A revolt of Conscience - A quiet day in America

[mikelewis]

While not a supporter of the Latino Movement (not through lack of agreement but because other issues weigh more heavily at this particular time and I have not come to fully understand the debate, yet), I must say that I am very pleased by the actions taken by the Latino leadership and the people taking part in the movement. So far today, there have been no reports of violence attributed to this movement and if success was to be gauged by the creation of a heightened sense of consciousness concerning our own particular "Untouchables", then so far, I'd say this demonstration has been a success. The last thing to steal the stage from the atrocities of the Bush Administration or the complicity of the Crony Congress was the disaster of Katrina. I was beginning to believe that the only thing that could outshine the darkness from our "Leaders" was the wrath of God himself. And yet, in small hamlets and giant cities all across America, people are stealing the stage through peaceful protest and waging a revolt of Conscience. It is truly a refreshing sight to witness. Movements of this nature bring honor to those who participate and I'm glad to witness the power of compassion (even if my comprehension is lacking).

I'd like to apologize for my ignorance on this issue however the national dialog has helped alleviate a great deal of it over the past few weeks. I do recognize the significance of the issue but the plight of the migrant worker must remain on the back-burner (at least for me) until we, as a country, decide to stop exporting death to defenseless people. And quite possibly, more important is the election stealing that we are about to witness tomorrow in those same little hamlets and giant cities all across America. I say it's more important because without the ability to influence the direction my country takes, I can help no one nor stop the rain of death we so self-righteously have deemed appropriate for the people of Iraq and the soldiers we send to die for "Freedom".

I wish you all the success you dreamed of when starting this movement and as long as you adhere to the principles of non-violence, I will continue to have respect for your movement (even if I later decide that I do not agree with your point of view).

I felt it necessary to commend the actions taken by the Latino demonstration because if a war is to be waged, it's best that people are finally learning how to fight without losing their dignity. And even if your cause should fail, it's refreshing to have a quiet day in America where peace is the sword that wages war. Good luck with the rest of the demonstration and here's a toast to Peace.
:toast:

The Law of Our Species

I am not a visionary. I claim to be a practical idealist. The religion of non-violence is not meant merely for the rishis(sages) and saints. It is meant for the common people as well. Non-violence is the law of our species as violence is the law of the brute. The spirit lies dormant in the brute and he knows no law but that of physical might. The dignity of man requires obedience to a higher law-to the strength of the spirit....
The rishis who discovered the law of non-violence in the midst of violence were greater geniuses than Newton. They were themselves known to the use of arms, they realized their uselessness, and taught a weary world that its salvation lay not through violence but through non-violence. (YI, 11-8-1920, p3)

I learnt the lesson of non-violence from my wife, when I tried to bend her to my will. Her determined resistance to my will, on the one hand, and her quiet submission to the suffering my stupidity involved, on the other, ultimately made me ashamed of myself and cured me of my stupidity in thinking that I was born to rule over her and, in the end, she became my teacher in non-violence.
http://www.mkgandhi.org/momgandhi/momindex.htm