In the old Hippocratic Oath, one of the key lines is, "First, do no harm." As a thoughtful voter, it is increasingly difficult to get excited about the B-grade drama being played out on all levels.
Do I vote for a veteran I do not trust who champions freedom to destroy embryonic life or a silver spoon scion who refuses to protect our borders?
Do I help place in the White House a husband and wife who "think globally" at the expense of national interests or someone mismanaging our war on terror?
Do I elect someone ready to tax me for increased government inefficiency or a man beholden to large economic interests?
The list could go on...
I will remeber Hippocrates and choose life and vote for the incumbent and pray that he will actually do something to correct our terrible economic and immigration imbalances. The alternative is a brave new world I find even more discouraging.
I promise to be more cheerful next time!
My new book is out: The Power of Faithful Focus
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Questions for a Hot August Night
The current election season is in full swing and the "spin doctors" are hard at work explaining the explanations of their candidates.
As a historian (who is allowed to dwell in any century at any time!), I know that there are no "good ol' days." I do long, however, for the spirit of Harry Truman to alight on our politicians so that we can at least enjoy some honest, plain-spoken words.
What was Senator Kerry's real record in Vietnam? Do we invalidate the word of over 200 soldiers close to the scene?
What are the oil interests close to Dick Cheney? And why is the Bush administration so hesitant to confront the Saudis about their support of terrorism?
Why is Bill Cosby vilified for criticizing bad parenting among African Americans? What happened to the ethics of Booker T. Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King?
Why are so many of the vocal advocates of "traditional values"living a lie with their personal affairs?
How can the United Nations condemn Israel for a protective fence while they turn a blind eye to Islamofascist terrorism and Sudanese enslavement of non-Muslims?
Why do we condone total disrespect for the rule of law and allow unfettered illegal immigation from Mexico and keep honest applicants from other nations waiting years for a visa?
Why do we promote gas-guzzling SUV's and offer a pittance of support for fuel-cell and other alternatives to auto fuel?
These are some questions for a hot August night - and for our local and national leaders to consider!
As a historian (who is allowed to dwell in any century at any time!), I know that there are no "good ol' days." I do long, however, for the spirit of Harry Truman to alight on our politicians so that we can at least enjoy some honest, plain-spoken words.
What was Senator Kerry's real record in Vietnam? Do we invalidate the word of over 200 soldiers close to the scene?
What are the oil interests close to Dick Cheney? And why is the Bush administration so hesitant to confront the Saudis about their support of terrorism?
Why is Bill Cosby vilified for criticizing bad parenting among African Americans? What happened to the ethics of Booker T. Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King?
Why are so many of the vocal advocates of "traditional values"living a lie with their personal affairs?
How can the United Nations condemn Israel for a protective fence while they turn a blind eye to Islamofascist terrorism and Sudanese enslavement of non-Muslims?
Why do we condone total disrespect for the rule of law and allow unfettered illegal immigation from Mexico and keep honest applicants from other nations waiting years for a visa?
Why do we promote gas-guzzling SUV's and offer a pittance of support for fuel-cell and other alternatives to auto fuel?
These are some questions for a hot August night - and for our local and national leaders to consider!
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
California Dreaming
Once again our Golden State will have a budget that ignores both economic sense and the desires of the electorate. Our new govenor has failed at every level to foster systemic change in a process that has taken the wealthiest state and made her a greator debtor than most nations of the world.
Whether Democrat or Republican, the lust for power once again overcomes all sound principles. Long-term fiscal and social health are not going to come through pork-barrel policies or sound-bites, but real reformers willing to look at all facets of our state priorities and make hard choices.
We are truly in "la-la land" if we think "business as usual" will keep businesses from fleeing the state and overtaxed citizens from frustration.
The question for our leaders in Sacramento is simple: does anyone have the courage to transform policy or are we going to be at the mercy of every fresh-faced demagogue?
Whether Democrat or Republican, the lust for power once again overcomes all sound principles. Long-term fiscal and social health are not going to come through pork-barrel policies or sound-bites, but real reformers willing to look at all facets of our state priorities and make hard choices.
We are truly in "la-la land" if we think "business as usual" will keep businesses from fleeing the state and overtaxed citizens from frustration.
The question for our leaders in Sacramento is simple: does anyone have the courage to transform policy or are we going to be at the mercy of every fresh-faced demagogue?
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
We Can Not Have It All
We are in the midst of a decisive debate on the values and vision that will determine the direction of our culture and society for years to come.
We are not in a simplistic war between good and evil, right and left, or even traditional versus modern.
We live in an age of contradictions. The Right advocates freedom while often ignoring the systemic evils of global business.
The Left speaks of tolerance while vilifying anyone who espouses long-standing moral precepts.
Minority communities continue to agitate for "justice" while excoriating internal critics who call for self-examination.
Virtue gurus call for heroism and self-reliance, yet find themselves unable to master addictions.
How do we navigate forward in an era fraught with peril and potential?
We must reassert that true freedom depends upon explicit and implicit adherence to moral principles and personal responsibility. Our culture of victimhood must yield to an ethos of mutual respect and community sacrifice.
We must learn to live with our deepest differences without being forced to affirm what is reprehensible to us. Toleration is not approval; moral and spiritual universes are different.
Let's raise the level of our debate beyond sound bites and personal posturing to a new plane of serious reflection. Only then will we have the fortitude to face the future.
We are not in a simplistic war between good and evil, right and left, or even traditional versus modern.
We live in an age of contradictions. The Right advocates freedom while often ignoring the systemic evils of global business.
The Left speaks of tolerance while vilifying anyone who espouses long-standing moral precepts.
Minority communities continue to agitate for "justice" while excoriating internal critics who call for self-examination.
Virtue gurus call for heroism and self-reliance, yet find themselves unable to master addictions.
How do we navigate forward in an era fraught with peril and potential?
We must reassert that true freedom depends upon explicit and implicit adherence to moral principles and personal responsibility. Our culture of victimhood must yield to an ethos of mutual respect and community sacrifice.
We must learn to live with our deepest differences without being forced to affirm what is reprehensible to us. Toleration is not approval; moral and spiritual universes are different.
Let's raise the level of our debate beyond sound bites and personal posturing to a new plane of serious reflection. Only then will we have the fortitude to face the future.
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Self-Examination, Not Self-Destruction
As I write these words, President Bush is issuing multiple apologies for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers. The outrage is understandable, and once again the U.S. is held to standards of conduct found in few places on our small globe.
My advice to our President and our nation is this: Apologize, punish the offenders, and MOVE ON.
To spend much more time in hand-wringing invites derision from the enemies of our values and weakens our position of strength against the perpetrators of terror who have no compunction about killing anyone who is not an Islamofascist.
Our situtation is much like the 1930s, where Britain, France and the USA refused to respond to any of the Nazi provocations until it was too late to avoid a major war. Western moral and military weakness condemned the world to a war costing over 50 million lives.
The USA and her allies must regain the moral high ground, operate the military effectively, and emphasize the values that have sustained freedom. This includes being self-critical, but not self-destructive.
Wallowing in self-immolation instead of working for self-improvement will place our planet in danger of a new Dark Ages of bigotry and intolerance.
It is time to move on. We must recognize the problem, repent of the violations, provide restitution to victims, and resolve to do better. Self-denial is good and leads to service for humanity. Self-destruction opens the door to totalitarianism. The choice is ours.
My advice to our President and our nation is this: Apologize, punish the offenders, and MOVE ON.
To spend much more time in hand-wringing invites derision from the enemies of our values and weakens our position of strength against the perpetrators of terror who have no compunction about killing anyone who is not an Islamofascist.
Our situtation is much like the 1930s, where Britain, France and the USA refused to respond to any of the Nazi provocations until it was too late to avoid a major war. Western moral and military weakness condemned the world to a war costing over 50 million lives.
The USA and her allies must regain the moral high ground, operate the military effectively, and emphasize the values that have sustained freedom. This includes being self-critical, but not self-destructive.
Wallowing in self-immolation instead of working for self-improvement will place our planet in danger of a new Dark Ages of bigotry and intolerance.
It is time to move on. We must recognize the problem, repent of the violations, provide restitution to victims, and resolve to do better. Self-denial is good and leads to service for humanity. Self-destruction opens the door to totalitarianism. The choice is ours.
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