O Say, Won't You See?

We just got back from seeing Fahrenheit 9/11.  We were surprised that it even showed up here, this place being the bastion of Republicanism that it is.  But there it was, at our local theater, so we decided to go tonite with some friends of ours.  Surprisingly, there was a good crowd there for a Monday night at the end of a holiday weekend.  And a number of people I knew were there, even though they were staunch conservative Republicans.  One of them told me that he was there so he could say that he had seen the movie and make up his own mind rather than be swayed by second hand opinions.  Good for him.  Another couple, from out of town, but members of my congregation when they're here, told me, simply, that they were boycotting the movie.  They, too, are staunch conservatives, but not folks I would normally think would just stick their heads in the sand.  It takes all kinds.

The movie was great.  Those who are saying to stay away from the movie because it is filled with lies, obviously haven't seen it.  Just about everything Moore uses to make his point comes right out of Bush's or Cheney's mouth.  It amazes me how well duped this nation has become.  I just don't get the continued support this administration gets.

Watching the movie made me angry and embarassed and steeled me to some kind of action.  I preached yesterday about love of country and the ideals we held dear - Enlightenment ideals of equality and personal freedom and the responsibility we had, as Paul tells us in Galatians, to "check our work" regularly.  The essence of the readings yesterday was humility.  The only thing we can or should boast about is that we are all children of God, loved and forgiven.  To act like the biggest, baddest, dog on the block is both arrogant and dangerous.  The ideals this nation holds dear are still within us.  They have been clouded over by the agenda of those in power.  We must, as individuals, pursue those ideals, and work to get this country back on track.  Everyone has different ideas as to how that can be accomplished.  The signatories of the Declaration of Independence were at odds as to how to go about it and they fought long and hard for their ideas.  But they discussed their differences in the open, without secrecy, and ultimately made a decision that set this country on its course.  Checking our work, testing the Spirit regularly is the answer to finding the right way.  We must continually ask our selves why we are about something or other.  Is it because we have something to gain, or something to give?  Moore's movie gave a pretty believeable answer to that question as far as Bush is concerned.  Two thumbs up and a rocket's red glare for this one.

11:06:25 PM   Lay some on me []