intramuralist ™

Let me never declare that I have walked a mile in any other’s shoes. I can seek to understand the circumstances of another. I can be earnest. Zealous. Totally sincere. I can work tirelessly to better comprehend another’s plight or perspective. But I don’t know that it’s fair or accurate to ever suggest that I could somehow wear their shoes… feeling what they felt… the blisters, callouses, so much more. Something seems glaringly incomplete.

We were profoundly aware of that inability last weekend. The day was dreary — which indeed seemed fitting. There was a bit of a light rain. It  never seemed to go away. I suppose one could say the storm came long ago.

61 years ago today, in fact.

It was nearing half past ten in the morning. Many were adorned in their Sunday best. Four of whom were young girls who were reportedly straightening their dresses and bows in the basement restroom…

Addie Mae Collins… Cynthia Wesley… Carole Robertson… and Denise McNair.

The first three were fourteen years old. The latter, eleven.

When the bomb then exploded, the incident and resulting intensity hoisted a glaring spotlight upon a clear evil in this world.

At the time, Birmingham was one of our nation’s most segregated cities. It was 1963 and a highly, racially charged, discriminatory atmosphere. In May of that year, the city agreed to desegregate lunch counters, restrooms, drinking fountains, and fitting rooms, and to hire African Americans in stores as salesmen and clerks. The move was vehemently opposed by white segregationists. Rampant violence continued.

The downtown, 16th Street Baptist Church, no less, was a place where many civil rights leaders often gathered — among them Martin Luther King, Fred Shuttlesworth and more. They would organize and strategize. They would worship, too. It was the start of many protests — nonviolent, as they were. One could say the brown brick building became the fragile place were racial tension and white hostility sadly met.

On Sunday, September 15th, 1963, a bomb was detonated under the steps of the church, spraying mortar, caving in interior walls prior to the start of their weekly service. Many were injured, but most were able to evacuate — not those, however, in the basement restroom. 

Sadly still, it has been long characterized as an incident where no one wondered if this was any accident. It was immediately presumed to be intentional. And therefore, as we soberly conclude, evil. People killed people because of the color of their skin. People killed people because of hate.

As we walked the hallowed grounds last weekend we were overcome with a profound sobriety. We strolled slowly, mostly in silence. Tears, too.

I watched my youngest son get a glimpse of what actually happened, an incident that occurred long before he was even born. As noted, Josh has Down syndrome, and while he typically scores lower on a stereotypical IQ test, he is full of great wisdom. (Fact: intelligence and wisdom are not the same.) Watching him process reality, therefore, is beautifully, insightfully fascinating…

Why would someone do that? How could they hate another so much? They didn’t even know them.

Only two months after the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, our national grief would be unfathomably compounded, as the sitting U.S. President was assassinated. I can’t imagine what that felt like. Those two awful acts would eventually then prompt the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which required equal access to public places and employment and the right to vote; race, color, religion, sex, or national origin were to matter no more. Granted, legislation alone cannot eradicate the evil in people’s hearts. 

While the Act then did not end discrimination, it was a step of tremendous progress. It was a step toward learning how to treat all people well. The stark reality is we oft need a reminder — especially since intelligence and wisdom and age, too, are not the same thing. We need to learn how to love and honor our neighbor well, whoever our neighbor is. We need to learn to be earnest in understanding the circumstances of another, especially when they are not our own. 

I continue to wonder, keenly aware of the hatred that exists still today. Some of it’s based on race. Some of it’s based on religion, sex, politics, too. I wonder if we’re not careful… when will this go too far? 

Respectfully…

AR

While it’s no secret the Intramuralist believes there are serious integrity questions about each of the remaining presidential candidates (and yes, feel completely free to reach a different conclusion), I was glad to see them finally take the stage together last night. Indeed one of the disservices each of their parties has too generously provided the public is to circumvent the Commission on Presidential Debates; such adds to the question of integrity.

However, much as last night was fascinating — and we had so many questions going into the evening (i.e. will Trump be a bully? … will Harris spin up another word salad? … will Trump attempt to be more conservative? … will Harris attempt to be less liberal? … will they have any authentic policy discussion? … will Trump get rattled? … will Harris be able to keep the election not about her? … will ABC be neutral? …will they treat both sides the same? … will they sacrifice viewers?…). But alas, we digress.

As I watched the two on the staged platform, attempting to make a watching public think they are so wonderful and their opponent is so not, pining for the presidency, one question stood out:

Where’s Joe?

Honest thought.

We were told multiple weeks ago that Pres. Biden was incapable of running for re-election. Not only were we told, we saw it with our own eyes in his only debate. Something is clearly wrong with Biden from a cognitive, processing perspective. 

Of course we’ve heard the spin, PR, politicking, you-name-it… oh, it just happened… we never noticed… he had a cold… it was an off night… all you saw before were deep fakes… manipulated video… people trying to make him look bad… he was fine before now…

Please.

And let me be clear. I say this not as a Trump fan, Harris fan or even current member of either political party…

If Biden was deemed unfit to run by political insiders, why is he fit to still serve as President now?

I mean not to be mean. I absolutely will respect the office regardless of my fandom or vote. I simply question who is currently in charge and how capable they are. 

Who is running the country?

Pres. Biden has had little on his calendar. Vice Pres. Harris has been actively campaigning. Neither have been doing interviews. So again I ask: who is running the country?

Who’s reacting to Hamas?

Who’s responding to the aggression of the Houthis?

Who’s addressing Brazil’s censorship?

Who is doing all of the above and so much more — and putting politics aside for the good of the country?

Friends, the 25th amendment was ratified on February 10th, 1967. It was created for a reason. Its third section states that if the President “is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,” then “such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.” With absolutely all due respect, noting the current President’s clear decline, why is VP Harris not the acting President now?

Is there something else in play they don’t want the public to know?

Is there someone who needs the situation to remain stagnate in order to hold onto position, power or influence?

I do not claim to know nor do I wish to craft any unreasonable conspiracy theories. But I do claim to ponder. Where is Joe?

Respectfully…

AR

We had spent the entire morning at the Vatican, touring the grounds and galleries, culminating with the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. It was a day full of oohs and aahs, mesmerizing, but mostly, simply a day of wonder.

It was also a day of history. There was so much to take in — things we had heard of for all our years but never experienced, never knew what it would feel like to see with our own eyes. Again, it was indeed a day of wonder.

It was now near 2 pm in Central European Summer Time, and we were hungry after the far-more-than-stunning experience. Little did we know the experience would soon become even more beautifully profound.

A friend of Italian heritage had recommended a few restaurants in Rome should we be in need. When exciting Vatican City, we found one which was less than a mile walk, so we decided to stroll in that direction. 

I have to admit. When we saw the spot from the outside — I mean, I love and respect my friend, but — I wasn’t all that impressed with the external. There was no prominent store front, and it kind of seemed a bit of a fairly rough hole in the wall. But hunger surpassed first impressions, so we daringly decided to go inside.

It was a tiny dining room; the dining room/living room of my 3 BR house may be bigger. Not only that, I heard not a one English word. (And for the record, 3 weeks of Italian on Duolingo is clearly not enough to be sufficiently fluent.) But the place was hustling and bustling like crazy. Two Italian brothers, running their restaurant, mastering their craft, and now engaging in a language we did not know, directing us to seats hastily moved together inside. 

Here’s the thing…

We didn’t speak their language.

It didn’t matter.

We didn’t know what to order.

It didn’t matter.

We had never been there before.

None of that mattered.

Dino and Tony and their talented team just brought us thing after thing that they thought we would enjoy. Our only choice was “tinto o blanco” dictating the color of the house beverage. And over the course of the next 2+ hours, they brought speciality after speciality, with food after food to try. We would interact — mostly in two different languages — but it was amazing! The wonder continued. We would laugh and joke and smile and talk in our respective languages. There was love and joy and warmth and authenticity. It was fantastic!

At the end of the meal, they brought us the bill — which was nothing we had discussed but was completely appropriate — and accompanied it with 10 shot glasses soon to be filled with limoncello. But there were only 7 people in our party. They poured 3 glasses for themselves! 

And in a toast to what fellowship really is — not allowing anything else to get in the way — we had the most wonderful time! We were sad to exit, and of course, we certainly couldn’t do so without the tradition of kisses on both cheeks, displaying our clear, generous affection for one another.

I learned something that day. We were immersed in a culture other than our own. It wasn’t life, food, pace like we knew it. But we joined in, trusted them, did what they did, allowed ourselves to learn from them, and experienced a bit of their world together. They showed love and care for us in a way known best to them. And it was so, so good. 

Walking away in prolonged wonder, it was abundantly clear that sometimes, we simply make life too hard. We let too much get in the way… and miss the available, abundant joy when sharing sweet fellowship together.

Respectfully…

AR

What a day (… and note there’s a bigger point coming; it will take a few minutes to get there…)

This day in Rome began with a long planned trip to Vatican City, the city-state embedded in Rome, which serves as the global headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. There were swarms of people there; in fact, there were no more tickets said to be sold for the day. Soon the summer heat would be swarming as well.

Our semi-private tour started with the grounds and museums of the Vatican, visiting many of the 54 galleries. In addition to the people, there is amazing art seemingly everywhere… Bellini, da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael… Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse and so many more… Some 70,000 works of art exist in the Vatican museums, although only 20,000 are visible to the public. Regardless, to call it “stunning” still doesn’t seem strong enough.

We walked through both tapered halls and expansive display rooms… lined by columns, marble, Roman travertine and more, as the museums house some of the most prominent Roman sculptures and Renaissance paintings. The works are both old and new… and yes, far more than stunning. For example… 

We strolled through the Chiaramonti Museum — named after Pope Pius VII Chiaramonti (1800-1823) — where sculpture after sculpture lines the domed hall. (Note: I may have chuckled at least once with evidence of the political correctness police, which some years ago mandated sculpted fig leafs be added to each male model… alas…).

Soon came both the Gallery of Tapestries and Gallery of Maps. The unique collection in each is eye-dropping, with the tapestries depicting specific moments in the life of Jesus, such as the Last Supper. The room of maps, on the other hand, feature painted works depicting the entire Italian peninsula. 

Arguably most in need of words other than stunning or striking, is the last of the museums, the Sistine Chapel. Interestingly, there are stern instructions given prior to entrance insisting upon silence and the removal of hats; the goal no doubt is reverence; it’s a good question: can reverence be commanded? Interesting, too, once inside, voices were immediately raised and talking commenced. I would not conclude, however, that the increased sound was synonymous with an absence of reverence. 

The chapel was spectacular, highlighted by Michelangelo’s nothing short of profound The Creation of Adam, the fresco which the artist said was inspired by the scripture in Genesis saying “God created man in his own image.” The touch of their fingers gives life and breath to humankind.

Before exiting the chapel, we came face-to-face with The Last Judgment, painted on the 42 foot high, 39 foot wide wall, the massive masterpiece depicting the juxtaposition of entering or not the Kingdom of Heaven.

The oohs and aahs continued as we exited the museums and entered St. Peter’s Basilica. Let me simply say this: for us, the reverence only increased. The artwork, altars and architecture are spectacular and at times spectacularly ornate (… another note here… I had hoped to share what it was like to stand in front of La Pietà, Michelangelo’s first great work, the magnificent sculpture where a devastated Mary holds a lifeless Jesus… due to preparation for Rome’s Jubilee of 2025, it’s not open to the public; this public shall return…).

No doubt this post is laced with tangent details. There was simply so much to see, so much to experience…

But as alluded to, noting the point of the post of the first half of this day would be slightly delayed… as I walked through all of the above, overcome with authentic wonder, one question kept coming to mind…

Thinking of The Creation of Adam, even La Pietà, all that artwork… what inspired the artist? 

What real thing inside of them drove and enabled them to craft such a masterful, meaningful work of art?

It had to be big. It had to be real. And it had to be something amazing.

I wonder.

Respectfully…

AR

As a career HR professional, I have long interviewed people for a living. And like most things in life, just because one does it, doesn’t necessarily make them good at it. 🙂

Noting the current political hurricane season, my sense is, as voters, we would benefit from a comprehensive interview. It would be wise for us to have honest, specific answers straight from the source. No surrogates nor sympathizers… no PR, BS or impression management. We need radical candor.

Hence, we’d like to know the below. Most Q’s are for them both — then 10 for each. Granted, there are more. Let’s start here…

For both:

• What are you lying about?
• What are you maybe not lying about, but clearly, grossly exaggerating?
• What narratives about yourself have you allowed to exist that are untrue?
• What policies of your opponent would you also implement?
• Where have you knowingly lied about your opponent’s policies?
• Which of your flip flops are sincere and which are politically motivated in order to get elected?
• What does it look like to represent all people?
• How would you appease the radical fringe of your party? Do you consider yourself a part of it?
• How would you reduce government spending?
• How would you increase government spending?
• What do you believe happens if we neglect addressing the nation’s ever increasing deficit?
• Knowing that Social Security is expected to be solvent for only another 10 years, what is your plan? 
• How do you best solve the Israel/Hamas conflict?
• What’s the current, most dangerous source of terrorism?
• What’s the wisest approach to the border? Where has your approach been primarily politically motivated?
• Should people under 18 be allowed to receive gender-transition treatment? How much say do the respective parents have?
• In light of the separation of church and state, would you support the removal of all references to God in our government institutions?
• How would you describe your relationship with God?
• What confidential conversations have you had with what media in regard to how you want them to cover you? Who in the media is lying for you?
• Do you actually want to debate your opponent?

For VP Harris:

• Why did you wait so long for any interview — and still it wasn’t solo nor live?
• Are you intentionally attempting to be vague on policy details?
• When did you first know of Pres. Biden’s mental decline? 
• When the special counsel report described Biden an an “elderly man with a poor memory” and you called it “gratuitous, inaccurate and inappropriate,” were you lying?
• Why have an unusually high number of your staff members — especially females — quit?
• What do you agree/disagree with on the 1619 Project?
• Do you believe abortion should be legal up until birth?
• Do you actually believe price controls are wise? What economists recommended this approach?
• When you were ranked as the “most liberal US Senator” in 2019, were you proud of it?
• What mistakes have you made as Vice President? How would you act differently in a future administration?

For former Pres. Trump:

• Are you really a Republican?
• Do you ever apologize? Who have you intentionally wronged?
• What have you lied about under oath? Which of your current indictments are actually legit?
• When as President, you referred to “some very fine people on both sides” at the protest in Charlottesville, were you including any white supremacists or neo-Nazis?
• Do you want to take any rights away from the LGBT community?
• When do you believe abortion should be legal?
• What do you agree/disagree with on Project 2025?
• What experts on foreign and domestic policy do you utilize, who know far more than you?
• What did the assassination attempt change about you?
• What mistakes did you make in your first time as President? How would you act differently in a future administration?

And one more Q just for us…

Wouldn’t it be nice to have honest, specific answers?

Respectfully…

AR

Just to catch up after my recent sabbatical, let’s cover briefly what was covered — albeit via question form, as such, we often say, is the only punctuation piece that invites a response. I did find this interesting, in what the media most asked. Note that I took the first 100 Q’s seen, regardless of source; not every source encourages us to ask. Here’s what the media wanted to know: 

1. Are Asian American Voters Shifting? 
2. Are We Thinking Ourselves Sick?
3. The Beginning of a New Political Era?
4. Biden’s Economic Message Failed. Can Harris Do Better?
5. Biden’s Too Frail To Run in 2024 But He’s Still President?
6. Can a VP Candidate Actually Move the Needle?
7. Can Anyone Govern Gaza?
8. Can Blue States Build?
9. Can Harris & Walz Keep Hiding Who They Are?
10. Can Harris Cancel the Trump Show?
11. Can Harris Have It Both Ways on Economy? 
12. Can Harris Meme Her Way to the White House?
13. Can Harris Win by Using Trump’s Tactics Against Him? 
14. Can Harris Win With Such Weak Support For Her Policies?
15. Can Kamala Harris Beat Donald Trump?
16. Can Steve Kerr Make Team USA Work Like a Dream?
17. Can Trump Beat Harris With ‘Common Sense’?
18. Can Universities Tolerate Disagreement Again?
19. Can Walz Help Unite the Democrats?
20. Can We Solve the Problems of Distressed Places? 
21. A Decade of Conspiracists?
22. Did the Early 1990s Break American Politics?
23. Did Trump Just Win the Election?
24. Did Trump’s Shooting Save Biden’s Nomination?
25. Does Anyone Want To Win the Center?
26. Does the Olympic Committee Prioritize Athletes Over Politics?
27. Election 2024: What’s the Worst That Can Happen?
28. France’s Left Keep Out the Far Right. What Happens Next?
29. Has Harris Already Peaked?
30. Harris Rallies in Atlanta, Is GA in Play?
31. How Was Someone Able To Crawl on a Roof With a Rifle?
32. ‘Irrational Exuberance’: How Much Has the Race Changed?
33. Is a Short Campaign Exactly What Harris Needs?
34. Is Cancel Culture Crippling Comedy?
35. Is Harris Beating Trump in the Polls?
36. Is It Fair to Call Kamala Harris a ‘DEI Hire’?
37. Is It Possible Our Polls Have Been Underestimating Trump?
38. Is It Undemocratic To Replace Biden on the Ticket?
39. Is Kamala Harris a Stronger Candidate Than Biden?
40. Is Kamala Harris soft on crime?
41. Is Kamala Harris the One?
42. Is ‘Mean Girls’ a Winning Script for Harris?
43. Is no one going to talk about the women’s boxing this morning?
44. Is Obama Covertly Running Kamala Harris’ Campaign?
45. Is There Anything That J.D. Vance Actually Believes?
46. Is Tim Walz Guilty of Stolen Valor?
47. Is Trump the King of Deregulation?
48. Just Who Is the Real Middle-Class President?
49. Kamala Harris Is Speaking. Is She Listening?
50. Kamala Harris Isn’t Giving Interviews. Any Questions?
51. Meet the press?
52. Paying Bills Is Harder Than Ever. Should Voters Feel Joy?
53. Planned Parenthood Now a Top Testosterone Supplier?
54. Should Biden Resign From the Presidency?
55. They Let Trump Step on Stage Like a Sitting Duck. Why?
56. Was media complicit in hiding Biden’s struggles?
57. Was the Opening Ceremony Demonic, or Just Cringe?
58. Wasn’t Something Missing From Biden Speech on Dropping Out? 
59. What Did Harris Know About Biden’s Decline, and When?
60. What Did Kamala Know and When Did She Know It?
61. What Does Biden Do Now?
62. What Ever Happened to RFK Jr.?
63. What Happened to My Party?
64. What Happens to Biden’s Campaign Donations?
65. What Impact Will Trump Shooting Have on the Election?
66. What Other Tricks Do Democrats Have Up Their Sleeves?
67. What Plot Twists Await Us in Unraveling of Biden?
68. What’s Left After Wokeness?
69. What’s the Trump Strategy To Beat Harris?
70. When Will Kamala Harris Talk to the Media – And Will The Media Pressure Her?
71. Where Do Independent Voters Stand?
72. Where Does J.D. Vance’s Ideology Really Come From?
73. Which Party Will Appeal to American Workers?
74. Who Engineered the Political Coup Against Biden?
75. Who Gets To Decide What Is ‘Misinformation’?
76. Who Might Harris Choose As a Running Mate?
77. Who Normalized Political Violence in America?
78. Whom Should Harris Choose as Her Running Mate?
79. Who Is Running for President?
80. Who’s the Change Candidate in 2024?
81. Who’s the Real Threat to Democracy?
82. Why Are American Gymnasts Breaking?
83. Why Are Journalists Promoting Censorship?
84. Why Did Harris Snub Shapiro for Veep?
85. Why Did the Secret Service Allow Trump on Stage?
86. Why Hasn’t Harris Had a Press Conference?
87. Why Is Biden Hanging On? 
88. Why Is the FBI Acting So Sketchy?
89. Why Is the Media So Desperate To Push Biden Out?
90. Why Should Biden Listen to the Obama People Now?
91. Why Won’t Democrats Let the Voters Decide?
92. Why Won’t Harris Hold Press Conferences?
93. Will Biden Quit?
94. Will Biden Relinquish the Presidency?
95. Will Big Media Give Walz the Vance Treatment?
96. Will Harris Regret Picking Walz Over Shapiro?
97. Will Internet Memes Help Boost the Harris Campaign?
98. Will Pennsylvania Decide the 2024 Election?
99. Will Trump’s Ear Decide the Election?
100. Would Picking Shapiro Actually Help Harris in Pennsylvania?

Questions are always welcome. Albeit respectfully asked.

Time for us to soon ask more.

Respectfully…

AR

[Intramuralist Note: Sources quoted above include AP, American Greatness, The Atlantic, City Journal, CNN, DC Examiner, ESPN, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, FOX News, The Free Press, The Guardian, The Hill, I&I/TIPP, John Kass News, Los Angeles Times, MSNBC, The Nation, New York Magazine, NY Post, New York Times, Newsweek, Politico, Racket News, Rasmussen Reports, Real Clear Politics, The Ringer, Salon, Slate, The Spectator, Substack, Tablet, Tampa Bay Times, Townhall, UnHerd, The Unknowns, USA Today, US News & World Report, Vox, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Examiner.]

One of the discussion threads making renewed rounds is the definition of “Christian nationalism” — specifically, what it is and why it raises concern. Note that the term is most frequently employed by those who either are not adherents of the faith or have some apprehension related to Christians or aspects of Christianity. It’s also a new term and one not typically employed by those who adhere to it. Hence, let’s unpack what Christian nationalism is and first, what it is not…

It’s not patriotism. Patriotism is the love of country. It’s expressing devotion to and support for one’s country. We saw such oft on display at the XXXIII Olympiad. 

It’s not nationalism. Nationalism is an identification with one’s country. Yes, it’s supporting the country’s interests but to the potential exclusion and detriment of other nations.

It’s not popular. According to Newsweek, only 5% of American adults have ever called themselves “Christian nationalists.” 

Lastly, it’s not synonymous with Republicanism. Also according to Newsweek, of the minimal who identify as adherents of the ideology, half believe the GOP is an actual threat to the country.

So what is it and what’s the concern?

In simplest form, Christian nationalism is the belief that the US is defined by Christianity and the government should govern that way. The idea is that our laws should be based on and reflect Christian values and there is no intentional separation of church and state. Far less prominent factions may be extreme, and as we see via the louder, political gamesmanship on both the left and the right, the extremes are typically highlighted more by critics than adherents.

We are a nation, no less, that was built on individual freedom; our government was designed to promote and protect that freedom, meaning we can live primarily as we choose save we harm no one else. Such leads to two very logical conclusions. One, the government does not and cannot dictate morality (as too many partisans on too many sides too conveniently seem to dismiss). And two, to be or not to be a Christian — or any organized religion — is the choice of the individual.

We do need to be prudent in acknowledging the historic role Judeo-Christian values have played in our governance, as pending the state one lives in, 3 to 4 of the Ten Commandments are actually articulated in the law. Hence, Christian values have long been an influence on the law; they are just not the determiner.

Allow me here, therefore, a bit of a significant relevant tangent, if you will…

One of the challenges of this conversation, especially as emotions run high and fears get deep, is that we sometimes lose sight of what specific things really mean.

I am a Christian. Let me say it better. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. When Jesus walked this planet and physically interacted with the people, he didn’t invite them to come join some new, hip organized religion. He invited people to follow him. 

What does that mean and what does it not? To follow Jesus means to spend time with him and become more like him, embracing what he thought, taught and did. He consistently implores two primary things: to love God and love other people. No matter what. There is indeed more — being humble and kind, empathizing, providing care, offering generous grace and ceaseless truth in ways people can hear it — but those first, two primary things are never compromised.

So what is following Jesus not? It’s not arrogant. It’s not selfish. It’s not oppressive. Nor is it ever free license to play someone else’s Holy Spirit — meaning I can’t nor am I even capable of making the decision of what’s best for everybody else. It’s also never selective of love or honor. Perhaps that’s one thing that most disturbs me; we keep choosing who we will love and who we will not. We withhold love and honor when we think another doesn’t deserve it or if they disagree with us just a little too much. Friends, I am not Jesus. I simply strive to become more like him. But the more I learn, the more it’s clear selective love and honor do not emulate him.

I suppose that then reveals the reality of what Christ followers most practically are: very imperfect. No doubt that’s why sometimes it’s felt like Christians are judgmental, hypocritical or worse. There’s too much of that on this planet, in organized religion and elsewhere. But the other radically true reality is that our imperfections do not accurately reflect what Jesus thought, taught and did.

Perhaps that’s why some of this gets so hard. A follower of Jesus or not, an adherent of Christian nationalism or not, a believer in some other left/right fringe ideology, we are each so very imperfect. Which means none of us will ever corner the market on wisdom. And there will always be need to be humble and kind. 

God be with us all.

Respectfully…

AR

Written in 1938, a thriller play, set in London. It was written by Patrick Hamilton during a noted, dark time in his life. According to the archives of The New York Times, six years earlier, the British playwright was “hit by a drunk driver and dragged through the streets of London, leaving him with a limp, a paralysed arm, and a disfigured face. Two years later, Hamilton’s mother took her own life.” To say it was dark and traumatic is an understatement. That’s when he wrote “Gas Light,” the sordid story of a husband intentionally trying to drive his wife insane. Why? He wanted to steal from her. Hence, if he could convince her that she was the one who was mentally ill, she would never notice the wicked deceit of her spouse. In other words, “it’s not me — it’s you”… when it’s actually not.

We thus arrive at our all too common act 86 some years later… and a word seemingly so often used incorrectly: gaslighting. It’s the perfidious ploy utilized in order to trick people into believing something that’s untrue. 

Allow us to expand…

From Psychology Today: “Gaslighting is an insidious form of manipulation and psychological control. Victims of gaslighting are deliberately and systematically fed false information that leads them to question what they know to be true, often about themselves. They may end up doubting their memory, their perception, and even their sanity. Over time, a gaslighter’s manipulations can grow more complex and potent, making it increasingly difficult for the victim to see the truth.”

The forms it takes are both complex and creative. The Newport Institute’s mental health experts identify 5 types of gaslighting:

Outright Lying — In this type of gaslighting behavior, the abuser lies to their victim even when there’s evidence to the contrary. For example, they might insist that they didn’t call their ex even when the number shows up on their list of calls. Or in the case of workplace gaslighting, a co-worker might insist they sent you the information you needed, even though you never got it and they can’t show you the email.

Coercion — Coercive gaslighting involves using force, punishment, or threats to manipulate the victim. Examples of this type of gaslighting include giving your partner the cold shoulder when they spend time with someone else, or trying to convince them they’re a bad person if they don’t do what the abuser wants.

Scapegoating — Scapegoat gaslighting is when the gaslighter deflects blame onto someone else to avoid having to take responsibility or to escape damage to their relationship, reputation, or power. At work, your boss might blame one victim for a project that failed, even though it was ultimately their responsibility. Or, in an intimate relationship, a gaslighter might tell you that they cheated because you weren’t attentive enough.

Reality Questioning — Also known as reality manipulation, this type of gaslighting is especially harmful to the victim’s mental health, because it sows self-doubt and confusion. The abuser insists that the victim is remembering things wrong, or tells them they’re crazy because they can’t remember an event or conversation—one that actually never took place. This might happen with family members, as when a parent tells a child that an event they remember as traumatic never happened, or wasn’t what the child thought it was.

Trivializing — This type of gaslighting known as trivializing refers to minimizing or dismissing the victim’s feelings, accomplishments, or experiences. Hence, the gaslighter diminishes the victim’s self-esteem and makes themselves the arbiter of what is important and meaningful. Within romantic relationships, the abuser could gaslight their partner by calling them oversensitive when they share their emotions, or belittling how much they care about something outside the relationship, like a hobby, work, or a friendship.

Friends, while I was on my respite during the unforeseen political hurricane season, I was fascinated by the rampant gaslighting. By absolutely both parties. They are exceptionally creative — from farcical fabrications within public speeches to major masking of mental ineptitude. Even more so, I was and continue to be fascinated by the swells who detect it in only one… 

… that’s not true… that’s not what you saw… I never said that… you must have heard wrong… you know, we are the actual victims here… 

Gaslighting is a distortion of reality. The goal is to dupe us.

What’s most fascinating is how often it actually works.

Respectfully…

AR

With our eager return after respite, allow me first a keenly insightful multiple choice question. What should we entitle today’s post:

1. We are back!
2. Eat, pray, love
3. C’est la vie
4. Things That Make You Go Hmmmm….
5. All of the above

Alas, we’ll go with 5.

So 42 days ago, we began our annual Guest Writer Series. Kudos, friends! Oh, what wisdom it is to hear from voices other than our own… and… from voices that are different and don’t think like us. Thanks to all of our guest writers for your unique, insightful contributions.

I must also add, that I am absolutely thrilled to be back with you today! Long ago I learned the deep value of rhythms of intentional rest, and while for too many years it was too imperfectly observed, I am grateful for a season of life in which rest/leisure/Shabbat (the Hebrew root meaning to “stop for rest”) is more consistently applied. I am healthier because of it. I am more prone to recognize and embrace wisdom. Hence, our annual summer series is abundant in benefit for all.

Suffice it to say, time doesn’t stand still; lots happened while we were away. Here my family and I travel approximately 12,707 miles on a stupendous, awe-inspiring European vacation… what a joy to be immersed in cultures other than our own… what wonder!

And look what happened while away…

… Former Pres. Trump survives an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania… no one seems to see the gunman on a nearby roof… Trump then makes wearing an ear bandage some kind of not-so-chic fashion statement…

… Pres. Biden’s mental decline is no longer camouflaged… with poll numbers also in decline, the President drops out of the 2024 election, unable to reverse swelling sentiment that he’s too frail to serve…

… Granted, he’s still President now…

… VP Harris becomes a new nominee without a primary or a press conference… still no press conferences nor unscripted moments… 

… VP wannabes Sen. Vance and Gov. Walz are selected, with the race immediately on for the parties to paint the choices as moderate and opponents characterizing as extreme… “Hillbilly Elegy” and military records/statements become immediate places of focus…

… the media’s role comes increasingly under scrutiny in all of the above… “what is journalism” becomes far more than a question on Jeopardy…

… the XXXIII Olympiad takes place in Paris, beginning with 85 boats parading down the (still dirty) Seine… Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles shine… Stephen Nedoroscik makes us smile… breakdancers, hmmmm… Jordan Chiles, sigh… and two biologically male boxers won gold medals on the women’s side of the sport… 

A few more happenings from the “hmmmm” angle… 

… the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Vegas closes after 34 years… 13 sharks test positive for cocaine off the coast of Rio de Janeiro… the Israeli/Hamas conflict intensifies… Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress… more ships/fighter jets move to the Middle East… Google autocomplete prompts “Trump assassination attempt” to reference Harry Truman… Billy Joel performs the final show of his 10-year once-a-month practice at Madison Square Garden…… America’s debt tops $35 trillion… Google is ruled to be a monopoly… Debby becomes a hurricane… and USPS issues a commemorative stamp for Alex Trebek…

Looks like we have lots to discuss, friends. Albeit always respectfully.

So where do we start? … What is true? What is not? What is good and right in addition to true? …

Here we go…

May our discussion never pave the way for disrespect. May we never be blind to the truth. And may we absolutely always honor one another.

Respectfully…

AR

I sit here today, next to one who is clearly one of my biggest life encouragers. He sharpens me. He makes me better. I think one of life’s greatest errors and omissions is we limit the ways in which we can wisen; we limit how and through whom God can speak. God speaks to me through Josh an absolute ton.

As we come to the close of this year’s Guest Writer Series, enjoy the keen insight shared by my budding 22 year old. He’s a special man with special needs, no doubt to whom God has blessed with an uncommon, contagious wisdom… 

AR: “Josh, where are we starting today? Do you want to first introduce yourself?”

JOSH: “Yes. Hello, everyone. My name is Josh. Some of you don’t know me. I really like to hang out, have a great time, eat pizza, nachos, and I have a thing for inspirational quotes.”

AR: “Excellent! We can’t wait to hear. First, tell us a little more about you.”

JOSH: “So when I was a baby, I had heart surgery. And from that moment, there was a mark on my chest. I call it my ‘brave mark.’ And that’s part of how God first started to change my life. I was sick and He healed me. To me, that’s amazing grace.”

AR: “How does that make you feel?”

JOSH: “It just shows that I have this special thing with God. Like someone to talk to, to open up to, and tell him what’s really going on in my head.”

AR: “So, let’s talk about what’s in your head. You said that you have ‘a thing’ for inspirational quotes. Why don’t you share with us some of your favorites?”

JOSH: “I always say ‘Boss up,’ because it means to go for it and work hard. When you feel really tired and your body is telling you ‘no,’ you gotta get up anyway, no matter how many times it’s a no. If you boss up, you realize you can do it.”

AR: “That’s great. I know we joke about it sometimes — and you do that a lot with Uncle Mike, too, which is funny. But I love it! What’s next for us?”

JOSH: “It’s important to honor other people.”

AR: “What do you mean by honor?”

JOSH: “It means you speak of them with mad respect. You are always kind. You treat other people like they’re in your family.”

AR: “Is there anyone specific you want to honor here today?”

JOSH: “A shout out to my grandpa, Bob.”

AR: “Why him?”

JOSH: “Because we always had a special relationship. He would tease me because he loved me, even letting me sit on his lap when I was older, teasing me about how much I weigh. We were good like that.”

AR: “That’s great. So give us one more inspirational quote or encouragement.”

JOSH: “Never stop believing in yourself.”

AR: “Tell us more.”

JOSH: “It’s kind of like saying never lose faith. In God and in yourself. God will always be for you.”

AR: “What does it mean that God is ‘for’ you?”

JOSH: “He’s writing your story. And it’s not done.”

AR: “Knowing that about yourself — brave mark and all after all these years — how does that make you feel?”

JOSH: “Amazed.”

AR: “Love it, Josh. Thanks.”

JOSH: “Always.”