Yesterday, Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, to attend the U.S.–Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the East Asia Summit.
I used to think Mike Huckabee was sane. Isn’t he some kind of “Christian “? He isn’t. He’s just his own personal hall of shame. Bravo and hats off to Kamala Harris for standing up for democracy and to HCR for her exemplary reporting 🙏
"I used to think Mike Huckabee was sane. Isn’t he some kind of “Christian"
Susan, maybe Huckabee IS the heart of Christianity in reality? I mean, look at history for moment. Constantine was not exactly a nice guy as he rolled out support for "Christianity" in his empire. Correct?
Hitler sort of utilized an underpinning Christianity thought process to run millions through the gas chamber correct?
Catholic priests chasing little boys around the pulpit during off hours? Seems pretty Christian to me at this point.
The Baptist Church split (Northern and Southern) back in the day because, after all, The Southern Baptists knew that God supported slavery and whippings on Sunday after church. Correct? Just historical fact.
Maybe Huckabee IS the quintessential "Christian" from a historical behavior point of view, not from the theory point of view.
Oh, and I forgot the Salem Witch trials where guys were burning young girls, tied to a stake, for fun in the name of Christianity.
Update: Thanks to all the folks who corrected the “burning at stake”. Apparently they were not.
One addition, it was also lynchings after church on Sunday. Yep, Huckabee and his cretin daughter, are the epitome of historical Christian’s. They lost me, Glory Halleluah
Mike S, Huckabee is not the heart of Christianity, Jesus is. He was a revolutionary thinker and was willing to speak truth to power. Many of those who proclaim themselves to be Christians today are not willing to speak truth. However, there are many that do and suffer the consequences for doing so.
Again, how many times do we have to keep making the distinction that voices like Huckabee's and Trinity Broadcasting's founder Pat Robertson are nothing more than Christo-fascists trying to gain political power? This is not "Christian" and goes against every single thing that Christ stood for. I just wish it was possible people could include qualifiers before the word "Christian" to reflect these nuts' brand of "Christianity". Speaking as a Christian here, I get tired that we who are strongly opposed to these radicals get lumped in with them. They have offensive, twisted, and perverted views of Jesus Christ that are diametrically opposed to Christianity. They can call themselves whatever the hell they want, but many Christians know these people are not at all representatives of Jesus Christ. I have no objection whatsoever to people who reject Christianity and organized religion -- some of my closest friends and colleagues are atheists and agnostics -- that is absolutely okay, and I would hope folks on here would realize, before they start once again bashing religion for the umpteenth time, that WE ARE NOT ALL LIKE WHAT YOU ARE BASHING. If you don't hear about the good in the world that some of us do, that is precisely what Christ preached. Love and respect the dignity of every human being and do good unto them, never calling attention to yourself. There are lots of others in other faiths that espouse the exact same thing, so there are ARE some people working for good in the world. They continue to fly under the radar. Please don't paint us all with the same brush. Here endeth the lesson . . .
EXACTLY. I get that people are not spiritual. That's totally okay. People have to realize, though, they can, in turn, with their faith-bashing, seem to push THEIR views down folks' collective throats too. All faiths have their outliers. Almost all faiths have shameful pasts. Faiths can also evolve. We can't (and shouldn't) disavow our pasts, but many of us can (and have) moved on, and are learning from past mistakes. All we can do is try.
I was just going to say the same thing. Every time some radical Muslim organization perpetrated some outrage, there were plenty of Christians wanting to know why the radicals weren't being openly criticized by other Muslims (even though they were, and quite openly) with the implication that "they're all terrorists."
As President Carter has done, the good people need to stop hiding their lights under a bushel the size of the Western world. Stand up and speak out for Jesus' teachings and against these Xtian fascistic authoritarians and rabble rousers (looking at you, Huckabees) and their ilk. They speak very loudly and as insidiously, persuasively, as the legendary Snake of Eden, and have seized power in the name of Jesus, who, if he existed, would be appalled at both the power grab AND the abuse of his name and legacy.
As the saying goes, "the squeakiest wheels always get the most grease". It can be hard when other more dissolute, controversial voices manage to take up all the oxygen in the room. I think for a lot of Christian factions there is an uncomfortable-ness in blowing one's own horn too much. It's more of the idea of "we're here if someone is interested to find out what we're about". We DO NOT tout ourselves as having all the answers, no faith does, really, but like my former rector said once, "we're all on this journey together searching for the answers and asking, largely, the same questions . . . if you want to search with us, you are welcome." Evangelicals believe it is their mission to evangelize, to spread and preach the Gospel (as they see it) and bring as many followers to the faith as they can. That's just not us, nor is it various other faiths that come to mind.
Bruce, I share your frustration about "being lumped together" white White Christian Nationalists. They are as far away from the teachings of Jesus as one can be. At the same time, everything that Mike S. listed is true, and equally far from the teachings of Jesus. And we need to add to that list the Doctrine of Discovery, developed mid-fifteenth century, which pretty much gave explorers license to wipe out any indigenous people who got in the way of their colonizing for their country.
So those of us who call ourselves Christian cannot settle for just being annoyed at being lumped in with the non-Christian Christians. We also need to be ready to acknowledge all the truths of what happened when Jesus' message was co-opted by governments and used as a tool of patriarchy and power over, while at the same time decrying today's non-Christian White Christian Nationalism.
A good resource, Robert P. Jones’ new book "The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future." I heard him speak last night at Georgetown - haven't read the book yet but can't wait!
It is sort of like calling all republicans lunatics. There are some who have integrity. Kemp and McCain are about as republican as you can get but when push came to shove they stood their ground and didn't let the trump machine steamroller them.
I'm with you Mike. But every "religion" has its monsters. Jews, Buddhists, Muslims all persecute "others" - and often, each other. They are just people and people are selfish and violent.
The only faith I have found where nobody has died in "his name" is Pastafarianism. Lots of fun, good food and heaven has a beer volcano. They have only one dogma: no dogma allowed. And being nice is the norm.
Bill Alstrom Writes Bill’s Focus - "The only faith I have found where nobody has died in "his name" is Pastafarianism."
Okay, I had to look it up:
The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) is the deity of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, or Pastafarianism, a social movement that promotes a light-hearted view of religion. It originated in opposition to the teaching of intelligent design in public schools. According to adherents, Pastafarianism (a portmanteau of pasta and Rastafarianism) is a "real, legitimate religion, as much as any other". It has received some limited recognition as such.
Although “the only dogma allowed in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the rejection of dogma”, some general beliefs are held by Pastafarians. Pastafarians believe that the universe was created by the FSM while very drunk, the effects of which can be seen in the resulting imperfections and contradictions in the universe.
The Flying Spaghetti Monster is depicted as a tangle of spaghetti with many Noodly Appendages, flanked by two delicious meatballs, and with a pair of googly eyes upon stalks. Such a depiction is merely a guess, of course, as the FSM is understandably invisible to all known forms of scientific detection.
Whether or not the FSM is actually made of pasta is the subject of intense theological debate, with many claiming that the FSM is not made of pasta, but just appears to be, while others believe that to be a Flying Spaghetti Monster, the FSM must be made of pasta. The FSM is neither male nor female, but completely genderless, as the idea of a Monotheistic deity needing a gender or genitals is pretty silly when you really think about it. The genderless term Pastafarians refer to FSM as is ‘Quob’ – as in – ‘May you be Touched by Quob’s Noodly Appendage’ instead of referring to our deity’s Noodly Appendages as ‘his’ or ‘her’ Noodly Appendages.
All followers of the FSM hold that pirates are sacred and were the first Pastafarians. Climate change, earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters are directly linked to the declining number of pirates worldwide. Many Pastafarians therefore choose to wear full pirate regalia as a means to help the environment and belay natural disasters. Other Pastafarians just like wearing colanders on their heads.
The system of Pastafarianism ethics is based on the “The Eight I’d Really Rather You Didn’ts” – a series of suggestions on how to live your life in a happy manner without infringing upon others rights to do the same with their own lives. The 8’s outline a morality which is based on harmonious co-existence, non-judgemental conduct and generally not being a dick. Worship of the FSM is not commanded or even expected. In many ways, Pastafarians believe that this ethical system is superior to all other mainstream religions.
While the beliefs professed by Pastafarians may often be accused of being a joke, satire or even a parody, (especially by the media) this is explicitly and strenuously denied by the church.
“It’s not a joke. Elements of our religion are sometimes described as satire and there are many members who do not literally believe our scripture, but this isn’t unusual in religion. A lot of Christians don’t believe the Bible is literally true – but that doesn’t mean they aren’t True Christians.” Bobby Henderson
A wide variety of people are drawn to our religion for diverse reasons, but our love of all things Noodly, our constant celebration of life, eating, drinking, our ability to laugh at ourselves, to have fun and to still be good people, usually means people stay once they have joined us.
Bobby Henderson is a hero for those of us who believe in a strict separation of church and state. Some of his references and elements of the religion itself are a bit dated and sexist. But the core is solid. Be nice.
Bill, thanks for reminding me about, and Ron for expanding on, the Pastafarians. I can only respond: “May the Force be with you”. Or, maybe, in this case more appropriately, “May the Marinara be with you”
The Nazis co-opted religion for their own purposes. They also co-opted science. Do we equate science with Nazism? I think we're all bright enough to know that all scientists and employing the scientific method is not a form of fascism. Religious tradition, no matter how badly used and twisted by today's fascists, is not "the heart" of fascism - fascism is. Religion, used in this way, is just another dust jacket over their bible - Mein Kampf (a copy of which Trump apparently kept on his bed-side table).
Mike, I agree with all that you've said, with the exception of your description of the Salem witch trials. The Puritans burned nobody at a stake, and their efforts didn't confine themselves to little girls. They hanged both men, women and girls, and on occasion "pressed" some off their perceived evildoers by piling stones on them to force them to to confess to practicing witchcraft. They continued their err .... "cleansing" by persecuting other religious groups like the Quakers, thus cementing their place in the "Christian" hierarchy.
Mike Huckabee and his darling daughter Sarah, are among the present-day insurgence of phony Christians trying to force everyone to conform in order to enable their perverted vision of what the world should be. They're merely another version of those who wish to inflict their often twisted views on the way society functions.
You're welcome, Mike. I used to think they burned their quarry, too, as the Europeans did, but did some genealogical research and discovered what really happened - dead, in any event. One victim, Rebecca Nurse, was found not guilty by the jury, but the judge "knew" she was indeed guilty, so demanded that she be tried again. She was hanged, at the age of 71.
"Christianity" perverted for power. It's been ever such since Constantine declared it the official religion of the Empire. But if you read the Gospels, nothing Jesus said was about power. The evangelical churches have lost their connection with the fundamentals of christianity. I heard tell of congregants asking whether the Sermon on the Mount were liberal talking points. Ye gods!
I disagree. there are those that speak up, but they are often demoted or banned from their church or community for doing so. I have met many who do speak up and I admire them for staying true to their beliefs in the face of repression. And, I am saying this from the vantage point of coming from a Jewish heritage. One of my mentors, a progressive rabbi had the following quote on his business card: “A rabbi ain’t a rabbi until he's run out of town.” I believe that may apply to Jesus, who was a rabbi, also.
fine point of the method of execution i would say. From wiki, "Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. More than 200 people were accused. Thirty people were found guilty, 19 of whom were executed by hanging (14 women and five men). " At least there was a lot of backpedalling after the fact.
The Huckster is just another "Christian" in name only and is exactly the kind of person that Jesus was talking about in condemning those who pray loudly in the Temple. Jesus was against hypocrites and greeds of which both Hucksters represent. I would say that all major religions have had their violence problems because of fundamentalists of various stripes...even Buddhists.
I wouldn't overdo the Nazi extermination of Jews and non-Jews in more or less equal numbers (death camps abt 12 million half being Jews) with Christian denominational support. the Nazis made very short work of any Christian opposition to them, and stage managed their own Christian front to equate themselves with the best Christianity had to offer, the Master Race. But you'd be very right in periodic but chronic persecution of Jews, esp middle ages on, and most esp in late 19th and early 20th century Eastern/Central Europe including western Russia esp Ukraine, mainly because of massive political breakdown during and following WW1. It was in one very steamy anti-Jewish atmosphere that Hitler and many of his fellow Nazis and Germans in general grew up and imbibed their visceral hatred of Jews. Ironically most Jewish victims weren't from Germany but Poland and elsewhere. The Allies did virtually nothing to stem death camp operations during the war itself. Could they have done "more"? Maybe.
I also add culpability of the Catholic Church to the Christian persecution of Jews throughout the times leading to the Holocaust.
The Church in Eastern Europe established an educated hierarchy that strongly affected governance of area. Just as the passivity and silence of Pius XII betrayed the precepts of Jesus of Nazareth the church’s history and texture suffer anti-semitism by inactive disapproval.
The long history of popular persecution was often countered and disapproved of by church and government leadership as i've read it, though im sure sentiments were quite a mixed affair. Church leaders and monarch's leaned on Jewish professional skills, and of course, their banking skills ie loans, which sometimes were not repaid. In Ukraine i think 1648? it was the breakdown of long standing political protection (Polish i think) which led to huge pogroms against Jews. Anti-Jewish sentiments do go back, even into the NT, but it really took off in the 2nd century. Jews were often sanctioned as "God killers". It's such a messy, dark history.
A LOT which happened with Christianity was as much populist as anything sanctioned by the various forms of the RCC . In the middle ages populist agitations of one form or another created all kinds of headaches which the leadership tried to quell or turn into opportunities or at least channel and divert. Try Dairmaid McCullough's rather long history of Christianity which delves into some of this. This was definitely NOT just about Jews since the church was also fending off charges of corruption. Likely also why Jews got tagged in these pogroms. For sure in my first citation.
Jews made convenient scapegoats because of the Christian prohibition of usury, as they were the bankers. They also lived and thrived in certain parts of towns which could be attacked by the mob, who were often stirred up by the very rulers who borrowed. The Romans gave certain privileges to Jews and so they couldn't understand why Jews continued to rebel in first century Palestine. They didn't care about what religious people followed as long as they didn't rebel. Thus the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple followed by the Jewish people wandering all over Europe. There were plenty of silly but deadly rumors about what Jews were up to and after all, the aided and abetted the Romans in the cruxifixction. Then came the First Crusade. When the Crusaders got to Germany, they told the Jews to convert or die. They were surprised when many chose to die. Converts were also suspicious when we look at what happened to converts in Spain and Jews were finally thrown out by Ferdinand and Isabella. And so it has continued right up to the present day where we find people who believe Jews run the world.
Yes, usury as a Christian castigated profession was almost forced upon Jews. The explicit populist attacks were based more on them being god killers, plus rogue stories such as Christian child sacrifice, the "blood libel". Nice thumbnail you have there. Its a big, messy story. Relatively speaking, Jews fared better under muslims "in the day". Hardly so with the rise of Israel as state which was thrust upon the muslim inhabitants and managed to outgun its opponents then become a holding pen for a few million Palestinian muslims. Another messy story. This has certainly provided more fuel for the so called Zionist conspiracy. A lot of paranoia out there, besides the Jews. Of course, there wouldn't have needed to be an "Israel" if European Christendom had adopted a more tolerant attitude towards Jews across the centuries. Oh the what ifs! Legacies have a way of enduring, don't they!
Oh yes to your final sentence. I read Zealot which I like very much and also did a long paper on the treatment of Jews from Roman times to the first Crusade in both Christianity and Islam. I would agree that for a while they were better treated by Islam. Part of the problem has always been that they are all very closely related....Christianity expected Jews to convert and they didn't. Also a lot of early worship was Jews and Christians together, but the Church put a stop to that. Then when Islam came along, it was expected that Jews and Christians would convert and they didn't. I confess to being terse and not always including the details which you have provided. I would also agree that the mobs used any excuse to attack Jewish parts of cities, but certain rulers also used them as scapegoats. It seems to me it was handy to use all these excuses to loot and destroy prosperous Jewish areas, so greed and resentment were factors. I guess culture wars are nothing new. As for Israel, I understand why it came to be, but I am deeply troubled by its treatment of its Arab and Palestinian citizens. Part of this is the legacy of the British during their Mandate.
You cite examples of bad Christians. You could do the same with any religion. You could also list a lot of bad atheists. There are just bad people who claim to belong to a particular religion when, in fact, they do not practice the teachings of that religion. I would suggest Francis of Assisi or Dorothy day as the "quintessential" Christian. There are many Christians such as these who don't make the headlines but do a lot of good in the world.
No doubt. But the Christians you are talking about are being drowned out by the Christian Nationalists. The latter are the ones with the political power. Actual Christians need to get their act together and find a way to fight them.
Twenty "witches" were murdered in 1692 in Massachusetts, nineteen by hanging and one, a male "witche", Giles Corey, was "pressed to death" - a plank was laid over him as he lay on some sort of structure on the ground, and boulders and stones were piled up on the plank until he was crushed. He was 81 years old when he was murdered by "Christian" monsters for refusing to plead to the charges, essentially preventing the court from conducting his trial. So the monsters resorted to "peine fort et dure". https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2020/10/the-crushing-death-of-giles-corey-of-salem-1692/. It's a fascinating discussion, horrible, but fascinating. Another inexcusable terror brought over by the European invaders.
Mike S., read up on your history. "Young girls" were not hanged during the Salem witch craze. "Young girls" were generally among the accusers, not the accused. Those hanged were mostly older women, but there were some men, including a minister. Giles Corey was crushed to death under stones; his wife, Martha, was hanged.
Bonnie, It is all about shock. We are writing about it, there are confederate minded individuals with more arsenal then you can imagine are praising it, and a unified Republican Congress supporting it. There is one path to this because of President Biden’s age and the border crisis:
Kamala needs to step up and convince the Americans she can be a great president. And one way it can happen is to address the border crisis. I was in NYC last night and saw one of the elite hotels fully booked with migrants. I can’t imagine the text messages going back to friends and relatives about being in a paid hotel with free food. I’m liberal, but not that liberal. The VP is being given more and more important roles and now is time to demonstrate it with a tough federal stance.
Or we will lose the election in 2024.
Seriously. People love their country, but fear being overtaken by a flood of immigrants. And that will be all the ads.
The Republican’s will focus on President Biden’s Age and the border crisis. And if they can force a recession, they will. We need a strong women. And if we can’t get Kamala to step up to it, then I’m hoping for Haley.
And I hope that Colorado wins out on the 14th ammendment, section 3, yet he needs to be found guilty of insurrection. He had only been charged.
NYT
Migrants Will Sleep Outdoors Because ‘There Is No More Room,’ Adams Says
Mayor Eric Adams said New York had run out of shelter space for migrants, and he defended a troubled contractor working with the city on its response.
Well, here in upstate NY, there are crappy hotels also booked with migrants. I'm sure the "elite hotels" to which you refer aren't being paid rack rates for housing migrants.
"People love their country, but fear being overtaken by a flood of immigrants." Gosh, you could have said the same thing about the immigration of the Irish, the Italians, the Eastern European Jews, the Chinese, et al over the years. The U.S. has a long and disgraceful history of xenophobia. Right now we need workers, especially as members of the Baby Boom generation retire. NY Governor Hochul is trying to get the Biden administration to allow migrants to work, which I'm sure many of them would like to do.
Very familiar with the immigration at that time and toured the tennants and had folks working on the Morris Canel. The differences which I don’t beleive we see eye to eye on:
1) they are here for free, the past had to work their way out of lower Manhattan.
2) many second generation became college educated. That’s the true success story. Not certain the kids I saw last night even have the infrastructure for a basic education.
Hoping for the best here yet I think it is out of control and it will be us (the Dems) to blame. Yet, again, I would rather have Haley then Trump. Even if we lose.
Good luck in upsate NY. I always drive through it to Vermont and some of those towns seem to be hurting like Fort Ann and Whitehall. I’m hoping they are not burdening them with this.
Try identifying with the migrants: think climate change and gangs. Imagine yourself in the situation with your garden not producing, food prices out of sight, and the beacon of America up the road. Before your children die of starvation or bullets, you might make a try for food and safety. You hope for the kindness of strangers or that your last savings paid for a promised trip will get you to the promised land where you can safely work and take care of your children. We have seen and been warned of these vast migrations for years, but most of them have been “over there.” Now we have to reckon with our many “rapes” in Central and South America (just think bananas, if that’s all you can bear) and our contribution to climate change. If the shoe were on the other foot, what would you hope for? We live in a country that twice has tried to “keep the world safe for democracy.” Now we are being called on, in another way at an even more fraught time, to keep everyone safe. Who are we in this overpopulated world? Can we ride to the occasion again? (Now to GOTV cards.)
Virginia….maybe Canada will end up building a wall to stall northern migration…oh wait, they’re burning too. It may be that there really is no place to run to, no place to hide.
JB, "toured the tennants and had folks working on the Morris Canel"?? Even if I ignore your typos, I really don't know what you're trying to say. "Here for free" doesn't make any sense either, considering what so many of these migrants have to had to go through to get here (see Virginia's post).
Yes, Fort Ann and Whitehall are hurting; that's nothing new. You're obviously unfamiliar with communities in upstate NY that are thriving, thanks in part to technology companies that happen to employ many immigrants.
JB: "I wish she didn't raise her hand". Well, she did and cast herself as a person with no scruples. The deed is done, the voters witnessed it.
"The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on. Nor all your piety or wit will lore it back to cancel half a line, nor all your tears wash out a word of it." Omar Khayyam
IMHO, the current “immigration crisis” (legal/illegal) is just a small precursor to what will be a global mass movement of peoples fleeing countries/locations that are increasingly not suitable for human habitation/survival due to climate change and loss of livable habitat—this will likely include mass movement of those within the USA as well (think of it like the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930’s on steroids). If we can’t even have sane and humane policies currently, how in the world (global pun intended) will we face what is coming? The rancor that currently exists I fear will get exponentially worse and floating barriers with razor wire will seem a quaint attempt to stem the tide, as world-wide, some immigrants/refugees are being met with increasingly violent resistance/push-back. We dither, argue and ignore what is relentlessly heading toward ALL of us. Damn, sorry, this is depressing to write, but it seems so obvious to me.
Barbara Keating- you’ve expressed my thinking exactly. In addition to the refugees of climate change, we will also see the oligarchs’ increasing efforts to claim or divert water inside this country. Consider the outrageous monocropping of corn in areas with shrinking aquifers (the same Ogallala Aquifer that lies under the lands that became the Dust Bowl). Consider the “water grab” from Indian lands. Consider “plans” to pump Lake Superior water to parched western lands (no doubt to support more corn, golf course turf and the development of more gated communities). The war is already escalating.
Many years ago (early 90’s) I accompanied my (now ex) husband as he gave a private instruction class to a family in Palo Alto, CA (we drove 6 hrs to get there); they lived in a gated hilltop property w/ pool & tennis court. The instruction class was to get the family ready to climb Mt. Whitney in the Sierra. My ex shared that he led winter x-country skiing adventures at Crater Lake in OR. I recall how I had to bite my tongue hard (so as not to put the kibosh on the deal—paying customers for him!) when one of the fellows said water should be piped from Crater Lake to CA! It was all could do to keep quiet about the plundering of resources—sheesh.
Please don’t apologize. You have written what must be written so that people of good will can think and act as their best selves. We must start with breaking the Hastert Rule and reversing SCOTUS. Vote 💙!
There is no way any one person can solve our problems with immigration. And Repubs will continue to harp on it precisely because they know that AND block every decent attempt by Congress to take measures to help solve it.
I remember one printing about getting them to work capacity...am sure this/that isn’t a piece of cake but vetted , processed , and working they can become funded and provide for themselves. Weaned out should be the ones looking for handouts, disabled, or otherwise incapacitated ...I thought that was a point well cited. Again not easy peasy , the roads to accomplishment carry banners thrown by the wayside -the litter of complaints, but the job gets done. Thanks to all the efforts and hopeful for more people getting to the promised land to help and realize it isn’t all the pretty picture painted, but God Bless America.
Far away from the Hackabee's bullets and ballots, we haven't given much thought to the VC Kamala's visit to Asia. The first time I heard about Kamala's maiden visit to South East Asia was in 2021 after the defense Secretary Austin toured the region 2 Times. Since then Kamala Harris has been a frequent visitor to South East Asia 3 times and 4th overally across the Asian region. She herself has touched down in Asia several times more than any other continent. This somehow signals US commitment to the region.
However, I don't know why President Joe Biden hasn't personally prioritized the region that much to gain political capital? Could the relationship between Asia and US still frosty? Has President Biden not found a strong footing in Asia? Is Biden belittling and neglecting the impact of the ASEAN region? Is China influence too worrying to take a back seat? Is there political turmoil in Asia? But, nonetheless, His absence from the region speaks louder than the presence of VC Kamala Harris.
With more than 600 million people,the region itself has an impact on regional politics no matter the level of turmoils that they may sometimes face. I have seen critics say that ASEAN hasn't convinced America that it can play a central role in world politics partly because it hasn't solved military strife in Myanmar 2 years ago and no peace plan has been reached.
But, this scapegoat excuses shouldn't be the cause of frosty relations between ASEAN and America because these are domestic issues that will continue to be available and no foreign policy can solve unless domestic parties themselves agree. And for your information, no continent can be free from any wrangles but this shouldn't prevent alliances from proceeding to thrive in areas that they share. Singapore and Vietnam have been a safe ground for America, but America has find it difficult to extend its political relations with the rest of the Asian countries.
It seems China has distracted America until it pulled out of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPATPP), a trade agreement comprising 11 countries and opted only to finance some infrastructure which they see as less strenuous. As China's influence continues to grow, US relations with Asia will continue to dwindle. Without an economic strategy for the region, US will slowly isolate itself and it will only adopt reactive strategies (due to China) at the expense of proactive longterm approaches.
But, for now, it seems Biden is sending Kamala Harris to prepare a common ground perhaps before he can launch his economic plan for the region and if this is the case, then America can establish long-term economic relations with ASIA.
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Uh, Edwin. President Biden went to the Asian Pacific countries in 2022 and 2023, He has sent Vice President Harris more often because he has been so busy with events in Europe and home. Kamala Harris mother was Asian (India) and the Asians relate to her. Secretary Blinken has also made several trips to Asia.
To piggyback on that, after traveling to Florida after Hurricane Idalia, the First Lady came down with Covid and he has been exposed. It would be irresponsible to travel , spreading contagion, as we saw with tfg and his debate prep.
President Biden, VP Kamala Harris or anyone else would be challenged with an ongoing relationship with East Asian Countries including India.
There is much turmoil and inter-disruptions for power whether they may be using religion or power to take over rule or property.
It is better to engage and to be involved as best as possible. It is better to offer relationship...an open door than to turn our backs and focus only on the easier relationships.
Governing is difficult. Good governing takes wisdom, patience, understanding that people have different religions or life styles or simply choose cruelty and violence to dominate. We can see the evidence within our own country.
There are no words to express my gratitude to each and every SERVANT working with President Biden to hold this country and world together by PROMOTING DEMOCRACY....rather than Dictatorial rule. Thanks and praise to every person involved in governance throughout the world who want the same.
We the people must be engaged.
I would rather lose my dear friends and family members than to accept being ruled by a dictator. A dictator devalues the lives of others. A dictator wants to control everything about who you are and how to live your life. A dictator demands he/she be your godhead. This idea is so unAmerican!!!! at least the America Joe Biden believes in. He believes it takes each and all of us working together to keep our country great.....I also believe in that continuous goal....that continuous work.....I believe in us as a nation.....I still believe we can be "The Light on a Hill".....hope for those in need.....a chance at a decent life....opportunity for an education.....opportunities for jobs prividing a decent salary.
I am thankful for Social Security and Medicare. I am thankful that the many, adults and children, do not have to pay so much for insulin.
I am thankful that we support freedom for Ukraine. They are dying everyday to gain the freedom some in our country want us to give away!!!!
Happy to know Kamala Harris has roots in Asia. But, despite his busy schedule, I think Biden's economic presence hasn't been prioritized that much given China and other countries are moving in that direction.
It's not like Biden has not been busy saving the US Economy from the Coronavirus, backstopping natural disasters, bolstering the rule of law, and generally behaving like an adult.
Yes, America wasted all its treasure and foreign policy shooting up Afghanistan and Iraq for 20 years so Haliburton stock could rise 500%. Yes, China ably and smartly grew its diplomatic presence in Asia through the Belt and Road initiative from the early 2000's while our yahoo President sent troops to kill innocent people in countries that had done nothing to the USA.
BUT, that is not Biden's fault right? That is George W. Bush fault (otherwise known as W the small brained idiot).
Goodness. How much stuff does Biden have to save for Americans to notice he is probably the best President since Jimmy Carter.
Yes, Jimmy Carter was the best President of my lifetime. (born in early 1960's).
Thank you Mike, very important points. I liked Carter and voted for him in both his bids for President, but I think Biden is closer to my personal hero FDR - but then I'm 30+ years older than you.
Mike S, Edwin Kiptoo Ngetich has raised a valid issue. The forum is not a fan club, while there is much good that Biden has accomplished in his presidency. His approval of the Willows Project is not one of them. Although an excellent president in many ways, it is fair to find fault his present and past decisions. Strong support, finding fault and voicing our principles go together for engaged citizens.
'In October 2002, he was one of 77 senators who gave President George W. Bush the authority to use force in Iraq. He is still trying to explain that choice.' (NYTimes)
Edwin, I get your point, but Biden has been focused on “putting out many fires” at home—kinda like playing a game of Twister—particularly w/ Congressional shenanigans going on—one such is the deadline on funding the Fed gov’t coming at the end of Sept—debt ceiling/gov’t funding is the VERY same reason he had to cut short/cancel his Asia meetings in May, as the debt ceiling issue was held hostage by (mostly the far-right faction) Congress. It is good he has surrounded himself with competent public servants qualified to, working together, keep the USA mostly on track at home & abroad.
WHY DIDN’T PRESIDENT BIDEN ATTEND THE ASEAN SUMMIT? That was not addressed in today's Letter. I applaud Edwin Kiptoo Ngetich for raising it on the forum and the press has not been silent about Biden's decision. To have gone or not, I don't know the answer to that but think it worthwhile to consider the question.
‘Why Biden Skipping the Asean Summit Is a Mistake’, appeared in The Washington Post, credited to a Bloomberg report. and excerpted here.
‘No matter what anyone says, getting the consolation prize is never fun. And that’s what it must feel like for Indonesia, the host of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathering. Not only is Biden not attending, he’s snubbing a major regional power — and given that the US has consistently said it wants to build a stronger relationship with Asia, it feels a little like an own goal.’
‘Ultimately, though, actions speak louder than words. And when someone shows you who they are in a relationship, believe them. The harsh reality is that some Asian countries are simply more important to the US than others.’
“It is a cold, calculated decision to reinforce the ongoing stress on consolidating individual allies and partners like Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and now Vietnam,” says Michael Vatikiotis, author of several books on Asia, including Blood and Silk: Power and Conflict in Modern Southeast Asia. “It’s all about spooking China — and picking each of these countries off one by one is easier, rather than in a multilateral forum where Beijing will be present.”
‘The deliberate cherry picking of allies and partners is the brainchild, insiders tell me, of Biden’s key Asia policy czar, Kurt Campbell. It is likely to continue, as Campbell has pointed out in a discussion earlier this year at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.’
‘The strategy is to create a network around China — a carefully strung together geographic necklace of countries that all see Beijing as a mutual threat.’
‘The recently convened Camp David meeting between the US, South Korea and Japan is an example of that. So are Aukus, the multibillion-dollar partnership the US unveiled with Australia and the UK, and the Quad grouping made up of India, Australia, Japan and the US, all ostensibly designed to combat China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.’
‘It’s not so simple. Not everyone sees the world with the same black-and-white, us-and-them polarized prism that the US has begun to point at Beijing. For a lot of countries, China has been a lifeline and will continue to be economically, despite the current slowdown. And that includes some of those the US is trying to court. '
'Indonesia should, in theory, be a natural partner for Washington. It is a large, vibrant democracy with historically strong military ties to the US. But in recent years, under President Joko Widodo, the archipelago has been receptive to the economic overtures from Beijing.’
‘Allowing China’s influence to continue would be a mistake for the US. The ambivalence from Jakarta is understandable given it is the largest economy in Southeast Asia, with relatively strong prospects. And it no longer feels that it needs to kowtow to either Beijing or Washington to ensure its relevance.’
‘It’s clear that multilateralism has become far less important to both the US and China. The US sees its strategy of going after countries one by one in the region as successful and efficient. And if the attempt is to counter its chief competitor’s role in Asia, then signing a major upgrade in the partnership with Vietnam is far more useful than spending a day in Jakarta.’
‘Still, Biden’s snub is shortsighted. There is an election in the US year next year, so he is unlikely to turn up at the Asean meeting that will be held in Laos either.
‘The Trump era of pulling out of trade deals and America First has not been forgotten, and while Biden has succeeded in convincing some Asian partners that the US is back and is engaging in the region, others don’t feel the same way.’ (WAPO) Sorry that the link below could not be gifted.
Excerpts from AP article, ‘Southeast Asian leaders are besieged by thorny issues as they hold an ASEAN summit without Biden’
‘Marty Natalegawa, a respected former foreign minister of Indonesia, expressed disappointment over Biden’s non-appearance, but said such red flags were more alarmingly emblematic of ASEAN’s declining relevance.’
“The absence of the U.S. president, while it is disappointing and symbolically significant, is for me the least of the worry because what’s more worrisome actually is the more fundamental structural tendency for ASEAN to become less and less prominent,” Natalegawa told The Associated Press in an interview.’
‘Natalegawa said ASEAN’s failure to effectively rein in Myanmar’s military government from committing human rights atrocities and its “deafening silence” when a Chinese coast guard ship recently used a water cannon to block a Philippine supply boat in the disputed South China Sea underscore why the group’s aspiration to be in the center of Asian diplomacy has been questioned. Member states have turned to either the U.S. or China for security, he said.’
“Absenteeism by ASEAN is leading to unmet needs, and those needs are being met elsewhere,” he said.'
Dinna Prapto Raharja, a Jakarta-based analyst and professor on international relations, said ASEAN’s credibility is on the line if the Myanmar crisis drags on. While the bloc has no conflict-resolution mechanism for such domestic strife, it should be flexible enough to harness its clout and connections to help address such problems.'
Marsudi acknowledged such grim outlook and the pressure for the regional bloc to make a difference.
“The eyes of our peoples are on us to prove ASEAN still matters,” she told fellow foreign ministers. AP) See link below.
'Biden’s Absence at ASEAN Summit Seen as Snub to Southeast Asia'
'In the game of great-power competition against China, showing up is half the battle.'
'U.S. President Joe Biden is set to travel to Asia for diplomatic meetings in India and Vietnam, but on the trip he’s skipping two major summits in the neighborhood, rankling diplomats in Southeast Asia and potentially undercutting Washington’s ongoing power struggle in the region against China.'
'Biden is a no-show at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and coinciding East Asia Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, which began on Monday and runs through Thursday, sending Vice President Kamala Harris in his place. If from Washington’s point of view the decision has more to do with scheduling than anything else, in the region Biden’s absence is viewed as a glaring diplomatic snub for Indonesian officials and some other Southeast Asian countries, according to three U.S. and Asian diplomats familiar with the matter.
That perceived snub could set back—though not derail—a concerted years long U.S. diplomatic campaign to court more influence and clout in the region to counter China, these officials said.'
“The word to use here is disappointment,” said one senior Asian diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak more candidly about the internal dynamics of the ASEAN summit. “Biden’s absence will be felt throughout, and it is a missed opportunity to cement gains as China grows more unpopular.”
“Diplomatically Biden’s absence will constitute a humiliation for [Indonesian] President [Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo],” Kornelius Purba, senior editor of the Jakarta Post, wrote ahead of the summit. “[T]he U.S. President’s no-show in Jakarta only signals that Indonesia is no longer a top priority of the U.S. administration, which may perceive Jakarta as leaning too much to Washington’s chief competitor Beijing.” (ForeignPolicy) Sorry that the link below could not be gifted.
There a scientific limits on the number of places a person can be. That's why presidents have surrogates. With the Republicans burning down America, weather disasters at every turn, concerns about sufficient water for the southwest, worries concerning flood, fire, and drought conditions affecting the food supply, everyday Americans shooting their neighbors, Americans using violence to advance their ideologies, countries in Africa losing political contol, trying to convince China to compete rather than attack to gain the economic future they want (there's no value in fighting India in border disputes or invading Taiwan so you can have their advanced technology) and selling the rule of law, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, and respect for each other is quite time consuming.
Edwin, faulting Biden for not living up to your particular expectations of appropriate foreign policy, as opposed to everything he’s been working on, seems like a case of “shiney object” logical fallacy. VP Harris is a very capable representative of the USA as well as Team Biden. Discounting her role might seem a bit shortsighted
Dave, agree…she’s doing the job a VP should be doing and earning her chops along the way. I think Biden is a good mentor to many in his admin, particularly Harris; he does not have the “ego-need” to have to be front and center of attention, and knows that the admin team work contributions will carry us forward.
Excellent point! On this thought, Edwin is not alone, and this is why the USA struggles to become a much better democracy. “Shiney object” logical fallacy=your particular expectations for so many voters. 🤷🏻♀️
Not necessarily an expectation, but rather an observation regarding criticisms of elected officials “not doing some thing” that the critic opines should be at the top of “to do” list. Its a specious argument that banks on the premise, if you are President, every issue is under your control, because you are “somehow” all powerful ( even though the Constitution states otherwise )
I see this frequently and I attempt to call it out almost as frequently
Are we literally equating the number of times the President of the United States appears physically in another country and how important that country is to the United States? TPP is widely seen as a bad agreement which damages workers everywhere as companies look for where they can get workers who will accept the lowest wage. BTW throwing around gratuitous expressions of love will ensure you will be ignored.
I am an ex-Christian. Was never hyper-religious mind you. But a church-goer and a praying person. But science took over years ago as the primary foundation of my belief system, and resurrections and miracles and blind faith in a wonderful afterlife do not comport with such a system. However, the teachings of this man Jesus of Nazareth, as described in the new testament, are right on for a society that means to be just and compassionate. At least if you look at them in the context of when they were written (2K+ years ago). The religious right, Mike Huckabee being an example, has gone off the rails - I believe Jesus if alive would agree. Right wing Christianity, which appears to have taken over Christianity in general (politically anyway), has morphed into an existential danger to human societies worldwide especially in the US. The pinnacle of ironies for a movement that is supposed to save humanity. It is in lock-step with right wing Republicanism, or is it vice-versa. It has done away with supporting democracy, for most Americans will not vote their way. It has continued to deny global warming - either because they refuse to believe their god would allow such a thing, and/or they believe cheap (dirty) energy is what is needed to address global poverty. And like some of the egregious examples of the past, are willing to persecute those not like them. Jesus would not approve, but I believe he would approve of the general direction our Democrats would take us (as long as we had a moderate view on abortions).
Today they represent the power structure of priveledge and oppression that Jesus stood against. They are prostituting their religous beliefs for power and minority rule.
What an incredibly irresponsible thing for Mike Huckabee to say.
I used to think Mike Huckabee was sane. Isn’t he some kind of “Christian “? He isn’t. He’s just his own personal hall of shame. Bravo and hats off to Kamala Harris for standing up for democracy and to HCR for her exemplary reporting 🙏
"I used to think Mike Huckabee was sane. Isn’t he some kind of “Christian"
Susan, maybe Huckabee IS the heart of Christianity in reality? I mean, look at history for moment. Constantine was not exactly a nice guy as he rolled out support for "Christianity" in his empire. Correct?
Hitler sort of utilized an underpinning Christianity thought process to run millions through the gas chamber correct?
Catholic priests chasing little boys around the pulpit during off hours? Seems pretty Christian to me at this point.
The Baptist Church split (Northern and Southern) back in the day because, after all, The Southern Baptists knew that God supported slavery and whippings on Sunday after church. Correct? Just historical fact.
Maybe Huckabee IS the quintessential "Christian" from a historical behavior point of view, not from the theory point of view.
Oh, and I forgot the Salem Witch trials where guys were burning young girls, tied to a stake, for fun in the name of Christianity.
Update: Thanks to all the folks who corrected the “burning at stake”. Apparently they were not.
They were hanged.
One addition, it was also lynchings after church on Sunday. Yep, Huckabee and his cretin daughter, are the epitome of historical Christian’s. They lost me, Glory Halleluah
Same here, Jeri!!
Mike S, Huckabee is not the heart of Christianity, Jesus is. He was a revolutionary thinker and was willing to speak truth to power. Many of those who proclaim themselves to be Christians today are not willing to speak truth. However, there are many that do and suffer the consequences for doing so.
Again, how many times do we have to keep making the distinction that voices like Huckabee's and Trinity Broadcasting's founder Pat Robertson are nothing more than Christo-fascists trying to gain political power? This is not "Christian" and goes against every single thing that Christ stood for. I just wish it was possible people could include qualifiers before the word "Christian" to reflect these nuts' brand of "Christianity". Speaking as a Christian here, I get tired that we who are strongly opposed to these radicals get lumped in with them. They have offensive, twisted, and perverted views of Jesus Christ that are diametrically opposed to Christianity. They can call themselves whatever the hell they want, but many Christians know these people are not at all representatives of Jesus Christ. I have no objection whatsoever to people who reject Christianity and organized religion -- some of my closest friends and colleagues are atheists and agnostics -- that is absolutely okay, and I would hope folks on here would realize, before they start once again bashing religion for the umpteenth time, that WE ARE NOT ALL LIKE WHAT YOU ARE BASHING. If you don't hear about the good in the world that some of us do, that is precisely what Christ preached. Love and respect the dignity of every human being and do good unto them, never calling attention to yourself. There are lots of others in other faiths that espouse the exact same thing, so there are ARE some people working for good in the world. They continue to fly under the radar. Please don't paint us all with the same brush. Here endeth the lesson . . .
Now you know how Muslims feel when they're branded as terrorists. I put up with that crap for 10 years.
EXACTLY. I get that people are not spiritual. That's totally okay. People have to realize, though, they can, in turn, with their faith-bashing, seem to push THEIR views down folks' collective throats too. All faiths have their outliers. Almost all faiths have shameful pasts. Faiths can also evolve. We can't (and shouldn't) disavow our pasts, but many of us can (and have) moved on, and are learning from past mistakes. All we can do is try.
I was just going to say the same thing. Every time some radical Muslim organization perpetrated some outrage, there were plenty of Christians wanting to know why the radicals weren't being openly criticized by other Muslims (even though they were, and quite openly) with the implication that "they're all terrorists."
So...shoe seems to be on the other foot now.
As President Carter has done, the good people need to stop hiding their lights under a bushel the size of the Western world. Stand up and speak out for Jesus' teachings and against these Xtian fascistic authoritarians and rabble rousers (looking at you, Huckabees) and their ilk. They speak very loudly and as insidiously, persuasively, as the legendary Snake of Eden, and have seized power in the name of Jesus, who, if he existed, would be appalled at both the power grab AND the abuse of his name and legacy.
As the saying goes, "the squeakiest wheels always get the most grease". It can be hard when other more dissolute, controversial voices manage to take up all the oxygen in the room. I think for a lot of Christian factions there is an uncomfortable-ness in blowing one's own horn too much. It's more of the idea of "we're here if someone is interested to find out what we're about". We DO NOT tout ourselves as having all the answers, no faith does, really, but like my former rector said once, "we're all on this journey together searching for the answers and asking, largely, the same questions . . . if you want to search with us, you are welcome." Evangelicals believe it is their mission to evangelize, to spread and preach the Gospel (as they see it) and bring as many followers to the faith as they can. That's just not us, nor is it various other faiths that come to mind.
Bruce, I share your frustration about "being lumped together" white White Christian Nationalists. They are as far away from the teachings of Jesus as one can be. At the same time, everything that Mike S. listed is true, and equally far from the teachings of Jesus. And we need to add to that list the Doctrine of Discovery, developed mid-fifteenth century, which pretty much gave explorers license to wipe out any indigenous people who got in the way of their colonizing for their country.
So those of us who call ourselves Christian cannot settle for just being annoyed at being lumped in with the non-Christian Christians. We also need to be ready to acknowledge all the truths of what happened when Jesus' message was co-opted by governments and used as a tool of patriarchy and power over, while at the same time decrying today's non-Christian White Christian Nationalism.
A good resource, Robert P. Jones’ new book "The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future." I heard him speak last night at Georgetown - haven't read the book yet but can't wait!
It is sort of like calling all republicans lunatics. There are some who have integrity. Kemp and McCain are about as republican as you can get but when push came to shove they stood their ground and didn't let the trump machine steamroller them.
Which is why I am a Jesus-ist.
I agree. Many use their Christianity as the core of their social conscience and works. And yes, many have suffered.
I'm with you Mike. But every "religion" has its monsters. Jews, Buddhists, Muslims all persecute "others" - and often, each other. They are just people and people are selfish and violent.
The only faith I have found where nobody has died in "his name" is Pastafarianism. Lots of fun, good food and heaven has a beer volcano. They have only one dogma: no dogma allowed. And being nice is the norm.
Bill Alstrom Writes Bill’s Focus - "The only faith I have found where nobody has died in "his name" is Pastafarianism."
Okay, I had to look it up:
The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) is the deity of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, or Pastafarianism, a social movement that promotes a light-hearted view of religion. It originated in opposition to the teaching of intelligent design in public schools. According to adherents, Pastafarianism (a portmanteau of pasta and Rastafarianism) is a "real, legitimate religion, as much as any other". It has received some limited recognition as such.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster#:~:text=The%20Flying%20Spaghetti%20Monster%20(FSM,intelligent%20design%20in%20public%20schools.)
Our Beliefs
What are we for? All that is good!
What are we against? All that is not good!
Although “the only dogma allowed in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the rejection of dogma”, some general beliefs are held by Pastafarians. Pastafarians believe that the universe was created by the FSM while very drunk, the effects of which can be seen in the resulting imperfections and contradictions in the universe.
The Flying Spaghetti Monster is depicted as a tangle of spaghetti with many Noodly Appendages, flanked by two delicious meatballs, and with a pair of googly eyes upon stalks. Such a depiction is merely a guess, of course, as the FSM is understandably invisible to all known forms of scientific detection.
Whether or not the FSM is actually made of pasta is the subject of intense theological debate, with many claiming that the FSM is not made of pasta, but just appears to be, while others believe that to be a Flying Spaghetti Monster, the FSM must be made of pasta. The FSM is neither male nor female, but completely genderless, as the idea of a Monotheistic deity needing a gender or genitals is pretty silly when you really think about it. The genderless term Pastafarians refer to FSM as is ‘Quob’ – as in – ‘May you be Touched by Quob’s Noodly Appendage’ instead of referring to our deity’s Noodly Appendages as ‘his’ or ‘her’ Noodly Appendages.
All followers of the FSM hold that pirates are sacred and were the first Pastafarians. Climate change, earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters are directly linked to the declining number of pirates worldwide. Many Pastafarians therefore choose to wear full pirate regalia as a means to help the environment and belay natural disasters. Other Pastafarians just like wearing colanders on their heads.
The system of Pastafarianism ethics is based on the “The Eight I’d Really Rather You Didn’ts” – a series of suggestions on how to live your life in a happy manner without infringing upon others rights to do the same with their own lives. The 8’s outline a morality which is based on harmonious co-existence, non-judgemental conduct and generally not being a dick. Worship of the FSM is not commanded or even expected. In many ways, Pastafarians believe that this ethical system is superior to all other mainstream religions.
While the beliefs professed by Pastafarians may often be accused of being a joke, satire or even a parody, (especially by the media) this is explicitly and strenuously denied by the church.
“It’s not a joke. Elements of our religion are sometimes described as satire and there are many members who do not literally believe our scripture, but this isn’t unusual in religion. A lot of Christians don’t believe the Bible is literally true – but that doesn’t mean they aren’t True Christians.” Bobby Henderson
A wide variety of people are drawn to our religion for diverse reasons, but our love of all things Noodly, our constant celebration of life, eating, drinking, our ability to laugh at ourselves, to have fun and to still be good people, usually means people stay once they have joined us.
Bobby Henderson is a hero for those of us who believe in a strict separation of church and state. Some of his references and elements of the religion itself are a bit dated and sexist. But the core is solid. Be nice.
Bill, thanks for reminding me about, and Ron for expanding on, the Pastafarians. I can only respond: “May the Force be with you”. Or, maybe, in this case more appropriately, “May the Marinara be with you”
I have been touched by His Noodly appendage.
Ramen.
Sort of like Festivus without "the airing of the grievances"!
Yes! There are some cases of "raining of insults". But the mocking is of the other religions - not of people.
Thanks Bill. As always, of course, your level thought is correct.
But. Currently, “Christianity”, or a large part of US Christian’s are straining to give birth to yet another bit of evil.
Might as well say it. So. I did.
rAmen.
Carbo diem!
The Nazis co-opted religion for their own purposes. They also co-opted science. Do we equate science with Nazism? I think we're all bright enough to know that all scientists and employing the scientific method is not a form of fascism. Religious tradition, no matter how badly used and twisted by today's fascists, is not "the heart" of fascism - fascism is. Religion, used in this way, is just another dust jacket over their bible - Mein Kampf (a copy of which Trump apparently kept on his bed-side table).
Mike, I agree with all that you've said, with the exception of your description of the Salem witch trials. The Puritans burned nobody at a stake, and their efforts didn't confine themselves to little girls. They hanged both men, women and girls, and on occasion "pressed" some off their perceived evildoers by piling stones on them to force them to to confess to practicing witchcraft. They continued their err .... "cleansing" by persecuting other religious groups like the Quakers, thus cementing their place in the "Christian" hierarchy.
Mike Huckabee and his darling daughter Sarah, are among the present-day insurgence of phony Christians trying to force everyone to conform in order to enable their perverted vision of what the world should be. They're merely another version of those who wish to inflict their often twisted views on the way society functions.
You are correct. Witches were hanged in America, burned in France.
Many thanks for your accurate historical update.
You're welcome, Mike. I used to think they burned their quarry, too, as the Europeans did, but did some genealogical research and discovered what really happened - dead, in any event. One victim, Rebecca Nurse, was found not guilty by the jury, but the judge "knew" she was indeed guilty, so demanded that she be tried again. She was hanged, at the age of 71.
how fricken awful!
"Christianity" perverted for power. It's been ever such since Constantine declared it the official religion of the Empire. But if you read the Gospels, nothing Jesus said was about power. The evangelical churches have lost their connection with the fundamentals of christianity. I heard tell of congregants asking whether the Sermon on the Mount were liberal talking points. Ye gods!
Yep. Jesus was a Socialist Communist.
Send him to the cross!!
Wait. They already did.
Actually, no one was burned at the stake in Salem and the young girls were the accusers. And there are many who try to live actual Christian lives.
Unfortunately, those Christians aren't speaking up!
I disagree. there are those that speak up, but they are often demoted or banned from their church or community for doing so. I have met many who do speak up and I admire them for staying true to their beliefs in the face of repression. And, I am saying this from the vantage point of coming from a Jewish heritage. One of my mentors, a progressive rabbi had the following quote on his business card: “A rabbi ain’t a rabbi until he's run out of town.” I believe that may apply to Jesus, who was a rabbi, also.
I believe Jesus was a liberal of his time, standing against the old laws of Judaism.
And on Jesus' business card: “A rabbi ain’t a rabbi until he's crucified.”
"Jesus, who was a rabbi"
Although the Gospels sometimes call Jesus a rabbi, the term did not exist during his time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbi
fine point of the method of execution i would say. From wiki, "Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. More than 200 people were accused. Thirty people were found guilty, 19 of whom were executed by hanging (14 women and five men). " At least there was a lot of backpedalling after the fact.
Thank you.
no, they were hanged
The Huckster is just another "Christian" in name only and is exactly the kind of person that Jesus was talking about in condemning those who pray loudly in the Temple. Jesus was against hypocrites and greeds of which both Hucksters represent. I would say that all major religions have had their violence problems because of fundamentalists of various stripes...even Buddhists.
Concise summation....it’s the walk that counts..not the cheap lip service 😉🥰
I wouldn't overdo the Nazi extermination of Jews and non-Jews in more or less equal numbers (death camps abt 12 million half being Jews) with Christian denominational support. the Nazis made very short work of any Christian opposition to them, and stage managed their own Christian front to equate themselves with the best Christianity had to offer, the Master Race. But you'd be very right in periodic but chronic persecution of Jews, esp middle ages on, and most esp in late 19th and early 20th century Eastern/Central Europe including western Russia esp Ukraine, mainly because of massive political breakdown during and following WW1. It was in one very steamy anti-Jewish atmosphere that Hitler and many of his fellow Nazis and Germans in general grew up and imbibed their visceral hatred of Jews. Ironically most Jewish victims weren't from Germany but Poland and elsewhere. The Allies did virtually nothing to stem death camp operations during the war itself. Could they have done "more"? Maybe.
Prof. Timothy Snyder wrote an excellent book about this persecution of Jews in Eastern/Central Europe in the 20th century, entitled "Bloodlands".
He sure did! He's also a go to guy if you want a lot of online university lectures about the long history of Ukraine.
Snyder also wrote an excellent book about the Holocaust.
Yes. And it is such a difficult book to read.
I also add culpability of the Catholic Church to the Christian persecution of Jews throughout the times leading to the Holocaust.
The Church in Eastern Europe established an educated hierarchy that strongly affected governance of area. Just as the passivity and silence of Pius XII betrayed the precepts of Jesus of Nazareth the church’s history and texture suffer anti-semitism by inactive disapproval.
The long history of popular persecution was often countered and disapproved of by church and government leadership as i've read it, though im sure sentiments were quite a mixed affair. Church leaders and monarch's leaned on Jewish professional skills, and of course, their banking skills ie loans, which sometimes were not repaid. In Ukraine i think 1648? it was the breakdown of long standing political protection (Polish i think) which led to huge pogroms against Jews. Anti-Jewish sentiments do go back, even into the NT, but it really took off in the 2nd century. Jews were often sanctioned as "God killers". It's such a messy, dark history.
A LOT which happened with Christianity was as much populist as anything sanctioned by the various forms of the RCC . In the middle ages populist agitations of one form or another created all kinds of headaches which the leadership tried to quell or turn into opportunities or at least channel and divert. Try Dairmaid McCullough's rather long history of Christianity which delves into some of this. This was definitely NOT just about Jews since the church was also fending off charges of corruption. Likely also why Jews got tagged in these pogroms. For sure in my first citation.
And then there is the pope who outlined the diagnosis of a witch and the proper torture.
Yikes. Was he chasing a little boy around while writing?
Jews made convenient scapegoats because of the Christian prohibition of usury, as they were the bankers. They also lived and thrived in certain parts of towns which could be attacked by the mob, who were often stirred up by the very rulers who borrowed. The Romans gave certain privileges to Jews and so they couldn't understand why Jews continued to rebel in first century Palestine. They didn't care about what religious people followed as long as they didn't rebel. Thus the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple followed by the Jewish people wandering all over Europe. There were plenty of silly but deadly rumors about what Jews were up to and after all, the aided and abetted the Romans in the cruxifixction. Then came the First Crusade. When the Crusaders got to Germany, they told the Jews to convert or die. They were surprised when many chose to die. Converts were also suspicious when we look at what happened to converts in Spain and Jews were finally thrown out by Ferdinand and Isabella. And so it has continued right up to the present day where we find people who believe Jews run the world.
Yes, usury as a Christian castigated profession was almost forced upon Jews. The explicit populist attacks were based more on them being god killers, plus rogue stories such as Christian child sacrifice, the "blood libel". Nice thumbnail you have there. Its a big, messy story. Relatively speaking, Jews fared better under muslims "in the day". Hardly so with the rise of Israel as state which was thrust upon the muslim inhabitants and managed to outgun its opponents then become a holding pen for a few million Palestinian muslims. Another messy story. This has certainly provided more fuel for the so called Zionist conspiracy. A lot of paranoia out there, besides the Jews. Of course, there wouldn't have needed to be an "Israel" if European Christendom had adopted a more tolerant attitude towards Jews across the centuries. Oh the what ifs! Legacies have a way of enduring, don't they!
Oh yes to your final sentence. I read Zealot which I like very much and also did a long paper on the treatment of Jews from Roman times to the first Crusade in both Christianity and Islam. I would agree that for a while they were better treated by Islam. Part of the problem has always been that they are all very closely related....Christianity expected Jews to convert and they didn't. Also a lot of early worship was Jews and Christians together, but the Church put a stop to that. Then when Islam came along, it was expected that Jews and Christians would convert and they didn't. I confess to being terse and not always including the details which you have provided. I would also agree that the mobs used any excuse to attack Jewish parts of cities, but certain rulers also used them as scapegoats. It seems to me it was handy to use all these excuses to loot and destroy prosperous Jewish areas, so greed and resentment were factors. I guess culture wars are nothing new. As for Israel, I understand why it came to be, but I am deeply troubled by its treatment of its Arab and Palestinian citizens. Part of this is the legacy of the British during their Mandate.
I think I’ll sue Mike Huckabee for causing unbearable fear in my life.
You cite examples of bad Christians. You could do the same with any religion. You could also list a lot of bad atheists. There are just bad people who claim to belong to a particular religion when, in fact, they do not practice the teachings of that religion. I would suggest Francis of Assisi or Dorothy day as the "quintessential" Christian. There are many Christians such as these who don't make the headlines but do a lot of good in the world.
No doubt. But the Christians you are talking about are being drowned out by the Christian Nationalists. The latter are the ones with the political power. Actual Christians need to get their act together and find a way to fight them.
Twenty "witches" were murdered in 1692 in Massachusetts, nineteen by hanging and one, a male "witche", Giles Corey, was "pressed to death" - a plank was laid over him as he lay on some sort of structure on the ground, and boulders and stones were piled up on the plank until he was crushed. He was 81 years old when he was murdered by "Christian" monsters for refusing to plead to the charges, essentially preventing the court from conducting his trial. So the monsters resorted to "peine fort et dure". https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2020/10/the-crushing-death-of-giles-corey-of-salem-1692/. It's a fascinating discussion, horrible, but fascinating. Another inexcusable terror brought over by the European invaders.
Horrible indeed.
Thank you for the history.
Mike S., read up on your history. "Young girls" were not hanged during the Salem witch craze. "Young girls" were generally among the accusers, not the accused. Those hanged were mostly older women, but there were some men, including a minister. Giles Corey was crushed to death under stones; his wife, Martha, was hanged.
Thanks for the correction.
Or drowned!
Thank you.
The Huckabee father-daughter team is the epitome of hypocrisy. What is terrifying is the culture they embolden....
Bonnie, It is all about shock. We are writing about it, there are confederate minded individuals with more arsenal then you can imagine are praising it, and a unified Republican Congress supporting it. There is one path to this because of President Biden’s age and the border crisis:
Kamala needs to step up and convince the Americans she can be a great president. And one way it can happen is to address the border crisis. I was in NYC last night and saw one of the elite hotels fully booked with migrants. I can’t imagine the text messages going back to friends and relatives about being in a paid hotel with free food. I’m liberal, but not that liberal. The VP is being given more and more important roles and now is time to demonstrate it with a tough federal stance.
Or we will lose the election in 2024.
Seriously. People love their country, but fear being overtaken by a flood of immigrants. And that will be all the ads.
The Republican’s will focus on President Biden’s Age and the border crisis. And if they can force a recession, they will. We need a strong women. And if we can’t get Kamala to step up to it, then I’m hoping for Haley.
And I hope that Colorado wins out on the 14th ammendment, section 3, yet he needs to be found guilty of insurrection. He had only been charged.
NYT
Migrants Will Sleep Outdoors Because ‘There Is No More Room,’ Adams Says
Mayor Eric Adams said New York had run out of shelter space for migrants, and he defended a troubled contractor working with the city on its response.
JB
Well, here in upstate NY, there are crappy hotels also booked with migrants. I'm sure the "elite hotels" to which you refer aren't being paid rack rates for housing migrants.
"People love their country, but fear being overtaken by a flood of immigrants." Gosh, you could have said the same thing about the immigration of the Irish, the Italians, the Eastern European Jews, the Chinese, et al over the years. The U.S. has a long and disgraceful history of xenophobia. Right now we need workers, especially as members of the Baby Boom generation retire. NY Governor Hochul is trying to get the Biden administration to allow migrants to work, which I'm sure many of them would like to do.
Very familiar with the immigration at that time and toured the tennants and had folks working on the Morris Canel. The differences which I don’t beleive we see eye to eye on:
1) they are here for free, the past had to work their way out of lower Manhattan.
2) many second generation became college educated. That’s the true success story. Not certain the kids I saw last night even have the infrastructure for a basic education.
Hoping for the best here yet I think it is out of control and it will be us (the Dems) to blame. Yet, again, I would rather have Haley then Trump. Even if we lose.
Good luck in upsate NY. I always drive through it to Vermont and some of those towns seem to be hurting like Fort Ann and Whitehall. I’m hoping they are not burdening them with this.
But yes., Vote!
JB
Try identifying with the migrants: think climate change and gangs. Imagine yourself in the situation with your garden not producing, food prices out of sight, and the beacon of America up the road. Before your children die of starvation or bullets, you might make a try for food and safety. You hope for the kindness of strangers or that your last savings paid for a promised trip will get you to the promised land where you can safely work and take care of your children. We have seen and been warned of these vast migrations for years, but most of them have been “over there.” Now we have to reckon with our many “rapes” in Central and South America (just think bananas, if that’s all you can bear) and our contribution to climate change. If the shoe were on the other foot, what would you hope for? We live in a country that twice has tried to “keep the world safe for democracy.” Now we are being called on, in another way at an even more fraught time, to keep everyone safe. Who are we in this overpopulated world? Can we ride to the occasion again? (Now to GOTV cards.)
Virginia….maybe Canada will end up building a wall to stall northern migration…oh wait, they’re burning too. It may be that there really is no place to run to, no place to hide.
JB, "toured the tennants and had folks working on the Morris Canel"?? Even if I ignore your typos, I really don't know what you're trying to say. "Here for free" doesn't make any sense either, considering what so many of these migrants have to had to go through to get here (see Virginia's post).
Yes, Fort Ann and Whitehall are hurting; that's nothing new. You're obviously unfamiliar with communities in upstate NY that are thriving, thanks in part to technology companies that happen to employ many immigrants.
👍👍
Haley disqualified herself when she said in the debates she would support Trump as the nominee even if he were convicted or in jail.
I totally disagree and will take Haley as a nominee over trump any day.
I wish she didn’t raise her hand, and agree.
JB: "I wish she didn't raise her hand". Well, she did and cast herself as a person with no scruples. The deed is done, the voters witnessed it.
"The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on. Nor all your piety or wit will lore it back to cancel half a line, nor all your tears wash out a word of it." Omar Khayyam
IMHO, the current “immigration crisis” (legal/illegal) is just a small precursor to what will be a global mass movement of peoples fleeing countries/locations that are increasingly not suitable for human habitation/survival due to climate change and loss of livable habitat—this will likely include mass movement of those within the USA as well (think of it like the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930’s on steroids). If we can’t even have sane and humane policies currently, how in the world (global pun intended) will we face what is coming? The rancor that currently exists I fear will get exponentially worse and floating barriers with razor wire will seem a quaint attempt to stem the tide, as world-wide, some immigrants/refugees are being met with increasingly violent resistance/push-back. We dither, argue and ignore what is relentlessly heading toward ALL of us. Damn, sorry, this is depressing to write, but it seems so obvious to me.
Barbara Keating- you’ve expressed my thinking exactly. In addition to the refugees of climate change, we will also see the oligarchs’ increasing efforts to claim or divert water inside this country. Consider the outrageous monocropping of corn in areas with shrinking aquifers (the same Ogallala Aquifer that lies under the lands that became the Dust Bowl). Consider the “water grab” from Indian lands. Consider “plans” to pump Lake Superior water to parched western lands (no doubt to support more corn, golf course turf and the development of more gated communities). The war is already escalating.
I subscribe to the Lakota People’s Law Project & they recently sent this (a much deeper dive in to what happened in Lahaina: https://lakotalaw.org/news/2023-09-01/lahaina-was-burning-long-before-the-fire?fbclid=IwAR2M00yNFA5VAEruJqcsrfrdJAACLR_-htsUfV4lw7-D6GjZbdR48fGP9_g
Many years ago (early 90’s) I accompanied my (now ex) husband as he gave a private instruction class to a family in Palo Alto, CA (we drove 6 hrs to get there); they lived in a gated hilltop property w/ pool & tennis court. The instruction class was to get the family ready to climb Mt. Whitney in the Sierra. My ex shared that he led winter x-country skiing adventures at Crater Lake in OR. I recall how I had to bite my tongue hard (so as not to put the kibosh on the deal—paying customers for him!) when one of the fellows said water should be piped from Crater Lake to CA! It was all could do to keep quiet about the plundering of resources—sheesh.
Please don’t apologize. You have written what must be written so that people of good will can think and act as their best selves. We must start with breaking the Hastert Rule and reversing SCOTUS. Vote 💙!
There is no way any one person can solve our problems with immigration. And Repubs will continue to harp on it precisely because they know that AND block every decent attempt by Congress to take measures to help solve it.
Haley couldn't solve it any more than Kamala can.
Agreed. I think it will take a round of election for this to settle more.
I remember one printing about getting them to work capacity...am sure this/that isn’t a piece of cake but vetted , processed , and working they can become funded and provide for themselves. Weaned out should be the ones looking for handouts, disabled, or otherwise incapacitated ...I thought that was a point well cited. Again not easy peasy , the roads to accomplishment carry banners thrown by the wayside -the litter of complaints, but the job gets done. Thanks to all the efforts and hopeful for more people getting to the promised land to help and realize it isn’t all the pretty picture painted, but God Bless America.
💙💙VOTE💙💙
💙💙💙💙💙👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Haley may be a woman, but she's just as far right and mean as the rest of them!
I think a better choice would be Hakeem Jefferies! He knows how to legislate and would have Joe Biden's ear on demand, I'm sure.
Far away from the Hackabee's bullets and ballots, we haven't given much thought to the VC Kamala's visit to Asia. The first time I heard about Kamala's maiden visit to South East Asia was in 2021 after the defense Secretary Austin toured the region 2 Times. Since then Kamala Harris has been a frequent visitor to South East Asia 3 times and 4th overally across the Asian region. She herself has touched down in Asia several times more than any other continent. This somehow signals US commitment to the region.
However, I don't know why President Joe Biden hasn't personally prioritized the region that much to gain political capital? Could the relationship between Asia and US still frosty? Has President Biden not found a strong footing in Asia? Is Biden belittling and neglecting the impact of the ASEAN region? Is China influence too worrying to take a back seat? Is there political turmoil in Asia? But, nonetheless, His absence from the region speaks louder than the presence of VC Kamala Harris.
With more than 600 million people,the region itself has an impact on regional politics no matter the level of turmoils that they may sometimes face. I have seen critics say that ASEAN hasn't convinced America that it can play a central role in world politics partly because it hasn't solved military strife in Myanmar 2 years ago and no peace plan has been reached.
But, this scapegoat excuses shouldn't be the cause of frosty relations between ASEAN and America because these are domestic issues that will continue to be available and no foreign policy can solve unless domestic parties themselves agree. And for your information, no continent can be free from any wrangles but this shouldn't prevent alliances from proceeding to thrive in areas that they share. Singapore and Vietnam have been a safe ground for America, but America has find it difficult to extend its political relations with the rest of the Asian countries.
It seems China has distracted America until it pulled out of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPATPP), a trade agreement comprising 11 countries and opted only to finance some infrastructure which they see as less strenuous. As China's influence continues to grow, US relations with Asia will continue to dwindle. Without an economic strategy for the region, US will slowly isolate itself and it will only adopt reactive strategies (due to China) at the expense of proactive longterm approaches.
But, for now, it seems Biden is sending Kamala Harris to prepare a common ground perhaps before he can launch his economic plan for the region and if this is the case, then America can establish long-term economic relations with ASIA.
Enjoyed my work? My underserved community, notwithstanding my incessant pleas, would appreciate if you subscribe for free. Welcome and I love you all.
Uh, Edwin. President Biden went to the Asian Pacific countries in 2022 and 2023, He has sent Vice President Harris more often because he has been so busy with events in Europe and home. Kamala Harris mother was Asian (India) and the Asians relate to her. Secretary Blinken has also made several trips to Asia.
To piggyback on that, after traveling to Florida after Hurricane Idalia, the First Lady came down with Covid and he has been exposed. It would be irresponsible to travel , spreading contagion, as we saw with tfg and his debate prep.
Thanks for pointing that out, Jen. It would be totally irresponsible to travel after a known exposure.
President Biden, VP Kamala Harris or anyone else would be challenged with an ongoing relationship with East Asian Countries including India.
There is much turmoil and inter-disruptions for power whether they may be using religion or power to take over rule or property.
It is better to engage and to be involved as best as possible. It is better to offer relationship...an open door than to turn our backs and focus only on the easier relationships.
Governing is difficult. Good governing takes wisdom, patience, understanding that people have different religions or life styles or simply choose cruelty and violence to dominate. We can see the evidence within our own country.
There are no words to express my gratitude to each and every SERVANT working with President Biden to hold this country and world together by PROMOTING DEMOCRACY....rather than Dictatorial rule. Thanks and praise to every person involved in governance throughout the world who want the same.
We the people must be engaged.
I would rather lose my dear friends and family members than to accept being ruled by a dictator. A dictator devalues the lives of others. A dictator wants to control everything about who you are and how to live your life. A dictator demands he/she be your godhead. This idea is so unAmerican!!!! at least the America Joe Biden believes in. He believes it takes each and all of us working together to keep our country great.....I also believe in that continuous goal....that continuous work.....I believe in us as a nation.....I still believe we can be "The Light on a Hill".....hope for those in need.....a chance at a decent life....opportunity for an education.....opportunities for jobs prividing a decent salary.
I am thankful for Social Security and Medicare. I am thankful that the many, adults and children, do not have to pay so much for insulin.
I am thankful that we support freedom for Ukraine. They are dying everyday to gain the freedom some in our country want us to give away!!!!
Happy to know Kamala Harris has roots in Asia. But, despite his busy schedule, I think Biden's economic presence hasn't been prioritized that much given China and other countries are moving in that direction.
Edwin,
It's not like Biden has not been busy saving the US Economy from the Coronavirus, backstopping natural disasters, bolstering the rule of law, and generally behaving like an adult.
Yes, America wasted all its treasure and foreign policy shooting up Afghanistan and Iraq for 20 years so Haliburton stock could rise 500%. Yes, China ably and smartly grew its diplomatic presence in Asia through the Belt and Road initiative from the early 2000's while our yahoo President sent troops to kill innocent people in countries that had done nothing to the USA.
BUT, that is not Biden's fault right? That is George W. Bush fault (otherwise known as W the small brained idiot).
Goodness. How much stuff does Biden have to save for Americans to notice he is probably the best President since Jimmy Carter.
Yes, Jimmy Carter was the best President of my lifetime. (born in early 1960's).
Goodness Edwin. OPEN EYES are sort of important.
I like your thorough, comprehensive analysis. Nonetheless, Biden is making strides in the right direction.
Thank you Mike, very important points. I liked Carter and voted for him in both his bids for President, but I think Biden is closer to my personal hero FDR - but then I'm 30+ years older than you.
Mike S, Edwin Kiptoo Ngetich has raised a valid issue. The forum is not a fan club, while there is much good that Biden has accomplished in his presidency. His approval of the Willows Project is not one of them. Although an excellent president in many ways, it is fair to find fault his present and past decisions. Strong support, finding fault and voicing our principles go together for engaged citizens.
'In October 2002, he was one of 77 senators who gave President George W. Bush the authority to use force in Iraq. He is still trying to explain that choice.' (NYTimes)
Edwin, I get your point, but Biden has been focused on “putting out many fires” at home—kinda like playing a game of Twister—particularly w/ Congressional shenanigans going on—one such is the deadline on funding the Fed gov’t coming at the end of Sept—debt ceiling/gov’t funding is the VERY same reason he had to cut short/cancel his Asia meetings in May, as the debt ceiling issue was held hostage by (mostly the far-right faction) Congress. It is good he has surrounded himself with competent public servants qualified to, working together, keep the USA mostly on track at home & abroad.
Yes, I know he has enormous work to do and I like his approach in most of the issues. He is incredibly doing well at home and applaud him.
WHY DIDN’T PRESIDENT BIDEN ATTEND THE ASEAN SUMMIT? That was not addressed in today's Letter. I applaud Edwin Kiptoo Ngetich for raising it on the forum and the press has not been silent about Biden's decision. To have gone or not, I don't know the answer to that but think it worthwhile to consider the question.
‘Why Biden Skipping the Asean Summit Is a Mistake’, appeared in The Washington Post, credited to a Bloomberg report. and excerpted here.
‘No matter what anyone says, getting the consolation prize is never fun. And that’s what it must feel like for Indonesia, the host of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathering. Not only is Biden not attending, he’s snubbing a major regional power — and given that the US has consistently said it wants to build a stronger relationship with Asia, it feels a little like an own goal.’
‘Ultimately, though, actions speak louder than words. And when someone shows you who they are in a relationship, believe them. The harsh reality is that some Asian countries are simply more important to the US than others.’
“It is a cold, calculated decision to reinforce the ongoing stress on consolidating individual allies and partners like Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and now Vietnam,” says Michael Vatikiotis, author of several books on Asia, including Blood and Silk: Power and Conflict in Modern Southeast Asia. “It’s all about spooking China — and picking each of these countries off one by one is easier, rather than in a multilateral forum where Beijing will be present.”
‘The deliberate cherry picking of allies and partners is the brainchild, insiders tell me, of Biden’s key Asia policy czar, Kurt Campbell. It is likely to continue, as Campbell has pointed out in a discussion earlier this year at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.’
‘The strategy is to create a network around China — a carefully strung together geographic necklace of countries that all see Beijing as a mutual threat.’
‘The recently convened Camp David meeting between the US, South Korea and Japan is an example of that. So are Aukus, the multibillion-dollar partnership the US unveiled with Australia and the UK, and the Quad grouping made up of India, Australia, Japan and the US, all ostensibly designed to combat China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.’
‘It’s not so simple. Not everyone sees the world with the same black-and-white, us-and-them polarized prism that the US has begun to point at Beijing. For a lot of countries, China has been a lifeline and will continue to be economically, despite the current slowdown. And that includes some of those the US is trying to court. '
'Indonesia should, in theory, be a natural partner for Washington. It is a large, vibrant democracy with historically strong military ties to the US. But in recent years, under President Joko Widodo, the archipelago has been receptive to the economic overtures from Beijing.’
‘Allowing China’s influence to continue would be a mistake for the US. The ambivalence from Jakarta is understandable given it is the largest economy in Southeast Asia, with relatively strong prospects. And it no longer feels that it needs to kowtow to either Beijing or Washington to ensure its relevance.’
‘It’s clear that multilateralism has become far less important to both the US and China. The US sees its strategy of going after countries one by one in the region as successful and efficient. And if the attempt is to counter its chief competitor’s role in Asia, then signing a major upgrade in the partnership with Vietnam is far more useful than spending a day in Jakarta.’
‘Still, Biden’s snub is shortsighted. There is an election in the US year next year, so he is unlikely to turn up at the Asean meeting that will be held in Laos either.
‘The Trump era of pulling out of trade deals and America First has not been forgotten, and while Biden has succeeded in convincing some Asian partners that the US is back and is engaging in the region, others don’t feel the same way.’ (WAPO) Sorry that the link below could not be gifted.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/09/04/asean-biden-skipping-jakarta-is-a-mistake/1f51d90a-4b66-11ee-bfca-04e0ac43f9e4_story.html#:~:text=
Excerpts from AP article, ‘Southeast Asian leaders are besieged by thorny issues as they hold an ASEAN summit without Biden’
‘Marty Natalegawa, a respected former foreign minister of Indonesia, expressed disappointment over Biden’s non-appearance, but said such red flags were more alarmingly emblematic of ASEAN’s declining relevance.’
“The absence of the U.S. president, while it is disappointing and symbolically significant, is for me the least of the worry because what’s more worrisome actually is the more fundamental structural tendency for ASEAN to become less and less prominent,” Natalegawa told The Associated Press in an interview.’
‘Natalegawa said ASEAN’s failure to effectively rein in Myanmar’s military government from committing human rights atrocities and its “deafening silence” when a Chinese coast guard ship recently used a water cannon to block a Philippine supply boat in the disputed South China Sea underscore why the group’s aspiration to be in the center of Asian diplomacy has been questioned. Member states have turned to either the U.S. or China for security, he said.’
“Absenteeism by ASEAN is leading to unmet needs, and those needs are being met elsewhere,” he said.'
Dinna Prapto Raharja, a Jakarta-based analyst and professor on international relations, said ASEAN’s credibility is on the line if the Myanmar crisis drags on. While the bloc has no conflict-resolution mechanism for such domestic strife, it should be flexible enough to harness its clout and connections to help address such problems.'
Marsudi acknowledged such grim outlook and the pressure for the regional bloc to make a difference.
“The eyes of our peoples are on us to prove ASEAN still matters,” she told fellow foreign ministers. AP) See link below.
https://apnews.com/article/asean-summit-myanmar-south-china-sea-biden-
'Biden’s Absence at ASEAN Summit Seen as Snub to Southeast Asia'
'In the game of great-power competition against China, showing up is half the battle.'
'U.S. President Joe Biden is set to travel to Asia for diplomatic meetings in India and Vietnam, but on the trip he’s skipping two major summits in the neighborhood, rankling diplomats in Southeast Asia and potentially undercutting Washington’s ongoing power struggle in the region against China.'
'Biden is a no-show at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and coinciding East Asia Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, which began on Monday and runs through Thursday, sending Vice President Kamala Harris in his place. If from Washington’s point of view the decision has more to do with scheduling than anything else, in the region Biden’s absence is viewed as a glaring diplomatic snub for Indonesian officials and some other Southeast Asian countries, according to three U.S. and Asian diplomats familiar with the matter.
That perceived snub could set back—though not derail—a concerted years long U.S. diplomatic campaign to court more influence and clout in the region to counter China, these officials said.'
“The word to use here is disappointment,” said one senior Asian diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak more candidly about the internal dynamics of the ASEAN summit. “Biden’s absence will be felt throughout, and it is a missed opportunity to cement gains as China grows more unpopular.”
“Diplomatically Biden’s absence will constitute a humiliation for [Indonesian] President [Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo],” Kornelius Purba, senior editor of the Jakarta Post, wrote ahead of the summit. “[T]he U.S. President’s no-show in Jakarta only signals that Indonesia is no longer a top priority of the U.S. administration, which may perceive Jakarta as leaning too much to Washington’s chief competitor Beijing.” (ForeignPolicy) Sorry that the link below could not be gifted.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/09/05/biden-asean-summit-us-china-southeast-asia-snub/
There a scientific limits on the number of places a person can be. That's why presidents have surrogates. With the Republicans burning down America, weather disasters at every turn, concerns about sufficient water for the southwest, worries concerning flood, fire, and drought conditions affecting the food supply, everyday Americans shooting their neighbors, Americans using violence to advance their ideologies, countries in Africa losing political contol, trying to convince China to compete rather than attack to gain the economic future they want (there's no value in fighting India in border disputes or invading Taiwan so you can have their advanced technology) and selling the rule of law, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, and respect for each other is quite time consuming.
Edwin, faulting Biden for not living up to your particular expectations of appropriate foreign policy, as opposed to everything he’s been working on, seems like a case of “shiney object” logical fallacy. VP Harris is a very capable representative of the USA as well as Team Biden. Discounting her role might seem a bit shortsighted
Dave, agree…she’s doing the job a VP should be doing and earning her chops along the way. I think Biden is a good mentor to many in his admin, particularly Harris; he does not have the “ego-need” to have to be front and center of attention, and knows that the admin team work contributions will carry us forward.
Excellent point! On this thought, Edwin is not alone, and this is why the USA struggles to become a much better democracy. “Shiney object” logical fallacy=your particular expectations for so many voters. 🤷🏻♀️
Not necessarily an expectation, but rather an observation regarding criticisms of elected officials “not doing some thing” that the critic opines should be at the top of “to do” list. Its a specious argument that banks on the premise, if you are President, every issue is under your control, because you are “somehow” all powerful ( even though the Constitution states otherwise )
I see this frequently and I attempt to call it out almost as frequently
Are we literally equating the number of times the President of the United States appears physically in another country and how important that country is to the United States? TPP is widely seen as a bad agreement which damages workers everywhere as companies look for where they can get workers who will accept the lowest wage. BTW throwing around gratuitous expressions of love will ensure you will be ignored.
I am an ex-Christian. Was never hyper-religious mind you. But a church-goer and a praying person. But science took over years ago as the primary foundation of my belief system, and resurrections and miracles and blind faith in a wonderful afterlife do not comport with such a system. However, the teachings of this man Jesus of Nazareth, as described in the new testament, are right on for a society that means to be just and compassionate. At least if you look at them in the context of when they were written (2K+ years ago). The religious right, Mike Huckabee being an example, has gone off the rails - I believe Jesus if alive would agree. Right wing Christianity, which appears to have taken over Christianity in general (politically anyway), has morphed into an existential danger to human societies worldwide especially in the US. The pinnacle of ironies for a movement that is supposed to save humanity. It is in lock-step with right wing Republicanism, or is it vice-versa. It has done away with supporting democracy, for most Americans will not vote their way. It has continued to deny global warming - either because they refuse to believe their god would allow such a thing, and/or they believe cheap (dirty) energy is what is needed to address global poverty. And like some of the egregious examples of the past, are willing to persecute those not like them. Jesus would not approve, but I believe he would approve of the general direction our Democrats would take us (as long as we had a moderate view on abortions).
Jay - Well said. Ditto.
They call themselves “Christian” but their beliefs are antithetical with the teachings of Jesus Christ. They’re all dangerous frauds.
Today they represent the power structure of priveledge and oppression that Jesus stood against. They are prostituting their religous beliefs for power and minority rule.
Susan, what about psuedo-Christian? https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pseudo-Christian