Political (and Religious) Foolishness du Jour

[jducoeur]

Thanks to cellio for the heads-up on this one.

Just when I think that the nonsense has slowed down, along comes another one. The latest is one of those pieces that is harmful less on a practical than a symbolic level: a bill now before the House calling for a national day of prayer and fasting for the war in Iraq.

This is wrong on so many levels. It is religiously naive and parochial, taking a very specific practice and asserting that it is universal. Any day that is chosen to going to step on a lot of people's toes, economically and religiously. And it's explicitly religious to its core, so it has no business coming before Congress in the first place. The underlying sentiment is a fine one, and if the members of the House were going and personally urging people to pray I'd think it a fine action. But turning it into law is abhorrent.

Folks have been saying that they want to be able to make a difference -- here's one way. Write to your congressman, and get this foolishness shot down. This is the kind of softball bill that often passes because a small minority are pushing it very hard, and the politicians think no one else is paying attention. Make it clear that yes, we are watching what they do, and care. And spread the word...

Comments

[tpau]

written. ugh.

[bantiarna.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting the link to write to the local representative. When Cellio posted I wanted to write and your post promted me to do so. In a time where disagreeing is anti-american I just dont see how forcing a Christian Prayer group can help unify people. It will lead to nonchristian=antiamerican adn thats a road Id rather not think about.

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

I wrote too.
(I also wrote to the systems people at the "Write your Rep" site, to point out that if I knew my 9-digit zip, I shouldn't have to tell them my state, their software should look that up.)

[solipsistnation.livejournal.com]

Cool! Thanks for the "Write your Rep" page...

http://www.au.org/

...might also be of interest.

[mr-teem.livejournal.com]

In another journal I said "fear not" but in thinking and talking about it more, I'm annoyed enough to have written to my Congressman. (I can already see his reply--assuming that he's bothering to reply to email messages again--but that's a different story. Making once voice heard is important.)

What really bothers me, on reflection, is the arrogance of calling for divine blessings while we are pre-emptively invading a soverign nation. A resolution after 9/11/2001 wouldn't have bothered me. Submitting the resolution before we invaded wouldn't have bothered me--well, not in the same way, anyway. This just smacks too much of Georgie's implication that he is doing "God's work" by "liberating" the Iraqi people.

Latest Status

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

Latest Major Action: 3/26/2003 House floor actions. Status: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
-------------------------------------

(What's Clause 8 Rule XX?)

[mr-teem.livejournal.com]

Hurm. A voice vote (the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered) was called for but Clause 8 allows the Speaker chose to postpone further proceedings (which could only be the actual vote at this point--but I suppose points of order are still okay) to "a designated place in the legislative schedule within two additional legislative days."

[cynic]Probably wanted to make sure everyone was in the chamber and/or put up some nice bunting for the cameras.[/cynic]

Sure sounds like it's being fast-tracked.