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You are more likely to find Diogenes before you find political courage in Washington, D.C.

 

We live in a time of change and the political and financial events currently unfolding now have a life of their own separate from our political leadership.  We could have avoided this. 

We have the means to influence present events but this requires a moral and political courage that is rare today.  Leadership once defined itself as the will and means to lead the country consistent with its principles and moral imperative. 

Try to find this in our present political leadership, regardless of party.  You are more likely to find Diogenes before you find political courage in Washington, D.C. 

The sad part is we have squandered an opportunity.  Our present political leadership is guilty of nibbling and compromise, and our loyal opposition has decided that being an obstructionist is to their advantage.  

As a result we have a hodgepodge of regulations and programs that few understand and less are happy with. What we do understand is the total gridlock our political system has become. Add to this a disappearing middle class and you have the recipe for disaster.  

After we saved Wall Street which was necessary, we focused on the future while the present was beginning to crumble around us.  This was not only short sighted it lacked the intellectual and political will to do what was necessary.  

What we are left with is a very unhappy electorate with few real choices.  Yes, we have differences in party philosophies.  But do you see the leadership from either party overcoming the deadlock that now exists? 

Everyone knew we needed today’s jobs today and that meant rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. Just look at what China has accomplished by doing this.  We needed massive amounts of stimulus to fund the jobs and materials necessary, and not tokens to appear around election time.  

The future is easy to sell since it never comes and our politicians can always create hope with mirrors and promises.  This makes painting a glowing future relatively easy to sell.  

However, when you survive in the present you have to produce.  This requires political courage that neither of our political parties seems to have.  God bless America, because God may be our only answer. 

There is one other hope as unlikely as it might seem.  Maybe Americans will show up in Washington instead of Democrats and Republicans.

 

Abe Surdity, Bureau Chief, Pizzaonian News Network, Worldonia - (Untied States)

EXCLUSIVE FROM Pizzaonian News Network - People to be declared obsolete! - could explain bizarre happenings in Washington, D.C.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FROM:  PIZZAONIAN NEWS NETWORK - PNN - DiVerti Mento, News Director

Contact:  Publicio Relationio at the PNN Office of Public Relations at   PIZZAONIAN@YAHOO.COM

SUBJECT:  People to be declared obsolete!

Pizzaonian News Service obtained a secret memo from the government office of artificial intelligence stating sometime next week people will be declared obsolete and will no longer be necessary for day-to-day activities.

With “fly by wire” and artificial intelligence now able to perform all activities more efficiently than humans, there is no longer reason to believe people are needed.  

This stunning development comes much sooner than expected. We knew that “fly by wire” technology with artificial intelligence was making huge advances, but it was believed to be years before it would be capable of replacing people completely. 

Gino Technoratie, spokesperson for the “fly by wire” developers said, “This was coming sooner or later. The reason we are holding back is that business still needs customers, and we have not figured out how we can survive without them.  I am sure this is will be solved soon.”

We will report on breaking news as this story develops …

Submitted by Brother Giovanni, PNN roving reporter for Worldonia (United States)

Contact at: Pizzaonian@yahoo.com

 

We seem to accept the absurdity of life today without so much as a second look.

OBSERVATIONS FROM A PORTALIZED* PIZZAONIAN AMERICAN ON OUR AMERICAN LIFESTYLE …

 

Do things make sense anymore?  Have we reached the point in our evolution that it is no longer necessary to have life make some sense?  On the other, did it ever -  or was that simply a comfortable illusion?

Regardless, we seem to accept the absurdity of life today without so much as a second look. 

Here are four of our commonly accepted absurdities: 

We expect our elected officials to be bought.  It is so common we now participate in the process by helping our side buy the election.  We don’t seriously question the process; it is easier to go along and see if your side can make the best offer.  If you are lucky you might buy a qualified candidate - but that is only a plus if it happens. 

Life is supposed to be hectic.  Where did that come from – probably by employers who pay by the hour?  Frenzied lifestyles are now a national disease with no let up in sight. 

What you do is important.  I guess we need this absurdity to give our lives meaning.  No question we are important to some people.  However, we need to keep our perspective on what the real issues are and how to deal with them.  There are too many things to die for today.  Try to cut the list down to three or four if you can. 

The need to clutter your life with unnecessary things. This absurdity is necessary to make our economy work.  I know many of the things we collect are fun for a while, but necessary?  I don’t need to name them for you.  Just look around and they will be everywhere. 

That’s enough for awhile.  I will leave you with this saying from our ancient Pizzaonian sage, Pizzaonius, founder of Pizzaonia. 

“There is no fool more dangerous than the fool who becomes king.” 

Brother Giovanni

 

*Since Pizzaonia is a beta-country, immigration is by portalization only.  Portalization is an energy field that transports matter as energy particles.

Occupy your elected leaders' mailboxes! Just imagine millions of letters of protest descending on Congress.

 Observations from Pizzaonia 

As I watch and listen to American politicians, you have to wonder what happened to the people.  You see protests and various activities that raise hell but seem to do little else.  Maybe their actions will parlay into something significant.  Whatever happens, for better or worse, it will take time, and time is not what the American people have if they choose to avert the pending financial crisis. 

What is confusing is the American people have at their immediate disposal the right to contact their senators and representatives anytime they choose, and they don’t avail themselves of this enormous power. This is not the time for cynicism.  They cannot afford it. 

I know there are some who contact their elected official’s everyday.  However, I am talking about those who never write or say anything. I am sure they are in the millions. I am not saying write just to your representatives, also write to your congressional leaders.  They are easy to find: 

http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/Legislative.shtml 

Just imagine millions of letters of protest descending on Congress demanding action and solutions.  How long do you think it would take for something to happen?   Moreover, you don’t need to sleep in a tent to get some action. 

My advice: Let your voice be heard!  Your country needs you and you need to be heard loud and clear!  Occupy your elected leaders' mailboxes!

 

Brother Giovanni

"Whenever the right seizes political power, they cannot resist the impulse to overplay their hand." Sister Veronica

If there is one thing consistent in the American political character it is the de facto feeling of superiority of the left and the de facto feeling of inferiority of the right. 

This might explain why the left wing in our country seems to believe that showing up and waving flags is an effective protest, while the right wing rolls up its sleeves and does the hard work necessary to gain power. 

All you have to do is compare the differences between the “tea party” movement and the “occupy Wall Street” movement to see immediately the difference. 

The “tea party” assembled a strong grass roots political force that became a significant player in local politics, and then parlayed that into an effective voting bloc in the U.S. Congress.  In the process, they seized the agenda of the current political debate and unless they overplay their hand, will be a significant influence in the national elections.

Of course overplaying their hand is their curse and why the right eventually implodes.  Whenever the right seizes political power, they cannot resist the impulse to overplay their hand.  They do this so effectively, even those who root for them begin to distrust them. 

It happened with the successful Republican revolution of 1995 and, true to course, they are doing the same thing again.  When the right wins, winning is not enough; they cannot resist rubbing the left’s nose in the dirt.  

As a result, they lose whatever success they had in gaining the sympathy of the moderates and the rest is history.  

And so, the beat goes on.  See you at the next protest.  Be sure to bring your flag!

Sister Veronica, Supreme Pizzaonian on assignment for Pizzaonian News Network, PNN.

Required reading:  "Deer Hunting with Jesus" by Joe Bageant - Dispatches from America's Class War

Quotes for the quiet mind as Winter approaches - http://giovanniandfranco.com

"Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties...." Erich Fromm

 

"It takes a long time to become young." Pablo Picasso

 

“My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular.”  Adlai Stevenson 

 

“Opera in English is, in the main, just about as sensible as baseball in Italian.”  H. L. Mencken

 

“Willingness over will is not surrender. It is the acceptance of life as it is." Brother Giovanni

 

“Originality is the art of concealing your sources.”  Anon.

 

“When liberty destroys order, the hunger for order will destroy liberty.”  Will Durant

 

“Nothing destroys perception as quickly as the need to understand.” Pizzaonian Spelunker

 

“Power is always charged with the impulse to eliminate the human variable from the equation of action.”  Eric Hoffer

 

“Then yesterday, almost unnoticed, the automated machine edged onto the stage.”  Eric Hoffer

 

“Willingness over will: Accepting the person you are without the mask of self-deception is the key to entering Life.” Pizzaonian Spelunker 

 

“When you stop trying to become somebody, you will be somebody!”  Pizzaonian Spelunker

 

“The intellectual wants not only to possess power but to seem powerful.” Eric Hoffer

 

“It is easier to build than to maintain.”  Eric Hoffer

 

“The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.”  Bertrand Russell

 

“The energy that goes into maintaining things in good repair day in, day out is the energy of true vigor.”  Eric Hoffer

 

“Education makes machines which act like people and produces people who act like machines." Erich Fromm 

 

“Discover the grain of sand within yourself that will produce the pearl!”  Pizzaonian Spelunker

Photo by Josette Lodato

“Supposedly, people believe in me, and when I show up they think we are all crazy.” Another letter from Jesus http://giovanniandfranco.com

Just received this letter from Jesus and wanted to share it with you.  Brother Giovanni

Giovanni, 

I am sorry for being away so long without writing.  I have spent some time on the east coast of the United States and I am now heading west again. 

I am told our visits and exchange of letters is causing some problems for you.  Amazing, so many folks supposedly believe in me, and then when I show up, they think we are all crazy.  Get used to it.  

This God thing gets a little weary at times.  Somehow, expectations have been created that leaves everything to me and no one else.  What else is new?  It has been this way from the beginning. 

And what about this self-righteousness that seems to go on with all spirituality, particularly in the United States?  

All of your so-called religions, organized or not, believe they hold some divine right to the truth. Ironically, even those who believe there is no truth act as if they have been divinely inspired!

Where did all this come from?  As for Christianity, any resemblance to what we started to what is here now is coincidental at best. 

And your politics - the blind eye each side has for its glaring faults makes religious intolerance look mild in comparison. 

Forgive my complaining, but my human side cannot resist. Give me the Italians every time. Their faithful and passionate indifference is inspiring compared to what I find here. 

It is easy to see why Gabriel is anxious to blow his horn. It is hard to believe, but if I may say so, it might just take a God to straighten this all out. 

Have to go now. Thanks for the chance to vent.  I am looking forward to stopping in the smaller, rural towns - gives me a chance to calm down before the Christmas rush.  Till next time … your friend, 

Jesus

Christian relevance - real or myth? - and how would we know anyway?

11/8/11

The most difficult concept for Christians to accept emotionally is the need for equal relevance.  We live in a culture where we feel the constant need to make a difference, to be relevant and to find meaning. 

As a Christian, certainly not one as often described from a secular church perspective, but more from the authentic vision of the itinerant carpenter that we choose to worship, we are as heirs to the kingdom, already as relevant as we need to be. 

Now this is difficult to accept emotionally, from the perspective of self, and from the perspective of how we choose to see everyone else in the world.  Because if I am relevant simply by being, so is everyone else.  And by everyone, it means everyone, from the homeless beggar to the President.  Now where does that leave us?  I believe as equals regardless of position or station.  And this is where the trouble begins. 

Most of us are agreeable to the notion that we are equals in a spiritual way.  Equally relevant in this world, I think not.    Judging from the state of Christianity today, I think somehow we have missed the central Christian point of equal relevance for all. 

Which leads to another issue and that is the question of how important is Jesus in today’s world.  To paraphrase Andrew Greeley from his book, the Jesus Myth, if Jesus is not relevant to society at large today it is nothing new.  After all, Jesus was not very relevant to the society he lived in.  They did crucify him as a common criminal.

 So somewhere along the way the notion of relevance and meaning, as defined from the original Christian perspective, became seriously perverted.  It has been said many times, the Good News is simply too good to believed.  

The idea that to love your God and to love your neighbor as yourself takes care of everything else, including making your life immediately relevant and meaningful, is simply too simplistic to be real.  Then again, how would we know?  Judging from the state of the world most of us have never tried it.

 

Brother Giovanni “thoughts while “hanging out with Jesus”

One caveat: If you feel your spiritual belief system is the Truth because it seems inclusive, you are already suspect.

Conjectures of a recovering dilettante – the insidious nature of spiritual belief systems.

 

I wonder how many of us are aware how we try to a make ourselves elite through our spiritual and religious beliefs.  This can be a very insidious form of spiritual malaise because it always masked itself as a virtue. 

Symptoms of Spiritual Elitism. 

     You feel superior because of your beliefs.  Any belief system that makes you better than everyone else should be suspect. 

      You are not willing to explore the sameness that all belief systems share, particularly those that make you the most uncomfortable. 

      You believe you have found the Truth and there is no other way. 

Many will wonder why anything is wrong with feeling strongly about each symptom I have listed. 

I would suggest that spiritual belief systems by their very nature should be inclusive not exclusive.  If they are not, some serious introspection is in order. 

One caveat:  If you feel your spiritual belief system is the Truth because it seems inclusive, you are already suspect.

 

Brother Giovanni -- from a memo sent to all novitiate monks