Advocating For Enforcement Of The Law

OK. I’m breaking my silence (which only exists because I’ve had little to say and no time to say it) to ask that everyone make their opinion on this matter publicly known.

You may have heard about a recent Newsmax article by columnist John Perry that appears to suggest a military coup be staged against the President of the United States. You can read the full text of the article here, but this passage from the article, I think, lays out Mr. Perry’s assertions loud and clear.

Military intervention is what Obama’s exponentially accelerating agenda for “fundamental change” toward a Marxist state is inviting upon America. A coup is not an ideal option, but Obama’s radical ideal is not acceptable or reversible.

Unthinkable? Then think up an alternative, non-violent solution to the Obama problem. Just don’t shrug and say, “We can always worry about that later.”

In the 2008 election, that was the wistful, self-indulgent, indifferent reliance on abnegation of personal responsibility that has sunk the nation into this morass.

Mr. Perry’s words seem to be suggesting an attack against the President of the United States. I think it’s safe to say that everyone understands that an attack against the leader of a country is a declaration of war. According to the United States Constitution, Article III, Section 3:

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

Speaking personally, I think it’s glaringly obvious that Mr. Perry’s words are themselves an act of treason and I feel that it’s time to arrest Mr. Perry. Seeing as Mr. Perry’s article was published on the internet, scaring up two witnesses should be a breeze. Just in case problems do arise in that area, I’d like to make myself available for testimony. And I’ll bring a friend.

I’m asking that everyone, and I mean everyone, make a public statement regarding their feelings about Mr. Perry’s suggestions. Here’s mine:

Insomuch as the The United States Constitution defines treason as “levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort”, I demand that Mr. John Perry, columnist for the online publication Newsmax, be arrested and tried for Treason. As evidence of Mr. Perry’s crime, I provide the following link:

Full Text of Newsmax Column Suggesting Military Coup Against Obama

Adam Shephard
Rochester, IN

As stated before I ask that everyone makes some sort of statement regarding Mr. Perry’s article and whether or not they feel it is treasonous. If you have a blog, put it there. Got a Facebook site? Put it into your status. Letter to the editor of a local newspaper? Great. The idea is to get your opinion in writing. Please show your name and the town where you live.

Hatred v. Concern

Strangely, the day after the election is more trying than any of the previous days.

Here in the Fourth Circle of Hell, John McCain beat Barack Obama 57% to 41%. People here are truly shocked that the rest of the nation didn’t vote along with them. Asking these people what the problem is, I’ve heard that President Obama:

• “is going to turn America into a Communist country”
• “took money from a foreign dictator”
• “is a terrorist”

and my personal favorite

• “is the Antichrist”

This isn’t anything I haven’t heard before. I’d heard it all through the elections but that was always from anonymous commenters on blogs. The four phrases I list above came this morning out of the mouths of two women that I work with and like.

For me, hearing this and not judging but being mindful and compassionate is…um…difficult. It’s one thing to fear the painful death that results from drinking Coke while you eat Pop Rocks. It’s another thing altogether to honestly believe that the newly elected President is he who will come to Earth to challenge Christ and bring about the end of days.

The compassion part isn’t too hard. As I said before, these are people I like. Watching them be possessed by such an intense level of fear and ignorance is hard and I do sincerely hope that they will be free someday. Still, it’s hard to not feel frustration with someone who buys into any old piece of nonsense they receive in an email or from FOX News. It feels like the emotion that bubbles up causing you to want to slap someone who is hysterical – which is wrong, too.

But I do feel that there is great value in remaining non-judgmental about the situation. If nothing else, we can be examples. I just don’t want to be an example who allows hatred to spread because I was busy being mindful.

So what have I learned?

I always used to think that I had a pretty bad attitude. That hatred was part of my general makeup. I certainly used the word enough. I “hated” disco and brussel sprouts and reality shows and “that smell” or “that fucking guy”. Looking back now, I see that I never really hated anyone or anything. I just used the word incorrectly. Not a right view issue but a right speech issue.

Some people live to bathe in hatred. Their hatred of a person or an idea gives them a sense of purpose and “proof” that they are on the right side of things.

In the big scheme of things though, does it really matter if it’s disco or the Antichrist? View or speech? Aren’t I, via my concern rather than hatred, giving myself a sense of purpose and “proving” that I’m on the right side of things?

Act and Observe

Today is the perfect day to take action, then watch and be mindful.

Learning comes later.

An Ounce of Prevention

Breaking with format, we’re going to start today with what I’ve learned. Actually, let’s start with where I learned it.

There’s a very interesting article from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Greg Palast detailing how the GOP is working to steal the upcoming election. There’s some very interesting reading there and I suggest that everyone take the time to read it.

EDIT: It would probably be easier to read it if I told you where it was. Here you go.

But did I learn that the GOP was working to steal the election. Not really. I figured as much.

Did I learn how they were working to steal the election? No, I’d heard most of this already.

What I learned and what everyone – and I mean everyone, whether you’re voting for Obama or McCain or an independent candidate – should pay attention to is how to deal with what you may believe is an attempt to make your vote not count.

From the end of the article:

“Here are some steps you should take to protect your vote. First, avoid the November 4th minefield. Voters, wherever possible, should vote early and in person. Where feasible, avoid mailing in your ballot, many are rejected for flimsy reasons, and first time voters in many states must include a photocopy of ID. However, if you have a mail-in ballot, don’t throw it away. Follow directions, use the correct postage (that’s an error that cost a hundred thousand votes last time) and, if possible, walk it in to your elections office.

At the polling station, should you find yourself one of the 2.7 million purged, or your ID rejected, then do your best to resist a “provisional” ballot–one third of which are not counted. Return with proper ID, or call 1-800-OUR VOTE for legal assistance. And never just walk away discouraged. That’s just what they want you to do.”

Seriously folks. Who you want to vote for is your own business but if there is a chance that someone is trying to kill your vote, you should do something about it. I’ve heard just as many claims from the right that the left is trying to steal the election. Whichever side you’re on, I think everyone agrees that this is one of the most important presidential elections ever. One that will play a big part in deciding the fate of our country for a long time to come.

Isn’t it better to follow the above advice than to be crying later that you got screwed?

Nope. No Buddhism today. I plan on remaining mindful of the situation and my own handling of events but this is a very important time in our lives. One in which mindfulness would only work if EVERYONE was mindful. Lacking that, it’s time for vigilance and action.

EDIT: CNN has also set up a hotline “if you have any problems or concerns about voting”. Their number is 1-877-GOCNN-08. They report:

“The hotline has received roughly 10,000 calls since it went live the middle of last week and viewers have reported a variety of problems and issues.”

YET ANOTHER EDIT: Enter these numbers on your cell phones. For those that need numbers instead of letters, here they are:

• Our Vote: 1-800-687-8683
• CNN Vote Hotline: 1-877-462-6608