Things I Think…
1. I made the mistake yesterday of wading into the controversy over the video of MAGA hat wearing kids and the Native American drummer. Various internet mobs had assembled, (then disassembled) over yet another “outrage”.
The one question that nobody asked was this…what was actually newsworthy about this confrontation? The correct answer is “absolutely nothing”. Despite this, there are still mob remnants trying to ruin the lives and reputations of all involved depending on which mob you favor. If this incident had happened in the days before we all carried video cameras to document ourselves being righteous and others being wicked, no one would have known or cared…which would have been the correct response…
2. An hour on Facebook is the equivalent of a full shift in a coal mine for me…
3. Call me what you will, but if some guy had beat a drum in my face when I was seventeen…the drum, the drummer, and the drumstick, would have been swiftly and uncomfortably relocated…
4. We want to believe the worst about each other so badly that we are creating a culture where we will make the worst in each other a reality…
5. Some of the worst things we believe about each other are true…which is why we must all commit to finding ways to enable mutual flourishing despite our fallen natures and differences…
6. The insane desire to live according to binary choices in everything means that half your neighbors must lose for you to “win”…and your loss is coming…
7. Internet justice knows nothing about forgiveness, repentance,…or justice…
8. There is such a thing as “toxic masculinity”…but being a male doesn’t make me inherently “toxic”…being a fallen human does…
9. Yes, that non call in the Saints-Rams game was one of the worst ever…but let us be reminded again that life is not fair and no amount of regulation can make it so…
10. Today we honor Dr. King for what he symbolized without apology, though he was a sinner like us…instead of focusing on his failures (as some are want to do), let us be encouraged that God can use any of us for high and holy purposes despite ourselves…
#1 I don’t know anything about the MAGA hat guys or the NA drummer – where was that at the Patriots / Chiefs game?
#7 – you do realize the internet / social media is not real life? When you shut it off, it is gone like it never existed – and it does not exist until you bring it back.
#9 – the Rams game was good. I am sure that if the films of the 1st half were rerun we would find a half dozen obvious blown calls that no one cared about early – but it will be the narrative for the next 2 week’s along with Tom Brady’s wife and his diet.
#10 – 3 cheers to MLK.
MLD,
#7…unfortunately, what happens online now has real offline consequences.
The youngster wearing the MAGA hat has been subjected to death threats, attempts to ruin his college placement, and assorted other harassment for the crime (at most) of being a 17 year old jackass.
If these handheld video cameras had been around when I was 17, I’d be getting out of prison about now… 🙂
Haven’t been able to post for awhile. This was good, Michael. Thank you. Hope very much that you are doing well. 🙂
JM,
I’m hanging in there…good to see you here!
Thank you! I am still here and we continue to intercede for you and your site. 🙂
MLD,
There is a huge temptation to withdraw from social media completely…I debate whether I am helping matters or just causing additional issues…I do know it isn’t healthy for me to spend a lot of time on it…
#10 – Dr. King saved our nation from impending chaos as he was supported and recognized as the beacon of reason… His dream was that all of us be judged by the content of our character.. Amen to that, but…
It’s beginning to look like we’re a nation unable to recognize character, except as it agrees with our mindless preferences…
All I have to say is that those kids should not have been permitted to wear MAGA hats on a school field trip, or a Bernie Button, or Hilary placard, etc.
Back when I taught at a Christian high school, I led a few trips to Europe (Spain & France). Before each trip I gathered the students and the chaperones and told them that they must not wear any clothing that had any kind of slogan on it, period. “Why, Mrs. Moos? What about freedom of speech?” “My dear, the US Constitution does not apply in Europe.” Some of them, mostly parents, still acted like jerks.
This case is different, but I think there’s still an application in there somewhere. Of course they have 1st Amendment rights here in the US, but is the purpose of attending the March for Life to be inflammatory or is the purpose to save babies?
By the way, we can see that Evangelicals aren’t the only ones….
Xenia, are you going to the Chris Hogan book signing in SJ? I saw the list of people on the FB page and saw a Xenia who is EO. I’m not soliciting a meet up, I just thought, “small town!” I don’t normally go to such things but i need to get out of the house. I was there last weekend buying a new tablet and books for the kids.
New Victor, no, it’s not me. I am not familiar with this gentleman.
Michael, to your 12:05.
I only do Facebook, I have never looked at Twitter or Instagram. On FB for the most part I am down to posting my baseball cards, putting up photos of the world’s greatest grandkids (mine) and limiting myself to a couple of wiseass comments a week.
Phoenix Preacher is the only blog I comment on.
My youngest son has been working on me to not work on anything that is not right in front of me. If it’s not in my family or local community I work on not letting it into my world. I read no newspapers and I watch no TV news and I have no cable.
(I still have a few weak spots but I am trying to be carefree of all this stuff by mid year.
Xenia – Christian high school kids on school trips to Europe??? Wow, you must travel in some wealthy social circles. Me and my kids never made it past big museum’s in Southern California. When I was in school and when my kids were in school we never even made trips to Washington DC like I see today.
Is that common? I have 2 grandkids in high school – I don’t think that is on their agendas.
A Dr. King quote you don’t see often on this day, especially by politicians who claim to be committed to carrying forth his dream:
“The time has come for America to face the inevitable choice between materialism and humanism…We must also realize that the problems of racial injustice and economic injustice cannot be solved without a radical redistribution of political and economic power.”
Some theorize that crossing those lines led to his eventual murder. Reading his complete collection of writings and speeches is an eye opener to many whose main exposure is to his I Have A Dream Speech. He preached against what he considered the 3 evils: racism, militarism and capitalism. He was branded a “commie” and subversive by the US govt for reasons which would still get him in plenty of hot water today.
MLD, you are an interesting fellow.
When you talk about certain facets of your theology, I am not convinced.
When you tell us about your work with soup kitchens and your plan to avoid media and attend to what is is front of you, I find you to be a shining example.
(Maybe it was the food bank, not the soup kitchen. )
Xenia – what does my theology have to do with any of what I said? Are you actually trying to make a case that my theology does not match my actions?
I am sure it made sense in your head as you were typing, but it seemed out of left field reading it.
Xenia didn’t say anything about your theology not matching your actions.
She was just saying she didn’t agree with parts of your theology. Then
she gave you a huuuuuuuuuuge compliment.
Why so negative and reactionary?
Bob 1 – are you a BOT? you seem to automatically pop up after I post. Him, silly me talking to a BOT.
It’s not connected to anything said today.
Your theology: Not my cup of tea.
Your actions: Admirable.
That’s all.
I don’t think MLD ever expects to hear anything good said about him here so I don’t blame him for being suspicious. 🙂
Xenia – thank you for clarifying.
Trust me, my theology is much more consistent than my actions.
my theology is much more consistent than my actions.<<<
That's probably true for all of us.
Anne,
Thank you for your wonderful post about Dr. King!
#1 – Looking at the dust up today over the Catholic teenagers… Yesterday i saw a much more extended video of the event – no it wasn’t on Fox lol.
The kids were standing in a group (waiting for their bus, i believe). A group of activists approached them, shouting really ugly insults. This went on for quite a while and then this elderly native american drummer crossed the drive and got right up in the face of the boy. The boy stood his ground. Is that immature or wrong? If that boy were my son, i’d be proud of him. I’m sure he wasn’t very comfortable and i don’t believe his smile should have been interpreted as a “smirk” – no matter how MAGA offends some…
What is going on.
Yes, I’m a bot.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha