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!