To my fellow soldier in Christ...

A December 14 article in the New York Times entitled, "Somalia's Islamists and Ethiopia Gird for a War" (cover story) gave account of yet another element and threat of bloodshed in Africa, namely the Horn of Africa. After the take-over of Mogadishu by Islamist forces earlier this year, the city has seen relative peace when compared to the rule by its former murderous warlords. Now those same Islamists are threatening the parameters of the nation's western backed government based out of the capitol, Baidoa. Ethiopia, with its strong Christian identity, has slipped forces into Baidoa in hopes of protecting the U.N. recognized government from being removed from its post by the battle clad Islamists who, for the most part, vehemently oppose Ethiopia and the United States. General John P. Abizaid of US CENTCOM, which has responsibility for American military interests in this region, recently traveled to Ethiopia and made it clear to Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi that a broad military invasion of Somalia could create a humanitarian crisis across the Horn of Africa (lessons from Iraq, perhaps?), Centcom officials said. Ill regard towards American involvement in Somalia's socio-political struggles still lingers after the relief operation in the early 1990's (Black Hawk Down) as well as the recent covert operation to bolster Mogadishu's warlords in an 11th hour bid to prevent the Islamist take over. Sheik Muktar Robow Abu Monsur, the deputy security chief for the Islamists, commented, "I'll be honest. America is the best friend of Islam. It wakes up the sleeping muslim."

To my fellow soldier in Christ,
The summary of the article above is the reality of present day American foreign policy. The hand that feeds us, rocks the cradle at the same time (perhaps a little too hard). What could possibly keep a Church founded on peace and non-violence loyal to the national interests that "awaken the sleeping muslim". This Christmas eve it was announced on Aljazeera.net that Ethiopia has declared war on the Somalian Islamists. Muslims recognize the birth of Jesus, they recognize the Immaculate Conception. We recognize Emmanuel. This season many of Ethiopia's American backed national forces will recognize the entering of God into the world. Amidst all this I'm reminded of a few folk fumblings on love by Leonard Cohen, "I've seen your flag on the marble arch. Love is not a victory march. It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah." May the God of humility bring His Spirit this season to those who may most be in need of the peace that transcends all understanding.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Civil War n.

Does anybody know what defines a civil war? Let me know if you do. I remember my time in the Navy patrolling the Iraqi oil platforms in the Northern Arabian Gulf. I sat one evening in the bridge of the transport tug from Port Basra lead by an Iraqi captain while the Royal Marines made their security rounds. We talked of life on shore and his hopes for Iraq. He stood smoking his cigarrette and answered some of the questions he had answered a thousand times before. "What is your overall opinion of the presence of Coalition Forces in Iraq." After talking about his family and thanking God for his present well-being, this question broke a gleaming smile. "I hope the Coalition Forces never leave", he replied. "Why?" I asked. "Because when they leave, there will be a civil war." With relatively secure conditions in the southern port town of Basra, he dreaded the day he would have to face his own nation's diverse religious and political factions as they duked it out for the ruling sceptor. Has the civil war begun? I believe many of our own politicians, to include the President himself, as they frequent the scriptures every morning have oft times read the stubbornly prophetic destiny of nations described in ... "A nation divided against itself cannot stand." So why all the debate? Que sera, sera.

Recycled for the Homeless

A non-profit in Baltimore, MD has convinced the city to use recycled parking meters in order to provide funds for homeless services and programs. The recycling effort is an attempt to reduce panhandling in the downtown areas. Little meters with Despair on one spectrum and Hope on the latter, will be installed at least 10 feet from the curbs so as not to confuse the parking population. Put in a coin and watch the meter turn to Hope.

I'm always skeptical about the public's discomfort with panhandling. Part of me feels like I should be confronted, face-to-face, with the social disparities of my culture and community. Should I seek non-profit means to assure the proper stewardship over another's good will? Or is it enough to give in love, and allow the weight of responsibility to rest upon the backs of those asking for charity. Can money = hope. Or money = love. Who isn't going to visit downtown because, "There are poor people there asking for money."? Something just doesn't sound right about that. In any case, cheers to the city planners of Baltimore for implementing a vision that recycles for the homeless, rather than recycling THE homeless.

Cheers

CCU - "Protesters Need Not Apply"

Recently, a student at Colorado Christian University known as Raymond Schwab, was expelled for actively protesting and admonishing others against war and more specifically the Iraq war.
The 31 year old husband and father of four was asked to pack up his bags and leave the classroom which was interrupted for the sake of his immediate escort off University premises. According to Mr. Schwab, his dismissal came as a consequence of his deep, outspoken convictions in regards to war. Mr. Schwab had been organizing a forum on the main campus titled, "9/11 to Iraq: A Christian Response", but was dismissed from the University before such a forum was able to take place.

Read more at www.911blogger.com.

Hope for American Media ...

Just thought I'd give a shout out to the people who helped put some pressure on FOX who were trying to pay the mortgage with the royalties gained in publishing O.J.'s "If I did it ... I think I'll write a book about how", and then interviewing the man on top of that. A successful spoiling of plans, if I do say so myself. Hip hip hooray!

Get Your Times!

Just a couple of days ago, upon finishing my intake of the daily New York Times, I began to toss around ideas with Luna about the possibility of me studying Journalism and how badly I would love to begin some e.journal that was a bit more grass-roots (yet equally if not more integrous) than our (inter) national conglomerates such as CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, and the like.
What would be it's mission? How could it get off the ground? What does it take to run a website, or worse, a newspaper. And anyway, isn't a newspaper a waste of paper in our day and age?
Today after work, I stopped by the grocery store behind my school to pick up today's New York Times. Lo and behold on the cover page there is an article just below the blow up of President George W. dressed in ethnic Vietnamese garb whispering ("Where'd she get her hat" (did you see the picture?) to a fellow leader at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, on a man by the name of Brian Stelter. He's a 21 year old, baby-faced college student at Towson University in Baltimore, MD. He's kept a steady blog, now known as tvnewser.com, on the content and real-time broadcasts of various tv news channels. It was said by Jeffrey W. Schneider, senior vice president of ABC News, of tvnewser.com, "The whole industry pays attention to his blog. It would not surprise me if I refreshed my browser 30 to 40 times a day" (NYT A-1). That's some influence....not to mention encouragement and inspiration. So what does this mean for us...yes us. Well, I sit back and I look at the people I love, I mean the people and friends who have changed my life, and I notice a strand of DNA (or opposition to humanity) that finds community in fighting and striving for justice. Social justice. So here it is...into-the-know.blogspot.com, your international carrier in matters of social justice. Do you need help? Wish to inform of breakthroughs or setbacks in the efforts however great or small. Send me an email, (afsbowser@hotmail.com) and see how we can spread the news or assist in your cause. (WARNING: "Just Causes" are subject to scrutiny)
I recently made friends with a woman who was living in her VW bus with her boyfriend and 7 year old son. We were talking about our work one day and I asked her if she was happy to have a 'steady job'. She hesitated and said, "You know, I kind of miss just walking around all day and looking for ways to help people." I replied, "Yeah, but there's not much of a market in just helping people." She looked at me in surprise as though I were crazy and said, "You'd be surprised." And so here's my attempt, not to make money, but to investigate the market of helping people. I look forward to hearing, reading, and posting your experiences and findings as we seek to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Thank you

If Even For A Day

The Ivory Coast made their first appearance in the Mundiales this glorious year, 2006. Upon qualifying for this year's competition the Ivory Coast Football Federation addressed a plea to President Laurent Gbagbo:

"The players have asked me to tell you that what they most want now is for our divided country to become one again. They want this victory to act as a catalyst for peace in Ivory Coast, to put an end to the conflict and to reunite its people. This success must bring us together."

I remember well a cold Ohio night where I stood up off a bench and walked slowly to the Ohio State locker room to pack up my bags and head to the bus that was to transport us to the airport to fly back to our New England nest in Kingston, RI. I remember the pain that surfaced in those mens' hearts as they walked away in defeat in the finals of the Atlantic 10 NCAA championships. Confidence and pride brought to tears. Ambition and hope turned to salt crystals on foreheads and cheek bones. I remember thinking that night, "This game just doesn't mean this much to me." I knew upon my return to Rhode Island I would have to withdraw from my classes and say goodbye to my teammates and coaches. Is this game worth crying over? Is this game worth playing for scholarships, or sponsors, or money, or glory? The following night the team got together to detox from the pressure and stress of a long season and to forget about a season that, for many, ended in disappointment. I did not know what my business would be after I dropped out of school but I did not know what my business was playing soccer either. With the passion dying and uncertainty on the rise, I opted for a couple of bowls of weed with my jamaican colleagues and some good 'ole fashion college keg draught sipped from a red plastic cup. Later that night my body rejected the poison I had filled it with and the next morning I woke up to all the hope offered one who was soon to reject all the opportunity offered him by the American university.
If someone would have asked me during this time, "What is soccer?" I might have answered, "It is a war, and one side will win. Hooligans will gather and opposing fans will go as far as death to support the indelible impact their team has had on their lives and children and politics and even their religion. Players are set on pedastols to be worshipped as Rome recognized the gods before commencing the games in the Coliseum." No, there has to be more to life than soccer. I needed justification, I needed affirmation that I was apart of something bigger than myself. What is soccer? Well, the small nation of Ivory Coast have brought to my mind a calm and silence as they respond, "We hope it means peace." I only wish soccer would have responded to me as did my Lord when I asked, "What can you give me?" And perhaps together they say, "Peace, my peace I give to you." Even if just for a day.