"I Speak As Someone Who Loves America"

"When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, 

are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, 

extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered."

-- Dr. Martin King Jr., Speech at Riverside Church, April 4, 1967

Although the events this year in Ferguson, Missouri and elsewhere make Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream"speech poignantly relevant this year, I would like more attention given to the words Dr. King delivered at the Riverside Church on April 4, 1967 as the nation celebrates Martin Luther King Day.

On that day, Dr. King proclaimed, "these too are our brothers", and came out against the US involvement in the Vietnam War with a passion and an eloquence that many believe caused his assassination exactly one year later.

As it is, the corporate media has consistently whitewashed Dr. King's views on economic justice, materialism and militarism for decades now.  Rather than the blasphemous blather perpetuated by today's Psuedo-Christians of the Far Right, King's words were those of a True Christian Prophet.    Like Mahatma Gandhi, Kings politics emerged from the power of Truth and Love.  His stirring call for active protest by all people of conscience ring as true today as they did nearly half a century ago.  It is no wonder the corporate media today chooses to ignore this speech and remain silent. 

Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence

Let's Get RADICAL: Pope Francis ROCKS the Vatican -- and Corporate Board Rooms!!

Amy Goodman's Democracy Now! Features Pope Francis's Upcoming Encyclical on Climate Change.  (VIDEO BELOW)

"Human rights are not only violated by terrorism, repression or assassination, 

but also by unfair economic structures that creates huge inequalities."
-- Pope Francis

"To say that you can kill in the name of God is blasphemy."
--Pope Francis

Pope Francis

Although there are scores of Catholics that make it to my list of favorite Saints, Seers and Sages, it's been quite awhile since the Holy See and I saw eye to eye.  In fact, after John the 23rd shook things up with Vatican II back in the day, it's been pretty clear that the not-so-good old boy's club of conservatives grabbed the reins again to run the show -- and there was hell to pay.

Rather than foster the Liberation Theology that had emerged in South America, where the church was actually ministering to the poor and actively challenging the forces of oppression,  rope a dope popes quashed that movement, then just hung back and let the masters of mammon and their political minions do their thing. (Although, admittedly, Pope John Paul II did speak out against both Iraq Wars, he didn't really pull out the stops to put his money where his mouth was. )

Now, finally, it seems that the Good Guys have prevailed once again.  When the College of Cardinals sent up those white puffs and I learned that Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio. S.J., had become the first Pontiff to choose Saint Francis as his namesake, I thought "Holy Smokes! The Hippies Won!"  

Saint Francis of Assisi, with his pantheistic and inclusive Love of Creation in all it's myriad forms (Brother Sun, Sister Moon, etc.), his uncompromising vow of solidarity with the poor, and his legendary bout of public nudity was a Hippie icon, our kinda fella.

Rather than cruise in the Limo, Francis opted for a Renault

Of course I don't expect Pope Francis to go skinny dipping with the Vatican Press Corps, but from all I've seen and heard so far, this guy really does get it.  A man of insight, humility and compassion, a Christian who clearly understands the Inclusiveness of the One Love, he seems to be the Real Deal.

With him at the helm, this could be an interesting ride.

Of course, the Catholic Church is an incredibly massive ship.  Even with this Good Dude's hands on the wheel, making course corrections isn't gonna be quick and easy. (Think: thousands of pissed off clerics and bureaucrats wanting to hold onto their pride, power,  and possessions...)  
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