speak truth

Job 27:4 I will tell only the truth.

I wish this were true - that folks spoke truth. I wish. I wish. I wish. About once every four years (usually around election time) I write a political post. I try not to get in to politics much on this blog. Why? Because it is divisive, and frankly, I believe both parties have some things right and some things wrong and those prescribing to either party platform are entirely too self-righteous. 

Is it right to be fiscally responsible; protect innocent, unborn children who cannot speak for themselves; and protect the sanctity of marriage? I say, "yes!"

Is it right to have compassion for those who are struggling in difficult circumstances and give them a hand-up, to welcome the stranger in to our borders (with some provisions to maintain order), and to treat all people with dignity and respect? I say, "yes!"

What America has lost is civil discourse about such ideals. A bashing of the other's character, rather than a dialogue on convictions. But, that isn't the only thing we've lost...

I have been amazed in recent years at the incredible amount of "spin" that flies around in politics.This isn't a post aimed at any particular party, because if I were judge I would declare all "guilty."

Today's topic is aimed at a particular event: the attacks on U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

As a recovering Expatriate (Dictionary.com: to withdraw oneself from residence in one's native country.), I must tell you that the Embassy or Consulate is viewed as a refuge of safety. When I visited these locations in different spots around the globe, these were well fortified with security and built to withstand attack. I cannot believe these recent attacks are the response to a low-grade, low-budget, previously obscure and unknown video production. Honestly, who had even heard of this movie before the attacks? That is a red herring. There is something bigger going on and I feel strongly that our Executive and Congress are missing an opportunity to respond appropriately.

It was not an un-happy coincidence that the Behghazi attack occurred on September 11 (the anniversary of the largest terrorist attack on our soil). The rocket launcher that killed the Embassador did not appear as a result of a spontaneous demonstration. I feel insulted that this event would be classified as anything other than terrorism. Am I supposed to believe that folks just happen to have a rocket launcher in their home, and when they heard a ruckus decided to grab it on their way out the door? Nope, that doesn't happen. Just to have possession of a rocket launcher takes prior planning and it was obviously positioned to cause harm.

The events of recent weeks are terrorism (dictionary.com: the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes). What I don't understand is - why are we so reluctant to call it what it is? The only answer I can come up with is that if we call it terrorism, then we would have to do something about it...and that would be politically unpopular...and in case you forgot we are in an election with the objective of winning, rather than leading. 

What concerns me, more than political positioning, is that this has happened before. George Santayana rightly said: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." So, with that in mind, let's take a little walk down memory lane:

• 1998: there were a series of embassy bombings in East Africa. (Thankfully, those were condemned by the U.N.)
• 2000: a suicide bomber attacked the USS Cole (Then, as now, leadership was reluctant to call it "terrorism" and it is my belief that is when al-Qaeda started to feel empowered to attempt an attack on US soil)
• 2004: September 11

There are some in leadership willing to call it "terrorism" - but none of these are running for political office. This morning I read this article from Reuter's describing the attack as "deliberate and organized:" http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/29/us-usa-libya-intelligence-idUSBRE88R1EG20120929

just Sheri, wishing we were electing leaders instead of politicians