Terror is in the Eye of the Beholder

In this 2004 interview Mariane Pearl displays great maturity and insight as she reflects on her experience during and after the abduction and execution of her husband, Daniel. The 50-minutes interview is from the radio show, "Speaking of Faith. with Krista Tippett." To listen, download, or read a transcript of the interview, click here. Here's an excerpt:

"For me they clearly haven't won as I'm still standing, because to take somebody's life is nothing, you know? If you have seven, eight people in a room and the person has shackle and you kill him, you know, then that's not a victory. And there is something bigger than that, and the spirit is what makes us human. And that's the only way you can challenge those people because, physically, I could never be as ruthless as they are, and I'm not interested in being as ruthless as they are. So that's not even something I'm considering. But you cannot get hold of a strong spirit, and I think that's why Danny opposed them. That's why I oppose them, and that's why hopefully our son will oppose them. And that's something, whatever you do, you can imprison someone, you can kill that person, if they resist you mentally, you — that's it. You haven't claimed anything. And I think they know that."

If we don't save Democracy, who will?

Bill Moyers delivered a transformative speech to the the United Church of Christ's bi-annual General Synod in Hartford yesterday. Moyer's talk provides moving examples of the current threats to American democracy and of outlandish economic and social injustice. And his talk calls th church to action, for "it is a small, committed, determined people of conscience that can turn this country around," he says. "Poverty and injustice are religious issues and Jesus moves among the disinherited." It is time, he says, to "drive the money changers out of the temples of Democracy." Listen to it via the UCC's video archive.

Not Buying It

Here's a New York Times article that glimpses extraordinary personal dedication to limiting growth: Not Buying It.