MLK Had a “Dream” but Sarah Palin Was Not Part of It!

Reposted with permission from Malia Litman’s Blog

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.  In typical Sarah Palin fashion, the Empress used Facebook to bring attention to herself, by using someone else.  We have seen her use her children when it suits her purposes.  We have seen her use charitable organizations dedicated to the Right to Life Movement, and Special Needs children for her financial advantage.  She has even worked hard to compare herself to Ronald Reagan, even though there is no comparison.  However the use of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is morally offensive, and ethically reprehensible.  MLK Jr. was the antithesis of Sarah Palin.

Suggesting that her principles were comparable to those of this noble leader, Palin began her Facebook post with a quote from MLK Jr.:

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/sarah-palin/dr-martin-luther-king-jr/490074263434.

In 2008 Americans were not silent about what mattered to them.  We voted for Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and against John McCain and Sarah Palin.  It mattered to America then and it matters to us to an even greater extent now.  By Nov. 4, 2008, we knew that if Sarah Palin ever became the Vice President of the United States it would be a disaster of epic proportions.  That was before she suggested solving the Gulf Oil Spill by building dikes, before she couldn’t name a single founding father, before she displayed her ignorance about whether North or South Korea was our ally, before she criticized the President for using a teleprompter even though she had written on her hand, and before she demonstrated her ignorance by using words like “refudiate”, “mandation,” and “repill.”  That was before she resigned as Governor of Alaska having finished only half of her term, before she declared that Ronald Reagan went to college in California, before she said in a speech that Trig was born in Anchorage, before she traveled by private plane on her “bus tour” for Going Rogue, and before she proclaimed that the Empress was not wearing any clothes in her book America by Heart.  That was before she defended Dr. Laura’s use of the N-word 11 times on national radio.  That was before she appeared with Glenn Beck, the “lying sack of dog mess” at the Restoring Honor Rally, and before she received recognition for telling the “Biggest Lie of the Year” by PolitiFact for her Facebook post regarding Death Panels. http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/dec/18/politifact-lie-year-death-panels/.

Given all we know about Sarah Palin we refuse to begin the end of our lives by becoming silent about things that matter.  It matters to all Americans that we elect the most competent, educated, intelligent, ethical, savvy leader to guide us out of this period of despair.  Sarah Palin is not that leader.

In case there had been any question before, Palin has recently proved, beyond “refudiation,” that a Palin Presidency would be the end of America as we know it.  The tragedy in Arizona, and Palin’s response to it, are the most revealing indicators of the potentially disastrous consequences of a Palin Presidency.  Important consideration to remember are:

1.  Palin “targeted” Congress men and women who voted for nationalized health care.

2.  Palin incited violence with phrases such as “man-up.” http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/18/palin-to-gop-man-up

3.  Palin became associated with the phrase “don’t retreat, just reload.”  She used this phrase in speeches (e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSyZt1v128w), posts on Facebook (http://us4palin.com/gov-palin-dont-retreat-reload/) , and even in her TLC television show, Sarah’s Palin’s Alaska. (http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/sarah-palins-alaska-bristols-skeet-shoot.html).

(picture from conservatives4palin web site)

4. The Biggest Lie of the Year was Sarah Palin’s “Death Panels” Facebook post regarding nationalized health care.  http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/dec/18/politifact-lie-year-death-panels/.  These words were used to incite people even though they were proven to be a total fabrication.

5. Even after the vote on nationalize health care was concluded in March of 2010, and members of Congress became targets for violence, Palin didn’t change her rhetoric or map with targets.  Representative Steny Hoyer, the House Majority Leader in March of 2010 reported that at least 10 House members had raised concerns about their personal security after the health care vote.  Mr. Hoyer characterized the cases as “serious.”  At least two congressional offices were vandalized, including that of Louise Slaughter of New York, and Gabrielle Giffords.  Louise Slauther also reported threats of sniper attacks against lawmakers and their families.  Authorities in Virginia investigated a cut propane line to an outdoor grill at the home of the brother of Representative Tom Perriello of Virgina, after the Representative’s address was mistakenly listed on a Tea Party Web site.  Representative Bart Stupak of Michigan also reported receiving threatening phone calls.  Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina, received an anonymous fax showing the image of a noose. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/25/health/policy/25health.html.   A man was arrested and charged with threatening to kill Senator Patty Murray of Washington because of her support for healthcare reform. The man arrested said:

“There’s a target on your back now.”

“There are many people out there that want you dead. Just remember that as you are politicing [sic] for your reelection. It only takes one piece of lead… Kill the … senator! Kill the … senator! I’ll donate the lead. Now that you’ve passed your healthcare bill, let the violence begin.”

“You are signing my death warrant, so I want to sign yours.”

That was April of 2010. At that time journalists reported, and warned, that these cases illustrate… “the dangerous and sordid underbelly of the current angry mood in the country. And it underscores the risk that can arise from supercharged rhetoric used by some leaders that seems designed to feed the anger.” http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0406/Let-the-violence-begin-death-threats-against-Sen.-Patty-Murray.

6. Gabrielle Griffords herself declared that the violence-provoking language of Palin should stop immediately.  http://www.good.is/post/gabrielle-giffords-warned-of-the-dangers-of-palin-s-crosshairs-map.  Palin didn’t change anything.

7. Palin endorsed Sharon Angle and it was Angle who advocated “invoking our Second Amendment rights.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/12/sharron-angle-defends-con_n_807911.html.

8. After 18 people were shot and 6 died in Arizona, Palin declared herself to be a victim of “blood libel.” http://malialitman.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/blood-libel-is-palins-revenge-for-exposing-her-nakedness/

(9 year old girl killed)

In the face of this history of inspiring violence Palin has the temerity to suggest that she is committed to “continuing his (MLK Jr.’s) work for a more peaceful and just nation.”

http://www.facebook.com/notes/sarah-palin/dr-martin-luther-king-jr/490074263434. How dare she commit such blasphemy!  How dare Sarah Palin, the promoter of violence, suggest she is committed to the same ideals as Martin Luther King Jr.!  MLK Jr. was an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights both in the U.S., and around the world.  Following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, he advocated change through NONVIOLENT means.  He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965. He was awarded the American Liberties Medallion from the American Jewish Committee for his “exceptional advancement of the principles of human liberty.”  He was awarded the Pacem in Terris Award named after a letter by Pope John XXII calling for all people to strive for peace.  MLK Jr. was awarded the Planned Parenthood Federation Margaret Sanger Award for “his courageous resistance to bigotry and his lifelong dedication to the advancement of social justice and human dignity.”  More than 730 cities in the United States have streets named after king. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.  Palin has demonstrated her disqualification for every award earned by King, through her promotion of violence and bigotry.

She left Hawaii because she didn’t like Asians.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/06/palins-father-she-left-ha_n_381724.html.  She defended Dr. Laura in her rant against African Americans. http://malialitman.wordpress.com/2010/08/21/palin-respects-those-who-dont-respect-her/.  Then to make matters worse she encouraged Dr. Laura not to “retreat but to reload”. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/18/sarah-palin-supports-dr-laura_n_687148.html.  A Muslim New York cab driver was stabbed after Palin posted the comment regarding the Mosque in New York, “Doesn’t it stab you in the heart?”  http://malialitman.wordpress.com/2010/10/08/tell-the-holy-spirit-to-yell-at-sarah-palin/.

More recently she used the people of Haiti, when her motivation was clear. http://malialitman.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/2995/

If Martin Luther King Jr. were alive today he might forgive Palin, but he would never be her supporter. He said:

“Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

Palin has a history of aggression, retaliation, and revenge. http://malialitman.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/beware-sarah-barracuda-might-call-you-a-puppy-kicker/.

King said:

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

Palin hasn’t learned to live together with even her neighbor. She is a fool.

King said:

“Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

Gabrielle Giffords and the family of the 9 year old child killed in Arizona aren’t feeling much love right now.

My favorite quote of MLK Jr. that I used on the first page of my book, Rebuttal to the Rogue, is:

“Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.

Sarah Palin is dangerous!  She might be part of King’s nightmare, but she was certainly not part of his dream.

NO H8, Just Love

Yesterday I attended a photo shoot for the NO H8 Campaign in Atlanta with my daughter, who is a lesbian.  As a heterosexual, with all the rights that allows me, I feel compelled to support those who are denied these same rights.  So, Amanda and I headed to the W Hotel in midtown to wait, along with several hundred others, for our turn to have our photo taken with the NO H8 tattoo on our

faces and duct tape on our mouths.

At one point, we were sitting on a couch talking to another mother and daughter (neither of whom is gay) when a gay couple joined us.  One of them asked me why I was willing to wait for hours to have my picture made.  I answered “to show my support.”

What I should have said was, “for my daughter…for my brother…for my friends…for you and for every LGBT person, because I believe they deserve the same rights I do.”

That’s really why I was there.  Amanda didn’t ask me to join her at this event, I asked her to join me.

We waited for 4 hours to have our picture made, which lasted all of a couple minutes.  But, it was worth it.  Not only did this give us a chance to spend some time together, but we felt a part of something so much bigger than ourselves; being in that room with so many likeminded others, gay and straight, felt right. There was nowhere else I would have rather been.  And, to put icing on the cake, I had my NO H8 tattoo applied by our Rabbi.  Sometimes separate pieces of our lives collide in the most wonderful ways.

The Privilege of Choosing Judaism

I was cleaning out my documents file earlier today when I came across the speech I gave at the conclusion of my conversion to Judaism.  It has been almost ten years, and reading through the speech, I am reminded of just how important this time in my life was.  I spent 2001 in study with Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein, who became not only my teacher, but my friend and advisor.  I drove the hour-and-a-half to Macon, GA every week or two to meet with him to discuss my readings, often drawing parallels with what was happening in the world at the time.*

I would return home from each of these meetings feeling so inspired—I had finally found the right path for me—and longing to share what I was learning with David (aka Mr. Man) and Amanda.  So much so, that they began to tease me with, “Aaron says…  Aaron says.”  I read so many books that year, old and new; books about Jewish history and Jewish holidays, books of prayers, and books on how to live a Jewish life.  I have quite a nice Jewish library and often turn to these when preparing for holiday celebrations.

Among my readings was a story about a young Jewish man who attended Harvard Law School at a time with there were limits on what Jews could achieve and when many law offices wouldn’t hire Jewish attorneys.  He was often asked by his classmates why he didn’t convert as this would make things easier for him.  Comments he chose to ignore.  When he was inducted into the Law Society, he gave a speech which began with “I am sorry I was born a Jew…” which was greeted with applause and shouts. “I am sorry I was born a Jew, but only because I wish I had the privilege of choosing Judaism on my own.”  Amazingly, this was greeted by first stunned silence, then applause, then a standing ovation. 

I feel choosing Judaism was a privilege, one that I hope to live up to.

Shabbat Shalom

Some of you may not know me, and some of you know me as Arnold and Bess Cotton’s daughter-in-law, and others as David Cotton’s wife.  My name is Kelly Enzor, and I recently completed my conversion working with Rabbi Rubinstein.  Even those of you who do know me, may not realize what an important role this congregation played in my being on the bimah today.

When I first met David, our being from different religious backgrounds wasn’t an issue for us.  I didn’t grow up in what most would consider a religious home; I didn’t attend church from the time I was old enough to make the decision on my own.  While I have always believed in God, I never really felt drawn to any particular Christian faith.  So, we decided that we would raise our daughter, Amanda, with information about both religions and let her make her own decisions.  We celebrated both the Jewish holidays and those most typical in the Christian community, Christmas and Easter; although I admit these were never celebrated from a religious standpoint.

My husband, David and I began joining Arnold and Bess here for holidays and family events several years ago.  It was through participating with you in this congregation, that I began to understand the meaning of Jewish community.  The more I was exposed to Jewish holidays and traditions at this synagogue and with our family, I began to realize that I was finding meaning and a level of comfort that I had never before obtained within a religious context.

Over time, I began to identify with Judaism and found myself wishing I was Jewish.  I found myself wanting to have the feelings of spirituality and community that I had found here in my and my family’s life on a regular basis.  I began to read books about choosing a Jewish life and decided to join a synagogue closer to home.  At each synagogue we attended, we compared the experience to what we had known here at Sha’arey Israel.  This synagogue created for us shoes that were very hard to fill.

By the time I decided to convert, it was a formality for me, but an important process for me and for the broader Jewish community.  While I felt Jewish, inevitably I would somehow be reminded that I wasn’t in both subtle and overt ways.  Today, I am Jewish, in my heart and in my thoughts, in how I live my life, in the eyes of other Jews, and in what I pass on to my daughter.

Many people have played critical roles in helping me reach this point in my Jewish life.  I would like to thank the Cottons, Meyersons and Baymes for you have become my family and I love you all very much.  I have never known a family to be as close and supportive as you are.  I have always felt embraced, accepted, and loved, and for this I feel very fortunate.  Arnold and Bess, thank you for your patience, your love and guidance, and for letting me find my own way.  I realize that it took a long time, but you were wise enough to know that my coming to Judaism in my own time would make the bond strongest.

David and Amanda, you, more than anyone else, have seen and felt the change in me and consequently your lives have changed as well.  Other than the occasional teasing, you have both been incredibly patient with my need to share everything I was learning with you.  Whether you intended to or not, you were with me on this journey and I couldn’t have done it without your love and support.

And finally, Rabbi Rubinstein, my teacher, my guide, and my friend throughout this spiritual journey, thank you.

*Rabbi Rubinstein moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 2005 where he leads a congregation at Beth Sholom. 

Looking Forward to Warmer Weather

We are a week away from our trip to the Philippines, and the snow of last Sunday, which is still on the ground—unheard of in Atlanta—and the subsequent three days of being housebound has certainly added to my excitement and anticipation. I have some last minute shopping to do and managed to get out yesterday as the temperature was above freezing for the first time in a week.

The roads were still icy, but the interstate was clear for the most part; although there were areas of Northbound 400 were whole lanes were iced over.  Luckily, most were driving at lower speeds than usual for Atlanta and being careful.  There were several occasions when I watched whole sheets of ice covered snow fly off the roofs of vehicles, remaining whole until they hit the road in an explosion of ice and snow—I gave any vehicle with snow still on the roof lots of space, fearful of having one of those sheets land on my windshield.

There couldn't be a better time for a trip to a warm climate.  We leave next Saturday, flying from Atlanta to Detroit, from there it is 21 hours direct to Manila. Thankfully we had enough Delta Skymiles to upgrade to first class; I don’t think I could do 21 hours in coach. Upstairs cabin with fully reclining seats!

We will be visiting our very good friends Bob and Mari who have been living in Manila for the last two-and-a-half years. They have planned a couple of trips for us over the two weeks we’ll be there—Palawan, volcano climbing, snorkeling, and a visit to the rice terraces—and there are numerous things close to Manila to do while they attend to work and children.

Watch for pictures of blue water and white-sand beaches.