Life under Shadow
WISDOM TO GUIDE IN 2019. TRUST vs DESPAIR
WISDOM TO GUIDE IN 2019. TRUST vs DESPAIR
In my Theory of Man, I describe the Seven Dimensions of Man, the Physical, the Mental, the Social, the Moral, the Spiritual, the Rational, and the Creative that constitute the Singularity that is recognized as Man. For the he Man’s Existence can only be accounted as a creative event, the problem of Despair can be outweighed by placing the Trust in the LORD God Creator.
In my rational analysis, the Subjective and the Objective Reality of the Man’s Existence in the Physical World can only be accounted by the Unity between Man and his Creator. The Man-God Connection, Relationship, Partnership, Association, Coming Together, Bonding, and Yoking is the fundamental basis of Human Existence at any stage of existence, at any given time, and any given place.
I acknowledge the problems of extreme hardship confronting me from various directions and yet they cannot totally crush my Spirit. I am perplexed but not destroyed.
Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada
https://bhavanajagat.com/2016/03/02/tat-asmi-prabhu-fifth-mahavakya-existence-precedes-essence/
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THE BUSINESS OF PEACEMAKING-BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
THE BUSINESS OF PEACEMAKING–BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
I commend the U.S. Institute of Peace for organizing a two-day Peace Conclave in Dharamshala to give encouragement to 27 youth peace activists by directly meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I warmly congratulate these young participants for their efforts to promote Peace, Harmony, and Tranquility in the communities where they live.
Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada
https://wholedude.com/2018/10/16/blessed-are-the-peacemakers-marching-for-peace-in-occupied-tibet/
Dalai Lama’s pep talk for young peacekeepers
The 14th Dalai Lama, a Tibetan spiritual leader, was self-deprecating and even playful to put his guests at ease, but peacemaking is serious business.
The Dalai Lama meets with young people in Dharamsala, India, in October 2018. (Photo: Rohini Das/U.S. Institute of Peace)
DHARAMSALA, India — For a few days this fall, more than two dozen educated and articulate young peacekeepers from some of the most dangerous countries in the world gathered at the feet of the Dalai Lama eager for solace, guidance and comfort.
They described experiences alien to anything that young Americans could understand: working to quell misery in places where governments are repressive, ethnic or tribal conflict is rife, or religious extremist groups such as the Islamic State or Boko Haram are savage.
One of them was Sulaiman Qauymi, 28, a journalist and co-founder of a conflict-resolution group in Afghanistan. “I’m living in a country where the people start the day talking about war, battle, conflict, suicide attack, terror and killing,” he told the Dalai Lama. “It’s a major topic of my life and my people each day until we go to bed.”
Su Su, 26, is a peace activist from strife-torn Myanmar. (She and a few others asked that their full names be withheld because of safety concerns.) “I want inspiration from you,” she told the 83-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama.
The U.S. Institute of Peace helped arrange the conclave in this nearly mile-high city in the foothills of the Himalayas. The theory was simple. The world-renowned spiritual leader who had led his Tibetan government into exile at age 24 six decades before, fleeing brutal Chinese communist aggression, could galvanize 27 youth leaders whose age averages 25.
I was one of a handful of older professionals invited to accompany the pilgrimage. The event lasted two days in a wood-paneled hall of the Dalai Lama’s residence as the young adults, against a backdrop of orchids and Buddha tapestries, implored the holy man for guidance.
Thrilling feminists
He was attentive and generous with his time, at moments self-deprecating and even playful to put his guests at ease. He thrilled feminists in the room one morning with the revelation that a female Dalai Lama could certainly be a reality one day.
But as the hours passed and the youth leaders unburdened themselves, the Dalai Lama would almost sag under the weight of their frustrations and doubts about resolve.
Kode Kenaime, 27, a peace activist with twin graduate degrees from the Central African Republic, where Muslim-Christian violence has left thousands dead, talked of slain family members and “darkness in my mind, my heart (and) full feelings of revenge. It’s not easy for me, but I keep working as a peace-builder.”
Meron Kocho, 28, an activist and ethnic Yazidi from northern Iraq, said Islamic State fighters made refugees of his family, turned girls into sex slaves and conscripted boys as soldiers. “We saw so much hate that we started to hate,” he told the Dalai Lama.
An end to empathy
Wadi Ben-Hirki, who at 21 has earned awards for her work educating children, seeking to empower women, and pushing to end child marriage and genital mutilation in her native Nigeria, talked of becoming inured to the depredations of the notorious Boko Haram terror group. “I’m scared of not being able to empathize anymore because I’m used to the pain,” she said.
Others — Mohamed Ahmed, 22, co-founder of a peace group in Somalia; Dalia Anez, 26, a Venezuelan lawyer who trains human rights leaders; and Hayder Ghanimi, 28, who leads a peace workshop in Baghdad — questioned the feasibility of success.
“Have you ever lost hope?” Hayder asked.
The Dalai Lama steered them back to basics. The paths they have chosen to educate, to promote dialogue, to build peaceful coexistence is long and difficult. “I don’t expect some overnight change is possible,” the Dalai Lama told them, hearkening back to his many decades of struggle. “A peaceful world within my lifetime will not be achieved.”
They must be patient, he told them. And the antidote to feelings of anger or despair is the compassion and optimism that gave seed to their commitment to peace. “Optimism is the source of success,” he said. “Pessimism is the source of defeat.”
Is change possible? “Yes, 100 percent.”
It was a pep talk one could only pray would succeed. Harsh realities awaited the youth leaders back in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Tunisia; in Somalia, Nigeria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic; in Myanmar and Afghanistan; and in Venezuela and Colombia.
They seemed happy, fulfilled and inspired as they left Dharamsala and the Dalai Lama.
They were, without question, inspiring.
Gregg Zoroya is a USA TODAY editorial writer and author of “The Chosen Few: A Company of Paratroopers and Its Heroic Struggle to Survive in the Mountains of Afghanistan.” Follow him on Twitter: @greggzoroya
THE LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS: MY BODY IS INDIAN BUT SPIRITUALLY I’M TIBETAN
THE LIVING TIBETAN SPIRITS: MY BODY IS INDIAN BUT SPIRITUALLY I’M TIBETAN
Following the visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s visit to Ann Arbor, MI, USA in 2008, I coined the phrase ‘The Living Tibetan Spirits’. I am not a monk. I am speaking of my ‘spirituality’ in the context of hosting the ‘Spirits’ of young Tibetan soldiers who gave their precious lives while taking part in military action that initiated the Liberation of Bangladesh during 1971. I claim that I am Tibetan for I host their ‘Spirits’ in my Consciousness.
Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada
https://bhavanajagat.com/2012/09/29/spiritualism-the-
“Self-grasping (or self-focus) gives rise to suffering. It is the root of all afflictions.”
– The Dalai Lama, as translated Saturday by Thupten Jinpa.
“At the root of all our suffering lies a form of ignorance, a form of unknowing.”
– The Dalai Lama, as translated Saturday by Thupten Jinpa
‘My body is Tibetan but spiritually I’m an Indian,’ says the Dalai Lama
Clipped from: https://in.news.yahoo.com/body-tibetan-spiritually-apos-m-061025047.html
In a freewheeling interview with HT, the Dalai Lama speaks on wide-ranging spiritual and political issues, including what he thinks of India-China ties.
On the outer periphery of Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya in Bihar, a mere few hundred steps from the Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment more than 2,000 years ago, the 14th Dalai Lama prays and meets his followers in a monastery behind an iron security curtain. Inside the temple, Trinley Thaye Dorje, the co-claimant along with Ogyen Trinley Dorje for the title of 17th Karmapa or head of Karma Kagyu school, is preaching to his followers from all over the world on Buddhism. The 17th Karmapa will become the key leader of Tibetan Buddhism in case the 14th Dalai Lama dies without reincarnation. The two religious leaders have no common ground because of the Dalai Lama, like China, recognizes Ogyen Dorje, who left India for the US in May 2017 and acquired citizenship of Dominica in March this year, as the real Karmapa.
On Sunday morning after he discreetly meets a group of monks that has made its way from Tibet Autonomous Region of China, the frail-looking but mentally alert 84-year-old spiritual leader of the Tibetan people talked exclusively to Shishir Gupta on wide-ranging political and spiritual issues. Edited excerpts:
How is your health these days?
Quite Good… Not very good …. for an 84-year-old person, quite good. I go for morning walks in Dharamshala also…. Here I take around 600 steps each morning in the monastery.
What was the reason for the indefinite postponement of the 13th Religious Conference of the Schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Tradition (November 29-December 1, 2018) in Dharamshala? The conference was called to discuss the future of the institution of Dalai Lama.
One important lama (Kathok Getse Rinpoche, Head of Nyingma school) suddenly passed away. The conference had to be postponed as it was a period of mourning. It has nothing to do with 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje not getting a visa to visit India. I could not meet Thaye Dorje as he was not present when I went for pilgrimage to the Stupa.
Do you talk to both Ogyen and Thaye?
No, I have not yet met Thaye Dorje. Recently, the two met in France. A rightful beginning. Shamar Rinpoche, the nephew of 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje who took refuge in Sikkim after 1959 uprising, told me that there were indications that Thaye Dorje was the reincarnation of the previous Karmapa. In the meantime, Situ Rinpoche (the rival regent) appointed Ogyen Dorje as the Karmapa. I mentioned to Shamar that a high lama in the 19th century had five reincarnations. It is possible for 16th Karmapa to have few reincarnations but the holder of the seat should be one. This is like the two Panchen Lamas with Gedhun Choekyi Nyima (proclaimed by Dalai Lama as reincarnation on May 14, 1995) still alive (other being Gyaltsen Norbu who was appointed by the Chinese government). But then some group told me that I should not be talking about the possibility of two or three reincarnations. I said, OK, then I will keep quiet.
Then who will decide the rightful one heir to the seat?
Situ Rinpoche found a remarkable child (Ogyen Dorje) in Tibet. They came to see me and finalize that. Then I said yes to Ogyen as the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa.
There are now two Panchen Lamas, two Karmapas, now the question comes to the tallest lama, the Dalai Lama. Have you initiated the process of your reincarnation because the Chinese government has already initiated the process?
No, no, no. That is not my business. I made it clear as early as in 1969 that it was up to the Tibetan people to decide whether the very institution of Dalai Lama should continue or not. They will decide. I have no concern. Since the 5th Dalai Lama, the (person holding the) title was the head of both temporal and spiritual affairs. Since 2001, I have proudly, voluntarily and happily given up the political role. We have already achieved elected political leadership (Centralized Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala) and they carry their full responsibility about our temporal affairs. I have totally retired since 2011. So, my thinking is more liberal than Chinese thinking which is more orthodox.
But how will people under stress in Tibet decide whether the institution of Dalai Lama should continue?
It should be decided in a free country, not in Tibet, where there is no freedom.
Have you initiated the process of dialogue on the Dalai Lama institution?
No. Formally, not yet. As the Dalai Lama institution is close to Mongolia, Mongolian people should be involved. I think there should be an international Buddhist conference involving Himalayan people and other Buddhist countries to decide on this. My main concern is that my body, speech, mind, and life should be useful to other people. So long as space remains, and suffering remains, I remain. My daily prayer is the source of my inner strength. This institution of Dalai Lama, I half-jokingly, half-seriously say, has lasted six to seven hundred years should cease with the 14th with grace. If the 15th Dalai Lama turns out to be naughty as the sixth, then the institution will cease in disgrace. The institution could voluntarily and democratically cease with the 14th Dalai Lama being quite famous (he laughs).
Has your middle way approach with China worked? Is it going to benefit Tibetans at all?
Oh yes. Like Germany and France after centuries of fighting came together after second World War to form European Union on shared common values, we also want to be part of the Peoples Republic of China provided the Tibetan culture, language, knowledge, and environment are protected. We get a more economic benefit for material development as China is rich economically but spiritually, we can help millions of Chinese Buddhists. This is mutually beneficial. Historically, Tibet has never been part of China and this even some Chinese historians admit. But past is past, we must live harmoniously and happily together rather than talk in terms of our nation and their nation. People ask me about the future of India and China relations. I say that neither India nor China has the capability to destroy each other. They must live happily side by side with minor irritants. Ultimately, Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai should be the principle. One must remember that there are around 400 million Chinese Buddhists who are inspired by Tibetan Buddhism, which in turn derives the majority of its strength from the Nalanda traditions.
There are media reports about Dr. Lobsang Sangay, President of Centralized Tibetan Administration (CTA) often disregarding the advice of the 14th Dalai Lama. How is your relationship with him?
No. As he is the head of elected political leadership, all decision-making is in his hand. I have never tried to control the political leadership. But in the meantime, he believes me and trusts me. There are some small rumors.
Will Ogyen Dorje return to India? We are told that the 17th Karmapa claimant is putting conditions to the Indian Government for his return?
That I don’t know. Most probably, I think he will return. I recently had discussions with the Ministry of External Affairs and told them that it is between the government of India and Ogyen to decide. I have no problems. It is his business. Not an important matter. There is no question of the Tibetan movement splintering in this context.
Are you looking forward to a pilgrimage to China?
Yes. Sure. As far (back) as 1954, I expressed my desire to the Chinese government to visit Wutai Shan, the home of 13th Dalai Lama. I was told that there was no road. I still have that desire, but it is up to the Chinese government. Once a high Tibetan lama wanted to go to Bodh Gaya, but his disciple said that the real Bodh Gaya is in your heart. Historically, the Wutai Shan is the seat of Deva of wisdom. Whether I am there physically or not, that wisdom from the Deva is already in my brain…. very sharp.
Is there any back channel open with the Chinese for resolving the Tibetan issue?
After we decided not to seek independence from China in 1974, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping decided to have direct contact with us through my elder brother and the dialogue started in 1979. We sent four fact-finding missions to Tibet from 1979 but the dialogue ceased with the death of Deng in 1997. The official dialogue again started under President Jiang Zemin in 2002 but ceased in June 2010. Since then there is only an informal channel open with Chinese retired officials and private businessmen coming to see me from time to time. And they have some connection with the top leader. The Chinese are not in touch with the CTA. We never used the word Tibetan Government in exile. It is the Chinese who have used this and recognized them (he laughs).
Of late various heads of government refuse to meet you fearing the reaction of a now all-powerful China? What is your reaction to it?
I have nothing to ask from any head of state or country. I think they are afraid of the Chinese reaction. I met Barack Obama as former US President and Nobel laureate as also late President George Bush Senior. My visit to Sri Lanka was canceled at the last moment. I have not visited Thailand since it established diplomatic relations with China. I am never allowed into Buddhist countries because I am a Buddhist (he laughs) except Japan.
Any plans to visit the US and meet President Donald Trump?
No because of my physical condition. Normally, I used to go to the US annually for a medical check-up. One Indian doctor found traces of prostate cancer at the Mayo Clinic in USA. A team of 10 doctors discussed and ruled out surgery due to my age and side effects. Instead, I got radiation and have been completely cured of the disease. I have not traveled to the US in the past two years as it is too far, and I cannot handle too much physical exertion. So instead of going to the US for treatment, I go to a private hospital in Delhi.
US President Donald Trump has just signed “The Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act 2018”, which allows the Tibetans to return to their homeland or else the Chinese officials stopping them face sanctions. What is your reaction to this?
The present president of the greatest democratic nation is a bit unpredictable. So, I am in no position to comment on this as I do not know enough. But both the US houses have been strong supporters of Tibet over the decades and so has been the American government. American people love Tibet.
What is your reaction when you were asked to shift “Thank You India” event to mark 60 years of your exile in New Delhi to Dharamshala in April?
The Indian government tried to avoid any obstacle to their relations with China. That is understandable. That is OK. I was not unhappy. Not much. Nothing. Basically, our relations with India are centuries old since a Nalanda master introduced Buddha Dharma in Sanskrit tradition in the 8th century. My body is Tibetan but spiritually and mentally I am an Indian. Today 10,000 monks and now nuns are studying in Nalanda Buddhist traditions with total freedom and not in any restricted environment in Tibet.
Will you or your people ever be able to return to their homeland, Tibet?
India is the only place where modern education meets ancient knowledge, which is needed to tackle emotions. I am committed to reviewing the ancient Indian knowledge to tackle emotions. For these things’ freedom is very important. My return to Tibet is of no use if there is no freedom. I prefer this country and this freedom and then I am the longest guest of India.
CHOOSING THE DALAI LAMA SUCCESSOR IS NOT CHINA’S BUSINESS
CHOOSING THE DALAI LAMA SUCCESSOR IS NOT CHINA’S BUSINESS
The discovery of the Dalai Lama Successor is not China’s business. In fact, China’s Government and Communist Party officials are not even competent to discuss the subject of the Dalai Lama succession.
Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada
https://wholedude.com/2018/11/07/the-dalai-lama-life-cycle-man-vs-nature/
Not my business to decide on a successor: Dalai Lama
Clipped from: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/not-my-business-to-decide-on-successor-dalai-lama/story-pI7CFgqSFnmBg9ZSOvWMTP.html
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Dalai Lama said the dialogue process for reincarnation had not even started. He said that this should be decided through an international conference after his natural death.
Shishir Gupta
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama addresses a gathering at Kalachakra ground, in Bodh Gaya on Monday. (Parwaz Khan / HT Photo)
The temporal and spiritual world of Tibetan Buddhism seems headed for a period of uncertainty and possible turmoil in the near future with Lobsang Yeshi Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, leaving the question of his reincarnation and the continuation of the very institution of the Dalai Lama to Buddhists living in the Himalayan belt, Mongolia, and outside Tibet.
In an interview, he said this should be decided through an international conference after his natural death and that it is “not his business” to decide on his successor through either reincarnation or emanation. He admitted the dialogue process for reincarnation had not even started.
Talking exclusively to Hindustan Times, the Dalai Lama said that his anointed 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje “most probably” would return to India.
But that, he said, was a concern of the Karma Kagyu school head and the Indian government as he had no role to play in the matter.
While the highest lama and head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism called the meeting of Ogyen Dorje and co-claimant Trinley Thaye Dorje in France this year a “rightful beginning”, he said he did not want to play the mediator between the two reincarnations of the 16th Karmapa.
Thaye Dorje, who was anointed by rival regent Shamar Rinpoche, is currently preaching in Bodh Gaya to many foreigners from the US and Europe and has not met the 14th Dalai Lama.
Ogyen Trinley Dorje, supported by both the Dalai Lama and China, left for the US in May 2017, ostensibly for medical reasons. He then acquired a Dominican passport in March this year without informing India. He has been laying down conditions for his return – for instance, that he be allowed to visit the Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim which is the seat of the Karmapa outside Tibet and at the heart of the Karmapa controversy, with the two rival factions laying claim to its ownership – but New Delhi isn’t playing ball.
While he said that it was possible for the 16th Karmapa to have a few reincarnations, the Dalai Lama made it amply clear that there should be only one holder of the seat of the 17th Karmapa. The 14th Dalai Lama chose to remain quiet as to who will decide on the holder of the heads of Tibetan schools of Buddhism with the presence of two Panchen Lamas, two Karmapas and the Chinese government already initiating the process of anointing the 15th Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama confirmed that his anointed Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi was alive with another co-claimant. Gyaltsen Norbu is sponsored by the Chinese regime and said to be sitting on the throne in Shigatse and mostly stays in Beijing.
The Dalai Lama confirmed that there was only informal dialogue on with the Chinese government through retired officials and businessmen after all formal channels were closed in June 2010. He said that he did not want an independent Tibet since 1974 but wanted the protection of Tibetan people living even outside Tibetan Autonomous Region of China in terms of language, culture, religious affairs and environment. He said he was committed to “middle approach” when dealing with Beijing and admitted that the Tibetan people will gain financially from the rise of China.
The Dalai Lama dismissed news reports about Dr. Lobsang Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, not heeding his advice as “small rumors” and said that the politically elected leader trusted and believed in him.
The 84-year-old head of Yellow Hat Gelug school of Buddhism confirmed that he had been successfully treated for what he called “traces of prostate cancer” through radiation but added that he is in good health.
First Published: Dec 25, 2018, 06:56 IST
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2018 – LABOR DAY MUSINGS – THE CLINTON CURSE DEFINES THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2018 – LABOR DAY MUSINGS – THE CLINTON CURSE DEFINES THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE
In the United States, Labor activists, and Labor Unions made great progress to defend the rights of Working Class. Unfortunately, President Bill Clinton undermined this progress by approving legislation that took away the dignity of unskilled, hourly wage earners who legally work in the US paying taxes. President Clinton on August 22, 1996, signed into Law, Public Law 104-193, ‘The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act’ (PRWORA) which places restrictions on the payments of monthly retirement income benefits to workers in the US under Title II of the Social Security Act. Refer to Section 401(b) (2) of PRWORA.
For many unskilled, hourly wage earners performing labor in the US, American Workplace is defined as Work until Death for they have no Retirement option. In other words, those who have no Retirement option, American Workplace is defined by the Book of Genesis, Chapter 3, verses 17 to 19.
I ask my readers to reflect upon the consequences of President Clinton’s actions on this Labor Day. Apart from alien workers, the ground gets cursed with consequences to all its denizens. The Clinton Curse compels Americans to live and work paying off their foreign debt. This nation lives on money borrowed from other nations.
Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada
SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE
IN 1882, LABOR DAY ORIGINATED WITH A PARADE HELD IN NEW YORK CITY
Posted on Monday, September 04, 2017 by EMILY NONKO
Clipped from: https://www.6sqft.com/in-1882-labor-day-originated-with-a-parade-held-in-nyc/
An illustration of the first Labor Day parade, via Wiki Commons
Though Labor Day has been embraced as a national holiday–albeit one many Americans don’t know the history of–it originated right here in New York City. The holiday is a result of the city’s labor unions fighting for worker’s rights throughout the 1800’s. The event was first observed, unofficially, on Tuesday, September 5th, 1882, with thousands marching from City Hall up to Union Square. At the time, the New York Times considered the event to be unremarkable. But 135 years later, we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of every September as a tribute to all American workers. It’s also a good opportunity to recognize the hard-won accomplishments of New York unions to secure a better workplace for us today.
According to Untapped Cities, the holiday has its roots in a common 19th-century tradition in which laborers held picnics and parades to draw awareness to worker’s rights. Organized unions emerged from there, and New York City became a hotbed for labor activists by the Industrial Revolution of the 1880s.
View of South Street during the Industrial Revolution, via the Metropolitan Museum of New York
Back then, laborers were fighting against low wages, unfair hours, child labor and unsafe working environments. (Most workers at the time worked six days a week, 10 or 12 hours a day, and Sunday was the only day off. There were no paid vacations, no sick days and very few breaks during a day.) Two labor groups, the Knights of Labor and the Tailor’s Union, established a city-wide trade consortium–known as the Central Labor Union of New York, Brooklyn, and Jersey City, or the CLU–in January of 1882 to promote similar goals. They called for things like fair wages, an eight-hour workday and an end to child labor. The group also proposed that for one day a year, the country celebrates American workers with parades and celebrations. The CLU went ahead and organized the first parade for the September 5th of that year.
According to Brownstoner, two different men within the labor movement were credited for the parade. Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed a holiday and parade in 1882. He was the secretary of the CLU. But that same year, Peter J. McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, also proposed a parade. The debate between the original founder of Labor Day was never settled, though Matthew Maguire usually gets the credit.
The parade began outside City Hall, with the CLU advertising it as a display of the “strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.” It was important to the event that the men gave up a day’s pay to partake in the festivities. And they did arrive in droves, with banners and signs with slogans like “NO MONEY MONOPOLY” and “LABOR BUILT THIS REPUBLIC AND LABOR SHALL RULE IT.”
No drinking was allowed at the parade, which featured everyone from the Jewelers Union of Newark to the typographical union, which was known as ‘The Big Six.’ Along the route, which passed Canal Street on its way to Union Square, hundreds of seamstresses hung out the windows cheering the procession, blowing kisses and waving their handkerchiefs. It’s said as many as 20,000 men marched that day.
The party after the marchers hit Union Square was celebratory, according to the New York history book Gotham. Here’s a passage from the book:
Finally, after passing by a reviewing stand filled with labor dignitaries, the participants adjourned, via the elevated, to an uptown picnic at Elm Park. There they danced to jigs by Irish fiddlers and pipers and were serenaded by the Bavarian Mountain Singers while the flags of Ireland, Germany, France, and the USA flapped in the autumn air.
Labor Day parade float in New York City, early 20th century, via New York Department of Labor
Labor parades began in other cities around the county, and for a while, the day was known as “the workingman’s holiday.” By 1886, several cities had an annual parade, with legislation in the works to make the day a state holiday. Though New York was the first state to introduce a bill to make the holiday official, Oregon was the first to actually pass it as law in 1887. New York quickly followed suit that same year, as did New Jersey, Massachusetts and Colorado.
Labor unions, of course, went on to secure rights like the eight-hour workday, collective bargaining, health insurance, retirement funds and better wages. These days, the holiday is better known as a marker to the end of summer than a celebration of the working class. But it’s a nice reminder such hard-fought battles, which brought accomplishments that now define the American workplace, took root in New York.
Tags: Labor Day
THE CLINTON CURSE – AMERICA’S FINANCIAL BONDAGE
THE CLINTON CURSE – AMERICA’S FINANCIAL BONDAGE
“Think what you do when you run in debt,” said Benjamin Franklin, “You give another power over your liberty.” No man is truly free who is in financial bondage. To the same extent, no nation is truly free when it is in financial bondage.
President Clinton approved Public Law 143 – 193 to address the mounting problem of National Debt. To ‘Balance the Budget’, President Clinton imposed Slavery, Bondage, Servitude, Serfdom, and Forced Labor on aliens working in the United States paying Federal, State, Social Security, Medicare, and Local Taxes. His action is of no help. The US External Debt keeps growing compromising the freedom of Americans for the Debt gives power to other nations over American Liberty.
Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada
THE WORLD FACTBOOK – CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Clipped from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2079rank.html
THE CLINTON CURSE – CLINTON’S IMMORAL SOCIAL SECURITY POLICY
THE CLINTON CURSE – CLINTON’S IMMORAL SOCIAL SECURITY POLICY
Social Security is the largest owner of the US Debt. In 1996, President Clinton amended the Social Security Act of 1945 by approving Public Law 104 – 193. President Clinton made an immoral choice to address the problem of mounting US Debt. His plan to reduce the US Debt by denying the payment of Old Age Retirement Income Benefits to senior alien workers has backfired. God has given His Promise. It delivers Blessings for the obedience of Commandments. Disobedience of God’s Commandments has consequences. The Clinton Curse reveals the consequences of President Clinton’s corrupt conduct. As of today, the US satisfies the government’s need for revenue by borrowing from foreign nations.
Rudranarasimham Rebbapragada
WHO OWNS THE MOST U.S. DEBT?
Clipped from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikepatton/2014/10/28/who-owns-the-most-u-s-debt/#1557bdf8819c
To satisfy the U.S. government’s need for revenue, Washington collects taxes and fees. What happens if this isn’t enough? What happens if the federal government needs more? That is the subject of this article in which we’ll reveal who owns the most U.S. debt and how much of it is owned by foreign nations. We’ll begin by explaining, in simple terms, how the debt market functions.
Debt 101
An individual takes on debt when they finance a new car, house, etc. The U.S. government does so when it issues securities. Specifically, the federal government issues Treasury bills, notes, and bonds. The primary difference is in their maturity. For example, Treasury bills have a maturity of less than one year. Treasury notes mature in one to ten years. Treasury bonds have maturities greater than 10 years.
To issue its debt, the government holds periodic Treasury auctions. A successful auction indicates a strong demand for U.S. Treasury securities. If the auction doesn’t go well, it means demand for Treasuries is weak. Who owns the most Treasury’s?
Owners of U.S. Debt
The largest owner of U.S. debt is Social Security. Since the Social Security system is a government entity, how can the government own its own debt? Good question. This is where the “house of cards” theory resides. Some believe the federal government is merely moving the IOUs from one shell to another, hoping to escape the watchful eye of its citizens. In any event, Social Security owns about 16% of the debt followed by other federal government entities (13%), and the Federal Reserve (12%). How much is owned by foreign governments? The following chart contains the answer.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, at the end of August 2014, more than a third of the debt was owned by foreign countries (34.4%). The largest foreign holders of U.S. debts are Mainland China (7.2%) and Japan (7.0%). What is the consequence of having such a large percentage of debt held by foreign nations? It depends. It depends on the relationship between the U.S. and the specific foreign country. It also depends on the global interest rate environment. Finally, it depends on the geopolitical climate and the degree of fear around the globe. This is the case because when fear rises money flows into U.S. Treasuries which is viewed as a safe place to invest. The percentage of debt owned by countries that are less friendly to America is about 10%. This includes China, several oil exporters (Ecuador, Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, Libya, etc.), and a few others. The worst case would materialize if the largest holders decided to sell their Treasury securities at the same time. This could potentially decrease demand which would push yields higher. If yields rose, the federal government would find it more difficult to service the debt, pushing the deficit higher. If the deficit rose, the total debt burden would accelerate and, unless demand for U.S. debt was to increase, it could get ugly. Will this transpire? It’s not too likely. At least not for the foreseeable future anyway.
Conclusion
Given the state of the global markets, the U.S. is still considered to be the best house in a bad neighborhood. Even though more than one-third of the debt is owned by foreign nations, as long as there are no safer places to invest, money will find its way here. Therefore, global turmoil would be in the best interest of the federal government. Anything which raises fear will bring money to the Treasury and allay the need for higher taxes. However, one day this unsustainable path we’re on will reach its day of reckoning. However, that’s probably not any time soon.
