Thanks for this post; I, too, hope it sparks eal dialogue.

For me the issues of "dark culture" and "shadow" run secondary to context. Specifically, the contexts of two types of destruction at work: destructive destruction and creative destruction. The former destroys for the sake of corruption and further destruction of whatever supports vitality, soul and life., ie., destruction in the name of Destruction. The latter destroys only that which destroys vitality, soul and life, ie., destruction in the name of Creation.

Beyond my vigilance to many types of destructive desttruction, my own interests are firmly rooted in aesthetic and pragmatic forms of creative destruction. As a filmmaker, astrologer and paratheatre worker, I am aligned with the forces of creative destruction of whatever corrupts or destroys the Poetic Imagination, the chief inlet for Soul in the Hypermedia era. These processes drive and inspire my active participation in the revolution of soul retrieval at the cultural and personal levels. Imagination death precedes death of soul.

I am happy to share my experiences and what I am learning so far.

Interesting. After reflecting for a few moments, I recalled a book I have on my shelf, read it twice in the mid-90's, entitled "The Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance" by Howard S. Becker. It's a bit dated (written in 1963). I'll have to pull that one off the shelf and give it another read.

I consider myself fortunate having grown into adulthood without a leather fetish or masochistic leanings (I experienced enough physical pain while in the service, I try to avoid physical pain whenever possible). No disrespect intended towards those of you who enjoy beating and/or tying each other up.

As to the content of the article, I concur wholeheartedly with Sherpa's comments on the two destructions. I had an interesting experience with Shiva about 1 1/2 years ago and came to realize/receive "Destruction, Destruction, Peace". Don't ask why the word Destruction is repeated, I've tried figuring that one out myself. Damn, it's getting late and I gotta get to bed. I'll finish this post tomorow.

i ABSTRACTED THE FOLLOWING FROM AN EMAIL I RECIEVED TODAY

An important vote is going to take place tomorrow, Wednesday, February 13.

The Senate will decide whether we stop the CIA's use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" -- or as we would call them, torture. Section 327 of the Intelligence Authorization Conference Report (H.R. 2082), would prohibit the CIA from using abusive interrogation techniques (such as waterboarding) by requiring the CIA to comply with the Army Field Manual while conducting interrogations. The Army Field Manual prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

Please call your Senators now -- and urge them to support Section 327 of the Intelligence Authorization conference report. Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senators' offices. You can also go to the NRCAT website (www.tortureisamoralissue.org) and click on the link in the upper right red box. It will take you to a page that makes it easy to email your Senators.

This is the most important anti-torture legislation now before Congress with a real chance of passage. (The House has already passed this bill.) Every phone call counts.

Thank you for all that you do to end U.S.-sponsored torture.

Sincerely,

Linda Gustitus, NRCAT President
Richard Killmer, Executive Director

From Rabbis for Human Rights
The 2008 Intelligence Authorization Act is coming up for a vote in the Senate tomorrow! It is critical that our leaders hear from us now! They must be reminded that the Jewish community stands firmly against all forms of torture and so-called enhanced interrogation techniques. The CIA must be held to the standards of the Army Field Manual. Waterboarding must be acknowledged as a form of torture. Our government must honor the image of God in all people and stop torture now.


What is happening:
The bill, which has already passed in the House of Representatives, would prohibit a person in U.S. custody from being subject to interrogation methods that are not sanctioned by the Army Field Manual. This would prohibit the technique known as "waterboarding" or any so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques from being used. "Waterboarding" involves pouring water over the faces of subjects, who are bound and gagged with a piece of cloth, in order to simulate the feeling of drowning. The bill would pertain to any person in US custody, whether they were held by the US Military, a branch of the Intelligence services such as the CIA, or any "contractor or subcontractor at any tier of the element of the intelligence community." Senator Feinstein's amendment closes the loophole that allowed the CIA to use enhanced interrogation techniques.


The vote is TOMORROW. The voting is likely to be close to a Party-line vote with some Republicans like Chuck Hagel, who is a co-sponsor of the amendment, voting with the Democrats. It is important for your Senator to hear that you are opposed to the use of torture on detainees and to ask them to vote YES on the Conference Report of the Intelligence Authorization Bill.


What you can do:
Please call or fax your Senator's local or Washington Office. Ask to speak to the staffer in-charge of Intelligence matters. Find the telephone and/or fax numbers by going to the Senate website and look up your senator's homepage, or by calling the Senate switchboard (202) 224-3121. Please feel free to use the sample language below or craft language of your own.
We cannot allow the United States government, acting in our names, to use torture in the interrogation of detainees.


Sample Statement:
Please ask Senator_____ to (speaking to a staffer) (OR Dear Senator _____ ) Please vote YES to include section 347, the anti-torture provision, in the Conference Report of the 2008 Intelligence Authorization Act, Then vote to pass the entire bill. Section 347, the amendment introduced by Sen. Feinstein would prohibit so-called enhanced interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding. I am a member of K'vod Habriot: A Jewish Human Rights Network. As a person of faith I find it deplorable that my government actively engages in torture or other "enhanced interrogation techniques." The humanity of the victims, the perpetrators, and our entire American society is inevitably compromised by such conduct. As my representative in Washington, I urge you to take action to promote the human dignity of all-even U.S. detainees-and vote YES on the Conference Report of the 2008 Intelligence Authorization, complete with the Feinstein Amendment. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my views.

B'shalom,
Rabbi Brian Walt
Executive Director

Rachel Kahn-Troster
Associate Director of Education and Outreach
Rabbis for Human Rights North America


www.rhr-na.org
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