tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67196362011-10-20T22:37:23.346-07:00A lawless crowd, easily moved to act without thinking: The American Mob. Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.comBlogger741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1102998707608482272004-12-13T20:29:00.000-08:002004-12-13T20:31:47.606-08:00

This blog will no longer be active at this website. This site has converged with others to broaden a new progressive community. Please check out and bookmark: idDream.com Thank you.

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1102489912203744592004-12-07T23:11:00.000-08:002004-12-07T23:13:30.223-08:00

"Business!" cried the ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"Jacob Marley's GhostA Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1102403714530671562004-12-06T23:09:00.000-08:002004-12-06T23:17:39.546-08:00

There is also ample reason today to believe that the species of life known as Homo Sapiens is not eternal. We have fouled our environmental nest so thoroughly, we have overpopulated our world so irresponsibly, we have developed weapons of mass destruction so totally that human survival faces, at best, long odds. We human beings appear to be incidental, both to the past life and to the future

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1102289492371787292004-12-05T15:31:00.000-08:002004-12-05T15:47:42.613-08:00

As I learn more and more about the historical aspect of every piece of text within the Bible I find that there are similarities between many of the books contained within the Bible. Most prevalent of these similarities for me at the current time is between the book of Daniel, included in the Old Testament, and the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament. Both texts are

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1102221890452389082004-12-04T20:44:00.000-08:002004-12-04T20:46:05.486-08:00

Billboards in Arizona

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1102098610906621702004-12-03T10:22:00.000-08:002004-12-03T10:30:10.906-08:00

Jesus' Version of Golden Rule Armstrong states that Jesus echoed Rabbi Hillel's golden rule when he says "Do unto others as you'd have done unto you." Following are examples of the Golden Rule as taken from sources other than Judeo-Christian origins: BUDDHISM: Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. (Udana-Varga 5,18) CONFUCIANISM: Surely it is the maxim of

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1102011125176274922004-12-02T09:59:00.000-08:002004-12-02T10:12:05.176-08:00

The Bible is not the word of God in any literal or verbal sense. It never has been! The Gospels are not inerrant works, divinely authored. They were written by communities of faith, and they express even the biases of those communities. The Gospels are not without significant internal contradictions or embarrassing moral and intellectual concepts. The Gospels are not static. They reveal

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1101926637446316592004-12-01T10:41:00.000-08:002004-12-01T10:43:57.446-08:00

"It's ironic that after a political season awash in commercials based on fear and deception by both parties seen on all the major networks, an ad with a message of welcome and inclusion would be deemed too controversial," says the Rev. John H. Thomas, the UCC's general minister and president. "What's going on here?" CBS, NBC refuse to air church's television advertisement

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1101883319077067532004-11-30T22:32:00.000-08:002004-11-30T22:41:59.076-08:00

So I start here. There is no God external to life. God, rather, is the inescapable depth and center of all that is. God is not a being superior to other beings. God is the Ground of Being itself. And much flows from this starting place. The artifacts of the faith of the past must be understood in a new way if they are to accompany us beyond the exile, and those that cannot be understood

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1101852035044671892004-11-30T13:52:00.000-08:002004-11-30T14:00:35.046-08:00

As with many facets of our daily lives, conservative Christianity and its aversion to science continues to creep slowly into our secular public school system. There's only one creator, and it has to be God," said Rebecca Cashman, 16, a sophomore at Dover High. She frowned when asked to recollect what she learned about evolution at school last year. "Evolution -- is that the Darwin theory?"

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1101849776734481702004-11-30T13:14:00.000-08:002004-11-30T13:22:56.736-08:00

Sr. Joan Chittester: "I’m beginning to think that our problem right now is that as a country we have a touch of arthritis and a bit of St. Vitus Dance." Sr. Joan used Mark Twain as a source for this quote. This comes at a serendipitous time as today is the birthday of Samuel Clemens (1835-1910). From Where I Stand

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1101793299070371372004-11-29T21:26:00.000-08:002004-11-29T22:45:10.800-08:00

This past Sunday I was afforded the opportunity to wonder what on Earth ties these first two readings with the Gospel. The Hebrew Scripture, for once, really has good news! It speaks of finding peace instead of war: "...they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Then

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1101368290700273242004-11-24T22:59:00.000-08:002004-11-24T23:43:08.936-08:00

In a recent theological discourse with my sister-in-law I was left with the impression that she thought I was going to hell. Well, actually, she said it, as Al Franken would say, "on the square." For example: "Okay, so we'll go at this until the day you die, I guess. I'll just be in heaven and you'll be in hell." Chuckle. Chuckle. But not really. The chuckle is just to make light of the

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1101108726032389552004-11-21T23:01:00.000-08:002004-11-21T23:34:15.656-08:00

Many of us can continue to be believers only if we are able to be honest believers. We want to be people of faith, not people drugged on the narcotic of religion. We are not able to endure the mental lobotomy that one suspects is the fate of those who project themselves as the unquestioning religious citizens of our age. We do not want to be among those who fear that if we think about what we

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1101016379729852852004-11-20T21:42:00.000-08:002004-11-20T21:52:59.730-08:00

Institutional Christianity seems fearful of inquiry, fearful of freedom, fearful of knowledge - indeed, fearful of anything except its own repetitious propaganda, which has its origins in a world that none of us any longer inhabits. The church historically has been willing to criticize, marginalize, or even expel its most creative thinkers. The list would stretch fom Origen through Erasmus to

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1100369828735649282004-11-13T10:09:00.000-08:002004-11-13T10:17:08.736-08:00

Not to mention liars, too. A few excerpts from this rogues gallery: Richard Land, a leading Southern Baptist who participates in a weekly strategy call between the White House and evangelical leaders put it this way: “Whoever won, it would have been God’s will.” But because Bush won, Land told Beliefnet, God has clearly shown America his blessings. If Kerry had won, it would have proved God was

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1100369154611966182004-11-13T09:46:00.000-08:002004-11-13T10:05:54.610-08:00

Once again, my eyes were opened even further by an episode of PBS's NOW with Bill Moyers. I credit Mr. Moyers almost solely for my spiritual reawakening. Last night's episode featured a Q&A session between Bill Moyers and Joan Chittister concerning the quickly rising debate (and full on battle?) on morals. Joan Chittister is a Benedictine Sister of Erie and an amazingingly thoughtful,

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1100193109448527502004-11-11T08:54:00.000-08:002004-11-11T09:11:49.446-08:00

From this morning's edition of Air America Radio's Morning Sedition: "...we have people looking at our administration as an idol god." - Dr. Rev. James Forbes Compare this with the first of the Ten Commandments: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Many are the reasons that the self-endowed moralist Evangelical Christians are not what they suppose themselves to be. A movement that has

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1100151254741973212004-11-10T21:34:00.000-08:002004-11-10T21:39:32.220-08:00

I just came across a massive wealth of information concerning the Book of Revelation. Now I am even further away from understanding why anyone, let alone any church, let alone any sect of Christianity would base their doctrine on this clearly symbolic, non-literal book of the Bible. It seems to me that this book has long been included to end the Bible with a bang. An unnecessary bang?

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1100121391951158512004-11-10T13:10:00.000-08:002004-11-10T13:16:31.950-08:00

I feel that much of what leads fundamentalism in the broad sense (i.e. Islamic fundamentalists, the Taliban, Christian fundamentalists, you name it...) is a deep seeded ignorance. I am not speaking of the leaders of such movements because in the shadow of this ignorance are keen, smart, diabolical leaders. It is ignorance that fuels the fire of the followers. "Here is how ignorance works:

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1100110299824571612004-11-10T10:06:00.000-08:002004-11-10T10:11:39.823-08:00

"I think it's not credible to believe that Jesus' command to be peacemakers is best fulfilled by American military supremacy through the imposition of Pax Americana. Do we really think that's what Jesus meant by 'Blessed are the peacemakers?' I think that bears some evangelical reevaluation, in regard to our foreign policy." - Jim Wallis What it Means to be 'Evangelical'

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1100073996416443542004-11-09T23:29:00.000-08:002004-11-10T09:55:55.020-08:00

Periodically, perhaps weekly, I will be citing readings from the Bible that I hear at church that just confuse me in their presentation. When this happens, I feel more at a loss than more wise as I walk away after the service. But, they do cause me to think... Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1099951767369555332004-11-08T13:20:00.000-08:002004-11-08T14:12:48.763-08:00

I frequently visit other web logging sites to read what other people think concerning theological matters. A member of my family has a site that I stop in to read now and then and I always feel a certain need to nicely challenge her train of thought. This is a smart girl who I feel is being led astray by some very conservative Christians. Often I make attempts to cajole her into thinking about

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1099813927205406272004-11-06T23:18:00.000-08:002004-11-10T21:41:36.910-08:00

While reading Tony Campolo's book, "Speaking My Mind," I came across an interesting citation in Chapter 5 (Are Evangelicals Handling the Gay Issue All Wrong?). So far this book has proven to be at the very least increasingly interesting, even though I disagree with some assertions. Tony Campolo does break many molds in trying to point out what has gone wrong with evangelicalism. Dr. Campolo

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1099703751937409092004-11-05T16:35:00.000-08:002004-11-05T17:15:51.936-08:00

Last weekend I attended a church service at 1st Unitarian Church of Portland. It had been approximately five months since I'd stepped into this church. I did so this past Sunday intentionally because I felt that prior to this election, I needed to examine my political spirituality, which is something I do not delve into while in meditation at the Episcopal church. Dr. Marilyn Sewell gave an

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1098992163963344392004-10-28T13:26:00.000-07:002004-10-28T12:36:03.963-07:00

My wife forwarded to me a link that pointed to an excellent article that appeared on alternet.org. Here are some quotes from the piece as well as the link: "We're literally coming to the gas tank and getting filled up," Pastor Jeff calls out, and a ripple of assent goes through the room. "So how do we obtain help from God for our needs?" He jokes that he made 35 altar calls before he felt

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1098243777882932692004-10-19T20:38:00.000-07:002004-10-19T20:44:54.023-07:00

I just happened to stumble across a link to a website that articulates almost perfectly my current spiritual sway. The Center for Progressive Chrisitanity lays out 8 points of progressive Christianity. They are listed below: 1. Have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus; 2. Recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God's realm,

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1098128297265797872004-10-18T11:26:00.000-07:002004-10-18T12:53:16.193-07:00

One of the many reasons I relished my time attending a Unitarian church was the open arms with which the church and congregants received gay people. Since so much of what comprises the pantheon of Christian beliefs typically demonizes, or at best, allows with duress gay relationships, gay people with a need to practice some sort of spirituality rarely find a home in which they are warmly

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1097816294055297762004-10-14T21:48:00.000-07:002004-10-14T22:00:48.996-07:00

The Prophetic Justice Principles We face a time of choices, and a recognition that our nation has strayed from some of its founding spiritual, moral and democratic principles. People of faith who care deeply about the soul of our country may feel inspired to hold up, as the Prophet Amos did, a series of principles against which to test their leaders’ policies for moral depth. 1. Seek the

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1097180769515345902004-10-07T13:47:00.000-07:002004-10-07T14:01:14.200-07:00

I know that my wife must wonder what goes on in my head sometimes. I'm not the most chatty individual around and I'm more apt to think instead of speak. For a long time our family shared no particular religious views except that we didn't like Christianity (not necessarily Christians, but sometimes, yes, we didn't and don't like Christians). This sentiment apparently resonated so strongly

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1097012807614456572004-10-05T14:01:00.000-07:002004-10-05T14:46:47.616-07:00

Over the last week I've come to experience another form of God. Mt. St. Helens has awakened again and has periodically sent steam, ash, and rocks into the air. Having lived in the Portland area for over a year, this is a very new experience for me. Seeing the earth in a completely new light, I understand how the land, air, and water change all the time. The earth is alive as evidenced by its

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1096501320971851982004-09-29T16:35:00.000-07:002004-09-29T16:42:00.970-07:00

Sojourners Flash Cartoon

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1096478878420076652004-09-29T10:18:00.000-07:002004-09-29T12:25:23.706-07:00

Dr. Cornel West has been a source of inspiration, a well of truth, and a symbol of democracy to me since learning about him on the Tavis Smiley show (broadcast on WDET in Detroit, not here in Portland...apparently there is no audience for intelligent and insightful African-American centered shows here...). I have learned more about Dr. West over the last few years and have read essays and books

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1096416345012645252004-09-28T17:00:00.000-07:002004-09-28T17:06:01.266-07:00

In Thomas Jefferson : A Life, the following story is retold of the presidential election from 1800: "A Federalist lady in a small Connecticut town was so terrified of what would happen to the family Bible if Jefferson became president that she took it to the only Jeffersonian she knew and asked him to hide it for her. The Jeffersonian tried to allay her fears about Jefferson, but she remained

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1096126579936002262004-09-25T08:12:00.000-07:002004-09-25T08:39:22.920-07:00

Jimmy Swaggart: "I've never seen a man in my life I wanted to marry." (shouts, applause) "And I'm gonna be blunt and plain, if one ever looks at me like that I'm going to kill him and tell God he died." (laughter, applause) "In case anybody doesn't know God calls it an abomination. It's an abomination! It's an abomination!" I feel bad for Jimmy Swaggart that he understands little but talks

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1096053674187086782004-09-24T13:07:00.000-07:002004-09-24T12:21:14.186-07:00

Over the last few years I’ve grown to accept that spirituality is part of my life. The struggle I had while resolving this avalanche of ideas lied in the fact that what I knew of spirituality (largely based on a Catholic upbringing) was constricted and rigid. Within the last decade I’ve been able to free myself from these constraints not only by exploring other religions, although that did play

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1095800045931894812004-09-21T13:41:00.000-07:002004-09-21T13:54:05.930-07:00

Take Back Our Faith

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1095791527065165722004-09-21T11:00:00.000-07:002004-09-21T11:35:38.276-07:00

Since I lasted posted a comment on this page, I've gone through a certain shift in thinking. I've not swung more to the right. That would be absurd. If anything, I've swung more to the left after having a lengthy "discussion" via Randy Bishop's blog, Brilliant Mistake. In trying to stand for John Kerry's positions against a more left-leaning agenda, I've come to remember to be skeptical of

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1092497575133613362004-08-14T08:11:00.000-07:002004-08-14T08:32:55.133-07:00

Yesterday, most of our day was spent at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, downtown Portland. I knew that there would be tons of people there, based on the fact that John Kerry's last appearance in May filled the area in and around Pioneer Courthouse Square. Yesterday, people indeed showed their Democratic support. 30,000 people filled the park, while another 20,000 or so filled the streets, bridges,

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1091929389590186572004-08-07T18:15:00.000-07:002004-08-08T08:11:56.183-07:00

As I read Bill Moyers' newest book, Moyers on America: A Journalist and His Times, I feel a need to print some quotes from the early chapters in the book. He has already struck me with a certain pride for what a man can do and a certain disgust for the path on which our country has been taken. Apparently, President William McKinley (1897-1901) was led to the White House by a caretaker (much

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1091425158703095942004-08-01T22:18:00.000-07:002004-08-02T08:20:27.280-07:00

Now that the Democratic Convention has passed and we've all had a chance to digest what we've heard and seen. It's time to act. Firstly, as a Democrat, I feel that fellow Democrats and independents against Bush need to organize further and take to our streets. John Kerry as well as a rather large handful of fellow politicians hit the American public with a loaded punch last week and the wake

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1090995734108180582004-07-27T23:11:00.000-07:002004-07-28T08:41:39.343-07:00

I have seen the future of the Democratic Party and his name is Barack Obama. This is a man that is sorely needed by this nation to make sure our country thrives and serves her people. A man of eloquence, intelligence, and wisdom he represents what America is truly about. If there is a person that can set the Democratic Party aflame, it is indeed this gentleman from Chicago. Following are

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1090686696875399702004-07-24T09:19:00.000-07:002004-07-24T09:31:36.876-07:00

Often I've spoken about fundamental, right-wing, conservative Christians. I've voiced my opposition to their very narrow beliefs and expressed my concern for their seemingly limited abilities to think. These characteristics may or may not have come from Christianity itself, but as I was reading a forum discussion on Beliefnet about the Anglican/Episcopalian church I came across an interesting

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1090613396969150992004-07-23T13:04:00.000-07:002004-07-23T13:09:56.970-07:00

Whether or not this domestic threat against the media is from right-wing sources or not is irrelevant. This does not bode well for the election this November. My friends, we are living under a totalitarian state. Unless John Kerry pulls through the probable threats (domestic and international) and outright lies this November, we'd better get used to it. FBI probes possible threat on media at

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1090476216420744642004-07-21T22:39:00.000-07:002004-07-21T23:07:45.543-07:00

I wonder about Jesus a lot. I contemplate how Jesus's message could have been distorted so. I wonder if Jesus existed. I wonder if Jesus's words have any bearing in my life. When I do wonder about such things, I wonder if conservative Christians wonder much like I do. Do they put thought into thinking. I ponder the ways that conservative Christians find reasons for the suffering our country

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1090044281104676982004-07-16T22:29:00.000-07:002004-07-16T23:15:05.800-07:00

After watching NOW with Bill Moyers on PBS tonight, I felt that I needed to add a few words of strong wisdom to my blog from Reverend James Forbes of the Riverside Church in New York. James Forbes was interviewed on NOW late last year and I have been an avid follower of his wisdom ever since. There have been very few Christians as wise as Reverend Forbes, certainly in our current age, and

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1090024317822085012004-07-16T17:26:00.000-07:002004-07-16T17:31:57.823-07:00

Written on 7/15/04 Earlier today as I was driving from Portland to Gresham under the beautiful skies of summer, I listened to the Al Franken Show on Air America. Within a minute’s time I was stunned and was sure that my head was about to explode. Why? This is quite the interesting story. Al Franken was speaking with people who were eating lunch at a barbecue establishment somewhere in

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1089787341557905752004-07-13T23:31:00.000-07:002004-07-16T20:55:09.893-07:00

I’d like to expand a little more on my last post concerning the loss of eloquence. If anyone knows me, they know that I am a big fan of Bill Cosby. I grew from my adolescent to teen years with The Cosby Show and still watch reruns of his show to this day with my kids. The amount of respect I have for Mr. Cosby is rooted in his comedy, of course, but is more deeply rooted in his intelligence

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1089694361559777842004-07-12T21:47:00.000-07:002004-07-16T20:56:47.270-07:00

Many are the days that I ponder the direction of society in general. Most often I feel that most of our American society is taking a path to sure degradation with what seems as the loss of the ability to communicate correctly and effectively. This slide down the slope of eloquence can be attributed to a multitude of factors ranging from social class, race, or geographic location. Within these

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1088612118770476572004-06-30T09:13:00.000-07:002004-07-16T20:57:38.686-07:00

There always come certain times when the greater cause must take center stage to the lesser, yet possibly more important, issues. Working for the greater good is typically the advantageous route when speaking of the wide-reaching aspect of world affairs. Indeed, while our country faces very dire times in foreign policy, it seems as though our inner workings are crumbling at an even more

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1087841089442024322004-06-21T11:01:00.000-07:002004-07-16T20:58:47.806-07:00

Taking to the road is at once nerve racking and liberating. I’ve just returned from a road trip through California and was able to take the slow road home, the slow road being Highway 1. I saw the coast all the way from San Diego to Crescent City. Most of the time I view California as a sprawling, truly ugly beast of a state, but my mind has been changed. Once you move away from the bulk of

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1086234347734835572004-06-02T20:43:00.000-07:002004-07-16T20:59:53.470-07:00

History has a terrible habit of repeating itself. This repetitive condition lends itself to two phenomena: the reflection on history and its effects upon our present or the deliberate snubbing of lessons that should have been learned. The steady growth of the new red scare, now simply emblazoned with the moniker “terror,” has given birth to a new brand of McCarthyism. Under the power of this

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1085814276625422072004-05-28T23:59:00.000-07:002004-07-16T21:01:10.396-07:00

Someone of close relation to our extended family has proclaimed us brainwashed liberals. Allow me the time to examine these words by definition and relation. According to the Encarta® World English Dictionary, to brainwash is to impose a set of usually political or religious beliefs on somebody by the use of various coercive methods of indoctrination, including destruction of the victim’s prior

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1085552206797819402004-05-25T23:06:00.000-07:002004-07-16T21:01:59.893-07:00

There comes a time when a person can only act and no longer think. I’ve contemplated periodically over the previous half decade to pursue ethical importance as opposed to monetary needs in pursuit of employment. Often, I’ve shied away simply because I had been cowering in the face of debt. Under this dark shadow, nary a person can pursue ethical gainful employment. Due to a handful of

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1085117582815178642004-05-20T22:22:00.000-07:002004-07-16T21:02:40.836-07:00

As more photographs of the gross misconduct of certain individuals in our military occupational force in Iraq are released, President Bush seems to feel that there is some manner of dissention in the Republican ranks concerning the debacle. Today he met with Republican members of both the senate and house to gently inform them to stay the course. What does this mean? I understand that very

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1085034637108518322004-05-19T23:19:00.000-07:002004-05-19T23:30:37.106-07:00

While browsing Atrios' blog (Atrios being a frequent guest on The Majority Report) I came upon an interesting link concerning Unitarians within Texas. Not having detailed my religious affiliation at any other point on my blog, I must state that I am a proud Unitarian, myself, and this article is of some relevance to me. At some point in the future (perhaps near future) I will delve further into

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1085004944233404282004-05-19T15:05:00.000-07:002004-05-19T15:18:56.280-07:00

Tomorrow evening (5/20), take some time out and watch PBS' investigative reporting program, Frontline. Their episode concerning President Bush's faith and evangelical Christians as a whole is going to be rebroadcast. Watch and learn how our country is truly a theocracy at the moment. Also, learn about the sheep mentality that has grown out of fear of God and the coming of the antichrist.

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1084990412068395992004-05-19T11:06:00.000-07:002004-05-19T22:08:43.936-07:00

Kucinich gets 4 delegates to the Democratic Convention: "I’m grateful to the voters of Oregon for their support, their encouragement, and their hospitality," said Kucinich, who spent a good part of the past month campaigning throughout the state. "Oregonians responded to my message about the importance of the Democratic Party taking a stand on the crucial issues facing our country, and now we’ll

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1084945105337618662004-05-18T22:35:00.000-07:002004-05-18T22:38:25.336-07:00

Some Thoughts In preparing for our war on Iraq, this administration outlined various methods of bringing economic prosperity to the people post-destruction. One of these methods was to use the Iraqi oil reserves as an avenue to rebuild the failed economy. This has not come to pass. If anyone has profited, it is the American companies who hold the contracts for the oil and who have taken the

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1083347144103493312004-04-30T10:43:00.000-07:002004-07-16T21:05:28.256-07:00

As my Blue Bird bus slowly turned in front of one of the faceless, nameless dormitory buildings, my heart pounded. The façade of the structure exuded no personality. It was the symbol of the men and women tucked inside whom in the recent past were stripped of their color and voice. As I took my final step from freedom into the rank and file ordered world of the military I wondered if I had

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1083221221915457222004-04-28T23:34:00.000-07:002004-04-28T23:51:18.110-07:00

“SOME writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness POSITIVELY by uniting our affections, the latter NEGATIVELY by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1083104929651542752004-04-27T15:24:00.000-07:002004-04-27T15:36:36.733-07:00

Here is an article concerning a bit of local religious bigotry: Beaverton Mayor Wants Name Off Prayer Breakfast By Gretchen Lehmann PORTLAND, OR 2004-04-26 (OPB Radio) - Beaverton Mayor Rob Drake has asked to have the word mayor dropped from the title of an annual prayer breakfast organized by the Full Gospel Businessman's fellowship. The request comes after the Christian group decided to

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1083089876568861682004-04-27T11:17:00.000-07:002004-07-16T21:06:28.226-07:00

Earlier this year, I was undecided as to whom I would vote for in the Democratic primaries. In addition, I questioned whether Ralph Nader would eventually join the race for the White House once again. In the elections at the turn of the millennium I cast my vote for Mr. Nader as my sign of utter disgust with the democratic system as a whole. Ideologically I stand with Mr. Nader, even more so

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1082482653586662672004-04-20T10:33:00.000-07:002004-07-16T21:07:20.413-07:00

What is the mask that a faith-based initiative wears? How does this conceal what moves our administration to its war-laden tendencies? In what ways does faith in government make George Bush and Osama bin Laden brothers? All of these questions have taken up much time and consideration as of late. How has our country moved from Jefferson’s secular framing of government to a government used as a

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1082158570791869182004-04-16T16:28:00.000-07:002004-07-16T21:08:25.626-07:00

Tomorrow (April 17, 2004) please try and make it to one of MoveOn.org's "Bake Back Democracy" bakesales. Check out MoveOn's website for information concerning locations near you! I, for one, am making some deliciously decadent vegan chocolate cupcakes! If your mouth is watering just reading this and you live in the Portland, OR area come to: 2234 SE 30th Ave (2 blocks N of Division)

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1082093116617577722004-04-15T22:21:00.000-07:002004-04-15T22:31:44.593-07:00

Join the Call to Impeach Bush and Cheney -- Help us Get Congress to Take Action! -- You can help the call to impeach President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney should be impeached for two reasons: 1. They led the United States into an illegal, unconstitutional war in Iraq. 2. They misled the Congress and the American people with five falsehoods that

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1082092278419041762004-04-15T22:06:00.000-07:002004-04-15T22:16:06.153-07:00

Courtesy of Jeannine Lonardo: It's not enough that the Bush campaign has raised over $180 million from special interests to fund his attack ads. Now, he's illegally using millions of dollars in taxpayer money to subsidize his campaign -- using government resources to do research on John Kerry, run thinly disguised campaign ads, and travel to campaign stops and fund raisers. (See below for

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-108196529195302162004-04-14T10:49:00.000-07:002004-07-16T21:09:11.360-07:00

Nothing fills me with confidence in my country than a President that cannot even have a speech written correctly for him. Assuming this portion of his address had been written and revised (more than just once) ahead of time, how does one allow such an unprofessional and ineloquent opening sentence pass? If this was not a part of the speech that was pre-recorded, then our President indeed

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1081920616216695232004-04-13T22:18:00.000-07:002004-04-14T08:50:38.233-07:00

Whenever I watch Band of Brothers my anger at George W. Bush grows. No matter what party the survivors of D-Day affiliate themselves with, they are amazing men of courage. Our president is not.

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1081834978410497382004-04-12T22:39:00.000-07:002004-07-16T21:10:14.186-07:00

In the last three years and three months, President Bush has graced our media screens live only a scarce number of times. The current count stands at twelve. To me, this says two things: 1) President Bush doesn’t want to interrupt televised sporting events with his half-witted comments and his distorted view of the world and 2) His handlers absolutely abhor any attempt for him to speak off the

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1081554975028549572004-04-09T16:52:00.000-07:002004-04-09T17:00:05.403-07:00

Courtesy of The Democratic National Committee:

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1081483457270791692004-04-08T21:02:00.001-07:002004-04-08T21:48:18.043-07:00

First, I'd like to extend my thanks to a very good friend of mine, Siafa. He emailed me concerning my lack of a comment function which I had been doing research on. Siafa is conservative and wished to post his own thoughts both in agreement and opposition to some of my previous comments. I always encourage discourse in political or social ideas and welcome any opportunity to do so. A comment

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1081287758318143182004-04-06T14:35:00.000-07:002004-07-16T21:11:19.140-07:00

This web logging site is dedicated to two endeavors: 1) The expansion of philosophical thought within the confines of politics and spirituality while analyzing the formidable mob (i.e. Roman) mentality and 2) Furthering the cause to remove our current leader from his seat of power in Washington. Already I have taken a small bit of criticism for my first post. I was deemed “divisive” by my

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6719636.post-1081061928097016582004-04-03T22:47:00.000-08:002004-04-04T14:36:58.216-07:00

Finally, there is cause for the conservative right to defile the liberal media. After years of continuous cantankerous blathering there is now a culpable stepchild to whip. The closest representative of the liberal media, NPR , has been able to fend off the conservative caterwauls with a great degree of success over the last decade by actually taking the helm by leading the “fair and balanced”

Cas Kopackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18233963310687679242noreply@blogger.com0