Zombie Voters

Rick Perry is a piece of work.  And, frankly, so was the recent US Supreme Court changes to the Voting Rights Act.  Under the Act, certain jurisdictions had to get permission from the federal government before they could change their rules for voting.  This was because those places had a proven history of voter disenfranchisement.  Yes, there was a good reason for the Act.  Governor Perry argued that it was unfair, that times had changed.  That there was no longer any need to place this unfair burden on Texas.

The effects of these changes in the Voting Rights Act were predictable and immediately played out the way we knew they would.  Not a moment passed before Texas (and other states) enacted measures to prevent freedom to vote.

Texas will "immediately" enact a voter ID law that a panel of federal judges ruled last year would impose “strict, unforgiving burdens on the poor," a top state official said… (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/25/texas-voter-id-law_n_3497724.html) 

Photo identification requirements restrict segments of our population from voting.  It is as simple and scary as that.  These same politicians who constantly claim that the Federal Government is interfering in the lives of citizens are all about a requirement that will necessarily prevent some from voting.  And, there is not even an attempt to veil the reason.  Requiring photo identification makes it more difficult for the young, the elderly and the poor to vote.  Changing the voter identification requirements reduces voter turnout for Hispanics, African Americans and poorer Americans.  It isn’t a coincidence that these people tend to vote Democratic. 

We have heard over and over that voter fraud is the reason to have photo ID requirements. And over and over these claims have been proven false.  But this is one of those cases where if lies are repeated long enough and loudly enough, some people reason that they must be true.  

It is Simply…  Not… True.

Study after study makes clear that voter fraud is extremely rare, and impersonation fraud—the kind of fraud used to justify tighter voter ID requirements and other voting restrictions—is even rarer. You are more likely to be struck by lightning than commit impersonation fraud, according to our exhaustive research. This makes sense, because impersonation fraud is a singularly stupid crime. You can't affect an election unless you do it thousands of times, there are lots of ways to get caught, and the punishment is severe. (http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/is-voter-fraud-a-real-problem/voter-fraud-claims-are-smoke-without-fire)

For five years the Bush Justice Department pushed hard for election prosecutions across the U.S., and came up with no impersonation fraud conspiracies. Same with Texas. And at the recent Pennsylvania trial over its new voter id law, the state conceded it knew of no cases of impersonation voter fraud. (http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/08/the_fake_voter_fraud_epidemic_and_the_2012_electio.php)  

No cases.  Sorry Texas.  

Recently, right here in SC, our Governor, Nikki Haley, made headlines when she announced that nearly 1,000 “dead people” had cast ballots in our state.  Naturally, South Carolinians were outraged.  Studies were commissioned, Our Attorney General Alan Wilson (son of Congressman Joe “YOU LIE!” Wilson) announced on national TV that, “We know for a fact that there are deceased people whose identities are being used in elections in South Carolina.”  (http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/gop-investigation-fails-prove-any-dead-people-voted-south-carolina).  

We know this?  For a fact?  Hmm.

Turns out there were no dead voters. Nope.  None. …[W]hen election authorities conducted a painstaking study of 207 of those allegations, they discovered nothing more than clerical errors, bad data matching, and stray marks on scanners. They found not one instance of an actual dead person voting.  (http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/is-voter-fraud-a-real-problem/voter-fraud-claims-are-smoke-without-fire)  

Not one instance.

So it turns out, there are no zombie voters here in SC.  While there was sure a lot of chest thumping and grandstanding, lots of face time on TV and lots of, “We’ll get to the bottom of this,” don’t hold your breath for the same politicians to apologize for the fear mongering and fake claims of voter fraud.  I sincerely doubt that SC Rep. Alan Clemmons who is a vocal supporter of our new voter ID laws, who declared that “we must have certainty in South Carolina that zombies aren’t voting,” will recant his bizarre claim and change his tune about voter ID.  

Because it wasn’t about voter fraud in the first place.  

You know what the real voter fraud is in our country?  It is passing baseless laws designed to disenfranchise citizens.  We should all be outraged by that.  

Leonard Pitts and God

Let me just say that I am a big Leonard Pitts fan.  He writes for the Miami Herald.  And while I very rarely repost something someone else writes, this op-ed piece was so important to me that I felt the need  to help get it out there in my small way.  

I am very close to an ardent atheist (several in fact).  One in particular is an evangelist to atheism, a megaphone to his faith that there is no god.  He feels so strongly about his position that, while I avoid talk of religion, I can count on almost every conversation coming around to it.  I do get his point about organized religions doing a lot of harm.  No question.  But, as the saying goes, never let religion get in the way of your faith in God.  As I am very close to this angry atheist ("AgAt" - yep, there's a term for it) I try not to push his buttons.  I tend to step lightly.  And, when the subject comes up of his non-faith, or his faith in nothing, or his insistence that the universe is as it is solely based on random chance, I try my best not to become an angry theist, which I consider just as rude and pushy as AgAts.  What really unnerves me is when he acts as though believers are intellectually inferior to people like him who are very strict believers in a "science only" approach to the universe (which I like to think of as creation).  

Now, don't get me wrong.  While I do attend church, I am not a blind follower of whatever the preacher/teacher says.  Not even close.  Sometimes I just think, well, the God I believe in just isn't like that.  But that's OK.  He/She is entitled to think whatever.  But if I leave with some lessons about how to be a better person (believe me I can use a LOT of those), then it was worth it.  This is the longest stretch I have gone in at least 10 years without helping to lead worship in church with music.  I miss it.  Because it made me get to church.  It made me think deeply about trying to be a better person.  God knows, I can use all of that I can get.  

Anyway, here is Leonard's piece.  I wish I had written it.  I am sure glad that he did.

IN MY OPINION

Leonard Pitts: a universal explanation for religious atheists

 

BY LEONARD PITTS JR.

LPITTS@MIAMIHERALD.COM

I was standing in line with God, buying tickets to see M onsters University. He’s a big Billy Crystal fan.

“So,” I said, “have you heard about these religious atheists?”

God gave me a look. “Is this a joke?” He asked. “Like, two rabbis and a duck walk into a bar?”

“No,” I said. “It’s a story that ran in the Washington Post recently about religion in America. It was fascinating. Turns out 12 percent of those who say they don’t believe in you nevertheless pray. Some of them pray to something they call a ‘universal spirit.’ It also said 18 percent of atheists say religion has some importance in their lives.”

“Really?” said God as the line edged forward. “So where’s this coming from?”

“It was from a Pew study that came out in October. For some reason, the study didn’t get much traction, but the Post story has been making noise all over the Internet. People are blogging about it, tweeting about it.”

“I hadn’t heard,” said God. “My Internet’s been down.”

“So anyway, I said, “about these religious atheists . . .”

“What about them?”

“You don’t think it’s weird? They don’t believe in you, but they pray?”

“To this ‘universal spirit,’ ” said God.

“Yeah.” We edged forward again.

“Why should that bother me?” asked God. “I am a universal spirit.”

“But it’s hypocritical,” I insisted. “The story even talks about atheists who mimic religious practices, who gather in so-called ‘godless congregations’ on Sundays to, I don’t know, meditate and reflect.”

“This annoys you?” God waggled His fingers at a toddler who was staring at Him.

“A little,” I conceded. “Just seems like they’re trying to have it both ways. Heck, some of them throw hissy fits at any passing mention of you. If I write some innocuous line — ‘Lord, have mercy,’ let’s say — suddenly, I’ve got atheists out the wazoo.”

“Sounds painful,” He said, “atheists out the wazoo.”

“I’m just saying: If you believe, believe. If you don’t, don’t. Make up your mind.”

“You think it’s that simple? It’s not. Faith and doubt do not oppose each other. They define each other, like light and shadow.”

“Wow,” I said, “that’s deep.”

“I have my moments,” said God.

We got to the window. “Two for Monsters,” I said. God showed his AARP card and got the senior discount.

“Here’s the thing,” said God as we lined up at the snack counter. “I designed you to seek me, to feel a need for me. Some people — that 12 percent you’re so fired up about — maybe they don’t find me in what you call ‘religion.’ Maybe that means they’re missing something. Or maybe religion is.”

“What if they don’t find you at all?”

“Finding is important,” said God. “But seeking is important, too. Seeking teaches patience, opens your mind, shows you your own limitations. That’s where wisdom begins.”

“But come on,” I said, “ ‘universal spirit?’ Doesn’t that sound cheesy?”

God shrugged. “I’ve been called worse. Besides, have you seen the things some religious people do, supposedly in my name? They blow things up in the name of God. They stone women in the name of God. They fight in the name of God. They hate in the name of God.”

He looked sad. “I wish, more often, they would hug in the name of God. Serve in the name of God. Heal in the name of God. Make peace in the name of God. I would like that very much.”

We got to the snack counter.

I ordered popcorn and a cherry Icee.

“He’ll have water,” said God and when I looked at him, He said, “I gave you good, strong teeth. Why do you want to rot them?”

The kid behind the counter handed the water bottle to God, who handed it to me.

“Don’t forget to recycle,” He said. “My oceans are not garbage dumps.”

I sighed. “Yes, universal spirit,” I said.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/06/3483892/leonard-pitts-a-universal-explanation.html#storylink=cpy

Time, Time, Time

A couple weeks ago, while I was romping on my neighbor’s dock with Devin’s puppy, my watch fell into the water.  I almost never take it off during the day, but I did.  It went into the drink.

So I’ve been timeless for over two weeks.  I know, the world is filled with timepieces wherever you go, wherever you look.  As I sit here I know its 12:51 PM, Sat Jul 6.  It’s right there on the computer screen.  The time shows on clocks we have in almost every room in the house.  The time is constantly displayed on the phone I carry.  When I am driving, the time is right there, brightly lit above the radio.  There is a clock next to the bed, which I can see even with my glasses off in the middle of the night.  So it’s not like I don’t have access to the time.

But it’s not on my wrist.  I was just going to go out and get another cheap but dependable TIMEX EXPEDITION, my watch of choice for the last 25 years.  But Devin said that he could get me a deal on line.  So, no watch on my wrist. 

I have 4 big clocks in my classroom.  The better to teach time…  “Mr. O, what time is it?” 

“Look at the clock…”

“How much time until lunch?”

“Look at the clock…”

“How long until we pack up?

“Well, what time is it now…”

But it’s summertime.  We don’t have to set the alarm.  We don’t really have shows to watch on TV.  A lot of days we have nothing to do but schoolwork and working around the house.  We take walks.  Go for a swim.  Run errands.  There is nothing to tie me to the clock.  These last couple weeks without a wristwatch, have been kind of liberating.  I find myself looking at my hairy watchless wrist often.  But less and less as the days go by.  And while I used to check the time out of habit real often, my rhythms have gone to a more natural time.  I get up when the sun wakes me.  Go to sleep when it’s dark and I’m tired.  Feed the dogs when the dogs are hungry. 

 

I’ll get a watch by the end of the summer probably.  I’ll set the alarm for 5 AM on school days.  I’ll get back in the work-a-day routine soon.  And that will be good too.  I miss my children and their parents.  I like a schedule I can depend on.  My students do too.  But I’ve enjoyed getting up as the world turns into the light of the sun and mockingbirds sing their varied songs and the blue jays cry out impatiently – they always seem impatient.   I’ve enjoyed taking an evening walk to the fireflies at the edge of the woods and listening to the mourning doves sing their farewells to the day.  It makes me look forward to the time – years away – when we retire in these woods and live so much more by our biological clocks. 

“The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.”

― C.S. Lewis

Independence Day

If you know me, you know that I took a life changing trip to Rwanda exactly 6 years ago.  July fourth is our Independence Day and it is Liberation Day in Rwanda.  This celebration for them was a remembrance of the genocide that had only happened 13 years before - now 19 years ago.  This genocide was, in large part, something we could have stopped.  The US was busy following the O. J. Simpson trial at the time.  It got very little ink in our papers and not enough attention from our government.

I had the privilege of attending Liberation Day celebrations with Immaculee Ilibagiza, a genocide survivor, and many new friends.  What follows is  an excerpt from my blog of 6 years ago.  This blog, originally written in a composition book - became a long letter to Heidi, and so it is personal and not just a log of my travels.  The dates below are from the original posts. 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2007

Liberation

Thursday 7/4/07

I miss you so badly today. Fourth of July is one holiday we have always spent together and one we enjoy so much. Not so much because we think of or honor our independence. Just because we make it special. The fireworks, the boat, grilling out… family.

Today is the thirteenth anniversary of the end of the genocide. Today the Hutu and Tutsi celebrate the end of real madness and the beginning of goodness coming back into this country. Before the genocide the Tutsis were mercilessly persecuted. When they were mocked, compared to cockroaches, threatened, beaten, raped, even killed – they could do nothing. Just look away, just hope that it didn’t get worse. Just pray. Then there were three months of Hell.

Today, things are not right in Rwanda but they are getting there. Thirteen years ago well over a million people were killed in the worst ways imaginable. Thirteen years ago Immaculee and the others were praying in the bathroom they had been in for months. There was no government, police, social services, transportation – nothing civilized except for the unbelievable daring of some selfless people who risked their lives to save others.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2007

The Soccer Field

Paul Kigame enters the futbol stadium on Liberation day

Independence Day in Rwanda is remembered by the people here to celebrate real independence. The ceremony at the soccer stadium was surreal. Because we were with Immaculee, our little eclectic group was seated in the VIP section. Parade. Business, military, dignitaries. It lasted for about four hours. Paul Kigame’s speech was pretty amazing. He would like to see Rwanda’s image go beyond malaria, AIDS, poverty, third world status and, especially, the genocide. It was all about individuals making a huge difference in the lives of their countrymen.













Boring at the time because it was in Kinyrwanda but it was later translated for us by Richard and Immaculee. The president was only a short distance from us when he gave his address to the country. Before going into the stadium we met some important dignitaries and men in the military. The head of all of the military in all of Rwanda set us up with the nice seats and the invitation to the reception with the president afterwards. I can’t remember his name (James ?). He’s one of the most powerful people in the country.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2007

The Military

Paul Kigame delivers his Liberation Day speech.

One of the surprising things for me was how much the military/violence/weapons were glorified during the parade and ceremony. It’s just that it wouldn’t be all that acceptable in our country. Lots of demonstrations of hand-to-hand combat, bayonet drills, hatchet-knife-pickax-and machete throwing demonstrations, etc. Different sections of the military part of the parade were devoted to showing off different weapons. A hundred guys would march with M16s.

Then another hundred with

Kalashnikovs.

Then grenade launchers. The VIP section was about half military men in camo-type uniforms. It only stands to reason that the military would be held in such high esteem since it was what stood between genocide and eventual peace, madness and civilization. It is also what keeps their enemies at bay (the Interahamwe – extremist Hutu – are all around in neighboring countries). I’m sure this was just as much to show their enemies their military strength and resolve as it was to give the people of Rwanda peace of mind. Still it was kind of spooky. Same with all of the heavily armed police and military presence around Kigali. Lots of guns. Big ones.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2007

The Reception

A soldier prepares his speech at the Liberation Day celebration.

The reception was also surreal. It was in the office compound of the president. He was socializing and having his picture taken with dignitaries. I never approached him, although I wanted to. He is so brave, so selfless. He saved this country in its most desperate hour and he presides over a peace and reconciliation process like the world has never seen. I am in awe of him. But I couldn’t approach him. So much heavily armed security – of course.

Beautiful women in traditional dress, high powered government officials and officers in uniforms, huge tents open at the sides – a full bar in every one, exotic food, wonderful traditional dancers. They were beautiful/mesmerizing/haunting/enchanting/sensual. Large hollow animal skin drums and chanting. You would have loved that part. Theydanced the land; swaying grass, long horned cows, the wind, the savannah, the rainforest. There was so much power in that compound. It was kind scary (beginning to see a pattern?). Not so much the awe-of-the-elite. Just knowing how much blood had been spilled by the men in that place. Also the suffering many of them had to endure. Men with machete scars across their heads, bullet scars, slash marks. It wasn’t bad. It was exciting, intense. 

It was also a little creepy leaving because we headed out to find the cars and drivers without exactly knowing where they were. There was a lot of desperation there. Soldiers with machine guns everywhere. People driving crazily (which is pretty average here). Lots of poor people asking for money.

We ended up going to a soccer game in that same stadium where the president spoke. Weary. Long day. I miss you more than you can know. I love you.