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Here’s the thing, human rights is not something that should be politicized. Real people with lives, with other real people who love them, exist outside the confines of our modern, clean homes in Western Civilization. Doing the right thing by those folks is not something that should be difficult. After all – that’s why we pass the plate every Sunday morning. To help others, to give freely of ourselves.
But those gifts shouldn’t be the faithful equivalent to outsourcing jobs. We can’t outsource our humanity.
Currently, I’m writing on Morocco. And Sudan. And Congo. And other dismal places with horrible problems. I have found such an abundance of love, of human strength and faith. The moral force of doing what is right compels me to do more.
I’m waiting on calls to be returned from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Two organizations that I have vehemently disagreed with in the past….Guantanamo, ahem. But alas, as there are no right-leaning organizations doing the same work – I will call the folks with skin in the game.
It is fascinating to depart the full-time political game for something that, to me, is more meaningful. But just so my readers know, I still have some pretty strong opinions about the midterm elections and the prospects for 2012. I promise to share them soon.
In the meantime, remember that we must live right and be worthy if we are to expect worthy partners in love, in business and in life.
–Media Lizzy
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Hi. First time reader here.
Maybe I’m being a bit dense, but I don’t understand your position re: “human rights is not something that should be politicized”.
If you’re referring to state action, then even if the end being pursued is the promotion of ‘human rights’ (which can be ambiguous & in the eye of the beholder), then choosing our course of action will necessarily be a political exercise.
Doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do regardless of the political consequences sounds good, but in practice there usually isn’t unanimity on what the right thing is.
Okay – just listened to your podcast with Lisa Shannon. (BTW- That’s episode #7, but #’s 1-6 are no longer available for download. Thought you’d want to know.)
I have a better idea of what you probably mean. The bill you spoke of shouldn’t be politicized by special business interests or partisanship. You’d probably agree with me, though that there are some means of fighting to improve human rights in Africa which SHOULD be subjected to political debate and wrangling before they could become policy. (For example- U.S. peacekeeping forces or directly confronting China over their role.)
I’d be interested to hear more about that bill – especially how it’s supposed to work with regard to the export of mineral wealth.
Thanks for the 411 on episodes 1-6. I’ll ask my producer what’s up. Am a bit swamped with some new stories – but absolutely appreciate your comments and will respond shortly. Thank you!!!