Political Correctness

"How many legs does a dog have if you call his tail a leg? Four.

Saying that a tail is a leg doesn't make it a leg.”

Abraham Lincoln [1]

Some people seem to believe that the way we perceive something can be changed by changing the language used to refer to it.  They are not entirely wrong.  We think in language, therefore, changing the language we use to describe a thing can change the way we feel about it.  However, as President Lincoln so aptly illustrated it, changing the language used to describe a person, place, event, or belief system (for example) does not change the reality of what it is.

It is not moral or ethical to use language to manipulate others.  It is also wrong to prevent others from saying or writing things that are not politically correct.

It’s okay to try to persuade others to believe as we do, but it is un-American to shout down the opposition.  It is wrong to use brainwashing or “mind games” to change another’s perception of reality.

Truth is truth.   It must be spoken in love, but it must be said clearly and honestly.

Lamp in a Corner fully supports the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.   Authentic Americans do not deprive their fellow citizens of our constitutional right to free speech, even if we believe what they are saying is wrong or offensive.

We should respect each other. Considerate people do not misuse free speech to purposefully wound, offend or diminish others. Nevertheless, it is our duty to be honest and truthful, and that duty outweighs avoiding the possibility of ruffling somebody’s feathers.

Polling shows that a majority of Americans think that political correctness has been taken too far. [2]  I have disliked it since the Clinton Administration, when I first became aware of its oppressiveness. If you agree, vote for candidates who favor free speech over political correctness in 2024.

---

[1] Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/abraham-lincoln-quotes

 [2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/bowmanmarsico/2017/06/05/polls-on-political-correctness/?sh=a78671d60939

 

Aid to Ukraine

Since the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, the United States has provided aid to the Ukrainian people to help them defend their country.  I am embarrassed that some of our politicians have begun to waiver in their willingness to give aid to Ukraine.  They argue that we would be better served by spending the money on the needs of our own people.  They say that the Ukrainian government is corrupt, and that some of our aid is being misused.  They point out that too much spending by our government is inflationary.  They assert that American vital interests are not at risk. 

It may come as a shock, but I firmly believe that American politicians do not know everything.  Looking at the actions of some European nations since the invasion, we might conclude that they see things differently. 

On 4 April 2023, Finland became a member of NATO.[1]  Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Finland has ceased to be dominated by Russia to the degree they formerly were.  It is clear that they fear Vladimir Putin’s aggressive attempts to restore the Soviet Empire. 

Sweden became a neutral country in 1812, over 200 years ago.[2]  In recent years, the Swedes have been strong advocates for resolving disputes between nations through diplomacy.  Now, however, they want to become a member of NATO, too, and Sweden would join were it not for opposition from Turkey. 

What do you suppose the Swedes and Finns know that some of our misguided American politicians do not know?  Does a sharing a border with the Russian Federation change one’s point of view? 

According to one source, the aid the Unites States contributes to Ukraine ranks 12^th among contributing nations in terms of a percentage of our GDP (Gross Domestic Product).  The nations contributing more of their GDP (from highest to lowest) are Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Czechia.  Sweden’s contribution is virtually the same as ours.[3] 

Admittedly, one percent of the U.S. GDP is a lot more money than one percent of Latvia’s GDP.  Nevertheless, please consider the possibility that it may be more difficult for Latvia to do without a percent of their GDP than it is for us. 

Look at the countries that are giving “more” to Ukraine than we are.  As a rule, their former status as Soviet client states and their proximity to the Russian Federation seems to affect the amount of their contribution to Ukraine’s defense.  Well, doesn’t it? 

Unfortunately, many of the shortsighted, geopolitically ignorant American politicians who want to reduce or eliminate our aid to Ukraine are Republicans.  They point out that recent American support of military adventures overseas have not turned out well, and that we can no longer sustain our role as “policeman of the world.” 

To these politicians and their supporters, I would ask, if we step aside and let Vladimir Putin have Ukraine will it end there?  Clearly, the folks who live next door don’t think so.  Which former Eastern Bloc country will be the next one that the hardliners in Russia want to restore to the fold?  Will it be the Baltic States or Poland?  They belong to NATO.  If the Russian Federation invades them, the United States is obligated by treaty to defend them – with our own armed forces if necessary, (and it will be).  That could lead to a regional war with Russia, and if they use their nuclear weapons, or if China gets involved, what then – World War III? 

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is too important to be made into a political football here in the United States.  Republicans should not oppose support for Ukraine just because Joe Biden has provided them with assistance.  This is too important. 

My only issue with Biden’s support of Ukraine is that he hasn’t done enough to enable them to win.  They had the Russians on the run a year ago, but they had to stop because they were out of gas and ammo.  Now the Russians have had a chance to regroup and dig in.  Due to geopolitics, the Ukrainians can’t flank the Russians by moving their forces through Russian territory.  Consequently, the current Ukrainian offensive has been a frontal assault against fortified positions.  That is a WWI style slugfest, and progress has been slow and costly. 

I ask, again, that the United States give the Ukrainians the help they need to win.  I hope it is not too late.  If there are problems with the way our aid is handled – fix them.  We must not, however, allow Putin to succeed.  The risks involved in that are too great.

 

---

[1] https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_213448.htm

[2] https://theconversation.com/sweden-a-history-of-neutrality-ends-after-200-years-183583

 [3] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303450/bilateral-aid-to-ukraine-in-a-percent-of-donor-gdp/

 

How Old is Too Old?

We hear a lot in social media and on the news regarding concerns about the mental fitness to serve of some elderly leaders in Washington, D.C.  People like President Joe Biden and Senators Mitch McConnel and Diane Feinstein have visibly struggled while speaking, and they have seemed to be plagued by confusion and memory lapses. 

Many of us have had the misfortune of watching friends and relatives succumb to the ravages of Dementia.  It is heartbreaking to see those we love suffer from degenerative brain disease.  It can break the health and finances of the people who provide care for the victims of these illnesses, which are increasing in frequency of occurrence in the United States.  Certainly, the publicity surrounding Dementia has heightened public awareness. 

Consequently, we can empathize with those of our leaders who seem to be struggling. Hopefully, we will be careful about criticism involving their fitness to lead. 

There has been support among some for legislating a mandatory retirement age for elected officials.  Most federal civil service jobs have a mandatory retirement age of 65 years.  The downside is that to receive federal retirement benefits, one must work for 20 years.  Therefore, persons who are over 45 years of age are not allowed to apply for federal civil service employment.  That is age discrimination.  Obviously, these rules do not apply to elected officials like the president, senators, or congressmen, however, in my opinion the same principle – age discrimination – applies to a mandatory retirement age for them. 

Many people are fortunate enough to be of sound mind and in good health well into their seventies, and a few can even make a significant contribution in their eighties.  In my opinion, they should not be prevented from doing so because an arbitrary number of years has been legislated that prohibits it. 

It is reasonable for officials who are over an agreed upon and legally defined age to undergo a competency evaluation based on objective, quantifiable criteria.  It is wrong for our elected officials to be disqualified based on professional opinion, which is founded on theory or may be swayed by political bias.  Any test of mental capacity for elderly representatives should not be so difficult that it cannot be passed by a majority of the younger persons holding the same office. 

There are a few things you should know in the interest of full disclosure.  I have personally experienced caring for family members with Dementia.  In years past, I have been prevented from applying for federal civil service employment that I was eminently qualified for because I was over 45 years old, and I think I was discriminated against on the basis of age.  I am now 75 years old, healthy, and in full possession of my mental faculties.  Therefore, you might say I have a dog in this fight. 

Finally, the best interest of our nation could be harmed by allowing mentally impaired persons to serve in high office.  That must not be permitted to happen.  We must, however, have safeguards in place to prevent decisions about mental competence to serve from being manipulated for partisan political ends.

Wonderous Love

I have not always lived for Jesus.  I was of two minds, wanting God’s favor but living to please myself.  I have been forgiven much, and so I love Him much.  If Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient to provide “a wretch like me” with forgiveness and salvation, then it is sufficient for you, also.  That is why the following scripture is so powerful: 

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.  And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,  and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”  And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 

“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”  Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”  Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.  You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.  Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”  And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”  And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”  (Luke 7:36-50 ESV) 

What was the faith that was able to save the woman?  It was the faith to believe in Jesus. 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life ... (John 3:16 ESV) 

God saves us because he loves us: 

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  (1John 4:9-10 NIV) 

We are humbled.  We are grateful.  We love Him - just like the woman did at the home of Simon the Pharisee.  It leaves us in awe.  In the words of the old Southern folk hymn:

What Wonderous Love is This

What wondrous love is this,
O my soul! O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this,
That caused the Lord of bliss,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down,
Sinking down, sinking down;
When I was sinking down, sinking down
When I was sinking down,
Beneath God's righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown
For my soul, for my soul!
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul!

To God and to the Lamb,
I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb,
Who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme,
I will sing, I will sing!
While millions join the theme, I will sing! [1]

Do you hear Jesus calling?  Come to Him.  Be saved.  He loves you, and He wants you to be with Him forever.

Acknowledgement:

All Bible verses were copied from https://biblehub.com/

[1] https://www.godsongs.net/2014/04/what-wondrous-love-is-this-oh-my-soul.html

Should President Biden be Impeached?

There is a lot of talk on the news about the possibility that President Joe Biden might be impeached.  Some members of the U.S. House of Representatives have, somewhat prematurely, called for articles of impeachment, and the House is actively investigating Mr. Biden’s conduct when he was vice president. 

President Biden is entitled to the presumption of innocence, and it is not our job to convict him here.  If they are able to gather sufficient evidence, the House can present articles of impeachment to the U.S. Senate.  It will then fall to the Senate to convict or acquit him. 

Although we should allow the duly constituted authorities to present charges and render judgement, as citizens we have the right to full disclosure of these proceedings.  It is our duty to inform ourselves, and we should critically examine the grounds for impeachment to try to understand what is in the best interests of our country.

When he was vice president, I always thought of Joe Biden as Barack Obama’s insurance policy against impeachment.  Although I also thought that the legislative branch might find it repulsive to go down in history for impeaching the nation’s first African American president, I genuinely believed that nobody … but nobody … would be dumb enough to want Joe Biden to become our chief executive if Mr. Obama were impeached.

Well, now I have the same reservations about impeaching President Biden.  LOOK WHO IS ON DECK TO TAKE HIS PLACE.  Do we really want Kamala Harris to become our next president – regardless of how short her term might be?  Heaven forbid.  We would have to look long and hard to find a worse president than Joe Biden.  Or, we need only to look at Vice President Harris. 

After President Andrew Johnson was impeached, and narrowly acquitted, in the spring of 1868, there were no further attempts at impeachment until President Bill Clinton was impeached in the winter of 1998.  Perhaps the need did not present itself.  I wonder, however, if it was because our elected leaders understood that the impeachment of a president is a destructive and divisive process that does the country more harm than good. 

As much as the known evidence seems to indicate that there is reasonable cause to believe that President Biden may have committed such crimes as Influence Pedaling, Accepting Bribes, or even Treason, I hope that the legislative branch will take into consideration the harm that will be done to our country by impeaching him.  I hope they will take a good, hard look at the dangers involved in making Vice President Kamala Harris our next president. 

We only have a year until the next presidential election.  Let’s hope the American voters have learned their lesson.  I pray that the voters will decide they have had enough of Joe Biden, but let's leave it to the voters to decide.

Idleness is Degrading

If we take away a person’s ability to be useful and productive, we rob them of their dignity.  To feel that they are a member of a family, group, or community, people need to be able to contribute to it.  If they cannot, they feel that they are excess baggage – a burden.  Is it any wonder that they become bitter and resentful? 

Carl Rogers said that people need to “self-actualize,” or as the U.S. Army used to put it … to “Be all that you can be.”  As a nation we diminish our fellow citizens when we give them “handouts,” rather than a “hand up.” 

We need to vote for candidates who will return high-paying, responsible jobs to the United States.  In their hearts, people want the opportunity to earn a decent living, rather than to be paid not to work.  Let’s give our friends and neighbors back their dignity, rather than to relegate them to living off government “chump change.” 

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.  For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you.  We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.  We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.  Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” 

Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.  We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.  As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. (2Thessalonians 3:6-13 NLT) * 

 

*  https://biblehub.com/nlt/2_thessalonians/3.htm

Can You Handle the Truth?

We say we want to find the truth.  We study, but when we find the truth, some of us reject it if it contradicts our preconceived notions or conflicts with our preferred style of living.  Then, we continue to search, but we never find the answers that satisfy … because we are looking in the wrong places for the wrong reasons, and listening to the wrong people.  Further, some of us may be seeking the truth with insincere hearts - not seeking the truth in good faith - because we know in our hearts what we want the truth to be, and we will not accept what it is. 

For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires,  and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.               (2Timothy 4:3-4 NAS) 

“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD,

“When I will send a famine on the land,

Not a famine of bread or a thirst for water,

But rather for hearing the words of the LORD.

“People will stagger from sea to sea

And from the north even to the east;

They will roam about to seek the word of the LORD,

But they will not find it. (Amos 8:11-12 NAS)

Some want to suppress the truth.  The “cancel culture” denies a voice to all it disagrees with.  These are deluded people who refuse to accept that there is a God who is greater than their own understanding and desires. 

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,  unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal,  haters of good,  treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. (2Timothy 3:1-5 NAS) 

Many of us deny the existence of absolute truth.  They believe that truth is relative to the way it is perceived.  To paraphrase Star Wars’ Obi-Wan Kenobi, ‘You will find, Luke, that what we believe is true depends greatly on our point of view.’ 

Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”  Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”                   (John 18:37-38 NAS) 

Jesus Christ is the embodiment of absolute truth.  He said:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6 NAS) 

If we truly seek the Truth with an open heart and trusting, childlike faith, the Holy Spirit will lead us to the Truth, which is Christ Jesus.  Jesus said: 

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth …    (John 16:13 NAS) 

We cannot hold anything back.  We must turn away from our desires, wrongdoing, perceptions, points of view, pride of opinion, and other belief systems.  That is called repentance.  Then we must follow Jesus.  He said: 

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26 NAS) 

Jack Nicholson played Colonel Jessep in the movie, A Few Good Men.  Famously, Colonel Jessep shouts from the witness stand, “You can’t handle the truth!” 

Well, can you handle the Truth? 

When we come to know Jesus - absolute truth personified - then we will know the Truth that sets us free. (John 8:32)  Come to Jesus today.  Admit to Him that you have fallen short of God’s righteous standards.  Accept the forgiveness and salvation He has provided for you, and follow Him. 

 Acknowledgement: 

All Bible verses quoted here were copied from, https://biblehub.com