Category: Current Event

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mandela

Isn’t it interesting, when someone passes away, how so many seem to rush to claim him as “one of our own”?

 

When we observed even the anniversary of JFK’s death 2 and a half weeks ago, politicians and pundits and authors and activists again averred how Kennedy would undoubtedly be a staunch liberal leader or would have converted to strict conservatism if still alive today.  As initially addressed here, JFK advocated for a variety of positions, none wholly consistent with either contemporary party’s platform.

 

When respected “Fast & Furious” actor, Paul Walker, passed away in a tragic accident 2 weeks ago, fans rushed to express their adoration in their grief.  The massive outpouring made me wonder if Walker felt that strong connection with so many fans when still alive.

 

Once more, no less, in the death of former South African leader, Nelson Mandela, we see the inherent claims of Mandela being “one of our own.”

 

Mandela was unique…  an educated man… originally embracing non-violent protests… for a time associated with communism… serving 27 years in prison… working to extinguish apartheid, South Africa’s intentional system of racial segregation… becoming president… inviting other parties to help him govern… promoting forgiveness… mediating between other nations — such as between Libya and the United Kingdom in regard to the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103… developing a full and free democracy in his country… advocating for charity… respected by many… inspiring even more…

 

On par with Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., Mandela was one of the great moral leaders of the past century.  His significant, perceived positive, global influence is considered comparable to Churchill, Reagan, and FDR.  His consistent message of unity and forgiveness in a racially-charged world spoke volumes.

 

After passing away at 95 last Thursday, many have seemed quick to identify with Mandela, claiming him as their so-called own.  The challenge is that to identify with him, one must not only weigh — but also practice — the wisdom within the complete spectrum of his teaching.  In other words, his message of racial reconciliation is hollow without the accompanying forgiveness and humility.  To identify with the man means to believe and practice his actual words…

 

I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you, the people.

 

Money won’t create success; the freedom to make it will.

 

A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don’t have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.

 

I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.

 

Does anybody really think that they didn’t get what they had because they didn’t have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?

 

I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.

 

Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.

 

With the wide number who claim to either identify with or revere Nelson Mandela mightily, we should perhaps first take stock of his words, humbly recognizing that some of his words may subtly — or sharply — rebuke us instead.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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origin of thanks

[The primary content of this post first ran on Thanksgiving Day, 4 years ago.  In preparation for the week ahead — and noting all that currently surrounds us, all that makes us busy, and all the news that tempts us to shift our focus to things of lesser importance — my sense is it would be wise to remember the origin of Thanksgiving… and put such into personal practice…]

 

After a treacherous transatlantic voyage during the fall of 1620, the adventurous Pilgrims landed at what is now Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  Their original destination was somewhere in the northern part of Virginia; however, stormy winds blew them off course.  The succeeding winter on the Cape was then grueling and harsh.  Few families survived in tact.

 

The following summer, when life abounded with a fresh hope and rich harvest, the Pilgrims hosted the first Thanksgiving dinner in America.  Legend has it there was no turkey, but there was pumpkin… boiled, I believe.  According to the account written by the leader of the colony, the feast included ducks, geese, venison, fish, and berries.  (No disrespect to the beloved Pilgrims, but I much prefer fresh baked rolls, mashed potatoes, and apple pie… lots of it…)

 

The original feast was designed to thank God for his unmerited favor.  After surviving the rigorous winter and witnessing significant death in their close community, the settlers were grateful for a life in which goodness still obviously existed.

 

In 1789, after approving the Bill of Rights, Congress then “recommended a day of public thanksgiving and prayer” to thank God for blessing America.  On November 26th of that year, President Washington declared said day as the first national day of prayer and thanksgiving, proclaiming:  “Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.  That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks…”

 

75 years later, after the Civil War ended, President Lincoln established the last Thursday in November as a day to acknowledge “the gracious gifts of the Most High God,” recognizing that “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.”  Every president repeated this acknowledgement until 1941 when Congress officially made Thanksgiving a national holiday.

 

The Intramuralist finds it interesting that according to Wikipedia, “Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday.”

 

Perhaps the practice is now secular, but if Wikipedia is accurate, cultural developments have altered the original meaning of the Thanksgiving celebration.  The original meaning is to give God thanks.

 

As the retailers and some irreverent quietly creep increasingly more into the sacredness of the celebration — all the more as we see the day approaching — may our motive this week be simple and pure…  to slow down… following in the footsteps of Washington and Lincoln…

 

… and thanking God for his blessing… for his gifts, available to all.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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grrrrrrrrr…

Reason #387 why government can be so frustrating:  the response to Obamacare.  First the facts:

 

  • During Oct. 1st – Nov. 2nd, 26,794 people enrolled on the federal website.
  • When state exchanges are included, 106,185 people enrolled.
  • The 106K number includes persons who put a plan in their cart but never paid  (think Amazon.com, in which “in cart” does not equate to actual “sale”).
  • 7,000,000 people are forecasted to be enrolled by March of 2014; this equates to 1.5% of the forecast currently, partially enrolled.
  • In regard to plan cancellation, an estimated 5 million people have already been notified they are losing their desired plans.
  • As recently as September, Pres. Obama said repeatedly that people could keep their plans.
  • Premium prices are skyrocketing for many.  Specific factual data on this aspect remains ambiguous.

 

Instead, however, of transparently acknowledging the above negative results — and the inability of being financially sustainable — our elect choose spin instead of governing.

 

Do both the Democrats and Republicans contribute to this?  Of course they do.  Some act as if it’s the end of the world, while others act as if it’s insignificant; still some suggest it’s only a flawed website.  In my opinion, one of the primary problems with this law is that it was not bi-partisanly crafted.  No Republican supported the totality of this law.  While aspects have been previously supported by both, the massive extent of this law was written and enacted by one party, which is not consistent with the way this country has ethically governed.  There exist huge problems.  Here then, are my questions for Pres. Obama, Congress, and Health & Human Services Sec. Kathleen Sebelius, that I’d like them to publicly, honestly, and concisely answer:

 

  • Why did you promise repeatedly that people could keep their healthcare plans?
  • Was it because you believed without the untrue promise, the bill would be too unpopular? … that the legislation might not pass? … that your own re-election might be dependent on that lie or faulty promise?
  • If it wasn’t a lie, how did you not understand the implications of the policy you advocated?
  • Is this current mess all part of the plan — just a necessary, negative step on the way to universal, single payer, or socialized healthcare?
  • Have you been truthful and transparent?
  • Where have politics entered into play?
  • Why the numbers only now?
  • Why include those who have not paid?
  • Is it appropriate to raise men’s premiums to pay for the more costly women’s care? … is that fair?
  • Is it appropriate that the young and stereotypically healthy pay for the elderly and stereotypically more expensive care?
  • Does what the public thinks on this matter?
  • Does the opinion of persons from any other partisan stance matter?
  • Is that ethical governing?
  • And does a one-size-fits-all healthcare plan make either economic or ethical sense?

 

As the Intramuralist has articulated since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, there are some serious, sobering actions and implications within this bill.  In my semi-humble opinion, it makes government too big — and exponentially increases the potential for corruption and incredible cost inefficiency.  Call it far more than concern #387.

 

Unfortunately, however, we don’t seem to be dealing transparently with the concern.  The President, Congress, and Sec. Sebelius seem too focused on the spin.  The words change daily.  Watch them.  And depending on one’s partisan persuasion, the words either minimize or maximize the negativity… and the lack of truthfulness and transparency in Washington.  That is not ethical.  That is not governing.  That is not ethical governing.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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veterans & heroes

With all the rhetoric and broken promises…

With all the valuing of celebrity and materialism…

With all the focus on that which is less good…

 

Thank God for yesterday.

 

Something about Veterans Day is incredibly refreshing.

 

It wasn’t yet another holiday in which retailers or radicals have somehow zapped the sacred… like how Christmas becomes about Santa… or Easter about rabbits and eggs.  (P.S.  Rabbits don’t even lay eggs.)

 

For the most part, Veteran’s Day has remained pollution-free.

 

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the armistice ending World War I began.  While May’s Memorial Day honors those who’ve died representing America, Veterans Day, November 11th, honors all those who’ve served.

 

In the wake again of all that is less good, Veterans Day gives us hope, highlighting those who have sacrificed more than most of us have ever even contemplated…  honoring men and women who made choices in consideration of others, arguably more than consideration of self…  honoring — lest one could say any better — our authentic heroes.

 

I am convinced that society knows not what a hero truly is.

 

In the days where the Lady Gaga’s and Miley Cyrus’s of the world get far too much attention — where politicians actually encourage division in order to advance their own initiatives (and selves) — and where too many believe they are entitled to too much too often — we are a country in need of heroes.

 

We are a country in dire need of bona fide examples of humility, valor, selflessness, faithfulness, integrity, courageous leadership, and quiet strength.

 

My sense is that’s what we honored yesterday.

 

The Census Bureau reports that there are approximately 21.2 million veterans in the United States.  Along with those who’ve passed away, those are our authentic heroes.  We’re in need of them.

 

Thank God for Veterans Day.  Thank God for our veterans.

 

May we always honor you well.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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pausing

I intended today to post an epilogue to our government repairs series.  No worries; we’ll post it here soon.  But some of life’s events make me pause and reflect on what’s most important.

 

From Reuters:   One of the most powerful storms ever recorded killed at least 10,000 people in the central Philippines, a senior police official said on Sunday, with huge waves sweeping away coastal villages and devastating one of the main cities in the region.

 

Super typhoon Haiyan destroyed about 70 to 80 percent of structures in its path as it tore through Leyte province on Friday, said police chief superintendent Elmer Soria, before weakening and heading west for Vietnam.  As rescue workers struggled to reach ravaged villages along the coast, where the death toll is as yet unknown, survivors foraged for food or searched for lost loved ones.  “People are walking like zombies looking for food,” said Jenny Chu, a medical student in Leyte. “It’s like a movie.”

 

Most of the deaths appear to have been caused by surging sea water strewn with debris that many said resembled a tsunami, leveling houses and drowning hundreds of people in one of the worst disasters to hit the typhoon-prone Southeast Asian nation.  The national government and disaster agency have not confirmed the latest estimate of deaths, a sharp increase from initial estimates on Saturday of at least 1,200 killed by a storm whose sustained winds reached 195 miles per hour (313 km per hour) with gusts of up to 235 mph.

 

“We had a meeting last night with the governor and the other officials. The governor said, based on their estimate, 10,000 died,” Soria told Reuters. “The devastation is so big.”

 

We have a couple ways we could wrestle with the reality.

 

We could quietly concede we live on the other side of the globe and thus pay little attention… kind of the out of sight, out of mind strategy.  We could feel bad, but not take things too much to heart.

 

We could also focus on the fact that these people are different than us… different language, different ethnicity.  It’s sometimes easier to have compassion only on the likeminded, like-lifestyles, and like-demographics.

 

Or…  We could wrestle with the fact that the deceased had little forewarning that this would be the hour and the day they exited Earth.  Certainly, when they awoke that morn, they did not know this would be their time.

 

If we awoke each morning not knowing the time, how would we live differently?

 

Would we be kinder?

Less judgmental?

More compassionate?

 

Would we practice what we say we believe?

Would we be quick to say “I’m sorry” and even quicker to say “I forgive you”?

 

Would we quit fighting for only the Democrats, only the Republicans, only the blacks, only the religious?  Would we quit fighting?  Would we eradicate the hypocrisy from our own lives?

 

Some of life’s events make me pause.

 

Respectfully…

AR

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affordable care problem

The current, primary problem with the new healthcare law isn’t all the major glitches with the website.  Truth be told, if all Intramuralist readers based their opinion of our ongoing dialogue on the initial days of our website, we, too, would probably have far fewer numbers than the some 2,000 of you that are regular visitors.

 

The primary problem isn’t even the deep polarization surrounding the law.  Democrats supposedly love it — a historic, long-coveted legislative victory!  Republicans hate it — we’re doomed via this socialist, massive government control!

 

No, it’s not even the consistently negative public opinion of the law.  From CNN’s most recent poll this month, showing 56% in opposition of the legislation to even Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart — not known for any conservative allegiance — calling the law/rollout a highly descriptive “turd” on this week’s broadcast.

 

I really don’t believe any of the above are the primary problem.

 

As stated repeatedly amidst these posts, the Intramuralist has serious concerns about the Affordable Care Act.  Having read the entire piece prior to its passage, there are multiple, specific aspects and implications driving my concern, primarily in regard to cost, inefficiency, economics, and increased government control.  Nonetheless, I don’t see it as the current primary problem.

 

Let’s return to Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) profound statement from March of 2010, saying, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of controversy.”

 

The current, primary problem with Obamacare is that we still can’t find out what’s in it.  There’s too much controversy, too much salesmanship, and too many ambiguities or potential mistruths.

 

Regarding the controversy, remember that the law was enacted without a single Republican vote.  When Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) was elected and the chances for a filibuster-proof bill fizzled, the Senate then utilized an obscure budgetary tactic even though the bill was not about the budget.  Any significant piece of legislation passed in such a manipulated way would seem to invite such controversy.

 

There’s also too much salesmanship.  Instead of objective analysis, the elect and their microphone-loving cohorts are trying to convince instead of educate.  Education allows for the good and the bad; however, our leadership works instead to convince us of only the good or the bad.

 

Just yesterday, for example, I received two ironically contrasting emails.  One was from a conservative writer, telling me that “Obamacare is broken beyond repair.”  The other was from Obama, telling me he needs me “to be a part of Team Obamacare” and tell everyone I know about the law.  The challenge with both of those messages is that they only include the good or the bad.  They are trying to sell us on a product or perspective.

 

Lastly, there exist too many ambiguities and potential mistruths… the whole idea that “if you like your healthcare plan, you can keep” it… the “death panels”… and just this week, HH&S Sec. Kathleen Sebelius (the current most likely candidate to be thrown under the bus, by the way) saying the President didn’t know anything about the website failures beforehand… former Obama Press Sec. Robert Gibbs saying “there’s no doubt” people at HHS and those involved knew… CBS News saying the website is providing “incredibly misleading” estimates.  The ambiguous examples are countless.  It’s simply too hard to know what’s true.

 

The current, primary problem with the healthcare law?  Nancy Pelosi was wrong; we still don’t know what’s in it, as we remain in the fog of the controversy.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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now

While there certainly exists “a time for everything,” now is not the time for…

 

Blame.

Finger pointing.

Any “I-told-you-so’s.”

Declarations of winning.

Accusations of losing.

Arrogance.

Loquacious boasts.

Rhetoric.

Disrespect.

Nor any pats on the back.

 

While many will cast verbal stones at who’s responsible, our government experienced a partial shut down due to one primary bottom line:  our fiscal house is out of order.  We are spending too much money, too fast, with minimally restricted borrowing… AND… we have no specific, measurable plan to pay it back.  As said here amid multiple posts — just like any financial entity, such an approach is unsustainable.

 

Hence, while there exists that time for everything, now is the time for…

 

Courageous leadership.

Courage to tackle the politically unpopular.

Courage to consider specific plans to pay foreign countries back.

Courage to change the federal programs that continue to run at an increased loss.

Courage to address the meaning of “entitlement.”

 

What are the people entitled to?  Who and how shall such be paid for?  Those questions must be asked and answered — and answered free from the rhetoric and disrespect we’ve witnessed these last 3 weeks especially from the legislative and executive branch.

 

Let me add one more idea as to what, also, this is not the time for…

 

Politicians and pundits often pursue policy initiatives based on when they feel they have the strongest “political capital,” meaning they have more leverage and public popularity which could potentially propel into law policy that would otherwise be more challenging to enact.  (FYI:  The Affordable Care Act is an excellent study in political capital utilization.)  If our leaders are going to lead courageously — and not politically — they will pursue what’s most important now; they will not pursue other agenda items first.

 

In the opinion of this semi-humble blogger, what’s most important is getting our federal fiscal house in order.  Now.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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groups

As my teenagers consistently calculate their oh-so-active weekend social schedule, there exists constant talk of, with, and about the “group.”

 

The “group.”  What’s the “group” going to do?  Where are they?  What’s the “group” think?  Text the “group.”  What do they say?

 

For months I’ve witnessed this phenomena unfold.  The evolution and application never quite donned on me… until well, now…

 

The “group” plans everything.  The “group” is in control.  It’s not especially democratic nor does the majority always rule.  It would seem instead that often the loudest voices in the “group” make the decision; sometimes there are several who are simply silent, but who still seemingly, at least, go along with the “group.”

 

It’s not, however, just for the big dance.  The “group” plans pretty much everything… what are we doing this weekend?  Where are we going?  Whose house will we stay at?  What do we want to eat?  How do we feel about that?

 

And membership, well, it’s a bit exclusive.

 

I remember when a new gal appeared, with nothing less than a trepidatious tiptoe, obviously desiring to join them.  “Not so fast,” seemed the initially unspoken claim.  Soon after, however, came, “Well, she can join us, but she’s not a member of the ‘group.’”  [Yes, an actual quote.]  Membership is a privilege.

 

I’ve decided that once again our teens have watched us adults a little too well… witnessing how we behave, taking both conscious and subconscious note, and then emulating our habits in ways which first adopt and then magnify both the good and the bad.

 

For adults, too, we have our “groups”… “groups” in which the identity of the “group” often becomes priority number one…  when the fight for preservation of the “group” trumps what is wisest and best…

 

… we fight for our groups based on team… for Cowboys or Patriots…

… we fight for our groups based on race… for black or Hispanic…

… we fight for our groups based on politics… for Democrats or Republicans…

… we fight for our groups based on profession… gender… demographics… religion… education… based on a singular commonality or focus.  And that singular focus often paves the path for a significant blindside, as when we fight only for our “group,” we tend to lose sight of the bigger, wiser picture…

 

When we fight only for our sports “group,” we no longer can appreciate the remarkable talent on display when Tom Brady throws that perfect, last second pass…

 

When we fight only for our ethnic “group,” we no longer see that when we put one race first, we’re engaging in the same behavior of which we are critical…

 

And when we fight only for our political “group,” we no longer recognize that spending on our party initiatives can blind us to the perils of unsustainable, deficit spending.

 

When we fight only for our “groups,” it seems we act more like our teens.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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winning

(FYI:  This is not a sports post.  I promise.)

 

In an epic shootout, neither team seemed able to miss.  Each was continuously on the offensive.  They would sling the ball down the field, seemingly with ease, with previous rumors of solid defense having eerily dissipated as the game continued to unfold.  Fans in the stands, proudly donned their colors, cheering loudly and only for the team they’ve become devoted to via passion and habit…  habit and passion.  Yes, the fans have been rooting for their team for so long, so loyally, so blindly, that it did not matter the epic effort both teams were putting forth.  It did not matter the significance of the moment nor any semblance of ethical play.  The reality is that the play of the other team did not matter regardless of how historic or unprecedented.

 

It also did not matter what the other team said — before or after the game.  They are, after all, the other team.  The other team always talks trash… right??  Or so we perceive.

 

The bottom line is that the fans and the team only want one thing.  They want to win.

 

Our culture’s prioritization of winning unfortunately often allows foolishness to fall under the guise of something it’s not.  We want to win.  And so we quit listening and considering and offering one another the respect each man deserves in order to form that more perfect union.  As opposed to looking for the best, most effective solution, we instead focus on winning.

 

Friends, regardless of how often the President and congressional Democrats and Republicans examine their internal polling data, no one is winning the current government shut down.  Regardless of the cyber space status updates by the fans in the stands, no one is winning.  In fact this game is not about winning.

 

There is a problem that needs to be solved more than the scoring of any political points.  The problem with the current shut down and debt ceiling debate is that Democrat and Republican congressmen and presidents have kicked the budgetary can down the road for far too long.  They have each utilized a politically expedient approach to fund their party initiatives instead of responsibly fund the federal government.

 

Let’s face it… our elect have been arguing (and yes, the so-called mature are arguing) over a “C.R.,” a “continuing resolution.”  Continuing resolutions are only necessary when no budget exists.  No federal budget has existed for the last 5 years.  Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has even said there’s “no need” to have one.  Every financial entity, my friends — from our minute households to major corporations — operates on some kind of budget.  Our federal government has avoided crafting and passing a budget for 5 years.

 

Budgets let us know the specifics of how much we’re spending and what we’re spending our money on.  They provide a framework for fiscal accountability, financial prudence, and future planning; they thus allow us to ensure entitlement spending doesn’t exponentially — and unsustainably — expand.  Without a budget, there is little to no accountability, prudence, and planning.

 

Hence, the bottom line of the current issue is not about Obamacare nor about the Republicans or Democrats holding anything “hostage” (geepers).  The bottom line is that the stalemate exists because our elect continue to kick the fiscal can down the road and neglect dealing with an unsustainable pattern of deficit spending.  CR’s are not budgets; they are only provisions for continued spending.  The debate over more unsustainable spending — without accountability, prudence, and planning — is the bottom line of the current shut down.

 

Back to the epic shootout… I was actually thinking of Sunday’s Broncos-Cowboys game, the 4th highest scoring game in the history of the NFL.  Each team was playing to win…  unfortunately, for far too many of us, just like them, just like the elect, winning is often more important than recognizing the significance of the moment and any semblance of ethical play.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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spreading strife

Hate.  That’s a hard concept for me.  Truthfully, I think it’s a hard concept for most of us.  We find things that make us mad, things that annoy us, things that drive us crazy, and then we often justify hate.  I’ll quote my kids… “I hate spiders, English… and pickles.”  Yeah, we don’t quite have an accurate concept of hate.

 

But there’s something about the current Washington scenario that drives us crazy.  All these supposedly smart people… the President… Congress… regardless of party…  And they say all these disrespectful things to one another…

 

… “taking hostage,” “gun to the head,” “ransom,” “blackmail,” “arsonists,” oh, my…

 

I hate that.

 

I hate the hypocrisy.

 

It wasn’t that long ago that our country mourned the tragedy in Tucson…

 

Pres. Obama seemed so wise…  “At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized, at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do, it’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds.”

 

Talking to each other in a way that heals…

 

All that seems gone now.  It seems unimportant.  That hurts me.  Do I hate it?

 

As I wrestle with this concept of hate — noting that I hate hypocrisy — part of me wonders what’s actually appropriate to hate.

 

Deep within the historical scriptures, we find the following:

 

There are six things which the Lord hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood, 

A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,

A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.

 

So I see the following…

 

Arrogance.  Lies.  The killing of the innocent.

A heart that plots wicked. Running to evil.  Exaggeration about those lies.

 

And one who spreads strife among the brothers.

 

I think that’s what I hate so much about the current government shut down.  I hate that we have persons amongst both parties — the President and Congress — who are actively spreading strife.  Smart as they may be, they encourage dissension and disagreement, as they work first to win people to their side, and only then to solve the situation.

 

I hate this.

 

For the record, I also hate pickles.

 

Respectfully,

AR