Before I turn this over to you all, I am compelled to comment on a couple of things.
The Trump regime has declared war on drug cartels and that’s the justification for blowing Venezuelan boats out of the water.
The problem with this is that Venezuela is a bit player in the drug war…the big players are neighboring countries Columbia and Bolivia.
That’s where the worlds supply of cocaine comes from…this isn’t a war on drugs ,it’s regime change.
Another problem lies in the term “cartel”.
20 years ago there were five or six defined cartels in Mexico with identifiable leaders.
We killed or jailed those leaders.
The leaders weren’t replaced with another boss…they were replaced by multiple leaders as the groups splintered.
What we’re left with now are countless gangs that morph continually.
All this to say that this is all political theatre and does nothing to address America’s very real drug problem.
Finally, if you claim to be pro-life and abhor the trafficking of children…what ICE is doing to detained children should sicken you.
“Credible reports have come to Immigration attorneys that ICE is planning an operation targeting children.
Beginning tomorrow, reports are ICE will launch an operation reportedly named “Freaky Friday,” targeting unaccompanied immigrant children aged 14 and older of all nationalities. Many if not most of these kids qualify for relief (and eventually a “green card”) as abused, abandoned or neglected children.
· Children detained and released will be sent a “threat” letter from ICE threatening indefinite detention and immediate transfer to ICE upon age-out (kids turning 18) if they do not waive jurisdiction under the TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION REATHORIZATION ACT and withdraw any applications for relief.
· Children will be offered $2,500 to return to their countries of origin.
· If children do not comply with the “offer”, ICE is lowkey threatening that their parents in the US will be arrested.
· ICE plans to detain all age-outs) and they anticipate legal challenges.
· There are indications that the age threshold may be lowered to children as young as 10 years old.
· ICE apparently plans to first target detained children but will also target children released from custody.”
Teenagers put on a plane (and sent to God knows where) have very little hope that they will remain in any kind of safety…and have very high odds of being trafficked.
Now, it’s all yours today…
The Trump government and movement does not really care about child trafficking. They have used the subject to smear their opponents with false allegations in the same way as they’ve used antisemitism, though they don’t actually care about either. They wouldn’t hesitate to third-country-remove juveniles if they thought they could get away with it. Eventually they will think they can get away with it, because they’ve gotten away with so much already, and are likely to get away with more. When MAGA accuses other people of doing something nefarious, it is really a confession of what they intend or are already doing.
The declaration of war on cartels is about regime change, and wag-the-dog. The regime has already had our military commit murder in the Caribbean by demolishing what are likely to have been fishing boats, since the regime has not supplied a shred of evidence that the boats were transporting drugs (even if they were, it would still be murder).
And I’m wondering: why has there been a deafening silence about the motive of Charlie Kirk’s assassin in the last weeks? I speculate that the corrupt FBI could not find evidence that the killer was radicalized online, or anywhere else, by leftist ideology, i.e., that the motive for the assassination does not fit the narrative the Trump government wants Americans to believe. Just as the Epstein files don’t fit MAGA’s ideological matrix, so they are not being released.
Robert F, looks like the deafening silence about Kirk is over. I’m sure this is an aberration.
Joel Webbon Calls For The Execution Of Charlie Kirk’s Assassin To Be ‘Nationally Televised’
https://www.peoplefor.org/rightwingwatch/joel-webbon-calls-execution-charlie-kirks-assassin-be-nationally-televised?utm_source=rww&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bestof
bob1, Read that horrifying linked article, but still didn’t see anything that goes to evidence of the assassin’s motive. I’ll wait for new info about that matter with an open mind…. but open at both ends, like my digestive tract.
I see the Trump state terrorists have destroyed another boat in the Caribbean and killed four more people who were in the boat. Once again, not a jot of evidence that these victims of the U.S. were drug smugglers, though, even if they were, it would not justify the action taken by our government. The goal of these acts is to create an atmosphere of terror in the Caribbean near Venezuela, and there is absolutely no concern for innocence or guilt of those killed, or for proportionality. This is state terror waged by the U.S. Make no mistake about it, if they are willing to practice state terror on anonymous South Americans, they are willing to do so against citizens of the U.S. as well. You can count on it.
The thing that bothers me so much is not the “we have to enforce our borders and laws.” We do.
It’s the giddy joy and celebration they have at the misery of people far less fortunate.
Always punching down.
— Adam Kinzinger (who, FWIW, is a professing Xn)
All of my MAGA critics come out of the woodwork to call me everything but holy when I write something that offends them…but when I post a human rights atrocity of MAGA making I hear nothing.
Silence.
Michael, Part of it may be that MAGA has been taught very well and effectively by its founder never to admit being wrong, and never to apologize; one strategy for doing that is not acknowledging the existence of inconvenient truths or realities. What one doesn’t acknowledge doesn’t exist, that seems to be the mindset.
Will anyone vouch for blowing up these boats with no due process? This is another thing that I don’t understand. Assuming the inhabitants are guilty of drug trafficking, is that even punishable by death?
Fascinating possibilities for ACNA and the other Anglican splinter groups here in the States now that it seems the next Archbishop of Canterbury will be a woman.
GAFCON has already called on her to “repent” and declared that Archbishop Mullally “cannot provide leadership to the Anglican Communion.” Wonder if ACNA and the rest will follow suit to the point of a potential formal departure from the Communion, or is it just hollow petulance?
We surrender to Christ, but conveniently forget that He surrendered to a Roman cross.
As I read the comments, some filled with rage, I am reminded of a conversation with a SBC Pastor I was friends with and helped his church.
He said, “Our Church (the SBC) growth plan is a Church split.”
Michael, no crickets from me.
The good thing I see in this Administration over previous ones (not just Biden) is the actual recognition that there is a problem with children and the trafficking thereof.
The problem is this, it is such a problem the solution at the National level is overwhelming.
Over the years of working with women at many levels, I was shocked at the level of sexual abuse women across the USA and world endure when they are young (not to mention as adults). I bring this up because at the heart of the child problem are the male predators into world.
How do we stop the male predators? They are literally everywhere and at all levels of the culture, from the lowest drunkard to the highest educated most liberal Phd. We even had a President (okay more than one) who abuse women in the White House.
Like the drug war, the supply will continue because the market will never end.
But your concern seems to be the immediate treatment of these children and their family’s. I wish there was a simpler solution to this and the drug problem.
The problem has been from the beginning to the highest level of men:
“Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives (more accurate “women”) for themselves, whomever they chose.”
My wife has said the only solution is to cut off that part of a man which is so special to him.
Maybe a public hanging will have a greater effect.
Like all things, facilitating bad behavior is never the answer.
TH, This administration certainly talks about child trafficking a lot, and child trafficking is certainly an immense problem, but behind their talk is the goal of smearing their opponents with false charges, not remedying the problem; and they embody like no other administration in my lifetime the kind of bullying psychology and attitude and actions that are at the heart of all forms of child abuse, as well as spousal abuse.
‘The good thing I see in this Administration over previous ones (not just Biden) is the actual recognition that there is a problem with children and the trafficking thereof.”
How the hell can you not see how ludicrous a statement that is when this administration is actually facilitating child trafficking by sending unaccompanied children to another country with money in their pocket?
They will last 15 minutes…evil will be waiting for them.
Tec-Dan,
As an Anglican, I have no issues with a woman bishop.
Having brushed shoulders with ACNA, they have their own issues…the tradition is in trouble in the U.S.
“How the hell can you not see how ludicrous a statement that is when this administration is actually facilitating child trafficking by sending unaccompanied children to another country with money in their pocket?”
I know how much you hate this man and have never held back in this Administration or his last one.
The problem with this statement of yours is this, how do you propose to fix the problem?
Yes, from one problem to another, there are always consequences, but to do nothing is also par of the problem. Further complaining about the problem does nothing except add to the tension and problem. Of course sometimes the squeaky wheel does get a little oil. So pointing out the issue sometimes brings enough attention to have something done.
Except these days it seems there are a whole lot of squeaky wheels and very few oilers.
I hate child abuse. I personally stepped up and led in church from the nursery to the high school age. You know what? The blessing didn’t come in warm fuzzies at the time (in fact those days were some of my most stressful ones in life). It came when young men and women recognized me later in their lives and told me their stories of how we helped them face their never ending issues.
That’s “how in the hell” I can make the “ludicrous” statement. I saw and did, and hope others will do!
Robert F. Not much to write except your hatred will overcome and consume you.
They made a very moving movie about child trafficking which you are familiar with, “Sound of Freedom.”
Tim Ballard, the founder of the organization was later accused and sued for sexual misconduct especially in his undercover operations.
“The lawsuit went on to state that Ballard began abusing the “couples ruse”, in which Ballard had women pose undercover as his wife or girlfriend to fool traffickers on purported rescue missions, and used it as a tool for sexual grooming”
Sadly, here’s a man with the highest intentions and yet used the tension of the operation to please himself.
It never ends!
What’s the saying? “The road to hell is paved with…”
Every action has consequences.
I loved the movie, cried for the children and then looked into the man.
What a life lesson for us all.
TH,
I have been very clear for about 25 years here…very clear.
We need comprehensive immigration reform, but both sides of the aisle have profited from avoiding it and exploiting these people.
What never ceases to amaze me is that folks like you will never simply say that actions like I have reported are wrong…simply wrong and really evil.
I don’t read Robert F as hateful…simply telling the truth.
Michael, I’m Episcopalian (though I spend nearly all my Sundays among Lutherans [ELCA], my wife serving as a church musician on alternate Sundays in two Lutheran parishes), and I have no issues with a woman Archbishop of Canterbury.
TH, It seems to me the real hate more likely lies with people who would support public execution or mutilation for any criminal; regardless of their crimes, however heinous,each one bears the image of God, and inhumane punishment only supports a view of creation in which violent and cruel punishment is seen as the only true path to salvation. BTW, such kinds of punishment do not prevent crime; ancient Rome had among the most inhumane punishments in all history for crime of every sort, all done in public in arenas around the Empire, and yet it was riddled with violent crime, to the point that no one dared go outside after dark without an armed escort. What such punishment did was to create a societal atmosphere of public cruelty and violence, feeding the fires of even more crime. Like the pickpockets who worked the crowd that gathered to watch public executions as a form of entertainment in “Christian” London for centuries.
But if you want to upbraid some about hate, you would do better to send a communication to our POTUS, one of the world’s greatest and most powerful and self-confessed proud haters; after all, my hate can only overcome and consume me and mine, but his is on the path to undoing and consuming a whole country and whole people groups.
“What never ceases to amaze me is that folks like you will never simply say that actions like I have reported are wrong…simply wrong and really evil.”
Yes, I have read your positions many times over the years. And as far as stating evil and wrong, well I have but, maybe not to you.
I have my circle and have fallen on my own sword more than once over things which are just wrong and evil. This one is your sword to help bring reform.
You have to admit Trump has gotten more attention from you than any other President in spite of their failed immigration policies which lead up to the current crisis.
As far as immigration reform goes, name and be specific about what you would change and do if you were king. I’ve heard the “reform” thing so many times it has become empty words.
Put some meat into it and let your readers know what you want changed.
Rober F
The voters get what they voted for. Change it in the next cycle.
As you know by now, I don’t hold the same cynical view of our Nation. Voters will sway it back and forth but always moving towards more liberal positions. Clinton’s policies these days would be really conservative by comparison.
Michael,
Don’t waste your breath. They will never admit that the man and administration they supported have done anything wrong or evil. They’ve been well-trained by the master denier himself, and his many acolytes. It’s a quasi-religious political cult, same stuff as Jim Jones, only on the far right and nationwide.
Robert F
Do you ever say anything good about anyone or is the “sky falling” in your world?
TH,
Well, I have a very high opinion of J.B. Pritzker. He’s a real antifascist.
Do I have your approval now?
Do you ever say anything good about anyone or is the “sky falling” in your world?
TH,
Is it really necessary to engage in a personal attack?
bob1,
Let MAGA be MAGA.
bob1,
Although to be fair, I did make very negative remarks about MAGAs, which I don’t in the least retract, but if he’s MAGA I guess that makes what I said a personal for him.
Bob 1
I’m not the one who continually goes on and on about the destruction of the world we live in.
If people can complain then they should also be able to defend their positions including the continued hate and negativity.
That includes myself.
What I think about is what I become. “You are what you eat” remains true.
You do know that Dusty has a valid point.
Michael,
It’s pretty clear that Americans have irreconcilable differences. The Black Hawk helicopter federal raid of an apartment building in the Chicago area the other night, in which every person in the building was arrested, most of them Black, many American, including at least one American who showed Real ID, and not given access to requested legal representation or shown a warrant when he asked for one, their apartments trashed by the federal raiders and possessions destroyed, reports of children being zip tied by the feds: all this is a model for how we can expect the Trump federal government to treat all Americans if it decides that’s what it wants to do. I’m not willing to make nice with those who defend this kind of thuggery anymore. It’s over. Nice will come when the odious behavior of the feds stops, and they start treating human being like human beings, and I know that won’t happen for a long long time. Right now the behavior of federal officers and federal officials is getting worse and worse every day, and they’re getting away with it. Criminals are ruling and policing America. It is not the time to play nice; playing nice right now is a betrayal of humane values and decency.
Robert F
I have never been MAGA, but I do have a red hat (as well as a tan, white, blue and black hats).
I normally wear the white one when it’s hot outside.
I looked up and the sky was still there.
TH,
You’re not the center of the universe. Just because it was still there for you, doesn’t mean the sky was still there for everyone. For instance, those people, mostly poor people, whose apartments were left in shambles and whose possessions were destroyed by the federal Black Hawk helicopter raid and mass arrest in Chicago: for many of them, the sky was no longer there after that raid, through no fault of their own, but because of the sadistic whims of a heartless federal government and its good squad agents.
You should only wear black hats.
That circle you mentioned earlier in one of your comments? The one that won’t call evil evil and in disputation with which you fell on your sword more than once (I hope you’ve recovered)? Are they Falangists? Maybe you need a new circle.
Robert F
Correction:….it’s goon squad…
I teach on Saturdays, so I’ve been busy.
If someone cannot say in a discussion (that they have participated in) that the intentional trafficking of teenagers is evil, I have nothing left to converse with that person about.
Robert F, I tend to think as you do…the sky is falling for a lot of people.
I will disagree on one point…we still have to follow the way of Jesus as much as we can in these troubled times…as difficult as that is at times.
Michael,
Yes, Michael, but Jesus’ didn’t play nice all the time. He did the right thing, and wasn’t apologetic about it. As for Americans, each one faced a choice in the years leading up to and into the Civil War; any resistance to slavery, including the occasional violent rebellions of the enslaved Blacks, was more in keeping with the teachings of Jesus than the behavior of the slavers and the slave states was. We are at the cusp of a moment analogous in extremity, if not in exact detail, with that time. The sky is not falling; it’s black.
Robert F,
I can find no warrant in scripture for any kind of violent response.
Trust me, this is more difficult for me than most.
“Love your enemy”…
Robert F
You are a toxic man as well is the direction of this discussion. Since you seem to have a handle on Jesus but hate the scriptures. Here is a famous one you should look up at.
“ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
“Think on these things’…hard to do when children and the poor are being victimized…but, you do you…
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”
“Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.”
“This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!”
I could go on if we’re having a Baptist sword drill…
TH,
Since we’re now making wholesale condemnations of character, I think you are a subtle, snaky apologist for all that is most oppressive and unjust in the habits of human society, and a man full of hate that he projects onto others. As for Scripture, it has often been used, like patriotism, as the last refuge for scoundrels and tyrants down through the history of the human race. Not all who quote it are such scoundrels; Michael is not, but you are.
Michael,
Michael, The Christians of America’s Revolutionary period, and the abolitionist Christians of the period leading up to and into the Civil War, did not agree with you about armed resistance to the tyranny of King George or the tyranny of slavery. They were thoroughly familiar with their Bibles, and found their warrant for resistance in their Bibles. But I respect and understand your position.
Robert F
Unlike Michael, who actually built and continues with a web site to express and fight for his views, I suspect you are a keyboard warrior with little to zero actual application in real life for your views.
Your hatred filled rants continue to reveal much about your heart, especially the not so subtle call for armed conflict in the USA. Comments like yours lead to actual violence against those who disagree with you.
Good luck to you and I hope you find peace or at least a purpose beyond these hate filled internet keyboard wars.
Comments like yours lead to actual violence against those who disagree with you.
This is bull.
Facts show that the right is responsible for 75-80% of political violence in America.
“Based on government and independent analyses, right-wing extremist violence has been responsible for the overwhelming majority of fatalities, amounting to approximately 75% to 80% of U.S. domestic terrorism deaths since 2001.”
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/right-wing-extremist-violence-is-more-frequent-and-deadly-than-left-wing-violence-data-shows
Next.
Bob 1
I am assuming you actually read the article and are showing your prejudices and confusion.
“These incidents reflect a normalization of political violence. Threats and violence are increasingly treated as acceptable for achieving political goals, posing serious risks to democracy and society.”
I also assume you forgot to read what Robert F wrote,
“The Christians of America’s Revolutionary period, and the abolitionist Christians of the period leading up to and into the Civil War, did not agree with you about armed resistance to the tyranny of King George or the tyranny of slavery. They were thoroughly familiar with their Bibles, and found their warrant for resistance in their Bibles. ”
Let me point out that this/his statement could be considered a “right wing” or possibly “far right” position justifying armed violence.
You seem to be stuck on some idea that I am “MAGA” or something else you have cooked up in your thoughts.
Go easy Bob 1, your thoughts could possibly be considered “far right.” Maybe you should give a definition of what a “far right” is.
Things get really fuzzy when you and others start throwing out terms without defining them.
Next!!!!
I hope you also find peace somewhere in all this chaos.
Bob 1
I might point you to a better article:
https://www.csis.org/analysis/who-are-antifa-and-are-they-threat
The problem and difficulty with your post is you use an article which points at the “far right” and yet the issue is, do words and cultural influence incite others to violence and often times armed violence.
The answer is clearly yes.
It doesn’t matter if one is truly a white supremacists, a Nazi or part of any anarchistic organization calling for the downfall of others, words do matter.
People are influenced by words and emotions into doing some really evil things. They are also influence by words of peace and redemption.
You make you own choices.
TH,
You are right about that. Words do matter. Dehumanizing others leads to an atmosphere in which their lives are devalued. That is what I dislike most about Trump, he dehumanizes and demonizes people more than any other president, or ordinary person, I’ve ever known. And he’s rubbed off on me; I’ve allowed him to rub off on me. His words have had an effect on me. I’ve become someone who dehumanize and demonizes Trump and many others in his movement without hesitation. I’ve been getting worse and worse over the last decade; it’s time to stop. It throttles even the chance of hope and poisons the heart. I don’t want to go into the dark night of this country with a heart full of even greater darkness. Better to silence lips and heart. You are right.
Michael,
Thanks for tolerating my outbursts. You are a good man, and a true lover of Christ. I’ll be signing off now. Take care of yourself.
“What Peter Wehner said needs not only to be said. It needs to stop some in their tracks. It needs to turn some people around. Some have spoken of the “great unveiling” of American churches. Here is what needs to be unveiled. Two paragraphs.
“I say all this to provide context for my next observation, which may help explain this moment: Politics fills the void left by faith, and it’s doing so in ways that I’ve never quite seen before. For many fundamentalists and evangelicals, politics meets the longing and the needs that aren’t being met by churches and traditional faith communities. If there is something useful that has come of the Trump era, and there’s not much, it is that it has offered a diagnostic CT scan of much of American Christianity. Trump and the MAGA movement capitalized on, and then amplified, the problems facing Christian communities, but they did not create them.
Politics, especially culture-war politics, provides many fundamentalists and evangelicals with a sense of community and a common enemy. It gives purpose and meaning to their life, turning them into protagonists in a great drama pitting good against evil. They are vivified by it. And they reassure one another, time and again, that the dark passions are actually expressions of righteousness.
“They consecrate their resentments. As a result, they deform what many of us consider to be the most compelling voice and life there ever was, an itinerant preacher who 2,000 years ago traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching new commandments on some days and healing the sick and the social outcasts on others, all the while proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
That void cannot be filled with politics. It can’t.”
–Scot McKnight and Peter Wehner
Robert F,
I’ve greatly enjoyed your company and support…the door is always open.
bob1,
That’s a great piece…I thought about posting it too…thanks
Robert, exactly what Michael said. Love you, brother.
“Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded to…”
https://theonion.com/nobel-prize-in-medicine-awarded-to-tums/
I first read Robert F years ago over on Internet Monk and was always blessed his comments. He had that rare combination of heart, honesty and intellect. It’s been good to read him again.
Internet Monk…man that brings up some memories. I thought Robert F’s name seemed familiar.
I’ve been peeking in on the blog recently. I’m sorry some have decided to leave: I would’ve loved to have said hey (hopefully I won’t have to wait until heaven). Jesus has been doing a great work in me since Mom passed; my biggest wish right now is I wish I had gotten this hard-core when I got saved, years ago…
Amazon is having itself another Prime Days deal this week. Should I pick up Jon Courson’s commentaries? 😀
(just kidding. I did pick up the Word commentary on Galatians. I’m setting up for a study on the fruits of the Spirit. Also got both volumes of Church History by Ferguson, Wooldridge and James, the UBC commentary on John by Michaels and the introduction to the OT by Longman and Dillard. Best prices you’ll probably see on those books for quite awhile).
I’ve put my study on Jesus and the Gospel of John on pause, since I’m reading thru the Bible daily on the M’Cheyene plan and reading books on my other project, prayer. I feel called to a level of prayer beyond what God calls everyone to do: it’s like majoring in prayer, if that makes sense.
My mom was a great prayer warrior, and I’ve had several people affirm that same gift in me. Can you be called to prayer, like some are called to preach, etc.?
Anyway, I’m reading thru Tyler Staton’s book on prayer, with Paul Miller’s A Praying Life on deck. I also want to read thru Keller, Packer, Foster, Kevin Halloran, Sproul and others.
BrianD,
Yes, you can be called to prayer…all of us are, but some have a special gifting.
It’s not a popular calling…no one sees it, but it is the most powerful of the callings…