
www.presentdanger.org - Standing in Defense of Int'l Law
www.interventionmag.com - War, Politics, Media & Environment
www.movingideas.org - Explaining and popularizing complex policy ideas
www.epinet.org - Research and Ideas for Working People
www.tikkun.org - To Heal and Transform the World
www.gush-shalom.org/english/index.html
www.aflcio.org
www.anti-fascist.org
www.hrc.org - GLBT Human Rights Campaign
www.hispaniconline.com
www.naacp.org
www.tolerance.org
www.freespeech.org
www.corpwatch.org - Holding Corporations Accountable
www.smirkingchimp.com - vast left-wing conspiracy
www.whatreallyhappened.com - "The history the govt. hopes you don't learn"
www.rcnv.org - Resource Center for Nonviolence
www.wilpf.org - Womens International League for Peace and Freedom
www.traprockpeace.org - Traprock Peace Center Exploring Nonviolence, Fosters Community, Work to end war, Promote Communication & Take Initiatives on Environmental and Justice issues
www.practicalradical.net - Practical Radical
www.fcnl.org - Friends Committee on National Legislation
www.warresisters.org - War Resisters League
www.publiceye.org - provides accurate, reliable research and analysis
www.penpress.org/index.htm - clearinghouse of information on inequities
www.nationalpriorities.org. - National Priorities Project: "Data for Democracy"
www.costofwar.com - Cost of the Iraq War
www.opensecrets.org - money in politics data
www.ontheissues.org - Candidates on the issues
www.vote-smart.org/index.phtml - Source for Political Information
www.dnet.org - DemocracyNet election information (LWV)
www.lwv.org - The League of Women Voters
www.legitgov.org - Citizens for Legitimate Gov't.
B e A C T I V E
1-888-508-2974 toll-free U.S. Capitol switchboard. Call your reps today!
americacomingtogether.com - America Coming Together (ACT)
www.truemajority.com
www.moveon.org - "Citizens Making a Difference"
www.2020vision.org - empowers citizens to speak out
Resource for Congressional content and contacting elected officials:
www.congress.org
Contacting the Congress. This site helps you to contact your congressional representatives. If you have the time, check out some of the other pages on this site, especially the FAQ's and Misc. Govt. sites pages:
www.visi.com/juan/congress
www.house.gov/writerep - write your rep
www.congress.org - Resource for Congressional content and contacting elected officials
www.fcnl.org/act_monletr_currnt/actnow_monltr_index.htm - Friends Committee on National Legislation
www.progressivesecretary.org - Letter writing cooperative
causenet.commoncause.org - Common Cause
www.citizen.org/trade/index.cfm - Public Citizen
www.theretheygoagain.com - Institute for America’s Future
www.congresslink.org/lessonplans/communicating.html - CongressLink Lesson Plan: Communicating with Your Members of Congress
www.pcactionfund.org - Fixing the Presidential Public Financing System
ABOUT THE PROCESS
www.21stdems.org
www.qnc.us
www.fairvote.org/irv/whatis2.htm
www.instantrunoff.com
www.factcheck.org - Political Fact Check
V O T E
Register Here:
http://tinyurl.com/w4u9
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