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Date Line May 6, 2007
“WHEN a pretension to free the world from evil ends only in a new proof of the danger of a fanatic to the commonweal, then it is not to be marveled at that a distrust is aroused in the observer which makes sympathy impossible.” Thus, with the words of Sigmund Freud, did NY Times Op-Ed Contributor George Prochnik begin his article.
“I do not know how to avoid the conclusion that a man who is capable of taking the illusions of religion so literally and is so sure of a special personal intimacy with the Almighty is unfitted for relations with ordinary children of men. As everyone knows, the hostile camp during the war also sheltered a chosen darling of Providence: the German kaiser. It was most regrettable that later on the other side a second appeared. No one gained thereby: respect for God was not increased.”
As Prochnik, Freud warned that we should “Be afraid of the leader who refuses to look in the mirror.” Which, of course, means, be afraid of any leader who will not take an honest look at his own actions.
As a Jew, Freud would have known the story of Solomon, who found the Laws of Moses in the palace library and realized he had been doing things wrong. Solomon, noted for his wisdom, immediately reviewed his own decisions, and had them reviewed by his wisest advisors.
It is from that we have the “Rule of Solomon”: Do what you believe to be right and you are not liable for any wrong made from ignorance of the true law; but once you learn the law you bare full responsibility for your actions.
OH IF ONLY we had leaders who understood the Rule of Solomon and could look themselves in the mirror. Instead what we have is people who should listen to the words of John Prine’s song, “Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore.”
Pine remind the Right-wing that Heaven is “already overcrowded
From your dirty little war. Now Jesus don't like killin' No matter what the reason's for, And your flag decal won't get you Into Heaven any more.”
Not that it matters, as we have seen in previous blogs, the Right-wing evangelicals could not care less for what the supposed king thinks of their actions. Given the opportunity, they will do everything that they are told not to do, and will refuse to do that which they are told to do.
About the only thing to be happy about: The will never be a Right-wing evangelical, never be a Christian or Muslim fundamentalist, who can gain entry into whatever heaven might really exist.
Thus, if we wish to be free of them for all eternity, it becomes our obligation to do, and support, that which well get us where they are not.
To go where they will not be, we must oppose anything which leads to the death of innocents; we must oppose the use of military force when peaceful means are available; we must take care of the sick and the hungry; and most important, while ensuring we never engage in actions which kill another person, we must also make sure never engage in an action which renders others sick, hungry, or homeless.
Of course, if we know and judge them by their actions, and not their proven hypocritical words, we can all see that the Right-wing has no idea what I am talking about.
At this moment, Congress is reviewing the presidential veto which serves to make the current conflict perpetually open ended. Right now many are sitting quietly and allowing the murders to continue in their names. Say goodbye to them, for their eternal rest shall be oblivion.
But hey! That assumes that this is not all there is, was, and will be. So choose your sides and the way you want to live.
Decide if you well-being, and that of your descendants, is less important than borrowing more Billions to murder Iraqi women and children.
Decide if you can “win” when nobody can decide where the finish line is, or if it even exists at all.
There is no fence to sit upon. All those who do not oppose the administration actions become part of a famed Nixon “silent majority” who supposedly supported the War in Vietnam.
Those who are silent now support the wounding or killing of American military sons and daughters. They support the killing of 600,000 Iraqis and freedom for Osama Bin Laden. The silent, like those in the Administration who yell there is something to win, define winning as the economic and social destruction of America.
Which side are you on? Tell you Congress person - Deadline, or no.
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