Punk Rocker to Renounce U.S. Citizenship over Roe v Wade

I have to make a confession right off the bat. I'm 70 years old and I had never heard of Billie Joe Armstrong or his punk rock band Green Day until I came upon the story of his recent declaration that he's renouncing his U.S. citizenship during London concert in wake of SCOTUS overruling Roe. Ho Hum.

He's hardly the first Liberal or Progressive to declare that he's leaving the U.S. because of his political disagreement with something going on in the United States. For those who don't know me, I left the U.S. in 2014 to live in Philippines. I did not do this for any political reason, and although I don't have plans to visit the country of my birth any time soon, I have absolutely no intention of renouncing my U.S.citizenship.

I was curious about Armstrong's situation, so I decided to look into his band and his bio. Does he have any idea how to go about renouncing his citizenship? It isn't as easy as just moving to the U.K..

First, I went to Spotify and immediately discovered that I had heard a few of the band's songs. I just didn't know who the performers were at the time. I'm not a big fan of punk rock, but I don't absolutely hate it. As far as music goes, I like Armstrong's singing but I don't see any originality or creativity gushing forth from his music. It's OK, but nothing special in my view.

I wonder, however, how much thought Armstrong has put into his idea to renounce his U.S. citizenship? I have no idea of his financial worth, but I imagine he could move to England without much difficulty. He could probably record whatever albums he plans to record in a studio in the U.K.. I'm sure his record label could work out the details. Touring, on the other hand might become a problem. Could he survive touring exclusively within the U.K.? If he's living in the U.K. he couldn't travel to the U.S. or Europe without his U.S. passport. Is he really renouncing his citizenship if he travels on a U.S. passport? Using your U.S. passport when you fly from London to the U.S. is pretty much an admission that you're still an American.

Of course, the problem of traveling on a U.S. passport is moot if and when he obtains a British passport. Assuming he packs up and moves to the U.K. today, he'll need to reside in the U.K. for five years before he can apply for citizenship. I don't know about immigration laws in the U.K., but here in Philippines, I have to check in with the government every year....and I'm a legal resident. I have to present my valid U.S. passport when I do. If the situation in the U.K. is anywhere near being similar, Armstrong will have to provide his valid passport from time to time. Again, he's back to having to show he's a citizen of the U.S.. It sort of makes his renunciation of his U.S. citizenship a little more complicated.

Reporter at U.S. News & World Report in a Panic Over Abortion Restrictions

Kaia Hubbard, a general news reporter at U.S. News & World Report, appears to be especially worried about the state of abortion in the United States. Although she can, presumably, write on any number of topics, her topic of choice appears to be the increase in the number of States putting restrictions on abortion. Four months into 2022, she has written eleven such stories - with five of those eleven being written in April alone. 

Of course, as I write this, there are still eleven days remaining in the month; still plenty of time for her to double down.:

Abortion Rights Imperiled on 49th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Four Governors Races That Could Decide Abortion’s Future
States Advance Abortion Bans Expecting Roe’s Fall
Florida Passes Mississippi-Style Abortion Ban
State Supreme Court Ruling Dooms Challenge to Texas Abortion Law
Idaho Passes Texas-Style Abortion Ban
Missouri Is Eyeing a Ban on Abortion Beyond its Borders. It’s Happened Before.
The Anti-Abortion Movement’s Post-Roe Agenda: Inconvenient, Illegal, Unthinkable
Oklahoma Governor Signs Abortion Ban
Florida Gov. DeSantis Signs Abortion Ban Into Law
Kentucky Law ‘Effectively Bans’ Abortion

Buddhism and Abortion

 

 

Although I've been studying Buddhism for a good many years, I haven't given much thought to the Buddhist teachings regarding abortion until recently. I had assumed that Buddhists viewed abortion in a way similar to Christians or Hindus. 

While reading about Robert Pirsig (author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance ) I came upon a bit of interesting information regarding Pirsig and abortion.

Not long after the murder of his son from a previous marriage, Pirsig's second wife became pregnant. Pirsig's immediate reaction was to terminate the pregnancy. Coincidentally, this was also the view of his wife. The reasons Pirsig gave for this decision were not those typically used by those in the pro-choice camp when trying to justify an abortion. His wife, Wendy had not become pregnant due to rape or incest. When they came to the decision to abort, it was too early in the pregnancy to know of any potential birth defects. Pirsig does not mention any particular financial reasons.

According to the forward in a later edition of  Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance , Pirsig simply felt that due his being over 50 years old at the time of his wife's pregnancy, he did not want to go through the rigors of bringing up another child. It was case of  "I, me, mine."

Pirsig, and again, coincidentally his wife, later came to change that decision to abort. Pirsig came to believe that the child in his wife's womb was the reincarnation of his murdered son, Chris. Luckily for their daughter Nell, the Pirsigs believed in reincarnation......otherwise she would have been killed in the womb.

After learning of Pirsig's decision, I began to look into the Buddhist teachings on abortion. I sent a message (via Facebook) to Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron asking for an explanation of the Buddhist views on abortion. Thubten Chodron is a Buddhist nun who has co-authored, with the Dalai Lama several books on Buddhism. I was referred to her website, thubtenchodron.org with instructions to type "abortion" into the website's search engine. That resulted in these links:
current-world-scenarios-ethics
ethics-politics

In an interview linked to above, Thubten Chodron says,

"In the US, abortion is actually a more controversial issue. Clearly, Buddhism does not approve of abortion, because it involves taking life. Yet, we can’t be like some conservative people, who are strongly opposed even to contraception, which is another extreme. Personally, I don’t agree with handling the entire matter politically, which has caused a lot of suffering. In cases of unwanted pregnancy, the mother, the father, the baby—everyone involved—needs compassion. Once this becomes a matter of political debate, everyone argues and scolds each other, which only increases the suffering of the people involved. We should give them some personal space to make their choice." 

 "I would encourage the pregnant person to give birth to the child, and then afterwards give up the child for adoption, but that is my personal view. My little sister is adopted. I love her very much and I am so happy that her birth mother gave her for adoption, so that she became part of our family."

In the video linked to, Thubten Chodron says that the First Buddhist Precept tells us to abstain from taking life. She goes on to say that Buddhism teaches that, due to the process of rebirth, the fetus obtains consciousness upon conception and is thereby viewed as a human being. Consequently, abortion isn't acceptable in Buddhism.

In his books, Buddhism and Abortion and Buddhist Ethics: A Very Short Introduction , Damien Keown explains that within the traditional teachings of Buddhism there is no question but that abortion is not permitted - not only going against the First Precept, but very often other Precepts are broken as well:
Five Basic Precepts
1) abstain from taking life
2) abstain from taking what is not given
3) abstain from sensuous misconduct
4) abstain from false speech
5) abstain from intoxicants as tending to cloud the mind

Keown also notes that in spite of abortion being against traditional Buddhist teaching, the abortion rates in Buddhist countries are considerably higher than in most non-Buddhist countries. In Thailand, where a more traditional, conservative form of Buddhism is practiced, abortion is illegal, but the laws are not enforced. The abortion rate is very high, particularly among married women, who at the time of the book's writing, used abortion as the primary form of birth control. Ironically, he notes that the abortion rates among pregnant prostitutes in that country are very low; the difference being due to the belief that their being women (and prostitutes) is due to previous bad karma and the birth of a child - particularly a son - is a way for them to acquire merit.

Buddhists in the West tend to be "pro-choice". Western Buddhists are usually more Liberal than Christians. Some observers see the Western Buddhist's views on abortion to be more "Liberalism covered in Buddhist garments" rather than authentic Buddhism.

In Japan, the view among Buddhists is similar to the Western view, although Japanese Buddhists, unlike their Western counterparts, acknowledge that the unborn child is fully human. Some Japanese Buddhists attempt to deal with the contradiction by participating in a ritual known as Mizuko kuyō. Reasons for the performance of these rites can include parental grief, desire to comfort the soul of the fetus, guilt for an abortion, or even fear of retribution from a vengeful ghost.

It would appear, that when it comes to living up to their religious beliefs, Buddhists can be as hypocritical as members of other religious groups.

South Korea: Ban Sale of Dog Meat - Legalize Human Abortions

I recently read in the Korean Times that a nationwide ban on the sale of dog meat was gaining momentum, which I took to be a positive step for their country. Although I have no logical or moral reason against the eating of dog meat, I'm like many Westerners who are emotionally squeamish regarding the practice. I feel like my telling someone they can't eat dog meat however, is similar to someone telling me I can't eat beef or pork.

Still, if the Koreans choose to ban the selling of dog meat for food, then I am all for it.

It bothers me, on the other hand to learn that South Korea's Constitutional Court recently ruled the 66-year abortion ban must be lifted. The people of that country are too 'humane' to eat a certain type of animal, but their version of the Supreme Court is fine with the killing of unborn babies.

Former South Koren Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl said "As a dog owner, I am of course opposed to the consumption of dogs." He later called it "a matter of personal choice." Sounds just like American politicians discussing abortion.

CNN and Biden in Panic Over Texas Abortion Law

 

Joe Biden and CNN in panic mode over the Supreme Court's 5-4 vote leaving a Texas abortion ban in place.

John Roberts has lost control of the Supreme Court
Biden launches federal effort to respond to Texas law as he faces pressure to protect abortion
Congress could protect access to abortion. Here's why that's unlikely to happen.

Belief

I recently came upon a photo of a couple holding a sign on which their beliefs were listed. The couple were participating in some sort of outdoor event, which I'm guessing may have had some political agenda.

The sign was basically a laundry list of bumper sticker slogans; the entire list could be classified as an Internet meme. The list of their beliefs is as follows:
Black Lives Matter
No Human is illegal
Love is love
Women's Rights Are Human Rights
Science is Real
Water is Life
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere

I felt I might address each of these slogans with my own interpretation of the sentiments behind each individual slogan.

Black Lives Matter
I've come to find this a troubling slogan. Of course, Black lives matter, but so do the lives of every single human individual regardless of race, ethnicity or skin color. I don't particularly like the idea of segregating the different "lives that matter" into separate groups. In the WOKE culture, one is now considered racist if you believe that All Lives Matter.

No Human is illegal
The implication of this slogan is that the term "illegal alien" is no longer appropriate. In the wider sense, it suggests that borders should be eliminated. Being the husband of a woman that immigrated to the United States, I have sympathy for anyone wanting to come to the United States for a better life, but I'm also aware that unlimited migration into any country isn't workable. It certainly isn't "fair" that people that can walk into the U.S. from their country should take precedent over people from Asia, Europe or Africa who have no choice but to enter the country legally. I know quite a few Filipinos who would come to the United States today if it weren't for the visa requirements.

Love is love
I've come to see this slogan as support for same-sex marriage. In my opinion, the Government should remove itself from the issue of marriage. I see marriage as essentially a religious ceremony...I don't quite see the reasoning behind pledging your love for someone before a government official. When a couple choose to marry, the couple should present themselves to their religious advisor - priest, pastor, rabbi, qazi or madhun. If your religion sanctions same-sex marriage, then no outsider should have a say in the matter. However, there are many religious groups which are opposed to same-sex marriage, and their believers should not be forced to participate or sanction a ceremony that goes against their religion .

Women's Rights Are Human Rights
If by "Women's Rights" one means actual "Women's Rights", then there is no question that those Rights should be supported. However, if by "Women's Rights" you mean "abortion rights" then you've lost me. I have to go back to an earlier statement that All Lives Matter. An unborn human fetus is a human being that is entitled to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Jumping ahead to the next slogan, it's clear that the human fetus has it's own unique DNA and is a separate individual from the mother.

Science is real
Yes, science is real, but unfortunately scientific beliefs are political. I know certain Liberal leaning folks who believe the science if the science supports their views on climate change or COVID, but who ignore the science when it supports Conservative ideas on sex and biology.
Likewise, I know quite a few Right-leaning folks who might embrace the science when it supports their Right to Life beliefs, but are reluctant to follow the science when it contradicts their particular interpretation of the Bible.

Water is Life
Honestly, I don't know anyone who against clean water.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
It's hard to argue against that point from a humanitarian viewpoint. But, I wonder if those holding a sign advocating that principle are willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate injustice around the world. Are they willing to boycott every nation that doesn't live up to their standards of justice? Are they willing to send combat troops to countries which do not hold the same values on Human Rights?

Unfortunately, my entire belief system can't be explained in a single blog post, and it certainly can't be summarized on one sign.

Squad Urges Biden to Commute Death Row Sentences

 

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and other members of the progressive "Squad" are doubling down on their call for President Biden to end Federal executions and commute the sentences of 49 death-row inmates currently in federal prisons.

This is, of course, a reaction to Trump's revival of federal executions and the 13 executions carried out in the final months of Trump's term as President. I can certainly agree with congresswoman Pressley's desire to stop capital punishment in the United States, but as I pointed out in a blog post written last month, I would feel much better if Pressley's idea of "pro-life" extended to the unborn as well.

I know it is difficult for some to feel merciful toward convicted murderers. Going that step forward isn't always easy. However, I cannot understand how one can feel compassion toward those on death row and still have a callous attitude toward unborn human beings.

In a letter to President Biden, Democrats wrote,

"We believe that rebuilding the dignity of America requires that we recommit ourselves to the tradition of due process, mercy, and judicial clemency when it comes to matters related to the criminal legal system". Yet, there is no "due process, mercy or clemency" for the unborn.

In their letter, Democrats also claimed that President Trump left behind a legacy of "carnage and unrestrained violence" because of the number of executions in the last months of his presidency. True enough, but do they not see the legacy of carnage in the 62 million abortions that have been carried out in the U.S. since the Roe vs Wade decision of 1973?

When Pressley's fellow Democrat, Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) expressed sympathy for the 13 death row inmates executed under Trump (including one self identified white supremacist) Bush's supporters applauded her for having a consistent approach to opposing the death penalty.

I wish her approach to all life was as consistent.

Forever Amber

A friend recently introduced me to I Heart Radio, a website dedicated to hosting various podcasts. In addition to contemporary podcasts, the website also hosts several radio programs from the heyday of  broadcast radio.

I'm particularly fond of the Jack Benny programs;  I was a fan of the television show as a child. Although the radio show was before my time, I'm familiar with most of the cast from the radio days, as they were later brought over to the TV show.

I was listening to a podcast a few days ago in which Jack had walked to a pubic library near his home. There was a bit of commotion in the "library" caused by the radio programs' musical quartet singing the Lucky Strike jingle inside. Of course, Jack apologized to the librarian, who told him that there hadn't been that much of a row in the library since they put "The Kinsey Report" on the shelf next to "Forever Amber".

This joke received a big laugh from the studio audience. Not being familiar with "Forever Amber", the joke went over my head.

Naturally, I had to do a web search for Forever Amber. Wikipedia says it is an historical romance novel written by Kathleen Winsor and set in 17th-century England during the reign of Charles II.

The article goes on to say that the novel, published in 1944, was banned in fourteen U.S. states as pornography. The Massachusetts attorney general cited "70 references to sexual intercourse, 39 illegitimate pregnancies, 7 abortions, and 10 descriptions of women undressing in front of men as reasons for banning the novel". The novel was condemned by the Catholic Church for indecency, which naturally helped boost sales.

The novel was also banned in Australia in 1945.

I assumed that the banning of the novel was simply due to the prudish attitudes of folks in the 1940's. Naturally, I had to find a copy and read it for myself.

As I write this, I've read 80% of the novel. This being the last day of the year, it's unlikely I will finish reading the novel in time to include it in my list of novels read in 2020.

The portions of the novel which cover the history of 17th century England are very well written. The story not only deals with the life of  the fictional "Amber St. Clare", but with life within the court of Charles II.  In the novel, Amber manages to survive the Great Plague of London,the Great Fire of London and the Second Anglo-Dutch War.

Although not blatantly pornographic, the novel does indeed have the "70 references to sexual intercourse, 39 illegitimate pregnancies, 7 abortions, and 10 descriptions of women undressing in front of men" mentioned as reasons for the banning. Amber has sex with and/or marries successively richer and more important men as a way to get to the top of English society. She is involved in the murder of one of her husbands and has at least 2 abortions and three illegitimate children. With no morals to speak of, Amber St. Claire is certainly no role model.

Forever Amber  was the best-selling US novel of the 1940s. It sold over 100,000 copies in its first week of release, and went on to sell over three million copies. The book's success is another example of how well sex sells.

Ayanna Pressley's Contradictory Views on Human Life

 

There was a time,many years ago, when I supported the death penalty. I've changed my mind, thanks to the teachings of Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have followed his lead in condemning capital punishment.

Pope Francis wrote:

"Saint John Paul II stated clearly and firmly that the death penalty is inadequate from a moral standpoint and no longer necessary from that of penal justice. There can be no stepping back from this position. Today we state clearly that ‘the death penalty is inadmissible’ and the Church is firmly committed to calling for its abolition worldwide."

It's been recently reported that dozens of Democrats have called on the incoming Biden administration to end federal executions once Biden is inaugurated. Considering the fact that the US Justice Department has restarted the practice of federal executions after a 17-year hiatus, I see that as a step in the right direction. President Trump has done many positive things in the area of criminal justice reform, but restarting federal executions certainly wasn't one of those.

One of the Democrats calling for the end of federal executions is Massachusetts congresswoman Ayanna Pressley .

"Ending the barbaric and inhumane practice of government-sanctioned murder is a commonsense step that you can and must take to save lives," said Pressley in a letter to Joe Biden.

A link to Congresswoman Pressley's letter to the POTUS elect can be found on her Congressional webpage.

Unfortunately, also found the the Congresswoman's webpage is a letter calling for eliminating the Hyde Amendment. Sadly, in spite of her call for ending the death penalty, Ayanna Pressley is overwhelmingly pro-abortion. She believes abortion care is health care and that health care is a fundamental human right.

As someone who is pro-life, I know that it is difficult for many who oppose abortion to accept the killing of innocent human beings while ending the death penalty for obviously guilty offenders.

Pressley would get much more help from the pro-life community if her stance on abortion was as "pro-life" as her stance on capital punishment. Obviously, Pressley holds "two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time" which would be a case of Cognitive dissonance if she felt any stress or anxiety over having those contradictory views.