Moral Monday at the borderlands -- El Paso right now

[Brisketexan 104597]

Happening now:

My wife is there, working with this group.  They are there to bear witness to our actions (these are not our government's actions, they are OUR actions -- we are responsible).  They are there because every faith tradition says functionally the same about the immigrant and the stranger.

Quote

We are calling on moral leaders and people of faith whose conscience compels them to join us.  We are calling on all congressional leaders who similarly are compelled by their conscience and our Constitution to join us. RSVP now

• We demand an end to child detention.

• We demand that all refugees seeking asylum be granted the due process to do so.

• We demand equal protection under the law.

• We demand the preservation of human rights.

• We demand a termination of the “Remain in Mexico” program, which is putting migrants at high risk for kidnapping, theft, extortion, and abuse. 

• We demand an end to family separation.

Our demands are grounded in the most basic religious teachings and guaranteed by the Constitution.

Morning Joe's coverage earlier today:

http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/rev-barber-brings-moral-monday-to-el-paso-64794181936

Also, due to Texas' rather draconian criminal laws regarding trespassing protesters (class B misdemeanor, up to 6 months in jail), my wife cannot be one of the people who volunteers to cross the line and be arrested for trespass, as a conviction would impair her ability to travel.  We had a long discussion about it.  To have a real conversation about balancing doing what you believe is necessary, versus taking measures to protect your family....those conversations are happening.  They aren't pleasant.

But I listened to the live-stream of the interfaith service last night.  The message is one that all people of faith, and of conscience, should hear.

 

[RomaVicta 29783]

I admire this effort. Compliments to you and your wife.

[Bama Chick 28596]

Your wife is a badass.

I’d love to meet her one day.

I know your fatalistic schtick on here is exaggerated a bit but grounded in truth but you can’t think we’re completely, irredeemably fucked being married to the kind of woman you are.

Godspeed to her and her compatriots today.

[Brisketexan 104597]

1 minute ago, Bama Chick said:

Your wife is a badass.

I’d love to meet her one day.

I know your fatalistic schtick on here is exaggerated a bit but grounded in truth but you can’t think we’re completely, irredeemably fucked being married to the kind of woman you are.

Godspeed to her and her compatriots today.

The thing is, I actually do think that, by and large.  It makes for some interesting dinner table conversation/argument.  The kids get in on it too -- just yesterday, my daughter was lecturing me on how she doesn't buy that man is totally and irredeemably depraved.  I told her that I disagreed, but I'm glad she thinks that way.  In any case, the good thing is that we all end up at the same place -- they believe it's for a cause that can win, I believe it's for a lost cause, but in either case.....we all believe in fighting and not quitting.

But, yeah.... the wife is about 1,000X better a human being than I am.  Which I'm sure shocks nobody.

[Js1 85104]

Seriously, how do you even handle being in your wife's presence? She's a badass and you just have a bad ass. 

[InkaUtexas 25511]

Congrats to your wife for giving a damn. We need a lot more of this sentiment. Would love to buy you both a beer and hear her stories about this. 

And for the record, you can break the rules this time..... 

 

[Brisketexan 104597]

Just now, Js1 said:

Seriously, how do you even handle being in your wife's presence? She's a badass and you just have a bad ass. 

Married up, outkicked my coverage, all that stuff.  The usual.

[Js1 85104]

2 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Married up, outkicked my coverage, all that stuff.  The usual.

The reacher and the settler. 

[Hornius Emeritus 12419]

4 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Married up, outkicked my coverage, all that stuff.  The usual.

Every relationship has the one who kisses and the one who extends the cheek. 

[Chad Fuck 17564]

Good on your wife, BT.

[Ghost of LL 15486]

1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

just yesterday, my daughter was lecturing me on how she doesn't buy that man is totally and irredeemably depraved.  I told her that I disagreed, but I'm glad she thinks that way.  In any case, the good thing is that we all end up at the same place -- they believe it's for a cause that can win, I believe it's for a lost cause, but in either case.....we all believe in fighting and not quitting.

You know, at some point you're just making the record for history.

[Underdog 28452]

2 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

The thing is, I actually do think that, by and large.  It makes for some interesting dinner table conversation/argument.  The kids get in on it too -- just yesterday, my daughter was lecturing me on how she doesn't buy that man is totally and irredeemably depraved.  I told her that I disagreed, but I'm glad she thinks that way.  In any case, the good thing is that we all end up at the same place -- they believe it's for a cause that can win, I believe it's for a lost cause, but in either case.....we all believe in fighting and not quitting.

But, yeah.... the wife is about 1,000X better a human being than I am.  Which I'm sure shocks nobody.

You need to show her this site. 

Edited July 29, 2019 by Underdog

[Chad Fuck 17564]

46 minutes ago, Underdog said:

You need to show her this site. 

Child endangerment brah.

[Brisketexan 104597]

So, things have wrapped up.  I'm not sure on the details, but there were some things communicated to the leadership of the protest that caused them concern -- they told the folks who had put on armbands (indicating that they were willing to be arrested) to take them off, and everyone needed to stay together.

When they arrived at the facility near the airport, they were greeted with signage indicating that they were deemed an "elevated" threat:

 

 

 

Nothing scarier than a bunch of clerics getting together to pray and minister to the people -- all people.

Here's a piece on what went on:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/29/it-doesnt-have-be-way-faith-leaders-rally-detention-center-demanding-end-inhumane

The call was simple:

Quote

"We condemn and call evil and unjust the caging of people, the making people drink from toilets, the refusal to even give them a toothbrush," the group continued. "You're holding angels in this place. But you will not hold them forever. We join them now, and not only do we bring condemnation, but we bring hope. It doesn't have to be this way. America, turn around. America, repent. America, stop. America, change your ways."

You know I'm not big on hope.  Like, at all.

But if there is any, folks like this carry it and protect it.

 

Edited July 29, 2019 by Brisketexan

[tx 3 putt 76353]

#teammrsbrisket

[Nivek 16858]

Why did her group exclude us regular agnostic assholes? Not that i would have gone but it would have been nice to be invited.

[Brisketexan 104597]

1 minute ago, Nivek said:

Why did her group exclude us regular agnostic assholes? Not that i would have gone but it would have been nice to be invited.

There were people there as a matter of conscience only -- you didn't have to be a faith leader to attend.  But it was important to show that faith leaders were the heart of this movement, and were on the forefront speaking to an alternate theology than one we hear from the dominant voices aligned with our government.

[TexArcher 37508]

I'm an atheist and I would absolutely go to something like this in Austin.  

[Goredho 17346]

Pretty fucking cool of these people and your wife.

[Nivek 16858]

3 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

There were people there as a matter of conscience only -- you didn't have to be a faith leader to attend.  But it was important to show that faith leaders were the heart of this movement, and were on the forefront speaking to an alternate theology than one we hear from the dominant voices aligned with our government.

not every statement warrants a response.  I understood as much, but was just being a doofus on the board.

[Brisketexan 104597]

1 hour ago, Nivek said:

not every statement warrants a response.  I understood as much, but was just being a doofus on the board.

But if we don't respond to doofus statements, this board will die.

[JimmyJames 12271]

11 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

The thing is, I actually do think that, by and large.  It makes for some interesting dinner table conversation/argument.  The kids get in on it too -- just yesterday, my daughter was lecturing me on how she doesn't buy that man is totally and irredeemably depraved.  I told her that I disagreed, but I'm glad she thinks that way.  In any case, the good thing is that we all end up at the same place -- they believe it's for a cause that can win, I believe it's for a lost cause, but in either case.....we all believe in fighting and not quitting.

But, yeah.... the wife is about 1,000X better a human being than I am.  Which I'm sure shocks nobody.

Your daughter is right. You should listen to her. 

[cactusflinthead 27594]

It isn't often around here that the secular and spiritual are on the same page. 

If you don't drag your ass up here for TX/OU HH I'm gonna have to give your beers to someone else. 

[FORTY NINE TO ZERO 2630]

7 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

So, things have wrapped up.  I'm not sure on the details, but there were some things communicated to the leadership of the protest that caused them concern -- they told the folks who had put on armbands (indicating that they were willing to be arrested) to take them off, and everyone needed to stay together.

When they arrived at the facility near the airport, they were greeted with signage indicating that they were deemed an "elevated" threat:

 

 

 

Nothing scarier than a bunch of clerics getting together to pray and minister to the people -- all people.

Here's a piece on what went on:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/29/it-doesnt-have-be-way-faith-leaders-rally-detention-center-demanding-end-inhumane

The call was simple:

You know I'm not big on hope.  Like, at all.

But if there is any, folks like this carry it and protect it.

 

FYI. The “elevated” threat sign is actually the NTSA rating created after 911. While on paper elevated yellow is the medium level, it actually has never been below that rating.  The sign is basically saying we are at the lowest risk of a terroristic possible.  

I’m actually surprised you haven’t seen it before, it’s posted around most secured faculties across the United States.

 

Edited July 30, 2019 by Xian

[Brisketexan 104597]

13 hours ago, Xian said:

FYI. The “elevated” threat sign is actually the NTSA rating created after 911. While on paper elevated yellow is the medium level, it actually has never been below that rating.  The sign is basically saying we are at the lowest risk of a terroristic possible.  

I’m actually surprised you haven’t seen it before, it’s posted around most secured faculties across the United States.

 

Of that, I was actually unaware.  I do go in and out of federal facilities with some frequency, but they're the kind of places that have a portrait of the president in the lobby, not the kind of places that posts the terror threat level (although I have never understood the insane amount of security you have to go through to get into an EPA building).  I mean, nevermind that the whole terror threat level thing is absurd.  We're supposed to be on high alert when the level goes to magenta, or puce, or something like that, right?

[fattyflattie 4636]

22 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

We're supposed to be on high alert when the level goes to magenta, or puce, or something like that, right?

High and severe are orange and red, respectively. 

[Brisketexan 104597]

2 minutes ago, fattyflattie said:

High and severe are orange and red, respectively. 

Point to the spot on the color wheel where the terrorist touched you.....

[Pescado_Rojo 19331]

21 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Point to the spot on the color wheel where the terrorist touched you.....

In the rainbow colored butthole in the middle....wait, that was my R congressman. 

[fattyflattie 4636]

28 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Point to the spot on the color wheel where the terrorist touched you.....

None of that, Ive just been getting my bread from the gulf coast for too many years now.  Twic cards, Marsec levels, all that jazz. 

[FORTY NINE TO ZERO 2630]

1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

Of that, I was actually unaware.  I do go in and out of federal facilities with some frequency, but they're the kind of places that have a portrait of the president in the lobby, not the kind of places that posts the terror threat level (although I have never understood the insane amount of security you have to go through to get into an EPA building).  I mean, nevermind that the whole terror threat level thing is absurd.  We're supposed to be on high alert when the level goes to magenta, or puce, or something like that, right?

It’s all very stupid.  Just something the government did years ago so they could pat themselves on the back.   You also see them when entering a good number of industrial facilities. 

[DaysOff 7851]

I'm an atheist and I would absolutely go to something like this in Austin.  

I would've marched on Selma if it was on Long Island. /Costanza

['stache 21772]

23 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

So, things have wrapped up.  I'm not sure on the details, but there were some things communicated to the leadership of the protest that caused them concern -- they told the folks who had put on armbands (indicating that they were willing to be arrested) to take them off, and everyone needed to stay together.

When they arrived at the facility near the airport, they were greeted with signage indicating that they were deemed an "elevated" threat:

 

 

 

Nothing scarier than a bunch of clerics getting together to pray and minister to the people -- all people.

Here's a piece on what went on:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/29/it-doesnt-have-be-way-faith-leaders-rally-detention-center-demanding-end-inhumane

The call was simple:

You know I'm not big on hope.  Like, at all.

But if there is any, folks like this carry it and protect it.

 

Bishop Pearson from a church I attend sometimes is shown here. Looks like I chose the right place to attend to the extent I still sometimes go to church.