Post by LDM on Sept 14, 2009 7:01:12 GMT -5
I can still remember the time when Bill Clinton looked straight into the television camera, pointed his finger at the American people, and stated unequivocally, "I have never had sexual relations with that woman...Monica Lewinsky."
I couldn't help but flash back to that moment in my mind as I watched the brouhaha on Capital Hill the other day between President Barack Obama and Rep. Joe Wilson R-(SC).
In a nutshell, Rep. Wilson yells out "You lie!" in the middle of Obama's speech. In case you haven't seen it, a link is here:
While there was a chorus of of grumblings at various times during Obama's speech, the comments in question are below:
"There are also those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants. This too is false. The reforms I am proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally." President Barack Obama, Presidential Address
So while I really don't get much into the political scene, I found this all very humorous. I know nothing of Rep. Wilson and for all I know, he can be as much of a hypocrite as some other politicians, but what is the real issue here? There is talk of proper decorum and protocol. I agree we cannot have civil government with people speaking out of turn and being disrespectful.
But the truth of the matter is that Obama did lie. He cannot claim that his reform will not apply to illegal immigrants because (whether by design or not), this country does not prevent illegal immigrants from benefiting from a number of services for which they are not eligible. They can vote. They can get driver's licenses. They attend public schools. etc.
Do I care? Not particularly (I am sure I will now get a deluge of emails about why I should care). The point is that Rep. Wilson called out the lie. Now, everyone wants to speak about how his behavior was just deplorable, but no one wants to address the fact that Obama did lie. He is twisting words to support his position, but we are just supposed to overlook this.
It is interesting how different things are in God's economy versus the world's economy. When Paul called out Peter and "withstood him to his face" (Galatians 2:11), some could have said, "That is not appropriate! Who are you to say that against Peter? He has been an apostle longer than you have! That just wasn't the right time or place. He should have said something in private."
Well, that is not what Paul did. He confronted Peter immediately "before them all." (Galatians 2:14)
Is Rep. Wilson the apostle Paul? Of course not. I merely raise the issue because I wonder how prepared we as individuals are to stand for what we believe to be true. When standing before governments, church councils, our families, our peers, will we have the boldness to call out those things which are lies and stand for God's truths? Or, will we buckle to pressures of what is politically correct?
The truth is never convenient, but that is where our focus must be.
I couldn't help but flash back to that moment in my mind as I watched the brouhaha on Capital Hill the other day between President Barack Obama and Rep. Joe Wilson R-(SC).
In a nutshell, Rep. Wilson yells out "You lie!" in the middle of Obama's speech. In case you haven't seen it, a link is here:
While there was a chorus of of grumblings at various times during Obama's speech, the comments in question are below:
"There are also those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants. This too is false. The reforms I am proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally." President Barack Obama, Presidential Address
So while I really don't get much into the political scene, I found this all very humorous. I know nothing of Rep. Wilson and for all I know, he can be as much of a hypocrite as some other politicians, but what is the real issue here? There is talk of proper decorum and protocol. I agree we cannot have civil government with people speaking out of turn and being disrespectful.
But the truth of the matter is that Obama did lie. He cannot claim that his reform will not apply to illegal immigrants because (whether by design or not), this country does not prevent illegal immigrants from benefiting from a number of services for which they are not eligible. They can vote. They can get driver's licenses. They attend public schools. etc.
Do I care? Not particularly (I am sure I will now get a deluge of emails about why I should care). The point is that Rep. Wilson called out the lie. Now, everyone wants to speak about how his behavior was just deplorable, but no one wants to address the fact that Obama did lie. He is twisting words to support his position, but we are just supposed to overlook this.
It is interesting how different things are in God's economy versus the world's economy. When Paul called out Peter and "withstood him to his face" (Galatians 2:11), some could have said, "That is not appropriate! Who are you to say that against Peter? He has been an apostle longer than you have! That just wasn't the right time or place. He should have said something in private."
Well, that is not what Paul did. He confronted Peter immediately "before them all." (Galatians 2:14)
Is Rep. Wilson the apostle Paul? Of course not. I merely raise the issue because I wonder how prepared we as individuals are to stand for what we believe to be true. When standing before governments, church councils, our families, our peers, will we have the boldness to call out those things which are lies and stand for God's truths? Or, will we buckle to pressures of what is politically correct?
The truth is never convenient, but that is where our focus must be.