Jane Fonda » Matters That Move Me

Howard Zinn

Jane — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:30:31 +0000

To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something.

The late historian, Howard Zinn

Rev Barry Lynn

Jane — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:51:29 +0000

Rev Barry Lynn, President of Americans United has written, “The goals of Christ and the goals of the Religious Right seem to have little in common. Christ did not spend his time trying to forge a faith-based government. He did not obsess over the sexual habits of people. Were he here today, I find it inconceivable that Christ would parade in front of abortion clinics screaming at teenage girls or picket a gay man’s funeral hoisting a sign with a hateful homophobic message.”

THE WOMAN

Jane — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:25:33 +0000

… Click for more

Polly Berrien Berends

admin — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:26:53 +0000

If your children see that you are seeking, they will seek—the finding part is up to God.
—Polly Berrien Berends … Click for more

A student who came to a rabbi

admin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:25:28 +0000

An old story about a student who came to a rabbi and said, “In the olden days, there were men who saw the face of God. Why don’t they any more?” The rabbi replied, “Because nowadays no one can stoop so low.” One must stoop a little in order to fetch water from the stream.… Click for more

Reinhold Neibhur

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:24:59 +0000

“Nothing worth doing can be achieved in a lifetime; therefore, we must be saved by hope. Nothing that is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith. Nothing that we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we must be saved by love.”
Reinhold Neibhur… Click for more

Nuremberg Diary

admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:23:37 +0000

Nazi Leader Herman Goering, interviewed by Gustave Gilbert during the Easter recess of the Nuremberg trails, 1946 April 18, quoted in Gilbert’s book, Nuremberg Diary:

Goering, “Naturally the common people don’t want war… but it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship.”

Gilbert: “There is one difference. In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars.”

Goering: “Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the biding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

John W. Gardner

admin — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:23:09 +0000

Meaning is not something you stumble across, like the answer to a riddle or the prize in a treasure hunt. Meaning is something you build into your life. You build it out of your own past, out of your affections and loyalties, out of the experience of humankind as it is passed on to you, out of your own talent and understanding, out of the things you believe in, out of the things and people you love, out of the values for which you are willing to sacrifice something. The ingredients are there. You are the only one who can put them together into that unique pattern that will be your life. Let it be a life that has dignity and meaning for you. If it does, then the particular balance of success or failure is of less account. John W. Gardner

Gloria Steinem

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:22:35 +0000

Gloria Steinem, in her book “Revolution Within”
If we think of ourselves as circles, our goal is completion –not defeating others.
Progress lies in the direction we haven’t been.

If we think of families and nurturing groups as circles, the sum means maximizing each part—not restricting others or keeping secrets.
Progress is appreciation.

If we think of work structures as circles, excellence and cooperation are the goal –not competition.
Progress becomes mutual support and connectedness.

If we think of nature as a circle, then we are part of its reciprocity.
Progress means interdependence.

Dalai Lama

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:21:56 +0000

Dalai Lama, “there is no need for temple or church, for mosque or synagogue, no need for complicated philosophy, doctrine or dogma, for our own heart, our own mind, is the temple and the doctrine is compassion.”… Click for more