Rant. Forgive me.

This is in response to an opinions column a friend posted today by an acclaimed historian and writer. I would expect more from such credentials.

Even if every person registered with the Republican Party IS purposely ticking the rest of the world off because they like being dumb, this was a petty ...piece. There was no new insight on current world issues. He's re-hashing events that have already been discussed ad nauseum. If there was still a need to write about these issues, might it have been more helpful if he had explained the differences in historical perspective of American conservatism and liberalism and how they play out on street level accusations that seem ungrounded in reality? Maybe then people would be more understanding and have more tolerance for each others beliefs. That would be a good read. This is "they are stupid; we are enlightened" fluff.

I'm disheartened that educated Americans would nod in agreement because he's been approved by the publications elite. I don't buy the, "take it down to their level by acting like the worst of them" way of arguing. I find it degrading and not constructive against your opponent. But that's my taste.

I think that a lot of the problems of American politics is not that they disagree that much. Americans believe in the principles of the constitution, which is radically liberal document. They just disagree why.

One camp tends to think government is a necessary evil - and should be limited to simply upholding the rights its citizens. However, power corrupts, so power should be spread and kept as local as possible where is it held most accountable to the people. It must protect the rights of all citizens; however, government social programs are a sign that the people failed to do it privately. An ideal extreme government would be pure anarchy protected by an army.

the other camp believes a democratic government is, by nature, positive and socially centered. When the government is at it's best, all the the citizens are released to work for the greater good rather than for just personal gain because the government provides all needs: roads, infrastructure, clean water, food, shelter, jobs, education, and medicine. There is less division between branches and power is centralized because it's a good thing for the best thinkers of the nation to think globally and act locally. An ideal extreme government would be pure communism with no army.

Being a moderate, as the majority of the US is, I think that a functional government is somewhere in the middle. But somehow, the two main moderate parties of America have developed a language barrier between "liberals" and "conservatives" that the media uses (including your author) to make it sound as though it's impossible to understand the other side because the other side is incapable of understanding us. I think that's wrong, no matter how cleaver they are in doing it.

What this author should have done was create a rally cry for less entertainment and more education in the media. I'll keep dreaming.

Pound Puppy

For the past week or so I've been staying at my friends' house watching their wayward dog. She's a mess. She eats everything in her path if you leave her alone. She gets hyper and wants to play with her wet toys as the worst times (while I write this insightful blog? no - now she's asleep) and she cries, growls, and sometimes pounces at the bugs that at time only she can see. Another friend warned about the time she got into her cooking chocolate stash. Another set of friends won't allow her in their garden...

But, she's the most affectionate creature I've ever been around. She snuggles at my side whenever I sit down and even sleeps on the bathroom carpet while I shower to be near me. When I tried to take her on an U-bahn escalator she gladly compromised by wrapping herself around me when I picked her up. After watching her, I think this dog just needs another dog in her life to not be so neurotic. But, that's not what is going to happen in this home. This family is wonderful but they have decided they are not a good match for her and they are tired of having their things eaten. My friend told me that when they return they're going to find a new home for her.

So I'm sitting her tonight with a beagle attached to my side, knowing her future is uncertain.

And, I'm the just same.

Sure, I have skills this dog doesn't have. I have parents and friends who support me no matter what I decide to do. I know the God who leads both our paths. I'm not doubting all that. I'm simply thinking that I can't stay here in Vienna. And I don't know where my next home is. I have six months left. I have made dear friends and have hopes for God to really move in the lives of people I know. But I can't stay. And, I know from my life and my skills I will probably always keep me moving on. Most of the time I love that. It's just times like this, while I'm looking down at her as this dog growls in her sleep, when I realize I can't even adopt her because my life is as wobbly as hers. I feel homeless and I miss "home". Whatever that is. Maybe it's just because I've been sick for the past week and traveled a bunch before that. That's probably why I feel this way. When I'm more connected with friends and out in the city things will feel better.

I'll reconnect.

That's all the home I've ever really needed this side of Heaven. Just to know that there are people out there who care for me deeply, who embrace me with their hearts and pray for me. My brothers and sisters, the love of Christ in you is my home. I guess that's true for all of us.

Living on the outskirts of the circles of faith has shown me a lot about the time and resources that the Bride of Christ spends on her love of religion and tradition for its own sake. But more, I've learned the importance of having people to remind each other of the unfathomable Truth: that we don't belong here, that God - Jesus has conquered death and the grave and is preparing our true home. There is something so essential in the gathering of believers. Yes, to teach newbies, but also just to remember. Remember. We're doing this for a reason. Our God lives and He loved us perfectly enough to be the way for us to connect with Him. So now we have, "Christ in your, the Hope of Glory."

Six months is a long time in dog years.
May I finish this well.