Mothers Day Wishes

May 8, 2002

Mothers Day Wishes
Have you noticed that since September 11th, everything seems late? Snowfall last winter, the promised economic recovery, the flowers and warmth of springtime - what‘s the holdup? The world somehow just seems out of sync, lately.
One thing we can always count on to be timely, though, is the love and protection of motherhood. My wishes for mothers around the world on this Mother‘s Day are the following:
Peace in the Middle East. Israeli mothers ought to have peace of mind that their children will not be blown up by terrorist bombs when family members leave the house to shop or attend school. Palestinian moms deserve a homeland of their own in or near traditional Palestine, not refugee camps patrolled by machine-gun toting soldiers.
A zero tolerance policy for Catholic priests. Anyone, who has ever abused a child, forfeited any right for a second chance to be entrusted in a job near young people. The church‘s waffling on this issue could cripple the Catholic faith for generations. If Jesus were here, his anger toward the moneychangers in the temple would be mild compared to his wrath over the Catholic church handling of this matter.
The capture of Osama bin Laden and eradication of terrorism. No American can feel safe while the masterminds of September 11th attacks on U.S. civilians are still on the loose and planning more of their murderous deeds. Though we spent billions and lost many lives in order to level Afghanistan, the war on terrorism has barely begun.
Continued commitment to preserving the environment in northern Michigan. Maintaining the protection of clean air, forests, waterways, and wildlife in our region would go a long way toward ensuring a high quality of life for families. Who wants their kids to grow up in the middle of an urban sprawl oasis that was once beautiful northern Michigan?
Support of the new Afghanistan government. Most experts blame apathy of the west for the cruel Taliban regime that took power after the war against Soviet occupation in the 1980‘s. The stories of murderous paramilitary groups now running amok in Afghanistan is reminiscent of the conditions that allowed extremist Islamic groups to gravitate there before September 11th. I know Afghan mothers would be grateful if we didn‘t abandon their children this time around.
An end to the Cuban Embargo. Why punish Cuban children for our contentious relationship with Fidel Castro. Forty years of boycotting trade with Cuba has only resulted in communism becoming further entrenched on the island. If the embargo was lifted Castro‘s rÈgime would be gone within a few years and Cuban mothers could finally relax, knowing their children were free from tyranny and hunger.
An end to the economic boycott of Iraq. Whenever we try these ill-advised embargos to rebuke evil rulers of third world countries we needlessly punish their impoverished citizens and reinforce the notion that America is at fault for the problems in the targeted country. In the case of Iraq, according to UN and other independent sources, thousands of Iraqi children die every year from starvation as a result of the U.S. embargo. Another related wish would be for the Iraqi people to rise up and throw Saddam Hussein out of office. The deed needs to be done in order to stop his reign of terror against everyone who threatens his stronghold of power, including his own family.

I‘d like to wish my own mother the happiest of Mother‘s Days this year. As the rock of our family, she is also the bravest and most compassionate person I have ever met. Thanks for keeping me well fed and out of jail. I love you, mom.