During the 2008 Presidential election, the Democrats rallied against the war and Republicans, except for one who said these wars will help contribute to bankrupting our nation, all approved of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. That one individual who everyone knew just wanted to “bring our troops home,” was Ron Paul (this is the part where neo-conservatives reading this cringe).

As we all know, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost us over $1 Trillion since their beginning and Obama hasn’t ended any of the wars as promised, but escalated them by sending more troops to Afghanistan. Not to mention, of course, the countless innocent victims and the deaths of thousands of our armed forces.

The following is one of those forwarded emails from a friend and my polite discussion with him that follows. I know why he thinks like he does because he has family who has served in the Armed forces. Many of us typically follow the patterns set by our parents, whether we are aware of them or not.

For quick proof of this, I’ll bet most reading this are of the same party, democrat or republican, as their parents were. To this I simply ask why? Do you agree with the basic platform of the party? Is there a real reason why you are one or the other? Or do you hate the other side just because, well, they’re the other side? Are they really the “other side?”

In the weeks and months to come, I want to start challenging democrats and republicans, from a Christian perspective as to why they think the way they do, and in particular, see if this thinking is Biblical in its structure.

Here’s the discussion I had with my friend, starting with the email he sent, and my replies. All of these discussion took place on 4/22/2009.

My friends comment to this email was: “I agree with her sentiments completely!!”

My reply:

Hey Mike….(if I may respond my friend….)

Did you know that Osama bin Laden is not being sought after by the FBI for 9/11?

Personally, as a Christian, I don’t like the attempt by the author of this piece associating Jesus Christ with “soldiers.”  Jesus Christ, according to the New Testament, never utilized wars to justify his message.  He was the “Prince of Peace!”

The reason I reply to these kinds of email is because I’m writing about it in my book…, exposing how Republicans used to be against war, but this new “neoconservative” Republican party is pro-war. It was their downfall in the 2006 mid-term elections and is their downfall today with Sean Hannity, Neal Boortz (who calls him self a libertarian, but isn’t), Michael Medved, Michelle Malkin, Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levine and even Ba Ba O’Reilly spreading their propaganda in support of war to this day.

Most Republicans have not researched the Bible, let alone just war theory.  And believe it or not, this war was never “declared” as our Constitution mandates.  Neither was the Vietnam war or the Korean war (both started by Democrats) and we both know how those ended up with over 50k U.S. soldiers killed.

The goal of that section of my book is “To Love Thy Neighbor!”

IMO, it is the Left and the Right that are bankrupting our Country.  I’ve been saying this for some time as you know mi Amigo….

Peace!

Doug

P.S.  Always open to your thoughts.  I debated Republicans (I’m not a democrat by the way) on this all last year leading up to the election of Obama. Now all of a sudden, free markets are important again to them, but they still don’t get the pro-war issue.  I’m more of an old school Republican, not this new version.  I won the debates and recommended people read the book, “The Betrayal of the American Right” by Murray Rothbard, which showed that this “new” Republican party’s roots can be traced back to Irving Kristol and company, father of Bill Kristol, a guy who really, really likes war.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyDx1WJiSRw

His Reply;

Doug, good thoughts and I agree with the bulk of what you say … certainly the sentiments.  I do agree however that we can’t fight the irrational global terrorism machine without firm tactics.  The key question is what to use and how far to go.  The answer is not backing off all together!  Independent of if this is a “War” or not, we have a solid responsibility to protect American lives both here and abroad, especially from those who have openly declared War on us and who’s sole purpose is to kill Americans!  Any other theoretical argument is secondary to stepping up to this severe threat across many fronts.  The Bible does say “eye for an eye” (among many other passages that related to confronting evil )… does it not?!

My Reply:

Hi Mike…appreciate the feedback and conversation!  It’s not easy to talk about some of these emotionally charged issues….

Yes, the Bible does speak about an “eye for an eye.”  However, I’ll quote how that Bible Verse should be interpreted;  “It was saying that the penalty imposed on a person should be in line with the damage that they caused. If they killed a cow, they were to repay the value of the cow. If they burned a field, they were to repay the value of any crops of future production lost from the land. If they damaged a person’s tooth, they were to pay the cost of any medical bills, etc. connected with the injury. If they damaged an eye, they were to pay medical bills and any loss of income. If they harmed another person, they were to repay that person the value “a cow for a cow, a field or a field, a tooth for a tooth, and an eye for an eye.”

By the time Jesus came along, people had begun to misuse that scripture, and to claim it gave them the right to take revenge on another person. They were twisting the quote (as people often do even today) to mean that “if you damage my tooth, I can damage yours.”

The old testament is full of war. When God’s people were with Him, they won the wars. When they were against him, they lost.

With the introduction of the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus Christ, came this verse; “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Keep in mind that this is different than if one is attacked where you are allowed to defend yourself.

Luke 22: 35-36: Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”  “Nothing,” they answered.  He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”

Iraq did not attack us. Afghanistan did house the Taliban who were blamed for the attack (not individually). But congress were derelict in their duty by not “declaring” war per the U.S. Constitution, Article 1 Section 8.

What’s interesting is that most of the hijackers from 9/11 were from Saudi Arabia, a country that houses the most radical terrorist organization on earth, the Wahibbi’s. The Wahibbi’s definition of rape is that 4 males must witness “penetration,” and he women can’t testify.  Not 3, not 2, but “4!” They also say that “if you don’t believe what I believe, then I have a right, according to their interpretation of the Qu’ran, to kill you.”

So why didn’t the U.S. go into Saudi Arabia?  GW and his father have deep ties with the Saudi Royalty.  It wasn’t in their best “interest.”  You never hear anything from Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. about Saudi Arabia and the Wahibbi’s.  Why is that?

The other ironic thing is we have our troops protecting 130 other countries borders, at the taxpayers expense, but leave our borders unprotected.

Lastly, “worry” is a sin according to the Bible.  My goal in the book I’m writing is to stop believing the propaganda that is espoused by the media that plays on ones fears.  As a Christian, “don’t worry, be happy” and go about doing His work. The worst that can happen, if you are a believer, is you die and go to heaven.  How cool is that?

Personally, I don’t live in fear.  I don’t believe a word a politician or media pundit says and I am “Fed Up!” with where they have taken this great nation and I’m trying to “enlighten” those who will listen (there’s much more to it than just this issue).

I’m also having fun with it….and I pin much of what is happening on the Federal Reserve and Congress, because without “golden handcuffs,” they have the ability to print as much money as they want to fund their wars.  Take away that ability, and they won’t go “marching off to war” as they’ll have to choose between spending money on unnecessary things like war and rather where it is needed at home on infrastructure and things of that nature.

Hope that clears things up a bit Mike….and I don’t claim to know everything…but I do feel the wool has been pulled over my eyes long enough in countless ways, and I’m exposing it as much as I can.  It takes much convincing to reverse the years and years of propaganda touted by media, government and especially our education system (that I was a victim of).  I really think you’ll like the book! (not a sales pitch, lol…but I can’t wait to get it out to the public!)….

Peace!…and thanks for the exchange as I’m always open to opinions…..

Doug

My friends reply;

Doug, I really appreciate the range of your ideas!  Can’t wait for the book.

End

While neo-conservatives or this “new” republican party may mock Ron Paul and those who are against these unnecessary wars, I challenge them from a Biblical basis for their infatuation with death and destruction. If anyone wants to take the position that an “eye for an eye” is justified Biblically, then let them show what Bible verses from Jesus teachings in the New Testament back up this point of view. I’m all willing to listen to that for which I do not know.

I am still working on the book that I mentioned in that email exchange. I have just completed my first book, “Buy Gold and Silver Safely” that is available soon on Amazon.com or my website; http://buygoldandsilversafely.com

Since that book is finished, I can start concentrating on this political/Christian book and hopefully make a difference in this world.

I’m not sure if I’ll keep the name “Fed Up!” as Texas governor Rick Perry is coming out with a book of the same title later this year. Being that Rick Perry was a big spender governor, it doesn’t make sense that he’s “Fed Up” with big government. Yet he’s writing about the problems of big government despite having “doubled state debt and accepted almost $23 billion in stimulus dollars.”

I do have a second title that I think will work. I’ll keep it a secret for now.

Related posts:

1. Conversations With A Neo-Con, Circa 2010
2. The Left and Right Love and Need War
3. Glenn Beck’s “Unity for All!” Unless of Course You’re Not Christian

“Most of you know I opposed this war from the start. I thought it was a tragic mistake. Today we grieve for the families who have lost loved ones, the hearts that have been broken, and the young lives that could have been.

America, it’s time to start bringing our troops home. It’s time to admit that no amount of American lives can resolve the political disagreement that lies at the heart of someone else’s civil war.” 

Excerpt from Barak Obama’s announcement to run for President, 2/10/2007

Our Nation Cannot Afford Wars at This Point in Time

Why are we sacrificing the lives of young men and women, fathers and mothers who are fighting against an unnamed country?  We’re not at war with Iraq or Afghanistan, but with an enemy that has no country, “Al Qaida.”  It’s a war that is impossible to win while at the same time we are inspiring a larger enemy because of killing innocent men, women and children while going after enemy targets.  Collateral damage has its effects.

The Peace President

While our infrastructure is crumbling at home, the economy supported only by government spending, and our nations debt spiraling out of control, Obama is currently contemplating sending 34,000 more troops to Afghanistan.  This after he already sent 4,000 additional troops in February, soon after being sworn in.

Many say that the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Obama was a preemptive move to force Obama’s hand to do the right thing; end the wars.

The Peace Prize winning President however continues to be involved in Pakistan’s affairs ordering a missile strike in August and continuing the Bush administration mantra of  continually warning Iran over Nukes as well as renewing the sanctions against Iran and threatening to add new sanctions.

Does this sound like a Peace Prize winning President to you?  Can you really tell the difference between George W. Bush and Obama?  But the worse of this is not the fact that there is no real difference between the two political parties when it comes to war, but rather the neglect for protecting our own borders.

A Strong National Defense

Ronald Reagan called for “a strong national defense.”  Did Reagan mean the defense of other countries borders or our own?

If you would just like to protect our own borders rather than the borders of other countries; if you would like to take care of our own economic woes, crumbling infrastructure and support a stronger dollar, then write your congressman or woman and tell them so.

From a Christian Perspective

If you disagree with just bringing our troops home, and are a Christian, then ask yourself, what Biblical reasoning is there for the actions of a government when the Bible clearly speaks to “defending” oneself rather than “killing them before they kill us” as one former Christian Presidential candidate emailed me.  He refused to quote me a Bible verse that backed his words and told me the “conversation was over.”  I guess that’s how we talk to our enemies too.  One sided.

What ever happened to “love thy neighbor as thyself?”

The War Body Count

2,976 died on 9/11/2001.  4,364 U.S. soldiers have died as of yesterday, 11/19/2009 in seeking revenge.  This does not include the coalition forces deaths (325), Afghanistan military deaths (923), journalists deaths (335), contract employee deaths (1,395), or the 1.3 million Iraqis killed since the war began.  Lastly it doesn’t include the overlooked 100,000 plus injured or traumatized.

They say in the investment world that nothing goes straight up.

With war, there is something that goes straight up.  The body count.

How many have to die to prove a point?

Conclusion

President Obama ran on a campaign of ending the wars but is currently contemplating sending more troops to Afghanistan.  Both Republicans and Democrats support the military industrial complex.  Republicans used to get us out of wars (Vietnam and Afghanistan) and now these “new” Republicans, also called “neoconservatives,” hijacked our liberty since 9/11 as well as forgot the Reagan “old Republican party” stance of a “strong national defense” while the “neo-liberals”  infatuation with war and the threat of war charade continues without any media objection.

Our borders are wide open to any individual who can get across.  Even a Mariachi band and a guy riding on an elephant can cross our borders undetected giving the opportunity for terrorists access to our country, let alone illegal aliens who burden our economic prosperity.

WHAT ABOUT PROTECTING OUR OWN DAMN BORDERS?

What have the left and right done to help our our own economy except add more debt?  Why don’t they cut spending by reducing the biggest expenditure, the military expense?

Wouldn’t money spent on war and protecting other countries borders really be better spent fixing our own crumbling infrastructure?  Do we have to wait for another bridge to collapse before doing something?

It is up to us to tell Congress what to do, not for Congress to dictate things to us.  The left and right may need war in allowing the military industrial complex to profit, BUT WE DON’T!

When Do We Tell Congress We Need to Take Care of Our Own?

The answer is now!  Maybe it will make your dollars maintain their purchasing power.  Maybe it will save a soldiers life…

Related posts:

1. Conversations With A Neo-Conservative From A Christian Perspective
2. We’re Winning The War On Terror!
3. Does Paul Krugman Think War Is Needed To Help Economy Recover?