Must have touched a nerve

Charter Oak-Ute NEWSpaper Column for Thursday, May 20, 2004

"This administration cannot be trusted to govern if it cannot be counted on to think and, having thought, to have second thoughts." ~Conservative columnist George F. Will

“Oh,” Bethany worried “You’re gonna get burned on this one” she said, looking at me over the NEWSpaper after reading last week’s column.

“What do you mean? Was it a little strong” I asked.

“I mean, you’re gonna get what the Dixie Chicks got!”
I am worried. I can’t stand having people angry with. It made me a little uncomfortable that that column was placed right next to the story and picture of the Kuhlmahn Sisters receiving an award from the National Guard.

I love the Kuhlman Sisters, I admire their work and support inspired by their father’s service.
And I am proud of the men and women in our Nation’s service. Please know that I feel pathos and compassion on the American guards, not hate.

I still believe in supporting our troops, I would NEVER advocate spitting on GIs or calling them names like “baby killer.” There are over 150,000 American troops serving in Iraq , and so far as we know only 7 or 8 prison guards responsible for the atrocious acts of torture.

Those 150,000 men and women are responsible for countless acts of kindness to the majority of Iraqis and they’re representing America and our ideals well. Unfortunately life is about perception. Psychologists suggest that it takes 10 positive comments to overcome one negative one. So those few bad apples have made a helluva mess for us to try to overcome.

Did you hear Rush Limbaugh excuse the abuse as little more than a fraternity prank? What if Americans were treated that way? Any one victim is now traumatized for life. Limbaugh said that it was no worse than any of the hazing pledges would have to go through to enter the “Skull and Bone” society at Yale.

THAT horrified me. Is THAT what fraternities are like? How would Rush Limbaugh know? Is he the kind of bully who’d abuse underclassmen in dehumanizing ways when they’d come out for football? Remember that both President Bush and Candidate Kerry were members of Skull and Bones.

Congress has now reviewed nearly 1,800 pictures and several videos. There is speculation that someone may have planned on making a pornographic film out of the footage.

I sent a copy of last week’s column to my former Pastor in California.

“What must God think of us?” was the headline.

”God must think we are poor miserable sinners; knowing we are only deserving of His wrath and judgment, yet forgives us through the blood and sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ” wrote back Rev. Martin Brauer.

He reminded me that God probably is not tolerant of those who want to destroy His children. I know that’s how I’d feel about anyone who would try to harm my children.

I haven’t read the Koran, although I’ve heard people claim that Muhammad calls for followers to kill every infidel. I have read the Bible a few times and Jesus tells Christians to “love thy neighbor, and pray for those who persecute you.”

I am appalled that Americans have treated our prisoners as poorly as their former dictator would’ve. I would hope that every American is too. Yet I do apologize to readers who feel like I went too far or who feel that last weeks column was somehow unpatriotic.

Saddam Hussein ran and hid, terrified in a hole because he knew that what he had done was wrong. Thank God we live in a country where we are shining light on our wrong doings, we want to get to the bottom of it and dig it out. So that we can move on and hopefully prevent it from getting worse or happening again.
We are society that allows open and honest criticism and debate.

Even as divided as we are and as passionately as we hold our opinions, we can continue to work together, in spite of our differences. Pastor Marty assured me that even though he and I are on different sides of the fence on many issues, “absolutely no chance of a wedge coming between us,” he told me.

What must God think of us?

”God must think that all those who are proud to be Americans have the God-given right to BE proud living in a country whose foundation was built on the laws of Christ and whose freedom stems from the freedom Jesus, Himself, has given us from the curse and power of sin in our lives,” said Pastor Marty.

I mostly agree, though as a History Major I know that there are plenty of “Christians” who are good at misinterpreting and misapplying God’s Word and His laws. And Free Masons and Deists who’ve pretended to be Christian over the course of our 200+ years. Which is why it’s important to know the difference between Church and State. The America system is a great blessing, but it’s still a human and fallible institution. God may use us, but that doesn’t make us somehow perfect and give us a right to become arrogant.

I also agree with Pastor Marty that the most important thing we can do as Americans is to pray.

Rev. Marty Brauer’s prayer is this "Father in heaven: We pray You to continue to uphold our President and his administration as they continue to strive to do Your will. Grant them Your wisdom and Your protection as they continue to stand strong in the face of political attacks and the arrows of Satan. In Jesus' Name. Amen...so shall it be!”

And I’d add, God bless and protect our troops, forgive us and help us when we err, and let our differences and diversity continue to be our strength

I’d also add Irving Berlin’s famous prayer, God Bless America, Land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her Thru the night with a light from above.