A Progressive's Reflection...
by Durrell Watkins
Yes, it's very exciting that DADT has been repealed, that there was an attempt to pass the DREAM Act, that largely because of US pressure sexual orientation is once again included in the UN Resolution against killing minorities, and an Arms Treaty has been ratified. These are significant accomplishments that have happened in a fairly brief amount of time (or so it would seem).
But it's unfair to act as if these progressive victories are rare, sudden, and only in response to the mid-term elections.
The truth is that in just two years we have seen:
- The appointment of more openly gay officials than occured in ANY previous administration in history
- Extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees
- Pell grants expanded to help low income students go to college
- Funding increased for the Violence Against Women Act
- Funding provided to improve services to US veterans
- Increased fuel economy standards
- The appointment of the first Latina (& 3rd woman ever) to the US Supreme Court
- The appointment of only the 3rd woman to the office of Secretary of State
- More private sector jobs created in 2 years than in the preceding 8 years
- An executive order to repeal the restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research
- The reduction of Rx drug costs for Medicare recipients by 50%
- The signing of the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, insuring 11 million children (4 million of which were previously uninsured)
- The signinig of Financial Reform Law
- The provision of $12.2 billion in new funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- Health Care Reform, preventing insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions
AND there's more!!!
Visit http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/ for a more comprehensive list.
I'm very proud of recent developments; but i'm not surprised...they are in line with what has been happening for the entire last two years.
We liberals need to acknowledge when people are trying to help us accomplish what we say we want (and our liberal leadership needs to do a MUCH better job of letting the world know what they have accomplished!!!).
I'm glad we've benefitted from two entire years of progressive legislation and executive leadership and I hope that such progress will continue even now that the Houses of Congress are no longer dominated by the same majority party.
It's been a productive couple of weeks...but in reality, it's been a productive couple of years!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Happy Yule
Spirit & Truth
Sunshine Cathedral's Daily Devotional Magazine
To subscribe by mail send inquiries to Durrell@Sunshinecathedral.net
December 21
On this day in 1958 Charles de Gaulle is elected president of France.
Love will not let us go
“…the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” St. Paul, Romans 5.5
Winter begins today, and we’ll soon notice the nights getting progressively shorter on the way to Spring. This rhythm of the seasons reminds us that even when life seems cold, warmth will return; even when we seem to be stumbling around in darkness, the light will shine again. The cycle of seasons reminds us of the care, the abundant love that is the “stuff” of the universe. Divine Love is the fabric of our lives, and it is holding us in the evening and in the morning, in the Winter and in the Spring, in the times of blessing and the times of challenge. Divine Love is embracing us and now it will never let us go.
Prayer Treatment
Divine Love is the fabric of my life and so I rejoice. Amen.
--Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins
Sunshine Cathedral's Daily Devotional Magazine
To subscribe by mail send inquiries to Durrell@Sunshinecathedral.net
December 21
On this day in 1958 Charles de Gaulle is elected president of France.
Love will not let us go
“…the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” St. Paul, Romans 5.5
Winter begins today, and we’ll soon notice the nights getting progressively shorter on the way to Spring. This rhythm of the seasons reminds us that even when life seems cold, warmth will return; even when we seem to be stumbling around in darkness, the light will shine again. The cycle of seasons reminds us of the care, the abundant love that is the “stuff” of the universe. Divine Love is the fabric of our lives, and it is holding us in the evening and in the morning, in the Winter and in the Spring, in the times of blessing and the times of challenge. Divine Love is embracing us and now it will never let us go.
Prayer Treatment
Divine Love is the fabric of my life and so I rejoice. Amen.
--Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins
Immortality
". . . the soul is immutable energy; it can never be destroyed; it can only be transformed." And through great cycles of evolution, we will inevitably realize that ". . . there is absolutely nothing to transcend, but only all of Creation to unite with." Jeffery Wolf Green
Holiday Services at Sunshine Cathedral
Join us on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 at 7:30 pm, 9:00 pm, or 10:30 pm for one of the most special celebrations of the entire year.Join us again on Sunday, Dec. 26 for the last worship service of the year. We meet, as we do every Sunday, at 9 am & 10:30am. On this Sunday, Spirit & Truth magazine is distributed with its many prayers, articles, lessons, and reflections to guide us in our daily prayer lives.
And start the New Year out with worship and celebration on January 2 at our 9 am & 10:30 am worship services.
If you would like to make a year end gift to Sunshine Cathedral (to help not only your church but also for your own tax purposes), you can give your gift in the offering plate in worship during the two remaining Sundays in 2010, at the Christmas Eve services, by mail (1480 SW Ninth Ave, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33315), or online.
Finally, there are some very interesting classes being offered in 2011 at The Samaritan Institute (Sunshine Cathedral's religious education program). Ask about our religious degree programs or our new Certificate programs meant to equip lay ministers. There is even a new Certificate just for those who want to become active in prayer ministry.
There is so much going on at your Sunshine Cathedral. Let's celebrate the holidays together and make 2011 a year of prayer, service, commitment, and miracles.
Best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year!
And start the New Year out with worship and celebration on January 2 at our 9 am & 10:30 am worship services.
If you would like to make a year end gift to Sunshine Cathedral (to help not only your church but also for your own tax purposes), you can give your gift in the offering plate in worship during the two remaining Sundays in 2010, at the Christmas Eve services, by mail (1480 SW Ninth Ave, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33315), or online.
Finally, there are some very interesting classes being offered in 2011 at The Samaritan Institute (Sunshine Cathedral's religious education program). Ask about our religious degree programs or our new Certificate programs meant to equip lay ministers. There is even a new Certificate just for those who want to become active in prayer ministry.
There is so much going on at your Sunshine Cathedral. Let's celebrate the holidays together and make 2011 a year of prayer, service, commitment, and miracles.
Best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year!
Divine Science
"Omnipresence is Truth. This means that: God includes me now. God-Love is caring for me now. God-Wisdom is guiding me now...God-Abundance is supplying my present need. I can trust this Power and must not fear. I am thankful for the Truth that makes me free." Nona Brooks
Keeping the Dream Alive
Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, Mary & Joseph...In the name of our spiritual ancestors who were so often immigrants, wanderers, and guests in new places, I pray for a more hospitable attitude among all Americans toward those who wish to become Americans. May the dream of the DREAM Act live on...
Friday, December 10, 2010
Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Merry Xmas
it is just possible that those who write out "christmas" rather than the abbreviated "xmas" are simply less lazy than the rest of us, not necessarily more devout.
I often write "xmas" & have no guilt about it. i wouldn't in any case, but especially as x is the greek chi & actually represents "christ" (the x doesn't take christ out of anything), & christ is a title, not Jesus' name (Yeshua would come closer), & finally my devotion doesn't boil down to the quasi-short hand i use in december. That said, i'm wishing all who celebrate it a very happy xmas this year.
I often write "xmas" & have no guilt about it. i wouldn't in any case, but especially as x is the greek chi & actually represents "christ" (the x doesn't take christ out of anything), & christ is a title, not Jesus' name (Yeshua would come closer), & finally my devotion doesn't boil down to the quasi-short hand i use in december. That said, i'm wishing all who celebrate it a very happy xmas this year.
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