I've seen many quotes recently about "Why did this disaster strike Haiti." You've probably seen some of them too. Many of us recoil at them, knowing instinctively that they are a poor attempt at explaining something that boggles the mind. One self-proclaimed Athiest put up a Youtube video claiming that the earthquake was proof to bible believing Christians that their faith was self contradictory. Either the loving God allowed the quake and disaster, or he caused it, or could have prevented it and did not. Either way, he was to blame for it, so there's no God, and you are all deluded.
I just finished reading the book of Job. Job, by all accounts a good, righteous man, is afflicted as a result of what could only be called a bar bet between God and Satan. The bet is that man worships God only when he is blessed, and a man in poverty and sickness will turn against God. Job loses his family, his wealth, his reputation, his social standing, and his health. His four "friends" tell him to find what he's done wrong, and confess it to get his state restored, but he refuses to plead guilty to something he did not do.
Finally, God shows up to answer Job's questions -- and what is the answer? God says "Where were you when created the world, the stars, the crocodile? " It's not much of an answer, yet Job says "I had heard of you, but now that I see you, I repent". Just seeing God was the answer to suffering for Job.
Interestingly, just today I ran across this quote from CS Lewis that echoes, I believe, the same sentiment:
"I ended my first book with the words 'no answer.' I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice? Only words, words; to be led out to battle against other words."
— C.S. Lewis
Haiti is tragic, but is just a macrocosm of what happens to people around the world every hour of every day: accident, disease, and death do not take a holiday, they are part of our lives. This is just what happens all the time, except a lot of it at once. For those who seek an answer to "why" I would say, seek the face of God. And while you're at it, pray for the people of Haiti.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
How Obama can save healthcare
This is how Obama should address the Joint Session of Congress if he wants to save healthcare:
Senators, Representatives, and the people of America: I am not one to give up a fight easily, but even I can see that the recent Republican victory in the state of Massachusetts was more than just an interim election, it was a message by the voters of that state that we are going the wrong direction on healthcare. And I believe that these voters are representative of what the rest of Americans feel.
During my campaign, I promised healthcare reform. There were to be no more back room deals. I promised open negotiations on C-SPAN. I promised no special favors. Well, I get the message. I know a lot of work has gone into the bills we have now, and as reluctant as I am to say this, as of today, I am instructing the Senate majority leader, and the House majority leader, to discard their bills and start over.
This time, we will truly work across the aisle, in open negotiations that WILL be on C-SPAN, to craft a bill that has the support of both Republicans AND Democrats. Healthcare reform is too important to ignore, and too important to divide our country on the basis of party affiliation. I ask the support of every Senator, every Representative, to bring your best ideas to the table, and together help to fashion a bill that we can ALL support -- one that doesn't depend on a filibuster-proof majority to pass. It will take time -- a year, even two years, but healthcare reform is something worth working for, not only to have quality healthcare for our nation today, but also to ensure that our system can stand the test of time for our children and their children."
SPEECH END
Oh, and in case you think this is just one lone voice:
Ignorant and arrogant. You got that exactly right Tony.
Senators, Representatives, and the people of America: I am not one to give up a fight easily, but even I can see that the recent Republican victory in the state of Massachusetts was more than just an interim election, it was a message by the voters of that state that we are going the wrong direction on healthcare. And I believe that these voters are representative of what the rest of Americans feel.
During my campaign, I promised healthcare reform. There were to be no more back room deals. I promised open negotiations on C-SPAN. I promised no special favors. Well, I get the message. I know a lot of work has gone into the bills we have now, and as reluctant as I am to say this, as of today, I am instructing the Senate majority leader, and the House majority leader, to discard their bills and start over.
This time, we will truly work across the aisle, in open negotiations that WILL be on C-SPAN, to craft a bill that has the support of both Republicans AND Democrats. Healthcare reform is too important to ignore, and too important to divide our country on the basis of party affiliation. I ask the support of every Senator, every Representative, to bring your best ideas to the table, and together help to fashion a bill that we can ALL support -- one that doesn't depend on a filibuster-proof majority to pass. It will take time -- a year, even two years, but healthcare reform is something worth working for, not only to have quality healthcare for our nation today, but also to ensure that our system can stand the test of time for our children and their children."
SPEECH END
Oh, and in case you think this is just one lone voice:
Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), one of the leading advocates for health reform in the House, said, "I don't think it would be the worst thing to take a step back and say we are going to pivot to do a jobs thing" and include elements of health care reform in it.
"If there isn't any recognition that we got the message and we are trying to recalibrate and do things differently, we are not only going to risk looking ignorant but arrogant,” he said.
Ignorant and arrogant. You got that exactly right Tony.
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