Posted by
peripheral on Friday, October 10, 2008 5:04:33 AM
From My Perspective - - -
CORRUPTION
is defined Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary as: “1.The act of
corrupting or making putrid…decomposition or disorganization, in the
process of putrefaction; 2.The product of corruption; putrid matter.
3.The act of corrupting or of impairing integrity, virtue, or moral
principle; the state of being corrupted or debased; loss of purity or
integrity; depravity; wickedness; impurity; bribery.”
The
FBI (http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/pubcorrupt/pubcorrupt.htm) has an entire
Division that is assigned to deal with Public Corruption. Their purpose
is summed up in these words: “Public corruption is one of the FBI’s top
investigative priorities—behind only terrorism, espionage, and cyber
crimes. Why? Because of its impact on our democracy and national
security. Public corruption can affect everything from how well our
borders are secured and our neighborhoods protected…to verdicts handed
down in courts…to the quality of our roads and schools. And it takes a
significant toll on our pocketbooks, too, siphoning off tax dollars…”
Their track record is very good and they are able to report: “We've
got a strong national program with agents in place around the nation
dedicated to the issue. In our investigations, we use every tool we've
got—our cyber capabilities, our surveillance skills, our ability to
track financial dealings around the world. Last year, we opened over
900 cases, which led to over 650 convictions or guilty pleas…”
Because
of the pervasiveness of Corruption, the FBI has it ranked Number 4 on
their list of investigative priorities. Their priorities are: “1. Protect the United States from terrorist attack. 2. Protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and espionage. 3. Protect the United States
against cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes. 4. Combat
public corruption at all levels. 5. Protect civil rights. 6. Combat
transnational and national criminal organizations and enterprises. 7.
Combat major white-collar crime. 8. Combat significant violent crime.
9. Support federal, state, county, municipal, and international
partners. 10. Upgrade technology to successfully perform the FBI's
mission.”
Leading
up to the 2006 Congressional Election, the mantra employed to remove
the Republicans in favor of Democrats was – “There Is A Culture of
Corruption in Washington.”
That was successful in terms of the election – but then what? The
Culture of Corruption is worse than ever. The words are apt that state:
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Those
who are charged with oversight have failed miserably in their task. We
find that the Chairman of the Banking Committee has even been involved
in a homosexual relationship with one whose failure in the Housing
Market is beginning to be known. In some inexcusable way, those who
have been involved in CORRUPTING the system are now charged with
investigating the CORRUPTION, as well as having oversight of the
distribution of more than $700 Billion Dollar funding to bailout
(rescue) the very organizations where they have consistently looked the
other way while continuing to receive Campaign Contributions from these
same organizations.
The
Scriptures have much to say about corruption. To illustrate – Galatians
6:8 states: “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh
reap corruption…” and in II Peter 2:18-19, “For, speaking loud boasts (such as, “we’ll rid Washington of the Culture of Corruption”)… They
promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For
whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” That’s it in a
nutshell – those enslaved to corruption will investigate corruption!
Are you optimistic that anything meaningful and/or beneficial will
result? Only the naïve would expect any remedy by the corrupt regarding
corruption.
Consider these things with me - - - Remember to follow the words of Scripture – Hebrews 13:18 (NLT): “Pray
for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in
everything we do.” - and – Philippians 4:8-9, “Fix your thoughts on
what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure
and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and
worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned…and
heard…and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you…”