In the silent, darkest night

The tree branches are bare and cold winds whistle outside - literally and figuratively.

In the dark night many live in fear of the twin wolves of poverty and hunger that they imagine they hear howling from "Wall Street to Main Street". Others look outside their window and see the spectre of unending war and violence and a dystopian future robed in black. The cynics only see confirmation of their Malthusian views.

And yet, there are those who even in the darkness see the starlight.

These wait silently through the dark night for the coming day, secure in knowledge that there will always be enough - if we share - and the howling is only the wind. Their doors are ready to be opened at the presence of the first warm breeze and they know that green lies beneath the snow.

This later sort is all around us every day. They are the ones who seem to be calm amidst the frenzy of holiday preparations, concerns of unemployment and anxiousness of political events. While others huddle vainly and cling to meagerness of winter, they are hurrying towards spring.

Yesterday, while walking down a busy sidewalk filled with shoppers I noticed one man who was quietly handing out something. He appeared to be selecting people who looked tired or hungry and slipping them money with whispered words. I sauntered closer and heard him asking "could you use some help?" Most just nodded and he would hand them a ten or twenty dollar bill.

As he continued down the sidewalk I stopped him and asked why he was doing this. "Did you just win the Lottery," I joked? He turned to me with a grin on his face and ...... MORE Page 2>

Dallas Muslims and Jews grow closer

A young assistant Rabbi at Temple Shalom (peace) in Dallas has become a force to bring together Jews and Muslims in that city. Jeremy Schneider has been busy standing against "Islamophobia" and telling Jews "We must learn what Islam truly stands for, not from politicians, not from e-mail forwards, and not from the media, but from Muslims themselves by engaging in dialogue."

A UT grad, Rabbi Schneider traces his passion for interfaith efforts to growing up in the predominantly liberal Christian suburbs of Houston. He launched right into interfaith work soon after joining the staff at Temple Shalom in 2006. Rabbi Schneider will be honored Jan. 10 by the National Peace Foundation for his interfaith work, including a class on Islam at Temple Shalom.

Tx cities make their "wish lists"

Across the state, local elected officials are putting together their "wish list" of projects they would like to see during the next year - if only funding was available. These cities hope that the new Obama Administration will provide assistance towards local infrastructure and economic development.

San Antonio wants to plant 200,000 trees and provide for environmental restoration of the San Antonio River’s southern reach. In Austin, officials have a plan to create their own "river walk" along Waller Creek. Arlington wants to expand trails and parks, among other projects. Del Rio wants more public housing . Fort Worth is looking at new fire stations and libraries. Laredo wants youth recreation centers. Let's hope that Santa makes their wishes come true in the coming year.

War resisters need holiday support

While many Texans will enjoy the holidays with friends and family, PFC Tony Anderson, PFC Robin Long, and Pvt. Daniel Sandate will be spending the New
Year in military prison. Anderson and Long were jailed for 14 and 15 months respectively for their refusal to deploy to Iraq. Sandate was sentenced to 8 months in military prison after going AWOL when his repeated attempts to receive mental health care for his PTSD were denied.

Benji Lewis and SPC Blake Ivey are publicly taking bold stands against the occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan and could face eventual court martial. SPC Andre Shepherd is the first U.S. soldier to seek asylum in Germany after refusing to deploy to Iraq.

All could use cards or letters to let them know they haven't been forgotten for their courage to resist:

Anthony Michael Anderson
PO Box 305
Fort Sill, OK 73503-5305

Robin Long
PO Box 452136
San Diego, CA 92145-2136

Benji Lewis, Blake Ivey, and Daniel Sandate c/o Courage to Resist
484 Lake Park Ave #41
Oakland, CA 94610

Andre Shepherd
c/o Military Counseling Network (MCN)
Hauptstrasse 1, D-69245 Bammental
Germany
($.94 USPS postage required)

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