Xenophobia

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First comes the rant. I must get this out of my system… then I’ll see if I can turn this into a dharma lesson, because I need one after getting embroiled in a twitter storm over Kaine vs. Pence! The “Bernie Bros” may only read this first para, so let me say while I certainly admire your idealism, reality is this: a vote for Jill Stein or even #TeamGov (with my own former Governor Gary Johnson) will help elect the megalomaniac, pathological egotist, Trump. Sadly it’s fact. We can prove that votes for Ralph Nader in 2000 divided Democrats and handed the election to Bush, who truly wrecked the economy and started the current wars. So, as I said with my “mic drop” tweet, even our beloved Bernie will tell you this! (UPDATE: and he did at the Convention.)

Words truly do have meaning. When we say “fascist” (lower case “f”) it stands for an autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader. Trump claims “only I can fix this.” He’s a fascist who fosters Xenophobia.  If you think he’ll change, that’s delusion.

The word xenophobia is pronounced zeen-ah phobia. When Hillary said “Zen-a-phobia” I laughed out loud because, after all, I am ZenWoman. It’s a moniker I’ve carried since 1980 when I first needed a “user” name for the original online CompuServe. Back then I was dabbling in Zen, more the philosophy than religion. When I had to come up with an online ID for the computer system, I wanted to convey something about my views and that I was female. Back then computers, like poker, were a man’s domain. If you were playing poker or getting geeky you were either considered a “sassy gal” or a dyke. I fell into the sassy category. Anyway, this is why I chuckled at Hillary saying “zen a phobic” which actually is part of Xenophobia.

Recently when I posted about my new dharma name on FaceBook, friends congratulated me, but I wondered how many reading my post were fearful or bigoted about my involvement with foreign religions and philosophy. That is the meaning of Xenophobia. It’s a fear of foreign ideas, concepts or religions.

The purpose of a dharma name for a Buddhist is kind of like baptism or taking an oath, but not exactly. While it is part of an initiation ceremony and confirms that one is “officially” a Buddhist, it can also reflect what we need to focus on as part of our Practice (that being our meditation and contemplation practice, as well as carrying out our precepts.) I’m taking time to define each term to avoid the kind of confusion I’ve seen on Twitter where Muslim names are being associated with terrorist pledges. People are confusing social media IDs (like my ZenWoman) or made-up names, like cop-killer Gavin Long’s Cosmo Setepenra, as a Muslim name. This is how conspiracy theories begin. “That’s his Muslim name.” (I saw posted more than once online!) NO! Long gave himself that name and promoted himself online as a “lifestyle guru” who praised polygamy. That has NOTHING to do with Islam or Buddhism.

A primary Buddhist precept is non-violence and no killing. And, we mean NO killing. That applies to animals, birds, reptiles and insects, as well as humans.  All are considered sentient beings. Sentience is defined as awareness or consciousness. Now we can have some pretty rousing dharma debates about who and what is sentient. I’m not sure #theDonald is sentient (just kidding) but I know my yard lizards are. They are certainly aware of me. Bugs are also aware. Ants and beetles scurry away to avoid being hurt. Part of the definition of sentience is avoiding pain. No one wants to suffer, and in my opinion that applies to plants and microscopic life forms, too.

I know this is getting into the “weeds” (which are also aware in a Quantum way), but let’s end with the most important point: why not embrace diversity rather than reject it? Why is “knowing stuff” considered elitist or bad? Why hate people based on their religion or skin color? I’m not thrilled that we have only “white people” running for President, but at least Tim Kaine lived in Honduras, learned to love Caribbean culture and speaks Spanish (in addition to his “amazing” work resume.) I trust him to be a more tolerant leader, as one who has witnessed dictators close up, and knows how dangerous Xenophobia can be!

Let’s keep our diverse Democracy and not hand it over to a fear mongering “strong man” who prefers to sit on a golden throne. After all, that’s why we broke away from England in the first place!

On #ForeverForward

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BernieUSmovementSenator Bernie Sanders conceded the Democratic nomination on Tuesday (July 12.)  I’ve been through ALL of the various stages of grief, including denial (crying), anger (vomiting, well almost) and now acceptance. I don’t want to accept that it’s over. Until now we #StillSanders supporters had a glimmer of hope.

Before stepping on stage with Hillary to proclaim they are now #StrongerTogether, Bernie sent us a very thoughtful email. He also posted it on Medium. Here is Bernie’s  Forever Forward message and  my response (the last link goes directly to my response, or just read it below.)

Of course I will continue to stand with you, Senator Sanders, to defeat Trump and his ridiculous, unfocused “campaign” of insults and ignorance. I was a Bernie fan before you ran for President and will always appreciate and support your life-long crusade for equality, “liberty and justice for ALL.”

Most of your HUGE following has come from Independent (or previously non-declared) voters. YOU have been our only Independent U.S. Senator and that’s why I could always trust your votes and comments. While you almost always voted with other Democrats, you retained the right to dissent and often spoke out on controversial issues like climate change, oil pipelines and fracking. While we are proud and grateful that you have moved the Dems to the left, we are sad and yes disillusioned to see you “swallowed up” by the Democratic Machine.

I am no kid — FAR from it. I am closer to social security than college concerns. Yet I cried on and off all day Tuesday like a baby wishing you could have waited for the convention to make that speech. We wanted our moment (actually many minutes) of chanting, clapping and showing the world our commitment to a peaceful political revolution. I’m sure there were compelling reasons and compromises that required this early concession, but all I can say is it was sad and it SUCKED watching our dreams consumed by the Borg assimilation process. If you can’t stand up to the pressure, who can? (I could make an Obi Wan analogy, but that’s too much SF in one paragraph.)

I was young, but I vividly recall when Bobby Kennedy was gunned down ending our hope of another Kennedy administration. I watched in horror when my country chose Nixon and his “dirty tricks” over McGovern and of course it ended VERY badly! Same with Reagan and his “dark arts” and VooDoo economics (none worked), and the most painful for me was the ballot thievery that stole the 2000 election from Al Gore. I haven’t even mentioned how third party Green or Indie candidates may have inadvertently contributed to some of those tragic turn outs.

NO, I don’t want a lunatic like Trump as President, so if it means supporting HRC and playing the woman card, then yes, deal me in. We must protect our liberties, First Amendment rights, and HUMAN rights in the Supreme Court. That alone is why we can’t run the risk of splitting votes and losing the election with Green or Libertarian voting. Sad but true, and why you have worked within the system, rather than against it, this year.

So, thank you for your tireless work on the platform, and all you’ve done to inspire a new generation of voters. Who knows, maybe you will be asked and agree to be the HRC VP. Doubtful and honestly I’m sure you can do more to benefit Congress and our country returning to your Indie status, where you are now the rock star of DC — deservedly so. Thank YOU, Senator Sanders!

#disenfranchised

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This can’t be the way Hillary Clinton wanted to “win” her historic nomination — by disenfranchising MILLIONS of voters in six states, including California! It certainly isn’t a clear path to victory for her this fall. Some ten million hard-core Sanders’ supporters are sick on this final Super Tuesday (June 7, 2016) and more convinced than ever that our political system IS crooked and rigged.

Secretary Clinton should have called a press conference Monday night and emphatically stated the primary election was not over. She should have quieted the salivating media that NO she had not yet “won”, and most importantly reminded everyone that Super Delegates don’t vote until the July convention. Hillary could have offered some of her alleged “love and kindness” to voters in New Mexico, New Jersey, Montana, the Dakotas and the California, assuring us that our vote does matter. Instead she was silent as the Associated Press and cable news networks blasted out that she had crossed the finish line — more than 12 hours before our polls were open! We take that to mean that the “presumptive nominee” simply doesn’t give a damn about our votes. We are disenfranchised!

Sadly, we will never know the true result of this “democratic” primary fiasco. How many people simply won’t bother to vote now that the “fix” is in? Yes, harsh words, but this is exactly why conspiracy theorists believe — or in Trump’s case use such rhetoric — because it’s basically true. The so-called Democratic party (which clearly is not) passed these absurd rules creating Super Delegates for precisely this purpose: to stop an insurgent candidate from winning. But to actually count delegates before they vote is beyond the pale. Even old-school back-room Chicago “machine” politicians would blush at this 2016 in-your-face disregard for voting integrity.

Polls are just opening here in New Mexico as I write this. I voted early (as allowed here), but I can assure you I would not waste time in a line today given this mess if I had not. As people in our states are asking on Twitter, #WhyVote? You have your presumptive nominee now. Good luck in July. It’s on the Democratic leadership and the media when protests erupt in Philadelphia. Hang your heads in shame. What could have been a truly historic, beautiful moment — nominating our first female Presidential candidate — will forever be clouded in controversy over rigging the system, disenfranchising millions of primary voters, and prematurely declaring victory. No one is a winner when the system fails us.

a Buddhist Bernie-backing Investor?

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For those checking me out as a result of a Twitter post or publishing site, I know it’s confusing. I post a LOT about #BernieSanders but also $AMZN, and not enough about #writing, #dharma or my publishing biz.  I’ll touch on all of that here.  I don’t feel it’s ridiculous to support Bernie, and still be an active investor.  I am fortunate that my socially-aware investment choices have paid off.  I don’t invest in companies I don’t believe in.  I would love to chat with Bernie and see if he truly believes that ALL billionaires are bad.  I don’t.  The ones I invest in donate MILLIONS to charitable causes that I also support.  Let me say a bit more about how and why I began investing in the first place.

I was an online pioneer back in the 1980s running a hobbyist computer “bulletin board” system (called a BBS.)  Not only was I an early adopter of computers and online services, I was a Geek Girl — more common now, rare growing up in Iowa and learning data processing in the 1970s. Yep, punch cards, big mainframes, and giant floppy disks.  Even though I owned one of the first personal computers (before IBM made them), it didn’t occur to me to invest in MSFT back then.  I did buy AAPL the day Steve Jobs returned in 1997.  Good choice.  And, I bought a little known online service called Amazon.com in 1998 (before the 3 – 1 stock split.) 🙂  A VERY good move!  I was investing in the “guys” and their ideas, but had hoped people would have been investing in MY company.  I was involved in the earliest days of commercial internet with my own company ZiaLink as an alternative to America Online.  We would have gone public as ZLNK if it had all worked out. Sadly, NSCP (Netscape) was the original hot IPO, not ZLNK, and as they say, the rest is history.  (I call it HER story.) There’s a bit more on the About tab, and some day I’ll post more details from those days. Quite a story.  Anyway, that’s how and why I picked some real winners early on.  ORCL, QCOM, the QQQs, in addition to AMZN and AAPL.  I had some failures too, CUBE and HAYS (remember Hayes modems?) But got in on FB (Facebook) the first week at $33. TWTR, not so much (but I remain optimistic.)

I think it’s GREAT to invest in America’s future. I used PayPal (early days) and believe in Elon Musk. I was lucky to own eBay and got 100 shares of PYPL when eBay spun it off  (as a result of their 2002 joint venture.) I bought a little BitCoin and always keep my eye on new technology.  Does Bernie approve of my philosophy? Who knows, but I like him.  I trust Bernie over the screwball salesman (Drumpf) who really would be terrible for Wall Street and America.  Bernie is pro-diversity and humanity, something I admire. Hillary will probably win — a compromise me and many other investors can live with.

How do I reconcile all that with my Zen moniker? As I explain in my little philosophy book Seeing Clearly  Buddhists are not perfect, no human is. Grappling with the Dharma (and reality) is our practice.  Zen is a way of seeing things, more clearly. 😉

On Bernie and politics…

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First I want to thank anyone who has come here as a result of my prolific tweeting about beloved candidate Bernie Sanders. #FeeltheBern !! 🗽  It’s  rare for someone to be as honest and have as much integrity as Bernie does — that’s why we love him so much. 80% of people asked believe Senator Sanders is the most honest of all the 2016 candidates! Yet, many support HRC because “she can win.” We know that if everyone who believed in Bernie would vote for him, HE would win, hands down! But VOTING is the real issue.

Update: 4.21.2016  This was originally posted in mid-April BEFORE the #NYPrimary.  Everything changed that day– for me and for Senator Sanders. I did not realize that nearly all the remaining Democratic primaries, and most remaining voter registration, are CLOSED.  Let me explain.  Of the 16 remaining opportunities to vote for Bernie, only THREE states are “open”, and voter registration is already closed in one of those. Example: you cannot vote in the May 3rd Indiana Primary unless you registered by April 5th!  So even if you think you can vote Independent in Indiana, not unless you registered that way already.  Each state defines voting rules and deadlines.  This is very confusing and hard to explain on cable news, so  they don’t.

Further UPDATE:  May Day, 5.1.2016  Senator Sanders just held a national press conference (that CNN aired a few moments of, but was covered in its entirety on C-SPAN) and streamed live on various online services.  Sanders says that HRC cannot reach the required number of 2383 pledged delegates by June 14, that she will need super delegates, therefore Sanders claims the Democratic convention will be contested.  I can’t confirm that, but it’s a valid reason for Sanders supporters to keep going!  I remain concerned about who has actually registered to vote in the remaining elections.

For instance, some of you may not realize you were required to declare your voting status over a MONTH AGO for upcoming elections! Take the next five Northeastern US elections, four are CLOSED to Independents, and it’s too late to register anyway.  Those deadlines have passed.  Now are you pissed? I was.  I know the election laws of my own state, New Mexico, and how complicated they seem to first time voters and anyone affiliated with alternative parties, like Libertarian, Green Party, Socialist, or Independents.  So, a day or so before the New York Primary I started tweeting with some young Bernie supporters.  When I asked if they were registered, some of them called me a troll and accused me of “dirty tricks” claiming I was posting false info about voting!  I tweeted the official Bernie website with the #NYPrimary info.  It was sad to hear how many people felt cheated to learn they could not vote for Bernie.  This was all confirmed on election day.  Millions of young or first time voters were turned away because they had not registered in time or failed to declare as a Democrat.

Voting laws are not common knowledge. People are mobile and elections are governed by individual states, not federal law. Only a couple of elections, like upcoming North Dakota, allow people to show up and vote without much restriction.  As I reviewed the current election laws,  of the 16 states yet to hold their primary or caucuses, I discovered it’s too late to declare or register in over half of them! So, what is the point of Senator Sanders campaigning so hard in those closed NE states where many young Bernie supports will not be allowed to vote?  It will only fuel future voter apathy.  I remember many of my friends feeling so discouraged over McGovern’s loss (to Nixon) OR not being allowed to vote (for one reason or another), they never tried to change laws… they just gave up and rarely vote.

While I was updating this post I just learned of Prince dying (totally off topic, I know) so I’ve lost some of my zeal for this voter education effort. HOWEVER, here is the perfect resource, an interactive map, for Bernie supporters to learn about election laws in YOUR state:  Can I vote?

Now comes the tough part…  (I wrote the rest of this as part of the original Pre-NYPrimary post.)  It still stands:

What if  #Bernie doesn’t win the nomination? Hillary has over two million more “raw” votes so far and like it or not, she will probably get the vast majority of the Super Delegates. I don’t like that part of the process any more than you, and just wait until we hit the Electoral College. That is what took down my other favorite Al Gore back in the day. Vice President Gore had won the popular vote in 2000 yet due to shenanigans from Bush brother Jeb (remember him, then-Florida Governor) George Bush became President.  I can’t tell you how disturbing and disheartening that was. I bring it up to say that even in the face of something that outrageous, we did not have full-on street riots. I worry we will this year. With a bigot like Trump leading the Republican pack and a lot of skin-head followers (who BTW have called me a Tin Foil Hat Looney) there will definitely be violence in Cleveland this summer.  Let’s not have that in Philadelphia for the Democratic convention… PLEASE!

Give it your all to get Bernie nominated, but if the effort fails Independents have lots of options. You could vote for Gary Johnson, our former New Mexico Governor, a Libertarian who never gets enough attention. There’s Green Party candidate Jill Stein, and a Socialist Worker’s party candidate (there’s a long list of choices.)  I’m sure you can even write-in Bernie.  But, if it truly comes down to Hillary vs. the fascist Trump, then I would urge you to vote for her. After all, we certainly know Hillary, have seen her in action as Secretary of State, and through 11 grueling hours of congressional testimony on Benghazi.  You can get involved in changing the system by becoming active in the Democratic Party (or one of the other parties) and changing the rules of the “game.” As a good friend of mine always says, “Democracy is not a spectator sport.”  Of course, you know that having been in the trenches this year for Bernie.  Don’t give up, get even — stay involved!  Protest all you want, but please let’s not resort to violence this summer.  Thank you again for reading, liking and re-tweeting my posts. I’m grateful you’ve all been so passionate about Bernie.  Please comment below if you’d like.  I would love to hear from you!!

Good Friday?

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Is it a “good Friday” with so much hate, anger, and fear in the world? For those spending this weekend in contemplation of what Jesus taught and/or  reflecting on how he died for “our” sins, he died for EVERYONE’s sins — a point worth pondering.  Jesus may have tossed the money changers out of the temple, but he still forgave them. While dying in agony on the cross, we’re told that he cried out, “Father forgive them. They know not what they do.”  He was referring to the Romans (and others) who crucified him.  He even wanted salvation for his killers–  for all of us.

Yes, I think Bible scholars and theologians would agree, Jesus didn’t die just for “evangelicals”,  or for “Christians” only.  He was crying out for ALL humans and our limited ability to comprehend the consequences of our actions.  We are human and we all make mistakes.  Jesus was asking to take on the burden (the Karma) of ALL of us.

Out of respect, I used to avoid posting Buddhist philosophy on Christian holidays. But, with ignorance the cause of so much fear and suffering, I must speak out, especially on these days.  Bible prophecy seems right on about our destiny; that we are on the brink of blowing ourselves “to Kingdom come” with so much fear, violence, and bigotry.  Millions of Christians will go to “church” this weekend, in other words congregate in a beautiful building, and pat themselves on the back for doing so.  It’s wonderful to pray and take time to reflect on Jesus, but will it change hearts or minds? If going to church is just another way to hunker down in a deeper fundamentalist stance of  “us against them”  then it’s not a good Friday.  It’s a very sad Friday.  I say this as someone raised in a Pentecostal church that was extremely intolerant, even of other Christians — especially Catholics.

For years I thought maybe that particular Midwest church was an anomaly, an exception, and that other Christians did “walk the talk.” Sadly, over the years intolerance has been on the rise– or maybe it’s always been there lurking in the shadows.  Now, with mega mouths like Trump refuting civility, people are openly expressing their hatred and distrust of “other” (anyone who looks different, disagrees with their views, or doesn’t go to their church.) Christians are setting fires to mosques and even Buddhist temples.  What’s the line about hypocrites and getting rid of the log in your own eye?  (Matthew 7:5)  I know, it pertains to me as well.

Easter should be an awakening, a true resurrection of Spirit; a time of fellowship and good will toward our “fellow-man.”  That language doesn’t translate as being nice only to those in your congregation or only males.  It means being compassionate to everyone.  I believe that includes not only women, children and people of all faiths, but how we treat the “least amongst us” — the helpless, and also animals, fish, birds and bugs, who are often senselessly tortured.

Jesus died for our sins, took on that tremendous burden because we are human, fallible and often unaware.  Most of you have probably deleted this link, and couldn’t care less what a Buddhist has to say.  In case you’re still reading,  I’ll end with something I found on a Christian ministry website:

“The struggle to forgive can ultimately make us stronger because it humbles us, causes us to realize our need of the Lord, destroys our pride, helps us to see our own sin more clearly, and causes us to rely on our brothers and sisters in the Lord for help.

Give God time to work in your heart. If the opportunity arises to talk to that person, go ahead. If not, lay it at the foot of the cross. And keep letting go of bitterness.”

Above quote from Dr. Ray Pritchard, of “Keeping Believing” prison ministries. This and other posts by ZenWoman, aka author of Seeing Clearly ej Morgan.