2 posts tagged “usa”

I was watching "Hardball with Chris Matthews" on MSNBC this evening, where I saw Political Analysts Pat Buchanan & Lawrence O'Donnell, "discussing" (more like arguing) "some" Republicans' outrage about Obama's response to Chavez's insults.

  As I understand, Obama visited Venezuela today, where during a summit, Chavez gave a long talk on his opinions, and supposed experiences, with the U.S.A.  Though I haven't heard the speech personally, it's understood that Chavez was very insulting, especially in the presence of our very own Commander in Chief.  But as the story goes, instead of becoming infuriated in offense by the remarks, or even doing anything to defend our country's honor, Obama just sat there and listened.  But the real discussion topic of all this was that, upon meeting with Chavez, Obama shook hands with Chavez, then began to peacefully discuss the future.

So now, to no surprise, "some" republicans are mocking Obama as being a traitor (though indirectly), a coward, and unfit for leadership. Why?  Because, as argued on Hardball, Obama didn't stand up, make a scene, defended our country's honor against the obviously incorrect remarks, and above all, definitely shook hands with Chavez's ("that damn left-hander", as they say).  Maybe Obama should've thrown his shoe?

I have to admit that I too am disappointed, though not at Obama, but at the Republicans.  For this only shows how the Republicans have been doing things for so long: if somebody insults us, we need to stand up and put them in their place...who do they think they are?  We're the Americans! They can't say that about us!

  I'm reminded of a film clip shown in a history class (I don't know when, high school, college?) of Hitler (it had subtitles).  He was giving a speech to the multitudes about how some group of people were saying things about him, insults and lies, and that they have no right to do such.  In fact, because of their words, he & all of Nazi Germany "will show them".  Then he segued into a pep-rally where everybody agreed and hailed Hitler.

Don't get me wrong...I neither claim to be a Democrat, nor comparing the "some" Republicans to Adolf Hitler. What I'm saying is that the "some" Republicans' arguments against Obama's response (which were actually his tactics) can be compared to that of a paranoid crazy man who loves power, and who believes that those who oppose him should be either destroyed or defamed.  I'm also saying that their response to Obama shows that such behavior is actually what has gotten us to the point where we are today.  Also in each situation, such tactics have proven to fail, and will continue to, especially when change and peace are the goal.

Now what do I mean when I say that Obama's response was actually his tactics? If you ever take a class or learn anything about conflict management, you'll recognize just what I'm saying:
  Obama talks of change and peace.  Republicans so far strong-armed countries like Venezuela.  Chavez wants to know if Obama is for real or just fronting, so he gives a speech that's insulting and "in your face".  Was Obama insulted?  Possibly, and who wouldn't be?  But that's not what matters.  It's how Obama reacts to the isults that decides where we go from here. Remember, actions speak louder than words...if you're really for peace, then you'll respond to such insults with peace. But if you talk of peace, and respond in violence or anger, then you're obviously not really for peace.  As for the handshake, if Obama had refused his hand, no talks would take place, now or ever during his time in office.

Obama's a wise man...more so than we give him credit.  And if you'll look at his facial expressions when talking about his meeting...he wasn't fooled. He caught on a long time ago, possibly no later than the first insult. But he has a mission, and knows that the mission can't (and won't) succeed if he takes words personally.  We're a small continent, but a "big" country...we can't let insults get in the way of the mission...we're bigger than that.

"You have abandoned your people, the house of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with pagans. Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. So man will be brought low and mankind humbled--do not raise them up."

As I was reading through Isaiah today, I came across this passage, and was reminded of the United States, believe it or not.  For example, the reason people (not the Native Americans) came to this land in the first place was for religious freedom.  But as more people came, and trades among other nations grew, so did other religions, beliefs, wives' tales, "stupid-stitions", etc, and this new land that was based on the worship of the Lord God had soon become as the land of Canaan before it vomited out its inhabitants...or as David's kingdom during the reign of Solomon...most admirable and great to look at, but no grounding in the Lord

America has been looked up to by nations upon nations.  Our Dollar was once the standard for the rest of the world's currencies.  Though a small country in comparison, our land was once filled with silver and gold, and no end to our treasures.  We were filled with strong pride in our military, "nobody can beat us," we said.  People escaped to the USA during wars in order to help us win. This was once the country that stood above the rest.  Many even saw it as being the land where dreams come true, sidewalks of gold, land of opportunity, and some even dared call it "The New Jerusalem".  But then it was also full of idols...like the Israelites of old, we lost our focus.  People began to bow to the work of their hands, claiming their deeds as their means of salvation.  The rich are held high in the clouds, as heroes to hopefully become like one day.  New ideas and twisted theologies emerged: "God helps those whom help themselves" (which was actually taken from a fable of Aesop, from Greek Mythology, not the Holy Bible).  Idols took on new forms, not just statues, but superstitious beliefs; lies; money and wealth; prosperity; fame; glory; jobs; relationships; material items that break, rust, and burn; busyness; sexualities; identities; "happiness"; whatever one could focus themselves after, and put above their worship of the Lord Almighty, became their idols.

Jesus said that those who are exalted will be humbled.  History has continued to show us this among nations and kingdoms: Egypt, Babylon, Alexander the Great, Persia, Greece, Satan, Rome, China, Germany, England.  Is it now time for the U.S.A. to join its predecessors?
Our dollar is no longer the world's standard and economy is plummeting. Our country is losing its desired image. People have turned away from the Lord and to demons in hopes for happiness and salvation: New Age, Witchcraft, religious cults, atheism, "feel-good messages", they've traded Absolute Truth for "whatever they think is right and makes them happy"; Holiness for Heresy; Grace that cost the life of Jesus for "cheap grace"; Kingdom and Body for personal and individual.  "...they practice divination like the Philistines, and clasp hands with pagans."    No longer is it about holiness and being set apart as God's people, for now the focus of the world has been on "coexisting"..."what I think is truth, is"..."what makes me feel good"..."whatever makes you happy, makes me happy", yet in this "co-existence", REAL Christians are not among the invites (not that we want to be). 

Before entering the Promised Land, the Lord told the Israelites: "You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, neither any of your own nation nor any stranger whom dwells among you, (for all these abominations the men of the land have done, whom were before you, and thus the land is defiled),  lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you." (Leviticus 18:26-28)

The USA has been held high for a long time. Is it now time for America to suffer the same fate as its fellow countries, as has been predicted by so many for so long?  When looking at the roots of this country, one looks to its fore-fathers...those whom had escaped here in order to worship the Lord (as the Israelites did from Egypt in the great Exodus).  They sought out freedom to worship the Lord Almighty, the God of Jacob, as members of the House of Jacob through faith in Jesus Christ.  Looking at the USA today, has it abandoned these people? Has the time arrived where "man will be brought low and mankind humbled"?