The Petraeous Scandal

It has been quite the tumultuous week for national news.  President Barack Obama was re-elected on November 6^th, but that’s old news now, due to the shocking revelation from David Petraeus.  The CIA director resigned last Friday, citing an extramarital affair as the reason for his resignation, saying that he had shown “extremely poor judgment.”  I don’t disagree with that.  Upon closer investigation, though, some other facts come out that muddy up the waters a little bit.

The affair was with David Patraeus’ official biographer, Paula Broadwell (a married mother of two children, by the way).  She made several trips to Afghanistan with Petraeus as his official biographer when he was still a general in the United States Army (and the face of the wars with Afghanistan and Iraq).  According to Patraeus, though, the affair did not begin until after he took the position as director of the CIA, which was September 6, 2011.  None of this really bothered me at first.  I hate to see another reminder of the failings of our country’s leaders, but it is nice to see someone admit fault instead of covering for it by saying something along the lines that they “deserve to be happy.”  However, there is more to the story.

Let’s start with how this all got unfolded.  If you stopped here, it sounds as if he felt guilty, broke off the affair, and resigned all in a relatively brief period of time.  That’s not the way it happened.  Enter Jill Kelley, a family friend of David and Holly Petraeus’s (Holly is David’s wife).  While Paula Broadwell had been following David as his official biographer, she had been suspicious of Broadwell, saying that she was far too “gushy” about him.  It’s worthy of note that Broadwell is 40 years old and Petraeus is 60.  Earlier this year, Kelley began receiving anonymous emails that she found so threatening that she took them to the authorities.  Upon investigation, the FBI tracked them to Paula Broadwell, and found emails exchanged between her and Petraeus.  In the interest of being delicate, I will say that the emails between Broadwell and Petraeus made it crystal clear that an affair was taking place between them.  So this was not a result of the conscience of David Petraeus, but of an investigation of the FBI.  However, that’s what I find the most upsetting.  According to Petraeus, he ended the affair four months ago.  In other words, what really happened was that four months after the fact, someone ripped back the rug and he resigned since his dirt was uncovered for the world to see.

There is some positive things in all of this: he did admit that it showed extremely poor judgment, he was the one who broke the affair off, he did it before he got caught, and as of yet he and his wife have not divorced, which I hope means they are working it out as married couples should do in these situations.  However, he didn’t apologize until he had no choice.  There’s something here that we can learn from: don’t be sorry you got caught.  Learn true repentance instead.  Aim for true integrity and selfless service and this won’t happen in the first place.  If you lose your place and it does, have the sincerity to correct in the best way possible.  That will save you from these kinds of headaches in the future, and your loved ones will thank you dearly for your honesty and integrity.

Learning from Jack Skellington

A couple of years ago, after having seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Alice in Wonderland, I decided I was going to try and see every Tim Burton film I could.  Last summer I saw Corpse Bride, which completely blew my mind (and is still one of my favorite films to date), and I decided he has a innate gift for animated films.  Still, I had not seen The Nightmare before Christmas.  A friend of mine gave The Nightmare before Christmas on dvd to me for my 20th birthday.  So I watched it.

First of all, "This is Halloween" is still running through my head, and I'm enjoying every minute of it.  There are deeper things to be appreciated, though.  If you haven't seen the film, go watch it before reading the rest of this post, because if I try to explain it all, my brain will get ahead of me and I won't make any sense.  And, you just really need to see it, because you're a person and every person should see this movie.  

The main thing I want to give attention to is the main thrust of the movie: Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, mayor of Halloween Town, stumbles into Christmas Town and decides to bring Christmas to Halloween Town.  The result, which comes when Jack tries to be "Sandy Claws" is disastrous.  While watching it, though, a thought occurred to me: Jack learns from his mistake by the end of the film, but I wonder what the other citizens of Halloween Town thought?  They watched Jack trying to squeeze Christmas into Halloween Town like trying to plant a rose on Mars; what did they think?  

The lesson that I took away from the film was this: Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that there is a time for everything.  I would argue that this includes not only a time but also the environment as a whole.  When you ignore the obvious as to what it is time for and try to squeeze what you want into your current situation, bad things happen.  For me as a Christian, it means that when I try to force something into my current situation that God has clearly shown me it is not the time for, I may as well start walking towards the bomb shelter, because an affectionately named hurricane will soon be on its way.  On the other hand, when I accept what is obvious, and take everything in its proper time, my life turns into an anthem, which just might be as catchy as "This is Halloween."

The Mourdock Controversy

In a debate for a seat representing Indiana in the U.S. Senate, Richard Mourdock made some comments that have caused the entire political world to erupt like Indiana is Pompeii.  The candidates were asked what their view regarding abortion was.  Richard Mourdock, the first to answer, said that he believed that life is a gift from God and should be protected, although he does make an exception when the mother’s life is in danger.  Well, there’s nothing new there, right?  The controversy came in what he said next.  “I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.”  This has been met with no end of criticism from Democrat and Republican alike.  Even Governor Romney (who has vowed to fight abortion when in office, mind you) criticized Mourdock’s comments, and President Obama said “I don’t think any male politicians should be making health care decisions for women.”

Now, there’s a lot to consider about all of this.  First, I want you to have an appreciation for the political climate regarding abortion.  Abortion has been legal on a federal level since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in 1973.  The specifics are up to the states, but it is completely legal on a federal level due to that landmark case.  That has not kept more conservative politicians from fighting it.  There are several politicians that believe abortion is wrong.  However, until recently, I did not know of any politician (besides Rick Santorum, the man who really should be our president) who did not make the infamous three exceptions: rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is in danger.  Governor Romney himself makes these exceptions.  Roe v Wade could possibly be overturned again (making abortion illegal unless individual states make it legal), but that depends on which Supreme Court Justices are selected, which will be done by the winner of the November election.  So the main point is this: abortion is legal on the federal level, those against abortion generally make exception for rape, incest, and when the mother’s life is in danger, so those who don’t make these exceptions are seen as radical.

Now, back to Richard Mourdock’s comments.  These are his words that are being broadcasted all over the national news: “I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.”  Now, that sounds like he’s saying that God intended for rape to happen right?  That’s what I thought too.  Then I saw what the nation news isn’t telling you he said: “God creates life, and that was my point. God does not want rape, and by no means was I suggesting that He does. Rape is a horrible thing, and for anyone to twist my words otherwise is absurd and sick.”  That pretty much clears up the controversy, doesn’t it? 

Here’s the point I want to make: Governor Romney and the other members of the pro-life crew would agree that a fetus is life right?  Even if they don’t believe that life is created by God, they admittedly believe that a fetus qualifies as life, so killing that life is wrong.  Why then does it matter how the life originated?  Joe Donnely, an opponent of Richard Mourdock’s, was quoted saying that rape is “is a heinous and violent crime in every instance.”  I agree.  Here’s the logic of most politicians: “as long as we’re at it, let’s tack another violent act onto it.  Kill two birds with one stone.”  I for one find it refreshing to see life being defended, regardless of how it began.  Life is life and murder is murder.  I do, however, want to go one step further than Richard Mourdock: why is the life of the mother more important than the life of the child?  When we make that distinction, are we not trying to play God?

Ultimately, we can take this as an example of a refreshing fact: the battle for undefended human life is not as lost as it may have seemed.

                                                

The Pharisee Denomination

It’s Wednesday.  Why do I mention that?  Because it’s the day after Tuesday. 

Truth is, I needed to start with something random and lighthearted because what I’m going to talk about is a serious matter.  Our salvation as Christians could very well depend on how well we grasp this important fact: how do we define a strong spiritual life? 

I realize that is an extremely broad question.  We could talk about any number of specific aspects of this, but I’m not going to do that.  Instead, I’m going to talk about the general philosophy and hey emphasize exclusively on knowing the scripture and praying to God.  Don’t get me wrong, I think that reading and knowing the scripture is a vital part to being a Christian.  I believe that praying is a vital part to being a Christian (hopefully you pray on a daily basis), but that’s not the ultimate goal.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of Heaven but he who does the will of my father who is in heaven.”  The goal is not to know things for the sake of knowing things and feeling justified because we went through our checklist for the week, but the point is knowing things so that we can know what it is that God wants us to do.  Being a Christian is not an intellectual feat (as though we were to be living in monasteries), but it is a lifestyle that is full of action.  So my ultimate question is this: when someone asks you how you are doing spiritually, do you base your answer only on how much you’ve read the Bible and prayed?  Or do you also base it on what you’ve done for God?  Make it your goal to do things for God, not just know things about God.

Chapter Three Incoming

I get excited for new Owl City records because I feel like Adam Young is writing the soundtrack to my life, so each new album is a sneak peek at the next chapter of my life.  So, needless to say, I was pretty excited when I got The Midsummer Station.  I have a lot to say about it, and if you don’t like Owl City, then GET. OUT. NOW.  For your own good.  A major geek explosion is upcoming.

Owl City songs are normally oozing blood from Adam Young’s broken heart.  From The Saltwater Room to The Bird and the Worm, Adam Young never gets the girl.  Things are different this time around.  As I’m writing this, I’m listening to “The Speed of Love.”  First of all, this is one of the catchiest tunes since the invention of electronica.  Secondly, the lyrics are beautiful and optimistic.  “You were so hard to find with oh, so many clouds across my summer sky.  You, my constellation prize, yeah, every single star is sparkling in your eyes.”  Dude.  Adam Young finally got the girl.  Cue crowds of millions screaming “YES!!!” The train of thought is continued is “Embers,” where he promises “It gets better, just don’t let the fire die.” Granted, he hints at breakup in “Take It All Away,” but let’s not forget the rose for the thorns.

So, love is pretty awesome.  We can all agree on that.  It doesn’t end there, though.  In “Good Time,” where Adam Young is joined by overnight pop sensation Carly Rae Jepsen (Yes, I do sing “Call Me Maybe” in the bathroom many mornings).  As they sing together, “Woke up on the right side of the bed, what’s up with this Prince song stuck in my head?  Hands up if you’re gonna get down tonight, ‘Cause it’s always a good time.”  Okay, there’s not too much to analyze there, but let’s be honest: it’s fun.  We like fun; both the nonspecific noun and the awesome band. 

In the process of all of this, I can’t overlook “Dreams and Disasters.”  The first verse is nostalgia at its finest: “We were alone on the road, driving faster, So far from home, we were chasing disaster.  Pour on the gas ‘till the gas caught on fire, we had to laugh as the smoke billowed higher.”  Hey, we may have had a few close scrapes, but they make for great stories, right?

Last but not least we reach “Bombshell Blonde.”  Now, I have to admit, I didn’t like the idea of this song at first.  Adam Young writing a stereotypical “hot girl” song seemed really out of place.  The fact is though, it’s really not a “hot girl” song.  It’s about Adam learning to make a move, even when he feels in way over his head.   Plus, the song is addicting and you really have to work not to love it.

To recap, this is what I can expect for my life this year: crazy escapades with friends that result in great stories, and some heartbreak, but ultimately love will triumph.  Hopefully I too will find the courage and backbone to make the moves I need to make, in whatever context they be.  All in all, I’m pretty excited for the next chapter of my life.

Lowering the Bar

Deep breaths.  Take several of them.  You’re on national television.  You can feel your palms getting sweaty as your heart starts to race, threatening to beat its way out of your chest.  Sweat trickles down the back of your neck as well as your forehead. You’ve prepared yourself for the Olympics ever since you knew how to walk.  You’re ready to do the pole vault.  You take one last deep breath and run towards the bar, press your pole down into the mat and launch yourself forward.  You realize that you made it as you plop on the mat on the other side.  It turns out that three feet is a manageable goal in pole vaulting.

Standards are constantly changing.  In America during the 1950s it was not acceptable for women to wear pants in public.  The 1939 film “Gone with the Wind” was controversial because of one curse word.  Now women wear pants all the time and modern movies spit out curse words like a baby spitting up puke.  Some changes are good.  Some are bad.

Here’s the question: since we know that not all changes in standards are good, how do we know which ones to accept and which ones to accept and which ones to reject?  My solution is this: do neither.

Allow me to explain: see the problem with both accepting the culture’s change in standards and rejecting the culture’s change in standards is that either way we are allowing culture to determine what our standards are.  Critical thinking dictates something better.  Instead of depending on society, culture, and the media to tell us not only what our standards should be but even what our options in standards are, we should examine things for ourselves to see what those standards should be. 

Now for today’s tangent: why do we think that a movie with ten curse words and one “mild” sexual scene is “not that bad?”  Who determined that?  Did we sit down and look at what we know to be objectionable content and decide that was an acceptable amount?  Or instead have we allowed society’s standards of what’s bad and “not that bad” to determine what we think is “not that bad?”  Even better, why do we think a movie with no sexual scenes and no curse words with a completely anti-Christian message is ok? 

Now here comes the kicker: this concept is very applicable to entertainment, but is even more applicable in our everyday lives.  What are your standards for your behavior?  Are you settling for the three-foot high bar?  You may hit it every time, but remember this: “if you aim for nothing, you will hit it every time.” – Zig Zigler.

Voting for Christian Values

Religion and politics.  Yeah, that’s what I said.  Religion and politics.  I know, it’s dangerous for me to use the two in the same sentence (especially right next to each other), but hopefully it got your attention.  Most people despise the mixing of the two like it’s the combining gasoline with a flamethrower.  Still, I think it’s valid to consider the relation of the two.

First, I admit that I don’t like defining Christianity as a religion, because that makes it sound like a legalistic worship system. That’s not what I’m talking about, so I will try and stay away from that word.  What I’m talking about is Christianity as a relationship.  When we look at it that way, it changes everything.  Everything.  I’m not married, but I can imagine some things about being married that I can assume to be true.  If I am married, I assume that it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to spend a lot of time talking to other women.  I think that’s valid.  Being married would also affect how I spend my money, the plans I make, and the activities I’m involved in.  I wouldn’t want to do anything or involve myself in anything that would offend my wife.  It’s pretty simple logic.

I’m not going to get into how the Bible and Christian beliefs fit into economic policy.  I have my opinion on all of those things and I may even write on them at some point, but right now, I want to focus on moral issues that are relevant to the election.  There are always two biggies: abortion and same-sex marriage.  Abortion is pretty simple: don’t kill.  A baby is life, and if you don’t agree with that or want more elaboration, you can see my previous post about that.  Secondly, same-sex marriage.  That’s also a pretty simple one.  Marriage is defined in Genesis 3:24 as one man and one woman.  In addition, homosexuality is directly condemned in Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9.  Those are two issues that the Bible is very clear on.

We have a very unique opportunity in America because we have the ability to directly influence who our country’s next leader is going to be.  Now as a Christian, being in a relationship with Christ, how can I vote for a candidate who supports abortion and/or same-sex marriage?  Ultimately, that is saying that economics are more importantly than morality.  Economics are more important than what God has said about our behavior.  Where are your priorities? 

Being relevant to this election, President Barack Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage in May 2012.  Asked shortly thereafter about his position on the issue, Mitt Romney firmly said that he opposed it.  Barack Obama has long been a pro-choice candidate.  Mitt Romney is pro-life and has recently announced that he will fight to get abortion illegal.  In addition, Mitt Romney is also promising to fight a branch of immorality that has become particularly bad but is rarely mentioned: pornography.  In today’s world, the average pornography user begins at age 12.  The revenue from pornography is more than all professional American sports combined.  Here is a direct quote from Mitt Romney: “(I)t is imperative that we cultivate the promotion of fundamental family values. This can be accomplished with increased parental involvement and enhanced supervision of our children. It includes strict enforcement of our nation's obscenity laws, as well as the promotion of parental software controls that guard our children from Internet pornography.” 

I may not agree with everything that Mitt Romney says, and I never will agree with everything that any candidate says.  But I will say this: I want morality to make a comeback.  I want to live to see a world that again begins to see sexuality as God sees it: as reserved for marriage and not to be indulged in at will.  Under Mitt Romney, we may stop sliding backward and start inching forward.