Pastor Obama – Bringing Unity to a Divided Nation
“Last Wednesday in Tucson Pastor Obama ministered to his flock to begin the nation’s healing process. His simple request was to make our political discourse worthy of our youngest citizens, like Christina Taylor Green. The nine year old came to learn about government from Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, obviously a role model for her.
Here in front today as I speak are our school children learning about government. May our political discourse and debate in Long Island and the Hamptons be worthy of their optimism and hope for the future.”
At this point Quogue Village Police Chief Robert B. Coughlan collapsed behind me. Luckily the Emergency Response authorities were present and the meeting ended suddenly in the very human scene of caring for others. I checked on the condition of Chief Coughlan and our town supervisors assures us all is well.
The Southamton Press reported that he was “taken to Southampton Hospital from the event by Southampton Village Volunteer Ambulance [where he] was reported to be in stable condition following the event, …[and] would most likely return to work on Monday.
The chief, who the mayor believes is in his late 50s, was seen clutching a flagpole to hold himself up during the outdoor ceremony, according to Mr. Sartorius. Temperatures were in the low 20s at the time, with an even lower windchill factor.
Chief Coughlan then collapsed. His face was ashen and he was unresponsive, the mayor said.
“He’s fine. He’s talking. He’s coherent. He has the flu,” Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst said following the event. “We think he’s going to be just fine, OK?”
I had planned to comment on the fact that Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday falls exactly one week after the savage shootings in Tucson. I wondered why more attention had not been shown to that fact by President Obama and others who were commenting on the national level.
But what I intended to say can wait until tomorrow’s blog. Suffith it to say that winter has come to the Hamptons. Back to back blizzards have driven even the foxes out of the deep woods to forage for scraps near our compost. Early sunsets make the huge pale yellow sun look like heavens spotlight bouncing off the darkening snow drifts.
Even in the bitter cold, however, our little community came together to celebrate civility in politics, peace in politics, and that is a good thing. All notches on the spectrum were present but one note still reminds me of how far we have to go. I was late getting to the meeting and did not know, when I was invited to speak, that no representative from the non-office holding community had addressed the assembly. Lou Ware our NAACP Branch President, Rev. Marvin Dozier, Rector Mike Smith from the Shinnecock Nation, and many many more community activists were present and could have been asked to say a few words of unity. Martin Luther King spent a lot of time talking to children. Our little school children need these role models to be held up continually.
Peace in Politics, amen!
Bob Zellner, January 15, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF GIFFORDS
In the spirit of nonpartisan national mourning for our slain and wounded citizens, the community gathering announced for 12 PM Jan. 11, 2011 has been postponed until Friday.
Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst and Congressman Tim Bishop released details for a more formal and inclusive event below:
In light of the tragic event that took place in Arizona over the weekend and the discussion that has ensued regarding the current “tone” of public discourse throughout the country, communities nation-wide are responding with commitments to be more respectful and civil in expressing their opinions and in their treatment of others.
In support of this important movement to shine a light on our own actions and make a conscience effort to wield our treasured freedoms with more tolerance and grace, you are invited to participate in a “Coming Together for Civility” event Friday, January 14 at 9:00 a.m. on the steps of Southampton Town Hall.
The goal of the event is two fold:
(1) To express our sympathies together as one community regarding the tragic events that took place over the past weekend in Arizona and;
(2) To make a public commitment to civility within our own community regardless of personal beliefs or party affiliation.
A wide spectrum of community leaders will attend including elected officials, fire and police chiefs, EMS leaders, VFW leaders, local ministers, school representatives and more. The event will also be open to the public, so please share this invitation with your memberships, friends and neighbors.
If you do plan to attend, kindly alert my office so we can plan accordingly.
I hope to see you on Friday!
Sincerely,
Anna Throne-Holst
Supervisor
Town of Southampton
116 Hampton Rd
Southampton, NY 11968
Ph: (631) 283-6055
athrone-holst@southamptontowny.gov
Zellner Blog: PEACE IN POLITICS
The attempted assassination of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords reminds me of growing up in the South where violence seemed to be as American as cherry pie.
Children in the Bible belt were to be seen, not heard. Our little world was separate from adults for the most part except for the occasional housekeeper or baby sitter. When company came for dinner, children sat at a separate table, often waiting for adults to eat before we were fed.
When chicken was fried, we got necks, backs, the feet and occasionally chicken head. Someone somehow ate all parts. Depression gripped the South and food was not to be wasted. I didn’t know what second-class citizens were but we younguns were definitely that.
Religion, philosophy and politics were discussed, if at all, out of earshot of children because, “Little pitchers have big ears.” Infidelity, violence, and scandal of any nature were discussed in hushed tones - never in the open, like today. Our little ears, however, were full of everyday violence like the public lynching out from nearby Dothan, Alabama. When I was five, special trains brought five thousand whites to watch the murder of a black man. Children were encouraged by their parents to stick forks in the charred flesh of the victim after he was dragged through the streets behind a pickup.
Daddy’s “nervous breakdown” became the Zellner’s hushed up scandal. Methodist ministers didn’t have emotional problems. An “eccentric” bachelor uncle or maiden aunt locked away in Southern attics, wearing Confederate gray or antebellum gowns, ubiquitous in literature, shows that mental disorder was something to be ashamed of. The prevalence of mental illness made appearance paramount. Frantz Fanon explained imperialism and the resulting mental disorder among oppressed people. Thorough study of the mental illnesses of oppressors has not been attempted.
Dad’s KKK membership was, no doubt, the cause of his breakdown. He was trying to be a minister of the gospel while practicing racial discrimination. Although his Klan connection was never mentioned, Dad’s dilemma, like the American one, was professing one thing about race while doing another. Half the population lording over the other half, taking the best of everything while leaving the rest to make do on scraps, was bad business indeed. Dad also concluded that holding black people down also impoverished white people. Rich people, happy to let poor white trash do the dirty work, laughed at both. They had always controlled blacks through terror, slavery being maintained only by a constant state of violence against the enslaved. One human enslaving another is an act of war.
The rhetoric and reality of violence and war, consequently, permeates our history and our politics. Sarah Palin, however, should apologize for placing crosshairs over the district of Congresswoman Gifford. Ms Palin defended herself by saying she is only playing politics as usual. Making herself the victim, she claims she suffered a “blood libel,” an insult to Jews who actually suffered.
Listen tonight to our great President Obama as he binds the wounds inflicted in Tucson. His political style is the opposite of the current crop of rightwing haters. With real commitment we can all work together to bring peace to politics.
Bob Zellner January 12, 2011
Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst and Congressman Tim Bishop released details for a more formal and inclusive event below:
In light of the tragic event that took place in Arizona over the weekend and the discussion that has ensued regarding the current “tone” of public discourse throughout the country, communities nation-wide are responding with commitments to be more respectful and civil in expressing their opinions and in their treatment of others.
In support of this important movement to shine a light on our own actions and make a conscience effort to wield our treasured freedoms with more tolerance and grace, you are invited to participate in a “Coming Together for Civility” event Friday, January 14 at 9:00 a.m. on the steps of Southampton Town Hall.
The goal of the event is two fold:
(1) To express our sympathies together as one community regarding the tragic events that took place over the past weekend in Arizona and;
(2) To make a public commitment to civility within our own community regardless of personal beliefs or party affiliation.
A wide spectrum of community leaders will attend including elected officials, fire and police chiefs, EMS leaders, VFW leaders, local ministers, school representatives and more. The event will also be open to the public, so please share this invitation with your memberships, friends and neighbors.
If you do plan to attend, kindly alert my office so we can plan accordingly.
I hope to see you on Friday!
Sincerely,
Anna Throne-Holst
Supervisor
Town of Southampton
116 Hampton Rd
Southampton, NY 11968
Ph: (631) 283-6055
athrone-holst@southamptontowny.gov
Zellner Blog: PEACE IN POLITICS
The attempted assassination of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords reminds me of growing up in the South where violence seemed to be as American as cherry pie.
Children in the Bible belt were to be seen, not heard. Our little world was separate from adults for the most part except for the occasional housekeeper or baby sitter. When company came for dinner, children sat at a separate table, often waiting for adults to eat before we were fed.
When chicken was fried, we got necks, backs, the feet and occasionally chicken head. Someone somehow ate all parts. Depression gripped the South and food was not to be wasted. I didn’t know what second-class citizens were but we younguns were definitely that.
Religion, philosophy and politics were discussed, if at all, out of earshot of children because, “Little pitchers have big ears.” Infidelity, violence, and scandal of any nature were discussed in hushed tones - never in the open, like today. Our little ears, however, were full of everyday violence like the public lynching out from nearby Dothan, Alabama. When I was five, special trains brought five thousand whites to watch the murder of a black man. Children were encouraged by their parents to stick forks in the charred flesh of the victim after he was dragged through the streets behind a pickup.
Daddy’s “nervous breakdown” became the Zellner’s hushed up scandal. Methodist ministers didn’t have emotional problems. An “eccentric” bachelor uncle or maiden aunt locked away in Southern attics, wearing Confederate gray or antebellum gowns, ubiquitous in literature, shows that mental disorder was something to be ashamed of. The prevalence of mental illness made appearance paramount. Frantz Fanon explained imperialism and the resulting mental disorder among oppressed people. Thorough study of the mental illnesses of oppressors has not been attempted.
Dad’s KKK membership was, no doubt, the cause of his breakdown. He was trying to be a minister of the gospel while practicing racial discrimination. Although his Klan connection was never mentioned, Dad’s dilemma, like the American one, was professing one thing about race while doing another. Half the population lording over the other half, taking the best of everything while leaving the rest to make do on scraps, was bad business indeed. Dad also concluded that holding black people down also impoverished white people. Rich people, happy to let poor white trash do the dirty work, laughed at both. They had always controlled blacks through terror, slavery being maintained only by a constant state of violence against the enslaved. One human enslaving another is an act of war.
The rhetoric and reality of violence and war, consequently, permeates our history and our politics. Sarah Palin, however, should apologize for placing crosshairs over the district of Congresswoman Gifford. Ms Palin defended herself by saying she is only playing politics as usual. Making herself the victim, she claims she suffered a “blood libel,” an insult to Jews who actually suffered.
Listen tonight to our great President Obama as he binds the wounds inflicted in Tucson. His political style is the opposite of the current crop of rightwing haters. With real commitment we can all work together to bring peace to politics.
Bob Zellner January 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Invitation to Town Hall Meeting honoring Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2011
Invitation to Town Hall Meeting honoring Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford –
Southampton Town Hall
12 Noon, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011
– Bob Zellner asks you to save the date.
Invitation to Town Hall Meeting honoring Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford –
Southampton Town Hall
12 Noon, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011
– Bob Zellner asks you to save the date.
My friend Bob Filner, Democrat, who represents my brother Douglas Zellner in San Diego, remembers his fallen colleague. “Gabby Gifford’s is a good legislator and a good friend. We work closely together as U.S./Mexico border Congress members. We pray for her full recovery."
Filner, a supporter of the nonpartisan Congressional Faith and Politics Institute lead by John Lewis, faulted incendiary talk radio programming as contributing to a climate that may have encouraged today's violence. "I … believe the violent context of the recent election is responsible for this tragedy," he said. "Many of us were physically threatened by those who believed they were ‘right’ and we were ‘wrong’ – we were ‘enemies,’ rather than sincere people with different opinions. Their incendiary talk – given legitimacy by equally incendiary talk shows – makes violence an acceptable political tactic. Violence as acceptable – bolstered by easy access to guns – made this tragedy almost inevitable. Let us all resolve to recommit ourselves to what is truly exceptional about America – that we conduct our politics with debate and respect, not violence.”
Congressman Bob Filner and I have accompanied Senators and Congress Members to Selma, Alabama each year to protest violence in politics (like that visited upon John Lewis of SNCC and citizens seeking the vote for African Americans.) Attendees include then Senator Barrack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, James Clyburn, Republican Majority Leader Bill Frist and other prominent leaders.
My experience with President Obama and Congressman John Lewis leads me to address this plea those who use violent rhetoric in political debate. “Please prepare in advance an obituary for victims of your hate. Does your incitement to violence load the gun for some unbalanced shooter? Are you giving someone in the shadows permission to kill?”
Bob Zellner
phone: 631 680-3483
email: bob@bobzellner.com
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