Of course I say that last part tongue-in-cheek, as I currently retain both. This man, however, may not in a few months:
Sounds almost like Nancy Pelosi's running the Kangaroo court over there. This--is downright chilling. And anyone that believes these things will be isolated to the Dutch shores doesn't know the meaning of "Jihad." A man like me isn't given much hope in this life, anyway, when the new President's first concern in office was to make sure the genocidal maniacs at Guantanamo Bay aren't forced to acknowledge the five pillars in substandard housing, possibly moving them into a congressional district that doesn't even have a proper prison (the sheer irony of Jack Murtha, a congressman that slandered our Marines at Haditha with no evidence, would wind himself into a tortured little ball of hospitality for terrorists. next thing you know, tax evaders will be running the IRS).A member of parliament in the Netherlands who has been charged with "insulting" Muslims says he fears he will be found guilty and sent to prison in only a few months.
An appeals court on Wednesday overturned a previous decision by prosecutors not to charge Geert Wilders, and ordered that he stand trial.
I already feel safer. Hope and Change, baby!
-R
6 comments:
Ron,
Many times when I read your political commentary I cringe. Not because I disagree with you. I'm used to not agreeing with many people of my faith, and I'm used to them not agreeing with me. I'm fine with agreeing to disagree.
What concerns me is your tone. It's so acidic, so caustic and so sarcastic. Sometimes it's even vitriolic.
People have done horrific things in the name of God. People have used the Bible to justify doing horrible things. And in the case of Islamic extremists, they are using the Koran for the same thing. To imply that Islam is a violent religion because of manipulative people who are using it to form a twisted ideology and as an excuse to justify violent acts is akin to saying that Christianity is violent because people throughout history have done the same to justify the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials and slavery and the bombing of abortion clinics . . .
Guantanamo Bay has not been a great representation of American justice. How are we any different from any totalitarian regime if we resort to torture and holding prisoners indefinitely without charge?
But political matters aside, I feel compelled to tell you that most of all, I cringe when I read some of your commentary because I cringe to think what impression people who are unfamiliar with Apostolics and ninetyandnine are left with after they read it. I cringe to think of their reaction when presented with such a caustic tone.
This is such a public forum, and I feel compelled to write what I'm writing because I just have to make it clear that not all Apostolics feel this way. Not all of us feel that Islam by definition is violent, that Israel is always right and that a Democratic administration is the beginning of the end.
I'm not writing this because I relish confrontation. I really don't. I'm writing this because how dare I sit around and complain without speaking out?
I too, cringe, when someone can sit in the same room with Cornell West and not feel the raging, anti-semite that hides behind a doctorate and glasses--yeah, even to the point that one can find some vague, Christian ethos behind the man's one goal--the elimination if Israel.
Granted, you softsoaped a man frequently seen with organizations and representatives of groups with terrorist ties. You were removed of all vitriol you claim I have.
lastly, I am one man with one opinion. I have no idea why you feel the need to speak "truth to power" or whatever. Your guys won the election. I'm just complaining that a president's first 100 hours have significant symbolic merit--and what does he do first? Make sure that terrorists are availed due process, as if Sept. 11th was some act of civil disobedience.
Oh, and today? Overseas abortions are now federally-funded again. There's a stimulus package for ya.
No worries. I'm about outta here, Chantell. Then you can have your Apostolic world cheeseclothed through the prism of Camus and whoever else comes to mind.
-R
RE: Cornell West. He's definitely a radical, and I don't agree with all of his ideology. I didn't hear any anti-Semitism in his speech, and if I had, I wouldn't have condoned it or overlooked it. I doubt his "one goal" is the elimination of Israel, though.
I don't want you to be out of here, and I don't want to have a cheesecloth-strained Apostolic world. My purpose is not to attack your views. You are one man with one opinion, and you are entitled to it.
My desire to "speak truth to power," as you put it, has nothing to do with who won or lost . . . not with politics at all. It's with the attitude that sometimes accompanies the way you put forth your views. That is my only critique.
Maybe I'm wrong for using this as an opportunity to speak my mind or whatever. I should probably just write an article or something. But the truth is that this issue extends beyond politics, it extends to the way we as Apostolics sometimes present our faith.
The Bible says to "speak the truth in love." It's not enough to be "right." It's not enough to be the possessor of truth. If you present what's right (political views and otherwise)in a sarcastic, condescending tone, how is that in love? This is something I deal with too.
I'm not advocating being fluffy and feel good to please everyone. That isn't Biblical either. I'm opinionated too. Obviously. I'm just saying that we shouldn't be snide and deliberately polarizing when we express our opinions.
At first I wasn't going to jump into the fray, but let me just say that I've never found your posts to be anything but truthful - hard truth, but truth, nonetheless. Will miss you insight.
You both have good points here. That's the purpose of a blog: to get readers to think. Thanks for getting me to think harder.
I for one seriously hope Ron isn't outta here. I'll miss his insight and humor.
Ron -
If you go somewhere else...please leave a forwarding address (blog).
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