Fighting Terror with Tyranny

According to the pseudoconservatives, Congress effectively declared war when it passed a resolution, P.L. 107-243 (pdf), authorizing the president to use military force against Iraq. There are three main problems with this reasoning.

First of all, though the resolution does reference the "threat" posed by Iraq, it also talks specifically about dealing with those who were involved with the 9/11 attacks. Iraq wasn't involved.

Secondly, the resolution calls for the U.S. to "enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq." I don't know about you, but I have a problem with a multi-national coalition enforcing the will of a global, socialist organization. Under any other circumstances, we would call that world government.

Thirdly, Congress authorized the president to use the "Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate." This isn't anything even remotely resembling a declaration of war. Either we are in a state of war, or we aren't. This resolution merely passes the buck to the president, allowing one man to determine whether or not we are at war. If this were any other country, that kind of power in the hands of one man would be called tyranny.

Why are so many people willing to destroy our constitutional republic in order to save it?

A Racist's Guide to Marriage

I always thought that those who have a problem with "race-mixing" should come up with a simple way to help keep the rest of humanity from falling into sin.

How about something like this?:

Now isn't that much easier than twisting scripture to support a race-based theology?

Remembering Two Great Americans

You probably won't find anything special printed on your calendar for the 19th and 21st of January. In case you are wondering, those are the respective birthdays of Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.

As a nation we have already honored Martin Luther King, Jr., and will commemorate the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln next month, but Lee and Jackson are especially dear to my heart. They were great men who embodied the inspiring courage, uncompromising honesty, principled conviction and moral fortitude we no longer see in our leaders today.

Both Lee and Jackson were men of action who fought valiantly to defend their homes and families. Jackson made it clear that if it were up to him, the South would "raise the black flag" and show no quarter to the enemy invading their homeland. They realized that while war was sometimes necessary, it should never be entered into lightly. As Lee put it, "It is good that war is so terrible, else we should grow too fond of it."

Lee and Jackson were Southern gents through and through. Consider Lee's Definition of a Gentleman:

The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman.

The power which the strong have over the weak, the employer over the employed, the educated over the unlettered, the experienced over the confiding, even the clever over the silly—the forbearing or inoffensive use of all this power or authority, or a total abstinence from it when the case admits it, will show the gentleman in a plain light.

The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past.

A true man of Honor feels humble himself when he cannot help humbling others.

Jackson's wife, Mary Anna, wrote of her husband that he "was a great advocate for marriage, appreciating the gentler sex so highly that whenever he met one of the 'unappropriated blessings' under the type of truest womanhood, he would wish that one of his bachelor friends could be fortunate to win her."

Both Lee and Jackson believed in principle over pragmatism. Lee once said, "I think it better to do right, even if we suffer in so doing, than to incur the reproach of our consciences and posterity." Jackson summed it up this way: "Duty is ours; consequences are God's."

Jackson never lived to see the fall of his beloved South, but Lee was gracious even in defeat. When approached by those who wished to remain bitter after surrendering he said, "Abandon your animosities and make your sons Americans." It was his position that "we must forgive our enemies. I can truly say that not a day has passed since the war began that I have not prayed for them."

Above all, Lee and Jackson were men of God. Lee loved to pray. He would be sure to let people know that he was praying for them, and he felt encouraged when he was remembered in their prayers. Once, upon hearing that others had been praying for him, he remarked, "I sincerely thank you for that, and I can only say that I am a poor sinner, trusting in Christ alone, and that I need all the prayers you can offer for me."

Jackson was the epitome of a life devoted to prayer. No matter was too insignificant that it did not warrant communion with the Father: "I have so fixed the habit in my mind that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without asking God's blessing, never seal a letter without putting a word of prayer under the seal, never take a letter from the post without a brief sending of my thoughts heavenward. I never change my classes in the lecture room without a minute's petition for the cadets who go out and for those who come in."

Jackson had an intimate knowledge of the sovereignty of God and rested in the promises of his Heavenly Father. Following the loss of his first wife, Ellie, who died almost immediately after giving birth to a stillborn son, he wrote to his sister-in-law, "I have been called to pass through the deep waters of affliction, but all has been satisfied. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. … I can willingly submit to anything if God strengthens me." It was this unshakeable faith that taught him "to feel as safe in battle as in bed."

The more I see what passes for leadership today in our government, in our churches and in our homes, the more I am convinced that we need men like Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. Jackson. I guess it's time for me to watch Gods and Generals again.

A Sneak Peek at 2006

Once again, it's time for a glimpse at what next year has in store for us.

JANUARY: As the Justice Department launches its investigation into the NSA wiretap leaks, George W. Bush reminds his fellow citizens that dictatorial powers are nothing new. "Every president since FDR has secretly spied on American citizens," the president says in a press conference, "so I don't see what the big deal is." It remains unclear how he would feel if every president since FDR jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge.

FEBRUARY: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie officially tie the knot on Valentine's Day. No one with a life cares.

MARCH: Another Academy Awards show comes and goes without me catching Oscar fever. I guess those vaccination shots are working.

APRIL: Many of America's mega-churches cancel worship services scheduled for the 16th. Cally Parkinson, a spokeswoman for Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, explains: "We didn't have services last year when Christmas fell on a Sunday because we thought it would be a waste of resources if the unchurched weren't planning on coming to church anyway. This year, Easter happens to fall on a Sunday, and since most people spend time with their families on Easter, I think we need to be consistent in allowing the unchurched to dictate church policy."

MAY: Steve Jobs of Apple Computer announces the release of the iPod Nanobot for those who hate dealing with the hassle of lugging around pocket-sized digital media players. Using space age technology, this microscopic player is injected into the bloodstream and eventually lodges itself in the listener's inner ear canal. Say "Goodbye" to annoying earbud cords forever!

JUNE: Congress holds another hearing on the use of steroids in Major League Baseball. According to Senator John McCain, "These hearings are part of an ongoing effort to protect the most sacred of America's institutions. We hope to have hearings on the threats posed to hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet before the year is out."

JULY: Independence Day. July Fourth marks the 230th birthday of our nation. A White House press release commemorates the occasion: "This is a special time. It is a time to reflect on what it means to live in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. It is a time to decide whether you are with us or against us. Most importantly, it is that time of year when Americans everywhere join in patriotic celebration of a country that has demonstrated its resilience by outliving its own Constitution. God bless America!"

AUGUST: There is another high-level government leak. The New York Times reports that iPod Nanobots are being used by the NSA to track the movements and musical tastes of listeners. A White House spokesman tries to deflect criticism by saying that only those listening to Middle Eastern music were being monitored. The Justice Department begins another investigation.

SEPTEMBER: It has been five years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and President Bush marks the anniversary with a prime-time speech updating the nation on the progress being made in the war on terror. "None of our sacrifices have been in vain," he assures us. "Saddam Hussein has been removed from power and Iraq is well on its way to becoming a full-fledged, fundamentalist Islamic state, bringing hope of freedom and equality to the Middle East. Yes, the world is indeed much safer now than it was five years ago."

OCTOBER: Hurricane season has been unusually mild this year. Environmentalists blame global warming.

NOVEMBER: All the rigorous campaigning on the part of Democrats and Republicans culminates in the mid-term elections. So who wins control of the House and Senate? Seriously, folks, does it really matter?

DECEMBER: Impressed by the accuracy with which the future events of 2006 had been reported last year, you eagerly anticipate EverVigilant.net's sneak peak at 2007.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you and yours have a happy and blessed New Year!