I'm sorry this is long, but I'm presumptuous enough to believe it is very important. I will "fiddle" with it until about 1 p.m. Friday. I will respond to all comments, other than those by "Anonymous."
In the comments to this piece, I talk some about Dr. Laurence White and his essay called "God and Ceasar." I quote the piece extensively, and my conclusion is that White is (1) basically calling for a violent revolution by Christians against American civil society; (2) encouraging "pro-life-killers" like Paul Hill and Eric Rudolph; (30writing a document that sounds uncomfortably like an American Mein Kampf in targeting certain groups and institutions -- including homosexuals and the public school system -- of destroying the moral core of society. I disagree with him on all points. This is a pluralistic representative democracy. It is not a theocratic state. One of my biggest problems with Dr. White (among many) is that there seems no evidence that he's ever talked to one of those young women "in trouble and in need of a friend." In fact, he's not their friend, but rather their accuser. One of my best friends is a woman with the initials P.L., who counseled many pregant women, most of them young, some extremely young (13-14), and some of them ended up having abortions, often being pressured to do so by femily or "friends." P. L. loved them unconditionally as is her way, and that approach is what makes her a living saint. I also think of my African-American neighbor Mary, whom I saw tonight on my way to the h.s. football game. She was -- appropriately -- wearing a gold cross. She's in her 60s and take care of children -- current, Ali, age 4, and "Mo Mo" (Monique) who's 14 months. I expect shen she's 80 she'll be taking care of Ali's and Mo Mo's kids. P. L. and Mary are so of the inhabitants of the "evil" America Dr. White supposedly sees. Sad.
In the comments section of my most recent piece on my proposed Human Life Amendment, you'll notice a statement by Larry Perrault, a Southern Baptist and an important figure in the Houston religious community. He's also a dedicated supporter of Mike Huckabee, and much of my own attraction to Mike's campaign comes from the support he gathers from Larry and various others, including important bloggers like Kerry in Minnesota, James H. in Louisiana, and several others.
Here's Larry's comment:
"Seemingly, all that does matter is their continued ability to express their enduring moral superiority to people like me" [Steve's statement]
I selected out this sentence because it seems to best distill what you think is going on. And, it also tells me that I'm wasting my time. You have made an a priori and incorrect judgment of intentions, and evaluate everything from within that perception. So, you don't believe me when I say that it isn't about me, which truly enough would be a squalid motivation, when I make a moral point about something. It's about right and wrong. The same is true of Laurence White. It's a good thing that I'm not after judgments of my moral superiority, because they aren't exactly pouring in.What I think you should note is that both Dr. White's [Laurence White, an important figure in the Houston Lutheran community and in Texas politics] speeches and most of my writing, including the last post at my blog, do not indict American culture in general, but rather the avowedly pro-life social conservatives who are too timid to hold up a clear and discernible standard. As I said, it isn't about THEM, it's about US.But, you appear to believe that I am a lying morally posturing Narcissus. In that case, it is pointless to converse because everything said is not to be trusted and is up for measurement in the context of what you KNOW is really a self-serving motivation.All I can repeat is that I have drastically disagreed with you on strategy as well as on your perceptions. But, I have not, therefore, reached to call your character or intelligence into question. I think that is a first step toward a possible constructive cooperation in the face of not just this, but any disagreement. But it is one that it appears as though you are not about to take.You should consider that I may not be lying to you, or give up the conversation."
Here's my initial reaction:
I'll respond to Larry later today (Friday) in the comments section, but first I'd like to switch gears somewhat and reprint a short statement from Gov. Sarah Palin in her three-part interview series with the Anchorage Daily News. By the way, Sarah is happily married and has four children, a boy 18 and three younger girls. She has stated her firm commitment to the sanctity of life (from conception until natural death), but doesn't discuss the matter (in public at least) at any length.
Sarah was responding to a question about the need some political figures (especially those in Alaska) feel to cut ethical corners. She said:
"Right. Well, that's why I think we need more real and normal and hardworking and blue-collar Alaskans to want to run for office and serve in these positions that are making decisions. Again, I will personalize this. I am not from that other world. My dad as a school teacher wasn't a mover and shaker developer making big bucks in the state of Alaska off of property development. My husband [a commercial fisherman and oil field worker] isn't that way. I am not raising my kids to be that way.... If you want to be in public service, it is being willing to serve Alaskans for the right reasons. It is having to have a servant's heart when you come into these positions. It's not to get rich."
That's one of the great statements in the history of American politics. It was made by a Governor in Alaska whose existence is not yet known to a majority of the American people.
"A servant's heart" is one of selflessness, the rarest commodity in politics. A servant's heart in this case also is one that recognizes a large majority of Americans want to reduce significantly the number of abortions in our country. Everything in Sarah's career and life indicates she would do anything in her power to serve the people's needs. Yes, I tend to idealize this fine woman, but her capacity to serve seems unlimited.
Sarah Heath Palin is a "politician" with ethical standards that are rare in any nation. People like Larry Perrault and Dr. Laurence White should be lining up behind and supporting her as a major leader of our country.I hope to live long enough to attend her inauguration as President of the United States -- presumably as early as 2012 (when she presumably would run against President Hillary Rodham Clinton) and no later than 2016, when her opposition could be someone like Barack Obama.
Will Sarah Heath Palin be able to end abortion in this nation? No, of course not. Even if abortion were made illegal -- something that's not going to happen -- it would not "end." Right now, 800,000-plus abortions occur in this country and, even before Roe v. Wade, as many as 300,000 occurred, most of them illegal.
I believe strongly that Mrs. Palin would be receptive to ideas such as mine that would sharply reduce the number of abortions in America. How could she do this when so many other people have failed so miserably?
She knows that abortion in this country will not be reduced by angry rhetoric -- the approach favored by people like Dr. White and Sen. Larry Craig. Instead, the direction has to be one of love for real people, especially young women and poor women who see no alternative to terminating their pregnancies. The resolution, partial though it may be, will depend on elected officials who have true empathy for the people they serve.
The answer to abortion will not come from people (like Dr. White) comparing our country to Nazi Germany. Instead, it will come from individuals like Sarah Heath Palin who recognize that the vast majority of Americans are good people who want to do the right thing.
We desperately need leaders who have "a servant's heart."
It amazes me that candidates like Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani aren't beating a path to Sarah's door in far-off Wasilla, Alaska (a suburb of Anchorage). They should be seeking her guidance and support. They could also get some tips on how to defeat entrenched members of both parties, which she has done.
The candidate who seeks her out first -- and best -- could just be the next President of the U.S. Before you can lead the American people, you first have to love them, warts and all.
Elected officials with the potential for real greatness -- figures in the tradition of Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Reagan -- come along so rarely. Sarah is one of them.
Stephen R. Maloney
Ambridge, PA
P.S. My direct response to Larry's comments will occur in the Comments section later today (Friday).
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5 comments:
These are some interesting posts regarding abortion on the last week. My schedule has been so hetic that I am now just getting caught up on the political end of things.
To me the Human Life Amendment and the controversy around who is supporting it and who is not is sort of a non issue. I guess I might post my thoughts on it later at my blog.
It seems to me that the battle is too get into the states. IF states votes to outlaw abortion then it seems to me that they would most likely vote for a Human life amendment. Regardless nothing will occur until we get it inot the hands of state legislatures. So it seems to me that this controversy doesn't make much sense. It will take of its self on a local level. PErhaps I am missing something but I think pro-lifers are putting the cart in front of the horse here. THis debate will get a ALOT more mageable politcs wise when we can elect state legislators that represent our views on this. A Humna Life amendment will not happen if that doesn't take place anyway
Steve:
About Sarah Palin, she appears to combine a solid character with "a servant's heart," and an appealing package. I have no contest with your enthusiam. I could raise questions about the electoral/democratic advantages she would offer up-front, although being a woman wold be an important one. These days, Republicans own Alaska's 3 electoral votes. But her appeal would be broader than just local geography. Candidates are not seeking out VP possibilities because, as you might imagine, they are rather focused these days. If Mike Huckabee and those whose advice he would weigh, found her an advantage, I would be delighted. On a strictly character and charism basis, she and Mike Huckabee would be a strong ticket, both in substance and presentation.
Eight years of Huckabee as president and 16 years of Palin as VP/Prez, combined with the waning of the baby-boom dogma and the continued progress of technology, would change the consciousness and conscience of the public such that the illegitimization of the practice of abortion would be greatly expanded or even achieved. It is correct that only the change in the public conscience and not laws or rulings will douse the practice of abortion.
Secondly, I would sign your peoposed human life amendment if presented it, because it would save lives and at least put the matter in front of the public consciousness, and I expect Governor Huckabee would, too.
Such an amendment would not resolve the dissonance of abortion with The Constitution. I would be happier with such an amendmernt combined with the remanding of the rest of the issue to the states along with a constitutional reaffirmation of the American principle of the sanctity of human life, making the tension between the practice of abortion and the ideal of The Constitution more obvious.
Thirdly, PLEASE STOP IT! It appears to be an irrepresible impulse of yours to slander people to whom you have a prima facie reaction to: a reaction defined more by the demonic spectres in your own mind that the demonstrated character of the person being described. You have described Dr. Laurence White as angry, hateful and extremist: someone you have never heard or met, and I incidentally have dome both Your irresponsible deprecation is no skin off Dr. White's nose. But, it makes a jackass of you and WORSE, is a blight on those you speak for like Sarah Palin, which I as someone who appreciates her, greatly regret.
I mainly bring up Dr. White and Sarah Heath Palin (who can stand on her own, with or without my help) to point out the difference between a real Christian -- her -- and one consumed by hatefulness for the very society that protects his right to speak freely and practice his religion as he wishes, something that was not present in Hitler's Germany.
Dr. White rightfully praises German pastors like Dietrich Bonhoffer, Marin Niemoller, and the little-known but important Paul Schneider, who was put in a concentration camp, tortured, and then murdered by Nazis.
In his speech/essay Dr. White says the following:
"Most Christians [in pre-World War II Germany] looked the other way while innocent people were slaughtered and a nation was led down the path to destruction.
He adds, "I would submit to you this evening that we find ourselves [in America] in a similar predicament today. Once again [as in Nazi Germany] the innocents are being slaughtered, the country is being led down the path to destruction, and Christians, by and large, are looking the other way."
Steve Maloney responds: The vast majority of Americans oppose second- and third-trimester abortions. For Dr. White to compare America to Nazi Germany is rhetorical extremism. At the same time, it diminishes the Holocaust and the Nazi activities that led to the deaths of about 70 million people, who existence was not contested in any philosophical or theological sense.
Dr. White further says:
"We [Americans] live in the midst of a culture that mistakes lust for love and tolerates the vilest perversions as acceptable alternate lifestyles while pestilence stalks the land."
Steve asks: Which pestilence exactly is he talking about? If he wants to express his hatred for gay people, perhaps he should say so in less circuitous ways.
Dr, White adds:
"Our public schools have become facilitators for fornication and procurers for the abortionists knife. America has sown the wind of immorality and we are reaping the whirlwind of destruction and death. We have degenerated into a nation rolling in luxury, reveling in excess, rollicking in pleasure, revolting in morals, and rotting in sin."
He continues:
"The Christians of America must not keep silent while innocent blood is shed and the nation is led to destruction. There is just too much at stake.
"But of this one thing we can be certain - the murder of unborn children is an intolerable abomination in the eyes of the Lord. God hates abortion."
Steve says: If God hates abortion as much as Dr. White, who is willing to say anything vile about his own nation, then I assume God would have said so. Yes, I accuse Dr. White of heresy and misrepresentation of the Gospel.
Dr. White continues his rant with these words:
"A society that sanctions the slaughter of unborn children is a society that has reverted to barbarism. A civilization that permits the extermination of human beings because of their age, their location, or their race has forfeited the right to be called civilized."
Anyone wants to read this curious (and hate-filled shriek by Dr. White is invited to do so by clicking on the following link.
http://www.mtio.com/articles/bissar55.htm
Larry tells me to stop it. He is telling the wrong person.
I don't hate my country or the people in it, all of whom have of course fallen short of the glory of God, as have people in every other society on earth. I love this country, imperfect as it is, and have great hope that it will become better.
For Dr. White, a Lutheran minister, to be condemning America is reprehensible. I believe his immortal soul is in serious danger, because he speaks the words but does not the deeds.
If he believes even half of what he says, then he's a very dangerous man.
steve maloney
ambridge, pa
I went to a h.s. football game tonight, one attended by more than 10,000 people. How many of the boys and girls, & men and women there fit Dr. White's definition of a depraved society? Very, very few, if any.
Again, as far as any comparisons between Mrs. Palin and Dr. White, the two might as well be from different planets. She is filled with he love, and he is filled with . . . what you can see in his statements.
James: James, I appreciate your visits to my site and your perceptive comments. I may respond tomorrow morning to your statement, but I basically agree that when the issue returns to the states -- as would happen if Roe v. Wade were overturned -- that many good things would happen. Right now, the candidates basically settle for vague statements about what should be done. Frankly, there are many things that can be done within the next 1-2 years to provide real help -- financial and otherwise -- to girls and women who feel that abortion is their only way out. God came to this earth as Jesus Christ because He "loved the world," not because He hated it, as Dr. White seems to believe. I believe Sarah Heath Palin loves the world in much the same way the several Marys that surrounded Jesus on earth and after His resurrection. As you remember, Jesus asked Mary Magdalene to tell the apostles that He was ridden. At first, they were confused and skeptical about what she said.
I believe Mary Magdalene a great apostle -- shhh, don't tell your bishop this -- and did great work for the early Church, perhaps as has been speculated from various documents.
Heck, I will put this in the comments section. Thanks for commenting.
Geaux Tigers!
On Dr. White: I believe Dr. White is calling for violent revolution by people who believe as he does that America is busily engaged in mass murder of what he calls "the little ones." Rhetoric like his seems designed to ecnourage people like Paul Hill and Eric Rudolph who believe their own murders of innocent people are somehow justified. As I said before, he is a dangerous man because he encourages sociopaths to behave in violent ways. In this regard, he seems very much like bin Laden, who uses religion to justify mass killing of people who have done nothing to justify such a fate.
His "God and Ceasar" piece is an American version of "Mein Kampf."
steve maloney
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