Laura McNamara

Recent Activity

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  Laura signed the petition | 12 days ago

  Tell the FDA: Label genetically engineered foods
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  Laura signed the petition | 12 days ago

  Apple: Protect Workers Making iPhones in Chinese Factories
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  Laura signed the petition | about 1 month ago

  Do not be fooled this is abuse!
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  Laura signed the petition | 5 months ago

  Tell Delaware Attorney General Biden: Revoke Massey Energy's corporate charter
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  Laura signed the petition | 5 months ago

  Ask The State Of Colorado To Protect The Green And Colorado Rivers, Say No To Flaming Gorge Pipeline
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  Laura commented on the article | about 2 years ago

  What Christians Owe the Poor

  I'm another who agrees that "owe" is a very poor word to use here. But yes, we should be more mindful of the poor.

  
  

  I love this quote from Boondock Saints:

  
  

  Now, we must all fear evil men. But there is another kind of evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men. —Monsignor, Boondock Saints (1999)

  
  

  That being said, our aim should not be to "feed a man to fish," but to "teach a man to fish." We should be coming up with ways to teach the poor how to overcome their poverty. Not simply wait for the next hand out.

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  Laura commented on the article | about 2 years ago

  South Carolina Lt. Governor Compares Poor People to Stray Animals

  Honestly Jim, comments like yours really frustrate me. Lt. Gov. Bauer was wrong. But doing wrong to him only results in more... injustice. No, he should not be locked up. Perhaps his leadership at Lt. Gov. should be taken away, but only his state constituents can do that... thank God... due to our upstanding codes of democracy which aim to provide the most fair system of electing leadership.
  
  I challenge all of you of the "lock him up" camp to come up with some real solutions instead of what is really a nasty, totalitarian response.

  
  

  One of my favorite quotes about justice comes from David Gregory Roberts' book Shantaram:

  
  

  "Justice is a judgement that is both FAIR and FORGIVING…justice is NOT ONLY the way WE PUNISH those who do wrong. It is also the was WE TRY TO SAVE them.”

  
  

  All these responses about "locking him up" in no way attempt to be fair and forgiving. In no way does such a response attempt to try to save people like him from their own damaging ways of thinking. Justice is not only about accusing the wrong... its about rehabilitating with compassion so that those who commit the wrong can begin to understand why its wrong and CHANGE.

  
  

  Quit taking the easy way out by pointing fingers and simply sputtering "lock him up!"

  
  

  Instead, come up with real ways to solve the issue. Come up with real ways to demonstrate to people that the poor shouldn't be treated like a dog. But guess what... if you bark like a dog (even if you're not a dog) chances are, more people will treat you like a dog. So quit barking like a dog by saying "lock him up and never let him out."

  
  

   

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  Laura commented on the article | about 2 years ago

  South Carolina Lt. Governor Compares Poor People to Stray Animals

  Honestly Jim, comments like yours really frustrate me. Lt. Gov. Bauer was wrong. But doing wrong to him only results in more... injustice. No, he should not be locked up. Perhaps his leadership at Lt. Gov. should be taken away, but only his state constituents can do that... thank God... due to our upstanding codes of democracy which aim to provide the most fair system of electing leadership.
  
  I challenge all of you of the "lock him up" camp to come up with some real solutions instead of what is really a nasty, totalitarian response.

  
  

  One of my favorite quotes about justice comes from David Gregory Roberts' book Shantaram:

  
  

  "Justice is a judgement that is both FAIR and FORGIVING…justice is NOT ONLY the way WE PUNISH those who do wrong. It is also the was WE TRY TO SAVE them.”

  
  

  All these responses about "locking him up" in no way attempt to be fair and forgiving. In no way does such a response attempt to try to save people like him from their own damaging ways of thinking. Justice is not only about accusing the wrong... its about rehabilitating with compassion so that those who commit the wrong can begin to understand why its wrong and CHANGE.

  
  

  Quit taking the easy way out by pointing fingers and simply sputtering "lock him up!"

  
  

  Instead, come up with real ways to solve the issue. Come up with real ways to demonstrate to people that the poor shouldn't be treated like a dog. But guess what... if you bark like a dog (even if you're not a dog) chances are, more people will treat you like a dog. So quit barking like a dog by saying "lock him up and never let him out."

  
  

   

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  Laura commented on the article | about 2 years ago

  South Carolina Lt. Governor Compares Poor People to Stray Animals

  Awesome that you understand where I was coming from...  but I figured you might. You seem pretty smart to me.
  
  Try letting go of that resent though. Resent only hurts you...
  
  The best motivation for helping others is not resent but sincere desire that they can have a better life that is more fulfilling for them. I imagine if we approach people with sincerity instead of resent we'll have more positive outcomes from them.

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  Laura commented on the article | about 2 years ago

  South Carolina Lt. Governor Compares Poor People to Stray Animals

  Henry, you have such a powerful and inspirational story. Much insight to share.

  
  

  But then, you follow up that insight with agressive words that immediately make someone want to plug up their ears.

  
  

  I think we all agree that those who abuse the welfare system are not favored. But, telling them to go to Hell certainly isn't going to achieve anything.

  
  

   

  
  

  Keep sharing your story. Instill in others the work ethic and thrift your parents instilled in you. I mean, did your parents yell: "HOW DARE YOU ASK FOR MORE CHICKEN YOU LITTLE PIGGY!! WE NEED THAT CHICKEN FOR TOMORROW'S DINNER!! EAT MORE POTATOES IF YOU'RE STILL HUNGRY YOU LITTLE RAT!!"

  
  

  It doesn't sound like it. It seems to me that your parents enforced their rules in a firm, but compassionate way. They explained in a calm manner why they would like you to opt for more potatoes instead of chicken. They didn't insult you for being hungry.

  
  

  Please follow their example. Instead of calling people that are abusing the welfare system parasites (or strays like Lt. Gov. Bauer), start offering firm but compassionate codes that should be adopted. Show you're understanding.

  
  

  Appeal to a desire that you know they might want, having been in the same situation yourself. I know that when I've been down and out on luck, needing the help of others, I get frustrated that I don't have many rights to ask for changes. If Im staying at a friend's house because he is generouslly offering me shelter, I can't demand that he quite smoking in his own home because it makes me cough. Thus, that non-liberty motivated me to find another solution faster. Having been in a similar situation, I would imagine you might be able to identify what it is people that are on welfare don't like about being on welfare. Then you use that by sharing your insight on how overcoming dependancy on welfare means overcoming that dislike or limitation. You also share ways they might overcome welfare by sharing the ways you did.

  
  

  Be positive. Optimism instigates change, not negativity. If you unjustly call people names, they won't listen and then we're all still stuck with the problem, including you.
  
  And remember, change doesn't happen overnight. Be positive and stick with it. Like I said, you really do have most inspiring and valuable insight to share. I challenge you to figure out how to deliver that insight you have so tantilizingly that people who are used to relying on welfare, content upon relying on welfare become disconent... wanting what you have found. That's the key. Create in them the desire to change. How do we do that? Through compassion and insight. You've got the insight... now show us the compassion!