Blue Pagans at the DNC

Stay Tuned

2008-09-02T06:37:00.000-07:00

First of all, my apologies for not doing more with this blog. Our hotel had a business center, but there were sometimes lines of folks waiting for a computer, and issues with their internet connection at other times.

I worked hard during the convention to do two things: first, to attend official caucus and convention events in a way that would both well-represent the donors who helped me get there; second, to present the face of the Pagan community, in all its strength and spiritual beauty.

While there were some awesome (literally) moments, it wasn't always easy. Getting the attention of the Obama campaign faith outreach coordinator presented the greatest challenge. Finally, in the end, I slipped him a note, "If there's no room at the table for the Pagan community, just let me know and I'll stop trying to contact you."

That started what appeared to be a productive conversation. Maybe trying to begin a positive relationship at a busy national convention wasn't the best idea. I'll make another attempt this week, once the dust settles, and expect a positive outcome.

After all, the signs of openness, of acceptance of all faith communities, couldn't have been clearer during the interfaith service on Sunday, and the events Thursday night.

One more question...once I either do or do not sort things out with the Obama campaign, I'm planning to close down the blog. It's convention-related after all, and the convention is over. There may be bumps in the road toward mutual understanding involved, but I expect them to be few and far between, and certainly not frequent enough to merit a blog. I would welcome your thoughts on this.

To Be Very Clear

2008-08-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the opportunity to clarify my last post.

If you'll read back a few days, you'll find me urging those Pagans who feel they can be active in the political arena to do so....whether they are Democrats, Republicans, Greens, or independents. Further, those who feel they would rather not be active in a partisan way were urged to become active in an organization whose focus (environmental, civil liberties, and the like) matched their own viewpoint. I even urged Pagans attending the Republican National Convention to comment on their experiences, as I have commented on mine.

By their very nature blogs are personal stories. I can only tell my own and urge others to do the same. My point and purpose is that Pagans are very much affected by those in political power. Laws and court decisions affect us, as they affect people of every faith. My own personal belief is that those of us who can spare an hour or two once in a while for political action ought to do so. It will take more than slapping on a bumpersticker; it will take a strong effort to become known (and even relied upon) by those in power.

I've heard people say that we Pagans represent the next civil rights movement, and that may well be so. For us to succeed we must come out of the shadows and start stuffing envelopes.

The Gods Are Invoked....

2008-08-28T23:31:00.000-07:00

By the time you read this you will all have seen the news coverage of the last event of the Democratic National Convention. First we heard from Al Gore, Joe Biden and other great speakers, and there was some wonderful music.

Barack Obama, the first African-American nominated by a major political party in US history and speaking on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's famous "I have a dream" speech, was even more inspiring that usual. But our Pagan delegates will long remember the opportunity we had to invoke the Gods at an official convention event, thus making history of a different sort.

Let me explain, because you may not have caught the final item on the agenda (CNN, at least, went to a commercial instead of airing it).

At the end of a wonderful, joyful night, complete with fireworks and confetti (including a cascade of white stars), came an invocation. Until the last, there was no hint of how it would close, but then it came: the minister said he would pause before the end of the prayer and encouraged everyone in Invesco Field to finish it as they would in their own faith tradition.

And so the Gods came to that venue, as I completed the invocation with "by the Gods of my people, so mote it be!"

Friends, Barack Obama continues to amaze me. In being welcoming to Pagans, he appears to be counting on our assistance, hoping that the help we will give him might balance the harm this could cause him among evangelicals. I, for one, intend to pay off on that gamble.

If he's this Pagan-friendly, if we continue to be given a place at the table, it bodes well for us all.

Inclusive....You Bet!

2008-08-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by the great comments from my last post; thanks to all who read it, and, like me, felt themselves a welcome part of the effort to elect Barack Obama and of the Democratic Party.

The Maine GOP, as represented by conservative blog As Maine Goes, felt differently. No surprise. For the entire list of comments (mostly addressed at my co-blogger, Ed Lachowicz), follow this link:

http://www.asmainegoes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=57940

If you don't have time to go through all the muck, here are some examples:

I hope more Democrat pagans come out of the closet in Denver. I hope they all come out for the country to see.

Reading "The Case Against Barack Obama" recently, I learned that Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals," which seems to have been both Barack's and Hillary's bible in their youth, was dedicated to Lucifer by the author. In subsequent editions, that dedication was removed

And...

For shame! Wasting his time in Denver when he could be exorcising the evil spirits from the Pentagon!

And finally...

I wonder if his satan worshiping has an influence on his decision making process.
Does he talk to satan and does satan talk back?

How many satan worshiping moonpies can you fit
into a Democratic National Convention?

all of them.

the change we need.

Interfaith? Yes, interfaith...really!

2008-08-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

I approached today's interfaith service with a grain of salt. OK, let's be truthful...a bucket of salt would be closer to the way I was feeling. Knowing that several folks in Pagan leadership had sent e-mails to the Obama "people of faith"outreach, and that none of us had received a response, I was prepared for disappointment.

Joyfully that's not what I got.

First of all, religious symbols, always powerful in the way they show the mindset of event organizers, were all but invisible.

There was a globe, a mandala, and some stars. No cross, no Star of David, no calligraphic verses from the Koran. All these images which might have indicated the supremacy of "People of the Book" were nowhere to be seen.

Clergy with significant parts of the service included Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist (they're pantheist, right?), but nowhere was there the sort of heavily trodden path of "we're Christian and everyone else had best keep out of our way" that is often seen in so-called interfaith observances.

Led by convention CEO Rev. Leah Daughtry, who is pastor of a church in Washington, DC, the service stressed equality, peace, social justice, and free speech (with one of the speakers plainly disagreeing with the Democratic Party platform plank on a woman's right to choose).

The high point for me, where Rev. Daughtry proved how inclusive she had planned the service to be, came when she stated, "We are created in the image of our Creator, whatever we call Him or Her." Acknowledgment of the feminine divine truly demonstrated how inclusive the Democratic Party is, and made me proud to be a Democrat.

As Rev. Daughtry said, "The Democratic Party may not be perfect, but it's perfect for me."

Circle for Peace

2008-08-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

This evening, after a great supper at the Mercury Cafe (witchy, hippy hangout, great food, well worth visiting when you're next in Denver), I had the privilege of attended a Circle for Peace in Downtown Denver.

As someone far more used to holding ritual surrounded by trees, I'll admit I had a few misgivings. How could we create the same feeling of closeness to Nature in a downtown parking lot? No problem. If the people involved truly believe in Peace, and in each other....if those in the circle connect with Nature as it exists in that parking lot, the circle just might work.

And so it did.

We were about twenty, young and old, men and women, and we joyfully joined minds and hearts in our hopes that peace and unity would come out of this convention.

We made and decorated prayer flags which will hang from a building for the duration of the convention, and enjoyed each other's company. Thanks for the hospitality, and the ride back to the hotel!

Tomorrow is the official convention interfaith circle. As far as I know there will be no Pagans with "speaking parts" but there certainly will be Pagans in that room. We will stand together, and represent ourselves and others who could not attend.

Wish us luck. Someone tonight said we Pagans just might represent the next big Civil Rights movement.

Speaking for myself (and, after all, I can truly do no more than that) I would be honored to carry that wand into the future.

A nation of discontent

2008-08-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

(Cross-posted at Turn Maine Blue)

"Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation." -Today's fortune cookie. No joke.

Almost eight years have passed since the (s)election of our president. Through those years, we have seen the trust America puts in herself dismantled. What isn't often spoken of is the fact that the percentage of people who support George W. Bush are in direct correlation to those of us who trust our country, and in particular, our government. The remainder, for the most part, have lost faith in government.

This is not to say that we do not love our country. On the contrary, the fact that we distrust, the fact that we are angry about the state of our union, is because we are so deeply patriotic. We care so strongly about the fall from grace which our country has suffered through that it enrages us.

I am angry not because I have anger issues, but because when I hear about another person who dies because they don't have health care, or because they froze to death without oil to heat their home, I take that personally. I'm a Wiccan, and I take my vow to do my very best to harm none seriously. Every time this happens to a person in America, it is a failure of her government. And Democrats are complicit in this failure.

Since Democrats took power in 2006, we have seen the fourth amendment trampled. We have seen the funding for the Iraq War consistently renewed. And this is only the beginning. And now, it's offshore drilling that's next. Every principle, we piss away without much of a fight.

Every time that that petulant son of a bitch up in the Maison Blanche (petulance is best expressed in French, according to the Republican Party) stamps His Mighty Feet, Democrats scramble for the quickest way to insert their heads as far up their asses as they can physically manage. The Republicans, meanwhile, manage that which we cannot- unity.

It is utterly pathetic that we speak of needing massive supermajorities in each house, because otherwise we can't hold enough of us together to accomplish the people's will. The people want the war over, they want universal health care, they favor almost every position that we represent. All we have to do is stand up for our principles, and the average American citizen will support us. Instead, Congress rests firmly at a 10% approval rating.

***

I come to the Democratic National Convention as a converted Democrat, with only four years in the party. But I come as a Democrat who is committed to his party. I come demanding that it stand up for its own values. A platform will be introduced and passed at this gathering- one which should be thrown down onto the desks of every Democratic Congressman, every Democratic Senator, and our future President.

That platform is a document which delineates our true beliefs. Not those which head to the hallowed halls of Congress to be watered down and distilled until universal health care means "for those under 18". Not those where "alternative energy" means "ethanol for Iowan farmers". Not those where "we don't torture" means "except for those types that don't kill you".

I come to this convention with this deep seated, yet likely twisted hope that if we can just elect this nominee of ours president, that our problems will begin to end. That the tide will turn, that the ice caps will cease melting. That when we fight a war, it will be again because we have the moral high ground. That people can keep their homes, and no longer face foreclosure levels not seen since the Depression.

This is our time. We come to this convention not just to nominate a candidate, but to cast the die which will set a chain of events into motion that will change our nation forever. That a black man could fight a woman for the nomination of our party, and then ascend to the most powerful office in the world is truly, as Bill Clinton put it, a "fairy tale".

But while he spoke those words as hurtful things, I speak them for the opposite reason- for I believe in the tales of fae, and I believe in miracles, and I believe that we mortals hold in our hands much greater power than we take credit for. And while I do not find Barack Obama to be a messianic figure, I find his message to be one which could unite a nation once again. That finally, we could again pursue something greater than ourselves.

That I will be there to watch the first step of this journey makes me feel richer than John McCain ever could. In less than a week, we will witness the true beginning of a new era in American politics. And I for one cannot wait for him to say those magical words: "I accept the nomination."

And then I will be there to hold him accountable, and to refuse to allow him to make his campaign promises only promises. And I hope you will all be there with me... because this is where it begins, but we have a long way to go together.

We're on our way...

2008-08-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

Not the greatest picture, but hey, it's what we have, okay? From Wells, Maine, where we were hanging out with a couple of wonderful Pagans. We'll be staying here for the night, then it's up at 4 AM, and off to Boston.

It's a Go! There Will Be a Convention Circle!

2008-08-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the wonderful Reclaiming group in Denver, there will be at least one Pagan circle during the convention.

The open ritual will be in the middle of Downtown Denver, where just about all the convention activity has been scheduled. It will take place in Civic Center Park on Wednesday, August 27th at 2 p.m. The intention will be to raise and direct energy toward keeping the Earth safe from pollution. Go if you're close by; pass this info on to anyone you know who might be able to attend. Let's show everyone how many Pagans can gather when we want to.

Unfortunately the actual convention delegates and alternates won't be there, since the Democratic National Convention Committee has changed the event schedule ("gavel down" at 3 p.m. now). Please no grumbling; there's no plot here, just lots of important stuff on our agenda.

And so...I'm still hoping to get together with some Denver Pagans, as well as Pagans from other parts of the county, during the convention. Saturday afternoon or early evening is looking good for this. Please pass this info (and subsequent info I will post on time and place) to any Pagans you know who will be in Denver for the convention, OK? Let's see just how powerful the Internet really is!

One more thing...thanks for all the thoughtful, insightful comments to my posts. It's been great to read them.

Anyone Else Going to Denver or St. Paul?

2008-08-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

There has been lots of traffic to this blog, and some good comments (thanks!).

When I originally started posting I had hoped to hear from other Pagans who would be at the Democratic National Convention, and also from Pagans who might be planning to organize a meet-up at the Republican National Convention the week after.

So far I haven't heard from either...add some comments or contact me directly if you're out there reading this. If you're not a delegate but know a Pagan who is, have them contact me as well.

Are We Included? Will We Ever Be Included?

2008-08-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

OK, I have tried one last message the folks in the Obama campaign tasked with dealing with various faith communities. Unless things change, it looks as though Pagans will be shut out of the interfaith event on Sunday of the Democratic National Convention.

Before you turn off your computers and rush out to register as Republicans, take a minute to think and read further. Unless you truly believe that John McCain and those he will being with him mirror your beliefs and would create a more Pagan-friendly America, feel angry, but make a rational decision on what to do about it.

As a leader in the Democratic Party who believes this country will be better if Obama is elected and worse, far worse, if he is not, I can see why the campaign wouldn't welcome endorsements from Pagan leadership. There's already enough "swift boating" going on, and this would only add to it. Let's face it, folks, most mainstream Christians don't understand us very well, and our overt support might well push center and right Christians squarely in the McCain camp. I get it, really.

However, let's remember a few things. First, we're considered the fastest growing religion in the country. Second, according to the Pew Religious Forum, there are already more Pagans than Muslims, Friends (Quakers), Jehovah's Witnesses, Greek and Russian Orthodox members combined, Congregationalists, and many other smaller Protestant faith communities. Third, the Democratic performance (percentage who say they vote Democratic on polls) of Pagans is higher than Catholics and mainline Protestants.

Add it up. There are more of us than you think, Democratic Party leadership, and most of us vote for your candidates. Truth be told, we probably also work hard to help your candidates win elections. I know many Pagans here in Maine doing just that.

Here's my question (actually two questions, since I've got your attention): first, why are we overlooked by the liberal-leaning candidates we support; second, what should we do about it.

I can tell you my answers.

I believe we're overlooked because most of us want (or have) to be. We are so often misunderstood--or worse, that we have learned to be very quiet about our beliefs.

The second question is more difficult. What I did, as you know, is devote lots of time and energy to getting good Democratic candidates elected. I've done this as an openly Pagan person, and have found subtle ways of reminding leadership of this (Happy Solstice, governor!). While I'll admit to a passing fantasy about organizing a demonstration outside the interfaith service in Denver, I most certainly will not. I will, however, participate in Reclaiming's circle to be held later that week (more details as they become available).

So....the questions still stand. What are your answers?

Those Who Show Up

2008-08-07T06:29:00.000-07:00

It's wonderful to be a part of this great work, that of getting a candidate elected who has experienced the sort of misunderstanding (and worse) that we Pagans share.

Last night there was a conference call for Maine's delegates and alternates. We discussed credentials issues, Senator Obama's Thursday night acceptance speech, and upcoming activist trainings. We were asked to continue in our leadership positions after the convention, and help organize for Obama. No problem here.

As much as I feel strongly that we need a clear, respectful presence at the convention, I think it is even more critical that we as Pagans join the many thousands of activists who are working on this campaign. Register voters in your community. Match the wonderful event held in California where Pagans came together and raised money for the campaign. I firmly believe that, if we Pagans stake out our political space, instead of just slapping an "I'm Pagan and I Vote" sticker on the back bumper, those in a position of power will come to understand and respect us. To quote leadership expert Robert Johnson, "The world is run by those who show up," and show up we must. We represent the fastest growing religion in the country, after all.

And yes, if you're a Green, a Republican, a Libertarian, or support candidates of any other party you are included in this. Staying in the dark denies our political power.

Honoring the Land Spirits

2008-08-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

It's coming together, I think. Or beginning to. Three Pagans attending the Democratic National Convention have started putting their collective heads together and planning an open circle.

Oh sure, I can hear you saying: "Get three or more Pagans in one place, and they'll find some way to circle together."

The difference here, of course, is that this particular circle will be part of a larger event that will make history. In effect, we members of a minority faith will honor the nomination of a candidate himself a member of a minority group by creating a bridge between the natural and political worlds.

It's important to get the word out into the wide, wide world. As you read this, if you know anyone who is Pagan, Pagan-friendly, or Pagan-curious, tell them to stay tuned. Once we figure out a time and place, it will be posted here, and, I hope, cross-posted to the Pagan community at large.

Fundraising for Delegates

2008-08-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

Our delegates are a pretty diverse group, from teenagers to senior citizens, and from one end of the socio-economic scale to the other. There have been some interesting discussions among the various delegates about fundraising. While we all understood that we'd be responsible for our convention expenses, airfare and rooms at the official convention hotel (the Hilton Garden Inn for those of us from Maine) don't come cheap.

Some local or county Democratic groups have held events to help individual delegates raise money. Many of us have PayPal accounts (mine is under dncwoman@gmail.com) and have been receiving donations for several weeks now. Those who know us believe that we will represent them thoughtfully and well, and want to show their support.

Delegates are not permitted to work too closely together on this, however. If they collaborate and raise more than $1000 to be divided among members of their group, they are classified as a committee and would have to file with the Federal Elections Commission, a daunting task.

This makes raising money more complicated, but we're still working on it!

Who's Calling Quarters?

2008-07-31T10:19:00.000-07:00

I had a lovely chat with the convention secretary a few days ago, an effort to find out who was actually planning the interfaith service on Sunday before the Democratic National Convention.

For those interested in semantics, interfaith doesn't mean the same thing as ecumenical. The former usually means the more inclusive of the two, with participation from all spiritual paths invited. The latter usually means that any variety of Christian is welcome. Note the positive spin here.

So, it's an interfaith service and we're invited, right? If you're planning an inclusive service, it's not always easy to find someone to invoke the Gods, especially if you don't have much contact with our community during the course of your ministry. I'll make it easy to be inclusive.

In my e-mail to the organizer I pointed out that I've had lots of experience with large circles which included both those who followed an earth-based path, and those who did not. I have truly found that if you use the right words and avoid hubcap-sized pentacle pendants, people can walk out of the circle understanding what we do and feeling good about it. Wow, see Marty, I told you they'd keep their clothes on!

My e-mail was very, well, non-controversial, with nary a P-word or W-word in sight.

I haven't gotten a response back...wish me luck! If things go as I hope they will, either I'll find out that they've already got someone wonderful to call the quarters (whew--I get to sit back and enjoy), or it will end up being my job and I'll be getting back to you all asking for suggestions.

My journey to Denver

2008-07-30T17:59:00.000-07:00

This is going to be such a crazy adventure. A new city, new faces, and no idea what's going on. All I know is that my computer and I are headed to Denver for the convention... what happens from there, I have no clue.

Friday, August 22nd, we take a journey down to Wells, Maine in Rita's car. Trip's about two hours, and we'll stay at a friend's place- she's a Pagan journalist and generally an awesome person from all I've heard.

The next day, our journalist friend drives us to Logan Airport in Boston, where we catch a nonstop flight to Denver on United Airlines. Somehow this flight was cheaper than Jet Blue OR Southwest, and those guys had layovers (which are bad on Rita, who has issues walking). So we're getting into Denver wicked early, which gives us time to get settled in and check out the sights.

Rita's version of settling in is easy. She gets to check into some cushy hotel (a Hilton, I think- correct me if I'm wrong, Rita) by the Pepsi Center that has wi-fi access and is generally awesome. She's raised the money she needs to go, and luckily gets to split the cost with another delegate who rooms with her. They told me I couldn't stay in a delegate room, and if I did, the occupants would be thrown out. So on to Plan B I went.

I raised much less money. Rita got the Pagan community to back her up a bit, which rocks, because she couldn't afford this either. I had some good friends pitch in what they could, and I got most of what I need covered. I got my ticket, and started hunting CraigsList in Denver. Most of what I found was jerks who were taking advantage of the situation, and renting their nearby apartments for thousands of dollars for a week while they used the money to take vacations. I obviously wasn't affording that.

So I did what I do best: I posted a rant in their housing section, and got tons of replies! People offering me cheap room and board (like $50 a day) to patches of floor (free). I ended up getting in touch with a guy who lives in the area, and he offered me a couch. My payment for this is a french press coffeemaker (I have no idea why he chose this of all things).

In the meanwhile, this great thing called The Big Tent got started up by a major progressive blog, and a couple local organizations. They got tons of sponsors, too. It's a place for bloggers to get together and practice their trade. For $100 you get access to wi-fi, beer, food, chair massages, fruit smoothies, concerts, you name it. What they in essence did was make the event accessible for even those of us who can barely afford anything.

Basically I just wanted to give a public shoutout to all who made this possible. I at least got enough of the money to not max out on my credit card, and the generosity of others is how I'm making it to Denver. Thanks to all my donors, and to Zack in Denver, who's giving me that couch, and to Bobby Clark and the Big Tent people for coming up with such a great idea. You're all awesome.

And I can't wait for Denver!

Truth and Consequences

2008-07-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

One of the things that happens to national delegates (at least those who are well known in their various communities) is that folks ask lots of questions about their candidate. Some are easy ("Hey, what about that Berlin speech?"); some are not ("How can you support a candidate who won't salute the flag?").

The smear campaign against Barack Obama started a long time ago; "if you cannot dispute his platform rationally, just stir up enough mud to cloud the issue" seems to be an accepted method of debate. The Washington Post had a great piece tracing it back to its origins during Obama's campaign for US Senate. Check it out. It's a solid piece of research.

My Pagan instinct is to ignore the lies, and so not give them any energy (somewhat like my frequently forgetting the names of Republican contenders for Maine's state legislature....if they're below the radar I'm giving them nothing at all).

I certainly don't have the expertise to know how well that would work as a national political strategy, though, and the Obama campaign has put up a great site designed to fight falsehood with truth.

I can only hope those spreading lies (or at least those hearing them) will take the time to investigate. Whether their ethical standards are Karmic or based on Mosaic Law, respect for truth is a significant part of most people's ethics and beliefs, and breaking those laws brings consequences.

Many Pagans consider themselves "truth seekers and truth speakers", but I refuse to believe that we have cornered that particular market.

It's All Hit Home

2008-07-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

OK, the letter on official DNCC stationery has arrived, and it's all hit home: I'm really a national delegate for Barack Obama!

Despite months of campaigning, despite months of fundraising to deal with the cost of going to Denver, despite meetings and e-mails, it was getting a letter today that made it all real.

I took some time going over details on the official convention website, http://www.demconvention.com. The organizers are beginning to update information on events, including an interfaith event with the Rev. Leah Daughtry at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Of course my first thought was, "OK, how do I contact Rev. Daughtry and tell her I'd be happy to do an invocation?"

Well, maybe I ought to take things a bit slower. After all, what would my reaction be to someone who wore a cross everywhere and constantly reminded everyone she was a Christian? Probably "get over it, girl!" I'll go to the interfaith gathering, add a quiet "s" at the end of the G-word every time God is called into that circle, and expect an event that respects all traditions. Democrats pride themselves on being the "big tent party"...here's hoping they recognize exactly how big that tent actually is.

Of course the convention activities are not all specifically religious in nature. There are council and caucus meetings for groups ranging from military families, the GLBT community, Latinos and African-Americans, and much more. There are enough hospitality suites so delegates have been told there's no need to budget for meals during the convention. Our delegation will be staying right near the convention center where all the daytime activities take place, so no need for cab fare either, and transportation to and from the Pepsi Center is provided for us.

Absolutely amazing....intricate logistics for an election that will make history. Am I excited? You bet!

Now to measure my carry-on bag to be sure it will work! How will I ever fit a week's worth of clothes in that little thing? And will I get an exact convention schedule in time to try to pull a Pagan meet-up together?

Weapons of Mass Destruction

2008-07-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

(Note: After a discussion with my friend Debbie, who will no doubt end up commenting here... I have been reminded once again that I am terrible when it comes to my sense of time. So if you ever see something wonky with dates, I'm probably wrong- let me know!)

The speech by Barack Obama yesterday in Berlin got me thinking about sometime in 2004, when I was taking a drive down from Maine to New Jersey to visit my aunt. I was trapped in the beast known as the Cross Bronx Expressway for hours. One benefit to that is that New York City has great radio stations! And I found a wonderful song: Mass Destruction, by a UK group by the name of Faithless (sadly, the music video's embedding is disabled, but you can check it out if you like):

This song struck a chord with me because of how I view the world. And following up Rita's post with it makes some good sense to me. It speaks to the true weapons of mass destruction, which are not the nukes, or chemical weapons, or any of that- but instead, the people who unleash them.

Some quotes:

Whether long-range weapon, or suicide bomber, wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction.

Whether inflation, or globalization, fear is a weapon of mass destruction.

Whether Halliburton, Enron, or anyone, greed is a weapon of mass destruction.

And the reason Rita's post got me writing this, instead of just thinking about it:

We need to find the courage, overcome- inaction is a weapon of mass destruction.

We are just as much to blame for destroying the world if we sit quietly in our homes, and in our groves, as if we shot the nuke off ourselves. Because we're who has to stand in the way, and say that no one shall ever be elected who finds such behavior tolerable. As a Wiccan, my worldview is entirely encompassed in two words: "Harm none". Most Pagans adhere to this, if only to the point of "except in self-defense".

So I ask you: if we know that if John McCain is elected, he will prosecute an unjust (and potentially illegal) war in Iraq, and may expand that war to Iran, then does it not become our responsibility (or rather, that of our American readers, I'll leave the international crowd alone) to stop him? If we do not act, we will have helped drop the bombs. We will have to share the blame. We will have helped do harm to others, simply by doing nothing at all.

That is why I am in politics. Because "harm none" means saving Iraqi children from white phosphorous and cluster munitions. And the only way to do that is to be a Democrat, vote for Democrats, work for Democrats, and end the war.

Change Who Can Believe In?

2008-07-25T05:42:00.000-07:00

I'm an active Democrat because I believe my party is our community's best hope for a nation that will be safe for minority faiths. We lost the fight to maintain ideological balance in the Supreme Court when we sent George Bush to the White House, twice. We cannot allow McBush to continue that legacy, and to be in a position to fill the federal judiciary with conservative judges.

Barack Obama is offering change we can believe in. If we Pagans take an active, open part in the political process, if we are willing to make phone calls, stuff envelopes, and knock on doors, we will send a message to political leaders that "I'm Pagan and I Vote" is more than a bumper sticker.

We've got a great opportunity here, a chance to make our mark on a campaign for change, a chance to be a constant reminder that we expect "Change We Can Believe In" means an America that treats Pagans fairly and equally....from an ensured right to worship for military Pagans (including Pagan chaplains), to true enforcement of the separation of Church (Grove?) and State.

Sure, I and other Pagans will be going to the Democratic National Convention, but we got there through thousands of hours of hard work. I hope that others in the Pagan community will pick up that wand, walk into their local campaign offices, and sign up to help elect their candidates of choice.

If we want to be taken seriously by those in a position to shore up our civil liberties, we must show that we're willing to work to get progressives elected in the first place.

There's Rita. And who's Ed?

2008-07-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

Ye gods, how does one follow up Rita? My own adventure to get to this point is quite something, and will come out in pieces as I write. Have you ever noticed that when you watch an adventure movie, or read a novel, they're epic and amazing... but when you're living one, they can really suck sometimes/most of the time/the whole time? I think they cut the bad parts out of the novels. Those where the medieval character hasn't bathed in weeks. You know, icky stuff.

Anyway. I have a reputation for being a bit of a rambler. A bit wordy. Extremely opinionated. Usually I'm hearing that I'm being expected to shut up by the state party. That I have "anger issues". My response to that is that you only have an anger issue if you lash out at random against people who mean you no harm. When you go up against scheming political insiders, though, of course you're angry.

Rita and I are such good friends because we're such completely opposite people, but with the same goals. We both want an open and inclusive Democratic Party, as its platform states, and as it proclaims to be. And it certainly is more open than the Republican Party (I should know, I was one). How we got there is so different, though.

Rita is a long-term planner. She thinks of where we'll be twenty years down the road. I'm thinking of twenty minutes from now. She's ever the diplomat, always polite and respectful. I'll inform people as to which orifice they can insert a foreign object into. I've never seen her curse in an e-mail in my life, and I can drop the F-bomb once a blog post at minimum, and if I'm writing about something really heated (like that screwup of a state convention we had) try every sentence. (And Jason wants me to write here. Has he read TMB?)

As you begin to read Rita's and my work, you will also begin to notice some threads about our lives, and how we managed to get to the same place, but be two completely opposing forces. She will write about her deep experiences within the Pagan community and how they have brought her into politics. I will write about how I am a political activist who also happens to be Pagan. She is a priestess of the first grove in Maine to be recognized as a nonprofit. I am a solitary practitioner at best, and mostly just try to live as a Pagan should, with respect toward our world and her creatures.

The Pagan worldview is often unwelcome in politics, because of the nature of the two things. I intend to write in (sometimes angry) depth about how my (and our) views collide with those of the Democratic Party insiders. I intend to write about why Pagans can be Republicans and feel welcome there because of the same worldview, despite how odd that seems. I will cross-post some of my Turn Maine Blue work that I feel would interest this readership. And beyond that, I want to write about what you want. I am a political blogger, I am not a Pagan blogger (although technically, I'm both!). So what do you want to know?

Finally, I will make one fundraising ask. I'm going into debt to go to this convention, as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I cannot and must not pass up. I will make the ask the last day of the convention. It is customary for a blogger on a large site to have what is called a "tip jar", in which positive ratings are placed. If you read this work, and find you were glad that this blog existed- leave a tip. I hope to write things that are tip-worthy.

(Update: Rita's introductory post has relocated now that Rita has taken over her account... so this used to make a little more sense. Oh well, you get the idea.)