These poisonous times we're in

My emails are full of partisan messages that the other party is ruining our nation, so give some money by midnight. I get several each day. I usually glance to be sure it's just a request for $$ and not a petition or request that I use my voice somehow.

My Facebook newsfeed has lots of funny or pointed messages to illustrate the same basic thing--what's wrong in the world and particularly our nation.

I feel poisoned.

There is a lot wrong in the world but there is a lot that's right. For a while I will focus on the good and the right, because this poison makes me feel bad. Hope I haven't poisoned you too.

Peace, y'all

Molly

On slavery in the 21st century

In the 21st century we call slavery 'human trafficking.' oh please. What's wrong with calling it something we all recognize? Slavery slavery slavery!

There was quite an outcry some yeas ago when it was revealed that some designer's clothing was made in overseas sweatshops. Where is the outcry over the abuse of children in cocoa production? How can one eat chocolate knowing it has cost some innocent child his freedom, safety, family, peace, and hope?

Something else I wonder about, is why don't descendants of American slaves speak out against 21st century slavery.

Slavery is hidden because it's wrong and evil. Today, we have all kinds of ways to shed light in dark corners. Let's reveal abuses wherever and whenever we can.

Peace, y'all

Molly

The true cost of our occupation of Afghanistan

This blog entry won't convey the full costs of our role in Afghanistan these past 10 years. A full accounting is probably impossible.

 

Direct costs in last 10 years in Iraq and Afghanistan are$1.3 trillion. True dollar costs are 3 or 4 times higher.

 

While we've spent trillions in so-called nation building (which entails killing, terrorizing, and maiming people 'over there'), we've been neglecting the building of our own nation here. Was it worth it? Is Afghanistan better now? Are we?

 

I cannot quantify the loss of human life, the wounding, both physically and mentally. Money is something we all use and deal with.

 

The $4 Trillion or so we've spent on these wars comes to about $13,000 for EVERY man, woman and child in the US. Of course, that's money we grownups don't have to pay, because we borrowed it! While Congress enacted 3 tax cuts for the wealthy, and Obama followed suit, we pass this bill off for our children and their children.

 

The $122 billion for our war in Afghanistan in 2011 could have paid for

• 62.5 million children receiving low-income healthcare for one year OR
• 1.8 million elementary school teachers OR
• 2 million firefighters OR
• 22 million students getting Pell Grants of $5550 for college.

It's wrong, wrong, Wrong to continue this war.  Or to have ever undertaken it in the first place.

Peace, y'all

10 years, $1.5trillion in Afghanistan

Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of America's invasion and occupation of Afghanistan.
Stupid
Evil
Wrong
Immoral
Devastating
Irresponsible

No longer proud to be American. Maybe still lucky, but not proud.

Peace, y'all

Molly

More on synergy and slave chocolate

More divine synergy. Last night inboards a small party to sell beads made in Uganda. Our conversation turned to slavery in chocolate. One guest sells fair trade chocolate at her church, and last night I learned she does not eat slave chocolate either. Kindred spirit, this one!

More synergy. Another friend of mine who knows about my chocolate abstinence and concern about slavery forward to me an email about a meeting next week in my city about slavery in chocolate! There will be a documentary called The Dark Side of Chocolate, from 2010. I am so glad to get an update on the implementation of the Harkin-Engel protocol. Documentaries don't always have long shelflives, so it's great to see a fairly new program.

Synergy. If you ask, it may come. By sharing my concern, others pick it up and amplify it.

My chocolate-abstaining guest also shares my concern about immigration reform. And living greenly. We even went to the same college!

More on slave chocolate later.

Peace, y'all

Molly

Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

Yesterday a coworker admired my calendar's October calendar cat, and ended up looking through the whole calendar. She was looking for the entries such as "Fluffy, age 12, returned home to Des Moines after stowing away to Denver, in just 3weeks in 1988."

While seeking entries like that, we both saw many other anniversaries related to peace and justice.

Through love of cats I reached someone I would not expect to have much in common with.

Thank you, Nebraskans for Peace, for this fine calendar, and maybe you'll thank me when this coworker buys the 2012 calendar!

Speaking of buying, tonight I hold a bead for life party and I sure hope I sell lots of beads--and raise more Ugandans out of poverty,

Peace y'all

Molly

Converging thoughts:

We have temporal lives and spiritual lives.

We have physical health and beauty and spiritual beauty and health.

We make the world better when we focus on our and other's spiritual health and beauty and life.

Peace, y'all

Molly