Does the end justify the means?

There seems to be a perplexing phenomenon happening in the country that has the potential to reshape the evangelical community.  Granted, there is a great deal of dissension, distrust and delirium throughout the country created by a myriad of issues.  Abortion, gun control, federal judge and Supreme Court appointments, immigration, climate change, environmental concerns, Trumpisms, Medicare for all, free college tuition, etc. etc. etc.  Yet, while each of these areas of concerns have adherents and opponents, there is nothing that seems to rise to the level of the impending impeachment of the president.  Further, embedded in the furor surrounding the impeachment process, is the support that the president continues to enjoy from the evangelical community.  A basic question surrounding this support is; how can those who espouse belief in the basic tenants of Christianity support a president who by his actions and words is the antithesis of those tenants.  Here is a man who has publicly bragged about grabbing women in the most private areas of their bodies, who utters disdain for anyone who is afflicted, who degrades those who have a different belief system (assuming he has a belief system), who is nothing short of an egotistical, self-serving, narcissistic, hedonistic individual. 

In reviewing brief biographies of each of the presidents who have preceded the current person sitting in that position, I have not found an equal to what our nation is currently experiencing.  Indeed, there have been issues with many of the previous presidents, including questionable behavior and actions, but in my judgment, nothing rises to the level of disrespect for the office of president as we are currently experiencing.  There have been those that have been either elected to the presidency or ascended to the position due to the death of the president who have brought dishonor to the office.  Most recently, we have the impeachments of Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.  Nixon resigned before being impeached and Clinton was sparred by the vote in the Senate.  Only one other president, Andrew Johnson, came close, surviving by one vote in the Senate.  We are witnessing blatant disregard for long-standing precedents that presidents have followed throughout the history of the nation.  We have an individual who vacillates from truth to fiction as if there is nothing wrong with fabricating facts or as his counselor, Kellyanne Conway, noted, using “alternative facts”.   Indeed, other presidents have, no doubt, been guilty of embellishing or misleading or sharing limited information, but not just out and out lying from incident to incident.  In an interview, the president’s biographer, stated that he moves from lie to lie and does not seem to realize the difference between fact and fiction.

I have attempted to create the context that further exacerbates the above-mentioned phenomenon of the ongoing support of the evangelical community.  The results of a recent poll found that over 70 percent of white evangelicals who attend church regularly continue to support the president and will vote for him in the 2020 election.  The same poll found that 65 percent of white evangelicals who are not regular church goers continue to give their allegiance to the president. His behavior, actions and words, notwithstanding.  Recently, the president of Liberty University, Jerry Falwell, Jr. was quoted as stating that the president is a street fighter and that is what is needed by the Republican Party.  He went on to state that most Republicans in positions of power are wimps, unlike the pugilist in the White House.  A recent article in The Atlantic stated: “The enthusiastic, uncritical embrace of President Trump by white evangelicals is among the most mind-blowing developments of the Trump era.  How can a group that for decades—and especially during the Bill Clinton presidency—insisted that character counts and that personal integrity is an essential component of presidential leadership not only turn a blind eye to the ethical and moral transgressions of Donald Trump, but also constantly defend him?  Why are those who have been on the vanguard of “family values” so eager to give a man with a sordid personal and sexual history a mulligan? 

It seems obvious that for most of the evangelicals, the ends justify the means to that end.  How else can you explain how these Bible-believing Christians, “Love the Meanest Parts of Trump”, which is the headline in a November 3, 2019 article in The Atlantic magazine.  In the judgment of many, he fights for what they believe, and all his transgressions must be accepted because the ends justify the means. During the height of Senator Joseph McCarthy’s efforts to weed out communism in the country, I recall a slogan that was popular in some evangelical circles, “Kill a commie for Jesus”.  Yes, the end would justify the means.  To engage in such ruthless behavior would rid the country of the godless philosophical and political alien communistic orientation.  Eliminating a communist leaning person would be for the greater good, thus it would be deemed acceptable.  Scary, yes, but we are not far removed from that today.  To many evangelicals, Trump is God’s chosen person for these times.  It is he who has been chosen to fight the evils being perpetuated by the liberals and in doing so will save the country.  Dare we stand by and let this happen?

Coming to the end

Going through the mail each day, it never ceases to amaze me about the number of requests I receive from organizations I have never heard of asking for financial support.  I do realize that organizations that I do contribute to sell mailing lists, and this is what leads to the abundance of requests that I find in the mailbox in the course of a week.  I have been asked to help alley cats survive, donkeys to be cared for, big cats to not be forgotten, elephants to be protected, etc. etc. etc.  The other day I did receive an unsolicited request from, Compassion & Choices.  As I read the information that accompanied the request for support, I became interested in the issue that they were championing.  They cited a U.S. Supreme Court Case, Gonzales v. Oregon (2006).  The Court ruled by a 6-3 vote, that federal statutory authority cannot preempt a state’s medical practice law which allowed for physician-assisted suicide.  The Oregon Death With Dignity Act that the citizens of Oregon passed back in 1994, permitted licensed physicians to dispense or prescribe a lethal does of drugs to patients with incurable and irreversible diseases in situations in which death was imminent within six months.   The law also stated that the physician could not administer the drugs.  The Attorney General of the United States argued that the Oregon law violated the Controlled Substances Act (1970).  Simply, the Court majority argued that the federal government did not have the authority to intervene in the medical practices of the state and upheld the Oregon law.

Subsequently, I learned that in addition to Oregon, there are eight other states and the District of Columbia that give individuals the right to physician-assisted suicide and include the states of Washington, Hawaii, Maine, California, New Jersey and Vermont.  It is allowed in Montana by action of the state court. 

Obviously, giving individuals the right to request assistance of a physician to end their life would be viewed by a significant number of people as unconscionable and wrong.  For a variety of reasons, it would be argued that this is not a right to be given to an individual.  For religious and/or moral reasons such a decision is not within the purview of a person.  It is interesting to note that language in the Oregon law includes the provision that the action must be done voluntarily by the person.  Conversely, to those who would argue that only God can decide the end of life, is there an argument for the right to die with dignity?  Once a person approaches the end of life due to an incurable disease or other physical condition, is it wrong for them to make a voluntary decision to terminate their time on earth in a dignified manner.  Having visited friends and relatives in nursing homes where so many are merely existing, what is to be gained by prolonging a life absent of any quality or sustainability.  Many are dependent on others for their very existence and assistance with the basics of human life and survival.  They are unable to do anything for themselves and linger in a state of being, but not living.  Is this right? 

I recall standing beside my mother’s hospital bed with my brother and my mother’s sister, waiting for her to leave this earth.  She had suffered an unrelenting stroke and we were assured by her physician that she would never regain consciousness.  For us, it was the humane decision to make to allow her to die rather than for her to be kept alive by modern medicine and technology.   Is allowing someone to request the assistance of a physician to die any different than the decision we made?  We could be chastised by some who would argue that miracles do happen, and my mother might have consciously rebounded.  Yes, that is always a possibility, but an unlikely probability. 

Each of us will have to come to our own decision as to how we will deal with the decision when we are still able to make the decision.  Will you hang on to the belief that it is not your decision to make and the end will be determined by a higher being?  Whatever decision that you decide to make, it is imperative that you let those who might be responsible when your life comes to that time, what your desires are and how you want them to be followed.  The older I get, the more I realize that we are mortal beings and cannot cling to immortality.  Life does come to an end.  I certainly do not mean to morbid, just practical and realistic.  I think I will make a contribution to Compassion & Choices—the organization that was the impetus for this discussion!

August 2019

August 2019 has been an interesting month for several reasons.  Now that I have two hands and arms to use, let me highlight the meaningful aspects of this month.  Early in the month Carol and I flew to Spokane, Washington, rented a car and spent the week in the great state of Idaho.  Visiting Idaho has been on my list for several years given that it was the last of the 50 states for me to visit.  Now that it has been accomplished, I can move on although my list is getting shorter and shorter and physical limitations seem to pop up with every-so-often frequency.  Something I have always wanted to do was to hang glide off a mountain or cliff but does not look as if this will happen.  From teen years forward, I have always wanted to drive in a stock car race, but that’s not going to happen either.  Life goes on and the list simply includes seeing another day.  A phrase attributed to the late Senator Jerimiah Denton has become my mantra—"If the doorknob is on my side of the door, it is a good day”.  Thus far, I still see the doorknob!

Back to Idaho.  The first day and evening we stayed in a small village, Coeur d Alene.  A neat area with a large lake.  Would not mind returning and spending some time.  There was a street fair going on and we could not find any parking so went back to an area away from the activity.  The next day we drove on to Lewiston driving through Hell’s Canyon on the way.  The Snake River is at the bottom of the Canyon and the gorges are some of the deepest in the country.  Much of Idaho was created by volcanic activity so there is evidence of this throughout the state.  While in Lewiston we crossed the Snake River into Clarkston, Washington.  The two cities are named for Lewis and Clark who conducted expeditions in this part of the country.  Additional evidence of the impact of volcanoes are the miles and miles of lava fields which have been in place for thousands of years.  We visited a national park, Craters of the Moon, which is nothing but black fields of lava.  An impressive, but somewhat eerie sight.  We had the experience of being lost in the mountains as we tried to get to Sun Valley—thankfully, the young lady at the Chevron station at a crossroads to nowhere was very helpful in turning us around.  While in Twin Falls, we were encouraged to go to the Shoshone Water Falls which are purported to be higher than Niagara Falls and were very impressive.  Well worth the side trip.  Flew back home from Boise.  The time in Idaho was most enjoyable and I am glad that we brought the list to closure with the visit.

Upon returning to Alabama, Carol and I celebrated our 57th Wedding Anniversary.  Through the years she has been asked, how she put up with me for all the years.  She smiles and I cannot recall that she gives an answer.  I am very fortunate to have her in my life and I truly love her for all she has been to and for me.  Through these years she has been with me through some challenging situations.  Most recently, being there when I entered the DCH Hilton (Hospital) to have a Pacemaker inserted.  As a  result of this procedure, I could not drive for a couple of weeks and she was most Tolerant and supportive as she transported me about Tuscaloosa,  As of late last week I can drive, but have to wear a sling which I also have to wear when I sleep so my left arm does not flail about in a fit of nightmarish dreaming.  This hospital venture was not expected, but we were convinced it needed to be done.  Hope it does what it’s supposed to do!

The final event of August 2019 was that I reached the ripe old age of 80.  If anyone would have suggested that I’d still be here at this age, I would have laughed and said, “no way”.  I continued to take out double indemnity insurance policies because I was convinced, I would come to the end as the result of a car accident.  Ain’t happened yet, but there is still time.  The policies are still in force!  Carol had a party for me on the actual date of my birth and I was grateful for those who gave of their time to participate.  Both girls, Vicki and Julie, and their husbands were an important part of the celebration as were several good friends.  It was a very, very good and special time and I am, indeed, fortunate, to have people in my life who seem to care.  Makes for a good feeling!

Well, these are some of the highlights from my life this past August.  What I have shared pales in comparison to all that is going on in this country and the world.  In my 80 years, especially the adult years, I have never seen such chaos, uncertainly, confusion, repeated falsehoods and hatred as seems to characterize the daily news.  There has got to be a better way.

The Eagle has landed

It was fifty years ago that people around the world gathered around a television to witness a marvelous feat of human perseverance and accomplishment.  It was July 20, 1969 that Neil Armstrong stepped down from the lunar module on to the moon’s surface and uttered the phrase, “That’s one small step for man.  One giant leap for mankind.”  It was a shinning day for the space program and brought to fruition President Kennedy’s challenge for America to be the first to land on the moon.  It was an event that brought together Americans from all walks of life and from all political ideologies.  For a moment, all of America was on the same page, regardless of race, ethnic background, religious ideology, occupation, or economic status.  Landing on the moon served as a coalescing event which led to, temporarily, setting aside the bitterness and hatred that had been rampant during the 60’s.   There was a “oneness” that was pervasive throughout the country. 

 Keep in mind that the 1960’s was a turbulent decade of painful confrontation.   The assassinations of President John Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Senator Robert Kennedy were grim reminders of how “differences” could reach such a traumatic level.  The Civil Rights Movement provided a daily reminder of the extent to which the human spirit will go to achieve a measure of respect and dignity.  The bus boycott in Montgomery, the march from Selma to Montgomery, the Children’s March in Birmingham, sit-ins at lunch counters throughout the south were reminders of a divided nation.  The burning of the Freedom Riders bus in Anniston, Alabama, the police dogs and fire hoses in Birmingham and the untold number of lynching’s reinforced the reality of “two worlds”  The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, which left four young girls dead, was a painful reminder of how far the Ku Klux Klan would go to instill fear and intimidation in the black communities.  The number of blacks who were arrested, jailed and convicted of trumped-up charges was quite common occurrence throughout the south.

 Other traumatic aspects of the 60’s included the war in Vietnam which was pulling individuals and families in varied directions.  Leaders were being challenged as to the reason young men and women were dying or being maimed for life defending such an obscure area of the world.  Thousands returned home in a “pine box” and thousands of others returned with injuries that would be with them for the rest of their lives.    Demonstrations against the war and the pain it was inflicting on the nation were common.  Riots left cities throughout the country in charred ruins.  Businesses were looted and many small business owners were left with nothing.  The Democratic Convention was held in Chicago and this led to the streets of the city being turned into battlegrounds as demonstrators clashed with police. 

 The approval of the oral contraceptive led to young people being swept into the era of “free love”.  The “peace and love” movement culminated in the Woodstock Music Festival which drew thousands to a remote area of New York.  The passage of civil rights legislation and the voting rights bill were positive happenings during the 60’s.  Medicare and Medicaid were added as amendments to the Social Security Act and provided a medical safety net for a multitude of Americans.  Ford Motor Company produced the Mustang automobile and other car manufacturers followed with the production of their “muscle cars”.  The Beatles landed on American shores and were a rousing success for several years.  All was not problematic during the 60’s.

 Indeed, the decade of 1960 was a period characterized by a great deal of conflict, division and hatred.  As we pause and reflect on what was occurring during this time, do we see some of the same conflict, division and hatred today.  The root cause is not the same as we have seen in the past, but some of the outcomes are quite similar.  Division and difference characterize the current times.  The extent of behavior influenced by hatred toward difference is ever so like what we experienced during the 60’s.  In the absence of a landing on the moon, we need leadership that encourages coming together and working together to deal with issues and concerns.  We need a leader who appreciates the diversity that is the hallmark of this country.  We need a leader who can effectively modify and handle opinions that may not be familiar with his own.   We need a leader who respects the dignity of all humankind and kindles an environment of acceptance.  We need a leader who puts the country above self.  We do not need a leader who fans the flames of hatred.  We do not need a leader who relishes in the expressions of bitterness.  We do not need a leader who demeans those who are a bit different. There needs to be a commitment to work toward the reconciliation of difference and seek to achieve that oneness that we experience on July 20, 1968.   

It is my body!

Recently, the Governor of Alabama signed legislation into law that allows for the chemical castration of convicted sex offenders who molested a child, 13 or younger.  The sponsor of the bill has spent a decade trying to get legislation of this nature passed by the Alabama Legislature.  It is interesting to note that his success came during a period when the state legislature passed the most restrictive abortion bill in the country.  The Governor signed this bill as well.  Additionally, during this same time frame, the state is being mandated by the federal government to address egregious issues in the state’s prison system that have characterized this system for decades.  The recent publication of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s, Kids Count, has Alabama listed as the 44st state in child well-being.  This ranking is two spots lower than last year, and further illustrates the state’s lack of attention to issues that affect the children of the state.  It seems that the only time any action is taken is around issues that undermine the fabric of an enlightened society.

Having spent some time in and around child welfare systems throughout the country, I would be the first to agree that nothing is more heinous and heartbreaking than the sexual violation of a young child.  This is especially so when an infant is the victim.  Indeed, such violations must and have to be addressed, yet to do so by artificially attempting to control the perpetrator’s sexual impulses is not the answer.  Study after study has shown that such behavior is not attributed to any sexual motivation, but to the desire and need to have control of another person.  Chemically modifying a person’s testosterone level does not address the control and power issue.  To view this law as a deterrent focuses on an erroneous expectation.  It might play well for the uninformed, but it will not lead to the deterrence of the offender’s behavior.  There needs to be more attention placed on providing treatment for sex offenders. There are treatment programs that have had a measure of success.  Treating sex offenders is exceedingly challenging, but the emphasis should be placed on addressing this challenge.

The decision that the Alabama legislature and the governor reached can, certainly, be viewed as a “slippery slope.”  When the “state” dictates what happens to a person’s body, where are the lines to be drawn?  Back in 1973, the State of Alabama violated the bodies of the Relf sisters by having them sterilized to prevent them from becoming pregnant.  At the time of their involuntary sterilization, Mary Allice was 14 and Minnie Lee was 12 and were mentally challenged.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Relf were illiterate African-Americans subsisting on $150 per month.  They were receiving services from the Montgomery Alabama Community Action Program and it was under the auspices of this agency that the sterilization took place.  The sterilization of African-American women was common throughout the country.  The family planning clinic of the Montgomery Community Action program sterilized a total of 11 females, 10 of whom were African-American.  In the 1970’s 65% of sterilizations in North Carolina were done on African-American women, even though only 25% of the state’s population were African-American women.  As ordered by the district court in North Carolina, a 14-year-old woman was subjected to a total abdominal hysterectomy because she was judged to be severely mentally retarded.  The practice of eugenic sterilization was an attempt to eliminate the reproduction of genetically inferior women, such as the mentally disabled.  It was believed that allowing the procreation of these individuals would undermine the genetically superior members of society.  This can lead to a very scary proposition of governmental control.

During the reign of Hitler, there were programs that experimented with the genetic alteration of humans.  Hitler believed that there were those who were “life unworthy of life” and included prisoners, degenerates, people with congenital and physical disabilities (feeble-minded, epileptic, schizophrenic, manic-depressive, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, deaf, blind), homosexuals, the idle, the insane, and the weak.  He concluded that all of these, along with Jews and gypsies, should be “eliminated from the chain of heredity”.  Over 400,000 of those in these categories were involuntary sterilized and 300,000 were killed.  Hitler was convinced that he could create the perfect Aryan race by maintaining its purity through the culling of the undesirables.  It was because of governmental control that such outcomes occurred.

There is a reason that in the United States we live by the principal of checks and balances, yet the scales can and do get tilted.  When any government entity begins to engage in the alteration of one’s body, the potential for taking the control away from the individual and giving it to the state is possible.  What might be the next “cause” that a politician feels embolden to pursue?  Most recently it has been chemical castration and unheard of restrictions on abortions, earlier in the 20th century up until the 1970’s it was the practice of eugenic sterilization in the United States, and during the 1930’s and 1940’s it was the effort to purify the Aryan race.  The current climate seems to be ripe for additional governmental intrusions.