" The aim of effective and transformational protest should be to illumine a society to its need for change. In other words, protest must be instructive to succeed . . . The power of protest is not in its anger but its invitation.
"In fact, those who protest should be making a promise. They are promising their society that a better way is indeed possible."
Jim Wallis
God's Politics
HarperSanfrancisco 2005
p. 46
Cataracts would be a good excuse for not posting for so long, but it's also a cop-out. Life gets busy and priorities aren't as easy to set as it seems they should be.
As you see, I've picked up a new book. Elections are less than 2 weeks away. I'm trying to be wise and responsible. (For a while, my co-dependent self was trying to make sure everyone else was too.) I'm trying to read fast, which is nothing short of laughable. I'm praying, incorporating verses from Proverbs: "Help me to not lean on my own understanding, but to acknowledge You in all my ways so that You can direct my paths."
Each political book I read confuses me more--and yet adds a to my understanding of the political process. Each book presents perspectives I haven't thought of. This time, among many other issues, I'm looking at protest.
I guess it's a no-brainer that venting, alone, does little good. Protest needs to be tempered with alternatives--and hope. Wallis allows readers to see that played out.
Wallis and church leaders warned the Bush administration about disasterous consequences to war in Iraq. They presented a 6 step alternative which included still dealing with Hussein but protecting the Iraqi people. Unfortunately, the plan was not received and the consequences have been as disasterous as expected.
BUT . . . I believe the plan was well thought out and had it been implemented, we'd be living in a different world. I absolutely believe that there are times when the alternatives WILL be received. When the wisdom WILL be recognized. I don't believe we can give up.
Example: poverty/taxing the rich/welfare. Some believe all poor are stupid and/or lazy and deserve nothing. With others, their compassion (or desire for control) runs so deep that they would, unconditionally, give the poor everything they need or want. You know--as we ALL do, that there is some middle ground to play with. Or as Jim Wallis would say, "There is a Third Way."
I've written my first letter to a senator this year. I expressed thankfulness for some measures she's taken. I also asked if there weren't some way to deal with a couple issues that would respect the rights and beliefs of both Republicans and Democrats.
What can I say? It's a start.
Ever Dependent on Him,
Lonnie
