God, History and You

and Again...Guantanamo

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:22:00 +0000

I'm keepin' this one brief.

Now I'm seeing headlines about the pressure being on not to hold the detainee trials in New York City. Thank you! (sarcasm intended...) And I also recently read that approximately 50 detainees have been recommended by the Obama administration for indefinite detention at the big G., (for now anyway.) (Miami Herald)

What have some of us been saying all along?

Other state governors/officials don't want those trials anywhere near them, either. New York ain't the only one, folks..."But a growing number of lawmakers in the president's own party say they would rather not have the proceedings in their states." (USA Today) Rather what? That reads 'not', right? Two of those 'rather not' states are Pennsylvania and Virginia. The thumbs-down opposition list includes : Diane Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee,(Washington Independent) (courtesy of ProPublica), Virginia Senator Jim Webb, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, mayor of NYC Michael Bloomberg, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, "Even with any special funding, we're still opposed to it," {Alexandria, VA} city spokesman Tony Castrilli said. (Bear in mind, that 'special funding' amount would be $200 mil, nothing to sneeze at...but these people aren't buying it)

As it turns out, in cases like these, trials can be held anywhere the hijackers traveled in the course of plotting the attacks. Cities such as Boston and San Diego fall into this category, and so does the state of Florida. Wonder how the good folks living in those areas will feel about it...

Jefferson...Freedom...They're in my Blood

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:49:00 +0000

In the course of preparations for a future Bill of Rights -related post, I've returned to some of my George Washington/ Thomas Jefferson books & notes, and have been re-reading, or reading for the first time, relevant sections. And of course, there is no way that I can be dabbling my 'toes' in those waters & not want to dive right back in! Earlier this evening, sitting at the table with pen in hand & markers nearby, I was reading a chapter in 'Thomas Jefferson: America's Philosopher-King', about Jefferson's years in Europe. I found myself smiling. Not only was I smiling, I realized that I had this smitten, almost falling-in-love kind of feeling! How happy am I! I ask you, how could anyone not become enamoured with this man? Let me borrow a couple of phrases from this chapter, to make my point. According to the author Max Lerner, Jefferson was "...a kind of radar-perceiver of the tremors and rumblings in the world around him...with a pen sharp enough to impale them for the centuries in unforgettable phrases." Wow. May there never be a time in my life when I am not awed by the greatness of our Founders, and even more so by the richness of the immeasurable treasures imparted to them by the Creator. lllSo, I find myself, once again, at Jefferson's doorstep. May I say, I am very glad to be here. But it isn't just about the author of the Declaration of Independence that I write at this time. Sorting through a collage of ideas & impressions, I'm still feeling my way, not sure exactly what I want to say. I become more sure every day that the only way to reclaim the American dream is by a return to Constitutional principles, for those who have left them behind. Our leaders & our educators need to look to our Founding Father, the Founding Father who led our first army into battle, George Washington, and re-learn the beliefs he held forth, about & for America. We need to return to first principles.lllWe know it has been said that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. As vigilance is required at our borders & in our ports, so is it required in our minds & in our thinking as well. We who call on the name of Jesus know that our adversary the devil 'prowleth about', seeking whom he may devour, and I have to assume this same devil devours, besides lives & souls, truth in thinking also. Wrong conclusions are drawn, and the course of history changes for the worse. Yesterday I read this poignant, powerful article - "The American Dream: Why the Tyrants Can Never Win" . It's power is in it's truth. The author points out the connection between freedom and laziness. Specifically, freedom is hard-won, and yielding to lazy dependency on a 'nanny-state' is 'the essence of captivity and tyranny'. I extrapolate this formula to include any dependencies, void of one's own efforts to achieve & survive. Know for a certainty that these supposed solutions to your needs will, one way or another, enslave.Sometimes, I think my life is hard, and I will confess that I sometimes find myself thinking along the lines of, why, God? You know the drill - you believe in Him, you try to do the right thing, you seek to aid in ushering in His way and His kingdom, etc., etc. - or, maybe you don't, but still, your life isn't coming together, it's too difficult. Why, God? In reading this article today, for myself, I think I've found at least part of my answer. I've been fighting to hold onto freedom, the right to choose, to follow my heart. No doubt, freedom has her price. The article is brief, please read it. I hope it touches you the way it has reached into my heart.[...]

al-Qaeda on the Run? Really??

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:38:00 +0000

"If al-Qaeda is on the run, why do they seem on the attack?"This was a question posed on the Chris Matthews Show this past Sunday. None of the explanations offered were very comforting. I almost wished I hadn't heard them, but it is a time in the life of America that we need to hear them, we need to know what's going on. And overall, I think it is better that more rather than less Americans are informed, if only in a general way, as to terrorist activism, especially as it is directed towards this country. We cannot be lulled into a false sense of security.Unfortunately, the transcript for Sunday's show isn't ready yet, so I'll have to wing it on the notes I scribbled, for now. This discussion grabbed my attention, and kept it. I left with a renewed sense of 'high alert'. My initial inner response to the near-tragedy in Detroit, on Christmas Day, was more than confirmed; words like 'harrowing', 'appalling' re-surface in my mind. We need to trust God, but we also need to be aware & take, if we can, necessary actions. It is possible to view the Northwest Delta Flight 253 incident from a different & even encouraging perspective, however, and that is one of a 'wake-up call'. It was too close. We now realize how deadly and determined our enemy still is, though it may have appeared otherwise. Additionally, prior to this incident, I'm getting the impression that US intelligence/awareness regarding the growing threat of Yemen, as a terrorist-producing camp/training ground, was rather low-key? Now, it's ratcheted up...way up. So I have to thank God for giving us the heads-up, in time to do something about it. While on the one hand, laxness in our intel/communications/follow-up etc., etc has been revealed, on the other hand - because of 'systemic failure', critical valuable information has also been revealed. Hah. "Praise be to God for His mercy on our great land." He was tapping America on the shoulder, saying, 'Pay attention here...'oooIt is of considerable concern that the expected face of al-Qaeda is changing. Whereas after 9/11, we were wary of obviously Muslim-type characteristics & garb in/on persons who might be acting suspiciously (or not), and geared-up to be on the lookout for such - now, that suicide bomber may instead wear the face of, say, a Nigerian student named Abdulmutallab, or a military man based in Ft. Hood, Texas...or a trusted CIA informant who, as it turns out, is now being called a triple agent. David Ignatius, columnist for the Washington Post , tells us "...there are at least 30 German converts to Islam who are believed to have moved to the tribal areas of Pakistan and may be undergoing training now who will come at us looking nothing like what we expect." Geographically, we can no longer pinpoint, say, a certain area of Afghanistan as being the breeding ground for our enemies, because the ideology has spread so far around the world, and reached so many places, that it is accurately being labeled as 'de-centralized'. We can't simply go to the belly of the beast anymore...it's all over the place...wearing many & evolving disguises. Mr. Ignatius points out as well that "There was a hope among our terrorism analysts...that the second and third generation of al-Qaeda would not be as formidable an adversary as the first generation was." but it now appears that they "...are really going to cause us more problems than we thought."Oddly enough, while listening to this discussion on Chris Matthews' program, the parallel of the kingdom of heaven spreading like leaven (Matthew 13:33) occurred to me. I think the idea in the heaven example is that the spread of it is invisible, and eventually reaches the outermost edge. While we most earnestly believe that the spreading of the Kingdom of our God is a good thing!, even if we aren't aware it is happening - the same cannot be said for jihadist activity. Somehow, we need to be continually aware of its invisible progression, its reach, and somehow, we need to meet it and stop it.At this point in my reas[...]

Back to my Hero, George Washington!

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:16:00 +0000

Quite often of late, I find myself thinking about a particular aspect of George Washington's life, and that aspect is his death - the manner of it and the timing of it. I can't help but be impacted by its swiftness. Washington stood strong in time & history, but it seems as though, once his monumental purpose was fulfilled, he was almost immediately removed from the stage. And I have to wonder, why was that?Previous research has shown me that our first President ofttimes fervently desired a return to the privacy of domestic life. One such example,taken from my post "You're Only Halfway Home, General" -"After the {Revolutionary} war's end, Washington wanted to retire. He very much wanted to retire! In a letter written to a former colleague, in February of 1784, Washington expressed these sentiments: " I feel now, however, as I conceive a wearied Traveller must do, who, after treading many a painful step, with a heavy burden on his shoulders, is eased of the latter, having reached the Goal...and from his House top is looking back...tracing...the Meanders by which he escaped the quicksands and Mires..." (The Writings of George Washington) Little did he know that he wasn't even close to being done with his travels in public life." Prior to this Revolutionary War time incident, following Washington's earlier service as a young major in the Virginia militia, he had resigned from the army, returned to establish his Mt. Vernon home, and then been invited to rejoin the British army, with the title of colonel, as an aide-de-camp to General Braddock. His acceptance of that invitation led to continued military involvement & achievement, thus furthering Washington's public life and moving him away from his domestic aspirations. This pattern repeated itself throughout his life. Though he was granted about seventeen years as a businessman/landowner/farmer, (married to Martha by then) immediately preceding the years of outright colonial revolution, once those fires got started, George Washington was, though unbeknownst to him, in it for the long haul with precious little reprieve.Between the end of the war & the eventual signing of an 'interim' peace treaty between the Americans and Britain, Washington was required to refuse kingship and quell a coup by members of the Continental Army, seeking justice & satisfaction for their service and suffering, before he was finally able to retire (or so he thought!). Returning to Mt. Vernon with his beloved wife, Washington enjoyed about five years of domestic tranquillity, "perhaps the happiest of their lives", according to Michael Novak in his book 'Washington's God', before duty called again in the form of the Constitutional Convention. Held in Philadelphia in the spring of 1787, the Convention afforded George Washington his first presidential podium. Novak asserts that "the compromises necessary to crafting the Constitution most likely would never have occurred apart from his influence..." (Washington's God). Washington was, indeed, the indispensable man. (See: Flexner, James T., Washington: The Indispensable Man)!Ten years and two Presidential terms later, in March of 1797, George Washington returned home to Mount Vernon, to an estate in physical & financial disaster. Cash-poor but rich in land, our first President began going about the business of living - finally! - his personal life. A brief skirmish involving then-President John Adams & suspicions of a French invasion led to the unexpected appointment of Washington as lieutenant general & commander in chief once again! Washington, of course, accepted. When all came to naught & his service was not needed, I think it not at all unlikely that Washington breathed a deep, deep sigh of relief...George Washington only lived about three years after leaving office. He never got to really imbibe the fullness of retirement, it seems to me. It seems to me that if anyone should have been able to so imbibe, it would've been Washington. But [...]

Re-focus for 2010...and beyond !

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:05:00 +0000

"...we have never had an atheist President of the United States. Could it be that the people would be unwilling to put their trust in someone who did not feel accountable to a higher power?" (God and Science.org)Well, that whole 'kaleidoscope' effect I mentioned in my previous post continues. My mind is shifting & swirling as I attempt to co-ordinate facts, descriptions, and theories, as well as consider the viability of opinions. Right on the heels of reading (highlighting, re-reading & formulating a plan! for my next post, i.e.,this one) the 14-page transcript of this past Sunday's "Meet the Press", I allowed myself to be led down the paths presented by the near-destruction of Flight 253 on Christmas Day. Which means, one article leading to another leading to another, on terrorist networks, individuals, strategies & counter-strategies, and then found myself back at the Guantanamo debacle. And yes, there's more! but let me not get into all that right now...while not exactly exploding, my head is full! I never attended college, but I imagine this is how college students often feel...(Sigh...)I have found that, in my explorations of current events, especially as relates to Middle East conflicts, probably too much of my focus tends to life & death-type, weighty scenarios & realities, to the detriment of just Life, as in Christ. Though He is the reason, and the power within & behind, what I attempt here, I forget - not Him but the rest that is in Him. I know that I am doing what I'm supposed to be doing, with 'God, History and You', but perhaps at this juncture, I and my posts need a touch of the Word of God.ooo While reviewing the issues discussed during this week's 'Meet the Press', one or two seemed to rise to the surface. So, here goes -When asked what the mood of the country, politically, is at this time, Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick replied, "Sour and angry..." NBC's chief foreign affairs correspondent AndreaMitchell agreed, identifying an "angry subtext" to the spirit of America that she finds "very, very worrisome". Ms. Mitchell described this anger as not being 'fact-based' but rather an "angry populism which is...furious at everybody". She points to economic collapse as the root cause of this anger. Governor Patrick sees it pretty much the same way.Adding his insight to the mix, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich presents a different slant. The initial 'transparency' campaign rhetoric, which seemed as almost euphoria to many , built us up to let us down - expectations of openness were instead met with "...secret deals, ramming through stimulus...in a secret way, basically bribing senators..." Gingrich sees this betrayal of a promise, this misuse of power as cause for much of the sour mood settling across America.Now, what I'm thinking goes something like this - with whom are Americans really angry? A global economic crash? How does one pinpoint anger at a worldwide event? Our President, for not remaining true, or our Congress members? Well, that's more feasible, but God gave us a warning way back in time that holds a clue to this anger, I think. Few there be that heed it - "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help" (Psalm 146:3, KJV). Or, to put it a different (and by different, I mean, the same!) way - "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." (Psalm 118: 8,9, KJV) Our human nature wants to feel secure, and we naturally feel more secure when we can see, hear and/or handle that which supposedly is helping & protecting us. You know, like the apostle Thomas needed to see the wounds of the risen Christ before he could believe...but everybody knows that "...blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29, KJV)'Man' and 'princes' represent people and government/agencies. It isn't that help will not come through them, it[...]

...Coming Up Next...

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:03:00 +0000

It is now two days after Christmas. While lovin' the whole holiday scenario, still...glad it's over! (My work environment being of the retail genre' is probably the main reason for my sense of relief...) And I wish I could say that I am relaxed & focused now, but such is not the case. My mind, at this moment, reminds me of a kaleidoscope, with easily shifting shapes forming and re-forming various colorful images. Each of which (once I sort them out!) is prompting me to investigate, which means: to write about! Fortunately (or not, depending on how ya look at it), my hours at work have been cut, so I will actually have the time to do this...

The 'kaleidoscope' metaphor refers to the multiple impressions I'm carrying in my head from an earlier viewing of 'Meet the Press' this morning, plus a most intriguing &, I think, spot-on short segment about Moses on CBS' 'Sunday Morning' with Charles Osgood. ('Sunday Morning', btw - not a religious show). (The Moses bit might be a separate post, we'll see how it goes...) Then, starting to check out the 'Sunday Morning' website, I happened across an article I almost wish I hadn't. Segments from an interview with a former CIA operative have me headed back to the issue of terrorism, an issue with which we will not be finished anytime soon.

Speaking of which, by now most of us are aware of the attempted blowing-up of Northwest Delta Flight 253 on Christmas Day, on its approach to Detroit Metropolitan airport. Swift and heroic action on the part of passengers & crew averted horror in the skies and on the ground. The hand of God, through men, was strong and an ever-present help in time of danger, and I am deeply, deeply grateful. As should be all of America. But it was a close call, and perhaps we needed this reminder to remain vigilant & prayerful, to be concerned about & support our military men and women, and to understand that this evil is still attempting to spread to our shores.

Exercising American Power - the Missing Piece?

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:28:00 +0000

Educated, well-informed opinions regarding Middle East policy, procedure, & analyses abound, I am sure, and I recently read an excellent one. ( " I love it when a succinctly-put phrase, or a concise, hard-hitting sentence or two, breaks it all wide open..." - this is me, a few posts back, and it is exactly how I felt as this article unfolded.) My breath has almost been taken away.With President Obama reaching his decision on Afghanistan strategy & troops deployment, and my supposed 'being done with' posts on that topic (for now, anyway), I had thought that I could take a break from such weighty fare. I've been telling people that...and I am, apparently, wrong! Being still a sort of newborn to the entire spectrum of world events and US foreign policy, I realize that what has struck me like an anvil may have been rather obvious to those more aware, more knowledgeable. That being said, however...the following statement came as a shock to me, but the kind of shock that, like cold water in your face, wakes you up: "President Obama is uncomfortable with the exercise of American power." ( Marvin Kramer, "How Not to Fix the Middle East", p.3) "Middle Eastern states bend in response to displays of power", Mr. Kramer asserts, and further stipulates that the Obama administration is trying to effect dramatic transformation in the Middle East without having yet to display any power. This senior fellow in the National Security Studies Program at Harvard cites, by comparison, actions taken by both Bush senior and junior, actions which provided those administrations with some "traction", some clout, which this one is, at present, lacking. (p.6)In his Cairo speech, President Obama, I have heard, did a lot of apologizing. (I didn't read the text of the speech, I think I was having trouble tracking it down online.) I've heard that apologizing comment a number of times, and I have wondered, for what? This Middle East article quotes some of that speech, and what I might have, before, seen in a fuzzier, feel-good light, now...I'm wondering, hmmm..."President Obama’s words are read as somehow confirming what many already suspect: that the United States has been wounded and weakened politically and economically, that it no longer punches at its weight, that its decline has begun, and that its President is trying to minimize America’s own shrinking in the world, by dismissing the very idea of dominance" concludes Kramer. He theorizes that, as the "middle powers" in the region (Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran) possibly hold such a perception of the country who should, instead, be a "guardian of the peace", they will and in fact have already begun staking their claims to fill that void. Survival of the fittest, in a phrase...but with dangerous consequences. United States determination to maintain a position of priority in this volatile area of the world is seen by Mr. Kramer as not a cause of crises but a "bulwark" against far worse.[...]

...tis the Season !

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:44:00 +0000

Ah yes, it's that time of year once again - when just about all of America, one way or another, gets caught up in the rush, pressure and joy that is Christmas. Last year, I had published the below post, & had been thinking of a re-publish. I decided to go with that, when someone in my 'real life' (although I often prefer my blogging one!) commented negatively on Yuletide gift-giving. In its defense, I found myself reciting facts from......on the Giving of Gifts, etc. at ChristmasFor those of you who may have read my recent Christmas posts, I direct this, uh, warning: my next words will make it appear that I'm doing a complete 180' on the whole 'keeping Christ in Christmas' theme. Be assured, that is not my intent at all! I just have a real problem with religiousness. Some don't realize, so did Jesus...Years back, I listened to a Christmas Eve message, via radio, broadcast by Jack Hayford, at that time pastor of the Church Along the Way (I think that was the name) in California. 'Born-again' celebrities attended his church. I think he is a very cool guy.Pastor Jack was saying something like this: he had a real problem with 'religiousness', too, meaning, persons who had a thumbs-down 'tude towards the celebratory aspects of the Christmas holiday, giving gifts, etc., and having parties. For the rest of my life, may I always remember what he declared next, with emphatic joy - Jesus BROUGHT the party!!!"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1)This right here is a huge reason to celebrate, not only at Christmas but every time you realize that you are free. In Christ, under His blood, you cannot be legitimately accused before God. (And, for the record, I know what the second half of that verse says, and I also know that you'll find those words in italics in some Bibles. Which means that those words are not in the original manuscript. Bible scholars added them, over time.) (That's a story for another day.)Now, some may say, the Magi ( the three wise men) brought gifts to the Christ at His birth. So,there is our example, proving that God intends for men to commemorate that birth in a solemn, holy way, etc., etc. Let me burst your bubble - Jesus the 'babe' was born in a 'manger' (Luke 2: 15,16) , everybody knows that - but the wise men brought gifts to the 'young child' in a 'house'. Time had elapsed. Not everybody knows that. Matthew 2: 9-11. Check it out. Also, the phrase 'young child' is used six times in that section of Scripture, so...it occurs to me, (and I stress that this is just my opinion) that the Lord, knowing future generations would condemn 'worldly' Yuletide tradition while insisting on religious custom, delayed the arrival of the Magi 'til well past Jesus' actual birthday, deliberately not setting a precedent. I don't see the Lord instituting this particular religious holiday, in any way, anywhere in the Scripture. Other than the magnificent, extraordinary appearance of the angels to the shepherds in the field, it seems like God the Father kept this whole event on the down-low. Other than the principle players, we have...let's see...cows? Sheep? Donkeys? And if there would have been any pomp and circumstance, it arrived way late.Which is not at all to say, Christmas shouldn't be celebrated, in whatever fashion you choose. It is to say, however, (short of the ludicrous, dangerous or bizarre) don't condemn others for the fashion they choose! As stated in an earlier post, (link) I believe God has placed an awareness of Himself in the hearts of men, (regardless of their conscious belief or not in Him), so...one way or another, Jesus Christ is celebrated. "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)[...]

Treading on our Heritage

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:29:00 +0000

I received this picture in an e-mail Forward recently. This new one dollar coin was received as change, given to the customer at a US Post Office. "In God We Trust" is missing.

I don't know the history of United States coinage, but I'm assuming this is the first time in over 200 years, the first time since the founding of America that such an abomination has occurred. It may seem like an innocuous omission, but it is no such thing. It is sickening, and I believe it is dangerous. Despite signs all around me to the contrary, I have not wanted to admit that it may be later than I think. I have continued, and perhaps foolishly still continue, to hope and look to the Lord for His best for my country, our country, because how could it be that just as I am seeing what America really has been and is, she should die?

The sender of this e-mail sounds a call to arms, so to speak, and asks Americans to refuse this coin when it is offered to them. I will be one of those Americans who do so. If you know the Lord, if you love your country, please consider doing the same. Let your voice be heard. Such godless action should not go unchallenged, and we should not just bow down to the one who seeks to set himself up as God, who is not God., and works to rob America of her heart and her very existence.

Staying out of Hell

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:11:00 +0000

As Christmas approaches, my thoughts have been turning towards an official 'Christmas post', but I doubt that will happen. My thoughts have also been turning towards the concept of loving others, forgiveness...that kind of thing. I'm wondering about the dynamics of spiritual realities, and wondering also, when I die & look back, will it be a case of, "Aw, man! I shoulda known! Jesus said (insert specific Scripture) and I didn't do it...!" A case of, too little, too late? I'm wondering, is there more of a - what would be the word, maybe 'metaphysical'? - essence to the instructions from our Saviour than we know?I'm thinking about what we call 'hell'. I'm not saying it isn't a place, but I am saying that I consider the possibility that hell is a condition, as well. We use terms like 'a living hell'. Maybe your marital situation is such a hell, or you've spiraled so far downwards into drugs, or poverty...maybe your life is in danger...maybe you've served in Iraq or Afghanistan, or been captured as a prisoner of war...these are surely conditions. They exist in places, but they are, concurrently, conditions. When Jesus issues certain commands/directions, through the living Word, I balk. I am concerned that I balk, but nonetheless..balk I do. I know that I'm saved by grace, not works of my own, so I feel relatively secure in that, but...still balking, and what will happen, in this realm and/or the next, if I don't get with the program?Now, the key, as I see it, is love. Not my ability to love, but God's love. We love, because our Father loved first. Loved us first. And, let's not forget God IS love. Wow....imagine being love. There must be moments when you feel it, so much so that you are just about lost in loving someone, or so appreciating what a person has done for you...or you've created something, designed something, and it is close to perfect, in your eyes...that you are so absorbed by love, that for that instant, you become love. What you generate in that instant is love. It is a good and a healing place in which to be, for you and everyone/thing around you.I would theorize that hell is just the opposite. No love there, I'm thinkin'!The commands & directives of our Saviour are designed to protect us, and keep us out of hell. He knows the dynamics of our nature, because He created us in the first place. He created all things, including the fallen Lucifer, who wants company in 'hell' and hellish places, and has a vast array of plots & schemes designed to lure us there. But Jesus is, may I say, 'One up' on him, and has His own designs for us. Those designs originated in love, and operate in that realm as well. They function as a safeguard, and can counter-act hostility, hate, & resentment, to name a few.Neutralize those bad guys!! Stay out of hell!(There may be a Part 2 on its way)[...]

The Bad News is.....Getting Better?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:45:00 +0000

So...picking up where I left off...In Mr. Kagan's article, "Planning Victory in Afghanistan", he first makes clear the necessity of not allowing the country to become a terrorist haven, and that this necessity is a major reason for our military presence there. Achieving this goal will require, Kagan writes, "building an Afghan state with a representative government." Now, in my earlier exposure to this foreign scenario, I didn't get the connection. Why not just drive out the bad guys, right? Just shows I wasn't thinking it through. Thank God, our military planners, strategists, advisers & endless other involved persons do not make that error! Following the thread of this idea of building a representative system of governance in Afghanistan expanded my vision. This country is not a stranger to political organization. In fact, the villages often have 'representative bodies', and/or elders, who manage local issues & tribal concerns. But there does not exist a strong tie to centralized government. In fact, even among themselves, many villages are 'highly localized', not connecting with other villages and possibly viewing Afghans from another area as outsiders. Multi-ethnicity and many years of internal warring added to the mix ensure a violent resistance to any form of government not representative of such diversities among the people. However, Kagan believes that "building local solutions that do not connect with the central government is the path toward renewed warlordism and instability." (Talk about cliques!)We can compare such a situation to our early history, during the times prior to the framing of our Constitution, when the Articles of Confederation were in effect. America lacked a strong central government, and though she had individually developed states, those states were at risk for becoming individual monarchies, of sorts. What was supposed to be one united nation was actually thirteen of them! basically doing their own thing. Not exactly the best of plans! Washington predicted 'the worst consequences' for such a government, which was fast becoming impotent, & ridiculed by other nations as well. (Wayne Coffey, How We Choose A Congress) So, as in the case of those thirteen United States, Kagan sees Afghanistan's hope as "develop{ing} local solutions that are connected to the central government but not necessarily completely controlled by it." Has a familiar ring to it...However, if the government to which the people & their states are connecting is corrupt, stability will be hard to come by. Bottom line, "...we must work hard to develop local solutions to local problems, but always with the goal of integrating those solutions into a loose but real central support-and-control system."***Let's talk about counterinsurgency."Absent a counterinsurgency and nation-building strategy that leads the population to reject the terrorists, killing bad guys will not defeat well-organized and determined terrorist networks."In Iraq, during 2006, "...U.S. Special Forces teams had complete freedom to act against al-Qaeda...",with tremendous air and ground support, both US & Iraqi, killing "scores of key terrorist leaders", including al-Qaeda's head in Iraq, Abu Musab al Zarqawi. Yet, in a sense, it was to no avail, producing rather an increase in terrorist activity, violence and control. Not until a counterinsurgency approach was applied did we defeat al-Qaeda in Iraq. The proof is in the pudding, people...***Kagan discusses the concept of 'awakening', which proved so effective in Iraq in 2007, and caused the Sunni-Arab rejection of al-Qaeda as well as their turning to coalition goals. He specifies that this change of heart was the result of 'myriad local developments' (meaning, not a pre-determined, regulated movement, I'm assuming?) and tha[...]

Having Compassion for our Commander-in-Chief

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:05:00 +0000

It was a few minutes past midnight when I suddenly awoke & groggily switched on the TV. The screen was filled with the face of our newly chosen President-elect, Barack Hussein Obama, speaking to the nation that would soon be under his leadership and command. For reasons I still don't understand, I wept, deep, sorrowful tears.The face I now see on that TV screen, or computer screen, or in magazines, has aged far more than one year. The tears I shed then are now replaced with a different strong, deep emotion - compassion. The face I see now looks far more like the face of a man in his late fifties, not forties, and the weight of his first year in office shows markedly in his countenance. 'Grim' would not be an inappropriate word to use in its description.Most understandably so. President Obama is "...learning every day the challenges of a wartime presidency." ( Joel Achenbach, Washington Post )You or I may not have voted for him, may be against some/all of his policies & decisions, but he is a man in a very hot seat that most of us couldn't endure for more than a few minutes, let alone a year...with more to come. Watching President Obama recently, I was struck with this realization. Yes, he chose to run for the office of President of the United States of America, he wanted the job...but like any job, or, in fact, any new situation, its reality often turns out to be a sledgehammer! And once you're in it, you're in it, and there is no reprieve. Can you imagine bearing the crushing burden of making the decision to send tens of thousands of young men & women to war in a foreign land? Knowing you are sending some of them to their deaths? And, that among the survivors will be many living the rest of their lives without an arm or leg(s), disfigured, perhaps blinded? Their entire perception & experience of life will be forever changed. Re-integration into civilian life may not be so easily accomplished, and some may not ever really recover from the after-effects of their wartime military experience. Just writing about this, I am feeling sick to my stomach. How does one actually make this kind of decision without the gut-wrenching soul searching that ravages, leaving a person sick, and sick at heart? Right now, for me, all of the 'Is Obama the Anti-Christ?' hoopla, and all the evil! terrorist! Muslim-connections-of-his-past, (and let's not forget his middle name!), the ruckus revolving around his Kenyan descent, and whatever else was/could be thrown into the mix of opposition to our President, is irrelevant at this point. At this point, he is the man at the helm of our nation, with gale-force winds & approaching tidal waves. (Just yesterday the ship was fiscally sinking, and there were so many holes & so much damage that one didn't know what to plug up first, where do we begin to fix it? But today one hears that it's possible the ship is being righted. Tentatively, and only once or twice, I've heard/read that signs are being seen that the economy has officially begun to recover. I work in retail, and here and there, I've seen prices actually dropping...however, America has not yet reached her safe harbor.) A tsunami called Iran's Nuclear Weapons program is not that far in the distance, with global repercussions, and there is mutiny & tragedy roiling in the belly of the ship. Within and without...I can go to sleep at night, confident that others are manning the ship, and forget about all this. Obama cannot. I can wake up on my days off and savor a big mug of coffee, leisurely, while I ponder changing jobs, or what blogging activity to engage in that day. He cannot. He's in this to win this, and there may not be a truly 'leisure' time for President Obama for quite awhile.Whether Democrat or Republican, or nei[...]

The Bad News is... (con'd.) - or, 'Hard is not Hopeless'

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:32:00 +0000

I love it when a succinctly-put phrase, or a concise, hard-hitting sentence or two, breaks it all wide open and I'm struck by genius. I really love that. (And of course I mean the 'genius' of another...my IQ isn't that high!)In the process of re-reading, reviewing & organizing papers and notes, in order to begin this post, I read such a statement that I must've missed the first time around. Following the trend of thought & logic presented by former West Point professor and Yale graduate Frederick W. Kagan, concerning the necessary ingredients for victory in Afghanistan, I found this most enlightening (to me) conclusion: " That does not mean the problem lies with our overall “footprint” in Afghanistan, but rather that we should rethink where (emphasis mine) to put our feet......Understanding this principle is vital, because if we misinterpret the nature of the “footprint” problem we might come to the erroneous conclusion that success requires fewer forces rather than more—or, as some senior leaders are increasingly suggesting, that our presence is the problem." (Frederick W. Kagan, "Planning Victory in Afghanistan" )Alternative viewpoints can be invaluable. Alternative viewpoints conceived our American democracy. Such viewpoints engender conflict, struggle and ultimately require compromise in policy, as was with our Constitution. These are good things.oooThis will probably be my last post on Afghanistan (for awhile, at least). (I hope I'm not hearing cheers out there!) Anyway...in my recent readings & writings, I've noticed similarities and/or parallels of sorts, between the above-quoted Frederick Kagan's viewpoints, and ensuing AfPak developments. My intent with this post is to point them out.ooo"Afghanistan is not now a sanctuary for al-Qaeda, but it would likely become one again if we abandoned it."" Allowing Afghanistan to fail would mean allowing these determined enemies of the United States to regain the freedom they had before 9/11." I continue to be completely unable to comprehend how so many Americans appear to not get this, as dwindling support for our military presence here would seem to suggest. With sharpened Taliban fighting skills leading to greater Taliban control (Bad News, Pt.1) of this critical area, it should be obvious that insurgency dominance is equivalent to a wide open door for al-Qaeda. "Birds of a feather...", right? Though all indications evidence al-Qaeda & its key leaders to be primarily Pakistani-based, as well as the removed head of the Taliban government, from these havens contacts are maintained between the two organizations, and insurgent activity is supported in both southern & eastern Afghanistan. Give up Afghanistan, and you're giving bin Laden free reign. Do that, and America will be looking at a disaster scenario far worse than 9/11. At the time Mr. Kagan wrote this article (2/09), I don't recall just how committed the U.S. was to success in Afghanistan. Apparently not enough, though - "The Pakistani leadership appears convinced that America will abandon its efforts in South Asia sooner rather than later...", resulting in continued Pakistani support for the Afghan Taliban operating in their territory. Such support ensures a certain level of control over the insurgents, which is desirable for the Pakistanis, especially if they are unsure of American reliability in this endeavour. " Until it is widely believed that the U.S. will remain in the fight until the insurgency is defeated, doubt about our commitment will continue to fuel the insurgency." Locally, the Afghanistan populace, fearing Taliban retaliation, may hesitate to commit to us if they doubt our commitment to them. Kagan concludes that "we must make it clear that we will do[...]

Repairing the State of the Union

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:04:00 +0000

There is a rumbling, low like thunder, moving across the land of the free and the home of the brave.I became aware of this movement, just barely, sometime during the past year. To the un- or newly initiated, it may sound like rebellion or anarchy, with all the attendant associations of turmoil. I said, let me keep following this trend, and I have. What at one time may have sounded like extremism now plays a different tune. (In my ears, at least.) Persons who might have appeared fanatical to me, before, I now understand are patriotic Americans who know their Constitution. They have put their hand to the plow and are not looking back, and many of them are going forward with God.The issue is state sovereignty."There are clear limits to the power of the federal government and clear realms of power for the states.""The national government has become a complex system of programs whose purposes lie outside {emphasis mine} of the responsibilities of the enumerated powers {of the Federal govt., specified in the Constitution}..." (State Rep. Susan Lynn- TN, 57th.)Representative Lynn makes the above statements in a clearly explained letter to the other 49 State Legislatures, requesting their partnership in a ' joint working group between the states to enumerate the abuses of authority by the federal government...' As of this posting, I am not sure if this invitation has actually been sent to the various states yet, but for sure it's on its way. Some of the comments made regarding Rep. Lynn's initiative have encouraged and motivated me, expanding my understanding as well. I'm 'getting a grip'! Here are a few -"Please go very public with this and allow the groundswell of support to build. We have truly found that the only thing the federal congress hears is the very loud stomping of the feet of the general population in this great country. They must hear us in this matter, before we become just another 2nd class country, {italics mine} torn apart by an egotist." - Jim, Oct.21, 4:44am"... Let’s make this viral." - Wanda Gray, Oct.21, 6:24am"This is a movement that will be the foundation of getting back to our founding principles. Implementing the Tenth Amendment and challenging the Sixteenth Amendment is the only way to stop the spicket {spigot? suggestion mine} of funding that enables the current trampling of our constitutional rights." - Rich Hand, candidate for Governor of Colorado, Oct.21, 6:41am, who also says"This road is long but in honor of our founders and what they endured; well worth the effort.""Our only hope to preserve this Republic is for all the states to come together and assert their Constitutional rights to reset our government back to its original intent and mandate. God speed." - Ralph Luciani, BGen,(ret.) USAFMC, Oct.21, 9:41amBringing it down to where we live, Ruth Ann Wilson says we need some action at more local levels: "SANCTIFY THE COUNTIES once again. Use the “Private Act” to restore our Counties. As we have a 10th Amendment, so we, the people, have a 9th Amendment..." - Oct.21, 7:37amI've only read about 25% of the comments; so far, all in favor...(I'm sure there are dissenters, but I don't know that I'll be reading through all the rest. I'm using my time instead to write this! But, later...) (Actually, just glancing over some right now & think I'd better read more of them.)One gets the sense of another Revolution of sorts, brewing in this great country, in this great democracy. That sense is underscored by Richard's potent insight, that we need today "the effort and courage of the Founding Fathers". No doubt...Below is Representative Lynn's letter. Please read it thoughtfully, if you have time - "We send greetings from the Tennessee General Assemb[...]

The Centrality of our Constitution

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:30:00 +0000

Where do I begin?If the passion hasn't gripped you , or America's early history at least presented intrigue, then my next statements will fall flat. Dudsville. If we were in a face-to-face, you'd be looking at me funny...it's happened before!! (Not that long ago, either...) In an apparently ill-chosen moment with a poorly-selected subject, I tried to express my vivid sense of the 'here & now' continued existence and presence of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln...men of destiny. They live on. There was an instant when I felt I was walking with them, invigorated, having fellowship. Having entered their heart's desire myself, and having found it to be vital & alive, still beating in the spirit, I found them there as well. Absence of their physical beings matters not. They are alive.So today, this sense of connection & continuity appears again, as I'm gaining more understanding of the basic mechanics of government, (which understanding has begun to grow as a result of even small attempts to learn about, and the specifics of, our Constitution.) I know that I keep using words like 'amazing' and 'stunned', and I apologize for repetitiveness! (so I will refrain from their use right now) but they so make the point!!! Besides the Word of God, I cannot fathom any other written works, EVER, to be, or to have been, so priceless. Wrought with such wisdom and resulting in such enduring democratic governance. I think of the Genesis 1 description of the earth being 'without form,and void', and 'darkness was upon the face of the deep.' It occurs to me that, until recently, this would've been a pretty accurate description of my knowledge of our Constitution, and the structure of our nation's government. But just as God moved upon those dark waters, and started speaking shape & form & structure into existence, so is He now doing with me. Light entered. It is starting to make sense now...more than make sense, the power of God is exploding, and it is exploding in my personal Constitutional epiphany.Talk about the 'Big Bang Theory' !My point is that getting an understanding of the structure & function of government today underscores potently the words, plans & activities of the Founding Fathers, because this is what they produced. They are IN IT. We are co-workers with them! Americans can carry on the legacy of the Revolution. But they cannot do it by side-stepping or skipping over the Constitution of the United States of America. The answers lie therein.ooo"...citizens have evidently not been teaching the Constitution and its history to their children for many generations..." ( B.Johnson, comment on the subject of state sovereignty, a 10th. Amendment principle)More to come...just getting started![...]

another Personal Note...

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:42:00 +0000

I know I've said this before, more than once, but the miracle in my heart continues & I am almost compelled to sound the trumpet yet again.

I think about the days of Revolution more & more. I realized today that I want to go back in time & be a part of it. What it must have been like in those days is barely conceivable! Can you imagine the excitement of shaping a nation?? I feel a discernible sense of camaraderie with the men who met in Philadelphia in 1787 to forge & frame a new Constitution for a young America. I remember reading that Jefferson was not present and wanted, so wanted! to be...he was living in Paris, our ambassador to France, an ocean away, and felt left out, being in a sense excluded from what he termed "the assembly of demi-gods". (Lerner, Max - Thomas Jefferson: America's Philosopher-King) And god-like it was, I can see that now, to have been in such a place at such a time, such an amazing, amazing time in history!

This afternoon, I began reading a book entitled "How We Choose a Congress" . Every word came alive. It was almost as if I was there, on Capitol Hill, somehow involved. The saga continues, the dream lives on. The pricelessness of what we have here in America stuns me. The moments when I realize this are the moments of reality clear, true and brilliant. By stark contrast, the many other moments of my day & life, the humdrum, uneventful or so-so times that make up the fabric of a day or week...are causing me to wonder, how long have I been asleep? What am I doing with this gift of life & Liberty? I am coming late, way late to an awareness of the miracle, and find myself re-assessing priorities.

A Living Vision

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:56:00 +0000

Earlier today, I was checking out the Department of Justice's 'snappy new Web site' (according to Washington Post columnist Al Kamen) -- Justice.gov. Not too long ago, I visited the White House website, and awhile back, I had reason to look into Congressman Andrews homepage. In each case, to my surprise & delight, I found a riveting interest commanding my attention. I say, 'surprise & delight' because it wasn't that long ago that I would've had to put out some serious effort to absorb anything on any of those pages! The information contained on them would've seemed distant, dry and unrelated.

But, for me, it's different now.

The timelessness of the Revolutionary spirit, the passion of our Founders' vision has gripped me. Though I am sure it is barely a glimpse, it is enough to change everything.
Having been far more than touched by the selflessness and nobility of our first commanding General and President, George Washington, I remain today and forever in awe of him and that for which he fought and sacrificed. Having been beyond delighted and intrigued by the scintillating mind and personality of the author of our Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, I am indelibly marked with his imprint. And having found that for which I did not even know I was looking, for the second time in my life it can be said that, as the Scripture records, "...I am found of them that sought me not..." (Isaiah 65:1 KJV)

And because of these things, when I see the heading 'The United States Department of Justice', or an official Congressional heading, on a website homepage, they come alive. A living dynamic and a continuous, ongoing process shows itself, and through it the heart of our Founding Fathers and all the first Patriots yet beats, strong and true. I see the vision through their eyes, and it remains untarnished.

ooo

Jeremiah & Contradictions

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:20:00 +0000

As I’ve made my way back & forth from the days of Revolution past to today’s revolutionary conflicts and crises, on numerous occasions I have been guilty of promising a Part 2 and not delivering it, or starting a topic and fading away from it. I am definitely aware of that, but, yet again…here I go. Very good chance I may not return to Afghanistan and its revised war strategy, though my interest in that is strong. ‘Out of the blue’ the other day, I had this thought about the taking captive of Jerusalem way back in time, and one thought led to another…Early on in my then newly birthed relationship with God, (and to my dismay I might add!) I found myself identifying with the prophet Jeremiah. Now, if you have even a little knowledge of the man, you know that his was not a joyful mission. His burden was heavy. To me, his way seemed sorrowful, and his responsibility was great. Imagine being “set…over the nations and over the kingdoms”! (Jeremiah 1:10) Authority from the Most High over whole countries! Personally, not wantin’ that kind of power! Especially when it involves bringing bad news! And, as if that wasn’t enough of a buzz-kill, Jeremiah was also called “…to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down… (v.10) He was given the horribly awesome task of proclaiming to Israel the coming invasion of King Nebuchadnezzar, and his 70 year captivity of Jerusalem. In this task he had to persevere for decades. Not an easy life…What appears as a very intriguing twist to this plot is found in Chapter 32. By now the invasion has taken place, and Jerusalem is being besieged by Nebuchadnezzar’s army. Jeremiah is imprisoned for declaring his message from God; frankly, the king of Judah at that time didn’t want to hear it! (As can often be the case, ya do the right thing & end up getting kicked to the curb.) So, the prophet is “shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah’s house.” (I think I see a whole other message right here, in this one sentence! Maybe another time…) And he gets a word from God to buy land (v.7-9, 25). What? Jeremiah has got to be thinking, huh? What am I going to do with land? I’m in prison, and You’ve shown me there will be a 70 year exile for my people!Jeremiah buys the land, which was located just north of the besieged Jerusalem. He has the transaction witnessed & documented, and the evidence sealed for a future time. And herein lies the kernel of hope – ‘for a future time.’ In days to come, though they be yet far off, “houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.” (v.15) Though at this time, “the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans {enemy}” (v.25), there comes a time when, through His processes, God turns it all around. When He does, not just this one field shall be possessed by an Israelite, but “men shall buy fields…in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south.” (v.44)Because, as it is written, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (v.27)Israel made wrong choices, and she crashed & burned. But a plan for a return to health and prosperity was always in place. I am hoping that this same principle holds true for America today. oooAnother interesting aspect to Jeremiah’s story: God’s intention of having the prophet buy land was not hindered by the fact that Jeremiah was incarcerated. In verses 7 & 8, we [...]

The Bad News is... (Part 1)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:45:00 +0000

"The point is that the Taliban, who have had a very clear aim and means from the very beginning, have been able slowly and steadily to get better at what they're doing." (Washington Post)This remark was recently made by an unnamed European official, whose country's armed forces are combating the Taliban alongside U.S. troops. Concurring with this statement, top U.S. commander in the AfPak arena General Stanley McChrystal evaluates the situation as 'serious'. The Taliban are fighting smarter. They have shifted their focus of attack to small bases and checkpoints, manned by Afghan forces, isolated and easy to infiltrate, thus obtaining intelligence. Gone are the more large-scale confrontations with American troops, from several years ago, which resulted in large numbers of insurgent fatalities. And the confrontations themselves are more sophisticated in method, observed to be similar in style to U.S. Army Rangers training, which equips soldiers for small scale engagements in 'austere' surroundings. They are considered by one U.S Army general to be developing into a more 'disciplined force'. Among their newly acquired skills - being able to estimate response times for U.S. fighter jets, helicopters, and artillery cannons. "They know exactly how long it takes before . . . they have to break contact and pull back," one Pentagon official said. Sounds like split-second timing in a hair trigger situation... Using our own tactics against us, the Taliban is taking full advantage of the recent restraint (for the purpose of protecting Afghan civilians) ordered on the use of U.S. air power and also night-time attacks. They have increased their night-time operations, and apparently feel much safer gathering in more populated locales now, perhaps blending in like chameleons, knowing air strikes are much less likely to occur.Not only has the Taliban fighting style evolved, their geographical areas of control have expanded as well, providing the insurgency with more training ground, and that ground being closer to the actual combat. It has been considered, as well, that the services of professional fighters from Central Asia & other Arab countries are being used.Opinions differ, though, as to the reason(s) for Taliban ascendancy in the area. The deputy commander of Marines in the Helmand province believes that increased usage of roadside bombs plays more a part in insurgent victories than tactics of any other sort. Playing to their strengths... And the effects of corruption in public office, ethnic tensions, unemployment and the absence of state justice systems in rural regions are strong contributing factors to increased Taliban control, creating unrest & dissatisfaction to which the extremists can offer "solutions'. In neighboring Pakistan, "there is widespread hope that adopting a strict code of law based on the Koran will transform a society where corruption is rampant." (link) The Islamic militants offer a 'Robin Hood' approach, according to Amnesty International, even gaining trust at first, and initially seem to be defending the weak & poor, but that defense soon becomes 'quick...harsh justice', and with the 'defending' comes increased Taliban dominance. Possibly more potent to Taliban victory than any sharpened skill or evolved strategy, however, is the simple fact of morale. Said one senior official, "The number one indicator we have out there now is that they think they're winning (italics mine). That creates an attitude, a positive outlook, and a willingness to sacrifice."(Source)oooSooo....as I was reading my source article, and wr[...]

Don't Wanna Say 'I told you so' but...(OK, Yes,I do!)

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:05:00 +0000

I'm in the middle of working on another post, and have also been offered some blogging help by fellow blogger AndyD, who will be guest-writing in the near future (once we decide on a topic) - BUT - while backtracking this AM to a piece I'd bookmarked back in February, I came across this Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde comparison to our President in a NRO article.
Because it so *totally mirrors & confirms my early-on suspicions, I feel vindicated. Yet, at the same time, sorrow tugs at my heart.

I left this comment on reddit.com over a year ago:

"I am not an Obama supporter, but am not antagonistic towards him. So far, anyway. The media and money aspect certainly do tend to power, but people who will vote for him in Nov. aren't going to necessarily be voting for him b/c of this power. He can, as LanternBearer says, 'wing a speech' very well. His presentation of himself will win voters, in large part, I think."

In 'Dr. Barack and Mr. Obama', Victor Davis Hanson, in National Review Online, writes the following:

"People assumed that his easy rhetoric was not a result of studied preparation or superficial style, but a natural reflection of honesty and sincerity."

and

"Now nearly half the country is not merely distrustful of him, but increasingly viscerally angry at him as well."

"...it took millions of Americans months of fair and judicious examination to conclude that Obama’s real weaknesses were his once-advertised strengths:... The present Mr. Obama looks and sounds like the old Dr. Barack, but he surely does not act anything like the candidate who persuaded America."





Check out the NRO article.

* not necessarily referring to my being 'simpatico' w/every detail in this article by Mr. Hanson - rather the general principle indicated by the details.

Soldier in Transition

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:39:00 +0000

'Support our Troops'...'Honor our Fallen Heroes'...'Thank a Veteran'...these phrases speak for themselves. Instinctively, in our hearts and in our guts, we feel pangs of pride, of sadness or anguish, of gratitude for sacrifices made in the cause of freedom. But unless we have been there, we really cannot know... I have had the inestimable honor of working with an Afghan/Iraqi war vet these last few months. Words cannot adequately describe my response to being in this young man's presence. I have felt that I have been visited from on High, that God has graced me with a word in the flesh, the very topic about which I 've often written, alive, in my space. Often, I've felt stupid, not knowing what to say, or how to help.I went against my better judgment, and asked this young soldier if I could interview him at some point, because I wanted to know, first-hand, how a soldier felt about this war. We all sit over here and expound on this & that, we bloggers, sounding off in posts, forums, etc., but how do they feel? What are a soldier's thoughts on the kind of brutal experiences that most of us will never know? The red flag that was gently waving in the back of my mind, warning me that it might be too soon for Ethan (not his real name) to re-live combat events by speaking of them, proved accurate. Ethan still had trouble sleeping, though he'd been home over a year. He is still trying to fully recover. I backed off, and promised not to mention my request again. And I haven't. But in some of our conversations, I learned bits & pieces about this soldier's life now, and then. I don't feel that I should go into details, but what I want to convey is that, when one of our warriors comes home from the Middle East theatre of war, it isn't that fairytale, balloons-and-parade-with-flag flying! and now everything is OK! that we might mistakenly think. These men and women are forever changed. As a civilian, I was most certainly deluded. But watching and working with one of our nation's heroes has opened my eyes. You don't just ease back into society after fighting jihadists, or having your vehicle blown up by a roadside bomb. You carry it with you, and it can take a long time to regain at least some of your former mentality. On top of that, most people around you are clueless. Nobody gets it. The only reason I got any of 'it' is because God had been at work, expanding my awareness, so that every time I see Ethan, or speak with him, I'm so affected that I feel like a fish out of water. I am humbled, speechless, and, like I said, I feel stupid.Ethan is returning to Afghanistan. Though he served three years already, he will return for at least six more, and may opt for a military career. A soldier is who he is, it seems to me, not what he's done.I will miss him.[...]

Tackling the Economy...

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Never, in my wildest dreams, would I have ever imagined myself watching a program about business journalism (if I actually had dreams about such topics!). And not only watching, but watching with interest - avid interest. But such has been the case The paths down which I find myself wandering, all leading back to my Revolutionary War studies, are a constant source of amazement to me, and whole new worlds of learning, from then to now, continue to unfold.oooSteve Pearlstein, business columnist for the Washington Post, 'guess-timates' that Americans have been living about 6% beyond their means (p.12) for some time now. As most of us know, the culprit is credit. It became very easy to spend $1.06 for every $1.00 earned. Taking into account the size of this country, and its vast population, it's easy to see this runaway horse galloping across the land, leaving a wide trail of debt in its wake.Though information was out there, it has been suggested that many Americans were not really aware of our impending economic crisis until later in 2008. I remember hearing radio broadcasts predicting the disaster lasting until the first quarter of 2010, and I still hadn't really felt the pinch of it yet. In fact, it was news to me! It seemed to come out of nowhere. I wasn't that worried, as I've never had alot of money and am used to counting my pennies, tightening my purse strings fairly often. But I wondered, how did this happen? Where did it come from? Why didn't more of us see the signs? Pearlstein compares the apparently sudden manifestation of this financial malady to Wile E. Coyote, when he runs off the cliff, moving so fast that he just keeps going & going, still in mid-air, then suddenly - Whoops!! "That’s the dynamic, because there’s so much built in momentum, that it appears that that which should be happening isn’t,"Pearlstein explains. Looking back, I think my first indication of a coming economic meltdown was a subtle but startling change in the size of my favorite super-large Hershey's chocolate bar. Seriously. The price didn't drop, but the size did. Sometimes, it's in the small stuff...Articles warning of the coming financial crisis appeared in the New York Times, as far back as about seven years ago, according to its senior financial writer Diana Henriques. Newspapers nationwide reported on troubling mortgage industry issues. But not everybody reads the New York Times, or the finance pages. The average American's interests are focused elsewhere, not on high finance. More street level, let's say. As for business moguls, supposedly very knowledgeable in their areas of expertise "...people were buying things in the financial world that they didn’t fully understand, and they were paying a great deal of money for them." (Ali Velshi, chief business correspondent, CNN)Author of Give Me My Money Back: Your Guide to Beating the Financial Crisis, Ali Velshi (quoted above) explains how such an 'overheated' financial environment was initially created by the repeated reselling of mortgages,resulting in a handful of organizations holding multitudes of them. When homeowners couldn't make the payments...down, down, down came the 'house of cards', as Velshi calls them. Now, as we all know, rebuilding is necessary, one way or another, throughout our society.So, I'm thinking, why were homeowners unable to make their mortgage payments? Well, why do any of us not make a payment, for anything? Clearly, not enough cash to go around. (And though there are many reasons [...]

Afghanistan - a New Approach?

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:51:00 +0000

"And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees..." (Luke 3:9. KJV)We continue in our seemingly endless battle against the Taliban in Afghanistan, a force that at present is reported to be gaining ground, a "growing...insurgency" in that area. (I am reminded, as I write, of the Biblical account of Jacob wrestling with the angel of the Lord, 'til the dawning of a new day, and how he would not let go until he got the blessing. Not to compare the Taliban with the angel of the Lord, rather to emphasize persistence unto victory. A new day dawning...)Last month, the top U.S. commander in this particular theatre of war, General McKiernan, was replaced by General Stanley A. McChrystal, who has espoused a different approach to dealing with the insurgents. Rather than a primarily outward thrust, with the intention of locating, uprooting & capturing Taliban forces from their mountainous strongholds, U.S. and NATO troops would focus more on protecting the more populous locales from enemy invasion. McChrystal's strategy is now becoming even more defined and specific, and will be requiring more troops, both U.S/NATO and Afghan.As a person who almost can't help but analyze, war--time strategy has begun to intrigue me. This particular strategy appears solid, to me. With a dose of genius. "...an intensified military effort to root out corruption among local government officials..." is a large part of its aim, and calls for "more unconventional methods" in its implementation. A strategy assessment team, comprised of expert advisers and national security specialists from Washington 'think tanks', considers corruption at local government levels to be as much a threat to Afghan peace and freedom as any top Taliban commander. Consequently, as stated above, US/NATO involvement in exposing and removing such elements is also to be a prominent aspect of General McChrystal's plan. A writer on FiscalRangers.com, a site dealing with the corruption issue in Iraq and the rest of the world as well, VJtraveler says, "I have reported several times about the lack of serious actions by the State Dept or other donors in fixing fraud and corruption problems before dumping lots of money into "developing or conflict" countries." VJ cites diplomacy not being used "to ensure corruption cases are actually prosecuted, which is a major deterrent." Falling in line with McChrystal's 'inward rather than outward' push, "commanders will be encouraged to increase contact with Afghans", actually living inside the towns, and spending more time on foot patrols, as opposed to in heavily armored vehicles. Climbing out of their trucks and interacting with the locals puts our soldiers in more of a position to identify the tribal "power brokers" and connect with them, influencing policies and decisions. Strong emphasis is being placed on partnership, Afghan and U.S/NATO troops living, training and carrying out missions together, throughout every level of rank.A less than enthusiastic response is expected from the Obama administration regarding the increased troops request.(Source - Washington Post)oooI particularly like the idea of getting to the root of corruption in the local and/or otherwise Afghan government. In the Scripture cited above, I see the concept of 'rooting out the truth'. The 'axe', I believe, represents the Word of God, the One who also identifies Himself as the Way, the Truth, & the Life. I've always understood that verse to be an illustration of the trut[...]

Brooks & Dunn meet Isaiah & Co.

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:29:00 +0000

"When the day comes that I don't love youevery star will fall out of the skyevery mountain will tumble downand every river run dry."- Every River (Kim Richey/Angelo/Tom Littlefield)-BMI/ASCAP Listening to Brooks & Dunn perform their heartfelt rendition of this song, earlier today,(Steers & Stripes, Arista-Nashville) (besides being deeply touched by the serious intensity of it), my brain patterns registered a similar expression of eternal commitment. Now where?...oh, right...Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night...If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, the seed of Israel also chall cease from being a nation before me for ever." (Jeremiah 31: 35, 36 ,KJV)"My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips."(Psalms 89: 34, KJV)and, lastly, even though those unthinakble and presumably impossible events actually should come to pass -"For the mountains shall depart, and the hills beremoved; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD..." (Isaiah 54: 10, KJV)ooo[...]

Who is my Brother?

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:46:00 +0000

Around the world, peoples of all ages and from all walks of life, have taken up a hue and a cry against governmental oppression of Iranian activist citizens. Protesting the outcome of Iran's recent election, which once again placed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power, these people have been beaten and arrested, and in at least twenty cases, death was the result of police crackdown. In London, a reported 600 protesters gathered outside the Iranian embassy. Several hundred people demonstrated near Times Square in New York City, and a small group of Iranians living in New York have formed protests outside the U.N."to call on the world body to investigate human rights abuses in Iran." In Brussels, Amsterdam, and Geneva people carrying placards, listening to speakers or wearing green headbands symbolic of this protest movement have gathered for the cause of freedom. The Eiffel Tower bore silent witness to several hundred rallying at Trocadero Square in Paris. Vienna, Rome, Norway, Copenhagen...near 3000 demonstrators showed up in Stockholm. The list goes on, people - and is this giving anyone else chills? In smaller yet nonetheless potent groupings, the Australian cities of Sydney, Melbourne and others hosted the voices of protest, as well as Tokyo and Seoul. Activists outside the Iranian embassy in Prague denounced the brutal treatment of Iranian dissenters of the election results.I have never, in my lifetime, been aware of such an international gathering & outpouring of public support for oppressed citizens of another country. (Although it is true, not that long ago I wouldn't have been paying attention to events on a larger scale...so I may have missed it.)Here is what I'm seeing - because the world has witnessed the liberation of Iraq from the tyranny of a Saddam Hussein, and the inception of a democracy, and because the world is now witnessing a powerful helping hand being extended to the people of Afghanistan, that their lives may be freed from the threat of Taliban control, citizens around the globe have taken heart. The cause of freedom is just, and they know it. Some will not be silent. "...Iranian Nobel Peace prize laureate Shirin Ebadi urged the international community to reject the outcome of the Iranian election and called for a new vote monitored by the United Nations." (USAToday) To Shirin Ebadi, I say, "Rock ON!!!" The Iranian people and their com padres worldwide are crying out against killing, imprisonment, mistreatments and abuse of rights, against dictatorship and injustice. Thomas Jefferson's prediction of over 200 years ago (link) that "this ball of liberty...is now so well in motion that it will roll around the globe..." stands true yet today.It has not stopped rolling.(Source)[...]

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