Apparently Warren Buffett, the billionaire business bronco, is sick of the Push Back from Republicans on the issue of wealthy people helping with the National Debt by paying higher taxes than they do now.

Certain politicians have retorted to WB that perhaps if he’s feeling “guilty” he can send a check to the Treasury.  According to this article, Warren has upped the anty on the Reps by stating that for every dollar they send to the treasury, he will match it.  I like that kind of cavalier attitude (though I wouldn’t mind if he actually just showed them up and sent a check daring them to match it).

I have to say that Buffett has a good thing going on here.  The National Debt is a huge problem.  Though I don’t know what it takes to be and remain wealthy, and I know that there is great responsibility in that, in times of trouble for a nation, if there are some people who can hold the whole system to account and then ask them to solve it (politically and with their own purses), I like it.

Politics seem to be more about the all or nothing these days, and that has its place sometimes (ex. fighting evil like slavery).  But on the National Debt, signing pieces of paper stating I’ll never do this or that (even if it is for the common good or for any reason) is foolish.  I’m not a fan of taxes, not at all.  In fact I want smaller government.  But I also realize we have to pay for what we’ve already done – lets get that done too!

Were you ever into Ska?  I had a friend that really really really was. I used to kick him around saying and drawing pics about how “Ska is dead”.  Well, I was a jerk, because I later fell in love with the Ska/Rock band Five Iron Frenzy.  Their song “New Hope” became a staple and I can’t put a number on how much I played through “Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Bugaloo”.  They’re such a solid band, they have a unique sound and Reese has a voice I can’t get enough of.

The band is raising funds, and has already raised 50k for the cause of getting out and playing music again.  The most exciting part is that they will have a new album next year.  If they come near this area, I’ll be out.  Check their website  and help them get on Conan O’brien!

There have been a few embarrassments over the years for the US Military, but the recent video of young marines in Afghanistan urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters has me reeling in utter disgust. As a citizen of the United States, this harms every one of us, opens the world up to more conflict, and burns the bridges of authenticity and goodness that the majority of our leaders and people have been trying to accomplish!

It showcases how these young men have no value for the dignity of all persons.

Gen 1:27–28

And God said: Let us make mankind in our image/b’tsalmeinu, as our likeness/kid’muteinu. And they will have dominion over [the animals]…․And God created humankind in His image /b’tsalmo, in God’s image/tselem He created him, male and female He created them. And God blessed them and God said to them: Be fruitfull and multiply, and fill the land and occupy it, and have dominion over the sea’s fish and the skies’ bird and every animal crawling over the land. (source)

If one desires to have positive outcomes in life, if one wants to live in community with people in our own neighborhoods and in the world, if a person wants to have true respect for anyone other than oneself – recognizing that all humans are children of God, and that even our enemies (especially after death) deserve to be given back to God and given the treatment we would want.

In the Old Testament, King David had people in his court who disagreed with how well he treated his enemies.  Then King David had a man unethically and despicably placed at the front of the battle lines to steal the man’s wife.  David’s General saw this and from that point forward treated their enemies more brutally and David had lost the authenticity that would have been an argument against doing harm to others.

Every time individuals make bad unwise destructive vulgar decisions that obviously devalue the humanity of all persons, we slap our allies and friends in the face who are trying to work with us towards stability and peace in the world.

What kind of punishment does this deserve?  When they discover who did this, I hope that it makes a statement that this is never okay.  I hope that it comes from someone who can keep the military accountable and on their toes with some authority, and I hope that the response comes not just from disgust, but from a deep sense that all human beings who die in battle could be treated with respect and buried without desecration.  We would be more than disgusted if it had been the other way around.

We are a nation that is both strong, and good.  These four or five do not represent the Marines, or us.

Actual Video Link Below (Caution: Vulgar Image)

http://cdnapi.kaltura.com/index.php/kwidget/wid/0_ym48x0c1/uiconf_id/6740162

CNN Commentary:

Washington Post Article (Click)

It is always an impressive feat when a movie delivers amazing production, high quality acting, action, a deep underlying philosophy to undergird the plot AND a deep spiritual underpinning.  

Two movies, one recent and one older in origin, stick out in my mind as great works that inspire the spiritual person to greater discipline and leadership in one’s own life.

The older movie is Cromwell, 1970, starring Richard Harris and Alec Guinness.  The story chronicles Oliver Cromwell’s opposition to a King who does not listen to the will of the people through Parliament.  Alec Guinness, as Cromwell, does an amazing job delivering faith filled speeches throughout the film.  Not only does his belief inform his leadership of an army rebelling against King Charles’ unjust actions concerning land, and the changes to the Church of England.  While Oliver comes off a bit self-righteous at some points according to modern standards, it is nice that he has standards and justifies them.  He is also the archetype of the leader who does not want to lead.  He is thrust forward by circumstance and despite the desire to retire to a common life, Oliver is thrust into history by great events.  Though the movie and its costumes are all 1970′s level, the underlying principles are solid and the acting is superb.  The musical score is beautiful as well, full of tones denoting the importance of the time period.  For anyone who is persevering in a leadership role and trying to integrate their faith into everyday life – this is highly recommended.  And great for retro appeal. Modern movie goers may recognize Alec Guinness as the Emperor at the beginning of the film Gladiator, or the first Dumbledore in the Harry Potter Series.  

The more recent film is The Book of Eli, 2010 film by the Hughes brothers starring Denzel Washington.  The film is about a post-apocalyptic world of the future after a supposedly religious war that ends in nuclear obliteration of civilization.  Eli is a man who is traveling west to the California coast, despite warnings that there is nothing out there, to preserve a King James Bible, which he received supernaturally after being lead to it by a spiritual voice.  The main antagonist is Carnegie, the leader of a town with a clean water supply and a small military force, who wishes to expand his townships and create a small “kingdom” (my words, not the movies).  He is a literate man but is basically a dictator in the tradition of Musselini, Hitler or Stalin.  He wishes to have absolute power by any means possible and desires the Bible for the words in order to control the hearts of the people.  Having watched this a couple times now, there are many twists and turns – it is incredibly gritty (expect a high level of violence, alluded to cannibalism and basic survival battles).  But Eli acts much like one would expect a person of faith to behave. He makes mistakes, but keeps moving.  He prays, he teaches others the word of God if he sees their receptivity, and he survives when he needs to.  The rise of Eli and the degeneration of those who do evil is a pervasive theme in this movie.  For anyone who wishes to watch a film of spiritual perseverance even in times of great evil and survival ethics – this is a film to watch.  

Both of these films hit me in a deep way. I’ve watched them both several times and find new facets each time.  Each time I am inspired and come to it differently (because I have grown a bit and bring more to the interpretation of the film) than before.  These are great films to watch on your own, or with a group of theological/philosophical friends who would converse deeply afterwards.  A religion and leadership club in college would do well to discuss these films.   Enjoy.

God can be trusted even during hard times

Daniel Griswold is the director of youth at St. Andrew By-the-Sea United Methodist Church. Read his blog at www.danielgriswold.wordpress.com. Follow him on Twitter @dannonhill.

Read more: http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/12/12/1894067/god-can-be-trusted-even-during.html#ixzz1giAm3mbQ

How to be Real?  Want to be a whole person?  Here’s some thoughts.

Where did Steve Jobs get his creativity, ambition?

Read more: http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/10/24/1839716/where-did-steve-jobs-get-his-creativity.html#ixzz1cfQ8SPze

Loving People in An Imperfect World

By Daniel Griswold

(Shortened and published in The Island Packet)

No matter how many times I promise myself that I will not look into the comments section on “Religion” articles, I always end up meandering down to those nether-regions for a look, though it is more like a journey.

In my Google News aggregation of articles I have specific sections for “Religion”, “Theology”, and more specifically “Christianity”. Often articles from smaller papers across the country come up and are mostly opinions, and I tend not to read those. But when the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, or our local Island Packet has a topic in Religion, I often bite and seek other’s perspectives on faith. These articles are often well thought out, but like all things internet, the final word goes to the conversation below the article – and that is where things get messy. Interesting? Maybe. Explosive? Often.

I’ve noticed certain strands of arguments being played out in culture are mirrored in the comments and they tend to take the same form on every article though combined in different ways depending on the commentators.

One person types, “We’re praying for all the people in the hurricane.” A second person responds, “Don’t bother praying. There is no God.” Another person posts some scripture, maybe John 3:16, then an argument breaks out about The Crusades and how Christ’s followers haven’t been loving enough.

Then it gets interesting – this is the gold that I look for – even as my stomach churns at many frustrating jabs back and forth, eventually people start telling their personal stories. These stories are the identities behind the anonymity and the reader sees why people believe or do not adhere to a faith. Hurts from the past surface, abuses of religious folks on the powerless in childhood are told, frustration and anger with institutions bleed to the surface in what is hopefully a cathartic experience for those who have harbored stories of injustices.

The arguments continue but between the heated posts, those with positive experiences explain why they believe. Often personal experiences of God’s presence, or His overwhelming love are shared. Stories of broken people being brought into a good faith community and being restored to wholeness through peace, love, mercy and the overflow of hope – these folks find fulfillment in God’s arms and contrast to the darkness that others tell. The joy is apparent, but it is clear that those who tell these faith stories wonder about other faith communities that would allow harm.

Both types of stories build a narrative that show how while some are healed in faith communities, others have found continued hurt and pain. The question from both sides is “Why?” If God exists, then why do we still hurt? Why do we hurt each other? Is this God’s fault? Is this our own making? Who’s going to fix this mess? Who is going to fix me?

Whether online or face-to-face, people seek justice. There is a basic human desire to bring about a balanced scale for all people despite the forces that bring about evil in the world. The Egyptians called this sense of the good “ma’at”, and the Pharaohs, like all, would be expected to live holy lives without lies and deceit. An unjust king could bring about famine and war, but like all people, errors happened.

One reason I love reading the Old Testament in the Bible is that the Israelites wrote down their experiences with God warts and all. Other cultures struck out the bad stuff, especially personal failures of leaders. One story that fascinates me is of Moses, a murderer redeemed, who never entered the Promised Land himself because he himself had moments of doubt in God’s power.

Their stories showed the imperfections of people and how easily even the best hearts can become corrupted – bringing hurt on those around them, even loved ones. They knew a few things about religion and desired to be perfect like God is perfect, but messed up big time– and still wrote it down!

Perhaps the reason I keep reading the chaotic comments is that I see the back and forth of my own faith in those words. My conversations with God often mirror the questions I see, because there are mysteries that remain mysteries, and people in and out of religion continue to act badly.

As people of faith, we can continue to fight evil in ourselves, in the church, other institutions and in the world, to live out Isaiah’s call to “Learn to do right, seek justice, defend the oppressed,… (Isaiah 1:17a),” living holy, good lives so that all people see Jesus Christ for who He is without any filters, just glowing with God’s eternal love.

Daniel Griswold
Director of Youth, Saint Andrew By-The-Sea UMC
danielgriswold@gmail.com
twitter name: dannonhill