Women and Children Main Casualities of War Between Israel and Hamas

from the Associated Press
LONDON – International doctors called for an end to the violence in Gaza, saying hospitals were scenes of "nightmarish havoc" in articles published Wednesday in The Lancet medical journal. In a special report detailing the human toll of the Gaza offensive, the Lancet said Gaza City's Al Shifa hospital asked for extra refrigeration equipment before the bodies of patients with severe wounds began decomposing.

The hospital, Gaza's largest, reported its 585 beds were filled in the first week of the Israeli offensive.

The Lancet cited the Ministry of Health in Gaza as saying that as of Monday, 292 children and 75 women had been killed in the offensive, with 1,497 children and 626 women wounded.

Neither side in the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians can claim absolute moral authority, yet this is exactly what each side claims for itself. The only thing absolutely true about this situation is that women and children will suffer and die.

Moral Failure in Gaza

Gaza Ambulance
My pastor, Robin Meyers, of the Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ, sent us this message he received from John H. Thomas the General Minister and President of the UCC. Rev. Thomas talks about the UCC's attempt to help with the relief effort for civilians affected by the fighting in the Gaza Strip.

Reports from relief workers in Gaza that we relate to are grim. Also discouraging is the fact that the email blast we sent out on Tuesday with an appeal for funds and a call to action, along with a statement and a lot of background material generated very limited response.

One person complained that we were too anti-Israel. That was about it. I think the public, including most of our members, has bought the administration line that this is about "our friend Israel fighting terrorists." No reference to the broader context of illegal settlements,the wall that is a land grab, the repression of the Occupation, the relentless removal of Palestinians from Jerusalem, and the dwindlingo pportunity for a really viable state. We try, but. . .

I've been invited on Thursday to a meeting with the Transition Team in DC on the subject of Israel-Palestine. This in response to an excellent briefing paper Peter Makari prepared for them. But the "point person" apparently named by the Obama team appears to be AIPAC's dream come true. So I don't anticipate much. Michael Kinnamon has been trying to get a meeting this week with the Israeli ambassador [,]and if that happens I'm to accompany him.

Moral failure? As my time winds down I'm more and more conscious of many failures, none more dismal than the failure of the churches at all levels to mount a consistent and persistent resistance to the war in Iraq and the attending evils.

I'm involved in the Religious Coalition Against Torture and will be in a press conference on Wednesday once again calling for the President/President-elect to adopt a Declaration of Principles Against Torture supported by church leaders and military leaders alike. But. . .too little too late?

At the end of this month we have scheduled a major consultation here on Israel-Palestine and how the UCC can assert itself more aggressively. But even that may now need to be cancelled or postponed as our Palestinian participants are cancelling - either they need to be involved in relief work there and/or are afraid that if they leave the West Bank [,] Israel may make it difficult for them to return. I'm trying to keep my gloom relatively quiet, but as you may sense here, I'm not in a great place at the moment. Thanks for your friendship and passion.

If you wish to help with the United Church of Christ's Gaza relief efforts, go to Gaza Humanitarian Aid Effort at this link.

Visit to Hood River, Oregon

The Columbia River looking across to Washington state
I enjoyed my visit with my family at a very sad occasion. Hood River reminds me in some way of Alton, Illinois where my wife's parents reside. (Actually, they live in "East Alton.") Everything seems like it's at an angle! Since the town is built on a river bank of the Columbia river, all the land slopes down the river much the way that Alton like other towns on the banks of the Mississippi slope down towards the "Father of Waters."

Jim's resting place is in a mountain cemetary that is surrounded by the orchards and vineyards for which that part of Oregon is justly famous. It is also framed by Mounts Hood and Adams. Mount Hood in particular presents a striking image from his gravesite. I could tell that the cemetary has been there for many years because many of the headstones date back to 19th century.
Jim's pine coffin
I was honored to be one of Jim's pallbearers. We had to carry his coffin down a bit of an incline to his gravesite. I was very grateful that Jim insisted on being buried in a "pine box," which helped make the task easier than it could have been. I joked that the eight of us carrying his mortal remains had to be very aware of the "gravity of the situation."

Back Home Again

My father singing "Marvelous Grace" during Jim Beal's memorial service. Jim had requested that the minister's present at his memorial sing the song. He wanted his memorial to be a celebration of grace.
It's good to be back home in Oklahoma. I'll write in more detail about my trip, but I'm very glad I went to Oregon to be with my family at this time.

Some Obama Cartoons for the Inauguration

Thanks to my friend Darlene Griffen for these.

Jim Beal's Obituary

Illstration from ChristArt.com
Jim Beal's life demonstrated the truth of the statement that some people are the only Bible other's will read.
His wife, my sister, sent along Jim's obitutary:

Pastor Jim Beals, of Hood River, OR, died at his home on Monday, January 05, 2009 at 12:50am. Jim was diagnosed in Stage IV colon cancer in August 2002 and although his prognosis was bleak, he fought hard to live to help his wife Becky raise their girls, Sarah Jo, Juliann, and Dena. His first love, though was to Whom he devoted his life – his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Born September 29, 1960 in Sioux City, IA to Ken and Joyce Beals, Jim had one brother, Steve. Jim graduated from High School in Sioux City and then went off to college at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, KS. His call to ministry began when he heard a gentleman speak in chapel about coming to serve for a summer at Golden Bell Ranch, a church camp in Colorado. That gentleman would eventually become Jim’s father-in-law as he and Becky were later married at that camp in the mountains of Colorado on November 26, 1982.

He finished his schooling at Southern Nazarene University where Becky was attending and received his Master’s degree at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. His ministry years began in Livermore, CA as an Associate pastor, Grants Pass, OR as a senior pastor and then Jim and his family came to Hood River in March of 1997.

He was privileged to pastor the Hood River Church of the Nazarene for nearly 12 years. Jim’s heart for leading people to the Lord led him to tell the Lord that he was willing to do whatever it took to win people for Him, even if it meant losing his life. He always felt like his cancer diagnosis was a response to that prayer and he used his cancer journey to touch the lives of people literally across the world. ]

He had a passion for missions and it inspired him to go on several work and witness trips to Africa, Russia and Fiji. He was able to take each of his girls on some of those trips to instill in them a love of people around the world.

Mostly his hobbies included something to do with electronics as he was always interested in the latest gadget.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Becky, and his children, Sarah Jo and John Bechtold of Olathe, KS, daughter Juliann, a junior at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City, and daughter Dena, a senior at Hood River Valley High School. He is also survived by his parents, Ken and Joyce Beals, of Sioux City, IA, his brother Steve, Arika, Emory and Gwendolyn Beals of Rapid City, S D.

Other family includes his in-laws: Bob and Jo Green and Jan Green of Bothell, WA; Lynn and Cat Green of Okla City; Lonnie, Christie and Scott Green of Bryan, TX; Rick, Marylynn, Tarah and Ben Warren (OK), Andrea and Marla Green of Brookings, OR; Steve, Teri, Ryan(WA), Rob and Angie Green of Bend, OR, and a host of Beals and Green family members who loved him.

Jim is preceded in death by his grandparents, Uncles and an Aunt and his much-loved nephew, Spencer Green.

He also leaves behind the church family, the people of the Hood River Church of the Nazarene to whom he has loved and devoted his time and talents.

Any memorial contributions may be donated in his memory to this Nazarene Church. Pastor Jim’s memorial service will be held at the Hood River Church of the Nazarene this Friday, January 9, 2009, at 3:00pm. The Church is located at 2168 Belmont Drive in Hood River, OR.

ChristArt.com

Jim Beals Passes His Final

I got word this morning that my brother-in-law, Jim Beals, died early this morning. Or as my sister Becky, Jim's wife, said, Jim was finally healed.

Jim Beals Journey of Grace Is Coming to an End

Some of my family got together during the last Southern Nazarene University Homecoming. Jim is the nearest on the left and his wife Becky, my sister, is across from him on the right
I have been informed that my brother-in-law Jim Beals is nearing the end of his 6 year plus bout with cancer. Jim is married to my sister Becky and pastors the Hood River Church of the Nazarene in Hood River, Oregon. Jim has put up a courageous fight as has his entire family, but he has now been checked into a hospice in Hood River and the family has been called home. I may be joining them soon. Jim wrote his testimony for something called "Relay for Life" which can be accessed here:Jim Beals "My Journey"

Al Franken Wins Minnesota Senate Seat

I have to admit that even I find this to be a bit bizarre, but very welcome.
With the recount now complete, absentee ballots have pushed Franken to a 225 vote lead over Norm Coleman, making Franken's eventual victory now appear all but certain.

Proposed Sam Bradford Statue

Bradford Heisman Statue
A friend sent me this funny picture. It's supposed to be the statue that will be put the "Heisman Park" at the University of Oklahoma. If any of you don't get the concept, here's Bradford's "Heisman Momemt" against OSU.

Boomer Sooner!

New Year, Same Old Resolutions

Happy 2009!
I once was big on New Year's Resolutions. I always wanted to "reinvent" myself. So I resolved to read more, eat less, exercise more, worry less, write more, criticize less and so on.

I usually found that by the 2nd week of the new year, whatever year it was, I was pretty much back to being the same old, same old I'd always been.

The New Year is really just an artificial creation that helps to give us some fixed points in our lives. There is nothing natural about designating the 12th or 11th day after the winter solstice as the beginning of a new historical era. So why do we put such importance on it as a time of new beginnings other than the fact that we have a need to look back and look ahead and this is about the best we've been able to come up with so far?

I do want to do some things better this year just as I want to make some improvement all through my life.

I want to be a better job as a political organizer. I don't know yet if that means I will run again for Oklahoma County chairman or try for some other office in the Democratic Party, but I resolve to stay involved and do my best at whatever I do.

I want to be a better teacher. My students deserve the best I can give them, so I'm going to work on planning my lessons and getting my grading done in a timely manner.

I want to be healthier, so I'm going to work a little at it this year. We'll see how long that lasts.

I want to be a better person, so I'm going to work things of the spirit. I once studied for the ministry, and I've never lost my interest in spirituality, so I'd like to explore this part of my life again.

I also resolve to get back on this blog more. I enjoy writing, and some tell me they enjoy reading some of what I have to say.

So here's to a new year, and a not so new, but hopefully, improved me.

If anyone is reading this, I wish you a safe, properous New Year.

"Out of Many, We are One"

Photo Mosaic Poster by Anne Savage

I ordered two of these for myself and my wife Cat. You can order one for $20 at this at Revolutionary Views

Merry Christmas

Right now the "Green-LaFlamme" household is in "nursing mode." My wife, Cat, had hip surgery to repair some torn "cushion" in her hip socket and to straighten out a thign bone that had become curved over the years.

The doctors hope that this way Cat can avoid hip replacement surgery.

So far, she's doing well, doing her therapy exercises, using her walker. (She says it reminds her of that scene in the Mel Brookes musical The Producers where all the little old ladies do a chorus line dance with their walkers.


I get to place nurse, which has its own joys. I get to be important to her and build up "Brownie points" for later redemption.

Hope you are enjoying the love of your own family in whatever form that may take in your case.

My Worship Leader Remarks at Mayflower Church

"A Candle in Hope" by Juntos

I have not been posting in quite a while. Frankly, for some reason I did not feel much like writing, but I hope now to begin once again. Here are the remarks I made at Mayflower Congregational Church on Christmas Sunday as the lay Worship Leader.

For those of us living in Oklahoma who believe passionately in social justice, 2008 has been “the best of times” and “the worst of times,” a real “Dickens” of a time. Sorry, but I’ve been saving that pun for a while now.

At this time, how appropriate it is that we gather here on the winter solstice when our part of the world goes through its longest darkness. We gather to celebrate the birth of Hope, which first came during one of the very darkest of times. In a time of terror and fear, a man of questionable birth brought us Hope and taught us to live lives of Hope by revealing to us the Life of Grace: God’s enabling power which helps us to realize our true potential.

And that’s what I love about you. You live such gracious lives. You recognize that you have received Grace. And having received Grace, you know you must show grace to others by helping them to enjoy all the wonderful possibilities that God wants all of us to realize in her creation.
You make Hope live in our world by being God’s Agents of Grace

Thank you for living graciously. For without people like you, we would be facing a “season of Darkness” without the prospect of “the spring of hope."

Truly Evil

Pearls Before Swine

I Love It!

Election Map Provided by the Associated Press
Oklahoma has the distinction of being the reddest state in this last election. Not only did Oklahoma give John McCain's campaign its largest margin of victory, we were the only state in the nation where President-elect Barack Obama lost every single country. That may change but it may take some time. We have often been a "lag state" when it comes to matters of politics and social justice.

The GOP is presently a regional party, not a national one. You might notice that it's presence is limited to Appalachia, the Deep South, the Plains States, and some of the Inter-Mountain West. The Democratic Party has all of New England, the Upper Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic, some of the border South, the rest of the Inter-Mountain West, and all the West Coast. Oklahoma is at the crossroads of the Deep South and the Plains State. The Democrats are starting to make enroads into the Plains and South. GOP demographics are heavily weighed on the side of the elderly, rural Americans, and blue collar Whites, not exactly an expanding demographics. Democrats are gaining among the young, the college educated, and they are gaining in the suburbs. Democrats have gained Latino voters due to the GOP's radical anti-Latino agenda. Oklahoma is looking more and more like yesterday's America, and not a model for the rest of the country. We will see how long the Republicans are able to maintain the redoubt they have in Oklahoma.

Early Voting Ancedote

My pastor told me a story that came from the time he did his early voting. He and his wife went to vote on Friday. They stood in line with a elderly black woman who had to walk with the aid of a cane. They were in line for an hour and a half before they could cast their ballots.

My pastor, of course, talked with this woman at lengt while in line. After she finally was able to cast her ballot, he asked her what this moment, being able to vote for an African-American candidate, meant to her.

She said, "Well, preacher, the way I see it is that Rosa Parks sat down. . .

so that Martin Luther King, Jr. could walk. . .

so that Barack Obama could run. . .

so that our children can fly."

First Rule of Rhetoric: Know Who Your Audience Is

from Talking Points Memo. Com

A reader in TPM sent in this story which shows a great deal about the McCain organization:

Interesting anecdote and probably a testament to ground organization. I have no idea what this means. Friday night (which happens to be the start of our Sabbath) my wife answered the phone to hear a man stating he was from the McCain-Palin campaign. He asked who she was supporting. She replied that we will vote for Obama. He replied with "but he's a f-----g n---er!". Before I get to my wife's response I'll first have to say that I understand desperation and I also understand that this pitch may actually work for a few people. I also understand that there are people who are whack-jobs phone-banking for both sides. But here are some facts:
My wife and I are Black. Citing the fact that Obama is a f----g n---er as a way to sway our vote may not be a great idea. My wife and I live in Maryland... Baltimore, MD.... One of the most African American areas of Baltimore Maryland. How on earth did our phone numbers get on to a McCain volunteers phone bank list of potential voters to be calling at this stage in the game? We have never received a call from the Obama campaign.

Just weird. Not sure what to make of it... but that's not a good sign of organization. If it did anything it made us want to donate more. BTW, the rest of the call went downhill from there. My wife prayed for forgiveness after the call.

Cat and I Early Voted Today

Early voting line at the Oklahoma County Election Board on Tuesday. Photograph from The Oklahoman web site.

Cat and I went to vote early today at the Oklahoma County Election Board. We had heard that the average voting time on Friday, the first day of early voting in Oklahoma, was about 3 hours. So we were prepared for a long wait.

Still it was amazing and wonderful to see the line to the polling place stretch out some 6 or 7 blocks out from the Election Board and down the street in front of the site. We ended up waiting 4 hours to vote, but was well worth it.

Over 5000 people voted on Friday when the polls were open from 8-6. Today, they closed at 1pm, but I expect the total voting will approach yesterday's total.

The crowd seemed to be overwhelmingly pro-Obama and Democratic Party. I did not see one person wearning campaign material for McCain or any Republican. I saw many wearing buttons and shirts supporting Obama and other Democrats, including moi.

I wore my "Super Obama" t-shirt that I got from StylinOnline.com.

It caused a great reaction, as you might imagine. I had several people ask to take my picture. There was even a camera crew of students from OU doing a documentary about the presidential race who saw the shirt and asked for an interview.

We had a great time, and it did not seem like it took 4 hours, till we got finished and realized that our legs were very sore from standing around on the parking lot surface for so long. Still it was a small price to pay to be able to take part in history!