Dalai Lama Quote of the Week

Dalai Lama Quote of the Week:

Global Responsibility

Occasionally I notice that people are making a convenient distinction between ethics on the personal level and ethics on the wider social level. To me, such attitudes are fundamentally flawed, as they overlook the interdependence of our world.

That individual ethics--or rather their absence--can have an impact on the lives of many is powerfully demonstrated by the global financial crisis that began in 2008, the repercussions of which are still being felt around the world. It revealed the way unbridled greed on the part of a few can adversely affect the lives of millions. So, just as in the wake of the 9/11 attacks we started to take the dangers of religious extremism and intolerance seriously, so too, in the wake of the financial crisis, should we take the dangers of greed and dishonesty seriously. When greed is seen as acceptable, even praiseworthy, there is clearly something wrong with our collective value system.

In this age of globalization, the time has come for us to acknowledge that our lives are deeply interconnected and to recognize that our behavior has a global dimension. When we do so, we will see that our own interests are best served by what is in the best interests of the wider human community. By contrast, if we concentrate exclusively on our inner development and neglect the wider problems of the world, or if, having recognized these, we are apathetic about trying to solve them, then we have overlooked something fundamental. Apathy, in my view, is itself a form of selfishness. For our approach to ethics to be truly meaningful, we must of course care about the world. This is what I mean by the principle of global responsibility, which is a key part of my approach to secular ethics.(p.84)

--from Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The cyberstalking case was dismissed.

The United States of America vs. Cassidy cyberstalking case was dismissed.

Other than the fact that it's my own teacher who's had to endure as many as 350 nasty and threatening @JALPalyul tweets a day (you may not realize that if you type "@ThePersonYouWantToReach" it will turn up in their Tweet stream -- unless you've already been blocked; multiple sockpuppets every day can get around being blocked, as her stalker discovered) --

-- but other than the fact it's her --

I can't help but think about the women in fandom I know who have abusive or controlling husbands, boyfriends, or difficult family lives. For the ones I know, fandom is an escape, a safety valve, a place they can build friendships without having the abuser step in. Abusers typically cut off friendships and isolate women. Helps them consolidate their power. They're often subtle about it: they might belittle the friends and mock their wives poor taste until that friend is gone. I once wrote a story for someone who told me privately that she was being abused by her brother and her (overworked) mother refused to believe he was violent. I know more than one woman whose values don't match their husbands' or families', so online is where they can go.

Women shouldn't have to hide online in the first place. But if they do, their abuser shouldn't be able to chase them down, stalk them, and abuse them there.

( The story with Bill Cassidy )

Cassidy was released on December 22nd.

Jetsunma has gone to ground. From her:

"Hello! Hearing that my friends are worried, I’d like to say that I am already in a safe secure place and surrounded by friends. I’ve gone underground as “U.S. vs. Cassidy” was dismissed.
I don’t know how long I must hide.

"But I think of all women, and what we are forced to endure, and I cry for us all. We must continue to support each other, and advocate for woman’s rights and freedom from abuse. We must change the laws and therefore change the world. All beings are equal in nature and we have the right to defend ourselves.

"I’ll be moving again soon. This is a way to be safe while the wheels of justice move forward, and strong women are upheld according to their contributions and gifts. Not destroyed for their strength by men with no respect and no love. My Lineage will support me, and women’s advocates as well. My tears are for those women who have no one. Please look for advocacy groups. You have a right to your own life free of fear and cruelty! And a right to live in peace."

You know what? A woman should be able to tell an unwanted "suitor" no, without receiving years of abuse.