A Wake-Up Call
Happy 4th of July, aka Independence Day! My parents installed in me at a young age a deep love for my country. As part of my blog, I'll occasionally post a patriotic blurb that is hopefully not too political (there's far more than enough of that on the internet.)
I'd like to start out with a question. How many terrorist attacks have occurred on September 11th? Of course, none have been more significant than the attacks in 2001. But the question should hopefully raise some concerns in our minds. Are we as informed regarding the current state of affairs in the country and the world as we should be?
"On the evening of September 11, 2012, Islamic militants attacked the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith. Stevens was the first U.S. Ambassador killed on duty since 1979." Several brave servicemen—all of them the greatest and truest of heroes—were also killed in the attacks.
"Initially, it was reported... that the Benghazi attack was a spontaneous protest triggered by an anti-Muslim video. Subsequent investigations determined that there was no such protest and that the attacks were premeditated." (Wikipedia)
Does this news come as a shock? Did we as Americans fall asleep on the 11th anniversary of that dark September day? Does it trouble anyone why this information was not more strongly highlighted in the media? A good friend of mine wrote: "It seems to me the media are complicit to a degree for not holding the administration to account." And to go along with this thought, it seems to me that we as citizens are responsible to remain properly informed about these important issues.
This piece is not meant to be a partisan attack on the current administration, nor a commentary on the current state of terrorist affairs. This piece is solely meant to be a wake-up call to all Americans. If you love your country, become more aware; become more involved; become more informed. No matter your current level of involvement and awareness, you can always improve.
He who does not read has no advantage over he who cannot read. Political illiteracy is rampant! Ignorance regarding the current national and global affairs of our country is everywhere. Truth is buried deep in the ground while lies spread like wildfire. And all of this while the moral underpinnings of our country—the belief in right and wrong and accountability to a Higher Power—deteriorate at an accelerated and alarming rate!
I'd like to start out with a question. How many terrorist attacks have occurred on September 11th? Of course, none have been more significant than the attacks in 2001. But the question should hopefully raise some concerns in our minds. Are we as informed regarding the current state of affairs in the country and the world as we should be?
"On the evening of September 11, 2012, Islamic militants attacked the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith. Stevens was the first U.S. Ambassador killed on duty since 1979." Several brave servicemen—all of them the greatest and truest of heroes—were also killed in the attacks.
"Initially, it was reported... that the Benghazi attack was a spontaneous protest triggered by an anti-Muslim video. Subsequent investigations determined that there was no such protest and that the attacks were premeditated." (Wikipedia)
Does this news come as a shock? Did we as Americans fall asleep on the 11th anniversary of that dark September day? Does it trouble anyone why this information was not more strongly highlighted in the media? A good friend of mine wrote: "It seems to me the media are complicit to a degree for not holding the administration to account." And to go along with this thought, it seems to me that we as citizens are responsible to remain properly informed about these important issues.
This piece is not meant to be a partisan attack on the current administration, nor a commentary on the current state of terrorist affairs. This piece is solely meant to be a wake-up call to all Americans. If you love your country, become more aware; become more involved; become more informed. No matter your current level of involvement and awareness, you can always improve.
He who does not read has no advantage over he who cannot read. Political illiteracy is rampant! Ignorance regarding the current national and global affairs of our country is everywhere. Truth is buried deep in the ground while lies spread like wildfire. And all of this while the moral underpinnings of our country—the belief in right and wrong and accountability to a Higher Power—deteriorate at an accelerated and alarming rate!
In the Book of Mormon, an ancient prophet named Nephi went to his garden tower and prayed for his people. He greatly feared for the political instability of his country. It is written of Nephi: "And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those [wicked men] filling the judgment-seats; [yea, the judges were guilty of] condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; [and] letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money... Now this great iniquity had come upon the Nephites, in the space of not many years; and when Nephi saw it, his heart was swollen with sorrow within his breast; and he did exclaim in the agony of his soul: Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my father Nephi first came out of the land of Jerusalem, that I could have joyed with him in the promised land; then were his people easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of God, and slow to be led to do iniquity; and they were quick to hearken unto the words of the Lord...
"And... there were certain men passing by and saw Nephi as he was pouring out his soul unto God upon the tower; and they ran and told the people what they had seen, and the people came together in multitudes that they might know the cause of so great mourning for the wickedness of the people."
The people greatly marveled to hear Nephi lament so. These were prosperous times, temporally and economically speaking. Why, under such circumstances, would Nephi mourn so greatly. The people were unable to perceive the negative consequences of their wicked society and lifestyles. They assumed, incorrectly, that nothing was or could be wrong. The entire drive of Nephi's plea to the people was this: 'Don't fall asleep! Don't be fooled by your prosperous circumstances. Corruption is all around you. With even just a little effort it can be seen.'
The people's societal structure was being destroyed from the inside; and being destroyed in such a way that there were no obvious external signs of this destruction. But to a righteous and watchful people and prophet, the signs would be as obvious and easy to recognize as the color of the morning sky. It took a famine to awaken the people to a realization of their awful state before the Lord.
Is this not the common lot for all people? Unwatchful, unheedful, ignorant man cannot perceive any negative consequences of societal ills until it is too late.
Many times, God's very sternest of judgments come, not in the guise of affliction, but in immense earthly prosperity and wealth! Ease can at times be one of the greatest punishments God can inflict.
Wake up, America! Do not marvel in bewilderment as dangerous circumstances surround you. Rather, become informed and involved.
Now this is a somewhat gloomy post. I am not a negative person, I'm an optimist. I believe in great and wonderful things to come, both for me and for America. But at times a good wake-up call must have a little doom and gloom to it. So to end on a positive note, I shall simply say:
"Go 'Murica!"
Happy 4th of July!
To all veterans and service persons—and their families—thank you. Though it seems a small thing to say, and even smaller when compared to your sacrifices, yet it must still be said. Thank you.
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