Surely there are other places to go for political commentary. All I can say is I've felt an unquestionable sorrow this week, even in light of the birthday celebration of my Dear Friend (and Old Boss) Donald Van de Mark.
Donald was a CNN and CNBC news reporter for many years before settling in the Bay Area to pursue the next, more reflective and partisan phase of his life.
A Libertarian who voted for George W. Bush in 2000 (and who never mentioned it then!), he has a new perspective on Dubya and his conservative regime that he expressed recently. I thought it was well-put and stood out from the usual Bay Area Republican-hating rants:
One of George W. Bush’s great strengths say pundits, is his conviction. And yet it is precisely his convictions, religious and otherwise that we very well may fear. The great lesson of the Civil War is to beware of certitude and zealotry. And it is the certitude of George W. Bush and of his religious-literalist followers that worry me and millions more. Couple his self-righteousness with America's power and we have the potential for great abuse. In theological terms, we have the potential for the big one -- the great sin.
America is now the lone superpower. With the federal courts more and more conservative, the Republican Party now controls all three branches of the federal government. And with religious fanatics overseas taunting America and our allies, this unfettered President may well over react, over reach and antagonize millions more. Why wouldn’t he, he already has...
...The war in Iraq was surely an overreaction. The two principal reasons we invaded -- weapons of mass destruction and links to Al Qaeda terrorists, turned out to be false. Our trampling of religious shrines and killing tens of thousands of bystanders has undoubtedly spawned many more American enemies.
Our founding fathers recognized that any human or government with unchecked power is dangerous. Great power coupled with certitude is doubly ominous. It is precisely this combination that has historically led to vicious abuse, retribution and the suffering of innocents.
We must remember and insist that no human should claim to speak or act for God. Theologically speaking to act as if you are God is the great sin. The President should remember that the Bible teaches that we are all fallen, that even good people are capable of untold cruelties, that just causes can run amok. Don't believe it? Witness Abu Ghraib.
May those in power humble themselves. May they follow the Golden Rule. No matter what their faith or beliefs, may they act in the spirit of the Lamb and in awe of their... and my God.
Amen!
Posted by: Joy DJ | November 06, 2004 at 07:07 PM
I suspected you'd have a post-Nov 2 comment and here it is. I read sadly but must point out one more thing with respect to the much fabled 'weapons of mass destruction and links to Al Qaeda terrorists'. There were many pointing out (read screaming) that only a few more months of intelligence and UN inspection would have validated both of these assumptions yet Dubya (and Blair) chose to ignore this and march ahead. Now look where we are, a state of emergency in Iraq was declared today and an increased grip on all three branches of legislature by the Republicans.
After over five years here, I'm still glad to able to say that I enjoy living here but I'll always know that if I need to, I can hit the 'emergency escape' button.
Posted by: Lozza | November 07, 2004 at 09:43 AM