Hello, Mirror - so glad to see you my friend, it's been a while
Searching, Fearless - where do I begin to heal this wound of self-denial
- This Dying Soul, Dream Theater
At least for the moment, Trump has lost the election. Sure, we can point to dozens of anomalies, inconsistencies, manipulations, etc. If these ever come to light and if action is taken by the appropriate authorities and if the result swings enough votes, then maybe Trump wins. But that’s a lot of “ifs” that have to happen for one “maybe.” I am not betting on it.
For a start, don’t count on anything coming from the DOJ or Barr. First of all, absolutely nothing was done regarding the lies of the last four years, so why would they do anything now with less than two months to go?
These are career bureaucrats, not about to jeopardize their standing with the new president – hell, they want Trump out anyway. Even if Trump fires any of them now (or they resign, as a few have), Biden will hire them again on day two.
If any official action is taken, it will come only from the state level – state legislatures, state courts, etc. I don’t even think the Supreme Court will get in the way of this. When has Roberts had a spine on anything?
But my point isn’t really any of this. My point is to put the blame where it belongs, and the blame belongs squarely on the shoulders of the large majority of republican voters over the last decades. In other words, the blame falls on you.
You've been blinded, living lie a one-way cold existence all the while
Now it's time to stare the problem right between the eyes you long lost child
“Oh, they are lying to us about the ballots; they are manipulating the results; it is an overthrow of a legitimately elected president.” Sure, exactly like what the US intelligence agencies and military have been doing for decades overseas. Toppling governments, color revolutions, destroying dozens of countries. You cheer it on then, and now that it is obvious that they are doing this to you (like it wasn’t obvious years ago) you complain? On what basis?
You have accepted all the lies, all of the evil, all of the torture – not merely accepted it, but bathed in it and glorified it. You cheered them on every Sunday morning in church. When the one honest man, Ron Paul, told you otherwise, you booed him off of the stage.
Julian Assange published documents and videos exposing these crimes, and you call for a beheading. Edward Snowden gave details on domestic spying, and you want life in prison.
Every action taken by the same actors that now have handed you this election defeat, you have cheered. Oh, but now you don’t like it.
Your fearless admissions
Will help expel your destructive obsessions
With my help I know you can
Be at one with God and man
This is something you have to own. Admit it, beg God for forgiveness, and move forward in truth.
This is on your shoulders. Only you can fix it.
Conclusion
It's time you made your amends
Look in the mirror my friend
- The Mirror, Dream Theater
Preach it, brother! You've got my vote. Since I still retained it by not participating in the recent farce known as a democratically free election, it is mine to bestow and I give it to you. A warning, however, don't even think about changing your message or I'll pull my support and endorsement.
ReplyDeleteIn a society such as ours, it is too easy to avoid personal responsibility. After all, this is America and we are rich. Well, yes, and the wheels are now visibly coming off and most of us will have to get off the wagon into the mud and soil our pretty clothes in order to get it moving again. Unfortunately, there are too many passengers who would rather push others off so that they can get a chance at "holding" the reins and the whip.
I look at this development as a good thing. Not that Trump is losing, but that he has been shown to be a false god and the misguided faith and trust that people placed in the system has failed to produce anything of lasting value. Eyes are being opened to the truth and will continue to be as we travel farther down this muddy track.
Trump may have been dethroned, at least publicly, but Jesus Christ has not. His Kingdom and His Mission are still advancing, no matter what it seems like at ground level. No matter what, His words still hold true. "I will build My Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it." Also, "The servant is not greater than the Master and if they persecuted Me, they will persecute you." Furthermore, "It is harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich "country" to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
Does He love us? Then we should be prepared and willing to endure the discipline which is coming and learn from it, so that we don't have to go through it again.
One final note. Eventually all of us will stand before God and answer for our lives. At that point, it will have no effect at all to blame someone else or to say I voted for the lesser of two evils in order to bring about some good. At that point, we will be completely alone, completely individual in facing the truth about ourselves and there will be no excuses. We should be practicing for that event right now--in real time.
"... he has been shown to be a false god and the misguided faith and trust that people placed in the system has failed to produce anything of lasting value."
DeleteI agree with you on the false god part, but the people still have faith in him - or, I guess, they are just voting for the lesser of two evils.
"...don't even think about changing your message..."
I don't "think" about it, it just evolves. Look back at the earliest posts under the libertarians & culture tab at the top. I certainly am not the same person, and am grateful for this.
Who has claims Trump to be god or a god?
DeleteDo not confuse people using phrases to trigger Democrats with an actual belief.
Is humor dead? Or, sarcasm beyond some people's comprehension?
"...don't even think about changing your message..." was meant as an approval of the direction you are headed. It was not meant as a directive to always stay the same and never consider any change in the way you think. Change of thought is good as long as it brings one closer to the truth and should be embraced by everyone. I know for certain that my "message" has evolved over the years and I am also grateful.
DeletePerhaps I should have been less facetious. My language toward others is also evolving and improving, as I learn to weigh my words more carefully. I am also grateful for this.
Jaime,
DeleteWould you prefer that the statist system of salvation be seen as the god and that Trump was elevated to the position of high priest in the minds of many millions of people? Either way, to those people, Trump can do no wrong and he is seen as the only thing which can restore America to its former "greatness" or glory.
This is a false hope and belief. Since Trump is the visible, audible part of this, then he has become, in effect, God. Like every other person who has been elevated to that position, he will fall and those who were deceived by the "message" will have their faith shattered.
Like Bionic mentioned, we need to own up to the fact that we are personally responsible for the condition of our world, our country, and our own souls. As long as we refuse to admit this and change our ways (repent of our sins), we will point the finger at someone else and blame them for our trouble.
No, there is only one individual who is the problem. I see him every time I look in the mirror.
“Above all else, the time has come for us to renew our faith in ourselves and in America." -- Richard Nixon, from his inaugural address, January 20, 1973
DeleteThis is as succinct a description of the false religious belief that I have ever seen. By one of the most corrupt persons who ever achieved god-like status among his supporters.
Roger, I took your comment as tongue in cheek. You have contributed here in good faith for some time now. So, perhaps, I should be more careful about how I reply!
DeleteRoger,
DeleteWhat a timely quote and I agree wholeheartedly. History may not repeat itself but it sure rhymes often.
Let's not forget the great intrinsic evil of abortion. It cries out for justice.
ReplyDeleteAbortion is kind of the flip side of my argument in this post (and I agree with you about it being intrinsically evil).
DeleteIn this post, my point is that the wars, torture, spying, election fraud, etc., when perpetrated on others, is precisely why many republican voters vote republican. Now they don't like that they are the target.
But republican voters also vote republican because of abortion (albeit, republican politicians just give this topic lip service).
Bionic lobbing bombs! I love it. Every evil comes as a result of the failure to live by the law of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteWhat you describe above is a failing on the part of Republicans to love one's 'neighbor' as one's self on the scale of nations. Ron Paul often tried to appeal to this instinct among Republicans (many of whom are purportedly Christian) during the presidential debates when explaining foreign policy. He'd say something like, "how would you feel if they were doing that to us?" (Ron Paul is a treasure for the ages. I think he is the best man to ever set foot in American politics.)
His message wasn't well received at the time, but I think that Dr. Paul's truth bombs on foreign policy sunk deep into the Republican self-conscience and have inaugurated a sea change on the Right in regards to foreign policy. We're not quite there yet, but we're on the good path. Neocons no longer hold the reins of power, though they are still powerfully waiting on the sidelines. Here's to hoping they get tired of the bench and all cross over to the Dems to support the Biden agenda.
We saw many of them cross over once Trump was elected. I think they would want to keep a strong foothold in both parties, lest they lose control of the election process. All the while, ensuring that the rules are stacked against any other party from doing anything meaningful.
DeleteAgree with your general overview, bionic and raise it with my 'Look in DaMirror' rhetoric: "If not us, who? The destruction of the ‘American Way’ accelerated under my watch – and yours, if you’re anywhere my age – so let’s fess up – we were part of the problem. How so? We let a bunch of ‘developmentally arrested’ adolescent know nothings take over the entire culture and country – every institution you can name is run by so-called liberals (fascists is a better word). It took them over 100 years, but let’s face it – they are in charge and they are not bashful about telling us that they are.'' - copied from my website.
ReplyDeleteHowever, that is as far as I will go - this AIN'T over. Why so?
Trump is NOT your average GOP lie down dog. Just today I posted this: "Holy Smoke? There is so much smoke, it is hard to see DaFire – actually, you have to be blind not to see it! – CL" - https://crushlimbraw.blogspot.com/2020/11/holy-smoke-there-is-so-much-smoke-it-is.html - containing a number of links to 'unauthorized' sources.
Last Thursday I said this fight is just beginning - https://crushlimbraw.blogspot.com/2020/11/if-you-wonder-why-i-often-archive-vox.html - again multiple sources.
And BTW - since SCOTUS is now involved - PA's Supreme Court just spit in the face of SCOTUS - read the details. Thus it became personal with Judge Alito.
Don't judge by past GOP surrender - politicians are excellent wind sniffers - and DaWind is definitely shifting.
Stay tuned - damn DaTorpedoes - full steam ahead!
And remember – Never Argue With Yogi Berra: It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!:)
Crush, I hope you are right. If only to expose the dramatic lying, cheating and stealing.
DeleteBut, boy, it will result in violence even as soon as one state turns. The violence, of course, a) can't be avoided, and b) is clearly desired by the left both at the top and at the bottom in any case.
This was a weak point with Dr. Paul and did not understand the use of rhetoric and " fire in the belly" to counter attacks against him.
DeleteThe closest Dr. Paul got to a Trump-like fighting stance was against Gulliani in S. Carolina debate.
We all appreciate Dr. Paul's gentile manners, grandfatherly, scholarly. That is not what is needed in warfare - politics is warfare.
Yes, Dr. Paul is treasure.
BM, you have consistently blamed christian church leaders for that which you're now blaming the flock. What brought about this shift?
ReplyDeleteJeff, I don't know that there is a shift. Each has a responsibility: the church leader has his responsibility, as does each member. Judgement is faced individually; the member does not get to place blame elsewhere.
DeleteMany people who are products of dysfunctional educational upbringings (public schools, various churches, etc.) have still found a way to some sort of a better (not perfect, as it is always a journey with adjustments if necessary) understanding of reality.
This does not absolve those who taught us in error; it also points to the shortcoming of others who have not similarly found a way out.