Posted by
peripheral on Saturday, April 25, 2009 6:45:31 AM
From My Perspective - - -
In a 1989 a film entitled, Field Of Dreams
was released. It is a story about a rural Iowa farmer who hears a voice
whispering - "If you build it, he will come", and sees a vision of a
baseball field. Believing he is somehow being asked to build it, Ray
plows under his corn and builds the field. Ray and Annie are eventually
forced to consider replacing the field with corn to stay financially
solvent. At this point Ray’s wife spots a man on the ball-field, who
Ray discovers is baseball player - Shoeless Joe Jackson. Joe is thrilled
to be able to play baseball again, and asks to bring others with him to
the field. He later returns with seven other players who were banned
from playing baseball in the 1919 Black Sox scandal, emerging from the
corn by the outfield.
In a similar way, the Helena Independent Record (MT) reported on February 13, 2008 - "Misunderstanding Leaves Hardin Prison Standing Empty" -
By Jennifer Mckee. The article states: “The Two Rivers Regional State
and Federal Support and Detention Facility in Hardin is almost ready to
be occupied, but is without a contract with the state to house state
inmates. As told by state and city of Hardin officials Tuesday, the
history behind Hardin's empty, 464-bed prison hinges on one enormous -
and expensive - misunderstanding. We didn't sign any contracts with
this group; There are no e-mails or promises. The committee does not
have the authority to change state law or approve prison contracts with
Two Rivers. Hardin city officials worked with a Texas consortium to
build and finance the $27 million prison. It was completed this summer
and promoted as a way to bring 100 new jobs to the economically
depressed town at the edge of the Crow Indian Reservation. The prison
needs about 250 inmates to make enough money to open its doors and
begin to repay the millions needed to build it, Hardin officials said.
The financing package includes enough money for the prison to sit empty
until May of 2009. After that, the prison would be nearing a financial
crisis. But by not repaying its bonds until then, the prison would
technically be in default on its debt.
Based on the theory - “If
You Build It They Will Come” – who is envisioned as coming? The latest
idea for this unneeded prison is to invite the Federal Government to
move the Guantanamo Detainees to this empty facility that is ready to
enter foreclosure. In the US Senate debate, Senator McConnell stated:
"Foreign countries have thus far been unwilling to take them in any
significant numbers. And even if countries were willing to take them,
there's an increasing probability that some of these murderers would
return to the battlefield…The administration needs to tell the American
people what it plans to do with these men if they close Guantanamo,…two
years ago the Senate voted 94-3 against sending detainees to the U.S.”
However, there is $80 million budgeted to close the Guantanamo Facility
and to relocate the detainees.
Consider these things with me -
- - In Luke 14:28-30, Jesus gives a lesson on stewardship, building and
practicality in terms of plans and the development of them. Note what
Jesus states: “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not
first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete
it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish,
all who see it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and
was not able to finish.” An application can be, who would set out to
build a prison before (a) determining the need for it, (b) securing a
contract approving it, and (c) having some idea who will populate it.
In this Age Of Earmarks, it’s easy to understand the securing of
revenue (albeit, this is said to be a “private” venture) for such
projects. So much of what is done tends to ignore the basic and
long-range planning that should be part and parcel of any project
and/or development of it. Too much is done on the faulty basis of,
“It’s Easier To Get Forgiveness Than It Is To Get Permission!” We have
the mistaken notion in this country that if we spend enough everything
will work efficiently. We need a gigantic octagon shaped sign in the
chambers of Congress – visible to all – that simply states: STOP! The
broader question is: Are the Bureaucrats capable and desirous of
following sound fiscal policy. Maybe someone will come to the
conclusion that we can’t manage a mind-boggling $10 Trillion deficit,
neither can our children or grand-children. Jesus states: Calculate the
cost FIRST! Is it too late for us to do that now? Hmmmm!