A twice-weekly compendium of political opinion worth pondering.
October 6th ~ October 9th, 2020
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ITEM #1 – The New York Times endorses Joe Biden for president …
“Mr. Biden has vowed to ‘restore the soul of America.’ It is a painful reminder that the country is weaker, angrier, less hopeful and more divided than it was four years ago. With this promise, Mr. Biden is assuring the public that he recognizes the magnitude of what the next president is being called upon to do. In the midst of unrelenting chaos, Mr. Biden is offering an anxious, exhausted nation something beyond policy or ideology. His campaign is rooted in steadiness, experience, compassion and decency.”
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ITEM #2 – Legal scholar and former Department of Justice attorney Mary McCord depicts the growing threat posed to our democracy by private militias …
“Twenty-five states prohibit teaching, demonstrating or practicing in the use of firearms or ‘techniques’ capable of causing injury or death for use during a civil disorder. Eighteen states prohibit either the false assumption of the duties of public officials, including law-enforcement officials, or the wearing of uniforms similar to military uniforms. All these laws point to a single conclusion: There is no right in any state for groups of individuals to arm themselves and organize either to oppose or augment the government. Now, more than ever, state and local officials must enforce these statutes. In battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as other hotbeds of militia activity like Oregon, Idaho, Virginia and Texas, they must ready themselves for unlawful private militias showing up at the polls and on the streets during ballot counting and beyond.”
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ITEM #3 – A compelling, comprehensive video review of Trump’s mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic, titled “American Pathogen” …
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Current Comment is a twice-weekly feature of The Liberal Buddhist, published on Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings (Eastern time). Whenever a regularly scheduled posting date is missed, the edition posted on the next scheduled date will include all articles that would have been listed in the missed date’s edition.
And, of course, The Liberal Buddhist continues to feature original essays of political, literary, and cultural commentary – all viewed through the lens of Buddhist ethics and liberal philosophy.
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See you again in a few days. Until then, please take care of yourself, and stay well …
The Liberal Buddhist 