Our Basic Diginity: Human Rights

Well gee, it's been nearly a month since I last posted. The holidays were good, even though I had to work. I had a wonderful Christmas Eve with my friends Emily & Vinnie, and Em's family. My sister Cindy & her husband Donnie came over Christmas evening. We had a long, passionate conversation/debate about music, values, etc. I thought Cindy & Donnie might start arm wrestling or something- it seems wherever I go I start peoples' engines running, and sometimes they overheat. I'm an opinionated person and I tend to speak my mind. I really try to personally embody the First Amendment in as far as freedom of speech is concerned. I do believe EVERY human being should be free to speak his/her mind.

As some of my readers already know, Emily Sander's alleged killer, Israel Mireles, was captured in Mexico just days before Christmas. He will be extradited to Kansas to stand trial for capital murder, rape, and aggravated criminal sodomy (anal rape). Because he is a Mexican National (he holds dual citizenship in the U.S. & Mexico), he will be spared the death penalty due to a treaty between the U.S. and Mexico (which does not have ANY death penalty). If he is convicted he will receive life without parole. I think I would rather die than to live the rest of my life locked up, knowing that I brutally raped and murdered another human being. Sure, my gut reaction was "that fucker should fry," but what would that bring? It would not bring Emily Sander back. It would only kill another human being. It is a very real possibility that Israel Mireles will find redemption in prison and be a story of inspiration- killing him would only end that possibility. I do not believe the death penalty is justified, no matter how heinous the crime. Human rights... they're a bitch aren't they?

In September of this past year, President George W. Bush addressed the United Nations General Assembly, praising the virtues of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the U.N. endorsed with a unanimous vote on December 10, 1948. It is a striking paradox that President Bush should lavish commendation upon a document his administration is unwilling to fully comply with. Article 5 denounces torture while Article 6 affirms every person's equality before the law; both of these articles Bush has discarded in regards to prisoners in Guantanamo and other prisons where purported terrorists are held, via the United States. As Eyal Press writes in The Nation, "Bush's 'freedom agenda,' set against his Administration's disgraceful record, has convinced much of the world that the promotion of universal rights is little more than a Trojan horse for Western imperialism, and made it easier for governments from Russia to Iran to crack down on opposition groups accused of importing foreign values into their countries." (http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071231/press) How can the United States wax poetically about human rights, when its own record is so blemished?

My basic understanding of Human Rights comes from the New Testament, from the parable of the Good Samaritan, as an example of "you shall love your neighbor as yourself." This basic teaching, proclaimed by other religions too, summarizes the basic dignity of ALL human beings. All people love themselves, without doubt, for one can not live unless one loves him/herself. To offer the same dignity to other human beings as one offers oneself undergirds the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Eyal Press argues in his article that religious conviction can play a vital, fresh role in human rights activism, even though religions have often sided with repressive dictatorial governments. I would heartily concur.

Lastly I would hope my readers would check out this wonderful website: http://udhr.net/ It offers all sorts of exciting (and edifying) information on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It certainly can be used as a curriculum piece for both church and secular classrooms. So just take a few minutes to contemplate where YOU stand in regards to human rights. Do you truly believe all human beings, no matter who they are, or where they live, or what they do, deserve the same basic rights you demand for yourself? Well do you? Think hard about it and post a comment please.

My next post, hopefully in a few days, will offer up my best music of 2007 (records, concerts, musical happenings). And there are some upcoming exciting interviews.