If you are a fan of Donald Trump, and easily offended, it
might be an idea for you to pass by this blog post. For well over a year, I have refrained from
speaking out. Part of that decision has
rested with my desire to not really be alienating to people. The other part,
has been left overs from my involvement with 12 step fellowships and not having
opinions on outside issues. But, I have
changed my mind.
I grew up in alcoholic home, and if you have experienced
that, you know all too well the elephant in the room concept. The idea that somehow, we dare not point out
the obvious. This is done not to upset
the alcoholic. That works until there has been something so outrageous that one
cannot deny the obvious unless they want to appear really, really, stupid.
So, as I
watched and waited, and hoped that people would not elect this man, they
have. Well, not really, but that is the
American system. At last count, Trump won having close to two million votes less
than Clinton. But, people did vote for
him.
What I would
like you to know, is that the true victor in this election was rape
culture. We have a man that not only
made gross comments about women, but gloated about sexually assaulting them. The "grab them by the pussy” comment, will be
our generation's ‘shot heard around the world.’ To personalize it, the world
became just that less safe for my wife.
I could go on, but that is not the point in this blog post.
The message, if there is one, is that we cannot trust our
governments to do what is right.
This is an exciting time. I think we stand at the brink of something
great.
If we want equality, and acceptance, and freedom, we must be
the voice of that change. I like my
Muslim neighbours, they are just the same as you and I, wanting to get along in
peace in this world. As for a threat, I
am less secure around my fellow white Christians. I like my Hindi neighbours, as well as Sikh,
Indian food is so good. And they, like
the Muslims, and the Christians, and you and me, just want to live their lives.
I can say the same about Buddhists, Jews, and others, but I think you get the
point.
I like my gay
neighbours. They want to be able to love
and live with those that they choose. Hmmm, just like you and me. I think the
world is a better place with their public displays of affection, than the
public displays of violence that we have tolerated. – Yes, gay bashing is still
an issue.
I love
women. While I am faithful and devoted
to Wanna; I love women. Short, tall, skinny, chubby, blonde, brunette, dark
haired, pink, yellow, or green haired. I
think how we treat women, reflects on our value of life.
So why this
laundry list of people? Well, if I take scripture seriously, and I do, I am commanded
to love my neighbour. These are my neighbours.
Freedom of expression for them, is freedom of expression for me. It is
only when others are free to worship God the way they choose, that I am free to
worship God the way I choose.
So, why title
this “Thank God for Donald Trump?”
To use the analogy of an alcoholic…the drunk has puked on
the dinner table, fallen over and taken the entire table setting with him, and
is now passed out on the floor. It will be hard to argue that we as a culture
are not misogynistic, or racist. Yes, we
Canadians did not vote for him, but how many people do you see celebrating his
victory? And tell me that we do not look south of the border to decide how we
should be in the world.
The good news
about Donald Trump’s victory, is that it is left to us to stand for what is
right. We have to stop hoping that other
people will step in and fix the world.
It takes more than just voting the right way. It takes more than just protesting when we
feel like it. We need to decide that if we want change, then it needs to start
with each of us individually.
This blog post is my taking the next step.
Oh, and in case you wondered, I have not forgotten our First
Nation’s people. I think we owe a great
debt. Understand that righting this
wrong, is good for us; it makes us better people.
https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/testimony/the-terrorist-threat-confronting-the-united-states
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