An Indian Pluralist’s Republic Day Message To Indian Americans

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 I am proud of the pluralistic ethos of my motherland, India and my homeland,
America. It is a pleasure to call both the nations, “God’s own countries.” Let me explain why, and make a few suggestions that you can act upon as an individual to sustain the pluralistic ethos of India. Let’s do our bit in restoring dharma, the righteous living.

Our nations, Democratic Republic of India and the United States of America are microcosmic representations of the universe we inhabit. We are blessed geographically with a range of topography from deserts to fertile lands, from mountains to the shining sea and the flat lands to valleys. Seasons wise, we enjoy all the four full seasons – winter, spring, summer and the fall. Indeed, we are blessed to be represented by every race, ethnicity and religion.
PLURALISTIC ETHOS
My interest as a social scientist is in sustaining the pluralistic ethos of India and America, which are threatened by a few short-sighted, but powerful rabble rousers among us.
Pluralistic ethos simply means, living our life and letting others live theirs. It is accepting the God given uniqueness to each one of us. No matter what language we speak, how we look, what we eat, drink, wear, or how we worship the creator, we will accept each other’s uniqueness as legitimate, and then respect the otherness of others. You are who you are, and I am who I am.
Hinduism talks about Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum, an idea that we are all part of one family despite our differences. Islam, Judaism and Christianity talk about having a common father and mother; Adam and Eve and we are an extended family. Sikhism blends us all under Wahe Guru and the Baha’i faith wraps all of us as many paths but one source, similarly Jainism, Buddhism, Tribalism and other traditions have richly contributed to the idea of cohesive societies.
Cohesive Societies are communities where people mind their own business, live their own lives and let others live theirs, but yet, work together as one composite unit.
Every Indian and American has a need to feel that he or she is a part of the society, rejection will certainly create problems.As an example of cohesiveness, look at our own bodies, we are made up of several items like heart, brain, kidneys, lungs, liver, anus, mouth, nose, ears etc. No part can claim that his role is the most important one. Indeed, there was a battle once when the organs were arguing about their role in normal functioning of human body. The Anus claimed that he was the most important organ in the body, the other organs laughed and ridiculed him, and to show them, he decided to assert his claim and shuts down for two days causing unbelievable misery and havoc! Frustrated with the pain, the other organs acknowledged his importance, and rightfully called him an ass hole but begged him to start functioning, so others can function normally. A cohesive society is when all of us function together for common good.
Prime Minister Modi had surprised the nation with his inclusionary statement made on November 1, 2014. As a Pluralist, I whole heartedly welcomed that statement and congratulated him for taking that step. He said, “The BJP should be like a bouquet so that every Indian felt there was a flower in it that he or she could identify with. “And, “A poor and illiterate person living in a slum should think, ‘Yes, there is a flower for me in this bouquet’.
At this precise juncture in our history, the Dalits do not feel like a flower in the bouquet. I do invoke the Prime Minister to act on his talk, and create an environment of inclusion. Unless he gets his party men to believe in what he has said, his leadership will remain a mere talk. A few rogue elements from his party are hell bent on throwing his bouquet into gutter; and his legacy is on the line.
Modi can finish his term as another promiser and talker, or become the doer. The choice is clearly his, and he alone is the driver of his legacy. All he has to do is give a 3-minute speech on each major incident like Rape, farmers Suicide, Dalit Suicide, homicide of writers, and witch-hunting for beef and murder of Akhlaq, to assure the people that he does believe in the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum, and that he will not tolerate any Indian making the life of another Indian miserable. That is all it takes for Ram’s sake. We are losing the ideal of live and let live, and PM Modi can restore it far more effectively than any one in India at this time.
As Indian Americans, most of us have cherished the values of America and have become Americanized. Being American is respecting and believing in the rights of others, and being American is to value others life liberty and pursuit of their happiness; being American is letting each faith member practice his or her faith, and build his or her place of worship; and being American is NOT drawing sadistic pleasure by denying others rights. Unfortunately, we have a few in both nations who have not imbued the great values of these nations, and it is our duty, and responsibility of each one of us to the be pracharaks of American values.
The idea of Liberty is I don’t agree with you, but I’ll fight for your rights. Yes, if we the Indian Americans can truly call ourselves Americans, we have to speak up.
Suggested actions for the organizations and individuals
We have to have the following actions in building a cohesive India, where no Indian has to live in apprehension or fear of the other, and feel included in every sphere of life.
1. Today, on this Republic Day, let India’s flag be hoisted together with fellow Indians who are Adivasis, Atheists, Bahá’ís, Bos, Buddhists, Christians, Dalits, Hindus, Jains, Jewish, Muslim, Sikhs, Tribal, Zoroastrians and every Indian representation. Let no Indian representation be left out. Reach out and bring them together at the Red Fort, and let them all proudly hoist our Tiranga, then go ahead and give them a hug, it will speak million words of our good intentions. It will generate the spirit of sab ka saath on a social basis.
2. The Indian American Organizations can do the same, invite Indians of all hues to come together, and celebrate the Republic Day in the spirit of India. If your heart is dirty and a sewer runs through it, the people can see through you, and not come, clean it up, they will come. I will be happy to make the calls to those who are unwilling for the sake of India.
3. Acknowledge that we see God as one, none and many; and in every form; male, female, genderless and non-existent, being and non-being, nameless and with innumerable names, and as Indians, we should not be biased towards any one.
4. Today, proclaim that India is God’s own country, and is represented by every race, nationality, ethnicity, language, culture and religion. Announce that we are Adivasis, Native Americans, Atheists, Baha’is, Bos, Buddhists, Christians, Dalits, Hindus, and Jains, Jewish, Muslim, Pagans, Shinto, Sikhs, , Wicca, Zoroastrians and every possible grouping out there on God’s earth. We are Brown, Black, White, and Yellow and come in all the colors nature has produced us.
5. Aspire for an India that the world can emulate; and not the other way around. India is a pluralistic democracy where everyone can eat, drink, wear or believe whatever he or she wants to in his or her pursuit of happiness.
6. Announce that from this day forward, every Indian will have equal access to education, employment, housing, business loans, and entrepreneurial opportunities and if anyone is denied that opportunity, you will step up and stand up against the violators.
7. Every Indian wants justice and demands a fair treatment of every one of the 1.31 billion Indians; rich or poor, connected or not, we must come to grips with the social and community life to create an exemplary India that will become a model nation in the world. Create an Equal Opportunity Commission based on US Model. Ask not what others will do, ask yourselves, are you capable of being a good Samaritan?
PLEDGE TO ONE INDIA
You can institute a pledge that every public office holder from the Peon to the President of India and everyone in between must take and live by it. Violation should disqualify him or her from holding the public office. Let it be monitored publicly.
As Indians we can that pledge to both India and America on the Republic Day:
1. I pledge allegiance to India, one nation that stands for liberty and justice for all.
2. I pledge that I honor and treat every Indian with “full” dignity.
3. I pledge that all individuals would be treated on par.
4. I pledge that I will treat all religions with equal respect, equal access and equal treatment.
5. I pledge that I will oppose any act that treats any Indian less than me.
6. I Pledge that I will work for an India, where every individual can live with security and aspire for prosperity.
7. I pledge that I will protect, preserve and value every inch of India and every human soul in India

This would be the first step towards ensuring a just, peaceful and prosperous India that can sustain its progress and peace. If you can do it, then you can expect others to do it.
I love my India.
Jai Hind.

Mike Ghouse

Genuine Interfaith Dialogue

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Genuine Interfaith Dialogue | TheGhouseDiary.com

In a Genuine interfaith dialogue, we respect the otherness of others and never claim our faith to be superior to the other as it amounts to arrogance. Religion is about humility that builds bridges between peoples and the communities, and not about arrogance which kills relationships and breeds conflicts.

One of the key things about genuine interfaith dialogue is to develop the ability to see the beauty in other faiths, without having the anxiety to flaunt yours as the best. If we were selling religion like used cars, we have to put others down to make ours look better.

But religion is not a business, it is a system to help an individual achieve his or her own peace within, and peace with what surrounds; life and matter.

When my daughter was going to the Baptist Church, I mentioned to her that if the Pastor decides to denigrate other faiths in his sermons, don’t be gullible to buy it. She came back with a powerful response, “Dad, if the Pastor tells all religions are equal or beautiful, why would people go to his congregation?” He has to tell the people that others are not worthy.

Is religion a business? Is one’s income tied to the number of congregants? Ultimately what difference does it make if you believe in God the Christian way, Muslim, Hindu or any other way?  God loves his creation, all of his creation, and if he does not, then why do we need a God like that?

Over the years, I have heard different versions of the following sentences uttered by Imams, Rabbis, Pastors, Pundits and clergy from other faiths. “No other faith offers this connection with God” – “Only _______ offers salvation” – “Our faith is based on science”, ” _____ is a very logical faith”, “No other faith gives a purpose in life like our _______ faith, ”  Every time I hear that, I cringe. Why are they duping their congregants?   I make quick notes and invariably ask the clergy, if they were aware that other faiths also offer the same ideals, here they are….  they walk away, or double down on it. 

A few have said to me, look, if people want to believe in my claims, let them. I reminded them that it borders on dishonesty,  as a religious person, doesn’t he owe the truth to his congregants?  

I hope a day will come
when more of us can speak about other religions honestly and sincerely.  That is, for a Jew to speak about Christianity
as a Christian would speak and vice-versa, a Hindu to speak about Islam as a Muslim would speak and vice versa, and for a Sunni Muslim to speak about
Shia, as a Shia would speak about his tradition.  We should have the integrity to articulate other people’s faith honestly, or have the common sense to believe that others faiths must be equally good for them to follow.    

You are who you are, and
I am who I am. 

I can never be like you, nor can you ever be like me,

Your faith is as dear to
you, as my faith is dear to me.
I like my faith as you like yours, but…

 I will never claim my faith is superior, as it generates conflict, and religion is not about conflict, it is about removal of apprehension and bringing peace.

As I study the beauty of all faiths, I pick things here and there to share.  Here is a chapter from Quran,  called Kafirun,  which has the similar language as the above four lines, and I am hoping to hear from my fellow religionists to share something like this from their tradition. No religion is superior to the other, period! Here it is – http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/07/sura-kafirun-un-believers.html

You will find a handful of religious people, who are honest enough to
acknowledge the beauty of other faiths, without worrying that their
faiths will become less valuable, or others may criticize you.

Again, I am blessed to have written up about every faith tradition;
you can Google search the following:

  1. Atheist Mike Ghouse
  2. Bahai Mike Ghouse
  3. Buddhist Mike Ghouse
  4. Christian Mike Ghouse
  5. Hindu Mike Ghouse
  6. Jain Mike Ghouse
  7. Jewish Mike Ghouse
  8. Native American Mike Ghouse
  9. Pagan Mike Ghouse
  10. Sikh Mike Ghouse
  11. Wicca Mike Ghouse
  12. Zoroastrian Mike Ghouse

You can also Google Search

  1. Name of (most major) a Festival Mike Ghouse
God has blessed me with the ability to stand up for every one, and I have to complete compiling the list, meanwhile, you can check these out.

  1. Standing up for Atheists – http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/04/speaking-up-for-atheists.html
  2. Standing up for Christians – http://nabsites.net/demo/standing-with-christians/
  3. Standing up for Hindus – http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/04/standing-with-hindus.html
  4. Standing up for Jews – http://nabsites.net/demo/standing-up-with-jews/
  5. Standing up for Sikhs – http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/08/standing-up-for-sikhs.html
  6. Standing up GLBT – http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/05/standing-up-for-gays-and-lesbians.html
  7. Standing up for Immigrants – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrjU0KULv-Y
  8. Standing up for others – to be completed. 
 Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer,
news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign
policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at
www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs
listed there in. 

My Grandmother was a fiercely independent woman

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L-R: My sister, my mom, Dadi maa, me and my brother in the front.

A tribute to my Grandmother – my Dadimaa
This is the story of my Grandmother, it is an interfaith story of an independent unbiased woman one hundred years ago, and this is my tribute to her.

Dadima (as I called my Grandmother), my aunt, my mother, my sister, and my daughter have been influential women in my life. One thing that stands out about them is they are free from bias and prejudice. Dadima did not have a sense of barrier or difference between her and her fellow beings. The others were not Hindus or Dalits to her but people by name.

She became a widow when influenza, also known as Spanish flu, hit India around 1915-1919; much of my family was wiped out in that epidemic. She used to tell us that you bury one, and by the time they returned home, they had another one to take to the cemetery.

She abandoned her agricultural land and moved from a tiny village called Irgampalli, where my Grandfather was a Patel (Chief). She walked 12 miles, placing my Dad in a basket over her head, and
carried my aunt on her side as no transportation was available then. Buses did not run that route, and the bullock carts ran once a week.

In the Mid-Sixties, I lived in Irgampalli for about six months after high school; my Dad wanted me to be a farmer on my Grandfather’s land abandoned almost 50 years ago and converted it into an income-producing property.

We did have a few acres dedicated to growing Mogra (Jasmine) flowers; I was not sure why, but I realized now, it may have been his sentiment to honor his mother. My father’s affection and respect for his mother was exemplary.

She walked the miles and made it to Chintamani town and raised her two kids living in her brother’s house. She was a very proud woman and did not want any help or became a ‘burden’ on others. A divorced woman or a widow would come back to her parents’ home and live with them in those days. Women did not work then. Indeed, it is ironic that the women’s suffrage act was passed in America in the same year.

She took charge of her own life by sewing and selling flower garlands and taking care of my father and aunt with the money earned. Then they moved to Yelahanka with my aunt’s marriage, and she continued her work, and her flower garlands decked the floats of Hindu deities on the Annual Karga and Ratha processions.

She was a Muslim and had no qualms about decorating Hindu deities. By the way, my Grandfather’s brother is a saint whom I do not subscribe to, but they conduct annual “Urs” all annual evening festivities by his mausoleum.

The flowers that sustained my Dadima were Jasmine, also known as Mogra, and that sentimentalism caused me to name my daughter “Jasmina.” She is very much a proud independent woman. I am proud of my Dadima, aunt, mother, sister, and daughter; I am a blessed guy to be influenced by these fiercely independent women. These women have no bias towards fellow humans. My Grandmother was an independent woman before her time. She was a proud woman.

My father went on to become the Mayor of the town of Yelahanka in the early ’50s. He also headed the Mosque leadership. His Hindu friends like Ramaswamy, Shankarappa, Muniyappa, and a few others from the City council created a beautiful integrated city. Yelahanka, at that time, had a population of about 10,000 people, and the Muslims were about 50 families, but yet, he was one of them, there existed no discrimination!

I was a darling baby to all his Hindu friends, they dressed me up as Bala Krishna (Baby Krishna), and we celebrated all the festivals. My Dadima prepared foods that people cooked during the Hindu festival of Gowri and Ganesh.

I will always be indebted to her. She was an independent woman; she was ahead of her time. She raised my father well, and I am the result of that.

Mike Ghouse

Thank you Martin Luther King Jr – 7 things about MLK

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Gratitude to Martin Luther King, Jr | TheGhouseDiary.com

Firstly,
we the people owe a great deal to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  A majority of us Americans were living with a
sense of guilt, a sense of being rotten the way we treated our fellow men and
women.    His
struggle has liberated us from such pain,  and has brought freedom to the oppressed
Black Men and women, we still have ways to go, but go we will.

MLK- changed the morality of America for better

Secondly, we the people appreciate the white majority to have stood up for what
was right – and join MLK on the steps of Lincoln Memorial to let the
administration know what was morally right needs to become the law of the land.

Thirdly,
we appreciate the African American community for enduring the humility and
non-violently appealing to the morality of the nation and bring about the
change that was needed.
Fourthly,
we the immigrant Americans, particularly the non-whites would not have made it
to America, had it not been for the Civil rights acts that MLK caused to
happen. All of us non-white Americans owe our success to MLK and we need to
pray for his soul today.

 Fifthly, as Indian Americans, we
appreciate MLK, who saw the value in Mahatma Gandhi’s’ non-violent methods to
turn the oppressors around to see the futility in their approach. In MLK’s own voice – https://www.facebook.com/cspanhistory/videos/880821915364690/

Sixthly, as Muslim Americans, we are deeply committed to building a cohesive
America, where no American has to feel alienated, apprehensive or fearful of
the fellow Americans. We are committed to the safety and security of America.

Seventhly, I invite my fellow Americans to take time to reflect on the bottom
line work of all the great spiritual masters and civic leaders in creating such
societies, and share your favorite quote of MLK.

Thanks for taking the time to read my heartfelt notes.

Our mission at America Together Foundation is to build a cohesive America,
where we are all a part of the great web called America, and whatever we do to us or ourselves, will
affect us all.

God bless Martin Luther King Jr., and God bless America

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer,
news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign
policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at
www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs
listed there in.

Democratic Debate on Jan 17, 2016.

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Democratic Debate | TheGhouseDiary.com

What a contrast it is with the Republican debates! It was a
pleasure to hear the Democrats talk about keeping America great. This is one of
the greatest nations on the earth for the values it stands and the values her
majority supports. The Republicans on the other hand talk about making America
great, but put her down every time they open their mouth.  

I have to ask my Republican friends, whose party was built on great principles,
where are the mainstream representatives of the Republicans?  It is not what the guys like Trump, Cruz,
Rubio, Carson and their likes say, it is the evil silence of the mainstream
Republicans that bothers me… and after 30 years, I quit being a Republican for
that very same reason.

The Democratic conversation is about uniting the country, where as the
Republicans were about dividing the country.


The Democrats are about uplifting America, increasing the minimum wage, equal
pay for equal work to men or women, and let Americans have their liberty and go
after the pursuit of their happiness with liberty and justice for all. The
Republicans are opposed to these values.

The Democrats were talking about integrated societies with fair treatment of the
different components of the society – Blacks, Hispanic, Muslims and others.
The Democrats want to
hold those police officers accountable who are racist or do not follow the law,
whereas the Republicans want to back the blue blindly.

The Democrats believe
in keeping America healthy, and the responsibility of the state, whereas the
Republicans do not care. That is, if you leave it completely to private sector
and market place to determine, we go back to the pre-civil rights era.  Not acceptable.

The Democrats understand the climate change and its terrible consequences, the
Republicans refuse to accept that the carbon emissions had polluted our air,
and we had to fix that, so we can breathe.

The Democrats see the global warming and want to fix it, whereas the
Republicans deny it. Not because they are not aware of it, but because they are
bought out by the fossil fuel producers and owners.

I like Fox TV much
better to watch the debates and sports; they keep their screens clean and
active. NBC’s background music during the breaks was annoying to the point of
me making the point. Fox Manages breaks much better.
We have to bust the
power of Wall Street and the rich guys who buy the Senators Congressmen and
Presidential Candidates to do what is in their interest.  Our Democracy is at risk, if we do not have
our representative represent us and instead represent the men who throw bones
at them.

Democrats support normalization of relations with Iran, one less tension to
have, but Republicans don’t want that because, once again not because they don’t
understand, but because Netanyahu and his lobby has bought them out.

No more boots on grounds, war is evil, where as Republicans are too eager to go
destroy others and in the process destroy America.

What is needed is for the Good Republicans to speak up, and let their goodness
prevail over the pettiness of the entire crew of Presidential candidates.

My notes about  the Republican Debate – http://nabsites.net/demo/pathetic-republican-debate-on-1142016/

Mike Ghouse, an independent
My loyalty is to America and not the Party.

 Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer,
news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign
policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at
www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs
listed there in. 

Pathetic Republican Debate on 1.14.2016

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PATHETIC REPUBLICAN
DEBATE
Republicans need to
earn support from the intelligent people also who would make at least half of
the American voters; they need to offer reason and solutions to
appeal to them and quit smoking and duping Americans.

1. The debate was not
about what they can do, but what they can un-do
2. They talk about
bombing and destroying others, they need to talk peace
3. The more virulently
they attack Obama, the more claps they get, pathetic!
4. They put down America,
and everything American – it’s embarrassing
5. Facts simply don’t
matter to them – they boldly say the most blatant lies
6. Trump looks better
than those two creeps Rubio & Cruz who are sold outs
7. Where are the good
Republicans? Their silence will ruin the GOP
Seriously, we need to limit the terms
for Congress and Senate to two. So they can serve the nation, instead of being
loyal to the guys who throw bones at them. You can buy these guys if you got
millions, their souls are for sale.
I am Not a Republican
or a Democrat, but an Independent voter. My loyalty is to America and American
interests and not any party. My freedom allows me to choose the right candidate
regardless of his or her party.
Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer,
news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign
policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at
www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs
listed there in. 

America’s enduring value; freedom and Hijab.

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America’s enduring value; freedom and Hijab | www.WorldMuslimCongress.com


One should have the freedom to wear, eat, drink or believe whatever the hell they want, as long as they are not taking anything away from you. 

The Taliban extremists force women to wear the full Burqa, where as the French extremists force the women not to wear.  These brutes do not represent civil society, as both of them want to tell a woman what she wears. Who the hell are they?


Wearing Hijab does not amount to oppression, forcing them not to wear amounts to oppression.  Hijab is a cultural expression,   a woman who is raised wearing full skirts will not be comfortable wearing mini-skirts; many a women are not comfortable showing cleavage, whereas others are comfortable with it. Neither is good or bad, it is what the individual is comfortable with.

Hijab is not a religious requirement, however modesty is. Modesty is not only religious and but the civilized thing to do. The men are first asked to lower their gaze and not look lustily at women, and then women are asked in equal terms to cover their bosoms.

On the other hand, Muslim men are not comfortable wearing shorts, or going shirtless even around their own kids and family members.  Men in other cultures have a range – but very few walk around naked in their homes.


I will stand with Muslim women who want to wear Hijab; it is their choice and will stand against men who force their women to wear the Hijab.

What is your problem? What is your loss? Why do you want to impose your ideas on others? The America I cherish is the America where people mind their own business, and not hell bent on imposing their ideas on others.

Everyone has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  One of the enduring American values is freedom, freedom to choose what one wears, eats, drinks or believes.

One has a right to be a Taliban or French extremists, but being pro-choice respects the God given inalienable rights of individuals.

Related Articles:

Al-Azhar confirms Hijab is not a part of the religion
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/05/al-azhar-confirms-hijab-is-not-part-of.html
Hijab is Cultural and not Religious
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/07/hijab-is-cultural-and-not-religious_19.html

Burn the Burqa
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/01/burn-burqa.html

Burqa to no Burqa
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/07/burqa-to-no-burqa.html


Trump is right for once
http://nabsites.net/demo/trump-is-right-burqa-is-matter-of/
Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in. 

Human Rights are more important than the sovereignty of nations

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What it means is, that a nations’ sovereignty is inferior to the sovereignty of human rights. Human rights are more important than nations or religious rights.
What it means for Saudi Arabia is, that they have to honor the inalienable rights of individuals over the laws of the nation or religion, any religion for that matter. Nothing is greater than the inalienable rights of individuals.


In our land, we have come a long way, but more to go. Little men like Trump attempt to mess it, but all of them come and go, and our constitution remains an enduring value for ages to come, and we have to defend it no matter what sacrifices we have to make. Mike Ghouse


Our Immortal declaration of Independence


“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics,terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in. 

DFW and SDF Airport’s goofy Carpet Problems and Solutions

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Carpet Issue at the Airport | www.TheGhousediary.com

Wednesday, January 13,
2016, SDF/ DFW airports – It’s amazing how little attention the airport
authorities pay to what they do. For example, both at the DFW Airport and
Louisville Airport, they have replaced a patch of carpet that was worn out; the
problem is the new carpet.

The old carpet still occupies some 80% of the known floor area in the
terminals, but where the two terminals meet, they have replaced it with plush
new carpet.

When you drag your
baggage, it moves smoothly on its wheels on the old carpet, which is commercial
grade and sturdy.  But when you hit the intersection,
where the new carpet is placed, and the suitcase either falls, or stumbles
until you catch it.  The new carpet
surface is plush and you simply cannot drag the suit case… I have put up with
the crap for far too long, and it is time to inform the people to go back and
place sturdy carpet.  

I stood at the terminal intersection as in the picture, and attempted to interview
frustrated passengers, but everyone was running to catch the plane… no one
comes a few minutes early anymore?

But if had carried a sign that announced the name of a TV Channel, I would have
recorded a video of the flooring problem at the two airports. It is too damn
frustrating. I will not take this up with the Airport Authorities and see if
they care. If not, I will have to get that on camera or turn the media people
over there.

Where I’m standing,
two different carpets are seamed together, the carpet behind me is cushiony and
nice to walk, but hard to drag the luggage or run in a hurry, the one ahead of
me is old but great to roll the luggage or dash thru it.
Almost every one
literally cursed when they moved from the old carpet to the new one, the bag
would not move, fall or spin.  
Thank you,
Mike Ghouse, 
(214) 325-1916
Washington, DC 
Dr. Mike Ghouse is a
community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, newsmaker and a
professional speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam,  politics, human
rights, and foreign policy.  Mike is committed to
building cohesive
societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the
day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and
his writings are at TheGhousediary.com 

Muslim Success Stories | Congratulations to Dr. Babar Cheema

      Comments Off on Muslim Success Stories | Congratulations to Dr. Babar Cheema
Muslim Success Stories  | TheGhouseDiary.com    
Louisville, KY,
January 12, 2016 — Dr. Babar Cheema and I ran into each other in Louisville
Airport terminal. I was heading to Washington and he was returning from
Washington.

From time to time, I would like to write the Muslim success stories, not the ones who make lots of money, but the ones’ who do things that will create better safer and secure societies for all.

What a joy it was to
know that he was an honored guest at President Obama’s state of the Union address last
night. Dr. Mohammad Babar Cheema and a few others have worked relentlessly in building
relationships with fellow Americans of all hues, and this note is to appreciate
his work and to acknowledge his contributions.

If you know any other Muslim who was invited, please let us know with their
information, the least we can do is acknowledge and encourage others to get out
and be a part of the society.

Congratulations Dr.
Cheema!
This is how we become
part of the American story, thanks for setting the example. 
I urge every Muslim
to make that effort, to get out and be with the people, if you can afford, please
invite a Christian, Jewish, Hindu, African American, Hispanic, Chinese and an
Arab family to dinner, at least once a month.  For God’s sake get to know
each other as friends and kindly keep religion and politics out of the
conversation, don’t even try it. We all need to connect with each other as fellow Americans with common concerns. 
If God gives me life,
I want to do something very big this December, and want to celebrate those
Muslims who have built relationships with at least 10 families of different
faiths including- Atheists, Baha’i, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Jews,
Native Americans, Pagans, Shinto, Sikhs,  Wicca, Zoroastrians and others.
Each denomination in Christian and Muslim traditions counts as one.  
There is no limit to how many Muslims can do that. 
I’ll be happy to share
simple guidelines to make the dinner successful and memorable for everyone.
 
 
Here is a link to the extraordinary work that testifies their work in building good relationships.
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2015/09/are-muslims-part-of-american-society.html?m=1

 Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer,
news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign
policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at
www.MikeGhouse.net and a bulk of his writings are at TheGhousediary.com and
several blogs listed there in.