Tue - January 20, 2009

An Inauguration that Augurs Well


We're not attending the inauguration of Barack Obama, but we're certainly attending to it.

This, obviously, is a big day.

I took the day off from work for this momentous event. Peg and I stayed home to take in the media coverage, to contemplate, and to celebrate.

There is much wisdom you can read and hear elsewhere about these events, so I'll keep my comments short.

Our country and world face great challenges, but they have been through other great challenges. I'm hopeful that our new president will continue to pull together the people of our country, and that we, the people, joined with others around the world, will use our considerable collective gifts to work toward meeting these challenges.

Let's get on with it.

Posted at 12:03 PM     Read More  


Mon - January 15, 2007

Next Steps for Iraq


What obligation does the United States have to Iraq and its people?

Like many people who believe the invasion of Iraq was a bad idea, I don't support Bush's latest plans to try to redeem his failed policies in this war. On the other hand, it seems to me that the United States now has an ethical obligation to help Iraq recover from the tragic consequences of the turmoil that has followed from the invasion. We can't simply walk away and blame the Iraqis for whatever happens next.

I have more questions than answers about this obligation and what should be done about it. What can we do--if anything--that will be really effective? What limits can be set on the sacrifice, time and treasure that we should commit? What can we possibly do about the many irreversible consequences, including the deaths of thousands of people, many of them innocent? Whose obligation is this, and who should bear the costs?

I think we've reached the point where the presence of American military forces is doing more harm (e.g., by triggering anti-occupation sentiments and actions) than good. We need to recognize how limited a role military power can have in this kind of situation, despite the talent, courage and dedication of our troops. Of course, every other kind of action (including advising, training, diplomacy, reconstruction, and financial support) also has limitations. Some combination of approaches, carefully planned and executed, may eventually be able to bring good results. Unfortunately, this administration hasn't convinced me it has much capacity for careful planning and execution, especially outside the realm of military assault.

There will be no quick, easy and sure path to a stable, peaceful and independent Iraq, but the U.S. must take a huge share of responsibility for helping the Iraqi people move forward on a long and difficult path toward that goal. Ending what is seen as a military occupation will be an important step.

Posted at 10:43 AM     Read More  


Wed - January 3, 2007

Congress and the Quran


Keith Ellison has chosen the right book--for him--for his swearing-in ceremony.

I'm proud to say that Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, will be representing a district in my state, Minnesota. There has been an amazing amount of controversy over his decision to use a Quran instead of a Bible for his ceremonial swearing-in this week. Today we learned that Ellison has ingeniously chosen to use a Quran that was owned by Thomas Jefferson.

As I understand it, the "official" swearing-in ceremony for members of Congress is a collective event in which no Bibles or other books are used. Members often have a separate individual ceremony in which they typically use a Bible.

But let's set aside the question of whether the use of a sacred text has any official role in swearing in members of Congress. After all, even a ceremonial role has symbolic importance.

It seems to me that those who want each member of Congress to use a Bible, regardless of his or her own beliefs, are missing (perhaps deliberately) an important point. We want people to "swear on" texts that they individually hold dear. Because I'm a Christian, it would be appropriate for me to use a Bible. If a Quran is more important than a Bible to Keith Ellison, then his swearing on a Quran is a better indication of his sincerity than would be his swearing on a Bible.

Of course, for many of his critics, Ellison's attachment to the Quran is the real issue. They'd simply rather not see Muslims in Congress--or anywhere, perhaps. The good news is that Ellison's election is one indication that many Americans are becoming more accepting of the religious diversity that is supported by our Constitution.

Posted at 09:21 PM     Read More  

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