Raw Video: Rand Paul Supporter Stomps Protester

Peaceful dissent met with violent opposition last night in Kentucky. I think the most fascinatingly disturbing thing about this is: As the Tea Party folks "capture" and physically assault Lauren Valle's peacefully protesting at a public debate, *they* call for the cops?! It's like a bunch of 2nd Amendment/Fox crazed tea partiers channeling a Bizzaro version of Gomer Pyle making a "citizens arrest."

Update: The man who stomped on Lauren Valle's head is Tim Profitt, who was (until he was fired resigned today) the Bourbon County Rand Paul Campaign Coordinator. He also donated $1,900 to the Paul campaign.

Related articles

• Head-stomping Rand Paul volunteer demands an apology from lady whose head he stomped. (boingboing.net)

Violence Happens Any Time We Violate the Integrity of the Other

One of the wise public intellectuals of our time, Quaker writer, traveling teacher and activist Parker Palmer works with people from all walks of life at the intersection of spiritual, professional, and social change, and stresses the need to acknowledge the inner life of human beings as a source of reality and power. This is one of a series of interviews he did for The Center for Courage and Renewal, a non-profit he helped cofound.

Via: C. Wess Daniels's I'm a Trapeze Artist

Opinions. I Like To Share Mine

I mailed off a letter to the Editor of the Indianapolis Star today. Here’s what it said.

Dec 3, 2009
Indianapolis Star
307 North Pennsylvania Street
PO Box 145
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-1819
Dear Indianapolis Star,

To the editor:
On Tuesday night, I was very disappointed to hear from President Obama that our country is sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan.   I imagine that many were saddened by the announcement as I was, however the coverage and opinions presented following Mr. Obama's speech did not reflect those opinions.

The U.S. and allies have sent troops to Afghanistan for 8 years now, with little to show for it but the immense human cost of war.  What will 30,000 more troops accomplish that tens of thousands of troops over eight years have not?

I wanted to hear the President call for a new vision of security,
rooted in bold, new ideas rather than more of the same.  Given that the White House budget director says that it costs taxpayers $1 million for every soldier sent to Afghanistan, we cannot afford this war.  Instead, we should invest in jobs and in the U.S. while pursuing diplomacy and civilian reconstruction to improve conditions on Afghanistan.

Then we will be investing in improving  lives, rather than continuing a failed war policy.

Sincerely,

Just Wanted To Say…

I hope it made you smile.
Link