ecstaticist

If you were ever deluded enough to think the Republican Party actually puts people (i.e. soldiers in this case) ahead of big business, think again. Just in from John Kerry:

In the very early hours this morning, Republican Senators, in a desperate legislative maneuver, have attached an arctic drilling proposal to the defense bill. They’re putting oil companies ahead of our troops. Senator McCain got it right when he called this maneuver “disgusting.”

If you agree, call your Senator now and help us get this special interest giveaway off the bill that is supposed to be helping our troops.

Call your Senators and tell them to stand up against this Republican abuse of power

The Military Officer’s Association of America predicted this tactic last week: “We’re concerned that insertion of any divisive, non-defense related issues at the last minute could further delay enactment of this crucial legislation. Both defense bills are urgently needed to support our military efforts. Congress is already three months late passing them, and needs to get off the dime.”

Yesterday, a group of five high-profile generals sent a letter to Senator Frist that said: “It is not helpful to attach such a controversial non-defense legislative issue to a defense appropriations bill. It only invites delay for our troops as Congress debates an important but controversial non-defense issue on a vital bill providing critical funding for our nation’s security.”

Republican leaders know that drilling in the Arctic Refuge has nothing to do with this critical defense legislation. They know that just weeks ago, the arctic drilling proposal didn’t have the votes to pass in the light of day because it’s wrong for America. Now, the Republicans know where our generals stand on this matter. Will you join us in making them listen to our military?

Deepak Chopra is someone I frequently disagree with, but not today. He recently posted a very simple but accurate piece on The Huffington Post about the hijacking of Jesus.

Chopra speaks of three Jesuses. The first is the historical Rabbi from 1st century Palestine. The second is the Jesus of Christian dogma. The third is the universal teacher Jesus who can be an inspiration to all people because of his core teachings of love, compassion, tolerance and peace.

I don’t think that well-intentioned fundamentalists mean to pervert the third Jesus; I suspect they’ve never heard of him. He has one great disadvantage, however. You can’t own him. You can’t say “he’s all mine and nobody else’s.” The third Jesus won’t work if you need to justify a war, if you need evil enemies, or you want to brand “them” as godless.

Sadly, many fundamentalists need Jesus for all these purposes. So the third Jesus might not return to them, but if Christianity is to survive among moderate and liberal believers, who used to be the mainstream of the religion, won’t it take the return of the third Jesus? The first one is long deceased, the second has fallen prey to politics and narrow-mindedness. What alternative is there? Loss of faith and a slide into deeper and deeper meaninglessness. That would be a terrible fate for all of us, not just the Christians.

I like Jesus. In general, he has a great message; one that stands out among great teachers. Too bad so few people know him. Those who claim him the most insistently certainly do not.