Advertisement
As we shift into autumn in the northern hemisphere, Catharine Clarenbach asks us to examine what we are called to do in this time of change:
We have just had the climate strike day, and even all this week, some folks who are able to “take the hit,” as it were, are striking, following youth all over the world, led by Greta Thunberg, that gorgeous, tiny, autistic prophet. We are demanding that those in power do better, that, as Greta said, they “try harder,” and “listen to science.” . . . What nuts are you hiding away to get you through, like the squirrel digging into what’s left of my petunia’s, hiding away her giant, green acorn?
How will you meet the slanting of the light? (The Way of the River, September 20)
John Beckett is angry with those who attack climate activist Greta Thunberg based on her age—while she is doing far more than they are.
If you want to argue against Greta’s message, go ahead. The science is against you, but hey, you’re a middle class American—you’ll be OK. Those 600 million people who live within 30 feet of sea level? They’re somebody else’s problem.
But if you want to dismiss Greta Thunberg as a pawn, shut the hell up. Just because you couldn’t have done it doesn’t mean she can’t do it.
Because she’s doing it. (Under the Ancient Oaks, September 25)
Adam Dyer points to the ways in which the United States “has always ultimately failed at legislating our basic humanity.”
There is no “sincerely held belief” that is more valid than your or my DNA.
I promise, if you keep your God out of my bedroom, I will not have sex on your altar. (spirituwellness, September 20)
As she prepares to meet with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, Molly Brewer takes a moment to reflect on her priorities as a minister.
What I’m about is trust and reciprocity. What I’m about is opening rigid systems to new ways of being in the world. I’m about shoring oneself up with strong spiritual practice, doing the work of justice out in the world, and coming back to reflect on what it means, and giving people the tools to do all of it. I’m about stories, ghosts, the Gods, unicorns and swords, and the dignity of fat bodies. I’m about not waiting for hopefulness and optimism to give us permission to act faithfully. You are already permitted. (Facebook, September 20)
An unprecedented abuse of power
Andrew Hidas raises “the essential impeachment question.”
Is it permissible for a sitting president of the United States to bring pressure to bear on a foreign leader to investigate a political rival of the president for the sole purpose of casting that rival in a negative light? (traversing, September 26)
Doug Muder writes that extorting re-election assistance from Ukraine would be “an unprecedented abuse of power.”
Constitutionally, presidents have sweeping power over American foreign policy, but using that power to extort partisan political favors from foreign countries is an enormous breach of trust. . . . If the abuse doesn’t stop here, with Trump pressuring a foreign leader to dig up dirt on his major rival, where will it stop? (The Weekly Sift, September 23)