Ukraine Fracas

Based on what is showing up on my social media, the response from “both sides” on the Ukraine fracas seems to be “I know my guy is corrupt, but your guy is even more corrupt.” My assessment is that playing this game as a means of evading accountability is a telling indicator of a society-wide loss of moral compass. I do not find either Biden or Trump trustworthy and do not want either of them in the White House or any other position of power or influence. I certainly do not want Mr. Touchyfeely or Mr. Pu**ygrabber anywhere near my wife, my daughters-in-law, my granddaughters (or any woman for that matter).

In conflicts with your siblings (or even friends) when growing up, did your parents ever tell you, “Two wrongs don’t make a right”? My assessment of current politics is that playing the game of “I know my guy is corrupt, but your guy is even more corrupt” as a means of evading accountability is a telling indicator of a society-wide loss of moral compass.  Everyone needs to be accountable to someone who is independent enough to be objective and honest, especially those in positions of authority and power. Dealing with yourself as a model for encouraging others to deal with themselves. Jesus clearly knew this when he said, “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” (Matthew 7, Luke 6)

Yes, I definitely think this is directly relevant to the Ukraine Fracas. If either or both Biden and Trump did something illegal and/or unethical in their dealings with Ukraine (which I suspect both did though I have neither the knowledge nor expertise to say that with certainty), I believe they should both be held accountable and face the consequences of their actions. I don’t think either should be cut any slack because of what the other did or did not do.

Having said that, I am not enthusiastic about an impeachment proceeding for Trump, believing it would distract the nation from urgent matters that desperately need attention and cloud the upcoming 2020 election process. We don’t need more incendiary tweets or tantrums. We don’t need to inflame the anger of those who have found a voice for their discontent and hostility toward those who are not like them. We don’t need to further fragment the citizenry with paralyzing polarization. Without a doubt the drive for impeachment is politically driven, but that seems to me to be irrelevant to ethical and legal culpability. 

I have no propensity for prophetic predictions, but the trajectory of the last couple of weeks suggests that if the Trump presidency collapses it will not be because of Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats or “disloyalty” among Republicans or mutiny within the administration but Donald Trump will crash on his own unbridled ego and malevolent temper.   Still the core elements of his political base will not only support him but threaten violence to preserve power. _{(added October 5, 2019)}

I’m putting this in my Writing Workshop (http://nstolpewriting.blogspot.com/) because I feel a need to get my thoughts out of my system so my mind can release the tension, but I may not post the link to my social media as I don’t need to get embroiled in the public discussion. I need to focus my energy on caring for my wife and her father without distraction.

Remembering 9-11

 With the 18^th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks tomorrow, we are being urged repeatedly to remember and never forget. As I have reflected on these prompts, a couple of observations have emerged in my meditations.

First is the awareness of the effects of the normal passing of time. Those who have not yet graduated from high school were not even born at the time. Those who are now in college were preschoolers at the time. Those who are now in their mid-thirties were children and teens at the time. They probably remember the emotional trauma and the vivid images without fully grasping what had happened. This emerging generation has little or no personal, first-hand memory of those events, only what they have been told or read. For all of these the events of September 11, 2001 will be remembered as they blend into the abstracted distance of history. That is normal, and they should not be belittled because of it. This is evident as the Vietnam War generation is passing from the scene and as the World War II generation has almost completely done now. Maintaining a vivid memorial of people and events a century or more ago naturally blur together.

Second, I suggest that as we remember the attacks of September 11, 2001, we remember with love those who lost their lives. Let us remember with respect those who rallied to aid in the crisis, especially but not only those who risked and even lost their own lives to rush into danger to rescue at least some.

Third, I strongly urge that we not allow our remembering to degenerate into or nourish fear and anger. We only hurt ourselves by wallowing in vengeance. I believe Jesus was absolutely right (which the Apostle Paul affirmed) when he told us to love our enemies. (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-35; Romans 12:17-21) Jesus’ explanations not only gave this mandate an extraordinarily high profile, but he made it congruent with the character of God. If we are going to grow toward becoming like God, we must love our enemies.