Jack’s Winning Words 10/19/20

“Fight for things you care about, but do it in such a way that will lead others to follow you.”  (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)  I watched the movie, On the Basis of Sex, thinking that it was one thing and finding out that it was something better.  Red or Blue, the women of American owe Ruth Bader Ginsburg a debt of gratitude.  She saw “unfairness” and pursued a solution, in spite of many political roadblocks.  Ruth was an example of a caring leader right to the end.  ;-)  Jack

FROM SF: Amen. RBG...a true hero and role model. ===JACK:  Each generation seems to have such an icon.  A friend in Nova Scotia is currently reading Madeline Albright's book.  She, too, was a remarkable person and an outstanding Secretary of State.

FROM EDUCATOR PAUL:  And... one of her best friends was a legal opponent.. Scalia. I admire her for that, too.===JACK:  In several cases I've read that the enormity of the SCOTUS job causes some justices to modify their view on how cases should be decided.  John Roberts has mellowed.

FROM CZB:  Not just the women of America... ;)===JACK:  OK....I grant you that, but I was not discriminated in the way that women were before RBG...and she would not give up, either.

FROM THE FISH IN NOVA SCOTIA:  I am entranced reading this latest book by Madeleine Albright. Each of you three bccs has an interest in religion, I know at least two of you have interests in politics, and I commend this refreshing book to you, especially Chapter Eleven, “Things Unseen”  As you may know, Madeleine first learned in her early days as US Secretary of State that although she had been raised as a Catholic and became an Episcopal when she married, she hadn’t learned that her family fled Czechoslovakia because they were Jewish. As she said, she can have an ecumenical discussion sitting by herself.  In a constructive and non-cynical way, her book uses her deep knowledge of world politics to inform her view of the impact and positive and negative interactions of world religions including but not limited to the “Abrahamic” religions. (I was going to use the Islamic expression “peoples of The Book” but so far she hasn’t mentioned Zoroastrianism.)  It’s often funny too.   I have it checked out from the Annapolis Library, which purchased it, so although there might be a waiting list it should generally be around for two of you three.===JACK:  Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.  Ruth BG was "a special Person,"  and so was Madeline A.  She was what a US Secretary of State should be...no political hack>  I want to read her book.  I laughed out loud when I read that she could have an ecumenical discussion while sitting by herself.===FISH:  Madeleine Albright included the following thought in several of her many commencement speeches shortly after 9/11: She quoted from Tom Burnett’s call to his wife from Flight 93, realizing that two other hijacked planes had crashed into the WTC: “I know we’re going to die...but some of us are going to do something about it.”  Albright concluded, “We are all mortal. What divides us is the use we make of the time and opportunities we have.”===JACK:  Not to put down RBG, but there were other remarkable women.  Madeline was one of them.

FROM DR J:  Loved the movie and RBG... a legend... grateful for sure!!!===JACK:  Sexism, like racism, was worse in the past than it is now...but there's a long way to go.  Who will be the new RBG< the new MLK Jr? 

FRO ST PAUL IN ST PAUL:  Amen to that!! ===JACK:  Both you and I know...and had the experience of...how important it is to get people to follow us as we interpret the theological views of the Church.  It's like starting out with a clean black/white board. 

FROM NORM'S BLOG:  Martin Luther King Jr fought for things that he cared deeply about in such a manner that many others followed him. Mahatma Gandhi was the same kind of leader, fighting for the freedom in which he believed.  You have probably known or known about other leaders who demonstrated or fought for things that they cared deeply about and attracted the following of others. The American Labor Movement was full of early pioneers who lead the fight for better pay and working conditions. The recently celebrated Suffragette Movement that resulted in women being granted the right to vote was another success story, although not originally an American movement (see Wikipedia from which came this - . The term refers in particular to members of the British Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), a women-only movement founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst, which engaged in direct action and civil disobedience.).  More recently, we have seen groups taking to the street to protest the killing of black people by police with the Black Lives Matter movement and counter protests, which gave rise to groups like the Proud Boys. In the midst of all of the protests, groups like Qanon and Antifa have taken advantage of the resulting chaos to foment their vision of anarchy. In all of those groups, there are leaders who are succeeding in getting others to follow their vision of the future, albeit some are very distorted or hate-filled directions. I’m sure that is not what RBG had in mind.  The current political campaigns (which thankfully will soon be over) are certainly example of the two sides both trying to fight for what they believe in and to attract followers. Both sides engage in negative ads as well as those that serve to encourage people to follow their lead. Were a casual observer from another world to sit and watch the political ads on TV for a day they might conclude that no matter which side wins the world is doomed. The messages aren’t so much about “here’s where I want to lead you” as they are about “follow those other guys and America will end up as either a Socialist state or a Fascist state, but in a bad state no matter what. The messages are not so much about a vision of better times ahead if one side wins, as they are a forecast of eminent disaster if the other side wins.===JACK:  I'm tired of the epithets.  Show me by your actions.  Let your words take legs.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  She is respected, if not loved, internationally!  And certainly that is the key  to success; Tact, persistence, listening to others with civility, and then presenting your case with humor and wit, and deadly accuracy!  Who indeed can take her place?!  she so wanted to live to see a different President elected. I mourn that she didn't!  I wonder what the title of Madeline A.'s new book is ? I hadn't heard of it!  There are many more women running for office now than in previous elections! I'm sure 'she need to raise millions of dollars is a big deterrent to many who could have been astute leaders in government! :-(===JACK:  It was not meant to be that Ruth should hang on for political purposes.  I think that God is still in control and we play the cards we are dealt.  The world goes on.  As for madeline, her book is "Hell and Other Destinations."  Great reviews.

FROM SHALOM JAN:  It was not meant to be that Ruth should hang on for political purposes.  I think that God is still in control and we play the cards we are dealt.  The world goes on.  As for madeline, her book is "Hell and Other Destinations."  Great reviews.===JACK:  I'm awaiting the time when we can simply recognize people as people for what they accomplish.  It's a putdown to say, "...and she was a woman."