FECKLESS VERSUS RECKLESS

From My Perspective - - -

World events have a way of generating both concern and controversy. The current trends are bringing about a drift from sound and sane moral values to an accommodation with the whims and wishes of a culture in chaos. A book was written in 1996 that addressed the trends that are being witnessed today. Wikipedia describes this book and author: “Slouching Towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline by former United States Court of Appeals judge Robert H. Bork. Bork's thesis in the book is that American and more generally Western culture is in a state of decline and that the cause of this decline is modern liberalism and the rise of the New Left. Specifically, he attacks modern liberalism for what he describes as its dual emphases on radical egalitarianism and radical individualism.” If Bork was alive today, one can only wonder if he would have written a sequel to Slouching Towards Gomorrah and entitled if Arrival In Gomorrah.

As current events unfold, there is considerable discussion across the spectrum of the present role of the United States of America in the world. Does this nation remain as the most dependable bastion of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Can other nations respect the posture and standards of our nation? Do they see and have confidence that this nation is a reliable ally on whom they can depend? IN yesterday’s Washing Post, an Opinion Writer – Dana Milbank headlined his column: “Obama: The Feckless Tyrant.” He wrote the following: “President Obama is such a weak strongman. What’s more, he is a feeble dictator and a timid tyrant. That, at any rate, is Republicans’ critique of him. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Obama’s critics pivoted seamlessly from complaining about his overreach to fretting that he is being too cautious. Call it Operation Oxymoron.”

What is meant by the term feckless? It is defined as: "worthless, irresponsible, weak, ineffective.” In a Weekly Standard Blog on March 01, William Kristol wrote: “Putin Acts, Obama Affirms.” Kristol goes on to write: “Here's President Obama on Friday: The United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine. Characteristically, Obama establishes a few degrees of separation between himself and actually acting. He doesn't say, straightforwardly, that the United States will lead the international community in imposing costs for any military intervention in Ukraine. No. The United States will stand with others in affirming that there will be costs. One suspects that President Putin isn't very worried about affirmations of future costs by the international community. He's seen Bashar al-Assad survive similar affirmations. Putin, like Assad, understands actions, not affirmations.” It appears that Putin views Obama as one who is feckless. While our nation may view Putin as reckless, it appears that Putin has no fear of any significant reprisals for his actions in Crimea, Ukraine.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 includes the following: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: “…a time to be silent and a time to speak…a time for war and a time for peace.” It is predictable that for almost anything that occurs the USA President will give a speech or prolonged comment about it. The question is: Is that the appropriate policy and procedure? A general principle is that “actions speak louder than words.” We are long overdue for integrity to return in our nation so that people will once again “say what they mean and mean what they say.” A basic truth for all people and applicable for all situations is stated in Proverbs 10:19-21, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.” Proverbs 18:21 adds: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” In the midst of the confusion and controversy of this day, in Ukraine are (1) Missionaries and servants of the Lord who are doing excellent ministry, and (2) brothers and sisters in Christ, some of whom are willing to die for the cause of freedom and liberty. Pray faithfully for them and be an equally courageous and concerned citizen in our nation. Consider these things with me.