When I began this blog in 2001, I was appalled by President Bush's headlong rush to an illegal war (we were not in fact under attack). As time wore on and Bush began his assault on the Constitution and any people bold enough to criticize, I believed that "the republic is endangered more by actions of our own government than by those of any terrorist." With the election of a high-minded, compassionate, intelligent man like Barack Obama, my fears have ceased.
"Honor them with peace, not war"
United for Peace
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
In southeastern Connecticut, there is a submarine base at New London, which has for a long while been a source of lucrative jobs and reliable voters. Before the Indian casinos got going in the 1980s, the Base was one of the biggest employers in eastern Connecticut.
All the Connecticut congressmen supported its continuation and/or expansion, though I recall that when now-Senator Christopher Dodd represented the Second District, he often argued that a diversified economy not so reliant on defense spending would be good for the District and good for the State (which also is home to Pratt & Whitney, maker of jet engines and Sikorsky Helicopter, maker of ... yes, helicopters! and both are now part of United Techologies).
Lately there has been a big stir because the base was slated for closing, with all its federal contracts for building subs to go to a rival sub base in the state of Virginia. Naturally U.S. Rep. Simmons (R-2nd) got busy and threw his weight around in Washington.
The above is background for a little tale I have.
This morning, while walking from Town Hall to the Post Office to pick up our office mail, I spotted local peace activist Mike Westerfield, a man of many parts, on his bike, also en route to the post office.
The picture at left is Westerfield broadcasting his radio show live at a recent Third Thursday street fest.
He was a little ahead of me on the sidewalk, and stopped at the rank of newspaper boxes outside the PO to stare at a headline in one.
"Look at that!"
I looked.
The headline said (as near as I can remember) "Subbase closing now in God's hands."
That is a very funny headline. I've never seen any paper that treats God as an objective fact. They always quote someone or act as if they are quoting someone. They might have said, for example, "Subbase closing said to be in God's hands."
I said: "You think God's mixed up in that?"
Westerfield replied: "If God were involved, he'd have closed it down long ago!"
[This exchange took place hours ago, and I didnt take notes, so the above is an approximation. Westerfield is welcome to offer any corrections.]
Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
Man's way and God's way
In southeastern Connecticut, there is a submarine base at New London, which has for a long while been a source of lucrative jobs and reliable voters. Before the Indian casinos got going in the 1980s, the Base was one of the biggest employers in eastern Connecticut.
All the Connecticut congressmen supported its continuation and/or expansion, though I recall that when now-Senator Christopher Dodd represented the Second District, he often argued that a diversified economy not so reliant on defense spending would be good for the District and good for the State (which also is home to Pratt & Whitney, maker of jet engines and Sikorsky Helicopter, maker of ... yes, helicopters! and both are now part of United Techologies).
Lately there has been a big stir because the base was slated for closing, with all its federal contracts for building subs to go to a rival sub base in the state of Virginia. Naturally U.S. Rep. Simmons (R-2nd) got busy and threw his weight around in Washington.
The above is background for a little tale I have.
This morning, while walking from Town Hall to the Post Office to pick up our office mail, I spotted local peace activist Mike Westerfield, a man of many parts, on his bike, also en route to the post office. The picture at left is Westerfield broadcasting his radio show live at a recent Third Thursday street fest.
He was a little ahead of me on the sidewalk, and stopped at the rank of newspaper boxes outside the PO to stare at a headline in one.
"Look at that!"
I looked.
The headline said (as near as I can remember) "Subbase closing now in God's hands."
That is a very funny headline. I've never seen any paper that treats God as an objective fact. They always quote someone or act as if they are quoting someone. They might have said, for example, "Subbase closing said to be in God's hands."
I said: "You think God's mixed up in that?"
Westerfield replied: "If God were involved, he'd have closed it down long ago!"
[This exchange took place hours ago, and I didnt take notes, so the above is an approximation. Westerfield is welcome to offer any corrections.]
Palema
4:49 PM
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Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
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