Thursday, July 14, 2016
The id Post: This Is Already Worse Than 1968
The id Post: This Is Already Worse Than 1968: by Irene Daniel I remember waking up on the morning of June 5, 1968 to the sounds of my mother sobbing into a bath towel. Robert Kennedy h...
This Is Already Worse Than 1968
by Irene Daniel
I remember waking up on the morning of June 5, 1968 to the sounds of my mother sobbing into a bath towel. Robert Kennedy had been shot in Los Angeles after winning the California Democratic Primary just the night before. A few months prior to this event, we had all witnessed the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., in Atlanta.
And there were riots all spring and summer long, in this year of violence kicked off by the TET offensive in the Vietnamese war; which led of course to more protests and civil unrest of all kinds, all across the country. It was a year of many horrors for us.
Many writers and pundits have remarked upon the many similarities between the election year of 1968 and this one. The violence, racial tensions, economic inequality and lack of meaningful opportunities for Americans of all stripes, all seemingly coming to a crashing crescendo at convention time. Frankly, and not to minimize the shock of multiple assassinations and riots, I think this Year of the Monkey is even worse than that of 48 years ago.
It's worse because we should know better by now.
The vivid memory of that morning in June in 1968 stands out for me because of the extraordinary shock felt all over the nation and around the world. This was something that didn't happen very often. We can't say that anymore. Turning on the TV and witnessing some out-of-this-world insane violence is, woefully, no longer uncommon. Sometimes there are multiple such events in one week, as we have recently experienced in Louisiana, Michigan and Texas. Are we getting too used to this?
I don't want to get into the weeds of statistics of measured violence; I am just expressing what it feels like to me as an American. The frequency of these horror-filled events, as well as the variety and diversity of their targets and victims, just seems scarier and more immediate to me. I'm glad I don't live in a big city anymore.
It happens to people who are black, Muslim, Mexican and other people of color who are disproportionately targeted by police. It happens to people in churches. It happens to people at the movies, at the grocery store, at work, at school, and on and on. It seems that any one of us at any time could be taken out by a bullet. Life is cheap, and cheaper for some than others.
I won't take this space to blame and shame or to pretend that I have a solution. I don't. None of us can find a solution by blaming and shaming our fellow Americans. I think we're getting a little too used to that merry-go-round too.
The frequency of violence, lack of civility combined with the intensity of vitriolic rhetoric -- 50 years post Civil Rights Movement mind you, make this year feel much worse, much scarier than 1968, in my opinion. And we haven't even begun the conventions yet!
On this Bastille Day, a testament to French Liberty and an international dateline of demarcation, I hope that celebrating freedom comes to mean more than the right to hate whomever you choose.
And as I write this, I learn of another disaster of violence in Nice, France, as they celebrated Bastille Day.
Please, let's not get used to hearing this kind of news.
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
I remember waking up on the morning of June 5, 1968 to the sounds of my mother sobbing into a bath towel. Robert Kennedy had been shot in Los Angeles after winning the California Democratic Primary just the night before. A few months prior to this event, we had all witnessed the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., in Atlanta.
And there were riots all spring and summer long, in this year of violence kicked off by the TET offensive in the Vietnamese war; which led of course to more protests and civil unrest of all kinds, all across the country. It was a year of many horrors for us.
Many writers and pundits have remarked upon the many similarities between the election year of 1968 and this one. The violence, racial tensions, economic inequality and lack of meaningful opportunities for Americans of all stripes, all seemingly coming to a crashing crescendo at convention time. Frankly, and not to minimize the shock of multiple assassinations and riots, I think this Year of the Monkey is even worse than that of 48 years ago.
It's worse because we should know better by now.
The vivid memory of that morning in June in 1968 stands out for me because of the extraordinary shock felt all over the nation and around the world. This was something that didn't happen very often. We can't say that anymore. Turning on the TV and witnessing some out-of-this-world insane violence is, woefully, no longer uncommon. Sometimes there are multiple such events in one week, as we have recently experienced in Louisiana, Michigan and Texas. Are we getting too used to this?
I don't want to get into the weeds of statistics of measured violence; I am just expressing what it feels like to me as an American. The frequency of these horror-filled events, as well as the variety and diversity of their targets and victims, just seems scarier and more immediate to me. I'm glad I don't live in a big city anymore.
It happens to people who are black, Muslim, Mexican and other people of color who are disproportionately targeted by police. It happens to people in churches. It happens to people at the movies, at the grocery store, at work, at school, and on and on. It seems that any one of us at any time could be taken out by a bullet. Life is cheap, and cheaper for some than others.
I won't take this space to blame and shame or to pretend that I have a solution. I don't. None of us can find a solution by blaming and shaming our fellow Americans. I think we're getting a little too used to that merry-go-round too.
The frequency of violence, lack of civility combined with the intensity of vitriolic rhetoric -- 50 years post Civil Rights Movement mind you, make this year feel much worse, much scarier than 1968, in my opinion. And we haven't even begun the conventions yet!
On this Bastille Day, a testament to French Liberty and an international dateline of demarcation, I hope that celebrating freedom comes to mean more than the right to hate whomever you choose.
And as I write this, I learn of another disaster of violence in Nice, France, as they celebrated Bastille Day.
Please, let's not get used to hearing this kind of news.
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
The id Post: Piercing Revolution and Peaceful Evolution
The id Post: Piercing Revolution and Peaceful Evolution: by Irene Daniel Born of violence revisited from time to time war gives way to weariness and longing for the sublime Then building and...
Thursday, June 30, 2016
The id Post: Where Are We Going? A New Age of Enlightenment? Or...
The id Post: Where Are We Going? A New Age of Enlightenment? Or...: by Irene Daniel This week we have seen the Confederate flag, a symbol of "southern pride" come down in South Carolina. This is s...
Thursday, May 19, 2016
The id Post: Thriving in the Chaos of 21st Century America
The id Post: Thriving in the Chaos of 21st Century America: by Irene Daniel I had a funny feeling a while back that this election year would be one for the books. In the Chinese Zodiac it is the Year...
Thriving in the Chaos of 21st Century America
by Irene Daniel
I had a funny feeling a while back that this election year would be one for the books. In the Chinese Zodiac it is the Year of the Monkey and, like 1968, 1980 and 1992, it has been full of surprises thus far. And we are still six months away from election day.
I often caution myself to "never say never," and so will not predict the outcome of the presidential election. Yes, Donald Trump could become our next president. I don't think it's very likely, but I won't say it's impossible. Mortifying for me, yes; but impossible? No.
The chaos of the 2016 campaign is, however, fascinating to political junkies everywhere. It is truly a time of shifting priorities and a seemingly heightened awareness of a fundamental unfairness in the way we do a lot of things here: wealth distribution, campaign financing, voting and race relations to name but a few.
The American rage and quest for greater things that birthed a nation and settled the west has surfaced once again. And I wonder where this sweeping energy will take us now.
We see unfairness everywhere. Middle-class and working-class whites see an idealized American model of the 1950s that is no longer accessible to them. Non-whites, the working poor and others who were always on the outside looking in during the time of that now longed-for era, see five decades worth of advances in their right to the American dream now at risk. And the elite and the media, now the mouthpiece of the oligarchs in charge of all the money and power, have convinced us that it is that "other" American's fault that our American dream is slipping away.
And so now we have a presidential race that exacerbates our differences rather than maximizing our most powerful potential found in unifying efforts. When Americans unite, we are unbeatable. We can literally conquer the world, as evidenced by our performance in two world wars, not to mention the Cold War. During WWII all Americans, of every color and creed, united in a painstaking effort to defeat fascism. Every American family sacrificed and all rejoiced in the victorious outcome.
When American economic and scientific forces unite, we can conquer space. The American flag that now sits on the lunar surface is a mighty testament to what can be accomplished when big government, big business and big labor combined resources to accomplish something greater than any one could have accomplished without the others.
We are all frustrated and feel let down by leaders that we trusted. Whether Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, white or non-white, we all feel betrayed. And we are angry. Who can blame us?
What we do with that anger, however, is entirely up to us. We can use that anger to engineer solutions for all Americans, bringing order to the chaos by listening to all voices and honoring diverse constituencies. Or we can use that energy to destroy the infrastructure that has served us for almost 250 years. It's tempting to take a wrecking ball to something that isn't working. But is that really the solution? Walking away from all that makes us great and shattering any hope of the American unity that is the foundation of our greatness will not make us freer and safer. It will only fuel the flames of fear that could result in a truly scorched earth -- literally. Wouldn't that be like burning your house down completely when all you need are new floors?
We will, without question, reap what we sow. Will we sow seeds of united empowerment, working together adjusting and fixing that which is broken without destroying the progress made as we evolve toward that "more perfect union?"
Or will we unleash our collective rage; which can only bring more chaos?
Copyright, 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
I had a funny feeling a while back that this election year would be one for the books. In the Chinese Zodiac it is the Year of the Monkey and, like 1968, 1980 and 1992, it has been full of surprises thus far. And we are still six months away from election day.
I often caution myself to "never say never," and so will not predict the outcome of the presidential election. Yes, Donald Trump could become our next president. I don't think it's very likely, but I won't say it's impossible. Mortifying for me, yes; but impossible? No.
The chaos of the 2016 campaign is, however, fascinating to political junkies everywhere. It is truly a time of shifting priorities and a seemingly heightened awareness of a fundamental unfairness in the way we do a lot of things here: wealth distribution, campaign financing, voting and race relations to name but a few.
The American rage and quest for greater things that birthed a nation and settled the west has surfaced once again. And I wonder where this sweeping energy will take us now.
We see unfairness everywhere. Middle-class and working-class whites see an idealized American model of the 1950s that is no longer accessible to them. Non-whites, the working poor and others who were always on the outside looking in during the time of that now longed-for era, see five decades worth of advances in their right to the American dream now at risk. And the elite and the media, now the mouthpiece of the oligarchs in charge of all the money and power, have convinced us that it is that "other" American's fault that our American dream is slipping away.
And so now we have a presidential race that exacerbates our differences rather than maximizing our most powerful potential found in unifying efforts. When Americans unite, we are unbeatable. We can literally conquer the world, as evidenced by our performance in two world wars, not to mention the Cold War. During WWII all Americans, of every color and creed, united in a painstaking effort to defeat fascism. Every American family sacrificed and all rejoiced in the victorious outcome.
When American economic and scientific forces unite, we can conquer space. The American flag that now sits on the lunar surface is a mighty testament to what can be accomplished when big government, big business and big labor combined resources to accomplish something greater than any one could have accomplished without the others.
We are all frustrated and feel let down by leaders that we trusted. Whether Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, white or non-white, we all feel betrayed. And we are angry. Who can blame us?
What we do with that anger, however, is entirely up to us. We can use that anger to engineer solutions for all Americans, bringing order to the chaos by listening to all voices and honoring diverse constituencies. Or we can use that energy to destroy the infrastructure that has served us for almost 250 years. It's tempting to take a wrecking ball to something that isn't working. But is that really the solution? Walking away from all that makes us great and shattering any hope of the American unity that is the foundation of our greatness will not make us freer and safer. It will only fuel the flames of fear that could result in a truly scorched earth -- literally. Wouldn't that be like burning your house down completely when all you need are new floors?
We will, without question, reap what we sow. Will we sow seeds of united empowerment, working together adjusting and fixing that which is broken without destroying the progress made as we evolve toward that "more perfect union?"
Or will we unleash our collective rage; which can only bring more chaos?
Copyright, 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
The id Post: A Page of Praise for My Hometown: The Cowboy Cradl...
The id Post: A Page of Praise for My Hometown: The Cowboy Cradl...: by Irene Daniel I was born and raised in Florence, AZ in the mid-1950s. Ike was President of the USA; and copper, cotton and cattle were K...
Thursday, April 21, 2016
The id Post: Palo Verde Spring
The id Post: Palo Verde Spring: by Irene Daniel Driving down my favorite highway Arizona 387 A forest of succulents celebrates the desert spring Screami...
Palo Verde Spring
by Irene Daniel
Driving down my favorite highway
Arizona 387
A forest of succulents
celebrates the desert spring
Screaming yellow palo verde blossoms
boldly announce new life
Red ocotillo and purple sage
Provide contrast and compliment
And white blossoms adorn
the giant saguaro
This floral symphony announces
a new cycle of life
Soon the flowers will wither and die
Under the desert sun
But for today this desert bouquet
soothes my soul
And awakens the light
of spring
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Driving down my favorite highway
Arizona 387
A forest of succulents
celebrates the desert spring
Screaming yellow palo verde blossoms
boldly announce new life
Red ocotillo and purple sage
Provide contrast and compliment
And white blossoms adorn
the giant saguaro
This floral symphony announces
a new cycle of life
Soon the flowers will wither and die
Under the desert sun
But for today this desert bouquet
soothes my soul
And awakens the light
of spring
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
The id Post: Fear Is A Disease
The id Post: Fear Is A Disease: by Irene Daniel Fear is a disease It takes your sleep And rearranges your appetite Blocking confidence and courage Thus, misinf...
Fear Is A Disease
by Irene Daniel
Fear is a disease
It takes your sleep
And rearranges your appetite
Blocking confidence and courage
Thus, misinforming judgement
Estopping wisdom
And leading to poor choices
No effective medication can cure
This cancer of the soul
Only love can do that
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Fear is a disease
It takes your sleep
And rearranges your appetite
Blocking confidence and courage
Thus, misinforming judgement
Estopping wisdom
And leading to poor choices
No effective medication can cure
This cancer of the soul
Only love can do that
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
The id Post: Farewell Frank Lautenberg: Farewell To Our America...
The id Post: Farewell Frank Lautenberg: Farewell To Our America...: Senator Frank Lautenberg was the last surviving veteran of WWII to serve in our United States Congress. I mention this not only to honor him...
Thursday, March 31, 2016
The id Post: On Boundaries, Walls and Reflections of Personal A...
The id Post: On Boundaries, Walls and Reflections of Personal A...: by Irene Daniel I've been drawing a lot of lines in the sand lately. I don't revel in adversarial combat like I used to anymore. B...
Thursday, March 24, 2016
The id Post: Between the Sun and the Moon
The id Post: Between the Sun and the Moon: by Irene Daniel Between the sun and the moon I see the world from my mother's grave To the east the rising sun illuminates Apach...
Thursday, March 17, 2016
The id Post: Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
The id Post: Happy St. Patrick's Day!!: Today, theidworld is on vacation.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
The id Post: The Dance of the American Experiment
The id Post: The Dance of the American Experiment: by Irene Daniel America is a dance Hopi, Sioux, Apache and Cherokee Sometimes it is a square dance of twirling cowboy boots It is a...
The Dance of the American Experiment
by Irene Daniel
America is a dance
Hopi, Sioux, Apache and Cherokee
Sometimes it is a square dance
of twirling cowboy boots
It is a ballet
striving for perfection
And a bold and colorful
Ballet Folklorico
Irish jigs and German polkas
Jewish havas and jitterbugs
It is a waltz
of grace and beauty
And a sizzling hot tango
cooled by authentic jazz
The blues wale
a woeful lament
Folk music speaks to our soul
and big bands move our feet
Our nation of immigrants
is a land of many dances
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
America is a dance
Hopi, Sioux, Apache and Cherokee
Sometimes it is a square dance
of twirling cowboy boots
It is a ballet
striving for perfection
And a bold and colorful
Ballet Folklorico
Irish jigs and German polkas
Jewish havas and jitterbugs
It is a waltz
of grace and beauty
And a sizzling hot tango
cooled by authentic jazz
The blues wale
a woeful lament
Folk music speaks to our soul
and big bands move our feet
Our nation of immigrants
is a land of many dances
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
The id Post: Desert Rain
The id Post: Desert Rain: by Irene Daniel Standing on my beloved desert floor Clouds of gray and white intermingle with blue sky beyond Blue and pur...
Thursday, March 3, 2016
The id Post: America's Coat of Many Colors
The id Post: America's Coat of Many Colors: by Irene Daniel Last week-end I had the esteemed honor and privilege to accompany a real war hero, Adolpho "Harpo" Celaya, to the...
America's Coat of Many Colors
by Irene Daniel
Last week-end I had the esteemed honor and privilege to accompany a real war hero, Adolpho "Harpo" Celaya, to the celebration of the 71st anniversary of the hoisting of an American flag over Iwo Jima, hosted by the Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84 in Sacaton, AZ. Ira Hayes, as you may know, was one of the Marines who hoisted that flag, and his memory is honored by his Gila River Indian community every year, and in many other ways. It was an unanticipated gift, and one that I will remember forever.
As fate would have it for a history geek like me, Harpo lives two doors down from me in our small hometown. I get to drive him around sometimes when he gets to do things like this: parades, dinners, speeches and other honors. I have had the pleasure of seeing how people respond to him when he tells his story of surviving the catastrophic sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis on July 30, 1945; the greatest naval disaster in the history of the U.S. Navy. The history gods are good, bestowing this honor upon me.
It started with a banquet on Friday night, where veterans of all ages, colors and creeds were in attendance. As well you might imagine, Native-Americans of many tribes were well represented, coming from several states, including New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota and Oklahoma. Some, like Sophie Yazzie, brought gifts. Sophie is a 102 year-old veteran of WWII, who bestowed a beautiful blanket upon Adjutant Tony McDaniel for his devotion to the post and his stewardship of the event.
The following day was the big parade and it was again my esteemed honor to accompany Harpo to this celebration. To my astonishment, I was asked if I would like to ride along in the car that carried Harpo through the parade route. I really didn't want to be any trouble or be in the way, but the generosity of the invitation and the encouragement of our driver was all I needed to heartily accept such graciousness. It was not only a thrill, but an education in and of itself.
As we taxied around the town to take our place in the parade of veterans and other displays of patriotism, I marveled at how many tribes from so many different places came to participate in this truly American celebration. And the tribes of which I speak are not just Native American, but of the America that has always been comprised of all the tribes of humanity.
I thought of all the conflict and conquests of the past, and how Americans of all stripes have long chosen to be reconciled under one Stars and Stripes. The Irish, the Mexicans, Asian-Americans, Native-Americans and African-Americans have chosen to put past injustices aside when celebrating the greatness of our collective whole. If you don't think Mexicans are patriotic, you haven't been to a Fourth of July party in East LA. It is an hours-long blast!
Our American ideal of freedom is so extraordinary that it has taken us a couple of centuries to grow into our true self. As we stretch and learn better ways of resolving conflicts among ourselves, we enable our democracy to gradually evolve into that "more perfect union;" our American coat of many colors.
There is more than one way to be a patriot here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Last week-end I had the esteemed honor and privilege to accompany a real war hero, Adolpho "Harpo" Celaya, to the celebration of the 71st anniversary of the hoisting of an American flag over Iwo Jima, hosted by the Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84 in Sacaton, AZ. Ira Hayes, as you may know, was one of the Marines who hoisted that flag, and his memory is honored by his Gila River Indian community every year, and in many other ways. It was an unanticipated gift, and one that I will remember forever.
As fate would have it for a history geek like me, Harpo lives two doors down from me in our small hometown. I get to drive him around sometimes when he gets to do things like this: parades, dinners, speeches and other honors. I have had the pleasure of seeing how people respond to him when he tells his story of surviving the catastrophic sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis on July 30, 1945; the greatest naval disaster in the history of the U.S. Navy. The history gods are good, bestowing this honor upon me.
It started with a banquet on Friday night, where veterans of all ages, colors and creeds were in attendance. As well you might imagine, Native-Americans of many tribes were well represented, coming from several states, including New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota and Oklahoma. Some, like Sophie Yazzie, brought gifts. Sophie is a 102 year-old veteran of WWII, who bestowed a beautiful blanket upon Adjutant Tony McDaniel for his devotion to the post and his stewardship of the event.
The following day was the big parade and it was again my esteemed honor to accompany Harpo to this celebration. To my astonishment, I was asked if I would like to ride along in the car that carried Harpo through the parade route. I really didn't want to be any trouble or be in the way, but the generosity of the invitation and the encouragement of our driver was all I needed to heartily accept such graciousness. It was not only a thrill, but an education in and of itself.
As we taxied around the town to take our place in the parade of veterans and other displays of patriotism, I marveled at how many tribes from so many different places came to participate in this truly American celebration. And the tribes of which I speak are not just Native American, but of the America that has always been comprised of all the tribes of humanity.
I thought of all the conflict and conquests of the past, and how Americans of all stripes have long chosen to be reconciled under one Stars and Stripes. The Irish, the Mexicans, Asian-Americans, Native-Americans and African-Americans have chosen to put past injustices aside when celebrating the greatness of our collective whole. If you don't think Mexicans are patriotic, you haven't been to a Fourth of July party in East LA. It is an hours-long blast!
Our American ideal of freedom is so extraordinary that it has taken us a couple of centuries to grow into our true self. As we stretch and learn better ways of resolving conflicts among ourselves, we enable our democracy to gradually evolve into that "more perfect union;" our American coat of many colors.
There is more than one way to be a patriot here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
The id Post: Good Neighbors
The id Post: Good Neighbors: by Irene Daniel Good fences make good neighbors so they say I have a fence and so do they Our fences are mostly ...
Thursday, February 25, 2016
The id Post: What Did You Expect Would Happen?
The id Post: What Did You Expect Would Happen?: by Irene Daniel There appears to be much shock and awe regarding the latest divisive suggestion from Donald Trump; this time to ban all Mu...
Sunday, February 21, 2016
The id Post: Dramalogue v. Dialogue
The id Post: Dramalogue v. Dialogue: by Irene Daniel Last week I lamented the great American dialogue that is not taking place as we prepare for the next presidential election...
Thursday, February 18, 2016
The id Post: Which Came First?
The id Post: Which Came First?: by Irene Daniel Which came first? Union corruption or corporate greed? Civil Rights or segregation? Black Power or White supremacy...
Which Came First?
by Irene Daniel
Which came first?
Union corruption or corporate greed?
Civil Rights or segregation?
Black Power or White supremacy?
Revolution or exploitation?
Male dominance or suffragette?
War or peace?
Do we remember?
Or do we conveniently forget?
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Which came first?
Union corruption or corporate greed?
Civil Rights or segregation?
Black Power or White supremacy?
Revolution or exploitation?
Male dominance or suffragette?
War or peace?
Do we remember?
Or do we conveniently forget?
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
The id Post: Things I Cannot Escape
The id Post: Things I Cannot Escape: by Irene Daniel My Cowboy Cradle hometown An abiding faith My love of the printed word My historic Catholic Church The mystic des...
Thursday, February 11, 2016
The id Post: Climbing Out of Darkness
The id Post: Climbing Out of Darkness: by Irene Daniel I stumbled into darkness, falling far and fast from the incompleteness of a soulless past Cascading into the abyss i...
Climbing Out of Darkness
by Irene Daniel
I stumbled into darkness,
falling far and fast
from the incompleteness
of a soulless past
Cascading into the abyss
in shocking disbelief,
a gathering of awfulness,
torment and unspeakable grief
The bottom never seemed to come
of this monstrous grey
And on and on the grayness rolled
Seemingly to stay
But loving souls called to me
in every living form
and day by day provided me
a shelter from the storm
Bringing with them love and light
that scared away the dark
Inspiring my tenacity
igniting a soulful spark
Inch by inch and step by step
I marched toward the light
Small victories along the way
helped me regain my sight
A sight that's been refocused now
upon what is not broken
enabling me to jettison
things merely token
Enlightened and less burdened
on a more deliberate path
following the light
I have no use for wrath
Nor hatred, greed nor other things
upon which darkness thrives
I will follow the light today
on to the next of my nine lives
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
I stumbled into darkness,
falling far and fast
from the incompleteness
of a soulless past
Cascading into the abyss
in shocking disbelief,
a gathering of awfulness,
torment and unspeakable grief
The bottom never seemed to come
of this monstrous grey
And on and on the grayness rolled
Seemingly to stay
But loving souls called to me
in every living form
and day by day provided me
a shelter from the storm
Bringing with them love and light
that scared away the dark
Inspiring my tenacity
igniting a soulful spark
Inch by inch and step by step
I marched toward the light
Small victories along the way
helped me regain my sight
A sight that's been refocused now
upon what is not broken
enabling me to jettison
things merely token
Enlightened and less burdened
on a more deliberate path
following the light
I have no use for wrath
Nor hatred, greed nor other things
upon which darkness thrives
I will follow the light today
on to the next of my nine lives
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
The id Post: The Sanders Republicans?
The id Post: The Sanders Republicans?: by Irene Daniel In 1980 Ronald Reagan won the Presidential election with a coalition of many different interest groups, including Evangeli...
The Sanders Republicans?
by Irene Daniel
In 1980 Ronald Reagan won the Presidential election with a coalition of many different interest groups, including Evangelicals and proponents of small government. Another group that was influential in Reagan's victory were Democrats who had grown disillusioned with their own party -- the Reagan Democrats.
In that election cycle Democrats were bitterly divided over the liberal Ted Kennedy faction of the party and the Jimmy Carter supporters. I heard many a Democrat say at that time, "I didn't leave my party, my party left me."
Like 2016, 1980 was a year in which Americans of every stripe were disillusioned with their leadership for a number of reasons. There was a collective sense of being adrift; not acceptable for a nation that boasts of besting all others. Whether or not, our sense of superiority is real or imagined, most American citizens feel lucky and take pride in that citizenship. And they feel that something is amiss in the universe without it. Reagan called out to our sense of bravado as the new patriotism.
Sanders is calling to a new and enlightened sense of what it means to be American. He challenges us to evolve, not devolve, in the manner in which we face our many challenges. This is liken to a mass evolution of the Spirit of humanity, which is not limited to any particular nation, ideology or religion, in which many of us would like to participate in a meaningful and searching dialogue as an avenue for problem-solving. The wide-scale manipulation of information, filled with untruths, half-truths, insults and name-calling, is becoming more and more apparent to a lot of us, and we want something different in our social communication skills, and especially those of our leadership.
Of all the presidential candidates, in either party, Sanders is one the least vitriolic, especially when speaking specifically of other candidates. He has also drawn huge crowds, essentially tied Secretary Hillary Clinton in the Iowa caucus, has a huge lead going into the New Hampshire primary and raised more money than Clinton last month.
Does this mean he will win the nomination? In this Year of the Monkey, as was 1980 and 1968, it's impossible to know for sure what might happen. However, if he is the Democratic nominee, he may appeal to independents and moderate Republicans much more than either Ted Cruz or Donald Trump; who together garner over 50% of the Republican vote at this time.
Should Marco Rubio be the Republican nominee, this could change, but I doubt that it would. As in 2012, whoever the Republican nominee turns out to be, he will have to pivot back to the center after communicating red-meat conservatism in the primary race, in order to have a chance against the Democratic rival. The GOP has been unsuccessful in this attempt in previous election cycles; and the electorate is only getting younger, browner and more female. This heavy lift is getting heavier with each election.
Should Sanders be the Democratic nominee, he would be much better positioned to communicate a more middle-of-the-road message, in spite of the fact that he has been painted by even liberal media as un-electable and "too far out there." If he is effective, he will be able to demonstrate that the kind of "socialism" he is talking about is something we already have, and that other advanced countries employ in ways that offer more opportunities to their citizens. Neither Hillary Clinton, nor any of the GOP candidates can, or want to, offer that sense of a commonwealth; in which all contribute and all are cared for. For Sanders is the only candidate who not only rails against corporate greed, but refuses their money as a matter of principle.
We pay more attention to the desires of those who pay us. This tenet is not about Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives. It is about our own humanity and our instinct for survival. It is very difficult to not be swayed by money. Not impossible, but difficult. Sanders is the only candidate who will not be tempted with corporate greed because he is not allowing himself that temptation. In fact this is the one area in which he is much more vitriolic in calling out special interests, lobbying and campaign financing than anyone else.
Wealth inequality of the magnitude we are experiencing has much more to do with policies that favor the wealthy, than it has do with personal responsibility, skill, training, talent or hard work. Most of us feel ripped-off somehow. This is the anger to which Donald Trump also appeals. However, many Republicans, especially moderates, are still way too uncomfortable with Trump's divisive rhetoric and know that this does not bode well for their party with the changing demographics of, again, the younger, browner and more female electorate.
And Bernie already has support among some Republicans, mostly moderates who are pining away for the likes of Ike; who would undoubtedly be too liberal for the 2016 Republican party. They even have their own facebook page, with nearly 3000 likes and over 1000 shares. That may not seem like much right now, but we're just getting started in this race.
Perhaps in this Year of the Monkey, it will be the Sanders Republicans who make the difference. Then it will be the Sanders Revolution that pivots us in a new direction.
Still, anything can happen. Watch this space.
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
In 1980 Ronald Reagan won the Presidential election with a coalition of many different interest groups, including Evangelicals and proponents of small government. Another group that was influential in Reagan's victory were Democrats who had grown disillusioned with their own party -- the Reagan Democrats.
In that election cycle Democrats were bitterly divided over the liberal Ted Kennedy faction of the party and the Jimmy Carter supporters. I heard many a Democrat say at that time, "I didn't leave my party, my party left me."
Like 2016, 1980 was a year in which Americans of every stripe were disillusioned with their leadership for a number of reasons. There was a collective sense of being adrift; not acceptable for a nation that boasts of besting all others. Whether or not, our sense of superiority is real or imagined, most American citizens feel lucky and take pride in that citizenship. And they feel that something is amiss in the universe without it. Reagan called out to our sense of bravado as the new patriotism.
Sanders is calling to a new and enlightened sense of what it means to be American. He challenges us to evolve, not devolve, in the manner in which we face our many challenges. This is liken to a mass evolution of the Spirit of humanity, which is not limited to any particular nation, ideology or religion, in which many of us would like to participate in a meaningful and searching dialogue as an avenue for problem-solving. The wide-scale manipulation of information, filled with untruths, half-truths, insults and name-calling, is becoming more and more apparent to a lot of us, and we want something different in our social communication skills, and especially those of our leadership.
Of all the presidential candidates, in either party, Sanders is one the least vitriolic, especially when speaking specifically of other candidates. He has also drawn huge crowds, essentially tied Secretary Hillary Clinton in the Iowa caucus, has a huge lead going into the New Hampshire primary and raised more money than Clinton last month.
Does this mean he will win the nomination? In this Year of the Monkey, as was 1980 and 1968, it's impossible to know for sure what might happen. However, if he is the Democratic nominee, he may appeal to independents and moderate Republicans much more than either Ted Cruz or Donald Trump; who together garner over 50% of the Republican vote at this time.
Should Marco Rubio be the Republican nominee, this could change, but I doubt that it would. As in 2012, whoever the Republican nominee turns out to be, he will have to pivot back to the center after communicating red-meat conservatism in the primary race, in order to have a chance against the Democratic rival. The GOP has been unsuccessful in this attempt in previous election cycles; and the electorate is only getting younger, browner and more female. This heavy lift is getting heavier with each election.
Should Sanders be the Democratic nominee, he would be much better positioned to communicate a more middle-of-the-road message, in spite of the fact that he has been painted by even liberal media as un-electable and "too far out there." If he is effective, he will be able to demonstrate that the kind of "socialism" he is talking about is something we already have, and that other advanced countries employ in ways that offer more opportunities to their citizens. Neither Hillary Clinton, nor any of the GOP candidates can, or want to, offer that sense of a commonwealth; in which all contribute and all are cared for. For Sanders is the only candidate who not only rails against corporate greed, but refuses their money as a matter of principle.
We pay more attention to the desires of those who pay us. This tenet is not about Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives. It is about our own humanity and our instinct for survival. It is very difficult to not be swayed by money. Not impossible, but difficult. Sanders is the only candidate who will not be tempted with corporate greed because he is not allowing himself that temptation. In fact this is the one area in which he is much more vitriolic in calling out special interests, lobbying and campaign financing than anyone else.
Wealth inequality of the magnitude we are experiencing has much more to do with policies that favor the wealthy, than it has do with personal responsibility, skill, training, talent or hard work. Most of us feel ripped-off somehow. This is the anger to which Donald Trump also appeals. However, many Republicans, especially moderates, are still way too uncomfortable with Trump's divisive rhetoric and know that this does not bode well for their party with the changing demographics of, again, the younger, browner and more female electorate.
And Bernie already has support among some Republicans, mostly moderates who are pining away for the likes of Ike; who would undoubtedly be too liberal for the 2016 Republican party. They even have their own facebook page, with nearly 3000 likes and over 1000 shares. That may not seem like much right now, but we're just getting started in this race.
Perhaps in this Year of the Monkey, it will be the Sanders Republicans who make the difference. Then it will be the Sanders Revolution that pivots us in a new direction.
Still, anything can happen. Watch this space.
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
The id Post: What If?
The id Post: What If?: by Irene Daniel What if we chose differently? Curiosity over suspicion? Wonder over warring? Listening over shouting? Benevolenc...
Thursday, January 28, 2016
The id Post: The Light Shines Brightest in the Deepest Divide
The id Post: The Light Shines Brightest in the Deepest Divide: by Irene Daniel In the deepest caverns of our lost humanity the light must shine brightest for those who wish to see The bores of wa...
The Light Shines Brightest in the Deepest Divide
by Irene Daniel
In the deepest caverns
of our lost humanity
the light must shine brightest
for those who wish to see
The bores of wars and politics
reveal where we are weak
and how far away we've wandered
from the truth we seek
When face to face with our enemy
our reflection is revealed
and only when we face this truth
can our wounds be healed
The folly of our differences
melts away like summer ice
when suffering the same wounds
and paying the same price
Lost limbs, lost minds,
lost souls, lost youth,
lost innocence is sacrificed
at the altar of false truth
Of suffering and pain and shame
of orders to destroy,
for destruction of "the other"
all resources we employ
Until there is no more
our humanness done in
the rotted carcass of our soul
post-mortemized in heady spin
And those who clean up after us
tell tales of our destruction
until a brand new breath of life
makes our introduction
And in the very deepest darkness
we bring what light we can
for only our souls' love and light
can heal the tribes of man
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
In the deepest caverns
of our lost humanity
the light must shine brightest
for those who wish to see
The bores of wars and politics
reveal where we are weak
and how far away we've wandered
from the truth we seek
When face to face with our enemy
our reflection is revealed
and only when we face this truth
can our wounds be healed
The folly of our differences
melts away like summer ice
when suffering the same wounds
and paying the same price
Lost limbs, lost minds,
lost souls, lost youth,
lost innocence is sacrificed
at the altar of false truth
Of suffering and pain and shame
of orders to destroy,
for destruction of "the other"
all resources we employ
Until there is no more
our humanness done in
the rotted carcass of our soul
post-mortemized in heady spin
And those who clean up after us
tell tales of our destruction
until a brand new breath of life
makes our introduction
And in the very deepest darkness
we bring what light we can
for only our souls' love and light
can heal the tribes of man
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
The id Post: On PTSD
The id Post: On PTSD: by Irene Daniel Surrounded by so much violence lately -- Paris, Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, and now San Bernadino -- I've ...
Thursday, January 21, 2016
The id Post: Piercing Revolution and Peaceful Evolution
The id Post: Piercing Revolution and Peaceful Evolution: by Irene Daniel Born of violence revisited from time to time war gives way to weariness and longing for the sublime Then building and...
Piercing Revolution and Peaceful Evolution
by Irene Daniel
Born of violence
revisited from time to time
war gives way to weariness
and longing for the sublime
Then building and rebuilding
a more gentle knowing grows
and seeds of peaceful evolution
is what our sorrow sows
But anger always seething
beneath an uneasy calm,
the bitter and the boisterous overcome
anesthetizing balm
Of moving ever forward
too slow for some, too fast for others
to claim a glorious destiny
for all of our sisters and brothers
Our creed boasts of inclusion
and equality for all
yet, in our human frailty
this order is too tall
For many perceive the fallacy
that if others win, we fail
but this lie can never depict
our true American tale
For we all win or we all lose
together, not apart
out of many, one
is the beat of our American heart
Born of revolution
yet peacefully we evolve
Born of violence
revisited from time to time
war gives way to weariness
and longing for the sublime
Then building and rebuilding
a more gentle knowing grows
and seeds of peaceful evolution
is what our sorrow sows
But anger always seething
beneath an uneasy calm,
the bitter and the boisterous overcome
anesthetizing balm
Of moving ever forward
too slow for some, too fast for others
to claim a glorious destiny
for all of our sisters and brothers
Our creed boasts of inclusion
and equality for all
yet, in our human frailty
this order is too tall
For many perceive the fallacy
that if others win, we fail
but this lie can never depict
our true American tale
For we all win or we all lose
together, not apart
out of many, one
is the beat of our American heart
Born of revolution
yet peacefully we evolve
Monday, January 18, 2016
The id Post: Our Faux Christian Nation
The id Post: Our Faux Christian Nation: by Irene Daniel Koch and ALEC policies, rife with exploitation, devoid of social justice in our faux Christian nation. Millions give...
Sunday, January 17, 2016
The id Post: Our Faux Christian Nation
The id Post: Our Faux Christian Nation: by Irene Daniel Koch and ALEC policies, rife with exploitation, devoid of social justice in our faux Christian nation. Millions give...
Thursday, January 14, 2016
The id Post: Saturday Mornings Long Ago
The id Post: Saturday Mornings Long Ago: by Irene Daniel Hotcakes sizzling on the comal, Shirley Temple movies on TV Sleeping in for my brothers and me And then onto laborious...
Saturday Mornings Long Ago
by Irene Daniel
Hotcakes sizzling on the comal, Shirley Temple movies on TV
Sleeping in for my brothers and me
And then onto laborious bores,
Cleaning the yard, the house and other chores
Running errands on my bike
So Mama wouldn't need to hike
To the store for this and that
Fresh fruit, fresh meat and food for the cat
And then I would be free again
To play outside or visit a friend
Sometimes we would take the bus
to the big city, an adventure for us
A day off from the rural mundane
Sweet distance from my childhood pain
I remember all these things
For when I do, my heart sings
Of love, laughter, hope and glory
The alpha and omega of my life's story
And I will never be alone
My memory of love is my home
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Hotcakes sizzling on the comal, Shirley Temple movies on TV
Sleeping in for my brothers and me
And then onto laborious bores,
Cleaning the yard, the house and other chores
Running errands on my bike
So Mama wouldn't need to hike
To the store for this and that
Fresh fruit, fresh meat and food for the cat
And then I would be free again
To play outside or visit a friend
Sometimes we would take the bus
to the big city, an adventure for us
A day off from the rural mundane
Sweet distance from my childhood pain
I remember all these things
For when I do, my heart sings
Of love, laughter, hope and glory
The alpha and omega of my life's story
And I will never be alone
My memory of love is my home
Copyright 2016, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
The id Post: A New Phoenix
The id Post: A New Phoenix: by Irene Daniel Once dazzling in the brilliant sun dreams burned to ashes one by one And fell into a bleeding heap that caused my very...
A New Phoenix
by Irene Daniel
Once dazzling in the brilliant sun
dreams burned to ashes one by one
And fell into a bleeding heap
that caused my very soul to weep
The ashes lay all strewn about
some blew away, some harbored doubt
Feasting on my darkest hour
that doubt grew, seizing power
And seeking to destroy the light
the joy and beauty in my sight
It grew and soiled every joy
it's as if I were Satan's toy
But my soul is not made of ash
nor dark despair, nor ugly trash
A soul within recalling thus
My origin of bright stardust
And when I saw an opening
a new Easter, a joyous spring
And from this higher vantage point
an awakened soul did God anoint
Revealing truths of many depths
awaiting me while I slept
That I am light and I am love
and always free as a dove
To fly away and to come home
to love, to laugh; still free to roam
For home is always deep within
welcoming us back again
And again and again and again
And then another bird takes form
in the clarity after the storm
Arising now out of the slump
a nameless, shapeless sort of clump
But soon the sun illuminates
the new Phoenix that awaits
At first a little baby one
not cute, not ready, not much fun
Fed by new light it grows and grows
and soon brand new wings it shows
Out of chaos, oh so dark
ignited by memory of love's spark
A new Phoenix spreads its wings
lifted by whatever life brings
To live and love, discovering new treasures
unchained, unbound by human measures
Behold, my friends, the time is near
a new Phoenix flies without fear
Copyright 2015, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Once dazzling in the brilliant sun
dreams burned to ashes one by one
And fell into a bleeding heap
that caused my very soul to weep
The ashes lay all strewn about
some blew away, some harbored doubt
Feasting on my darkest hour
that doubt grew, seizing power
And seeking to destroy the light
the joy and beauty in my sight
It grew and soiled every joy
it's as if I were Satan's toy
But my soul is not made of ash
nor dark despair, nor ugly trash
A soul within recalling thus
My origin of bright stardust
And when I saw an opening
a new Easter, a joyous spring
And from this higher vantage point
an awakened soul did God anoint
Revealing truths of many depths
awaiting me while I slept
That I am light and I am love
and always free as a dove
To fly away and to come home
to love, to laugh; still free to roam
For home is always deep within
welcoming us back again
And again and again and again
And then another bird takes form
in the clarity after the storm
Arising now out of the slump
a nameless, shapeless sort of clump
But soon the sun illuminates
the new Phoenix that awaits
At first a little baby one
not cute, not ready, not much fun
Fed by new light it grows and grows
and soon brand new wings it shows
Out of chaos, oh so dark
ignited by memory of love's spark
A new Phoenix spreads its wings
lifted by whatever life brings
To live and love, discovering new treasures
unchained, unbound by human measures
Behold, my friends, the time is near
a new Phoenix flies without fear
Copyright 2015, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)