The Metric of Respect

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Sunday June 11, 2006 · 6:18 PM PDT

2006/06/11 · 18:18

Several days ago I posted
The Respect Schematic. There were not many comments, but I was grateful for all the replies, because they helped me realize where I could be more clear in communicating. My replies to some of the comments became so involved, that I decided to save them for this diary post. The central argument I'm trying to make is this: unless we work together to create a more respectful society, we are toast. To do that, we must recognize the central issue of respect, an ancient meme whose time has come.

Below are my replys to some very good questions. I also strongly encourage the interested reader to check out my alter-ego post as a guest blogger on earthfamilyalpha, where the expert and entertaining Oz blogs on climate change and peak oil. Read More

The Respect Schematic

respectisthecentralissue

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Sunday June 04, 2006 · 10:53 PM PDT

2006/06/04 · 22:53

Respect. Others. Self. Place.

Above is the respect schematic. Respect is the key categorical issue waiting to be recognized. It can be broken down into respect for others, self, and place. There is almost no major issue disussed on DailyKos that could not be categorized as a failure of respect. Racism, sexism, child abuse, genocide, abuse of government power, murder, rape, robbery and war all involve disrespect for others and self. Taking abuse, whenever change is possible, disrespects oneself and others so abused. Global warming, toxic waste pollution and reckless resource depletion all involve a lack of respect for the physical place around us. Propaganda, lies, media distortions and bullying of all kinds disrespect the place of connection between us. Read More

Did you know about the Christmas Truce?

respectisthecentralissue

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Saturday December 24, 2005 · 1:12 AM PST

2005/12/24 · 01:12

As the soldiers at the time said, it was a beautiful thing. In WWI soldiers from both sides stopped the war and came out of the trenches to wish each other a Merry Christmas in No Man's Land. Below is a link to a news story about both the truce and a new movie about it that is sweeping France. To me it as though the soldiers created this unspoken shared prayer that whispers still for our salvation.

http://news.independent.co.uk/...

A little more on the flip. Read More

Questions About Respect With Poll and Poem for John

respectisthecentralissue

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Thursday December 08, 2005 · 9:47 PM PST

2005/12/08 · 21:47

First the poem, such as it is, which came to me the first winter after John was killed. Bless you, and thank you, John. Bless us all, everyone.

to john who now flows-first winter

on the telephone wire a sparrow
cocks its head, a motion which turns
the key in my old Volkswagen
that makes the sound of this
cricket in my room
who does not seem to know
that it is winter

More below the fold. Read More

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