The 49 - 2% away from a mandate. LET'S TALK!

This month, the Sojourner e-magazine called for a national "State of Our Values Watch" to occur on January 31, 2006, during President Bush's delivery of the 2006 State of the Union speech. For those unfamilar with Sojourners, they are a progressive faith-based group whose mission is to "proclaim and practice" the integration of spiritual renewal with an eye toward social justice and working for peace (www.sojo.net). 

During the "State of Our Values Watch", people around the country will gather together and listen to the president's speech, reflecting on his words and the actions behind these words. In the State of the Union speech of 2005, Bush proclaimed that "Over the next several months, on issue after issue, let us od what Americans have always done, and build a better world for our children and grandchildren."  It's time to evaluate the extent to which this administration's policies and actions moved our nation closer toward this goals. How has our government's actions promoted OUR values, those that  encompass RESPONSIBILITY at many levels: personal, national and global. As citizens of the United States, we demand that the policies by which we govern ourselves, and by which we are governed, are founded in this priniciple.

RESPONSIBILITY for ourselves and our families
RESPONSIBILITY for others
RESPONSIBILITY for the global environment
RESPONSIBILITY for our country and the world

It's time to THINK, TALK and ACT. Watch the State of the Union.

Iraq. Katrina. John Roberts. Karl Rove. Social Security. Taxes. 2006 Elections, and of course, the 2008 elections! There are so many international, national and local issues that touch our lives every day. Would you like to know more about them...and where you stand? Start your own "49" discussion and activist group...Watch this site for our 'how to' manual!

Some of the 49 have been discussing their opinions about John Roberts' nomination. What do y'all think? Let's continue the discussion here.

My two cents: I have been struck by the very candid impressions that both parties and professionals in the legal business have shared (both in and out of print and tv). I agree with something that Eileen said...that the response by moveon.org and planned parenthood, etc. seems a bit reactive, which I understand partially (hey, who didn't have a hard time NOT being reactive this fall?).

Here's one thing I like: by all accounts, Roberts appears to have integrity AND intelligence. I believe he has represented environmental cases before the Supreme Court...and won. He has said in numerous interviews that he has and will distinguish between his own moral values and world view and the law...and that he will work within that framework. By all accounts he is not arrogant. But then I think, why is he hanging out w/Bush and his family? Why did he work with Reagan? But then I think, Tricia, get a grip: this is real life, plent of grey spaces. But then I think: is this a sucker punch?  Then I get frustrated at my inability to trust. Then I feel compassion for myself at being so human. Then I have a drink.  ARRGGHH!!

What do you think??

Yrs,

TZ, BlogMistress