Burning Sacred Books

A "Pastor" of a tiny non-denominational church in Gainesville, Florida has decided to seek the limelight by having his 50 member congregation burn copies of the Koran. Encouraging others to take part in what he calls the "International Burn a Koran Day," he is endeavoring to show that Islam is a religion of hate.

"Pastor" Jones is quoted on CNN as saying, "Ask yourself, have you really ever seen a happy Muslim?"

Let me ask the "Pastor" this: Have you ever encountered Jesus Christ? Have you read our sacred book (it's a big black book that's marked "Holy Bible"... you may have a copy somewhere)? Have you seen where Jesus says "They'll know you are my disciples by your love?" (John 13:35) Where's your love for people, especially those you disagree with? You don't know Jesus. You know you and you want all of us to know you. Your self-publicity will lead no one to Christ; but it will lead well-meaning people astray.

"Woe to those who call evil good" (Isaiah 5:20).

No good comes from a bad act. You, my friend, are quoted as calling Muslims "the devil." I think you need to spend some time looking in the mirror. I, for one, have seen the devil and he is you.

ACC

Labor Day

Here it is, the day of the year when everyone in the United States gives credit to the unionized labor that built the middle class during the last century... Yeah, right. The average citizen of this country is so stupid that they believe Labor Day is the last day of Summer (uh... that would be September 21st you dolts).

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Social? Like Socialism? Well yes, little Bobby... exactly.

The right-wing fanatics like Glenn Beck don't want you to concentrate on the positive effects that organized labor (and serious regulations) had upon this country. Without these two positive influences the America of the 20th Century would be a much different place. "Pottervilles" would dot the landscape instead of the suburbs that sprang up in the economic swell of the 1950's - a swell that occurred precisely because:

1. Most American workers were Unionized
2. Most American Industry was Regulated
3. The Wealthy were taxed within an inch of their lives.

To circumvent paying up to 90% of their income to the government in the form of taxes, the wealthy reinvested into the economy. (Every study not done by a Republican "Think Tank" comprised of wealthy corporate types concurs with this statement).

An individual has no bargaining power. In today's economy which was soured by the destruction of organized labor under the watchful gaze of the "Department of Labor" which became an extension of the aforementioned wealthy corporate types; by the deregulation of industry; by the wealthy being allowed to hoard their wealth - the individual who seeks better working conditions; better pay; better benefits - is turned out onto the street.

Only through collective bargaining - a right that is supposedly guaranteed to every citizen of this country - can a worker succeed in this market.

One last rant... the Republicans are running on a platform of creating jobs - aren't these the same assholes who allowed their corporate handlers to take American jobs oversees in order to deepen their pockets even further?

Join a Union. Support Unions. It's the only way that we can make certain that this society is not divided into two: the workers who give their lives for the benefit of the wealthy and the wealthy who believe themselves to be genetically superior to those whom they bleed to death.

ACC