I love that it’s so appropriately nuanced. In general our decisions are made before we are conscious of them: simple decisions that we make regularly and have no dilemmas in deciding. But when the solution is unclear we have to decide between options. Would one decide the same on every timeline?

The problem is that l we don’t require hiring for character and prisons tend to attract employees who like exercising power and control. If a practice cannot be turned into a form of torture it’s generally removed (education, arts and crafts) because it’s “mollycoddling”.

Somehow I think the Quakers and Pilgrims are conflated on the east coast in a way they are not elsewhere. In fact Quakers are usually mixed up with shakers Amish or Mennonites in the Midwest if they are acknowledged at all.

From a Quaker perspective the Pilgrims (Puritans) were not friendly.

My meeting and by extension I do try to do this. We support the work of several interfaith organizations. Yet we do remain Quaker in practice and manner.

Cripes blaming transit on homelessness and violence is suffocating. Gutting section 8 housing subsidies, gutting mental health services. Cities are where scant resources are to care for those who can’t survive in our rugged individualist nightmare.

Label

They weren’t when (if) they assaulted the cop. They forgot themselves.

I feel like Quakerism is an aspiration. We’re just humans, but our tradition does have reinforcement mechanisms to encourage right behavior and reflection. In the case of Quakers who resisted abolition etc. Comfort social standing, and debt are powerful disincentives to righteousness.

I heard an observation recently. Religion is always perverted when it aligns with earthly power. “Religious” people who join in this are spiritually lost. Most people need some kind of shared spiritual framework. But power is seductive. What we’re seeing in the US right is disgusting but familiar.

“let your life speak” is one of the Quaker expressions that inspires me the most, because really, who cares what I can say when I could just live my values every day.

It’s a little sad to hear about the gold line, but I i like that Lindeke identifies the nature of the suburb as the challenge. I like the extension to Minneapolis. That will prove a good investment. If they could extend the eastern terminus to the mall that might add value.

Reminds me of the John Wilkes Booth plot. The goal was to decapitate the executive branch. Amazing what people will do to help a powerful elite that doesn’t care about them.

“Quaker House of worship invaded by UK police”?

Violent response will not work unless it is so complete and total that those in political power are removed root and branch. Because that has a <1% chance of success, more creative ways of protest are needed. More media savvy, organized action. These thugs want us to get violent. The deck is stacked

Violent response will not work unless it is so complete and total that those in political power are totally and completely removed root and branch. Because that has a <1% chance of success, more creative ways of protest are needed. More media savvy organized action. Thugs want a violent response.

It only slightly changes the argument. Quakers are not likely to rent their space to anyone without careful vetting and consideration. Which paper towels to buy for the restrooms can take up a monthly meeting for worship with attention to business.