The Pope, the Ayatolas and me

All the publicity Pope Benedict has received because he quoted a Byzantine Emperor during an academic lecture has given me a lot to think about. Essentially his message was that violence as a tool for spreading the Faith doesn't make sense and is contrary to the way God does things. The reaction in the Muslim world appears to stem from their being insulted that the Emperor didn't think much of the Muslim religion and from the Pope's disclosing that those thoughts several centuries later.

Of course, that wasn't really it. What happens in the Muslim world is that men whose interest is to seize power create an enemy where none exists. They do everything to stir people by proclaiming insults where no insult exists. This technique of Propaganda was developed to a high level by Dr. Joseph Goebbels for the support of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. Every would-be great leader uses the technique in order that ignorant people may recognize the leader's greatness as he leads them to war and/or destruction. The techniques of politicians seeking power don't vary much from culture to culture!

How do people in the Muslim world think we see them? We see men who act like fools, rioting, burning and destroying their own communities because someone told them some Infidel insulted the Prophet, or the Koran. They act foolishly without knowing whether the leader told them the truth or merely interpreted something in such a way as to stir the soup.

Then I wondered, how do they see us? Certainly they see us as very thoroughly involved in an utterly material world. Our values appear to be focused on things: autos, electronic toys, luxurious living. To them we appear to be fools led by leaders who create enemies where none exist and start wars to destroy those enemies.

I don't want to insult. Each party to this brouhaha proclaims his innocence and blames the other.

All this, however, reminds me of a quote attributed to the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen:

The trouble with the world is that I am no different.
If I were different the whole world would be changed.

Power and Glory

I spent yesterday in the clutches of the medical profession. This was a necessary, but not necessarily pleasant activity. Thank God all is well!

While my back was turned all sorts of things occurred: successful surgery for a close friend, a military coup in Thailand, the bankruptcy of our daughter"s employer. Robberies, Murders, Stolen and Lost Children, Automobile Accidents, Financial Ups & Downs of local businesses. All these things and many more took place without my supervision, control, or for that matter, my interest. I was focused on me!

I am not upset with my behavior. I think it is appropriate to care for oneself and to be focused on oneself when that is necessary.

What amazes me again is how this world goes on without any of us having any real influence, let alone control of the process. Yesterday I was really just along for the ride. I wonder how many days are really any different?

Truly, Father, yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory.

Voting Principles - Beware of Red Herrings

Campaigning politicians try to keep us focused on broad generalities they really can't do anything about.

Cutting taxes is a favorite red herring. Of course no one wants to pay taxes and especially not more taxes. The trouble is that the tax supported budget of the government is no different from the paycheck supported budget you have to live with. Lower your income, you have to spend less. There comes a point where income and spending can't drop any more. We know this. We deal with it every month. Governments are notoriously inefficient and careless with our money. When was the last time you heard a politician running on his record of controlling and cutting spending?

Politicians like to promise things they can't do anything about. Candidates for governor promise, "I will cut taxes. I will increase police services. I will lower insurance costs....." None of these are things over which the Governor has any control. The Legislature controls the appropriations and taxes. The insurance commissioner has control of rate approvals. Presidential candidates are also prone to promise what they can not deliver. A real red herring will get you all excited about some issue that the politician stirring the pot can do nothing about.

Slogans are usually red herrings. Be careful of them. "Stay the Course." "Fear and Smear." "Honest Government." "Proud American." All sentiments designed to increase the heat and reduce the clarity of political discussion.

What are the real issues? What are realistic answers to problems? If you can't identify them then the speaker is sending you chasing after red herrings.

The Hermeneutic of Voting

Voting Principles (so far)

1. Throw the Scoundrels out.
2. Identify and eliminate the Incompetents.

3. The Party or the Person
4. Beware of the Red Herrings

Who blessed Me?

September 16, 2006

Well, I counted a total of 13 . My wife, the valet parking attendant, seven health care persons, a cafeteria worker, a woman waiting in line, a man who shared his ground cheese and a mail carrier who bent double over his cart to keep the elevator door open.

Me? I tipped the valet parking guy!

Who blessed you today - Who did you bless?

We can always tell who cut us off in traffic, who cheated us,or who jumped the checkout line in the supermarket. Can you tell who did something for you today, who went out of their way, of who simply said some comforting or supportive words?

Who blessed you today?

Tonight, before you go to bed, take a few moments to remember those to whom you spoke, or did business, shared a moment, or simply encountered.

If you have time, remember those who you blessed today. Which list is longer? Are you sure?

Voting Principles - Joining a Party

I'm a member of the Democrat/Republican/Libertarian/Green/Whatever party. We are a group of like minded people who unite our efforts in order to make this a better society and a better country in which to live.

Let's get real. Political parties are about political power not about like minded people, platforms, or agendas. Maybe the welfare of the country and a better society are in there somewhere, but they aren't even close to political power in importance.

If you are actively involved in government an community affairs and you want to associate with a party to further your goals. Go for it. Being a committee of one and trying to change the world is a non-starter. Or, to put it in Southern lingo, "That dog won't hunt!"

If you are a voter who wants a better country, you would do well to look carefully at the character of the persons to whom you are giving power. The question "Is this someone you'd buy a used car from?;" is a good starting place. If you have already ruled out the scoundrels and the incompetents, character is the next thing to consider.

Yes, I know you really care about the war and the economy and taxes and human rights, but these things aren't going to matter if the wrong hand is on the wheel.

The Hermeneutic - Voting Principles (so far)

1. Throw the Scoundrels out.
2. Identify and eliminate the Incompetents.

3. The Party or the Person

Terrorism in America - 3

Does the fact that we are being attacked by Muslim Fundamentalist Terrorists mean that we should fear all Muslims? Should I give up the physician who has saved my life, or the family that runs the dry cleaners I patronize, or teacher that helps my grandchild to read. Obviously not!

Again we must turn to a familiar experience of our recent past. Many of us grew up in neighborhoods where organized crime was a dominant force. Depending on the neighborhood they might be an Italian gang (Catholics); an Irish gang (usually Catholic, but often Protestant, too); or a Jewish gang. Today we have Latino gangs and Black gangs. All of these share two characteristics: First of all they are terrorists and second they are criminal. The jihadists are a Muslim gang who try to cloth their terrorism in religious doctrine. The simple truth is that they are criminals.

We know how to deal with criminals. We stop romanticizing their behavior. These people are not Robin Hood and his merry band. We work closely with law enforcement. We report criminal, terrorist behavior when we see it. We don't excuse criminal, terrorist behavior as a result of discrimination or other civil unfairness. Those are real problems and we need to address them, but they do not justify criminal behavior or terrorist acts.

Above all, we accept our obligation to be Americans, and to act like Americans. Our ancestors came here because they wanted freedom. If anyone comes here today and does not want and support that freedom, he or she is free to leave and go elsewhere. Shape up or ship out!

Terrorism in America -2

Given that we Americans should really understand the basics of terrorism, what is there about Muslim Fundamentalist Terrorism that should be familiar to us?

We ought to recognize the familiar sound of sharia - Muslim religious law. Some American Christian fundamentalists regularly advance the idea that this country should be governed by biblical principles. Elected leaders, they believe, should subscribe to such principles and commit to governing by them. Inevitably such governments encounter the problem of interpreting or understanding ambiguous scripture passages. For guidance they turn to religious leaders. Then, we would have what the Muslims have in their sharia: not government of, by and for the people, but government by religious leaders. It is because of this dynamic that many Christians oppose Christian Fundamentalist efforts to govern by biblical principles.

Muslim fundamentalists declare a deep hatred for the United States and for its culture. This should not surprise us, either. Many Christians object to the values Hollywood and TV project. Many of us see our society as overwhelmingly secular. We object to the sexuality which pervades advertising. And that group includes those of us who are not particularly puritanical in our approach to life. Others are even more vehement in their opposition to our cultural values. Because Muslim fundamentalists are, from our point of view, extremely puritanical in their value system, their reaction to our values is stronger than ours.

We also ought to remember that Christianity is a missionary religion. So is Islam. The difference between the two is that the method used by fundamentalist Muslims is jihad - war against those who do not believe - the infidels. We are the infidels and the jihad is against us.

The principle of religious freedom which we hold dear guides us not to interfere with any person's religious practice - as long as that practice does not endanger the welfare of the nation. A jihad - a holy war - against us certainly endangers with the welfare of our country!

So let us not be fuzzy minded about this. These people are trying to kill us!!! They don't need to be understood, or pitied because of their poverty, not do we need to minimize their threat to us. All our law, our culture, and our religious values ask of us, other than that we defend ourselves, is that we pray for our enemies. There is an old Irish prayer that is appropriate to this situation:

May God bless our enemies and may he turn their hearts; and, if he cannot turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles, so that we may know them by their limping. Amen.

9/11

God grant rest to all who died on 9/11, and peace and healing to those who survived and mourne.

Terrorism in America

I don't know why we in America have so much trouble understanding the Moslem Fundamentalist Terrorists. We experienced a similar phenomena here in the 1920's and 1930's. The Ku Klux Klan dressed up and rode through mid-western and southern states. They were Christian, Fundamentalist Terrorists.They preached a message of hate of Blacks, Jews, and Catholics.The KKK burned crosses and homes and killed and terrorized people. They sought political control with the goal of forcing everyone to believe as they did. They were quite successful, completely controlling the State of Indiana at one point.

The 60's, 70's, and 80's were an era of Irish Terrorism. The Provisional IRA bombed and killed and terrorized in Northern Ireland and England, seeking political control, and preaching hate of Protestants and the English. Amazing amounts of money were collected in the United States and carried to Ireland secrdtly. Most of us Irish Americans either looked the other way or cheered the IRA on vocally and financially.

We know a lot about terrorists among us, we just haven't had a lot of experience with being the subject of terrorism.

Voting Principles - Eliminate the Incompetent

The next important principle of voting in elections is identify and eliminate the incompetents. What has the incumbent actually accomplished? This is particular useful in evaluating congressmen, senators, state and local legislators. All of these men and women are elected to maintain the welfare of the people, not to enrich themselves, nor to sponsor frivolous legislation, nor to support the party at all costs, but to maintain the welfare of the people. If they are not doing that, they are not doing the job for which they were elected.

Remember, however, that meeting the needs of the individuals in their home district is a valuable indicator. Not everyone can be a great leader, but everyone can work their district! That is a good reason to vote for someone.

The Hermeneutic - Voting Principles (so far)

1. Throw the scoundrels out.
2. Identify and eliminate the incompetents.

Voting

The silly season is now over in Florida. The Primaries are done and the real campaigning will be on us in full force.

The basic Hermeneutic principle of preparing for the fall elections is

Throw the Scoundrels out.

This is a thought worth your serious consideration.

The Laborer is worthy of his hire.

Some more thoughts on Labor Day.

I live in Orlando where our primary industry is tourism and most jobs offer only the minimum wage or something close to it. We talk about a "living wage" which ends up being a couple of bucks more than minimum.

The reality is that with employees there are certain unavoidable costs. Let's enumerate them: a place to live (shelter), food, clothing, utilities, transportation, health care. If you live in an area like ours, where the public transportation is minimal, you must have an automobile. All of these things add up and they must be paid for, if not in wages, then in taxes and donations.

When people have no insurance or resources they must turn to tax supported clinics and the emergency rooms. These things have to be paid for one way or the other.This means we can't run around saying no more taxes, when taxes are needed to pay for services provided for those whose wages are too low to pay for them.

This is a real problem and we have to get real and stop ranting the political slogans of the right and left. We need leadership that will focus on solving the problem.

Labor Day

Today is Labor Day. Yesterday the CBS magazine show, Sunday Morning, did a segment on workaholics and on those who had to work 2 jobs just to make a living. Both of these raise moral issues.

It was interesting that the workaholics often described themselves as addicts, unable to stop working 70 -90 hours a week. For some, it was clear that nothing - family - society - social responsibility - or even the vast sums of money they gained from their work was more important than working. We know how to arrest the addictions, but you do have to want to stop. None of these folk were remotely interested in stopping work.

You can tell what God you worship by looking at your life. Well?

Having to work two jobs just to make a living raises another whole stream of questions. What should the doing of work provide for the worker? This is not a free market, supply and demand issue. The free market concept is not a moral one, but one of power. Morally speaking, someone is profiting from the work. The one who profits from the work of others needs to pay them accordingly. If you don't make a profit, you probably ought to go out of business. The problem, of course, is not this simple, but those are the moral battle lines.

Did you ever think to ask whether what you do and how you do it is God's will for you? Honor the workern in you by asking and answering the question.
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R&R

I took the afternoon off today. Watched a movie - Into the Woods, a Sondheim musical. It was beautifully done. It had a moral which I could spend any number of days examining. But above all the music, though excellent, was not memorable. Not a song in the lot that will have me humming it tomorrow.

God's will - doing right and feeling good?

Some years ago I was given a plaque for my office. The wording was more or less like this:

We have not succeeded in answering all of your problems. The answers we have found only serve to raise a whole set of new questions. In some ways we feel we are as confused as ever, but we believe we are confused on a higher level and about more important things.

If ever there was a warning about counselors being overconfident, that certainly is it. If you were considered to be successful, all your clients left feeling better but confused. You consoled yourself with the thought that at the very least they were confused on a higher level than they were when they first came to you.

But, in the real world this approach just won't do. People are looking for answers that work. They are less concerned about feeling good than they are about really messing their lives up by following advice they have been given. If, as we work together, we concentrate on learning God's will, and not on people, places, things, and other side issues, we won't become more confused. And, most of us probably won't have to become involved with more important things.

We do the best we can to learn God's will for us and then we do the best we can to carry it out in our lives. That may be scary. It requires Faith. Faith is not about intellectual correctness, or about doing good, but absolute trust, and God will not take us anywhere He can't protect us.