Tortured

by: Betsy L. Angert

Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 13:00:00 PM EDT

Never for a moment in my life have I been "in love."  I do not believe in the notion.  Fireworks have not filled my heart.  Flames of a fiery passion do not burn within me.  Indeed, my soul has not been ablaze.  Thoughts of a hot-blooded devotion seem illogical to me.  Such sentiments always have.  Fondness too fertile is but torture for me.  I admire many, and adore none.  For me, the affection I feel for another is born out of sincere and profound appreciation.  To like another means more to me than to love or be loved.  Excitement, an emotional reaction to another, rises up within me when I experience an empathetic exchange with someone who has glorious gray matter.

Today, it happened.  I felt an a twinge that startled me.  I stood still as he entered the room.  I expected nothing out of the ordinary, or at least nothing other than what has become his recently adopted, more avoidant, routine.  Although long ago, I had become accustomed to his face, his voice, and his demeanor, for I have known the man for more than a few years.  In the last few weeks, while essentially he is who he always was, some of his stances have changed.  Possibly, Barry has felt a need to compromise his positions, but I wonder; what of his principles.

Trinity United Church of Christ; Pastor Wright Homilies and Hope

by: Betsy L. Angert

Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 11:00:00 AM EDT

Audacity To Hope Jeremiah Wright Part 1

Please review and reflect upon the inspirational text.  Wright's Sermon - "The Audacity To Hope"

copyright © 2008 Betsy L. Angert

The fact that so many people are surprised to hear that anger in some of Reverend Wright's sermons simply reminds us of the old truism that the most segregated hour in American life occurs on Sunday morning.
~ Barack Obama [Senator and Potential President] March 18, 2008

When we are separate, our experience is never equal.  African-Americans mingle among the many Anglos in this country.  However, individuals with dark-complexions do not fully unite or fit into a society that segregates by color.  While Americans have forcibly progressed beyond the laws that allowed for racial discrimination, the bias and bigotry that filled the hearts of many citizens in the United States for centuries still thrives.  While we muse, we love thy neighbor, we react to those whose race is not our own.

Deniability

by: Betsy L. Angert

Mon Jun 18, 2007 at 14:44:32 PM EDT

Recent reports of the retirement of General Antonio Taguba and his involvement in investigation of the Abu Graib detainee abuse have prompted a good deal of soul searching for me as an individual.  To that end I offer my thoughts and pondering as to deniability and its failure in our society and in our world today.

Deniability is defined as the ability to deny knowledge of or connection to an illegal event.  What a morass we see in our government today as so many people in leadership positions are shown to be using deniability as a way of life.  Repeated reports talk about Donald Rumsfeld?s performance in the Abu Graib scandal.  Apparently he was able to deny any knowledge of the events involving detainees as his legal advisors told him not to view the photographs.  Not having seen the photographs gave Rumsfeld a way out during his testimony before Congress in 2004.