Lessons from The Daily Show
"Democracy is not won with a barrel of a gun"
This quote was from a woman, whose name I can't remember but is a member of the white house press corps and was a guest on the Daily Show last night. I thought it was a very interesting comment and one that I don't agree with. She went on to say that democracy is won by doing work exchange programs, teacher exchange programs, training the militaries of other countries, etc. HMM. I see a couple of things wrong with this. I think the countries that she is probably alluding to are the ones that are in turmoil, with dictorship type governments who are killing off people faster than we can count. I don't think that waltzing in there and offering to exchange teachers or employers are going to fly with these governments. We see the consequences now of training other militaries(osama bin laden). There are a few people at the top who are controlling the whole country, making life miserable for most of their countrymen. These people are not going to take kindly to us talking gently to them, pleading with them, or making deals with them. Is it our place to get involved in the first place? I don't know. Can we or should we stand by why their governments kill off hudnreds of thousands of people? I wouldn't think so. People say you shouldn't fight with guns or war, but i wonder if sometimes that's the only thing certain groups will listen to. Look at America. Our own democracy was won through a barrel of a gun (and maybe some bayonets). I think in a perfect world we could look for world peace, look for leaders who would lay down their dictatorship rule and allow the people to have some say. But the reality is, we live in a fallen world that is only going to continue to get worse. Sure, it may get better for a little while but ultimately it will get worse. Does that mean we should go shoot everybody up? by no means! But i think it does mean we have to look at things realistically and realize that sometimes talk is not enough. The people we are dealing with are typically not rational, decent human beings. If they were, we wouldn't have to be threatening them with such extreme action. They would listen to reason, they would do what's in the best interest of their people, not themselves. I don't like war anymore than the next person but i do think it's necessary and is a part of life.
This quote was from a woman, whose name I can't remember but is a member of the white house press corps and was a guest on the Daily Show last night. I thought it was a very interesting comment and one that I don't agree with. She went on to say that democracy is won by doing work exchange programs, teacher exchange programs, training the militaries of other countries, etc. HMM. I see a couple of things wrong with this. I think the countries that she is probably alluding to are the ones that are in turmoil, with dictorship type governments who are killing off people faster than we can count. I don't think that waltzing in there and offering to exchange teachers or employers are going to fly with these governments. We see the consequences now of training other militaries(osama bin laden). There are a few people at the top who are controlling the whole country, making life miserable for most of their countrymen. These people are not going to take kindly to us talking gently to them, pleading with them, or making deals with them. Is it our place to get involved in the first place? I don't know. Can we or should we stand by why their governments kill off hudnreds of thousands of people? I wouldn't think so. People say you shouldn't fight with guns or war, but i wonder if sometimes that's the only thing certain groups will listen to. Look at America. Our own democracy was won through a barrel of a gun (and maybe some bayonets). I think in a perfect world we could look for world peace, look for leaders who would lay down their dictatorship rule and allow the people to have some say. But the reality is, we live in a fallen world that is only going to continue to get worse. Sure, it may get better for a little while but ultimately it will get worse. Does that mean we should go shoot everybody up? by no means! But i think it does mean we have to look at things realistically and realize that sometimes talk is not enough. The people we are dealing with are typically not rational, decent human beings. If they were, we wouldn't have to be threatening them with such extreme action. They would listen to reason, they would do what's in the best interest of their people, not themselves. I don't like war anymore than the next person but i do think it's necessary and is a part of life.
posted by Sam at 9:31 AM
6 Comments:
Just a quick question... in your post when you use "we" who exactly are you referring to?
I mean our country as a whole. Our gov't,our military, etc...i think that is what you are asking?
Sorry, I was out of town at a wedding, lol. Yeah, on that basis I can see what you're saying. Here's one concern that I have though, in scripture, especially the new testament/new covenant, when someone refers to "we" its always to christians and what we christians should do. Christians and non-believers are hardly ever lumped together and given a moral mandate. For example, "God commands all men everywhere to repent..." or "you are of your father the devil..." Those are directed to unbelievers. But to christians, "Love one another and pray for one another" or "We ought to lay down our lives for one another." So one sees a "we and them" approach to how a christian relates to the world, not really a we-the-people-of-the-Roman-Empire should do this. Know what I mean?
ok so here's another question.So would you disagree if the "We" refers to Christians? and if not, then why the distinction?
PS-hows my cat?
ok so here's another question.So would you disagree if the "We" refers to Christians? and if not, then why the distinction?
PS-hows my cat?
Sam,
I'm sorry I took so long to re-post. Don't even know if you'll see this reply now. But I told you that I would get back to you.
I do agree with your comment that christians shouldn't stand by while governments kill hundreds of thousands of their own citizens. I think us christians could remember these people especially in prayer, and in sending aid (financial, material, and emotional).
However, I don't agree with your conclusion that violence through material weapons is the final solution. Recall what Jesus said, for
he who strikes you on the cheek, we christians should turn the other instead of striking back. Your post seemed to indicated that striking back would be a better response. It is much eaiser and the natural thing to do I think! But I don't think Jesus would advocate it.
Again, I do agree with you that violence may be the only thing that some people will listen to. Many people perhaps. But I feel that scripture is clear in showing that vengeance belongs to the Lord, and that He has appointed a day in which all the world will be judged and given a righteous sentence.
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