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The Dalai Lama Visits Colgate by Diane Stebbins, planetutica.org
Norma Sengupta and I attended a speech given by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, the political and spiritual leader of Tibetans worldwide and an internationally recognized advocate for peace. He spoke at Colgate University’s Sanford Fieldhouse about the need to cultivate compassion. “No one wants to suffer,” he pointed out, “All want happiness. So we should desire to alleviate the suffering of all. This is not easy. We have to determine to make a practice of it every day. It does not come naturally like the love of a mother for her child.”
He drew a comparison about how a turtle will lay eggs then leave them to hatch on their own and fend for themselves while a human mother is biologically compelled to spend many years treating her child with care and affection. The care of a mother for her child is an example of the need for all people to act with affection, compassion and love for all humanity.
The Dalai Lama also answered questions from the audience. He received a large round of applause in his response to a question about differences among religions by replying that all religions should be respected; that no one should try to force his religion on another. He added that “each of us should live a life of compassion and if someone should ask what gives us strength then we can tell them about our religious practices. “Otherwise we should keep quiet!”
A rival sect of Tibetan Buddhists, the Kadampas shouted "Dalai Lama Stop Lying". They handed out brochures which outlined the Dalai Lama's alleged opposition to the practice of their teachings in Tibet. They continued their shouting all through the Dalai Lama's talk and could be heard through the open doors.
When asked about Tibet, the Dalai Lama said that he believes that Tibet will remain under China, but that it should be autonomous similar to the way Mongolia, also under China, is itself autonomous and has been able to maintain its individual culture.
Norma spoke to fellow attendee from Central New York, Judy Grassi, who said that she had come to the event because she had never seen the Dalai Lama in person and “because of his peaceful ideas about resolving problems with loving kindness. She said the world very much needs this message today.” Judy’s friend Donna Goodwin added that the Dalai Lama lives in asylum in India now and when he is in the United States makes his home in Ithaca, NY!
The Dalai Lama said there is much to be optimistic about. The twentieth century began with war but became more peaceful at the new millennium approached. He believes that although the 21st century began with terrorism and war, we will find a way to make it a peaceful century and that we will increasingly recognize our ecological connections and the limitation of material aspirations. Since wars and difficulties are man-made problems, men and women will be able to solve them. The tools we will use to solve these problems are compassion, intelligence, controlling the ups and downs of the mind, determination and understanding. We are very thankful to Colgate for giving us the opportunity to see and hear one of the greatest peacemakers of this age.
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Thousands Gather to Protest Ongoing War in Iraq photo by Don Stebbins
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Thousands Gather in Central New York to Protest War in Iraq By Don and Diane Stebbins, planetutica.org
We were among the approximately 3000 people who gathered in Syracuse this past fall to express our outrage at the continuation of the occupation of Iraq. The Syracuse Peace Council which was one of the event’s organizers (along with Iraq Veterans Against the War NYS) reported in their Peace Newsletter “strong participation from students, organized labor, military families and veterans.” People expressed anger at being told a “myriad of lies concerning the reasons for the war and the lack of progress since the war started over four and a half years ago.”
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Respected Human Rights Activist, Fr. Fred Daley (formerly of Utica) speaks about the war.photo by Don Stebbins
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The marchers represented a cross section of American society and even included Iraq war veterans and the families of military personnel currently in Iraq. The Iraqi war veterans, in particular, expressed the hope that the war would end soon, so that others would not have to face what they described as “a tragic situation where friend and foe become indistinguishable.”
Relatives of men and women stationed in Iraq anxiously reported that they simply “hope and pray every day for an end to the hostilities.”
Several speakers lashed out at the illegality of the war and the disastrous agenda of the Bush administration. Roman Catholic priest Father Fred Daley, formerly of Utica’s St Francis de Sales in Utica, reminded the religious community of their obligation to work for peace with a passionate speech decrying the lack of opposition to the war among the various clergy and churches in the upstate New York area.
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Pride and (Slow) Progress in Central New York By Ron Klopfanstein, planetutica.org
People around the country celebrate June as Gay Pride Month. In our area Mohawk Valley Pride organized a ceremony raising of the Gay Pride rainbow flag outside Uticas City Hall on June 2nd. The event was attended by over 150 people.
The president of Mohawk Valley Pride, Cindy Stacy told PlanetUtica.Org that the days events, particularly the opening statements by Rev. Lynn Ashley of the Barneveld Unitarian Universalist Church reminded attendees why it is important for everyone to come together. Rev. Ashley illustrated how the symbols of the movement both celebrate the progress that has been made in achieving visibility and equality as well as the discrimination overcome in the past and still fought in the present. One of her most moving examples was the pink triangle which during World War II was used to mark gay prisoners in Nazi death camps and is now a symbol of defiance and survival. She also talked about the meaning of the rainbow flag and how it was first displayed in San Francisco in the 1970s and has also been proudly on display at Uticas annual Gay Pride Parades.
Another reason to celebrate came earlier this year when Governor Eliot Spitzer, fulfilled a campaign promise to introduce a bill to legalize same sex marriage. On June 19th New York State Assembly successfully voted 85 to 61 to pass A.B. 8590, the Assemblys bill that would provide same-sex couples with the equal right to marry under state law. According to the Human Rights Campaign blog this groundbreaking bill was supported by Democratic Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito; however other local Assemblymen David R. Townsend, William Magee and Mark Butler voted against the bill.
Although the bill isnt expected to be brought to a vote this year by the Republican-controlled New York State Senate; it represents a ground breaking achievement and fulfills the new governors boldest campaign promise and appropriately coincides with the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Supreme Court decision Loving vs. Virginia which ended the ban on interracial marriage in the United States; and recognized that marriage is one of the "basic civil rights of man" at the heart of the 14th Amendment protections.
Unfortunately this important civil rights bill faces resistance from local state senators such as Joseph Griffo (Republican), who covers much of Central New York. Senator Griffo wrote in an email to PlanetUtica.Org that he does not believe that recognizing marriage by same sex partners is appropriate. Traditional beliefs that define a family structure as based on marriage between a man and a woman, he insisted, are part of the bedrock values in the communities I serve as a Senator.
Senators David Valesky (Democrat) and James Seward (Republican) who also represent portions of Central New York in the state senate did not reply to requests by PlanetUtica.Org for comments.
As Gay Pride Month continues the fight for equality will continue; members of the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered) community will up for their rights to simply live as Mohawk Valley Pride President Cindy Stacy describes, out proud! and they will carry the fight for full marriage equality into New York States future.
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Don Stebbins
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Utica Rome Green Expo Planned For Fall by Don Stebbins, planetutica.org
The Utica Rome Green Expo (URGE) is a free community event to raise environmental awareness. The theme of the URGE is "Sustainable Healthy Environments" Along with an international, national, and regional perspective , the public will also be exposed to practical everyday solutions . The Expo will have exhibits, activities, and educational workshops demonstrating many products and services that promote sustainability . The Expo will strive to show how these sustainable features not only save the consumer money but also have the added benefit of improving their way of life. Attendees might even find future jobs and business ventures in the green economy The URGE will go beyond buzzwords to provide valuable information in a civil and non-partisan manner.
The URGE will take place on September 12, 13, 14, 2008 September 13th and 14th are free and open to the public. September 12th however, is reserved as a networking event for the exhibitors, others in the business community, political and public figures, members of the media, and invited guests. Guests will be able to sample some delicious finger foods and refreshments, enjoy listening to our keynote speaker(s), and get an advanced look at the indoor exhibits.
Any proceeds will go toward making the URGE an annual event. Hopefully the EXPO can also generate enough funds to continue to promote and foster green activities year round throughout our region. We are especially interested in fostering K-12 involvement, since they will be the future stewards of our environment. Monies raised from the Expo and the concessions will enable us to offer prizes and awards to area students for environmentally themed projects and contests.
We'll introduce our Green Local 175TM campaign , to make our green economy come alive and thrive. The URGE is currently partnering with Utica Monday Night to help carry on the green message. Please contact the URGE if your company, organization, or agency would like to do the same. Here are additional ways you can
The Utica-Rome Green Expo partnered with Utica Monday Night to help "green up" and raise environmental awareness in our region with a series of events.
The free events included two already conducted on a final event at the Uptown Theater- a free showing of the popular new move Wall-E and a presentation by climate researcher and Hamilton College professor Eugene Domack titled "The Polar Regions: Climate of Extremes on a Changing Planet."
For information go to www.uticaromegreenexpo.com or call 724-6364.
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