Joe Biden and Political Cannibalism

Filial cannibalism occurs when animals start to consume their species.  There is a type of political cannibalism going on in the Democrat party.  The progressive wing of this party is starting to destroy the stalwarts of their political persuasion like Joe Biden.

The Democrats have allowed the politically correct culture to dominate their party to the extent it is starting to devour its own people.  Successive generations of political correctness have evolved that are more judgmental and unforgiving.  Moral superiority has blossomed in the progressive camp to the extent that we get up in the morning asking ourselves not if, but what we will have to apologize for today.  We have transitioned from sexual assault and harassment, real crimes, to invading someone’s space, an offense disqualifying us for political service.  Soon politicians will be taken to task for reckless-eyeballing.

Politically speaking, I am not a fan of Joe Biden, but personally, he seems like a nice man.  I am tempted to feel a little sorry for him until I remember that he and others in his party have created this political monster that is now eating his lunch.  Political correctness can never be satisfied.  The more they have, the more they have to have. The newer in the species must consume the older to advance the agenda.

Mr. Biden, to survive, speak up. To the lie of the moral superiority of progressivism, just “say it ain’t so Joe, say it ain’t so.”

Toxic Masculinity

Toxic Masculinity 

There is a narrative that prevails in this nation that is ready to light cultural wild-fires wherever it prevails. That storyline is toxic masculinity. 

Recently, the story about Catholic school teenagers dominated the news cycle for several days.  Reports surfaced that portrayed a group of Catholic students as having taunted a Native American man.  Upon further review of the complete video of the incident, it because apparently it that was not clear who was the aggressor, the boys or the Native American man. Many in the media rushed to judgment and presented a distorted view of reality, and just got it flat-out wrong. How could this happen?

Many have said that the media did not verify the source, but the bigger question is why?  A significant part of the press delights in reporting stories that support a narrative with which they agree.  Many who bring us the news have bought into the belief that men, and white men mainly, are the problem.  Of course, some white men are sexist and racist, but we are close to condemning a whole racial gender because of the sins of some.

These Catholic teenagers, on the surface, seemed to fit a profile that some in the media loathe.  They could not wait to get this story out there, even long enough to find out if it was true. Commentary parades as news reporting continually. Spreading the narrative of toxic masculinity will only divide us more than ever racially and by gender.

Image used with permission by Microsoft.  

Americans First

Politicians have always sparred with their opponents, yet in the Trump era, have we reached a tipping point?   Due to the politics of character assassination, we are losing the ability to discuss issues and policies. Should we not be Americans first, then Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives?

President Ronald Reagan and Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill came from a different era in politics.  Reagan, a staunch conservative Republican, O’Neill, a life-long liberal Democrat, could not have been more different in their political views.  Reagan often started policy discussions with O’Neill by calling him his friend.  When Reagan won his landslide victory in 1984, O’Neill said that “in my 50 years of public life I’ve never seen a man more popular than you are with the American people.” Most opposition politicians today would rather have their tongues cut out than give President Trump even a veiled compliment. 

To be honest we have to admit that this type of political atmosphere did not start with President Trump.  We saw character assassination happen with President Obama, yet, I think it is honest to say that it has grown to heights never before seen under the Trump administration.  When we start to pick and choose which President, duly elected by the people, we honor and respect, it is a slap in the face of our democratic ideals. Unless we are Americans first, we may no longer be one nation, indivisible with justice for all.

Image used with permission by Microsoft.

Ken Barnes the author of “The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places”  YWAM Publishing
Email:  kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website: https://sites.google.com/site/kenbarnesbooksite/

Givers and Takers

In the cartoon Peanuts, Lucy once said to Charlie Brown, “We are put here to serve others. Charlie responded, “Then what are the others here for?” At times life does seem to be unfair. For a season, givers may find themselves surrounded by takers. Givers can feel unjustly used, yet, in the final analysis, takers will never know the fulfillment of giving.

In times of national disaster such as hurricanes and floods, we see a perfect example of givers and takers.  There are people who price gouge to obtain huge profits and those who loot to take what they cannot get lawfully.  Then we see other people who travel thousands of miles at their own expense to help people restore and rebuild their devastated lives. They don’t do it for a pat-on-the-back. The reward of those who serve is inherent in the act of serving.

If we are honest, there are times where we all have felt like Charlie Brown did.  It appears that the users of people and circumstances get all the rewards.  It is easy to start to envy the takers.  Yes, takers do sometimes get the short-term gain, but the givers get a more long-term commodity, feeling good about what they have done. We should feel sorry for those who are so busy getting for themselves, that they never know the joy of giving to others.  The memory of those you have helped lingers on long after the glitter of material things is gone.

Image used with permission by Microsoft.