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Unable to reach a compromise over the weekend, South Africa is now in an all out labor strike, with the police again firing rubber bullets at miners with lethal escalation guaranteed
Back from vacation, the once again penniless citizens of Spain, Greece, and Portugal have resumed protesting austerity
US embassies attacked, in many cases with numerous casualties, in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, Lebanon, India, Balgadesh, Indonesia, and others.
Japan "appropriating" China-contested islands provoking a firestorm of retaliation including demands for "war with Japan"
The Japanese ambassador to China dying mysteriously
Netanyahu telling Meet the Press Iran will have a nuke in six-seven months and must be stopped beforehand
Warships from more than 25 countries, including the United States, Britain, France, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, launching a military exercise in the Straits of Hormuz
A third US aircraft carrier is en route to Iran - the CVN-74 Stennis - with an ETA of about 10 days
And finally, a potential catalyst to light this whole mess on fire, Iran's Revolutionary Guard announcing that its troops are now on the ground in Syria.
This is a pivotal moment for America. We have failed for several decades to prioritize our efforts and be realistic about what we are able/willing to do in the world. With bankruptcy looming at home, a diminished economic standing in the world, and crises both monetary and military flaring from Europe to the Middle East to China, we need a serious and sustained national discussion about our priorities. If we attempt to "have it all" or "do it all," it will result in a more intrusive command economy (and social regimentation) than we've ever tolerated before.
In short, we can either retrench from playing empire, or risk throwing aside all pretense and becoming just that, with all it implies at home and abroad. It's well past time to extricate ourselves from various structures that do little besides sap our strength. Over the next few days, I'll be looking at some possible starting points and their implications.
3 comments:
Jamison -- is it any wonder why these stories are buried in texts such as yours? This world is crumbling within our sight and it seems no one cares! Right now, the population of the US is either entertained in the second week of the NFL (btw way I do root for the NY Giants - hey, I'm after all a mere mortal -- although, "bought by the Blood of Jesus" -- still, we are all lulled into a sense of "bread and circuses" whilst the world churns according to God's Plan. My only remorse is I'm helpless to stop the madness. Of course, I'm more than willing to accept God's will for this world and my life, I'm saddened and excited at the same time to see "life-changing moment" unfold before my eyes As a side note, is it wrong for me to want to blunt or fight the inevitable? What think you my friend?
Jim
Jim,
Too many people get a sense of overwhelmed resignation in the face of these events. That's partly why we got here in the first place: an unwillingness as a people to confront the problems early, when they are challenging but more manageable. Instead, we've kicked cans down the road, and now will be forced to confront hard choices that are far harder than they would have been some time back. That's inertia for you...
As a believer, it's not wrong to long to be with the Father, but I've noticed a tendency in mainstream Christianity to seemingly welcome events that appear to point to "the end." I don't believe that's the right attitude -- Jesus said those days would be the darkest even known, and we should not take that lightly. Second, even if we assume the flip attitude of "fire insurance," we should not seek to knowingly "advance" events toward God's return. It's His plan, not ours, and we must never forget the only reason He delays is to offer grace to those who have yet to receive it.
Good Evening - I absolutely agree with your comments. The whole reason we (Christians) are still here is to "salt" to the world. Like you, I do believe this situation will get worse. As you state, I don't revel in the inevitable, but understand it just the same. Your point that we should be making a stand, speaking out, and living our lives to be an example against the evil days and most importantly, we should be working overtime to hand out the Gospel to any and all who will hear us. Thank you for keeping me sharp. I appreciate it very much. May God continue to bless you and the Muskateers!
Jim
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