The speech really needs to be a nonpartisan effort at uniting the nation in the face of this shooting and mitigating the hateful rhetoric from the Left, in its aftermath. A moderate Democrat congresswoman was severely injured and a conservative minded Federal judge was killed along with the deaths of five others and the injury of 13 individuals in addition to the congresswoman.
Within hours of the event, the Pima County Sheriff , a flaming liberal who refuses to enforce the Arizona immigration law, made a statement in which he blamed Sarah Palin and conservative talk radio for the actions of the 22 year old who actually did the killings. Following that first accusation, the Sheriff continued to place blame on conservatives in general and Palin/Limbaugh in particular. When asked for evidence, he admitted that he had no evidence but has continued to press his charge through today.
Because of such talk from the left, the national debate has continued to heat up. The Dems are using this tragedy to push for gun control, for the Fairness Doctrine (which is a gimmick legislative effort to limit conservative talk radio), to thoroughly destroy the candidacy of Sarah Palin, to frame themselves as the Party of Civility and to somehow offset the butt kicking that was the November Midterm elections.
While the New York Times and the Washington Post work to set the rhetorical text for the evolving Leftist polemic, state and national Democrat leaders are working overtime to frame the debate in their favor by . . . . . well . . . . . . . framing the GOP and its conservative base. Understand that when one makes an allegation without any evidence, is "called" on that falsification but continues to press the allegation, that individual is consciously and willfully pursuing a lie to accomplish the larger goal of political success (in this case).
Sounds simple. What is rather unbelievable is that this circumstance [described immediately above] is an acceptable political/campaign strategy of the Left. Of course liars exist in both parties, but one party has a stated policy that encourages the strategy of "the ends justify justify the means," and the other party (GOP) does not. What is going on now, in terms of the present 'debate,' is evidence of this claim. Again, the 'fact' pushed by the Democrat leadership is a blatant lie yet it is being told over and over again. Such an action is the very definition of "ends to means."
I am on the mailing list of a number of Leftist groups including MoveOn.org and Rev Wallis' list. I plan to start attending a local Move On community meeting in a nearby city. Just doing my part. At any rate, here is a letter from Wallis (the chief religious advisor to Mr. Obama). Understand that the email request is a part of the "vitriolic diatribe" coming the Left. Certainly, this example of "vitriolic whatever" is not couched in the ad hominen or the use of the obscene. Rather, it is the clever extension of a passable rhetorical presence.
My previously happy ex wife once told a family court examiner (24 years ago) that "John's brother has been accused of molesting his own daughter (which was not true at all) ." She, then, followed up with an example of a "passable rhetorical presence" with these words, "Now, I am not saying John would ever molest the children, but I am saying that it runs in the family." I wound up with the two boys (9 and 11) years old but the effort to do me great harm was not overlooked.
That is exactly what the following letter and the "pro-civility stance" of the Left is all about. The letter sounds great, but it implies that the Dems and pastor Wallis are taking the lead in a mutually agreed goodness in which others --- geeeee , who could that be --- refuse to participate. It is pleasant sounding trash talk, but very well done, I might add.
Dear John,
The recent shooting of Gabrielle Giffords, the congresswoman from Arizona, must speak to the soul of this nation. The shooter raised his gun to her head, and then he kept shooting until 13 others were wounded and six people killed, including a district court judge and a 9-year-old girl who was in her church choir. We all mourn the lives lost and hope and pray for the recovery of those who were injured.I was with Gabby just a week ago, as our families celebrated New Year’s at a retreat in South Carolina. I count her as a friend. We talked about her very tough election this fall, which she won by a few thousand votes in one of the most divided states in the nation, where -- much like the rest of the country -- the political rhetoric has become more and more poisonous and personal.
What are the situations and environments that allow this kind of hate and violence to grow? How can we not only stop conflict, but also be a part of bringing about a just community that displays the positive presence of peace?
We start with ourselves. Our Peace and Civility Pledge outlines the higher standards that scripture calls us to in how we are to treat one another and act in community. I ask you to sign the Pledge, consider how these teachings are being manifested in your life, and share it with a friend, your church, your family.
Last Spring, we began this important work with over 100 prominent Christian leaders who signed the “Civility Covenant.” Each one committed to modeling civil discourse, even with people they disagree with. In a divided world each one made a commitment to model the peace of Christ in their lives and their communities. They recognized that many of us who would never consider violence of the fist have been guilty of violence in our hearts and with our tongues.
Part of building a better society is relating to others with whom we disagree on important issues without calling them evil. It is out of that work that we recommit ourselves to being peacemakers in our country. It is on that Covenant that we have based this new Pledge.
As the county sheriff in charge of the criminal scene in Tucson said on Saturday, this must be an occasion for national “soul searching.” In the midst of tragedy and violence, I believe this means every Christian must ask: “How am I responsible?”
To that end, we encourage you to reflect with us all, using the Pledge as a starting place for scriptural teaching. Please share your thoughts, prayers, confessions, and hopes on our Facebook page or on the God’s Politics blog.
This horrible tragedy must now become an important American moment. We must honor this tragic event and Gabby’s national service by reflecting deeply on how we speak to and about one another, and how we create environments that help peace grow -- or allow violence and hatred to enter.
Blessings and peace,
Jim Wallis
More from the editor: As Obama's spiritual advisor, it is obvious that Wallis is or has been busy helping Obama plot out his Wednesday evening speech. Understand that his email was sent to me today, the day before Obama's speech. How many million emails were sent? Who knows, but the timing cannot be a coincidence. I will be shocked if Obama's speech does not reflect the passion of the Wallis email . . . . . if not some of its very words.
I am an ex-pastor. 14 years of ministry followed by more than 30 years of construction. Throughout all that time, I continued my personal studies. I give you this very brief bio as I prepare to offer an explanation, of sorts, regarding the good pastor's rather ridiculous theological presentation in the above.
Let's begin with the most obvious, Wallis' use of the concept of "scripture." Obviously, Wallis puts forth the pretense of using "scriptural teaching" as the frame of reference for the content of his memo. Accepting the mutuality of this premise, we offer this conclusion based on the use of scripture: building a better society without using the concept of "evil" is not the way of Christ. Christ drove the money changers from the temple using a whip. He called some religious leaders "whited sepulchers" while making reference to them as being full of "dead men bones." He spoke of those "who being evil do good . . . . ." Society cannot exist without the separation of the good from evil. Such is the basis for our laws, the need for our prisons and the proper use of our armies (think "Hitler" before you go ballistic and all).
Secondly, we have these words: I believe this means every Christian must ask: “How am I responsible?” This is so far off base as to be puzzling. Why would a pastor preach the notion that every Christian is responsible for every criminal act? Think about it . . . . . . . . . and I leave you with that assignment on this point.
Last Spring, we began this important work -- words that reveal Wallis and associates have been strategizing on this idea for some time.
And finally, Wallis uses these words to suggest that the Loughner shootings were anything but an individual event of evil intent: "What are the situations and environments that allow this kind of hate and violence to grow? How can we not only stop conflict, but also be a part of bringing about a just community that displays the positive presence of peace? "
Understand that this event was not evidence of a growing communal problem. Of course we can inflame a community, bringing it to the brink of riot, but, before the nonsense of the Left Wing blame game, such was not an issue in the Tucson murders.
Imagine for just a moment, if the past three day response had been about understanding Jared Loughner and why this nut case did what he did . . . . . . . . and nothing more. We would all be joined in a single accord, praying the survivors and working to offer help and encouragement to the survivors of those who had been killed. It could have been a wonderful moment, but "no," the Left decided to push their agenda by their misuse of this terrible event.
Immoral to the core, Jim Wallis should know better. Instead, he has decided to bastardize the message of Christ in an effort to destroy reputations and win political victories.
Update: 1/12 --
At a moment when many Americans are decrying the overheated tone of American politics, an influential evangelical voice said Tuesday he is folding a project he helped found to increase political civility. Mark DeMoss said he is halting the initiative, called the Civility Project, due to lack of interest. “After only three members of Congress agreed to sign this Civility Pledge last year I’ve decided to shut it down,” DeMoss told CNN by e-mail on Tuesday. He runs a public relations firm that represents Franklin Graham, Campus Crusade for Christ International and other major Christian figures and groups.
No comments:
Post a Comment