In a recent article, it turns out that Afghanistan is also quickly becoming 'another Iraq.' Whereas N.A.T.O. forces have been highly successful in countering the Taliban, such 'success' has resulted in a change in tactics among our National enemies, the Taliban.
I.E.D.'s or "Improvised Explosive Devices" are now replacing direct combat between U.S. Coalition Forces and the Taliban. Expect to see more lost limbs, more homeless vets (now War on Terror vets, not Vietnam vets) and a frazzled future for 'old America.'
But is this the only option?
Must we as a Nation State be forced to choose between a Barack Obama type of cowardly withdrawal from combat VS. a prolonged war on two foreign fronts (always a bad idea as any military historian will affirm)?
Between Obama style withdrawal and a sustained war against a phantom enemy desiring to maim our children there is a THIRD OPTION.
MILITANT PEACE.
No, we cannot advertise for all of the world to see 'when' and 'how' we are to withdraw (something that even our Army generals sometimes break OPSEC on).
No, when we withdraw from Iraq, and how we withdraw from Iraq, is something that must be done with the highest levels of secrecy involved.
No, when we continue the fight in Afghanistan, the end result must be PEACE. We cannot fight that war indefinitely, especially against an entrenched enemy who can kill himself through suicide bombings (Palestinian style) at a moment's notice.
No, like the state of Israel, we must increase pressure on our National enemy, radical Islam.
When Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the God-Man, and Savior of the world returns, YES, we will have an EVER-LASTING PEACE. Jesus is afterall, the Prince of Peace.
Prior to Jesus' return to earth, however, we must stand firm, think more tactically and allow our military leaders the opportunity to prove themselves.
Shalom,
Rob J King, Pro-Life Advocate and On-Line Political Commentator
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Wine & Cheese Holiness OR Radical Islamic Submission? (yikes!)
In Our Great Nation State of the United States of America, we stand at a historic cross-roads.
Will we now stand and fight or we will allow the infidel terrorist groups to continue to butcher our friends, allies and fellow fighters for freedom?
The choice is really pretty stark. On one side is the Covenant of Father Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) in which fidelity to YHWH, the Great I AM, is rewarded with Covenantal Blessing. Is it any wonder that Jews have a ton of money and send their children to the best schools, universities such as Duke, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc.? This is due to the Abrahamic BLESSING that is still in effect from the LORD Adonai, YHWH, some three to four thousand years later . . .
On the other side is Radical Islam. "Submit or die" is the mantra of the Terror cells that good Iraqi, Afghani, and Sudanese citizens are now facing . . .
We as the Republica Nueva de Los Estados Unidos in turn send good Catholic soldiers, U.S. soldiers, with names such as Rodriguez, Valesquez, Grimes, Pedro, and even a Mohammad or two who represent U.S. Patriots of the Islamic faith. Catholic, Protestant, Jew and even a few Muslems fighting to make the United States of America safe.
Now if we walk in humility, Now if we walk in contrition (not submission), Now if we walk in Covenantal Fidelity to YHWH, then the "wine & cheese" will still be there. After nightly mass or after the Baptist Country & Western Praise worship, we can then enjoy the blessings of covenant in the comfort and security of our angelically-protected homes. Without such covenantal blessing, then expect long, boring, lonely hours at the wheel if you're a truckdriver, sleepless nights if you're an accountant and a falling to Islam in the foreign theater . . .
Stay holy, stay committed, stay out of jail!
Rob J King, Political Candidate for Jesus ;-)
Will we now stand and fight or we will allow the infidel terrorist groups to continue to butcher our friends, allies and fellow fighters for freedom?
The choice is really pretty stark. On one side is the Covenant of Father Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) in which fidelity to YHWH, the Great I AM, is rewarded with Covenantal Blessing. Is it any wonder that Jews have a ton of money and send their children to the best schools, universities such as Duke, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc.? This is due to the Abrahamic BLESSING that is still in effect from the LORD Adonai, YHWH, some three to four thousand years later . . .
On the other side is Radical Islam. "Submit or die" is the mantra of the Terror cells that good Iraqi, Afghani, and Sudanese citizens are now facing . . .
We as the Republica Nueva de Los Estados Unidos in turn send good Catholic soldiers, U.S. soldiers, with names such as Rodriguez, Valesquez, Grimes, Pedro, and even a Mohammad or two who represent U.S. Patriots of the Islamic faith. Catholic, Protestant, Jew and even a few Muslems fighting to make the United States of America safe.
Now if we walk in humility, Now if we walk in contrition (not submission), Now if we walk in Covenantal Fidelity to YHWH, then the "wine & cheese" will still be there. After nightly mass or after the Baptist Country & Western Praise worship, we can then enjoy the blessings of covenant in the comfort and security of our angelically-protected homes. Without such covenantal blessing, then expect long, boring, lonely hours at the wheel if you're a truckdriver, sleepless nights if you're an accountant and a falling to Islam in the foreign theater . . .
Stay holy, stay committed, stay out of jail!
Rob J King, Political Candidate for Jesus ;-)
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Cathedrals, kings, and the 'cult' of Opus Dei . . .
Today I worshipped at the Catholic Cathedral in the Diocese, St. Jude the Apostle (St. Jude is both a Biblical writer and the patron saint of 'lost causes . . .')
As I worshipped in this 'Magisterial' edifice it brought back memories. Memories of Fr. Lau the handsome young priest whom the congregation adored back in the 1970's (I guess Fr. Lau is probably around 70 now!).
I also remembered quite vividly my first sacrament of reconciliation. As a second grader I boldly confessed that when I was 4 or 5 years old I had intentionally stole a pack of gum from my next door neighbor Jay. I confessed this sin (at like age 8 or so!), received absolution from the priest, made my First Holy Communion (complete with a late, thrown-together-at-the-last-minute Holy Communion party at our former house in St. Pete) and since then I have never looked back. One confession of stolen gum was all it took to never commit the act of thievery again!
What can you say, Catholic penitential practices actually work in training us in Virtue!
Now, as a 35 year old man (soon-to-be- 36! Ay Dios mio . . . soy viejo! :-) I am continuing the Work of sanctification that I started so long ago.
B.A. in Religion from #10 ranked Davidson College (where Tony Snow, White House Press Secretary attended as a philosophy major!).
M.Div. and Th.M. (under Stanley Hauerwas and Geoffrey Wainwright) from #4 ranked Duke University (where Grant Hill and Christian Laetner "attended" ;-)
Ph.D. studies (in Ethics) from the University of Notre Dame, a place caught between apostasy among some, and virulent STAUNCH CATHOLIC conviction among others (e.g. Current Department of Theology Chair, John Cavadini, a good friend and a man whom I respect greatly).
In all things, I have excelled.
Then why is it that those of us with STRONG religious convictions are so often literally demonized by the secular media?
Religious is often the first word that is included with the phrase "Religious Fanatic ..."
Similarly, although STRONG SCHOLARS such as Scott Hahn of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio or Lawrence Cunningham of Notre Dame are affiliated with the radical Catholic conservative Group Opus Dei, they to are similarly demonized.
To be Opus Dei in some quarters is to literally be the self-flagellating monk Silas from the movie (and book) The Da Vinci Code . . .
Even before the book and movie phenom (something I read back in 2004), Notre Dame (yes "the" Catholic University in America!) literally banned Opus Dei from even meeting on campus, and this at a Catholic School and with a group that is a Personal Prelature of the Pope himself.
To be Opus Dei, or it seems to even be reverent, is akin to being a 'fanatic' or even a member of a 'cult . . .' For example, in a recent interview to teach Ethics at a local state school, the Ethics Director, an Evangelical Protestant (Church of Christ) rather insultingly asked me about my tie which had the LORD's Prayer written on it, and whether or not I would be able to "separate my faith from my teaching?"
To this rather insulting show of bravado (especially coming from someone of much inferior academic mettle), I responded graciously and as an Academic (which I am!) and told him that I view attempts to teach secular ethics as nothing other than a part of Catholic Natural Law thinking and as such, I am not going to overstep any such mythical boundaries between 'separation of Church and State' and that I follow Catholic Teaching on this subject (when I referenced Pope John Paul II's encyclical on the matter, Fides et Ratio, or "Faith & Reason" I could sense a HUGE "gulp" on this young man's part because he quickly realized that I am much more read on the topic! Not to mention my role as an Army reserve Chaplain and how we are pretty much the Federal Government's 'specialists' concerning Freedom of Religion issues . . . again another "whoops" on this fellow's part).
So, whenever anyone questions your Christian Faith, be bold and do not back down! St. Peter stood firm for Christ (and was even crucified upside down by the pagan roman rulers of the day), but the end result is that now "the Church at Rome" is the largest branch of Christianity, headquartered in Rome itself and boasting literally 1 billion members worldwide . . .
Also, if you are into things like "self-flagellation," praying the rosary, buying icons at the local Russian art store, smoking incense in your home or any of the other myriad of ways that we are to be Christian, besides from steering clear of the psycho- therapeutic police who like to imprison good Catholics, Evangelicals, Orthodox, etc. just for believing in Jesus (Freud himself labelled all religious belief as 'delusional' . . .), I also recommend that you hone your intellectual skills. Read writers such as Marcus Grodi, founder of the Coming Home Network (http://www.chnetwork.org/) and regular host of the EWTN Catholic Television show "Journeys Home." Also, read writers such as Scott Hahn, himself a "self-flagellater" Opus Dei man (with a PhD in Biblical studies mind you!). Finally, read extensively throughout Christian History.
Blessings in Jesus, King of kings and LORD of lords,
Rob J King, Political Candidate for Jesus and member of the Work in heaven, and friend of it here on earth . . .
As I worshipped in this 'Magisterial' edifice it brought back memories. Memories of Fr. Lau the handsome young priest whom the congregation adored back in the 1970's (I guess Fr. Lau is probably around 70 now!).
I also remembered quite vividly my first sacrament of reconciliation. As a second grader I boldly confessed that when I was 4 or 5 years old I had intentionally stole a pack of gum from my next door neighbor Jay. I confessed this sin (at like age 8 or so!), received absolution from the priest, made my First Holy Communion (complete with a late, thrown-together-at-the-last-minute Holy Communion party at our former house in St. Pete) and since then I have never looked back. One confession of stolen gum was all it took to never commit the act of thievery again!
What can you say, Catholic penitential practices actually work in training us in Virtue!
Now, as a 35 year old man (soon-to-be- 36! Ay Dios mio . . . soy viejo! :-) I am continuing the Work of sanctification that I started so long ago.
B.A. in Religion from #10 ranked Davidson College (where Tony Snow, White House Press Secretary attended as a philosophy major!).
M.Div. and Th.M. (under Stanley Hauerwas and Geoffrey Wainwright) from #4 ranked Duke University (where Grant Hill and Christian Laetner "attended" ;-)
Ph.D. studies (in Ethics) from the University of Notre Dame, a place caught between apostasy among some, and virulent STAUNCH CATHOLIC conviction among others (e.g. Current Department of Theology Chair, John Cavadini, a good friend and a man whom I respect greatly).
In all things, I have excelled.
Then why is it that those of us with STRONG religious convictions are so often literally demonized by the secular media?
Religious is often the first word that is included with the phrase "Religious Fanatic ..."
Similarly, although STRONG SCHOLARS such as Scott Hahn of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio or Lawrence Cunningham of Notre Dame are affiliated with the radical Catholic conservative Group Opus Dei, they to are similarly demonized.
To be Opus Dei in some quarters is to literally be the self-flagellating monk Silas from the movie (and book) The Da Vinci Code . . .
Even before the book and movie phenom (something I read back in 2004), Notre Dame (yes "the" Catholic University in America!) literally banned Opus Dei from even meeting on campus, and this at a Catholic School and with a group that is a Personal Prelature of the Pope himself.
To be Opus Dei, or it seems to even be reverent, is akin to being a 'fanatic' or even a member of a 'cult . . .' For example, in a recent interview to teach Ethics at a local state school, the Ethics Director, an Evangelical Protestant (Church of Christ) rather insultingly asked me about my tie which had the LORD's Prayer written on it, and whether or not I would be able to "separate my faith from my teaching?"
To this rather insulting show of bravado (especially coming from someone of much inferior academic mettle), I responded graciously and as an Academic (which I am!) and told him that I view attempts to teach secular ethics as nothing other than a part of Catholic Natural Law thinking and as such, I am not going to overstep any such mythical boundaries between 'separation of Church and State' and that I follow Catholic Teaching on this subject (when I referenced Pope John Paul II's encyclical on the matter, Fides et Ratio, or "Faith & Reason" I could sense a HUGE "gulp" on this young man's part because he quickly realized that I am much more read on the topic! Not to mention my role as an Army reserve Chaplain and how we are pretty much the Federal Government's 'specialists' concerning Freedom of Religion issues . . . again another "whoops" on this fellow's part).
So, whenever anyone questions your Christian Faith, be bold and do not back down! St. Peter stood firm for Christ (and was even crucified upside down by the pagan roman rulers of the day), but the end result is that now "the Church at Rome" is the largest branch of Christianity, headquartered in Rome itself and boasting literally 1 billion members worldwide . . .
Also, if you are into things like "self-flagellation," praying the rosary, buying icons at the local Russian art store, smoking incense in your home or any of the other myriad of ways that we are to be Christian, besides from steering clear of the psycho- therapeutic police who like to imprison good Catholics, Evangelicals, Orthodox, etc. just for believing in Jesus (Freud himself labelled all religious belief as 'delusional' . . .), I also recommend that you hone your intellectual skills. Read writers such as Marcus Grodi, founder of the Coming Home Network (http://www.chnetwork.org/) and regular host of the EWTN Catholic Television show "Journeys Home." Also, read writers such as Scott Hahn, himself a "self-flagellater" Opus Dei man (with a PhD in Biblical studies mind you!). Finally, read extensively throughout Christian History.
Blessings in Jesus, King of kings and LORD of lords,
Rob J King, Political Candidate for Jesus and member of the Work in heaven, and friend of it here on earth . . .
Friday, May 25, 2007
Cuesta Rey Cigars and the "Cult of Cool . . ."
Upon graduating from Chaplain's Officer Basic Leadership Course (Jan. - April 2007), I was awarded a diploma, the regimental crest of the United States Army Chaplaincy, and most importantly, a gourmet Spanish cigar from my friend and Chaplaincy Colleague, 2LT Marc Hoffman.
Hoffman, a fellow Pentecostal-charismatic Chaplain, could sense that I had notoriously bad taste in cigar-smoking (at that time "Swisher Sweets" . . .) and so "awarded" me with one of his prized collection Spanish cigars . . .
So, there we were, 2LT Hoffman, CH (1LT) Sneed (a southern Baptist compadre) and myself, smoking the night away in Ft. Jackson per diem style (yes, your tax dollars were actually spent on Chaplains smoking cigars . . . sorry about that one! :-)
Now, what is it that makes some things "cool" while other things, "ver boten" in upper echeolons of society?
Sure. a Swisher Sweet did me fine while smokin' outside of the Officer's Quarters for Chaplains and others at Ft. Jackson. In fact, my Black friends, one Baptist abstaining, thought that my "Swisher Sweets" were QUITE COOL . . . A female Apostolic friend (bishop of numerous churches in Africa) even said that it reminded her of her husband's own cigar afficiando-smoking. BUT, outside of those who know that really a cigar is "just a bunch of tobacco rolled up" (black folks just have more sense than we white boy Pentecostal preachers!!! :-), for some reason, "Swisher Sweets" just wouldn't fly in certain more uppity areas.
Take for example my new home of St. Petersburg, Florida. Whereas in some quarters, such "ordinary" cigars are fine, welcome and "even cool," in those "yacht club" new money places, suddenly it's not just "smoking a cigar" that counts, it has to be the "right" cigar (just like those $78 jeans "on sale" at BayWalk, the nouveau riche shopping district of downtown St. Pete).
BUT, according to the theory of Natural Law thinking in which "truth is truth" no matter where it can be found, and no matter which race or "class" one is in, a cigar and any cigar is really just a pile of rolled up tobacco leaves, hand-made or NOT!
Now, here is where the American and European-Indian "Cult of Cool" suddenly has a major flaw, namely, to what extent is "cool" utterly "aribitrary." For example, at one point the singer Debbie Gibson was a female pop star whom everyone oogled after, but now, it's like "Debbie Who?" Similarly, with the famous Cuesta Rey Cigar Phenom (yes, these cigars can cost $8 - 20 per cigar!!!), the humor in it all is that the Spanish word for cost is, you guessed it, "CUESTA." As in "cuanto cuesta?" which means, of course as anyone who has haggled in a Latin American flea market, "How much does it cost?" Also, "REY" is none other than the Spanish word for "KING."
So, if you put "CUESTA" and "REY" together, the name of that deliciously expensive cigar (demaisado caro!) is, none other than, "COST KING."
Now, next time you "light up," go up to the counter of your local snobby cigar joint (I buy mine at a Discount dealer run by a nice Arabic man), and proudly ask for their finest cigar, say, "I smoke NOTHING but COST KING cigars!!!"
So, there you have it, from Cuesta Rey to "COST KING," in one bold move, thereby defeating the evil panapoly of Cigar Smokin', Liquor-Drinkin', Beemer drivin' corporate thugs who try to legislate for us what is "cool" by simply overpricing items. I cannot wait to meet Donald Trump some day and say, Mr. Trump, would you care to have a "Cuesta Rey" on the house, and then the second Mr. Trump lights up and puffs, I'll drop the bomb and say, "Why yes, it means, 'COST KING' in Espanol . . ."
Viva la Republica de los Estados Unidos para la Obra de Dios.
Love & Blessings in Jesus,
Rob
Hoffman, a fellow Pentecostal-charismatic Chaplain, could sense that I had notoriously bad taste in cigar-smoking (at that time "Swisher Sweets" . . .) and so "awarded" me with one of his prized collection Spanish cigars . . .
So, there we were, 2LT Hoffman, CH (1LT) Sneed (a southern Baptist compadre) and myself, smoking the night away in Ft. Jackson per diem style (yes, your tax dollars were actually spent on Chaplains smoking cigars . . . sorry about that one! :-)
Now, what is it that makes some things "cool" while other things, "ver boten" in upper echeolons of society?
Sure. a Swisher Sweet did me fine while smokin' outside of the Officer's Quarters for Chaplains and others at Ft. Jackson. In fact, my Black friends, one Baptist abstaining, thought that my "Swisher Sweets" were QUITE COOL . . . A female Apostolic friend (bishop of numerous churches in Africa) even said that it reminded her of her husband's own cigar afficiando-smoking. BUT, outside of those who know that really a cigar is "just a bunch of tobacco rolled up" (black folks just have more sense than we white boy Pentecostal preachers!!! :-), for some reason, "Swisher Sweets" just wouldn't fly in certain more uppity areas.
Take for example my new home of St. Petersburg, Florida. Whereas in some quarters, such "ordinary" cigars are fine, welcome and "even cool," in those "yacht club" new money places, suddenly it's not just "smoking a cigar" that counts, it has to be the "right" cigar (just like those $78 jeans "on sale" at BayWalk, the nouveau riche shopping district of downtown St. Pete).
BUT, according to the theory of Natural Law thinking in which "truth is truth" no matter where it can be found, and no matter which race or "class" one is in, a cigar and any cigar is really just a pile of rolled up tobacco leaves, hand-made or NOT!
Now, here is where the American and European-Indian "Cult of Cool" suddenly has a major flaw, namely, to what extent is "cool" utterly "aribitrary." For example, at one point the singer Debbie Gibson was a female pop star whom everyone oogled after, but now, it's like "Debbie Who?" Similarly, with the famous Cuesta Rey Cigar Phenom (yes, these cigars can cost $8 - 20 per cigar!!!), the humor in it all is that the Spanish word for cost is, you guessed it, "CUESTA." As in "cuanto cuesta?" which means, of course as anyone who has haggled in a Latin American flea market, "How much does it cost?" Also, "REY" is none other than the Spanish word for "KING."
So, if you put "CUESTA" and "REY" together, the name of that deliciously expensive cigar (demaisado caro!) is, none other than, "COST KING."
Now, next time you "light up," go up to the counter of your local snobby cigar joint (I buy mine at a Discount dealer run by a nice Arabic man), and proudly ask for their finest cigar, say, "I smoke NOTHING but COST KING cigars!!!"
So, there you have it, from Cuesta Rey to "COST KING," in one bold move, thereby defeating the evil panapoly of Cigar Smokin', Liquor-Drinkin', Beemer drivin' corporate thugs who try to legislate for us what is "cool" by simply overpricing items. I cannot wait to meet Donald Trump some day and say, Mr. Trump, would you care to have a "Cuesta Rey" on the house, and then the second Mr. Trump lights up and puffs, I'll drop the bomb and say, "Why yes, it means, 'COST KING' in Espanol . . ."
Viva la Republica de los Estados Unidos para la Obra de Dios.
Love & Blessings in Jesus,
Rob
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Racist Paranoia or TRUE Homeland Security?
I am a big fan of George W. Bush and Senator John McCain. Bush, former Governor of Texas (Tejas in the original language ;-) and McCain long-time Governor of the great state of Arizona (home of Wyatt Earp :-), are both moderate voices when in comes to border patrol.
To Bush, Mexican immigrants are a life-blood of the New America. Rosary beads and Virgin of Guadalupe stickers on the back of Rav-4's are the New Desert Southwest.
To McCain, similarly, rather than "detracting from the 'American Way of Life," the good senator instead sees the Mexican American population for who they truly are. Good, honest, family values-supporting, extremely hard-working, intelligent, compassionate, nuevos Americanos. Sure there are drug runners in any people group. Sure Al Qaida would love to recruit from such a staunchly Catholic population (also many Evangelical Protestants as well), BUT, the MAJORITY of Mexican Americans are WONDERFUL PEOPLE!
Vive Los Estados Unidos Nuevos . . .
Thank you to Senator McCain, our Commander and President George W. Bush, and to my fellow Republicans for crafting an immigration bill that ignored the call of paranoid racist polemics (for example the Minutemen militia), and I am sorry that the Republican Party is cow-towing to the racists in the Party by seeking to further criminalize Mexicans through the racist provisions contained in The Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007.
You are welcome in the United States my Mexican friends.
God bless,
Rob J King, McCain-Bush Republican
To Bush, Mexican immigrants are a life-blood of the New America. Rosary beads and Virgin of Guadalupe stickers on the back of Rav-4's are the New Desert Southwest.
To McCain, similarly, rather than "detracting from the 'American Way of Life," the good senator instead sees the Mexican American population for who they truly are. Good, honest, family values-supporting, extremely hard-working, intelligent, compassionate, nuevos Americanos. Sure there are drug runners in any people group. Sure Al Qaida would love to recruit from such a staunchly Catholic population (also many Evangelical Protestants as well), BUT, the MAJORITY of Mexican Americans are WONDERFUL PEOPLE!
Vive Los Estados Unidos Nuevos . . .
Thank you to Senator McCain, our Commander and President George W. Bush, and to my fellow Republicans for crafting an immigration bill that ignored the call of paranoid racist polemics (for example the Minutemen militia), and I am sorry that the Republican Party is cow-towing to the racists in the Party by seeking to further criminalize Mexicans through the racist provisions contained in The Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007.
You are welcome in the United States my Mexican friends.
God bless,
Rob J King, McCain-Bush Republican
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Tri-Care Apostasy OR Jesus-Name Only Praying?
The former Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmidt (please read Klingenschmidt's story at . . . http://www.militarycorruption.com/annapolis.htm) was publicly humiliated by the corrupt military hierarchy, severely reprimanded, and even to this day is scorned by so-called fellow "evangelical chaplains" who have chosen to serve their bellies rather than serve the One and ONLY True God Who IS Jesus Christ!
I also, as a military chaplain (U.S. Army Reserves) have been censored for my publicly held religious convictions as a Christian. Sure, I politely agreed to abstain from even praying at non-religious public prayer ceremonies (e.g. Memorial ceremonies in which all soldiers are commanded to attend), but the fact that I have been forced into such a position of prayer "conscientious objection" (a category that does not even fit in the standard "C.O." military classifications!) is a sad, sad statement on the abuse of religious freedom that is currently en vogue in the United States Military Chaplaincy Branch (interestingly enough, not usually the actual Commanders of companies, battalions, brigades, etc. who can and often do encourage we Jesus-Prayers in our Public Prayers!).
No, contrary to the First Ammendment of the Constitution of the United States of America in which Congress shall make no law "prohibiting the free exercise of religion," from the Navy to the Air Force to the Army to the Marines, Chaplaincies are falling into apostasy . . .
One chaplain, a soon-to-be major, and war vet, even remarked in cowardice that I should "choose my battles" and that the Jesus-Name controversy was "not the hill to die on . . ."
To this utter cowardice (something that goes directly against the Army Values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage), I wrly responded to the captain, "We never choose the hills we are to die on . . ."
So, why would Baptists, Pentecostals, and even one or two Catholic priests "capitulate" and renounce their Christ publicly? (of course, I also know of another Vatican-supporting priest who bravely sought to pray in Christ's Name only to be similarly censored).
Well, the answer is certainly NOT the Chain of Command itself! From President George W. Bush to even Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton, the right of each soldier to pray publicly in the name of their respective deity has been supported. Additionally, most Commanders, both secular and Christian whom I have come across similarly support the Constitution on this point and do not publicly censor their chaplains. In fact, I know of one former company commander who although a secularist nonetheless really appreciated the role of a Jesus' Name-prayin' Chaplain . . .
My "hunch" is that such theological apostasy on the part of many chaplains is simply a fear that their fellow chaplains might publicly pressure them concerning such Jesus-Praying. And, fearing the loss of good military benefits (for example, Tri-Care, the socialized medicine provided by the military), chaplain after chaplain agrees in fear to not pray in Jesus' Name, thereby surrendering his or her rights to pray any way he or she pleases (e.g. in Allah's name, in Buddha's name, et al) as protected by the Constitution.
So, there you have it. The Gordon Klingenschmidt controversy solved. Chaplain Klingenschmidt sided with Jesus. The Chaplain who reprimanded him chose health care instead . . .
Blessings in Jesus' Name,
Rob J King, Constitutional Protector of Freedom
I also, as a military chaplain (U.S. Army Reserves) have been censored for my publicly held religious convictions as a Christian. Sure, I politely agreed to abstain from even praying at non-religious public prayer ceremonies (e.g. Memorial ceremonies in which all soldiers are commanded to attend), but the fact that I have been forced into such a position of prayer "conscientious objection" (a category that does not even fit in the standard "C.O." military classifications!) is a sad, sad statement on the abuse of religious freedom that is currently en vogue in the United States Military Chaplaincy Branch (interestingly enough, not usually the actual Commanders of companies, battalions, brigades, etc. who can and often do encourage we Jesus-Prayers in our Public Prayers!).
No, contrary to the First Ammendment of the Constitution of the United States of America in which Congress shall make no law "prohibiting the free exercise of religion," from the Navy to the Air Force to the Army to the Marines, Chaplaincies are falling into apostasy . . .
One chaplain, a soon-to-be major, and war vet, even remarked in cowardice that I should "choose my battles" and that the Jesus-Name controversy was "not the hill to die on . . ."
To this utter cowardice (something that goes directly against the Army Values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage), I wrly responded to the captain, "We never choose the hills we are to die on . . ."
So, why would Baptists, Pentecostals, and even one or two Catholic priests "capitulate" and renounce their Christ publicly? (of course, I also know of another Vatican-supporting priest who bravely sought to pray in Christ's Name only to be similarly censored).
Well, the answer is certainly NOT the Chain of Command itself! From President George W. Bush to even Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton, the right of each soldier to pray publicly in the name of their respective deity has been supported. Additionally, most Commanders, both secular and Christian whom I have come across similarly support the Constitution on this point and do not publicly censor their chaplains. In fact, I know of one former company commander who although a secularist nonetheless really appreciated the role of a Jesus' Name-prayin' Chaplain . . .
My "hunch" is that such theological apostasy on the part of many chaplains is simply a fear that their fellow chaplains might publicly pressure them concerning such Jesus-Praying. And, fearing the loss of good military benefits (for example, Tri-Care, the socialized medicine provided by the military), chaplain after chaplain agrees in fear to not pray in Jesus' Name, thereby surrendering his or her rights to pray any way he or she pleases (e.g. in Allah's name, in Buddha's name, et al) as protected by the Constitution.
So, there you have it. The Gordon Klingenschmidt controversy solved. Chaplain Klingenschmidt sided with Jesus. The Chaplain who reprimanded him chose health care instead . . .
Blessings in Jesus' Name,
Rob J King, Constitutional Protector of Freedom
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Gentrified Living or Homeless Gang-busting???
Yesterday I just signed a lease for a NICE 1 bedroom apartment in a soon-to-be-exclusive part of St. Petersburg, Florida . . .
$600/month, with hardwood floors, walking distance to Starbuck's, the downtown Pier and three blocks or so from 1/2 million dollar luxury condominium high-rises next to Tampa Bay, Florida.
A dream come true for this Florida boy!
But, as I excitedly prepare to transfer from Officer's Basic quarters (still nice, but Ft. Jackson, S.C. sure as heck is not St. Petersburg, FL) to my new Jesus-provided luxury living, I am perplexed.
Why is "urban development" necessarily tied to "homeless eviction?"
Sure, homelessness is an urban blight, but the true blight are not the homeless people themselves (people who are often criminalized just for being "poor"). No, the true blight is not a group of people who struggle with addictions, possibly struggle with schizophrenia, or possibly are just "down on their luck," having been evicted by a disgruntled spouse or other family member. ALL people are created in GOD's IMAGE. In the words of our Declaration of Independence as American citizens, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal . . ."
ALL PEOPLE also includes the homeless, and homeless people should NOT be criminalized just for being "homeless." After all, Jesus, the God-Man, was said to be a homeless man also . . . "The Son of Man [Jesus] has no place to lay His head . . ." so Holy Scripture reminds us.
So, in our efforts to "clean up" America, which does include cleaning up "crack houses" and fostering economically-viable "urban re-development," let us not forget the poor who live among us. Jesus told us to "Give to everyone who begs from us," and NOT to treat the homeless as useless garbage to be disposed of (e.g. St. Petersburg, Florida's anti-begging laws!). To do such "Homeless Gang-Busting" is there in turn a violation of a DIRECT COMMAND from GOD HIMSELF, JESUS, the GOD-MAN and SAVIOR of ALL HUMANITY who turn to Him in repentance seeking forgiveness of sins . . .
Blessings in Jesus' Name,
Rob J King, Homeless Advocate
$600/month, with hardwood floors, walking distance to Starbuck's, the downtown Pier and three blocks or so from 1/2 million dollar luxury condominium high-rises next to Tampa Bay, Florida.
A dream come true for this Florida boy!
But, as I excitedly prepare to transfer from Officer's Basic quarters (still nice, but Ft. Jackson, S.C. sure as heck is not St. Petersburg, FL) to my new Jesus-provided luxury living, I am perplexed.
Why is "urban development" necessarily tied to "homeless eviction?"
Sure, homelessness is an urban blight, but the true blight are not the homeless people themselves (people who are often criminalized just for being "poor"). No, the true blight is not a group of people who struggle with addictions, possibly struggle with schizophrenia, or possibly are just "down on their luck," having been evicted by a disgruntled spouse or other family member. ALL people are created in GOD's IMAGE. In the words of our Declaration of Independence as American citizens, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal . . ."
ALL PEOPLE also includes the homeless, and homeless people should NOT be criminalized just for being "homeless." After all, Jesus, the God-Man, was said to be a homeless man also . . . "The Son of Man [Jesus] has no place to lay His head . . ." so Holy Scripture reminds us.
So, in our efforts to "clean up" America, which does include cleaning up "crack houses" and fostering economically-viable "urban re-development," let us not forget the poor who live among us. Jesus told us to "Give to everyone who begs from us," and NOT to treat the homeless as useless garbage to be disposed of (e.g. St. Petersburg, Florida's anti-begging laws!). To do such "Homeless Gang-Busting" is there in turn a violation of a DIRECT COMMAND from GOD HIMSELF, JESUS, the GOD-MAN and SAVIOR of ALL HUMANITY who turn to Him in repentance seeking forgiveness of sins . . .
Blessings in Jesus' Name,
Rob J King, Homeless Advocate
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The Use of Pleasure
In Michel Foucault's The Use of Pleasure (a book that I read as part of a PhD course in Early Christian Asceticism), the Greco-Roman practices of male and female relations are explored in detail. From homosexuality (especially prevalent among the Greek aristocratic elite philosopher-kings) to household economies (something often controlled by women ironically enough), Foucault presents a compelling and historically accurate photo of sexual mores in the Ancient Greco-Roman world.
Within this at times over-sexed, but also at times, sex-denying culture (i.e. even pagan philosophers such as often-times platonists), the human physical body was of the utmost concern to the sophisticated Greeks and Romans. Whereas pagan 'barbarians' (essentially anyone not Greek or Roman) would copulate freely like the animals of the fields, the Greeks and Romans had elaborate and sophisticated mores guiding such inter-penetration. Helen was the lady who single-handedly brought many a Greek man to his death at the hands of the Trojans. People could be raped by their pedophile philosophical mentors who befriended such 'boys' as their own personal sex-slaves (even Plato referred to this practice in The Republic). In short, sex was on almost every one's minds in the days of yore.
Into this wildly sexual scene, however, the Church of Jesus Christ arose. Within only a few short years, from Jesus (who wasn't really married to Mary Magdalene, Da Vinci Code ruse-style!) through the Apostle Paul, suddenly celibacy was the practice de jeur among the new aristocrats, the Christians. If one could control one's sex one could in turn control the world!
Here is where the ancient monastic tradition proves especially interesting within the contemporary U.S. political scene. In an American society that is as over-sexed as the Greeks and Romans of old (also killing off the unwanted babies through infanticide like the ancient Greeks and Romans did to their unwanted children), sex is similarly crass, but also a tool of rulership. Bono of U2, a married man, can gesticulate wildly and he thereby exhibits true power. Man and woman alike would want to get into Bono's pants (granted, homosexual men!), but as a true Christian man, Bono of U2 has remained happily married to the same woman (not a man, God forbid!!!) for the course of his career. Unlike Britney Spears who flaunted her Micky Mouse midriff but fell into a divorce/custody war and later alcohol rehab (what can you say, she couldn't control her sex!), someone like Bono is an exemplar of marital fidelity, and thus exhibits true power. Abstain from pre-marital and extra-marital sex, and rule the world.
Here is where Presidential politics get 'tricky.' In the scandalous to America, but tout de force for European sexual practice, the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky affair elevated adultery to the National/Federal level. The Nation (not the Republican Party by the way) decided to just "wink, wink, nudge, nudge . . ." and allow the Commandment "Thou shalt not commit adultery" to be broken by Bubba Bill Clinton.
Now that we are in the post-adultery is ver boten era of American history, the ability to keep one's penis in one's pants (or selectively let it out) is once again a form of 'power politics' Greco-Roman pagan style. No longer will the monks rule in a visible way (unless one is named Richard Gere and the monks in question are Buddhists living in Tibet and thus not true monks!). No, Christian Europe of the pre-Renaissance Era is no longer a historical option. We ARE a Christian Empire of North, South and Central America, BUT a Christian Empire that is ruled as much by financial power and Bill Gates-style techno-savvy as we are anything specifically Christian. Preference is given to Unitarianism in the 'public sphere' but only so as not to anger Jews and Muslems, fellow monotheists. BUT, and an important but, when "push comes to shove" and we want to pray as a Nation, we still pray to the God who IS Jesus Christ. From Joel Osteen to Bishop T.D. Jakes to Benny Hinn to Pope Benedict XVI, we as a Western Hemisphere are, however imperfectly, a Christian imperial realm.
So, now that all of that sex, drugs and rock & roll becoming Christian imperialism is cleared up, let us join together and unlike Britney Spears, show some sexual restraint. Bill (and Hilary!) keep your private lives (as adulterous as they are) to yourselves. We could care less how much you really needed to get "pizza delivered" from your former intern. Britney, we could care less how you left your husband and became an alcoholic who shaved her head "neo-nazi" style. Mtv, we could care less whatever your 'real world' may be. It's nothing but empty pleasure-seeking to the rest of us good, hard-working, Sabbath-keeping Christian Americans.
Stay holy, stay loving, stay committed. Look Bono of U2 did and see what that did to his career! ;-)
God bless,
Rob J King, Political Candidate for Jesus
Within this at times over-sexed, but also at times, sex-denying culture (i.e. even pagan philosophers such as often-times platonists), the human physical body was of the utmost concern to the sophisticated Greeks and Romans. Whereas pagan 'barbarians' (essentially anyone not Greek or Roman) would copulate freely like the animals of the fields, the Greeks and Romans had elaborate and sophisticated mores guiding such inter-penetration. Helen was the lady who single-handedly brought many a Greek man to his death at the hands of the Trojans. People could be raped by their pedophile philosophical mentors who befriended such 'boys' as their own personal sex-slaves (even Plato referred to this practice in The Republic). In short, sex was on almost every one's minds in the days of yore.
Into this wildly sexual scene, however, the Church of Jesus Christ arose. Within only a few short years, from Jesus (who wasn't really married to Mary Magdalene, Da Vinci Code ruse-style!) through the Apostle Paul, suddenly celibacy was the practice de jeur among the new aristocrats, the Christians. If one could control one's sex one could in turn control the world!
Here is where the ancient monastic tradition proves especially interesting within the contemporary U.S. political scene. In an American society that is as over-sexed as the Greeks and Romans of old (also killing off the unwanted babies through infanticide like the ancient Greeks and Romans did to their unwanted children), sex is similarly crass, but also a tool of rulership. Bono of U2, a married man, can gesticulate wildly and he thereby exhibits true power. Man and woman alike would want to get into Bono's pants (granted, homosexual men!), but as a true Christian man, Bono of U2 has remained happily married to the same woman (not a man, God forbid!!!) for the course of his career. Unlike Britney Spears who flaunted her Micky Mouse midriff but fell into a divorce/custody war and later alcohol rehab (what can you say, she couldn't control her sex!), someone like Bono is an exemplar of marital fidelity, and thus exhibits true power. Abstain from pre-marital and extra-marital sex, and rule the world.
Here is where Presidential politics get 'tricky.' In the scandalous to America, but tout de force for European sexual practice, the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky affair elevated adultery to the National/Federal level. The Nation (not the Republican Party by the way) decided to just "wink, wink, nudge, nudge . . ." and allow the Commandment "Thou shalt not commit adultery" to be broken by Bubba Bill Clinton.
Now that we are in the post-adultery is ver boten era of American history, the ability to keep one's penis in one's pants (or selectively let it out) is once again a form of 'power politics' Greco-Roman pagan style. No longer will the monks rule in a visible way (unless one is named Richard Gere and the monks in question are Buddhists living in Tibet and thus not true monks!). No, Christian Europe of the pre-Renaissance Era is no longer a historical option. We ARE a Christian Empire of North, South and Central America, BUT a Christian Empire that is ruled as much by financial power and Bill Gates-style techno-savvy as we are anything specifically Christian. Preference is given to Unitarianism in the 'public sphere' but only so as not to anger Jews and Muslems, fellow monotheists. BUT, and an important but, when "push comes to shove" and we want to pray as a Nation, we still pray to the God who IS Jesus Christ. From Joel Osteen to Bishop T.D. Jakes to Benny Hinn to Pope Benedict XVI, we as a Western Hemisphere are, however imperfectly, a Christian imperial realm.
So, now that all of that sex, drugs and rock & roll becoming Christian imperialism is cleared up, let us join together and unlike Britney Spears, show some sexual restraint. Bill (and Hilary!) keep your private lives (as adulterous as they are) to yourselves. We could care less how much you really needed to get "pizza delivered" from your former intern. Britney, we could care less how you left your husband and became an alcoholic who shaved her head "neo-nazi" style. Mtv, we could care less whatever your 'real world' may be. It's nothing but empty pleasure-seeking to the rest of us good, hard-working, Sabbath-keeping Christian Americans.
Stay holy, stay loving, stay committed. Look Bono of U2 did and see what that did to his career! ;-)
God bless,
Rob J King, Political Candidate for Jesus
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The Axiomatic Character of American National Identity
The U2 song "Bullet the Blue Sky" (from the album The Joshua Tree) perhaps sums up the axiomatic character of American National Identity.
On the one hand, we are truly "land of the free, home of the brave." We have freedom of the press (somewhat eroding under both corporate and governmental "Big Brother" watching over it all of the time). We are a brave people, whether it is the U.S. Marine Corps doing the dirty job of killing the Taliban so that we can sip our Starbucks in Manhattan in safety OR the brave Pro-Life movement (with leaders such as Randall Terry and George W. Bush and Antonin Scalia) bravely "bucking the trend" of viewing babies as disposal cargo who can be killed if a pregnancy ever gets in the way of attending Harvard's Ph.D. program.
In U2's "Bullet the Blue Sky," such freedom and bravery are nevertheless exposed to a paradoxical critique. The same nation that sided with Lech Walesa in helping to overthrow communism in the formerly Soviet Eastern bloc countries is also the country that has sided with Latin American fascism in its efforts to eradicate communism from the Globe. In one poignant guitar-rift, the Edge (U2's guitarist) belts out this angry cord of justice-seeking in reference to the content of the song, namely the U.S.'s support of fascism in El Salvador during the 1980's. "Pounding of the women and children, pounding of the women and children . . . who run, into the arms, of America."
Yes, America, the beautiful land of freedom is also the land, that at times has supported the wrong side in world diplomacy. Yes, Marxism is virulently anti-American (much worse, anti-Christian!), and so Pope Benedict XVI is correct in silencing theologians who are ideologically Marxist (i.e. Liberation Theologians). Yes, Marxism should be opposed by the United States. But in confronting one enemy, one should not embrace another! The devilish hand of Marxism should not be fought with the unmerciful hand of neo-fascism, neither the Latin American nor the Western European version (e.g. the Minutemen Militia who opposed Mexican immigration due to racism rather than true concern for securing our national borders against drug runners and Al Qaida). "The pounding of the women and children, the pounding of the women and children . . . who run into the arms of America."
Truly, our Nation State will prosper to the extent that we welcome refugees from war-torn lands. Lands such as the Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan will produce the next generation of cab drivers, coffee shop owners, and indeed the next Senators and Congressman of the new America. From South Korea, the Christian Church has received the flame of the Holy Spirit and proud South Korean clergymen now serve as Chaplains in our U.S. Armed Forces. "Yo te quiero" is no longer the sound of Latin American love-making alone, but instead is the Tele Savalas meets Ricky Martin "La Vida Loca" nuevo romantico of the United States. To be Latin is to be a lover, not to be a destitute orange grove migrant worker.
No, America has prospered to the extent that we have welcomed and incorporated the many unique threads of world cultures into our fabric of National Identity. And for people escaping the ravages of state-supported terror (El Salvador in the 1980's) or the pernicious appeal of Marxist ideology (Cuba in the late 20th and early 21st century), such FREEDOM and BRAVERY it turns out are QUITE APPEALING! In fact, some of the bravest U.S. soldiers I know come from places such as India, the Philippines, Africa or Latin America. TRUE BLUE Americans, willing to fight and die for their country.
Won't you now join with me in insuring for these brave men and women who immigrated to the United States that the U.S.A. that we know and love will always be worth dying for . . .
Pro Deo et Patria ("For God and Country")
Rob J King, concerned American
On the one hand, we are truly "land of the free, home of the brave." We have freedom of the press (somewhat eroding under both corporate and governmental "Big Brother" watching over it all of the time). We are a brave people, whether it is the U.S. Marine Corps doing the dirty job of killing the Taliban so that we can sip our Starbucks in Manhattan in safety OR the brave Pro-Life movement (with leaders such as Randall Terry and George W. Bush and Antonin Scalia) bravely "bucking the trend" of viewing babies as disposal cargo who can be killed if a pregnancy ever gets in the way of attending Harvard's Ph.D. program.
In U2's "Bullet the Blue Sky," such freedom and bravery are nevertheless exposed to a paradoxical critique. The same nation that sided with Lech Walesa in helping to overthrow communism in the formerly Soviet Eastern bloc countries is also the country that has sided with Latin American fascism in its efforts to eradicate communism from the Globe. In one poignant guitar-rift, the Edge (U2's guitarist) belts out this angry cord of justice-seeking in reference to the content of the song, namely the U.S.'s support of fascism in El Salvador during the 1980's. "Pounding of the women and children, pounding of the women and children . . . who run, into the arms, of America."
Yes, America, the beautiful land of freedom is also the land, that at times has supported the wrong side in world diplomacy. Yes, Marxism is virulently anti-American (much worse, anti-Christian!), and so Pope Benedict XVI is correct in silencing theologians who are ideologically Marxist (i.e. Liberation Theologians). Yes, Marxism should be opposed by the United States. But in confronting one enemy, one should not embrace another! The devilish hand of Marxism should not be fought with the unmerciful hand of neo-fascism, neither the Latin American nor the Western European version (e.g. the Minutemen Militia who opposed Mexican immigration due to racism rather than true concern for securing our national borders against drug runners and Al Qaida). "The pounding of the women and children, the pounding of the women and children . . . who run into the arms of America."
Truly, our Nation State will prosper to the extent that we welcome refugees from war-torn lands. Lands such as the Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan will produce the next generation of cab drivers, coffee shop owners, and indeed the next Senators and Congressman of the new America. From South Korea, the Christian Church has received the flame of the Holy Spirit and proud South Korean clergymen now serve as Chaplains in our U.S. Armed Forces. "Yo te quiero" is no longer the sound of Latin American love-making alone, but instead is the Tele Savalas meets Ricky Martin "La Vida Loca" nuevo romantico of the United States. To be Latin is to be a lover, not to be a destitute orange grove migrant worker.
No, America has prospered to the extent that we have welcomed and incorporated the many unique threads of world cultures into our fabric of National Identity. And for people escaping the ravages of state-supported terror (El Salvador in the 1980's) or the pernicious appeal of Marxist ideology (Cuba in the late 20th and early 21st century), such FREEDOM and BRAVERY it turns out are QUITE APPEALING! In fact, some of the bravest U.S. soldiers I know come from places such as India, the Philippines, Africa or Latin America. TRUE BLUE Americans, willing to fight and die for their country.
Won't you now join with me in insuring for these brave men and women who immigrated to the United States that the U.S.A. that we know and love will always be worth dying for . . .
Pro Deo et Patria ("For God and Country")
Rob J King, concerned American
Monday, May 14, 2007
Overcoming the Iraq War Fall-Out . . .
I just received an e-mail from a Battalion Chaplain who is of the Southern Baptist persuasion. This Army Chaplain, a former missionary to Brazil and other places, is quite astute at noticing subtle cultural dynamics at play in world events.
In fact, this Chaplain was our "intel" person when I was in attendance recently at Chaplain's Officer Basic Training. Not compromising any type of National Security interests, I can still nonetheless state, without equivocation, that this "intel" Chaplain friend is seeing what the mainline media is also seeing, that is a gradual erosion of American identity as caused by the War in Iraq.
Whereas at the founding of the Great American Republic, the freedom of the press, freedom of religion and freedom of speech were highly valued by men such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and even my own "great, great, great uncle on my grandma's side," the late George Walton a signer of the Declaration of Independence, now American cultural identity is extinct.
To be American no longer means things like "due process under law" or "respect for intrinsic inalienable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." No, American identity is essentially a hodge-podge of pop culture shaped as much by Mr. T, Dora the Explorer, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Guess jeans and New York the Big Apple where no one wants to live, but everyone actually claims as the "American City."
Truly, fractured times that we are now facing as a people called Americans. George Orwell wrote 1984 concerning "Big Brother," and sure enough "Big Brother" is always watching. From eye retina scans at check-cashing places or surveillance cameras in Ybor City (a historic party-town area of Tampa, FL), we are a Nation that is no longer truly American.
Now is the time, therefore, to reclaim our distinctively American heritage. Let us reclaim the right of the press to report events freely, and without bias, nor government and corporate surveillance! Let us reclaim freedom of religion. Let us reclaim the right to LIFE, the most fundamental of human rights, and oppose DEATH in all of its forms, whether it is the killing of babies (abortion), the killing of the mentally ill (the slippery slope of physician-assisted suicide laws) or the use of capital punishment when other options are more readily available such as life internment, the official Life Ethic of the 1 billion member Catholic communion by the way.
Let us reclaim America!
God Bless,
Rob J King, Republican Political Voice
In fact, this Chaplain was our "intel" person when I was in attendance recently at Chaplain's Officer Basic Training. Not compromising any type of National Security interests, I can still nonetheless state, without equivocation, that this "intel" Chaplain friend is seeing what the mainline media is also seeing, that is a gradual erosion of American identity as caused by the War in Iraq.
Whereas at the founding of the Great American Republic, the freedom of the press, freedom of religion and freedom of speech were highly valued by men such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and even my own "great, great, great uncle on my grandma's side," the late George Walton a signer of the Declaration of Independence, now American cultural identity is extinct.
To be American no longer means things like "due process under law" or "respect for intrinsic inalienable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." No, American identity is essentially a hodge-podge of pop culture shaped as much by Mr. T, Dora the Explorer, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Guess jeans and New York the Big Apple where no one wants to live, but everyone actually claims as the "American City."
Truly, fractured times that we are now facing as a people called Americans. George Orwell wrote 1984 concerning "Big Brother," and sure enough "Big Brother" is always watching. From eye retina scans at check-cashing places or surveillance cameras in Ybor City (a historic party-town area of Tampa, FL), we are a Nation that is no longer truly American.
Now is the time, therefore, to reclaim our distinctively American heritage. Let us reclaim the right of the press to report events freely, and without bias, nor government and corporate surveillance! Let us reclaim freedom of religion. Let us reclaim the right to LIFE, the most fundamental of human rights, and oppose DEATH in all of its forms, whether it is the killing of babies (abortion), the killing of the mentally ill (the slippery slope of physician-assisted suicide laws) or the use of capital punishment when other options are more readily available such as life internment, the official Life Ethic of the 1 billion member Catholic communion by the way.
Let us reclaim America!
God Bless,
Rob J King, Republican Political Voice
Sunday, May 13, 2007
OPSEC
I am a military chaplain. As a military chaplain I am required to abide by the law of the land (UCMJ) and also the LAW of the LORD, the One and Only True God.
I am obviously indebted to the United States of America. I am indebted because for most of our history, it was not only easy to be a Christian, but in fact being a Christian was the norm. President after President, whether Democrat or Republican, have always been Christian. Whether it is a Southern Baptist genius scholar like Bill Clinton, or an Evangelical Methodist "blue-blood" from Yale such as George W. Bush, Presidents have been Christian.
This may change. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America. Mormonism, an off-shoot of classic orthodox Christianity is also one of the fastest growing religions in America. Scientology is prevalent among the movie stars (Tom Cruise and John Travolta!), and even cults such as satanism and Wicca (a form of witchcraft) are officially recognized religions by the United States military (whether or not they should be is an entirely different story altogether . . .).
Here is where our Nation State is in peril. Whereas in previous times, America could at least gather around the central figures of Abraham, Moses and the rest of the Judeo-Christian tradition (thereby infusing the Republic with Judeo-Christian moral ideals), now with unmitigated religious pluralism (satanism?) the chances of any type of true morality holding together our republic seem slim indeed.
That was the old America. Not the "historic America" of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abe Lincoln, et al. No, the old America of post 1960's religious pluralism, infanticide (abortion), gay rights, etc. The old America that may in fact be in steep decline.
Here is why. Turns out "traditional religion" is on the rise!
From rosaries dawning the dashboards of nearly every Hispanic automobile to Pentecostal dove insignias on the back of SUV's, America seems to be increasingly saying, "Give me that old time religion." Not only, give me that old time religion, but give us our Christianity back. We WANT JESUS!
Here is where a true hope now lies in the political arena. Whether Democrats such as Barak Obama (a true man of Christian belief apparently) or Republicans like myself ;-) being a "Jesus-freak" turns out is not only respected, but desired in the political arena.
Now, that I am a declared "Jesus-freak," the rest is up to the LORD Jesus and God the Father and God the Holy Spirit to do. Move me Jesus, Move me Holy Spirit, Move me Father God. In the words of Jesus, "not my will, but thine be done" Father, on earth as it is in heaven . . .
This is the truest form of "Operational Security" that we as a Nation State can have. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the LORD of hosts. If we are threatened by Islamic fundamentalist radicals, we will not win this War on Terror by means of military finesse. Any computer program can be hacked. Any secret security clearance broken. Any country betrayed from within. Lenin apparently was able to initiate the Bolshevik uprising in the old Russia with a relatively small handful of fellow conspirators. Whether it is satanists or communists or Islamic fundamentalist radicals, the same could have happened here. Unlike pre-Soviet Russia, however, a Nation that fell to the communist regime because of its theological apostasy, that is, it's collective turning away from Christian belief and practice, America, the great U.S.A. still hankers after that "old timey religion." Whether it is a Billy Graham Crusade, Benny Hinn, or praying the rosary in parish after parish, people are hungry for Jesus.
Put your trust in Jesus. Only through Jesus can we as a people called America have a true and lasting "OPSEC" (Operational Security).
Love in Jesus, KING of kings, and LORD of lords,
Rob J King, political candidate for Jesus
I am obviously indebted to the United States of America. I am indebted because for most of our history, it was not only easy to be a Christian, but in fact being a Christian was the norm. President after President, whether Democrat or Republican, have always been Christian. Whether it is a Southern Baptist genius scholar like Bill Clinton, or an Evangelical Methodist "blue-blood" from Yale such as George W. Bush, Presidents have been Christian.
This may change. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America. Mormonism, an off-shoot of classic orthodox Christianity is also one of the fastest growing religions in America. Scientology is prevalent among the movie stars (Tom Cruise and John Travolta!), and even cults such as satanism and Wicca (a form of witchcraft) are officially recognized religions by the United States military (whether or not they should be is an entirely different story altogether . . .).
Here is where our Nation State is in peril. Whereas in previous times, America could at least gather around the central figures of Abraham, Moses and the rest of the Judeo-Christian tradition (thereby infusing the Republic with Judeo-Christian moral ideals), now with unmitigated religious pluralism (satanism?) the chances of any type of true morality holding together our republic seem slim indeed.
That was the old America. Not the "historic America" of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abe Lincoln, et al. No, the old America of post 1960's religious pluralism, infanticide (abortion), gay rights, etc. The old America that may in fact be in steep decline.
Here is why. Turns out "traditional religion" is on the rise!
From rosaries dawning the dashboards of nearly every Hispanic automobile to Pentecostal dove insignias on the back of SUV's, America seems to be increasingly saying, "Give me that old time religion." Not only, give me that old time religion, but give us our Christianity back. We WANT JESUS!
Here is where a true hope now lies in the political arena. Whether Democrats such as Barak Obama (a true man of Christian belief apparently) or Republicans like myself ;-) being a "Jesus-freak" turns out is not only respected, but desired in the political arena.
Now, that I am a declared "Jesus-freak," the rest is up to the LORD Jesus and God the Father and God the Holy Spirit to do. Move me Jesus, Move me Holy Spirit, Move me Father God. In the words of Jesus, "not my will, but thine be done" Father, on earth as it is in heaven . . .
This is the truest form of "Operational Security" that we as a Nation State can have. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the LORD of hosts. If we are threatened by Islamic fundamentalist radicals, we will not win this War on Terror by means of military finesse. Any computer program can be hacked. Any secret security clearance broken. Any country betrayed from within. Lenin apparently was able to initiate the Bolshevik uprising in the old Russia with a relatively small handful of fellow conspirators. Whether it is satanists or communists or Islamic fundamentalist radicals, the same could have happened here. Unlike pre-Soviet Russia, however, a Nation that fell to the communist regime because of its theological apostasy, that is, it's collective turning away from Christian belief and practice, America, the great U.S.A. still hankers after that "old timey religion." Whether it is a Billy Graham Crusade, Benny Hinn, or praying the rosary in parish after parish, people are hungry for Jesus.
Put your trust in Jesus. Only through Jesus can we as a people called America have a true and lasting "OPSEC" (Operational Security).
Love in Jesus, KING of kings, and LORD of lords,
Rob J King, political candidate for Jesus
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Happy Birthday to my favorite family member!
In the highest echelons of academic power, at points it is necessary to "honor" those who positively shape your life. One example is what is called a "feschrift" which is a collection of essays to honor a particular faculty member who has left an indelible mark on others.
Well, Michelle, my learned niece who has always read the best books and listened to the absolute best contemporary music (her uncle Rob's U2, the Violent Femmes, R.E.M., the Cure, et al), I will now honor you with an On-Line "feschrift" of sorts that will be a collection of wisdom that I have learned from you my beloved niece . . .
First, never speak ill of another person. It may (and usually does!) come back to haunt us!
Second, always choose one's romantic partners very carefully. It may (and usually did!) come back to haunt us!
Third, always believe in Jesus, but don't just go along with the self-righteous religious Christian crowd because they may themselves be far from Who Jesus actually is!
Fourth, always practice GRACE. Yes, we each can be scatter-brained about birthdays, dates on the calendar, but GRACE and love covers all of this.
Fifth, always go roller-blading. Okay, I never actually do this because I would get blisters, but you inspire me with your tenacity.
Love always,
Tu Tio Roberto (Rob J King)
Well, Michelle, my learned niece who has always read the best books and listened to the absolute best contemporary music (her uncle Rob's U2, the Violent Femmes, R.E.M., the Cure, et al), I will now honor you with an On-Line "feschrift" of sorts that will be a collection of wisdom that I have learned from you my beloved niece . . .
First, never speak ill of another person. It may (and usually does!) come back to haunt us!
Second, always choose one's romantic partners very carefully. It may (and usually did!) come back to haunt us!
Third, always believe in Jesus, but don't just go along with the self-righteous religious Christian crowd because they may themselves be far from Who Jesus actually is!
Fourth, always practice GRACE. Yes, we each can be scatter-brained about birthdays, dates on the calendar, but GRACE and love covers all of this.
Fifth, always go roller-blading. Okay, I never actually do this because I would get blisters, but you inspire me with your tenacity.
Love always,
Tu Tio Roberto (Rob J King)
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The "Bi-Polar"-ization of American Politics
I have a dear friend who works in a Physician's Office. This dear friend, a brilliant and insightful mind (straight A student just about) swears up and down that a link can be made between pharmaceutical companies "pushing" certain drugs in order to bolster profits, but pushing drugs that do not have any legitimate medical need for these drugs.
Take the most recent issue of U.S. News & World Report for example. Wedged within its pages are full-page ads for drugs such as Celebrex (to alleviate arthritis pain), Nexium (to alleviate acid reflux disease), Lipitor (to reduce the risk of stroke), Lunesta (to treat sleep disorders) and Seroquel (to alleviate the supposed psycho-somatic disorder known as "bi-polar disorder").
Okay, now this has gone totally overboard! In a 65 page magazine, a total of FIVE advertisements for pharmaceuticals!
Who ever heard of taking an aspirin? (to alleviate the pain & inflammation of arthritis) Who ever heard of pepto bismal to relieve one's stomach? Who ever heard of warm milk before going to bed in order to sleep more soundly? Finally, regarding the "pseudo-disorder" of "bi-polar disorder" (formerly called "manic-depression") who ever heard of just taking a nice walk in the park to even out one's mood? It seems to work well for the squirrels and the ducks . . .
On a more serious note, while still noting the vested financial interests in the pharmaceutical companies either inventing new disorders (e.g. ADHD children who are anesthetized with ritalin), the recent 'cult of the psycho-therapeutic' has reached new heights of audacity. For example, in politics, it is now somewhat 'vogue' to dismiss one's opponents neither by rational dialogue, nor by intellectual acumen, but by simply labeling them as "delusional." One most horrifying example of such psycho-babble mud-slinging is the recent statement by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean calling President George W. Bush, our Nation's duly elected Commander 'delusional.'
This is more than irresponsible politics, folks. This is out right anti-Americanism.
At no time in our nation's history, short of the actual Civil War, have two political parties been so vehemently pitted against each other. Silence the opposition by any means necessary is the political mantra of the day. Both parties use scare tactics, exclusion, and now at the height of immoral political behavior, calling the President 'delusional.'
Truly we live in fractured times. The War in Iraq is a mess by any person's estimation. Osama bin Laden is still at large. The economy sputters along. And what do the politicians do about it? Well, short of any true wisdom, they seek to gain power by any means necessary. Pure, unbridled Machiavellianism is the order de jeur in the American political scene. Don't try to argue with an opponent. Instead, just label them 'delusional.'
Truly American politics need FRESH political voices!
If you are interested in a new, bi-partisan, highly intelligent form of politics rooted in the moral ideals that founded the American Republic (Ideals such as due process under law, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and protection of the unborn), then please send an e-mail to me.
God bless,
Rob J King, Republican Political Voice
Take the most recent issue of U.S. News & World Report for example. Wedged within its pages are full-page ads for drugs such as Celebrex (to alleviate arthritis pain), Nexium (to alleviate acid reflux disease), Lipitor (to reduce the risk of stroke), Lunesta (to treat sleep disorders) and Seroquel (to alleviate the supposed psycho-somatic disorder known as "bi-polar disorder").
Okay, now this has gone totally overboard! In a 65 page magazine, a total of FIVE advertisements for pharmaceuticals!
Who ever heard of taking an aspirin? (to alleviate the pain & inflammation of arthritis) Who ever heard of pepto bismal to relieve one's stomach? Who ever heard of warm milk before going to bed in order to sleep more soundly? Finally, regarding the "pseudo-disorder" of "bi-polar disorder" (formerly called "manic-depression") who ever heard of just taking a nice walk in the park to even out one's mood? It seems to work well for the squirrels and the ducks . . .
On a more serious note, while still noting the vested financial interests in the pharmaceutical companies either inventing new disorders (e.g. ADHD children who are anesthetized with ritalin), the recent 'cult of the psycho-therapeutic' has reached new heights of audacity. For example, in politics, it is now somewhat 'vogue' to dismiss one's opponents neither by rational dialogue, nor by intellectual acumen, but by simply labeling them as "delusional." One most horrifying example of such psycho-babble mud-slinging is the recent statement by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean calling President George W. Bush, our Nation's duly elected Commander 'delusional.'
This is more than irresponsible politics, folks. This is out right anti-Americanism.
At no time in our nation's history, short of the actual Civil War, have two political parties been so vehemently pitted against each other. Silence the opposition by any means necessary is the political mantra of the day. Both parties use scare tactics, exclusion, and now at the height of immoral political behavior, calling the President 'delusional.'
Truly we live in fractured times. The War in Iraq is a mess by any person's estimation. Osama bin Laden is still at large. The economy sputters along. And what do the politicians do about it? Well, short of any true wisdom, they seek to gain power by any means necessary. Pure, unbridled Machiavellianism is the order de jeur in the American political scene. Don't try to argue with an opponent. Instead, just label them 'delusional.'
Truly American politics need FRESH political voices!
If you are interested in a new, bi-partisan, highly intelligent form of politics rooted in the moral ideals that founded the American Republic (Ideals such as due process under law, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and protection of the unborn), then please send an e-mail to me.
God bless,
Rob J King, Republican Political Voice
Monday, May 7, 2007
nor prohibiting the 'free exercise thereof' . . .
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
--The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America (protecting freedom of religion and freedom of speech to include freedom of the press)
I am a military chaplain. I do not say that I am a military chaplain in order to advance a partisan political cause. My views find a home in both the Democrat and the Republican Parties. I am in correspondence with both Democrats and Republicans. I am a Chaplain in the Army Reserves in order to INSURE that the religious freedom of U.S. soldiers is FULLY respected. Whether it is the necessity of attending Catholic mass, the practice of Islamic Friday prayer or the practice of speaking in tongues as part of Christian worship (Pentecostal), I am to insure the 'free exercise' of religion. I am also a military chaplain at a time in our Nation's history in which this second provision of the First Amendment is under attack from BOTH sides of the political spectrum.
The liberal anti-Constitutionalist wishes to eradicate all expressions of religion in the public sphere, which is a violation of the 1st Amendment due to this intrinsically 'prohibiting the free exercise thereof' of religious expression, part of which IS public. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the U.S. Civil Rights movement of the 1960's WELL-demonstrated the need for such PROPHETIC political witness (pressure even) that is necessary for our "polis," (i.e. our government at the Federal, State and Local levels) to be critically scrutinized for potential abuses of power.
The conservative anti-Constitutionalist similarly wishes to eradicate the free exercise of religion. Rather than limiting "other religions," however, usually the conservative anti-Constitutionalist will either subtly or directly pressure fellow Christians to not fully practice the tenets of their respective faith, whether it is limiting Mennonites who wish to remain pacifists (abuses perpetrated against Indiana Mennonite farmers during WW I) OR limiting Trinitarian prayer in the public sphere. To limit the free exercise of religion (with some exceptions that would necessarily violate laws protecting children, animal cruelty, etc) would therefore be anti-Constitutional, and there in turn, anti-American.
No, rather than being an anti-Constitutionalist, of either the Liberal or the Conservative stripe, as a citizen of the United States (and as an Officer in the United States Army), I am to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, the founding document that has maintained the structural and political integrity of due political and judicial process, albeit imperfectly, but nonetheless powerfully for the past two centuries. To not support the Constitution is to be un-American, and Thank God, I have been BLESSED to be born into a Republic although imperfect, is nonetheless vitally committed to upholding such moral ideals.
God bless,
Rob J King
--The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America (protecting freedom of religion and freedom of speech to include freedom of the press)
I am a military chaplain. I do not say that I am a military chaplain in order to advance a partisan political cause. My views find a home in both the Democrat and the Republican Parties. I am in correspondence with both Democrats and Republicans. I am a Chaplain in the Army Reserves in order to INSURE that the religious freedom of U.S. soldiers is FULLY respected. Whether it is the necessity of attending Catholic mass, the practice of Islamic Friday prayer or the practice of speaking in tongues as part of Christian worship (Pentecostal), I am to insure the 'free exercise' of religion. I am also a military chaplain at a time in our Nation's history in which this second provision of the First Amendment is under attack from BOTH sides of the political spectrum.
The liberal anti-Constitutionalist wishes to eradicate all expressions of religion in the public sphere, which is a violation of the 1st Amendment due to this intrinsically 'prohibiting the free exercise thereof' of religious expression, part of which IS public. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the U.S. Civil Rights movement of the 1960's WELL-demonstrated the need for such PROPHETIC political witness (pressure even) that is necessary for our "polis," (i.e. our government at the Federal, State and Local levels) to be critically scrutinized for potential abuses of power.
The conservative anti-Constitutionalist similarly wishes to eradicate the free exercise of religion. Rather than limiting "other religions," however, usually the conservative anti-Constitutionalist will either subtly or directly pressure fellow Christians to not fully practice the tenets of their respective faith, whether it is limiting Mennonites who wish to remain pacifists (abuses perpetrated against Indiana Mennonite farmers during WW I) OR limiting Trinitarian prayer in the public sphere. To limit the free exercise of religion (with some exceptions that would necessarily violate laws protecting children, animal cruelty, etc) would therefore be anti-Constitutional, and there in turn, anti-American.
No, rather than being an anti-Constitutionalist, of either the Liberal or the Conservative stripe, as a citizen of the United States (and as an Officer in the United States Army), I am to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, the founding document that has maintained the structural and political integrity of due political and judicial process, albeit imperfectly, but nonetheless powerfully for the past two centuries. To not support the Constitution is to be un-American, and Thank God, I have been BLESSED to be born into a Republic although imperfect, is nonetheless vitally committed to upholding such moral ideals.
God bless,
Rob J King
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Why I Like Opus Dei
Opus Dei. The Name itself sends "chills" through many living in the postmodern West. Inspired by the fictitious account of "Silas" the Opus Dei monk in the monumental best-seller The Da Vinci Code, Opus Dei is now a household name. In fact, due to reading The Da Vinci Code (or at least the first third of the novel), I too researched Opus Dei, read about its founder, and even met with a numerary of Opus Dei.
So, what is it that I like about Opus Dei?
Well, contrary to misconception that Opus Dei is some sado-masochist Roman Catholic cult, Opus Dei, instead reflects the essence of true Catholicism and its commitment to complete sanctification. Sanctification of work itself is stressed through focusing on how whatever daily task we do, whether it is preparing people's taxes at H & R Block or sweeping the trash of a city side-walk, Opus Dei calls its members to pursue holiness in and through their daily work. In fact, the very name Opus Dei means simply "Work of God" which in itself is a reflection of how the Redemption of Jesus Christ not only affects our souls, but also our physical bodies (Catholic Incarnational Theology), so that all of our daily work can be "lifted up" as a sacrificial love offering to the LORD.
Sanctification, for Opus Dei, also involves practices such daily reception of the Eucharist, the Physical Body and Blood of Jesus in the bread and the wine, daily prayers such as the rosary, and weekly confession. In short, Opus Dei is simply orthodox Catholicism, neither extremist, nor a "cult." Truly, some practices such as corporal mortification seem psychotic to many in the modern psycho-therapeutic West, yet when set within their proper theological context, even corporal mortification is nothing other than a vicarious sharing in the suffering of Jesus Christ. In places like Latin America in which pilgrims will walk on their knees as an offering of penance in union with Jesus' sufferings on Calvary, such practices are deemed beautiful, and a life-giving form of piety. In the modern West in which all suffering should be avoided at all costs, and any intentionally-inflicted suffering, irregardless of its theological (or anthropological context) is also deemed deviant at best and psychotic at worst.
No, even the most "extreme" practices of Opus Dei (such as corporal mortification) have an extremely well-grounded history set within 2000 years of Christian practice and still a part of the devotional practices of many Catholics throughout the globe.
So, why do I find Opus Dei so attractive you may still be wondering?
In short, I am impressed by Opus Dei's rigor, Opus Dei's scrutiny of sin, Opus Dei's continual call to repentance, Opus Dei's centering in the Eucharist and Opus Dei's sharing of resources. In short, Opus Dei is trying to simply be the Church.
Blessings,
Rob J King
So, what is it that I like about Opus Dei?
Well, contrary to misconception that Opus Dei is some sado-masochist Roman Catholic cult, Opus Dei, instead reflects the essence of true Catholicism and its commitment to complete sanctification. Sanctification of work itself is stressed through focusing on how whatever daily task we do, whether it is preparing people's taxes at H & R Block or sweeping the trash of a city side-walk, Opus Dei calls its members to pursue holiness in and through their daily work. In fact, the very name Opus Dei means simply "Work of God" which in itself is a reflection of how the Redemption of Jesus Christ not only affects our souls, but also our physical bodies (Catholic Incarnational Theology), so that all of our daily work can be "lifted up" as a sacrificial love offering to the LORD.
Sanctification, for Opus Dei, also involves practices such daily reception of the Eucharist, the Physical Body and Blood of Jesus in the bread and the wine, daily prayers such as the rosary, and weekly confession. In short, Opus Dei is simply orthodox Catholicism, neither extremist, nor a "cult." Truly, some practices such as corporal mortification seem psychotic to many in the modern psycho-therapeutic West, yet when set within their proper theological context, even corporal mortification is nothing other than a vicarious sharing in the suffering of Jesus Christ. In places like Latin America in which pilgrims will walk on their knees as an offering of penance in union with Jesus' sufferings on Calvary, such practices are deemed beautiful, and a life-giving form of piety. In the modern West in which all suffering should be avoided at all costs, and any intentionally-inflicted suffering, irregardless of its theological (or anthropological context) is also deemed deviant at best and psychotic at worst.
No, even the most "extreme" practices of Opus Dei (such as corporal mortification) have an extremely well-grounded history set within 2000 years of Christian practice and still a part of the devotional practices of many Catholics throughout the globe.
So, why do I find Opus Dei so attractive you may still be wondering?
In short, I am impressed by Opus Dei's rigor, Opus Dei's scrutiny of sin, Opus Dei's continual call to repentance, Opus Dei's centering in the Eucharist and Opus Dei's sharing of resources. In short, Opus Dei is trying to simply be the Church.
Blessings,
Rob J King
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