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nothing

gty_jason_alexander_george_costanza_jt_120223_wmainThere are days I’m just not sure what to write about…

I don’t want to criticize; I don’t want to complain; but so much of contemporary culture frustrates me… so much makes me want to scream for better and more…

… the lack of ethics… the lack of respect… the lack of balanced spending…

… the suppression of individual liberty… the intolerance of opinion…  the repression of ideas…

… the attack on individual expression… the attack on Judeo-Christian faiths… the attack on free speech… justified name calling… and lack of diverse, reverent dialogue…

Geepers… the attacks… the squelching…the disrespect…

It was only last week when former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke at Harvard’s commencement.  His words were fascinating; among them, he sternly said:

“Think about the irony: In the 1950’s, the right wing was attempting to repress left wing ideas. Today, on many college campuses, it is liberals trying to repress conservative ideas, even as conservative faculty members are at risk of becoming an endangered species.  And perhaps nowhere is that more true than here in the Ivy League…

Great universities must not become predictably partisan.  And a liberal arts education must not be an education in the art of liberalism.”

So much makes me want to scream for better and more.  There should not be a squelching — of either conservatism or liberalism — of tradition or progression.

It’s not about Michael Bloomberg.  It’s not about Pres. Obama.  It’s not about any political adversary or predecessor nor anyone on the predominant, proverbial left or right.  It’s about doing what’s good and true and right — all the time.

I’d prefer to act as if today’s blog parallels the iconic “Seinfeld” episode, “The Pitch.”  “The Pitch” is the clever episode in which Jerry & Co. present NBC executives with an original sitcom idea, a series about nothing.  That’s right:  nothing.  The ever neurotic, always amusing George Costanza argues with the execs about the validity of his proposed premise regarding “a show about nothing” — no plot, no stories —  but the idea doesn’t sit well with those in charge.  As George says, “Look, if you want to just keep on doing the same old thing, then maybe this idea is not for you.  I, for one, am not going to compromise my artistic integrity.  And I’ll tell you something else, this is the show and we’re not going to change it.”  George and Jerry propose a show about nothing.

I suppose some days such would be easy.  Let’s blog about nothing.  Yep, nothing.  But I can’t.  I can’t.

I want more than entertainment value.  I want more than filling the air time.  When we began this dialogue some 6 years ago, I knew then we would never settle for nothing.  There are days it’s necessary to scream for better and more.

… the attacks… the squelching…

… yes, there are days it’s necessary to scream for better and more.

Respectfully, of course…

AR

Posted on

inconsistency

US-POLITICS-CARNEYSometimes as much as we wish for things to fit together and be free from inconsistency, the actions and consequences are still not.  It’s not about one man or person or policy.  It’s rampant in us… in how we feel and what we support…

Veterans Affairs Sec. Eric Shinseki:  oversaw widespread ineffective care and fraud within the Veterans Health Administration…  Shinseki:  OUT.

Health & Human Services Sec. Kathleen Sebelius:  oversaw millions of taxpayer dollars wasted on botched Obamacare rollout… (Although later resigning on own timetable)  Sebelius:  IN.

NBA owner Donald Sterling:  racial slurs in privacy of own home caught on tape… OUT.

NBA player Ron Artest:  perpetrator of the infamous “Malice at the Palace,” brawling with fans in the stands… Artest (who has conveniently changed his name):  IN.

While many of us can make a case for each of the above, the challenge we often find lies within the inconsistency of the application.  Our actions and advocacies don’t always fit well together.

I think of the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., who for decades has called for the ouster of many because of actions and statements he believes have been either discriminatory or disrespectful.  And yet in the sometimes inconvenient image producer of social media, it was the good reverend who last week, retweeted the following, in regard to Pope Francis:

“Francis, you old half dead hum bug u were  living with another man in a  one bed room apartment, I suppose u luv booty.”

Granted, it was a “retweet” as opposed to the original articulation — but undoubtedly disrespectful and derogatory just the same.  Jackson’s later response, perhaps aware of the need for damage control?  “This tweet does not reflect my views. I would hope all who received it or saw it would not bring further attention to it.”

So we’re to believe that Jackson’s tweet doesn’t wholly represent his views, but Donald Sterling’s audiotape does.  We’re to believe that Sebelius’s poor management doesn’t reflect the totality of her leadership, but Shinseki’s does.  Sorry, but I’m confused.  It doesn’t all fit together.

Perhaps long most confusing to this semi-humble current events observer is the role of Jay Carney.  Jay Carney has served as the White House Press Secretary after a previous role as a Time Magazine correspondent.  The role of the press secretary is to “act as spokesperson for the United States government administration, especially with regard to the President, senior executives, and policies,” sharing information about the administration, issues, and the administration’s reactions to world developments.  The challenge is that the secretary also has to craft an image with his words that makes the administration sound and look good — that makes the White House seem totally transparent, ever ethical, and beyond reproach.  Note:  For no contemporary administration has that been possible.  The role and goal of the White House Press Secretary doesn’t always fit together.

On Friday, after 3 years in the position, Carney resigned.

Maybe he realized the inconsistency, too.

Respectfully…

AR

Posted on

correctness

IMG_1219I learned something the other day.  Follow me here.  My 17 year old is witty and bright and solid and beautiful… oh, the places he’ll go!  I’m so hopeful for him… so proud.  I’ve also learned so much.  As a wise friend shared years ago, it isn’t only about what we will teach the younger generation; it’s also about what they will teach us.

One of the things I’ve learned — and truthfully, not always easily or anywhere near gracefully — is that I don’t have to dictate the conversation.  Even though I’m older, wiser, and more experienced in most academic areas, I don’t have to dictate the when, where, and what of our conversation.  The timing and content isn’t always up to me; it doesn’t have to be.  In fact, often the message is most effective when I cede any thought of having to dictate, dominate, or control.

As my son entered his junior year of high school, for example, I was consistently adamant that he begin narrowing his future college major.  It was not that he needed to specifically figure all of life out, but I was uncomfortable that baseball was his primary focus and passion.  I did not want to permit such abundant articulation of that passion.

I’m thinking society is also uncomfortable with certain articulated passions.

The increasingly accepted societal approach, if someone isn’t where we think they need to be, is sadly to shame, silence, and attempt to shut down.  Pick your topic; pick your passion; political correctness is too easily embraced and accepted.  Instead of allowing someone to possess an opinion at a given point in time, in the name of political correctness, society is dictating both timing and content; it’s as if we are not allowed to even feel differently — much less express varied opinion.

From Pres. Obama’s oft repeated words — on global warming, nationalized health care, and early childhood education:  “The debate is over.”

Or ironically last week, from liberal talk show host, Bill Maher, a man the Intramuralist rarely mentions because of his consistent disrespect…

“Now I bring all this up in 2014 because unfortunately, political correctness is making a comeback, and now with the Internet, it’s easier than ever… all the Internet exists to do is point at the latest person who said the wrong thing, so the rest of us can feel morally superior…

Now social media is all about gotcha.  A homophobic businessman, or a sexist cartoonist, or a college president who fat-shamed his dog by naming it ‘Waddles’…

A few weeks ago, the CEO of Mozilla was forced to resign because it was revealed that in 2008, he supported Prop. 8, California’s ban on gay marriage…  Obama was against gay marriage in 2008!  Does he have to resign?  Hillary came around just last year.  Can she be President?

You can’t purge everybody who doesn’t evolve exactly on the timetable you did.”

 

Purging people and opinion is not respectful nor effective.  Just as I learned with my older son, the challenge with dictating perceived correctness is its lack of effectiveness.  While words may be silenced and actions disallowed, dictating timing, content, and opinion doesn’t change the heart of the beholder.  It only exacerbates opposition, as it justifies disrespect.

My son is still passionate about baseball.  He hopes to play at a higher level — and I am his number one fan!  However, guess who now speaks equally if not more about his future academic pursuit?  Guess who initiates the conversation?  It wasn’t some magic formula, and the change did not immediately occur.  It did take surrender on this semi-humble parent’s part; there were many months I was uncomfortable.  But my discomfort remained silent.  The results have been excellent.

Respectfully…

AR

Posted on

wise sayings

proverbs1As my family and I spent significant time resting this past Memorial Day weekend, I found myself reflecting upon some ancient proverbs, wondering, no less, if we still hold them to be true.

 

Do we honor them?  … believe in them?  … disagree with them?  … or ignore them — not wanting to acknowledge any potential truth?  I wonder…

 

A faithful man will be richly blessed…

A kindhearted woman gains respect…

A generous man will prosper…

Evil men do not understand justice…

A greedy man stirs up dissension…

 

Every fool is quick to quarrel…

A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions…

A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult…

A fool gives full vent to his anger…

 

The adulteress gives not thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not…

 

Do not be wise in your own eyes…

Do not forsake wisdom…

Do not withhold good from those who need it…

 

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out…

 

A man’s pride brings him low…

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom…

Humility comes before honor…

 

Wisdom is found in those who take advice…

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty…

He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame…

 

Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion:  eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family…

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding…

 

He who trusts in himself is a fool…

 

Let me say it again:  do we honor these proverbs?  … believe in them?  … disagree with them?  … or ignore them — not wanting to acknowledge any potential truth?

 

I wonder…

 

Respectfully…

AR

Posted on

a 2 letter word

628px-Scrabble_tiles_woodenI had another “a-ha” moment last week — one of those things you believe really should have been learned in kindergarden or at least somewhere along the way — one of those learnings that even the most educated among us seem to neglect…

I stumbled upon life’s arguably, most omitted word… an unusually small word, but a word so powerful it changes perception… a word when included, it actually alters the meaning of the message.

I’ll be honest (as if I’m sometimes not)… omission of the word is easier; to include even its mere two letters — a single vowel accompanied by a consonant — means having to acknowledge “life’s gray.”  In other words, life’s a little easier when we dabble in black and white, resolutely asserting opinion — ardently proclaiming “this is true” and “this is not” — never having to wrestle with the possibility that a scenario may be different than we perceive it… never having to consider that we may not have all the information… and never having to contemplate that our perspective may be misguided or the depth of our passion unsubstantiated.

The word is simple:  “IF.”

If.

“If” changes the meaning.  Allow me to demonstrate, utilizing a masculine pronoun for rhetorically simple purposes this day…

If he is guilty…

If he is innocent…

If he is racist…

If he is a bigot…

If he is a homophobe…

If he is any kind of “phobe”…

If he is ignorant…

If he doesn’t understand…

If he doesn’t care…

If he doesn’t know…

 

Instead, in our incredibly convenient, “black and white” world, we far too frequently assert:

He is guilty.

He is innocent.

He is racist.

He is a bigot.

He is a homophobe.

He is some kind of “phobe.”

He is ignorant.

He doesn’t understand.

He doesn’t care.

And he doesn’t know.

 

It makes life easier when we can omit the “if”… perhaps omitting the “and’s” and “but’s,” too.  But once again, life being easier does equate to the manifestation of wisdom.  Living in a black and white world means never growing from the reality that we are sometimes “off” in our opinion and perspective.  Even the most educated and intelligent are sometimes off; the passionate are off.  We are off.

We would be wise to refrain from omission.  If only the world was so wise…

Respectfully…

AR

Posted on

selective outrage

MeriamIbrahim2014-05With the recent understandable swelling of passionate outrage centering on citizens Sterling and Sam, can we handle a tough question?  Are we willing to address whether or not our outrage is selective?

I note the following from last week, as reported by The Los Angeles Times:

“A pregnant Sudanese woman who refused to renounce her Christianity was sentenced to death by hanging Thursday in a Khartoum court, provoking outrage from human rights groups.

Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, who has a young son and is married to a Christian from South Sudan, violated Islamic sharia law, the court said.  She insists she was raised Christian, not Muslim.

The court also ordered Ibrahim to be flogged for having sexual relations with her husband, since her marriage is not recognized by officials.”

Thankfully, outrage was expressed by Amnesty International:

“The fact that a woman has been sentenced to death for her religious choice, and to flogging for being married to a man of an allegedly different religion is appalling and abhorrent.”

Note also that Ibrahim, currently jailed with her 20 month-old son, will be allowed to give birth to her second child and raise/nurse the child until the age of 2.  She then faces execution.

Ibrahim’s husband in an American citizen.

saeed-abedini

Note, also, the following this week, as reported by the American Center for  Law and Justice:

“After spending two months in an Iranian hospital, we learned today that Pastor Saeed Abedini was removed from the hospital and taken back to Rajai Shahr Prison.

The transfer came without any advance notice and family members in Iran confirmed that he was severely beaten at the hospital and then forcibly returned to prison.

The reason for the transfer is unclear and according to family members, one of the guards who was involved in the transfer mentioned the Iranian nuclear talks as a possible motive.”

Abedini is a former Muslim who converted to Christianity in 2000.  He has been detained in Iran since 2012, incarcerated, and sentenced in January of 2013 to eight years in prison, reportedly on charges of undermining national security through his Christian faith and evangelical efforts.  Abedini is an American citizen.

And so today the Intramuralist wonders…

We hear passionate, national and political outrage regarding the individual cases of Donald Sterling and Michael Sam.  What they were involved in was significant, and some actions and reactions were outrageous.  Racism… bigotry…  Some aspects were so outrageous, pundits, politicians, and ordinary people passionately, publicly shared their disgust.  But where is the passionate outpouring of disgust for Ibrahim and Abedini?  … both of whom also have American ties?  They are persons who are currently being persecuted solely because of their religion… because of their Christian faith.

Are we unable to talk passionately and compassionately about the Christian faith?  Can we only talk racism and bigotry when Christianity is not the cause for the injustice?  Hence, I ask:  are we selective in our outrage?  If so, why?

Respectfully…

AR

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2014 grads

Entrepreneur-After-Graduation-Since the Intramuralist’s invitation to speak at commencement has yet to arrive, allow me to humbly submit the following:  what I would say to the class of 2014…

 

Dear Graduates,

Congratulations!  Way to go!  Each of you has earned this moment in time.  Graduation is one accomplishment that is fully yours.  No one can take this from you.  To graduate, you have had to dig deep, find and apply some measure of commitment, discipline, effort, and integrity.  No one else did this for you.  Well done, my friends…  well done.

From this day forward, life will be different.  It’s not some big bad, scary world out there, but it will be different.  Not everything will happen as you expect.  Keep your eyes open.  Observe.  Learn equally from both the manifest wisdom and foolishness around you.  Make no mistake; both will be widely apparent.  But understand it is the perceived fool who learns from his mistakes that often evolves into the wisest among us.

Don’t think you have life all figured out.  Perhaps 20/30 some years from now, when you sit in a similar audience, watching your beloved brood proceed with their own pomp and circumstance, remember there is still more to discern.  If we ever arrive at the moment when we believe we have life all figured out, our innocence has been usurped by arrogance; our listening has become lesser; and our one-time, embraced humility has dissipated into life’s greatest obstacle to learning.

Yes, stay humble.  I can’t say that enough.  One of life’s greatest mysteries to me is how humility seems valued most by the ordinary — the lesser known, the least famous, and the servant more than celebrity.  There seems strong temptation to allow notoriety and success to pierce the awareness of humility’s beauty.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Value others above yourself.  That in no way equates to any suppression or low self-esteem.  Humility is simply the key to honor.  We are called to love and honor our brothers and sisters; we cannot honor another well if arrogance permeates our soul.

In your efforts to honor others, don’t lose sight of sound judgment.  Some will pounce upon the proverbial placard, saying, “don’t judge, lest you be judged.”  Such is true in the sense that it’s not our job to be the convictor of conscience nor the deemer of consequence.  However, refraining from judgment does not mean ignoring what’s right and wrong in this world.  There is right; there is wrong.  Know the difference, and learn from both. 

Also, don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.  Be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.  If you fall down, get back up.  If you fail, grow from it; try again.  Remember you have much to both teach and learn — to those who’ve gone before — and to those who will follow.  You will teach and learn from both.

The reality is, friends, I actually have much to say.  I will not say it all, however,  because part of life’s greatest growth comes as  we learn from our individual journey and adventure.  Enjoy it!  Take it all in.  But be careful, too, not to equate your individual experience as truth for all others.

A few more random thoughts before I close…  Have fun.  Floss.  Be sure to make your bed sometimes.  Say what you mean and mean what you say.  Don’t equate social media with conversation nor texts for writing letters.  Be honest.  Work hard.  Get to know people.  Don’t chew gum in Singapore.  Surround yourself with wise people.  Commit.  Pray.  Never look down upon another.  Accept both criticism and praise.  Embrace accountability.  Be gracious.  Resist entitlement.  Help others.  Celebrate the success of those around you.  Don’t squash dissent.  Be unselfish.  Be joyful.  Recognize that happiness and joy aren’t the same thing.  Refrain from hypocrisy.  Give.  Dance.  Dance some more…. maybe even to 80’s songs.  Never be afraid to say “I love you” or “forgive me” first.  Say it often.  Seek God first.  Figure the faith thing out.  Respect all others.  And above all, guard your heart, as everything you do will flow from it. 

Go forth, my friends, with hope, joy, and great expectation.  And congratulations… you are blessed.

 

Respectfully…

AR

Posted on

impression management

IMG_0206Years ago I read this terrific book by John Ortberg that rocked my thinking somewhat.  It was called “The Life You’ve Always Wanted,” described further by its subtitle, “Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People.”  I feel pretty ordinary (…and truthfully, I also quickly surmised that if I could attain the primo, desired life for a mere $12 book, then such would be dollars well spent).

One of Ortberg’s more profound concepts was the idea  of “impression management” — the intentional attempt to manipulate other people’s opinions of us through targeted actions and words.  The attempt may be subtle; it may be slight.  It may be as simple as, “I don’t watch much TV, but I saw this program the other day…”  In other words, I am attempting to convey the impression that I don’t watch much television.  Impression management is a self-crafted means of getting others to believe what we want them to believe about us — but not necessarily believing what’s true.  Impression management takes time, energy, and insincerity, which combined equates to an unfortunate burden.

I used to think that impression management was solely exercised by our budding teenagers, seeking to find societal acceptance.  I thought, too, perhaps, it was only an attempt of the less intelligent; but when reading that ordinary book, it became painfully obvious that the practice is not indigenous to either the teen or intelligent.  We care what others think of us.  The motive may be different, but the awareness is rampant.  Regardless of intellect or age, people continually attempt to manipulate the impressions others have.

The most striking, apparent example this week was the criminal indictment of former NFL star, Aaron Hernandez.  Hernandez, who played for the New England Patriots, was charged with fatally shooting two immigrants in July of 2012.  Prosecutors believe Hernandez “stalked, ambushed, and senselessly murdered” two innocent men, who had a “chance encounter” with the so-called “Patriot” earlier in the evening.  Let’s be clear to offer the caveat that these are still charges and not a verdict confirmed.  Hernandez is, however, already jailed for charges in the fatal shooting of another Massachusetts man.

The impression management is visible via the dates.  The shooting occurred on July 16th.  On August 27th — after the shooting had taken place but before Hernandez’s suspected involvement —  Hernandez signed a $41 million contract with New England.  In his press conference — a moment team owner Robert Kraft called “one of the touching moments since I’ve owned the team” — Hernandez said:

“He [Kraft] changed my life.  Now I’m able to basically have a good chance to be set for life and have a good life and I have a daughter on the way, and I have a family that I love… He didn’t need to give me the amount he gave me and knowing he thinks I deserve that and he trusts me to make the right decisions, it means a lot.  It means he trusts in my character and the person I am, which means a lot.”

Hernandez was attempting to manage the impression we have of him.

Whether it be people, pundits, politicians, or press secretaries… whether it be celebrities or ordinary citizens… we are actively engaged in this less-than-honest effort.  Pick your issue.  Pick your event.  Pick your policy or platform or surrounding spin.  Pick your activist group.  Pick your supposed coverup.  Pick your athlete or agent.  Impression management is alive and well — and serves far too frequently as an unchallenged societal and political practice.

I love Ortberg’s application question… “What do you think would change in your life if you were free from the burden of ‘impression management,’ of trying to get other people to think about you in a certain way?”

What if the so-called less ordinary, politicians and celebrities, did the same?

Respectfully…

AR

Posted on

sam’s status

michael-sam1In many arenas, we have heard that sports often leads societal acceptance.  Such may or may not be true.  ‘Twas certainly true via Jack Roosevelt Robinson, whose accomplishments were second only to his character that prompted him to persevere until finally breaking baseball’s color line, as he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.  Jackie’s “42” now hangs proudly in every Major League Baseball stadium across the country.

With last week’s 2014 NFL Draft, some have suggested society is again leading the way — arguably modeling the good, bad, and ugly within our culture — as the University of Missouri’s Michael Sam was selected with the 249th pick in the draft.  Sam is openly gay.

Note that pick #249 is 7 picks away from being deemed “Mr. Irrelevant.”  (Note:  I’m serious; the last pick in the draft has been bestowed the dubious title since 1976).  In other words, Sam was close to not being drafted by any of the 32 teams in the National Football League.  What followed was fascinating; there was an overflowing editorial analysis tying’s Sam’s draft status to his sexuality.  For example…

From the Huffington Post’s Hank Koebler:  “In today’s NFL full of pass-happy offenses and hybrid defensive fronts, football reasons alone can’t justify why an award-winning pass-rusher like Sam fell so far in the draft.”

From USA Today’s Jarrett Bell:  “Yet amid all of the back-slapping for the NFL, there’s an essential question:  Why did it take so long?”

From The New York Times’ William C. Rhoden:  “The N.F.L. doesn’t get a parade: Sam should have been taken three rounds earlier. You cannot acknowledge the Southeastern Conference as the best college football conference, as the N.F.L. has, and then let one of its top players be drafted behind kickers and players from obscure programs in obscure conferences… the N.F.L. did the right thing by Michael Sam; I only wish it would have done the right thing a little sooner.”

Many thus immediately concluded and proclaimed Sam’s low selection was based on his sexuality.  Note that Michael Sam was a consensus All-American and the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.  He had no known off-field, malfeasant issues.

Now there exist layers upon layers of aspects to this story, and different people will understandably,  passionately embrace different facets… ESPN’s coverage… the kiss… the second kiss with cake… the cameras in the living room of a 7th round pick… the extent of the coverage… the questionable words of those who were only focused on Sam’s sexuality — both in opposition and support…  and, of course, if and how sports often “leads the way.”  Opinions will be divergent, and we need to learn how to respectfully wrestle with such as opposed to manipulate perceived consensus or vilify desired dissent.

What we can also address, however, the proclaimed injustice that Sam’s low selection in the draft was due to his sexual preference.  Let me first submit the following names:

Jason White, Charlie Ward, Pete Dawkins… I will add Jackson Jeffcoat of Texas.

White, Ward, and Dawkins were each Heisman Trophy winners, the award given annually to the nation’s best college football player.  Jeffcoat was another All-American this past college season.  Each of the above went undrafted.

Some wish to proclaim that Michael Sam slid so far solely because of his sexuality; the reality is we can’t definitely conclude that; we don’t know.  Still others wish to proclaim that Sam’s sexuality had zero to due with his draft status; the equally true reality is we also don’t know.  We cannot know for certain if or how Michael Sam’s sexuality impacted his draft status.

Not knowing tends to make us uncomfortable; it also sometimes prompts us to proclaim our opinion as fact… when well, such isn’t reality.

Respectfully…

AR

Posted on

press picking & choosing

Pie1over5Noting the populist rhetoric of income equality but not necessarily the economic prudence, allow me to highlight the Pope’s message to the UN Secretary General last Friday — which, not surprisingly, some media sources promptly pounced upon.

Had the Intramuralist simply adopted the media’s rhetoric (note to all:  never simply adopt the media’s rhetoric), I would have walked away believing the following headlines…

From Time Magazine:  “Pope Francis to World:  Redistribute The Wealth.”

From MSNBC:  “Pope Francis Calls For Wealth Redistribution.”

Let’s look at what the Pope actually said…

It is true that he condemned an “economy of exclusion.”

It is true that he said that we need to have “future sustainable development goals” that “have a real impact on the structural causes of poverty and hunger.”

It is also true that he said:  “An awareness of the dignity of each of our brothers and sisters whose life is sacred and inviolable from conception to natural death must lead us to share with complete freedom the goods which God’s providence has placed in our hands.”  Pope Francis has been a consistent advocate for the less fortunate — beginning his advocacy at conception.

Let us also then acknowledge what was omitted from the same media’s actual headlines — including the conception omission — aspects omitted which may point to a veiled bias within our press…

Pope Francis did not say government should embrace socialism, which equates to government mandated wealth redistribution — which by definition is a “stage of development in Marxist theory,” which eventually suppresses a country’s citizens.

Pope Francis did not dismiss the individual responsibility for caring for the hungry, poor, and essentially “least of these,” which is indisputably the biblical mandate.

And when Pope Francis addressed sharing the “good which God’s providence has placed in our hands,” he spoke not only of material goods, but also of “intellectual and spiritual ones.”  To focus on only the material would omit 67% of the Pope’s encouragement.

One of the aspects that absolutely amazes this semi-humble current events observer is that we quote the seemingly most popular when it appears to make us look good.  For example, Time and MSNBC rush to quote the Pope when it looks like he’s endorsing government-mandated wealth redistribution, but they oft seem to omit his perspective when it comes to government-funded abortion-inducing drugs.  They seem to shy mightily from the Pope’s encouraged, accompanied, spiritual teaching.

The point of this post has zero to do with wealth or drugs or our government’s role.  The point is that the press picks and chooses when and what to publicize, seemingly emphasizing their desired perspective.  The press thus does not always accurately represent all that any have to say.  In other words, the media manipulates the news.

As for Pope Francis’s perspective, the wise pontiff does seem to emphasize an unparalleled compassion for the poor that is respectful and contagious.  How far he presses in economic understanding and socialist priorities is a different conversation, and the press would be wise in acknowledging such.

They would also be wise in acknowledging the Pope’s stated desire to seek God first…  something seemingly far too convenient to also omit.

Respectfully…

AR