UBU MINISTRIES

March 25, 2011 Losing Our Way By BOB HERBERT So here we are pouring shiploads of cash into yet another war, this time in Libya, while simultaneously demolishing school budgets, closing libraries, laying off teachers and police officers, and generally letting the bottom fall out of the quality of life here at home. Welcome to America in the second decade of the 21st century. An army of long-term unemployed workers is spread across the land, the human fallout from the Great Recession and long years of misguided economic policies. Optimism is in short supply. The few jobs now being created too often pay a pittance, not nearly enough to pry open the doors to a middle-class standard of living. Arthur Miller, echoing the poet Archibald MacLeish, liked to say that the essence of America was its promises. That was a long time ago. Limitless greed, unrestrained corporate power and a ferocious addiction to foreign oil have led us to an era of perpetual war and economic...

U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Review Challenge to "In God We Trust" "Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order declining to review a challenge to the national motto, "In God We Trust." Brought by prominent atheist Dr. Michael Newdow, the lawsuit alleged that the motto violated the religion clauses of the First Amendment. The Ninth Circuit disagreed, ruling that the motto does not violate the Constitution because it is ceremonial and patriotic in nature. Lowell Sturgill, Jr., from the U.S. Department of Justice, argued the case along with Kevin Snider of the Pacific Justice Institute, before the Ninth Circuit.  PJI intervened in the lawsuit as a co-defendant with the U.S. defendants in the case which was originally filed in late 2005. "Since the initial decision upholding the motto by the trial court in June of 2006, we have seen a steady stream of local governments find their courage to display the motto," said Brad Dac...

by Rev. Gregory Lowrey If you missed President Obama's State of the Union Address last night, you can watch it in full HERE . As usual, there was a lot of back patting, generality and hope for a brighter future through legislation. There was also recognition that our best innovative practices are the products of visionary individuals in the private sector who do not wait for government to solve personal, local or world-wide problems. There was another message though that stood out to me more than anything else and it was shouted out without words and that was a message of intolerance and hate - two principles that are both socially destructive and overtly anti-American. When President Obama proposed rights of the children of illegal immigrants, who by law (correct me if I'm wrong, please) are granted citizenship by being born on United States soil, decrying the deportation of bright minds after the investment of American Education and the failure to retain other forei...

by Rev. Gregory Lowrey While we perhaps consider the truism that not guns, but people, kill, we might also realize that a love of murder has permeated our entire world culture, setting the stage for all kinds of socially destructive behaviors. Our fears, managed and massaged by public relations specialists in media, government, service and social organizations, even churches, are used to manipulate us for the benefit of some or other special interest.  These "special interests" do not hold your interests to have value. I appreciated Mr. Herbert's editorial and wanted to share it here for your consideration. January 10, 2011 A Flood Tide of Murder By BOB HERBERT  New York Times By all means, condemn the hateful rhetoric that has poured so much poison into our political discourse. The crazies don’t kill in a vacuum, and the vilest of our political leaders and commentators deserve to be called to account for their demagoguery and the danger that comes with it. But ...

by Rev. Doc Lowrey Ok, the Sun likely has not slowed, just our perceptions of it. We could blame the Earth, I suppose, or we could just be amazed that the planets can affect our attitudes and behavior as much as they do. Regardless of what holiday you are celebrating this season, it is good to recognize the general mood of goodwill and hopefulness that the holidays engender. Even if people disagree about what to celebrate or whether to celebrate at all, one thing is clear - at this time of year, people feel nicer and more concerned about their neighbors.  I think that is a good thing and worth celebrating on it's own. This is a time for change and renewal for the earth and all the things that live on it (even humans). Perhaps we can take some time to reflect on our gratitude for what and who we do have in our lives and renew our determination to make life better for ourselves and our neighbors. Love is the answer.  Who and What do you love?  How do you show ...

by Rev. Dr. Lowrey As government draws it's powers from the people governed, it cannot have powers that the people do not themselves possess. Likewise government is held to the same standards as those who empower it. For government to claim for itself powers that do not exist for the general population is criminal and not in the interests of anyone but certain special interests who are invariably enemies of the principles on which this nation was founded. Our diplomats only practice deception because the object of our diplomacy is to unethically serve special interests, not to improve life or international relations for the general population. If our government truly favors transparency, they should welcome this call to clean up their act and behave responsibly and honestly. Anyone who will lie for you will lie to you and anyone who will steal for you will steal from you. You cannot give what you have not got.