Creative Commons: Copyright Reform of the U.S. Congress:

I have only just discovered this interesting new voice on the public scene. His name is Lawrence Lessig. If you haven’t already heard of him, you might want to take note. His book, “Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy,” tackles art and copyright issues as they relate to new media. He outlines new realities that creators face in our online world. He also comments on Barack Obama, whom he knew from his earlier Chicago days. Last but not least, he discusses reform of the U.S. congress, advocating the weaning of the system from its over-dependency on raising money. Follow this link to a very interesting Charlie Rose interview with Lawrence Lessig. Charlie Rose Interviews Lawrence Lessig

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Charter for Compassion: Changing the Religious Dialog:

Each fall season seems to roll in through the back door. The wind sneaks in and out between the cracks, until finally outsmarting the sun. It’s a halting thing, this transition into constant chills and comforting teas. Warmed bones are pried loose from complacent afternoons. We enter a world of sensation--mums and lungs on potent air -- at once familiar and new. Recent experiences gather, like thickened clouds, calling a contest for the store houses of memory. Consolidating the layers of present with past, space is made for new steps. Like most change, entering fall brings both the bitter and sweet. As nature folds in anticipation of winter, the fall can symbolize internal processing and introspection.
In creative terms, the “fall” inward provides a sort of refuge for creative renewal. Autumn of the creative cycle invites rest, reflection, evaluation, appreciation. It seeks permission to perfect, in repetition, what is yet to be mastered. Until intuition demands we stretch forward, once again, to test, learn, and shape the outer world. Through contraction and repetition, energies emerge, once again, into expansion.
In the "falls" of creative change, anxious thresholds aren't just normal, but essential. Varied themes meet in tension-filled counterpoint, ultimately serving progression. If we work at accepting each movement in the present for what is, rather than resisting the present for what is yet to be, we will enjoy more peace during the highs and the lows.
FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Pulling at the Roots of Extremism In this video presentation, scholar Karen Armstrong articulates an elegant core message of unity among all religions. Having veered sharply away from religion and its dogmatic pitfalls, Ms. Armstrong turned toward literary studies and writing. Along the way, she developed a compelling vision for how the world may join to rescue religion from abusive justification for violent means in the midst of political struggles. She delivers a powerful call, not only to religious leaders, but to media professionals and all of us, to support her vision.

Watch Video

In follow-up to my Gateways post on September 25th, Scholar Karen Armstrong is leading the call for a “Charter for Compassion” to be created by people all over the world. As every religion has a history of intolerance, so each religion has principles for overcoming intolerance. The Charter aims to shift religious conceptions and relieve polarization. This new collaboration between the world’s religions is being conducted in partnership with the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and other multi-faith initiatives. The project begins with a focus on the Abrahamic faiths, since they account for much of the world's inter-religious conflict. If they can reach common ground, it would be a huge step. As I understand it, the final Charter would appeal more broadly to include members of any world tradition, plus all people choosing to remain outside the structures of religion. This link will take you to an artful 3-minute film articulating the aspirations of the project. Visit the site, contribute your stories in writing, or simply watch this inspiring piece:

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: Pulling at the Roots of Extremism

Charter for Compassion

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American Freedom Campaign: Film by Naomi Wolf Defends Constitution:

We are entering a period that promises renewal in our country. Most of us are optimistic that a return to our most deeply held collective values is imminent. If you love the freedoms provided by our American Constitution and believe in our ability to continue realizing its ideals, I ask you to watch this important film in its entirety. Journalist Naomi Wolf at first resisted the deeper implications of the last eight years' "War on Terror."

Prompted by an insistent German friend, Ms. Wolf finally directed her research to the history of fascism. Her film illustrates the step-by-step breakdown of democracy, using vivid historical parallels. Wolf in not an alarmist. She is a true American patriot, bringing to light this important moment in history, helping us to clarify what has been at stake. This film is about danger, but also hope. It's a moving tribute to our founders, and a stark reminder that an informed public is the essential safeguard to our inheritance--no matter who occupies the presidency. (The film will start after a short commercial message.) Watch Film

Visit the site:
Scroll to view Al Gore speaking on the balance of powers as intended by the constitution:

American Freedom Campaign
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Hole in the Wall Camps: Tribute to the Creative Life of Paul Newman:

September brought a sad, sweet farewell to Paul Newman, who died of cancer at the age of 83. Amidst the media gloom and campaign rancor of the season, a glance at his life makes for refreshing fare.

What film lover could forget Newman's understated blue-eyed "Cool Hand Luke," his tortured soul as Brick in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," his romantic charm as Butch Cassidy. Over the years, his characters helped us to articulate the spirit of our times. He became like a friend, journeying alongside us through the decades. His colleagues have long commented on his lack of outsized ego, his generosity on stage, and his abiding Ohio-born, down-to-earth perspective.

But he left not only fine creative work as an actor, or warmth of personal character. He left us an example, by his later work in philanthropy.

It all started the Christmas of 1980, when he and his Westport neighbor, A.E. Hotchner, filled old wine bottles with Paul's homemade salad dressing as gifts to friends. They wound up lining the shelves of a local gourmet shop, as a joke. But sobriety arrived when the dressing sold out, detailed in a book the two penned years later -- "Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good." In a nutshell, by 2008, Newman's Own Foundation had donated more than 250 million dollars to charities around the world. His Hole in the Wall Camps bring, at no charge, joyful experiences to seriously ill children. He also helped found the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy.

Strange how we can grow to love a public figure whom we've never met. His passing, for many Americans, feels akin to losing a family member. One whose roles are still very much alive:

loving family man and friend, gifted actor, progressive activist, and philanthropist with a sense of humor. To sum it up, a humanitarian we will never forget.

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