Assassination

I was just thinking about - - - -

When our children were being nurtured, a song they were taught contained these words: “Be careful little mouth what you say…The Father up above is looking down in love – Be careful little mouth what you say.” It would be a wonderful premise and practice in the world of politics if each involved individual would guard their lips, thoughts, and expressed words. That has bearing on a word that was used in a political response yesterday (Friday) – Assassination.

There is a connotation that is inescapable with such a word. It implies a plot, or scheme, or desire to eliminate another individual from the public discourse or political arena. Some words have a sharp “bite” to them – they sting, as well as conjure up all kinds of historical reflections from the past. Many of us lived through a bleak period in history when in seemingly quick succession three prominent men were assassinated – John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy. It was so unexpected and so unnecessary. Political protest is one thing – murder of a person is another. There was also the attempt on the life of George Wallace on May 15, 1972 when he ran for President.

It is very disappointing to have a political candidate reference the possibility of an Assassination in terms of why that one is remaining in the political contests at this point. This is a remark that was first made on March 6, 2008 in an interview with TIME Magazine Managing Editor Richard Stengel. Then yesterday, in an interview with the South Dakota newspaper the Argus Leader, the comment again was made: “We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California…” The comments are marginal and seem to have a touch of both the cynical and sadistic. It’s difficult to imagine that one’s hopes and availability would be tied to such a desperate and vain possibility. Assassination is not just a Bullet aimed for another human being. In the past year, a political leader in Kiev, Ukraine was subjected to a chemical substance. Some may remember April 5, 2007 and the political challenge between President Viktor Yushchenko and his rival, Premier Viktor Yanukvych.

One other area is Character Assassination. The attempt to raise question and suspicion about a rival for an office or position. This is an attempt to verbally besmirch the good name and character of a person. Words are like feathers in the wind – once they are uttered, they reach many places very quickly. With the availability of the Internet, words said in a somewhat semi-private setting are suddenly broadcast throughout the world. In the Bible, James 2:19-20, we read: “…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God…” Also, in James 3:6-8, “…the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

In Matthew 12: 36-37, Jesus would remind His followers, and all others that: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Since that is true, each one should have as the axiom of life: “Be careful little mouth what you say!”

Think about that with me - - -