Posted by
peripheral on Monday, March 23, 2009 7:50:15 AM
From My Perspective - - -
Obfuscation is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary as: “To make
so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand…To
render indistinct or dim; darken…” In a caustic sense, it is tempting
to allow that as a better description of the Houses of Congress – the
Houses of Obfuscation. Few of our circumlocutious politicians can give
a simple cogent response to a direct question. They all have their
“spin” and/or “talking-points” so well defined that they just parrot
out their responses regardless of the question posed. It comes across
as programmed, Washington-Speak, unclear diatribe. It has become all
too easy to both ignore and turn off those who comment in such a manner.
During the program, 60 Minutes, there was a rare and poignant moment.
Steve Kroft was interviewing President Obama regarding the economy,
recession factors, etc. The President responded to a couple of the
inquiries with laughter. POLITICO reports the moment in this way: “
President Barack Obama said he believes the global financial system
remains at risk of implosion with the failure of Citigroup or AIG,
which could touch off “an even more destructive recession and
potentially depression. His remarks came in a 60 Minutes interview in
which he was pressed by Steve Kroft for laughing and chuckling several
times while discussing the perilous state of the world’s economy.
You're sitting here. And you're— you are laughing. You are laughing
about some of these problems. Are people going to look at this and say,
‘I mean, he's sitting there just making jokes about money—’ How do you
deal with— I mean: explain….” The article goes on to state: “…Are you
punch-drunk? Kroft said. ‘No, no. There's gotta be a little gallows
humor to get you through the day,’ Obama said, with a laugh…”
One wonders if its construed as “gallows humor” by those whose
employment is ended; savings accounts shrinking; investments lost;
foreclosure possibility; recession obvious; fear of depression looming
– where is the humor – gallows or otherwise – Mr. President. When our
nation is stampeding toward bankruptcy and an uncertain future for the
next generation – where is the humor, Mr. President. What is the “punch
line”! Why is it so few are laughing? If its funny, why are so many
anguished? Please! Explain the punch-line for us! One commentator
mused: I guess I’ll have to retire on 40% of what I thought I had! Is
that the joke, Mr. President? In case you haven’t noticed, no one is
laughing!
Consider these things with me - - - It would be good if our nation
could remember how good God has been to this nation and the abundance
of His Blessings upon us. To forget this goodness and blessing is to
relegate oneself into the realm of the foolish. Basically, a fool is
one who “despises wisdom and walks in folly.” “The word for ‘fool’ is
used in Scripture with respect to moral more than to intellectual
deficiencies - The 'fool' is not so much lacking in mental powers, as
one who misuses them. In Scripture the 'fool'...is the person who casts
off the fear of God, and thinks and acts as if he could safely
disregard the eternal principles of God's righteousness. Essentially, a
fool thus chooses to disregard God and His wisdom (Unger’s Bible
Dictionary).” Proverbs 12:15 states: “The way of a fool is right in his
own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.” And Proverbs 28:26 adds,
“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, “But whoever walks wisely
will be delivered.” It would be good to take note of a Proverbs
26:1-12. This section of Scripture addresses the subject of a “fool”
and concludes with this declaration: “Do you see a man who is wise in
his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” We don’t
need to travel this road as individuals or as a nation. We still have
opportunity to return to the Lord Who stands ready to show us His mercy
and His pardon. The fool will say: “There is no God! (Psalm 14:1)” The
wise will Come To Jesus where there’s still room at the Cross for you!