We should maintain that if an interpretation of any word in any religion leads to disharmony and does not positively further the welfare of the many, then such an interpretation is to be regarded as wrong; that is, against the will of God, or as the working of Satan or Mara.

Buddhadasa Bikkhu, a Thai Buddhist Monk


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

With Pride

On a State Visit in Great Britain
It continues to amaze me that this handsome couple could be and are the President and First Lady of the United States.  Perhaps the day will come when we have finally moved beyond racial politics and a now suppressed but still real fixation with skin color.  But that day has not yet arrived, which makes the presidential election of 2008 such a momentous one.  President Obama's substantial victory was a small but important step away from racialism.  For a moment, we transcended our politics.  The racialist fear-mongering of the so-called tea party and the ugly politics-as-usual games that have followed since November 4, 2008, do not detract from that moment.  We did good that day.  We have a right to be proud.  And I am proud that this couple represents me in the eyes of the world.