‘Raise Your Voice’ Archives
Paradise Island
By Peter Molenaar While referring to the “Vulture Capitalism” associated with the career of Mr. Mitt Romney, the friendly capitalist, Mr. Warren Buffet said: “There is a real difference between investing and building a company that makes something or provides a service that adds value to the economy, and a barbarian-at-the-gate-style enterprise that loots and strips, making millions for its executives by ripping holes in the economic fabric”. So, come the election, it appears we will decide which sector of capital prevails. Meanwhile”¦ Locally, our Senator Jeff Hayden and Representatives Karen Clark and Susan Allen are spearheading the “Vote No Campaign”. They ask that we uphold the rights of all committed couples and stand up for the democratic rights of the electorate. Vote no on the anti-Marriage Amendment. Vote no on the Photo ID /Voter Restriction Amendment. As it happened, I took an assignment to door knock in the Hawthorne [...]
Obama Family Tree
By Peter Molenaar Did everyone catch the article “Slavery in Obama Family Tree”? I found it fascinating that our President”'s African-American aspect stems, certainly not from his Kenyan father, but very likely from his white mother whose ancestry traces back nearly four centuries to a slave named John Punch. Note: The designation “African-American” has traditionally referred to that nationality which was forged from the very diverse peoples held in bondage together. To the degree that Obama is now conscious of his connection; his identity has become less ambivalent. To continue”¦ “In 1640, Punch, then an indentured servant, escaped from Virginia and went to Maryland. He was captured there and, along with two white servants who had also escaped, was put on trial. His punishment ”“ servitude for life ”“ was harsher than what the white servants received, and it has led some historians to regard him as the first African [...]
Keep The Door Open
By Peter Molenaar In consequence to May”'s column “Mind and Body Unite”, I did catch some flak from the comrades. Hey, can”'t a lonely atheist do a little outreach? Well you, Peter, by opening the door to agnosticism have, at the very least, looked upon a “slippery slope”. Decide, please. All right then, I shall open the door even further. Yes, my motive here is part political inasmuch as I work with a coalition which includes ISAIAH. ISAIAH is itself a coalition of more than 100 Christian congregations, including from this neighborhood, and throughout Minnesota. Their mission is pro-labor, pro-peace, and anti-racist. In one instance I was actually the only non-Christian in a room full of ISAIAH folks. Trust me, they were rational and collaborative, and in many ways strikingly normal people. Some time later, while serving as a bus captain en route to a downtown protest rally, I noted the collared pastor among us. A denunciation of the [...]
