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false integrity

Gotta’ love our leaders.

 

We choose men and women to lead us because of their ideas and intelligence, courage and creativity.  However, sometimes all of the above veil integrity — or the lack of it.  Yes, sometimes we perceive our leaders’ actions or orations as so brilliant, we forget that actions and orations cannot substitute for what is deeper — for those motivations of the heart and soul that are often repackaged and massaged for the world to see in a more pleasing form, even if the ethical motivations don’t truly exist.  In other words, perceived integrity is often false; it isn’t authentic.  It’s more a personal marketing scheme.

 

The challenge is that we aren’t capable, consistent barometers of discerning those schemes.  In fact, I often wonder if it is our emotions that cause us to assume integrity… because a leader makes us feel a certain way when they speak — when they do something good — they must be a good man… they must be a good leader.  And so we allow their ideas and intelligence and courage and creativity to cover up for what most needs to exist.

 

I had to laugh seeing such on the NBA floor last week.  And truthfully, since the context was on the hardwood and not affecting so many people or policy, it was far easier to chuckle and almost applaud the creativity; the creativity was brilliant!

 

According to USA Today:

 

With eight seconds remaining and the Nets with no timeouts left, [Brooklyn Nets coach Jason] Kidd subbed in Mirza Teletovic for Tyshawn Taylor.  As Taylor headed to the bench, he bumped into Kidd, spilling Kidd’s soda on the court.  The liquid needed to be cleaned up, giving the Nets, who were trailing 97-94, time to huddle and draw up a three-point shot…

According to amateur lip-readers, Kidd said, “Hit me,” to Taylor…

“Sweaty palms,” Kidd explained after the game. “I was never good with the ball.”

Taylor also tried to say it was an accident.  “It might ice a free-throw shooter and be a timeout when you don’t have one.  But that wasn’t the thought process,” Taylor said.

 

So Kidd can’t lead his team within the rules, so he designs a masterful way to accomplish what he desires anyway — and then, lies about the incident.  He’s dishonest in all immediate, succeeding interviews.  Even more remarkable, the player involved, Tyshawn Taylor, a loyal follower of this leader, also lied in all immediate, succeeding interviews.  He even exasperated the lies, saying, “Coach was in my way…’Coach, get outta my way, bro.’”

 

Again, the leadership is brilliant!  Way to be creative!  Way to accomplish what you feel needs to be accomplished!  Way to get your loyal followers to toe the party line!  Ah, but the end result is more important than the integrity of the process.  I wonder if that’s wise.

 

I wonder where else that happens… when else that happens…  when integrity is so brilliantly veiled by actions and orations… when those actions and orations cover all else up… when we are seduced into thinking that’s wise leadership… when we applaud the creativity because of how we feel… when we are again inaccurate barometers of authenticity.

 

At least Jason Kidd’s intentional deception was caught on camera.  My sense is that such isn’t always the case.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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reunited

And one by one, so they came…

 

Attorneys and actuaries…

Politicians and professors…

Or my sweet friend, the creative, comic book store owner…

 

Pharmacists and philanthropists…

Owners and operators…

Salesmen and stay-at-home moms…

 

Moms and dads of several, of some… adopted or none…

Single parents and parents who’ve admirably called other children “son”…

 

All races, religions, and ethnic, gender, and demographic backgrounds…

White collar, blue collar, no collar at all.

 

Last weekend was my high school reunion. What a treat it was. See if you can follow me here, from the Intramuralist’s perspective…

 

We came from various places…  Indiana, Iowa, Colorado, California, Rhode Island, Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, and more.  We are a diverse group — albeit probably not as diverse as others — but diverse in scenario… circumstance… in both obvious and non-obvious ways…

 

Some came full of joy, expectation… others, perhaps, a little anxious, wondering who they would see… how they would feel… how they would be viewed and valued after so many years.  Still others arrived with hidden heartache; some have tough circumstances at home.

 

Introverts and extroverts… there were incredible stories to share… of triumph.  Of grief.  Of sadness and success.

 

Yet regardless of story, we listened.  We cheered. We consoled and we danced. It was a joy to gather together.  It was a joy to dance.

 

It wasn’t a joy because we all act the same, believe the same, nor feel the same.  It wasn’t a joy because we’re all healthy or happy or hopelessly getting along at home.  It was a joy because our differences didn’t matter.

 

It wasn’t a substitute nor excuse.  It wasn’t a denial of truth nor an acceptance of what’s not good, not healthy, or not true.  It was a commitment to remain in relationship, no matter what.

 

Far too many seem to sacrifice community because of individual difference. Far too often the individual becomes more pronounced and celebrated than the whole. From foreign countries to the federal government, they forget far too quickly how to operate effectively and empathetically with the differences that are ever present.

 

I don’t know if my high school class could ever come close to solving the world’s growing and glaring problems.  But I can tell you this…  We’d work together, acknowledge the differences, refrain from denying truth, and always appreciate what we share.

 

We might also, just even, dance.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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a big deal

With the current Colorado flooding — p.s. the pictures are jaw-dropping — did you notice the official, early alert from the National Weather Service?

 

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE  DENVER/BOULDER CO

941  AM  MDT  THU  SEP  12  2013

 

UPDATE… MAJOR FLOODING/FLASH FLOODING EVENT UNDERWAY AT THIS TIME WITH BIBLICAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS REPORTED IN MANY AREAS IN/NEAR THE FOOTHILLS.  PRECIPITABLE WATER VALUES IN EXCESS OF AN INCH AND A QUARTER ON GPS SENSORS CERTAINLY SUPPORT LOTS MORE RAIN TODAY

 

Question about “biblical rainfall”?

 

I’m often intrigued how so many work so seemingly hard to omit any reality of God, Jesus, or what’s “biblical.”  I typically pause when intentional efforts are made to diminish any truth or power of Christianity.  We witness instead the so-called “wisdom” of the world…

 

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is currently deciding whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance phrase, “under God,” violates the Equal Rights Amendment of the state constitution and is an issue of discrimination.

 

A 10 year old girl at a public school in Memphis, TN was told last week that she could not identify “the Almighty” as her idol for a required school assignment.  The teacher told the young student that she could not use language that “has something to do with God.”  Michael Jackson, however, was acceptable.

 

Earlier this summer, the Samuel Adams beer company ran an ad utilizing the Declaration of Independence.  They spoke of all men being created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights; however, they intentionally omitted the Declaration’s phrase acknowledging that those unalienable rights are endowed by our Creator.

 

Some people intentionally omit any reference to God…

… that is…

… until a “big deal” happens.

 

The flooding in Colorado is a big deal.  The resulting heartache after 9/11 was a big deal.  The shootings and violence and situation in Syria are a big deal.  In my own life, sadly at times, I’ve experienced some pretty challenging big deals.  Sometimes it takes a big deal for us to be prompted to mention God’s name… and to wrestle with the evidential reality.

 

FYI… there exist exponentially more reliable manuscripts of the Bible’s New Testament than there are of any writings of Plato, Aristotle, Caesar, and Homer.  And yet, universities across America never assert the philosophers’ writings as unreliable, questionable, or untrue.  We do not dispute that the men wrote the words.  We do not dismiss the teaching nor avoid acknowledgement.

 

Sometimes it takes a big deal for us to wrestle with what’s true.

 

So it was said by the National Weather Service this week in Colorado.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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Syria… still.

Like many of you, I watched and listened to the President’s speech on Tuesday night.

 

Also like many of you, so much of me wished to avoid it.

 

My lack of desire had nothing to do with avoiding the sobering situations on the planet.  It also had nothing to do with who was actually speaking.  My desire to avoid the President’s speech was due to the fact that even from a distant vantage point, it is clear that politics are involved.  It’s involved in the White House.  It’s involved in the Congress.  It’s involved in the pundits and reporters who boldly pounce before the microphones.  And at a time when lives and security are solemnly at stake, my earnest desire is that all decision-making would be free from politics.

 

Because of the politics, I don’t believe the public receives the entire, unfiltered truth.  With the solicited skill of professional speechwriters, our leaders’ speeches are written and re-written multiple times in attempts to best persuade… to coax instead of communicate… to convince instead of encouraging consideration… and to influence instead of inform.  The Intramuralist is well aware that we do not all agree on the same subjects nor with equivalent fervency, but my desire — especially when lives may be at stake — is that we would be allowed to make our own decisions in regard to what is right and appropriate.  There need be no manipulation.  There need be no politics.

 

So on Tuesday, our President wanted to speak to us.  If my President is speaks, I will listen.  I want to hear what he has to say.

 

You know what struck me?

 

Pres. Obama spent much of his time on television appealing to our emotion…

 

“The images from this massacre are sickening: Men, women, children lying in rows, killed by poison gas. Others foaming at the mouth, gasping for breath. A father clutching his dead children, imploring them to get up and walk. On that terrible night, the world saw in gruesome detail the terrible nature of chemical weapons, and why the overwhelming majority of humanity has declared them off-limits — a crime against humanity, and a violation of the laws of war…

 

I ask you to reconcile your belief in freedom and dignity for all people with those images of children writhing in pain, and going still on a cold hospital floor… 

 

I’d ask every member of Congress, and those of you watching at home tonight, to view those videos of the attack, and then ask: What kind of world will we live in if the United States of America sees a dictator brazenly violate international law with poison gas, and we choose to look the other way?”

 

The images Obama describes are awful.  Horrific.  Condemnation of the behavior is deserving.  However, no matter the emotion the images elicit, we cannot allow the emotion to trump the logic; logic and emotion must be equally considered.

 

Logically speaking, if we attack Syria, who will attack us?  What incident will serve as the next USS Cole, the homicide attack on our American missile destroyer, set in the Yemen sea?  What will Syria — or Iran — or any Islamic extremists — do next?

 

That’s a logical question.

 

We can’t ignore it.  We cant dismiss it.  We also can’t allow our emotions to trump it.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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hiding from U.S. government drones (guest writer #4)

[This post was transcribed from an encrypted handwritten note sent to me in an envelop without a return address.]

 

Dear Editor-in-Chief of the Intramuralist,

 

I am honored to be on your list of potential guest bloggers, but I will have to respectfully decline your invitation to write a post this year. Sorry.

 

I need to decline because for the first time in my life, I am too afraid to share my thoughts. In the past, I could have freely expressed my conservative positions without the threat of reprisal. Now, I need to remain silent because I am scared that the Obama administration will send out thugs, Chicago Style, from the IRS, FTC, FCC, EPA, NSA, FBI, CIA or DOJ to target me and take away everything that I have worked so hard to earn. The current IRS, AP and NSA scandals substantiate the plausibility or even the probability of this.

 

Our country has changed in five short years thanks to the progressive Obama administration, corrupt or compromised politicians, overly complicated tax laws, a complicit media and an uninformed populace. President Obama says that there is nothing “there there.” I believe that there is something “there there,” so I have to regretfully say no to the invitation to write on your blog.

 

Not only that, but I have gone completely off the grid:

 

  • I have cancelled my Verizon smartphone with GPS that shows who I talked to and where I went.
  • I have canceled my credit cards that show what I bought and where I shopped.
  • You won’t find me on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube anymore.
  • I have discontinued my Time Warner Cable TV. They keep track of the shows we watch.
  • I have not renewed my subscriptions to the National Review and the Conservative Chronicle. I certainly do not need to be on their mailing lists.
  • I have unsubscribed to the Limbaugh Letter.
  • I have stopped using my computer to send emails, surf websites, and search Google. These activities are all being tracked.
  • I will never send checks to conservative candidates again. My checks are being electronically traced by my bank and reviewed by the IRS. In fact, I am going to close my checking account at PNC.
  • I have sold all of my stock in Caterpillar, ExxonMobil, and Goodyear and bought shares in green energy companies.
  • I have shut off my Duke energy service because those smart meters record my electric and gas usage and calculate my carbon footprint. I don’t need the hypocritical Al “Jazeera” Gore including me in his next documentary.
  • I have turned in my gun and canceled my NRA membership.
  • I sold my car with the Onstar tracking system, and I will not be driving through EZPass toll booth lanes anymore.
  • Kathleen Sebelius, the US Secretary of Health and Inhumane Services will never know about any of my medical conditions because I am not going to see a doctor ever again. I certainly don’t want every one of my diagnoses captured on a computer and shared with the administrators of the Affordable Health Act, the IRS.
  • And Sebelius can look at my Walgreens loyalty card data all she wants. She will not find anything more exciting than Q-tips, multi-vitamins and Hoops and Yoyo greeting cards associated with me. In fact, from today onward, I am not going to be taking my meds anymore. My psychologist said that I am not paranoid if people are actually following me.
  • Finally, I have ripped up my passport and have curbed all travel plans that can be monitored, foreign and domestic. My only regret: I didn’t move my family to Hong Kong first.

 

I am now living stress free knowing that my family, our way of life and all of our freedoms are completely protected from our overreaching and nefarious government.

 

Confidentially yours,

 

Edward Snowed-In (Pseudonym)

 

P.S.  I will be off the grid until there are term limits and tax reforms that eliminate corruption.

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guest writer series intro

People often ask me what I’m passionate about.  I love this blog!  But it’s not blogging that this creative, semi-colloquial wordsmith is most passionate about.  I’m more passionate about the people than the posts.  I’m more passionate about dialogue than simultaneous direction.  And I’m more passionate about respect than being right.  That’s one of the aspects about our so-called “united state” of America that disturbs me most; we continue to justify disrespect because we feel we’re right.  Few approaches, friends, are more foolish.

 

In case you have not recently reviewed our web site’s mantra, allow me to familiarize you “about the Intramuralist”…

 

My name is AR.  I believe that all topics, regardless of intensity of controversy, can be discussed.  The key is utilizing respect.

 

The challenge is that when we become emotional, sometimes we justify omitting respect — and simply spew opinion.  That isn’t necessarily wise.  My goal is to be wise… and to encourage that in each of us.

 

Over the next approximate 3 weeks — beginning this coming Sunday — we will practice this sharing of respectful opinion via our 5th annual Guest Writer Series…  fire up!

 

You will hear from a teacher, author, future author, pastor, grandparent, ad exec, food bank director, etc. and from one mom of some very hungry boys.  You will hear from all ages, lifestyles, etc.

 

Listen also to this…

 

You will hear stories and opinions designed to motivate, influence, and encourage.  Some of those opinions, friends, will be ones with which I actually disagree.  But if we cannot entertain divergent discussion, then that means we are refusing to grow.  That, too, is foolish, no matter the intellect of the opinion’s holder.  The Intramuralist believes we will only grow and craft actual solution when we engage in dialogue that is interactive, others-focused, and respectful.  Always.  Through that process, we can encourage one another.

 

As also said “About the Intramuralist”:

 

… encouragement is my gifting.  Hopefully, we use it here well. 

 

So enjoy these next few weeks — a unique, clever, respectful sharing of opinion by several persons I hold in high esteem.  I hold them in high esteem regardless of opinion — regardless of agreement.

 

Let these inspiring writers hear from you.  You’ve got 3 weeks to let them know how you feel.  Give them feedback.  Chime in.  Feel free to agree, disagree, or add perspective.  Join the conversation.  However you participate, no less, just like them, do it respectfully.

 

Yes, let the games begin…  on our beloved Intramuralist…  Know, too:  I will be back.

 

Respectfully (of course),

AR

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the king

He’s here!  He’s here!

 

The future king is here!

 

Granted, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s baby was initially nameless, but the newborn babe has now been pronounced as none other than Prince George Alexander Louis; note that William’s name went unannounced for one whole week while his father, Charles, actually waited an entire month.  Regardless, a king is born!

 

Interestingly, this week my youngest teen strolled into my room, and via a manner of not so eloquent words asked, “What’s the big deal“ about England’s most recent royal birth.

 

He’s a king!  The king has been born!

 

[As originally penned in early 2009…]

 

People historically clamor for a king.

 

The Romans clamored for the great Cincinnatus.  The Sicilians clamored for “the General,” Giuseppe Garibaldi.  And lest you are on the edge of your seats, ready to pounce, thinking I may again address the perceived, first term Obama, Greek-columned, kingly adoration, we should acknowledge that many have been equally guilty with the elections of previous presidents…  “Now that a conservative Christian is in the White House… now we can finally save America!”

 

Yes, the king will save us!

 

In approximately 1050 B.C., the ground swelling rose to its maximum voice.  The people had spiritual leaders, men and women to guide them, helping them see the world rightly and give God credit for his creation, but they didn’t have a “king.”  “Give us a king to rule us!” the people fervently chanted.  “If only we had a king, those hopes would ring true.”

 

The citizens were told that a king could not save them; a king would be ineffective…  incapable.  A king could not do what only God can do.  We should never put more faith in one man than in the one who created man.  But yet, the people continually ignored wisdom.  They continued to mandate, “We want a king so we can be like everyone else!”  Adhering to the wants of the people as opposed to the wisdom of one greater, the leading prophet of the land surrendered to their wishes.  Yet he eerily added, “The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves.  But don’t expect God to answer.”  Because their trust was displaced, their prayers were also discarded.

 

No one man (or woman or even a Hillary) can save America.  No conservative Christian.  No liberal, independent, franchise quarterback, or even global warming aficionado.  No man can do what only God can do.  So why, as a people, do we continue to look for love in all the wrong places?  What makes us clamor for a king?

 

God bless you, William and Kate.  You’re the closest thing to royalty with whom most of us will ever identify.  We loved Diana.  She was authentic.  She could relate to us, but her death came so suddenly, so tragically.

 

So c’mon, William and Kate… raise that child well.  Here, then, is to Prince George — third in line for the royal throne.

 

We need a king, you know.

 

… or at least, for some reason, we think we do…

 

 

AR

Posted on

Martin & Zimmerman

This is a post I have little desire to pen.

 

It’s not that the Intramuralist fails to possess an opinion.  It’s not that I don’t have all the answers.  I rarely have all the answers.

 

I hesitate to write about the George Zimmerman verdict because so many of the responses have been so emotional…

 

Amidst the current outrage, much has been omitted.  Such as…

 

… “not guilty” is not equal to completely “innocent”…

… mercy always triumphs over judgment…

… the withholding of forgiveness only hurts the withholder…

… few of us were in the courtroom…

… and fewer still were there when the altercation occurred.

 

We don’t know what happened that fateful night.  We don’t know what Trayvon Martin said.  We don’t know what Zimmerman said.  We don’t know if there were threats by either.  We don’t know if either Martin or Zimmerman felt they were in danger of bodily harm.  We don’t know for certain who was screaming for help on the 911 call.  That’s the bottom line:  we don’t know.

 

I wish more would pause, recognizing exactly that:  they don’t know.  Just because Martin was an African-American and Zimmerman is a white Hispanic tells us nothing about innocence nor guilt.

 

But instead of the prudent pause, many embrace the far easier rush to emotional judgment — which is what seems to prompt the Rev. Al Sharpton to plan national protests this Saturday… which is what seems to motivate multiple liberal churches and organizations to announce a standing in solidarity with Martin and his family only, ignoring the Zimmermans…  and which seems to cause the NAACP to demand the Justice Dept. file federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman…

 

Did these persons and organizations forget that they weren’t there?

 

I understand the emotion, friends.  The death of Trayvon Martin was tragic.  It was awful.  No teen should die an early death.  Yet the outrage omits more truth than Rev. Sharpton & Co. currently care to admit… and that the media made significantly worse…

 

Soon after the altercation, for example, NBC’s “Today” show aired the following tape of Zimmerman’s initial comments to a police dispatcher.  This is what NBC reported…

 

Zimmerman:  “This guy looks like he’s up to no good.  He looks black.”

 

It was later acknowledged that NBC News altered the recording; the full tape went like this…

 

Zimmerman:  “This guy looks like he’s up to no good.  Or he’s on drugs or something.  It’s raining and he’s just walking around, looking about.” 

Dispatcher:  “OK, and this guy — is he black, white or Hispanic?”
Zimmerman: “He looks black.”

 

The death of Trayvon Martin is unquestionably tragic.  I pray for his family.  I also pray for George Zimmerman and his family.  The current outrage that omits both logic and truth — and only empathizes with one of the involved families — is equally, unfortunately sad.

 

Respectfully,

AR

Posted on

my bro’

Yesterday my younger brother got married.

 

My family is both thankful and proud.

 

In preparation for today, the officiating pastor asked us siblings what qualities we most admire in our brother.  There’s lots I could say about Stun.

 

He’s witty…

He’s wise…

He’s athletic…

He’s strong…

He’s God-fearing…

He’s God honoring…

He’s loyal and faithful…

When he isn’t multi-tasking at all those activities he is so good at, he’s an excellent listener and a cherished friend.

It’s fun to be “on the other end of Stun.”

 

Let me also say this…

 

Stun is an elected politician.

 

I’ll add this…

 

Stun is the kind of person that should be an elected politician.

 

I humbly opine such because Stun is a man of integrity.  He’s authentic; he’s real.  His “yes” means “yes” and his “no” means “no.”

 

He doesn’t toe the line if it violates his moral compass; in other words, he doesn’t vote a specific way simply because someone tells him — or expects him — to.  Friends, that is the kind of person we need in office.  That is the kind of person who actually represents us well.

 

We don’t need any more persons in office who simply cast a robotic ballot, prompted by political engrainment and special interest paybacks.  We don’t need any more persons in office who spend and spend with no specific, measurable plan to pay it back.  We don’t need any more persons in office who give great speeches, but still seem only to care for small percentages of the country.  We don’t need any more persons in office who are prideful and arrogant — or who only listen to the likeminded.  We don’t need any more persons in office who only listen to themselves.  We need persons in office who are ethical, humble, teachable, smart, God-fearing, and without a doubt, men and women of integrity.

 

My brother got married yesterday.

 

I’m so proud of him.

 

Proud of him in office.  Prouder still of who he is.

 

Respectfully,

AR

Posted on

woe is me

When bad things happen, how do we respond?  With a woe-is-me attitude?  Believing, alas, that we are the victim?  Or what if we really are the victim?  … do we get angry?  … indignant?  … or an emboldened “it’s me against the world” mentality?

 

Truthfully, I can understand that.  I just don’t think it’s typically the wisest mentality to cling to so closely.

 

Note the freeing, contagious example of Michelle Knight…

 

Michelle Knight, 32, is one of the 3 young women who was kidnapped and trapped in Cleveland for the past 10 years.  Her captor, Ariel Castro, reportedly starved and punched Knight until she miscarried during her decade-long ordeal.  She suffered such severe beatings while locked up that she actually may need facial reconstruction surgery.  Make no mistake about it:  she is a victim.

 

(Alas, woe is me.)

 

Yet on Monday, Knight together with her kidnapped companions, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus, released a video to the public on YouTube.  Knight’s words were striking.  Even more so was the wisdom that shaped and girded her chosen mentality…

 

With her voice at times seemingly frail and faltering, the so-called “victim” still amazingly shared the following:

 

“Thank you everyone for your love, support, and donations, which helped me build a brand new life. I just want everyone to know I’m doing just fine.

 

I may have been through hell and back, but I am strong enough to walk through hell with a smile on my face, and with my head held high and my feet firmly on the ground. Walking hand in hand with my best friend, I will not let the situation define who I am.  I will define the situation.

 

I don’t want to be consumed by hatred.  With that being said, we need to take a leap of faith and know that God is in control.  We have been hurt by people, but we need to rely on God as being the judge.

 

God has a plan for all of us.  The plan that He gave me was to help others that have been in the same situations I have been in, to know that there’s someone out there to lean on and to talk to. I’m in control of my own destiny, with the guidance of God.

 

I have no problem expressing how I feel inside.  Be positive, learn that it’s important to give than to receive.  Thank you for all your prayers.  I’m looking forward to my brand new life. Thank you.”

 

Michelle Knight doesn’t deny nor dismiss the reality of what happened to her.  She also does not blame nor discount the existence of God.  In fact, she incredibly still sees God’s plan — and knows it will still somehow be good.

 

She doesn’t take the law into her own hands.  She hasn’t become indignant.  And she refuses to justify hate.  She won’t give in to the negative.  Knight is positive and hopeful.  And thus, her message is contagiously inspiring… so much more inspiring than any “alas” or “woe is me.”

 

Respectfully,

AR