I have a deep concern that some people believe that the smoking ban idea was God's, or at least connected to people who think it might be, or who believe that they themselves might somehow be God, Goddess, or The Ground of Being, Alpha AND Omega, and/or City Councilperson of the Eternal and Holy City of Love.
While I cannot speak for others, I can assure Mr. Atherton and Gail -- and everyone, including you, Mr. Ashcroft -- that while I converse with God/Goddess/He/She/They/It daily, God (et al).has never brought this topic up. In fact, when She spoke to me as I was admiring a beautiful little golden bird (Finch?) in a Minneapolis back yard recently (some may remember my post about this) She assured me that there is no smoking ban at all in Heaven, while there is indeed a complete smoking prohibition in Hell. I want to report that I spoke with Jesus today, as I was riding my trike uphill on Mt. Curve Avenue. Jesus appearred sitting amoungst my tools on the back of my trike, as is His wont, without forewarning. He waved to a small squirrel searching for nuts outside the UU church building on the north side of the road, and then immediately made His Divine self become extremely heavy. This is a private joke we have. Jesus likes to make Himself heavy when I am pedaling uphill. Just for a second. Then He makes Himself light again. Jesus and I talked about the rain. I told him that I may have to convert my trike to a paddleboat of some sort if it does not let up. "Jesus," I asked, "what about this tiresome smoking ban business? What do You think is the right thing to do? The Mayor, City Council, and big tobacco lobbyists are just dying to know!" "Sure -- say, do you have any spare change?" Jesus asked. "Careful, Lord," I replied. "you could get arrested around for saying stuff like that in this town!" "Pardon me while I dance in the street for a moment," said the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. "I sure hope there are no squad cars nearby." "Look, God, you are going to get me arrested one of these days! I'm really scared of the cops!" Jesus hopped back onto my trike. "Sorry, Gary. I know how scared you are of the cops. They're not around. I checked." "Thanks Jesus. So, about the smoking ban?" I was almost to the house I was to work at, and soaking wet all over, but feeling really good, really out there in the Creation, wet like a leaf or a shiny-skinned warm animal rather than stuck inside the deathly tombs of capitalism gone awry that fill our cityscape. "I'm no good at this sort of thing, Gary. You know I don't fit in with the established religious or political leadership. They always try to kill me, for crying out loud!" Jesus was quiet for a long, sad minute. We watched the rain. Finally, I spoke. "I know how multiply-addicted the American Empire is, Jesus. Our wealth is rooted in genocide and slavery, then and now. From the big landgrab in God's name to the ' full spectrum dominance" of the planet to the economic rape of poor tobacco farmers. I guess I am afraid Minneapolis will lose either way. Smoking ban or no smoking ban, I am afraid people will go on about their lives the same old way, unaware -- perhaps intentionally so -- of the way we ourselves are locked into a violent lifestyle in an urban landscape that is itself an infrastructure of violence, not an infrastructure of peace. Too often, the violence overwhelms me. What does it take for people to let go of fear and live a little Heaven into being now?" Jesus looked right at me, just before He disappeared. "If I told you what I thought, Gary, you know that you or someone else would just misuse it. That's the saddest thing of all. Look. I'm thinking of visiting Amsterdam. I might dance in the the streets a little. You sure you couldn't spare some change?" Then He was gone. I felt like I should at least let the list know about this conversation. --pedaling for peace and ecojustice from Kingfield neighborhood -- soon to be paddling? -- Gary Hoover REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
