Southern Sojourner

Two Worthy Considerations for Monday Evening

Did anyone catch the Natalee Holloway reference in The Wire tonight?  More on that to come, but I wanted to quickly mention two events for you to check out for Monday evening.  Unfortunately they overlap, but either one would be worth the investment of your time.

• Tonight at the Homewood Public Library there will be a screening of  "Good Will for the Common Good:  Nurturing Baptists Relations with Jews."  The event will be begin at 7 P.M. with a 31 minute video followed by a panel discussion.  Should be very interesting and I am told there will be refreshments.  The video is put out by the fine folks at Ethics Daily and they produce some really good stuff.  Check it out. 

• The other event is being hosted by the good people of the Over the Mountain Democrats. The Issues and Programs committee have worked hard at providing a top notch forum on "Crisis in American Healthcare: Is Universal Coverage the Solution?"  If you have attended one of their events in the past, you know you won't be disappointed.  This event starts at 6:30 P.M at the lecture hall at the Botanical Gardens.  Here are a few stats for you to consider as you prepare to attend

U.S. Healthcare:  By the Numbers…

• Over 47 Million - Number of Uninsured in the U.S. in 2006
• $14,500 - Total Annual Cost of Healthcare for a Typical Family in U.S.
• $48,000 - Average Annual Income per Family in U.S.
• 31% - Percentage of every Healthcare Dollar Spent on Administrative Costs
• Over 500,000 - People in Alabama who are Currently Uninsured
• Almost 60,000 - People in Jefferson County who without Health Insurance Coverage

2 Neat Deals Tonight

There are two neat deals going on tonight, and it is unfortunate that they compete with one another.  But I hope you can get to one to one of them.

• The first is a screening of a new film called Miss HIV. It is a documentary that explores the international conflict of HIV/AIDS policies while following the journey of a HIV positive woman who enters a beauty contest because she wants to break the stigma that keeps it hidden.  The screening, I believe, is free and there will be a discussion with one of the producers following the show. The event begins at 7 P.M. at the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham facility at 1901 14th Ave South.

• The other event is a great panel discussion on constitutional reform in Alabama. I am convinced that Alabama is destined to continue its dire record of underachievement if it doesn't do something about its constitution.  If you haven't gotten informed on this issue, you need to and this is a super way to do it.  The event will be at the lecture hall at the Botanical Gardens at 6:30 P.M.  The keynote speaker will be the former governor Albert Brewer.  His comments will be followed by a lively conversation from a distinguished panel of people including Lenora Pate and Gary Palmer.  You can read a brief online interview with Brewer.

I keep inviting my Republican friends to these events, but they never seem to show up.  Constitutional reform is a bi-partisan issue, but for some inexplicable, goofy (sometimes racist and greed motivated) reasons, there seems to be more Republicans against constitutional reform (cf. Roy Moore).

If you have ever wondered why you have to vote in Jefferson County on whether the citizens of Coffee county can put up a traffic light, then you have already experienced on the major reasons we need reform in our constitution.  We have one of, if not the most, inefficient governing documents in the world.

Some argue that if we were to host a constitutional convention then it would be hijacked by special interests and open the door for raising taxes.  GOOD GRIEF, the tax thing is about a wearisome an argument as one can put out, and is usually just a good old Republican scare tactic. The current (1901) constitution was written by special interests for crying out loud.  Special interest with racist motivations by the way.

Alabama's constitution is thought to be the longest constitution in the world!  The friggin' world! And it is easily the longest in this country.  Folks, if you have to amend a document 799 times!  It is time to get a new one. 

I challenge every Alabama citizen that may come across this blog to champion this cause, get involved and create the political will to get something done about this. A good synopsis of the issue can be found from the talking points from the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform.

If I can't persuade you out of a love for the great state of Alabama, then let me appeal to your faith (if you have one).  It is immoral for us to silently let an unjust and racist document serve as the ruling authority of our state.  We must demand more from our government.  I am not talking about hijacking government to serve the ends of a sectarian position, but rather speaking out against the injustice and bigotry that are clearly embedded in the current constitution. 

Are you listening, my right winged faithful?  Do something besides complain about gay marriage would you?  Prove to me that your faith is more than just some attempt at cultural preservation of white suburbia.  Please! 

Hope to see you somewhere tonight!

 

Another Invitation

Hey Everyone! I invite you next Monday, October 8 at Dwight Beeson Hall at Samford University (number 33 on the map) to a premier screening of Golden Rule Politics followed by an excellent panel discussion.  The event starts around 6:30. Best yet, there is no admission charge. Free, baby!

I saw the documentary (about 30 minutes) in a pre-screening and it is worth while.  What will be great is the panel discussion following the viewing.  Jim Evans, Artur Davis and Susan Pace Hamill with have a moderated discussion about faith and politics.  If you haven't heard any of these three, you are missing out. 

I challenge any of my republican friends who constantly give me grief to show to courage to show up!  Here is a clip for the film. Hope to see you there!

Fat Tuesday and Other Calendar Events

Happy Fat Tuesday everybody! I will be celebrating the day with my annual Pancake Party.  Many in my faith community will be gathering at my place tonight where we will consume a ton of flapjacks and burn the palm fronds from last Palm Sunday for use at tomorrow's Ash Wednesday service.  If you read this, you are invited.  You don't have to worship with us or worship anywhere, just enjoy good fellowship and pancakes. Just show up around 6:30 PM tonight.

Since my calendar is filling and things are getting exciting, I thought I would share a few other things that you may want to join in on. I'd love to see you.

This weekend, right here in the Bass Fishing Capital of the World, the Bassmaster Classic will be taking place on the great Lay Lake. Check out the outdoor show and weigh-in at the BJCC.  Good times!

Next Tuesday, February 27, our Emergent Cohort is attending a free screening of I Know I am Not Alone at the superb Workplay Theater. We will meet at the bar area around 7:45.  Join us for the viewing and the exchange of thoughts afterward via conversation or blogs.  Thanks to Nick to getting this lined up.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY EVENTS UPCOMING:

• Sunday, March 4, a screening of the documentary It's a Thick Book (cf. trailer) at Workplay Theater at 3 P.M.
• Tuesday, March 13, Bishop Will Willimon speaks to the Over The Mountain Democrats Minister's Caucus at the Homewood Public Library at 6:30 P.M.
• Sunday, March 18, Celebration of seven years of marriage to my beautiful bride!
• April 16-18, Emergent Theological Philosophical Conversation in Philadelphia with Jack Caputo and Richard
• May 1st, my daughter's due date!

Hope to see you at a few of these. 

Cause for Concern!(?)

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Bob pointed me to an ABC News report about this documentary, Jesus Camp.  I was horrified.

This week at my cohort meeting, my new friend Nick, said that he and wife got to see it at the Sidewalk Film Festival and it was one of the most distburbing films he has ever seen.  Adding sheepishly, that he had seen some disturbing films. 

So I have been digesting all this, after hearing my respected friend Jim Evans, express very feel discouragement about how to reclaim faith in our country from being hijacked by political machinations and far right ideaology/theology.  (That is not exactly how he said it, but it is how I interpreted it).

I have discussed this some with other friends of mine, who don't share my concern.  So I offer you the official trailer to Jesus Camp.  What's your thoughts?