On the White House site and Facebook I submitted the following reactions to the State of the Union Address:

China Altman The lack of emphasis on climate change and the welfare of the planet itself were glaring omissions. Re-examine traditional triumphalism -- it's a confabulation made up of denial of reality and blindness to new and necessary visions. Not just as Americans but as humans we must live within the whole of humanity as guardians caring for the earth. We live WITHIN not above or outside the web of life. 

 

As president it would be wise for you to meditate upon this. It's difficult but citizens are more weary than you realize of the same old cliches. We need truly new visions, and recognition of the greatest reality: what to do about mankind's destruction of our only home, the earth. How many think you will be among those chosen when space ships go to another home, after this one is uninhabitable? How many think about the reality that your children and grandchildren -- if not yourselves -- will be alive when the waters rise?

 

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He did state that we can't solve our financial problems on the backs of senior seniors and the poorest citizens.  I commented: 

 

"We slipped into a kind of capitalism that allowed corporations to become "people," meaning - in reality - they became separate nations within our nation, with their own rules, laws, and privileges that allowed them to be excluded from the laws and ideals of the larger society. Admit they are now imperial units. Bring them back onto the tax rolls and back into the Union. Think of Lincoln.  His abiding idea was preservation of the Union, with participation of all parts, including especially those who disagreed, in order to work out the ideals of democracy within the inevitable and useful contentions of competing ideas and people."

 

CHARM CAN ENDANGER

Many people find delight in the Jacquie Lawson ecards developed by a talented British artist. I like their dancing teddy bears, their signature cat, the two dogs and the continuous representation in so many ways of a world of wonder and innocence, a quite sophisticated world that offers the kind of soothing and solace we wish could exist. Or that, in our dreams, we dreamed of as children. 

 

 Just now when I went to their site, I saw they are offering a desktop animation, their delightful version of a circus with dancing elephants and so on. Oh oh.

 

Though they don’t intend it, they are enlisting in the romanticism of circuses. I wanted to speak up but to keep my thoughts within their so amiable world of whimsy and beauty. Here is what I said: 

 

“Your cards and the Advent Calendar have brought me much joy. However, I am concerned about your Circus offering which I have just previewed. While it’s beautifully done, I ask you to re-consider its present form. I am among those who feel deeply that elephants and other "wild" animals should not be exploited in circuses. They are prisoners, ill-treated. They can not sign on or agree. The social life necessary to their well-being is not possible.

 

 

"Many countries now are passing laws forbidding the use of these animals in circuses and supporting another kind of circus that stars humans (who can consent and who are paid) or companion animals such as dogs who work only with their guardians. Although I'm sure you do not intend to promote the abuse of elephants and tigers and others, yet presenting a romantic circus according to the out-of-date version of the past is sending a message that indirectly supports that abuse. Though you haven’t intended it, the very success of your considerable and beguiling charm is indirectly enlisted in the anachronistic and atavistic meme about circuses and the archaic world represented, part of which is based on the mistreatment of animals. Thank you for reading this. I admire your company VERY much.”

 

Not just anger but charm can harm. There are several relevant quotes which I can't just now call to mind.  They all say something like this:   Of all things be most careful of life.

http://www.jacquielawson.com/thecards.asp?c=3349101&hdn=0