4.21.2010

Tao of Politics #30

30

Those who lead people by following the Tao
don't use weapons to enforce their will.
Using force always leads to unseen troubles.

In the places where armies march,
thorns and briars bloom and grow.
After armies take to war,
bad years must always follow.
The skillful commander
strikes a decisive blow then stops.
When victory is won over the enemy through war
it is not a thing of great pride.
When the battle is over,
arrogance is the new enemy.
War can result when no other alternative is given,
so the one who overcomes an enemy should not dominate them.
The strong always weakened with time.

This is not the way of the Tao.
That which is not of the Tao will soon end.

- - - - -

Is this, or is this not a perfect depiction of what happened in Iraq? After the Shock and Awe, we didn't stop. But pride did take over e.g. "mission accomplished" with Bush on the aircraft carrier. And pride continued to dominate, keeping us in a war that we should not have been in in the first place. Obama has taken steps away from the battle with Pride by withdrawing forces from Iraq. Perhaps he is leading by following Tao.

2.01.2009

Back again... in the ObamaNation

I have been speaking a lot about the Tao of Politics... and i think this is cool, but honestly, i am not sure that one can actually create a political party out of taoist concepts... i guess 2 years of thinking and reading have lead me to a different conclusion.

I recently received a message from someone who read this blog and thought they would like to help me start a new Taoist party. At first i was excited, but then i realized how not-Taoist that is... especially as this person suggested anarchy as a means of starting this party.

I think that if taoism is to make its way into american politics, it has to do so without effort. it must happen on its own, naturally, but a subtle, but unencouraged, movement of the people. peoples minds must be still, inactive... only then can we have a taoist movement in this country... only then can change happen.

and i think this change is happening... people are making change and we have a new president who may shift us into a more taoist/zen like mentality that might allow for a more taoist atmosphere. it is going to take some action to change the course of this country. but once that shift has been made, i can see taoist inaction taking hold and having us find our peace and tranquility.

1.21.2007

Tao of Politics #29

29

Do you want to rule the world and control it?
I don't think it can ever be done.

The world is sacred vessel
and it can not be controlled.
You will only it make it worse if you try.
It may slip through your fingers and disappear.

Some are meant to lead,
and others are meant to follow;
Some must always strain,
and others have an easy time;
Some are naturally big and strong,
and others will always be small;
Some will be protected and nurtured,
and others will meet with destruction.

The Master accepts things as they are,
and out of compassion avoids extravagance,
excess and the extremes.

_____________________________

This is another great one. It really speaks to foreign policy. We cannot rule the world and we should not try. To try to make the world in our image - under the guise of saving everyone from their miserable lives, will only make matters worse (see Iraq) and ultimately our ideal world will slip thru our fingers.

12.24.2006

Tao of Politics # 19

19

Forget about knowledge and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times better off.
Throw away charity and righteousness,
and people will return to brotherly love.
Throw away profit and greed,
and there won't be any thieves.

These three are superficial and aren't enough
to keep us at the center of the circle, so we must also:

Embrace simplicity.
Put others first.
Desire little.


I really like this one.... it is how we all should be living our lives. from a political standpoint it de-emphasizes corporate capitalism and focuses on simple living. I don't fully understand the "throw away charity" aspect. i must take this to mean that we shouldn't give out of charity and righteousness but out of genuine concern for those less fortunate, to ensure everyone has their needs met, even before ourselves. for then, even we will be taken care of. this policy would seek a move toward socialism, universal health care, etc, and would de-emphasize the pursuits of increasing technology in areas that are not vital to basic living... as such it would be environmentally friendly - encourage community growth over mega cities, small farms over massive industrial farming... it would of course be a completely different way of living than we currently experience... and this is actually not that horrible!

I am definitely in favor of a more simple life. even if it means no computer, no cell phones, etc. granted it means giving up a lot of things that i have enjoyed, but, i don't know, a simpler life has a strong appeal to me. but, with this kind of platform, i am sure the Taoist Party would not be electing anyone too soon! Maybe after the complete collapse of society as we know it we will be ready for this.

9.07.2006

Tao of Politics # 18

18

When the great Tao is abandoned,
charity and righteousness appear.
When intellectualism arises,
hypocrisy is close behind.

When there is strife in the family unit,
people talk about 'brotherly love'.

When the country falls into chaos,
politicians talk about 'patriotism'.

This one says a lot. And i cannot claim to fully understand it. But the final stanza is very clear. When the country falls into chaos, politicians talk about patriotism. This might explain why there is so much talk of patriotism in the US today. Essentially this is saying that when we talk about needing to come together, there is something going wrong. I don't know how this translates into a political party platform, but it does speak volumes about our country under the Bush administration.

Tao of Politics #17

17

The best leaders are those the people hardly know exist.
The next best is a leader who is loved and praised.
Next comes the one who is feared.
The worst one is the leader that is despised.

If you don't trust the people,
they will become untrustworthy.

The best leaders value their words, and use them sparingly.
When she has accomplished her task,
the people say, "Amazing:
we did it, all by ourselves!"

The importance of this one is clear - leadership needs to be invisible. When a leader is able to lead in such a way that the people don't notice their inputs, and feel as though they themselves are accomplishing great things, then you have a great power. Perhaps this is what makes Carter such a great leader, as he was not active - unfortunately, the down side of this is that the public fails to notice that they need you at all. In a democracy (a situation that probably did not exist when this book was written) it would be more practical to be the second best leader, and be loved and praised - but still manage to make people feel somehow independent. At least that way you would be able to continue that leadership a bit longer.

Clearly our current leader falls closer to the bottom. The Bush administration's use of fear to control the people and get away with the many illegal acts that he has. He is also despised by a good half of the US population. Bush also does not trust the people, which is why he has all these surveillance programs, secret detention centers, and so many confidential documents.

The Taoist party candidate would need to be open, fair, and trusting of his people.

Seven Deadly Sins... where do you stand?

I recently came across this link to evaluate one's behaviors according to the seven deadly sins. These are my results, which suggest i have some work to do in the Gluttany and Lust departments!

Greed:Low
 
Gluttony:Medium
 
Wrath:Very Low
 
Sloth:Low
 
Envy:Very Low
 
Lust:High
 
Pride:Very Low
 


Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz and see how you are doing!

and here is where i hope to be in 5 years:

Greed:Very Low
 
Gluttony:Very Low
 
Wrath:Very Low
 
Sloth:Very Low
 
Envy:Very Low
 
Lust:Medium
 
Pride:Very Low
 


Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz

1.03.2006

Tao of Politics - #8 and 12

I am going to take these one or two at a time and consider political implications. Not all of them are very direct or specific. When i created the original list, i did so after only briefly scanning the chapters. So, hopefully they are all truly relevant.

#s 8 and 12 are two of the more vague references. In them i see basic elements of socialism. #8 speaks against competition. The supreme good acts to benefit all without trying to compete with it. "Only when there is no competition will we all live in peace." From an economic standpoint, this suggests a socialist order in which there is no competition, only cooperation. When people depend on each other for resources, rather than compete for those resources, there is peace. #12 gives an example of how this might play out... too much wealth causes crime. It is when there exist disparities of wealth that the have-nots seek to take that which is possessed by the haves. This is especially true considering that the Haves usually acquire their possessions on the backs of and at the expense of the have-nots. When we all have, but only have what we need, there is peace and harmony.

#12 might also make a statement about multi-party politics, which creates the 5 colors that blind the eye, so to speak. There is the concept of a non-party election system (formerly present in Uganda) in which individuals run on their own merits, as distinct, independent candidates. Perhaps this would be the preferable Taoist system. If this is the case, then perhaps the rest of this discussion is a bit moot. Regardless, this is not the US political system, so we shall continue.

8

The supreme good is like water,
which benefits all of creation
without trying to compete with it.
It gathers in unpopular places.
Thus it is like the Tao.

The location makes the dwelling good.
Depth of understanding makes the mind good.
A kind heart makes the giving good.
Integrity makes the government good.
Accomplishments makes your labors good.
Proper timing makes a decision good.

Only when there is no competition
will we all live in peace.

12

Five colors blind the eye.
Five notes deafen the ear.
Five flavors makes the palate go stale.
Too much activity deranges the mind.
Too much wealth causes crime.

The Master acts on what she feels and not what she sees.
She shuns the latter, and prefers to seek the former.

1.02.2006

A Taoist Party?

As i begin to contemplate a political career, i find myself pondering the existence of a Taoist Party. Something that espouses a political view somewhere between Matthew Arnold's Hebraism and Hellenism - but on a political scale. I guess that would be like a political moderate, between fighting for the poor and middle class and supporting big business.

Or is it?

The Tao te Ching is filled with political statements. And they have some clear messages. The following is a starting point of discussion on this subject (from Tao te Ching by J.H.McDonald. If we were to create a political party based on these principles, what would it look like? Are any of the existing parties close to this?

8

The supreme good is like water,
which benefits all of creation
without trying to compete with it.
It gathers in unpopular places.
Thus it is like the Tao.

The location makes the dwelling good.
Depth of understanding makes the mind good.
A kind heart makes the giving good.
Integrity makes the government good.
Accomplishments makes your labors good.
Proper timing makes a decision good.

Only when there is no competition
will we all live in peace.

12

Five colors blind the eye.
Five notes deafen the ear.
Five flavors makes the palate go stale.
Too much activity deranges the mind.
Too much wealth causes crime.

The Master acts on what she feels and not what she sees.
She shuns the latter, and prefers to seek the former.

17

The best leaders are those the people hardly know exist.
The next best is a leader who is loved and praised.
Next comes the one who is feared.
The worst one is the leader that is despised.

If you don't trust the people,
they will become untrustworthy.

The best leaders value their words, and use them sparingly.
When she has accomplished her task,
the people say, "Amazing:
we did it, all by ourselves!"

18

When the great Tao is abandoned,
charity and righteousness appear.
When intellectualism arises,
hypocrisy is close behind.

When there is strife in the family unit,
people talk about 'brotherly love'.

When the country falls into chaos,
politicians talk about 'patriotism'.

19

Forget about knowledge and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times better off.
Throw away charity and righteousness,
and people will return to brotherly love.
Throw away profit and greed,
and there won't be any thieves.

These three are superficial and aren't enough
to keep us at the center of the circle, so we must also:

Embrace simplicity.
Put others first.
Desire little.

29

Do you want to rule the world and control it?
I don't think it can ever be done.

The world is sacred vessel
and it can not be controlled.
You will only it make it worse if you try.
It may slip through your fingers and disappear.

Some are meant to lead,
and others are meant to follow;
Some must always strain,
and others have an easy time;
Some are naturally big and strong,
and others will always be small;
Some will be protected and nurtured,
and others will meet with destruction.

The Master accepts things as they are,
and out of compassion avoids extravagance,
excess and the extremes.

30

Those who lead people by following the Tao
don't use weapons to enforce their will.
Using force always leads to unseen troubles.

In the places where armies march,
thorns and briars bloom and grow.
After armies take to war,
bad years must always follow.
The skillful commander
strikes a decisive blow then stops.
When victory is won over the enemy through war
it is not a thing of great pride.
When the battle is over,
arrogance is the new enemy.
War can result when no other alternative is given,
so the one who overcomes an enemy should not dominate them.
The strong always weakened with time.

This is not the way of the Tao.
That which is not of the Tao will soon end.

31

Weapons are the bearers of bad news;
all people should detest them.

The wise man values the left side,
and in time of war he values the right.
Weapons are meant for destruction,
and thus are avoided by the wise.
Only as a last resort
will a wise person use a deadly weapon.
If peace is her true objective
how can she rejoice in the victory of war?
Those who rejoice in victory
delight in the slaughter of humanity.
Those who resort to violence
will never bring peace to the world.
The left side is a place of honor on happy occasions.
The right side is reserved for mourning at a funeral.
When the lieutenants take the left side to prepare for war,
the general should be on the right side,
because he knows the outcome will be death.
The death of many should be greeted with great sorrow,
and the victory celebration should honor those who have died.

32

The Tao is nameless and unchanging.
Although it appears insignificant,
nothing in the world can contain it.

If a ruler abides by its principles,
then her people will willingly follow.
Heaven would then reign on earth,
like sweet rain falling on paradise.
People would have no need for laws,
because the law would be written on their hearts.

Naming is a necessity for order,
but naming can not order all things.
Naming often makes things impersonal,
so we should know when naming should end.
Knowing when to stop naming,
you can avoid the pitfall it brings.

All things end in the Tao
just as the small streams and the largest rivers
flow through valleys to the sea.

39

The masters of old attained unity with the Tao.
Heaven attained unity and become pure.
The earth attained unity and found peace.
The spirits attained unity so they could minister.
The valleys attained unity that they might be full.
Humanity attained unity that they might flourish.
Their leaders attained unity that they might set the example.
This is the power of unity.

Without unity, the sky becomes filthy.
Without unity, the earth becomes unstable.
Without unity, the spirits become unresponsive and disappear.
Without unity, the valleys become dry as a desert.
Without unity, human kind can't reproduce and becomes extinct.
Without unity, our leaders become corrupt and fall.

The great view the small as their source,
and the high takes the low as their foundation.
Their greatest asset becomes their humility.
They speak of themselves as orphans and widows,
thus they truly seek humility.
Do not shine like the precious gem,
but be as dull as a common stone.

57

Govern your country with integrity,
Weapons of war can be used with great cunning,
but loyalty is only won by not-doing.
How do I know the way things are?
By these:

The more prohibitions you make,
the poorer people will be.
The more weapons you posses,
the greater the chaos in your country.
The more knowledge that is acquired,
the stranger the world will become.
The more laws that you make,
the greater the number of criminals.

Therefore the Master says:
I do nothing,
and people become good by themselves.
I seek peace,
and people take care of their own problems.
I do not meddle in their personal lives,
and the people become prosperous.
I let go of all my desires,
and the people return to the Uncarved Block.

58

If a government is unobtrusive,
the people become whole.
If a government is repressive,
the people become treacherous.

Good fortune has its roots in disaster,
and disaster lurks with good fortune.
Who knows why these things happen,
or when this cycle will end?
Good things seem to change into bad,
and bad things often turn out for good.
These things have always been hard to comprehend.

Thus the Master makes things change
without interfering.
She is probing yet causes no harm.
Straightforward, yet does not impose her will.
Radiant, and easy on the eye.

60

Governing a large country
is like frying small fish.
Too much poking spoils the meat.

When the Tao is used to govern the world
then evil will loose its power to harm the people.
Not that evil will no longer exist,
but only because it has lost its power.
Just as evil can loose its ability to harm,
the Master shuns the use of violence.

If you give evil nothing to oppose,
then virtue will return by itself.

61

A large country should take the low place like a great watershed,
which from its low position assumes the female role.
The female overcomes the male by the power of her position.
Her tranquility gives rise to her humility.

If a large country takes the low position,
it will be able to influence smaller countries.
If smaller countries take the lower position,
then they can allow themselves to be influenced.
So both seek to take the lower position
in order to influence the other, or be influenced.

Large countries should desire to protect and help the people,
and small countries should desire to serve others.
Both large and small countries benefit greatly from humility.

65

The ancient Masters
who understood the way of the Tao,
did not educate people, but made them forget.

Smart people are difficult to guide,
because they think they are too clever.
To use cleverness to rule a country,
is to lead the country to ruin.
To avoid cleverness in ruling a country,
is to lead the country to prosperity.

Knowing the two alternatives is a pattern.
Remaining aware of the pattern is a virtue.
This dark and mysterious virtue is profound.
It is opposite our natural inclination,
but leads to harmony with the heavens.

66

Rivers and seas are rulers
of the streams of hundreds of valleys
because of the power of their low position.

If you want to be the ruler of people,
you must speak to them like you are their servant.
If you want to lead other people,
you must put their interest ahead of your own.

The people will not feel burdened,
if a wise person is in a position of power.
The people will not feel like they are being manipulated,
if a wise person is in front as their leader.
The whole world will ask for her guidance,
and will never get tired of her.
Because she does not like to compete,
no one can compete with the things she accomplishes.

68

The best warriors
do not use violence.
The best generals
do not destroy indiscriminately.
The best tacticians
try to avoid confrontation.
The best leaders
becomes servants of their people.

This is called the virtue of non-competition.
This is called the power to manage others.
This is called attaining harmony with the heavens.

75

When people go hungry,
the governments taxes are too high.
When people become rebellious,
the government has become too intrusive.

When people begin to view death lightly,
wealthy people have too much
which causes others to starve.

Only those who do not cling to their life can save it.

77

The Tao of Heaven works in the world
like the drawing of a bow.
The top is bent downward;
the bottom is bent up.
The excess is taken from,
and the deficient is given to.

The Tao works to use the excess,
and gives to that which is depleted.
The way of people is to take from the depleted,
and give to those who already have an excess.

Who is able to give to the needy from their excess?
Only some one who is following the way of the Tao.

This is why the Master gives
expecting nothing in return.
She does not dwell on her past accomplishments,
and does not glory in any praise.

80

Small countries with few people are best.
Give them all of the things they want,
and they will see that they do not need them.
Teach them that death is a serious thing,
and to be content to never leave their homes.
Even though they have plenty
of horses, wagons and boats,
they won't feel that they need to use them.
Even if they have weapons and shields,
they will keep them out of sight.
Let people enjoy the simple technologies,
let them enjoy their food,
let them make their own clothes,
let them be content with their own homes,
and delight in the customs that they cherish.
Although the next country is close enough
that they can hear their roosters crowing and dogs barking,
they are content never to visit each other
all of the days of their life.

10.02.2005

Nine more items for the future of our planet

In no particular order:

1. Fully fund the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria
2. Fully fund Debt Forgiveness
3. Fully fund Millennium Development Goals, set up task force to meet these challenges
4. Support ONE, dedicate an additional one percent of our budget for international development
5. End USAID requirement that US products be used in US funded international development projects
6. End restrictions on AIDS funding requiring recipient organizations to specifically denounce sex trade workers and banning those that provide abortions
7. Ratify the Kyoto Treaty
8. Sign on to the World Court, without special status
9. End embargo of Cuba and allow trade and travel to that island.

9.29.2005

Top 10 List for Our Future

What I want from my political leaders: A Top Ten List

1. An end to pre-emptive or offensive military strikes, bring ALL troops on foreign soil home, not just those in Iraq
2. Reduced, then eliminated, nuclear stockpile
3. Fully funded and truly equal education for all
4. Fully funded and equal health care for all
5. An end to corporate and all other special interest contributions to political campaigns (i.e. limit to government support and individual contributions ONLY)
6. A living wage
7. Salary caps (does anyone really need, or deserve, to earn more than 500K?)
8. Environmental consciousness, renewable energy, an end to oil use (not just oil dependence)
9. Truly equal human rights, with all gender, racial/ethnic, religious and sexual orientation differences removed, equal marriage rights, equal pay for equal time, equal access to all that accessable to others.
10. A foreign political and economic policy that is truly fair to everyone, without subsidies protecting American interests, without robbing Africa of its natural resources, and without meddling in the political affairs of other countries.

9.15.2005

Daily Tao

Thursday, 15 September, 2005 :: 29

Do you want to improve the world?
I don't think it can be done.

The world is sacred.
It can't be improved.
If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it.
If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it.

There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.

The Master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them.
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.

Mugabe: Ends and Means

I am continuing to read The No-Nonsense Guide to World Poverty. This book is truly enlightening to me. I am almost embarassed at how naive I have been, and how easily lulled into the party line on globalization, capitalism, and international development. How foolish I have been.

Now, I see some things in a whole new light. Take Mugabe and his confiscation of White-owned farms for redistribution to Blacks. At the time, i did have mixed feelings about it. How it was done was not appropriate, but why it was done, i believe is not only justified, but necessary. The people of Zimbabwe do not need big farms that export products to the West, they need land for their people to produce the food that they need to survive on a daily basis. The same can be said all over Africa. Coffee, tea and tobacco plantations of East Africa, catering to the vices of the Europeans and Americans, cocoa, vanilla, and sugar, too, not to mention the mineral trio of oil, diamonds and gold. Convert this land into food production for local consumption, and you will solve the famine crises that one African nation or another faces almost annually. One need not earn the money to buy it if they can grow it themselves. Of course, this may be exactly why inclusion into the global economy is considered so important to those in the north and west.

African leaders have such amazing tools for bargaining with the west, I am not sure why they do not use them to the advantage of the people of their respective countries. Oil, coffee, tea, chocolate-- the west craves these things. Perhaps African leaders should start demanding more in compensation for these items, like medicines to eradicate such diseases as AIDS, malaria, and TB; technology to not only produce more food, but to become agriculturally self sufficient (rather than dependent on specialized seed stock that can only be obtained from western corporate interests).

Getting back to Mugabe, I am now wondering what is going to become of the destruction of the ghettos of Harare. Will this be another land redistribution scheme that looks bad on first appearances but is actually for a greater national good? Only time will tell. Though, once again, he has clearly used the wrong means, we'll see how justified he is by the ends.

Peace

8.20.2005

Balance

It is interesting how life conspires to bring inspiration into our lives. I was just browsing my iTunes collection and somehow was drawn to this song, Balance, by Little Steven. It was originally recorded on his Revolution album. If you go to this website, you can listen to a clip of the song (click on the name of the song below). I have it on my Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior album, produced in 1989.


Balance
Steven Van Zandt (Blue Midnight Music, 1989)

Close your eyes for a little while
Let yourself go
Let the power tingle through you
Let the music help you find your rainbow

Realign your mind, soul and body, begin again
Time to get ready for childhood's end
Too many overfed, underfed, landrich, landless
The time has come for justice or maybe one last kiss

Got my eyes wide open time for new birth
Restore the balance
Got my eyes wide open time for new birth
Restore the balance

Mother earth raped and poisoned
Our souls have been denied too long
Blind ambition we can't see the forest
For the trees are all gone

Out of harmony moving too fast creating new animals
Torturing the ones we already have
The four directions lead us through the great mystery
Life, unity, equality, eternity

Got my eyes wide open time for new birth
Restore the balance
Got my eyes wide open time for new birth
Restore the balance

Warriors of the rainbow unite
From the darkness of the wasteland
Open up the inner light

Oh great spirit your breath gives life
I hear your voice in the wind
I come before you as a child
Seeking strength and wisdom

May I walk in beauty
And with your help
Overcome my greatest enemy
Myself

Got my eyes wide open time for new birth
Restore the balance
Got my eyes wide open time for new birth
Restore the balance

8.14.2005

Daily Tao: Sunday August 14, 2005

Today's Daily Tao says is succinctly.

Sunday, 14 August, 2005 :: 77

As it acts in the world, the Tao
is like the bending of a bow.
The top is bent downward;
the bottom is bent up.
It adjusts excess and deficiency
so that there is perfect balance.
It takes from what is too much
and give to what isn't enough.

Those who try to control,
who use force to protect their power,
go against the direction of the Tao.
They take from those who don't have enough
and give to those who have far too much.

The Master can keep giving
because there is no end to her wealth.
She acts without expectation,
succeeds without taking credit,
and doesn't think that she is better
than anyone else.

8.11.2005

United Nations Millenium Project

In 2002, the United Nations initiated a program through the United Nations Development Programme to reduce achieve 8 international development goals by the year 2015. These 8 goals and 18 related targets are as follows:

Goals and targets

Goal 1 Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Target 1. Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 a day
Target 2. Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger

Goal 2 Achieve universal primary education
Target 3. Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling

Goal 3 Promote gender equality and empower women
Target 4. Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015

Goal 4 Reduce child mortality
Target 5. Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate

Goal 5 Improve maternal health
Target 6. Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio

Goal 6 Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
Target 7. Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS
Target 8. Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases

Goal 7 Ensure environmental sustainability
Target 9. Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources
Target 10. Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation
Target 11. Have achieved by 2020 a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers

Goal 8 Develop a global partnership for development
Target 12. Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, nondiscriminatory trading and financial system (includes a commitment to good governance, development, and poverty reduction?both nationally and internationally)
Target 13. Address the special needs of the Least Developed Countries (includes tariff- and quota-free access for Least Developed Countries? exports, enhanced program of debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries [HIPCs] and cancellation of official bilateral debt, and more generous official development assistance for countries committed to poverty reduction)
Target 14. Address the special needs of landlocked developing countries and small island developing states (through the Program of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and 22nd General Assembly provisions)
Target 15. Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries through national and international measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term


Some of the indicators listed below are monitored separately for the least developed countries, Africa, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states

Target 16. In cooperation with developing countries, develop and implement strategies for decent and productive work for youth
Target 17. In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries
Target 18. In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications technologie


In forthcoming posts, I will review, one by one, the progress on these goals and discuss problems and possible solutions.

Today's Statistic:

Less than one per cent of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn't happen. (State of the World, Issue 287 - Feb 1997, New Internationalist)

8.09.2005

Taoism and the Rich/Poor divide

Since this Blog is titled The Tao of Apu, and since I have decided to focus on global poverty and the Rich/Poor divide, it seemed only natural to discuss the view of Taoism on this economic chasm. At first, I thought, well, Taoism is about the balance between opposites, suggesting that the Rich and the Poor are a necessary and natural state of being, balancing each other out. However, after some further Googling, I found some enlightening relief at a website called the Taoist Culture & Information Centre, on a page called The Concept of Supreme Peace. The following is an excerpt:

Equality

Daoism considers that all people are sons of the Great Dao. So they are born equal. This is characterized by ideas of equality and equalization in social distribution. The idea of equalization has been included in the ideal of Supreme Peace. Here, equalization doesn't mean absolute equality without differences. Instead, it refers to an ideal in which everyone is provided with proper chances to make a living and become rich. In this society, the big gap between the rich and poor doesn't exist. Laozi said, the natural rule is to act as an archer who lowers the bow when it is too high, and raises it when it is too low. That is to say, a natural rule is to take unnecessary wealth away from the rich to finance the poor. In contrast with that, the artificial rule is to take away the necessities from the poor to make the rich even richer, which Laozi considered to be diametrically against the Dao of Heaven. In this regards, Daoism is always opposed to a big gap between the rich and the poor.


This in the very least appeases my mind that in following Tao, I am not also condoning such things as Rich/Poor Gap.

Now, speaking of... here is today's statistic:

The wealthiest nation on Earth has the widest gap between rich and poor of any industrialized nation. (Corporate Watch, 1997).

8.08.2005

COMING SOON... More fat rich westerners and more images of bloated bellied children... to a TV, Newspaper, Webpage or Blog near you!

I think i am going to start using this again soon... to explore some different ideas about the disparity between the rich and the poor.

I was inspired, as i frequently am, by a recorded message from Mumia Abu-Jamal I heard on Pacifica Radio: KPFK. Mumia talked about, among other things, the starvation that is going on in Niger right now, and about the big Aid for Africa concerts, that were to raise awareness, not money.

Mumia makes a good point when he says that the money that it cost to put on that concert could have fed the people of Niger through the next rainy season, and might well have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. But that is not what happened. Mumia also quoted several statistics from The No-Nonsense Guide to Class, Caste & Hierarchies which states that, among other things, the net worth of the three richest people (in America? or the world... not sure) is greater than that of the 48 poorest nations of the world. This is quite startling.

So, rather than worry about my right to get married and earn specific tax credits, I wish to dedicate my time and energy to the causes of north-south economic disparities and the growing disparity between those with and those without.

2.21.2005

First Post

Greetings... this first post is an opportunity for me to introduce myself and some of the things i hope to talk about here. I certainly invite others to suggest topics for discussion.

My name is John. Apuuli is a name that I received when I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda. It is a nickname called an empako, which are used in greetings in the western part of the country.

My interests include architecture and urban planning, which i am pursuing as a new career track, religion/spirituality, politics and philosophy as topics of discussion, and the well-being of humankind in general, with particular interest in Africa.

My posts will not be put up hourly, or even daily, but whenever i am moved to write about something. And i do take requests... i have at least one opinion on everything.

Any requests?