{"id":112,"date":"2012-04-19T06:25:16","date_gmt":"2012-04-19T10:25:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=112"},"modified":"2012-04-19T06:31:37","modified_gmt":"2012-04-19T10:31:37","slug":"slip-sliding-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=112","title":{"rendered":"slip sliding away"},"content":{"rendered":"

One cold night, as an Arab sat in his tent, a camel gently thrust his nose under the flap and looked in. “Master,” he said, “let me put my nose in your tent. It’s cold and stormy out here.” “By all means,” said the Arab, “and welcome” as he turned over and went to sleep.<\/em><\/p>\n

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A little later the Arab awoke to find that the camel had not only put his nose in the tent but his head and neck also. The camel, who had been turning his head from side to side, said, “I will take but little more room if I place my forelegs within the tent. It is difficult standing out here.” “Yes, you may put your forelegs within,” said the Arab, moving a little to make room, for the tent was small.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally, the camel said, “May I not stand wholly inside? I keep the tent open by standing as I do.” “Yes, yes,” said the Arab. “Come wholly inside. Perhaps it will be better for both of us.” So the camel crowded in. The Arab with difficulty in the crowded quarters again went to sleep. When he woke up the next time, he was outside in the cold and the camel had the tent to himself.<\/em><\/p>\n

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[Special thanks to CamelStories.com for \u201cThe Camel\u2019s Nose in the Tent\u201d]<\/p>\n

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The metaphorical camel\u2019s nose illustrates the potential worsening of a situation when small, questionable scenarios are initially permitted. The allowance of the nose in the tent creates the potential for a scenario never imagined, but possibly dire.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Where \u2014 albeit by gradual steps \u2014 have we possibly witnessed the protrusion of the \u201ccamel\u2019s nose\u201d?\u00a0 Help me here.\u00a0 This is honest wrestling.\u00a0 My desire is not to persuade nor embolden; the Intramuralist\u2019s desire is to respectfully dialogue and thus grow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Where have we permitted scenarios to exist that may potentially evolve into the camel taking over the tent?\u00a0 Where have we promoted an initial, specific desire, policy, or behavior that as it progresses, manifests itself as a progression of wrongful thinking?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On Tuesday, we discussed the argument for after-birth abortion, the process of intentionally killing a newborn.\u00a0 When abortion was legalized in all states in 1973, did the Supreme Court foresee that less than 30 years later, some in academia would seriously consider the legalization of killing babies outside<\/em><\/strong> the womb?\u00a0 … that some would intentionally desire to reframe \u201cinfanticide,\u201d calling the procedure \u201cafter-birth abortion\u201d instead\u00a0\u2014\u00a0in order to minimize the moral argument?\u00a0 Was that recognized as a potentially offensive protrusion?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf the camel…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Consider the federal government\u2019s routine practice of deficit spending.\u00a0 When Alexander Hamilton, the Secretary of Treasury under President Washington, arguably first proposed incurring debt for the purpose of establishing credit, did Hamilton foresee a 21st century government that is now almost $16<\/strong> trillion<\/strong> dollars in debt?\u00a0 Did those who advocated the exercise envision that spending within our means may become a secondary priority to spending itself?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c… once gets his nose…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What else, friends?\u00a0 Tell me.\u00a0 Again, I do not assume to know all, but where else does the animal nose begin to reek?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pick your social issue.\u00a0 Pick your fiscal practice.\u00a0 Pick your societal evolution.\u00a0 Where has the practice gone too far?\u00a0 Where has the initial acceptance been possibly ethical, but the potential progression is now imprudent?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c… in the tent…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Borrowing from China?\u00a0 Negative campaigning?\u00a0 A 2 party system?\u00a0 Acceptance of adultery?\u00a0 Violence and sex on TV? \u00a0No prayer in schools? \u00a0… Where are the camels, friends?\u00a0 I don\u2019t claim to know all of the above.\u00a0 I only ask the question in order to avoid the slippery slope of potential foolish and unethical activity.\u00a0 Otherwise…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c… his body will soon follow.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Respectfully,<\/p>\n

AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One cold night, as an Arab sat in his tent, a camel gently thrust his nose under the flap and looked in. “Master,” he said, “let me put my nose in your tent. It’s cold and stormy out here.” “By all means,” said the Arab, “and welcome” as he turned over and went to sleep. … <\/p>\n

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