Planet Waves | June 02, 2005 Mirror, mirror, on the wall ... Back in the day, we spiritual seekers were told that the "answer" to all questions was right under our nose. Why couldn't we see it, then? It was in "the mirror," we learned. The mirror was any situation in which we noticed OURSELF as we gazed disappovingly at another. For instance, the story of moment is undoubtedly the elder Mark Felt coming forward as Watergate informant, Deep Throat -- we are all fascinated at the revealing of a secret that has intruigued Washington, and the world, for thirty years. This has prompted the pundits to go into an endless round of speculation on why he did it -- a question I consider irrelevant. That he DID earns my profound respect and appreciation. Today, arch-conservative and Crossfire host, Bob Novak, painted Felt as a "disgruntled employee" [an allegation reserved for every whistleblower.] Today's Crossfire will include an impassioned, I'd think, discussion of the motives behind Felt's willingness to talk and what he'd hoped to gain by leaking that important lead, years ago. Oh, curiouser and couriouser, my dears -- Bob Novak, dubbed "The Prince of Darkness" by his own, is the very same reporter who "leaked" the news that Joe Clark's wife, Valerie Plame, was a CIA operative and arguably put her life in danger, a federal offense. Note that while others of his profession have been subpoenaed in this affair, and chastened by the courts for protecting their sources, Bob has not given up his informant ... leading us all to wonder if he's even been ASKED, or is being protected by the government insider that informed him. Mirror, mirror, Bob! What were YOUR motives? It is, of course, sooooo much easier to see the mote in the other guys eye than the one in our own. Funny how obvious their moments of hypocracy are ... and how obscure our own actions appear to us. That's why the mirror is so important ... that's why ATTENDING to that mirror is critical to our spiritual growth. When we see ourself AND our "shadow self," as well, we begin to come to maturity as a human and a soul ... and recognize that it IS right under our nose. It's what's within us that creates what's without. In the 50's, there was a cartoonist named Walt Kelly who wrote a political strip -- his cast of creatures inhabited a swamp [likely analogy for WA DC] and his little opossum hero, Pogo, said it best, shortly before Kelly retired both Pogo and himself: "We Have Met The Enemy and He Is Us" Below is a link to an article by Sister Joan Chittister, a potent writer and one I worry about, as the new ultra-conservative Pope cracks down on anything liberal. This particular piece, in which she discusses Bush's dismissal of Amnesty International's human rights concerns, says a good deal about "the mirror" of our nation and it's disturbing reflection -- but we have to get a good long look before we decide to change. Be brave, open and read her thoughtful piece. I'm also posting the link to todays Bob Woodward article on his relationship with Mark Felt, in case you haven't gotten to it. Peace ~ Jude The shock of being shocked -- Joan Chittister, OSB -- http://nationalcatholicreporter.org/fwis/fw060205.htm How Mark Felt Became 'Deep Throat' -- Bob Woodward -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/01/AR2005060102124.html Jude, the editor of Political Waves, is currently standing in for Eric Franics on his daily blog. You can subscribe to Political Waves (our all-politics news distribution list) for free at the link below. You'll receive between five and 10 news articles each day. You may write to Jude with your responses to her commentaries at moderator@planetwaves.net. Political Waves list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/political_waves/