"Each time a man stands for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends a tiny ripple of hope...those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” -- Robert Kennedy Jr.
Boots on the Ground, Boots on the Ground
War cannot be won without boots on the ground
Airstrikes bombardment night and day
will never support the 'bodyguard of lies'
developed to muffle the sound --
'boots on the ground'.
There's no doubt as to what needs to be done to defeat, degrade, dismantle, and destroy a formidable foe
The debate raging in U.S. and among the international community is whose boots will go?
Indeed. Boots on the Ground, Boots on the Ground
War cannot be won without boots on the ground.
Further Reading
BLOG::Mr. Conservative Whose Boots?"Whose boots will be on the ground in Syria and Iraq in the battle against ISIS?"
NBCNews::Chuck Todd, et al.
Whose Boots?"The challenge the United States faces: If we’re not committing ground forces, how do you persuade other countries and entities (outside the Iraqis, Kurds, and Syrians) to do it?"
Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"
---- Acts 19:2 ----
Receiving the Holy Spirit is more than a glosso-pharyngeal utterance experience.
God hath given us His spirit, but we must ACCEPT the gift. Testimonies illustrate the impact of the Gift on recipients' lives but an individual must receive the gift him-/herself to enjoy the benefits thereto.
We must go beyond believing and confession of faith. We must ACCEPT what God hath already given us.
Acceptance is more than adherence to denominational liturgy.
Acceptance is knowledge and adoption of the character of God.
Acceptance involves the knowledge that God is Life. You will not experience death as those who reject God because to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord God. When it is said a soul shall live forever in hell, what is being conveyed is the soul shall experience eternal death i.e. separation from God throughout eternity.
It's time to seek God.
Indeed, "for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
It's time to accept what God has given us. It's time to accept God.
Further Reading
Genesis 2:7 --- "And the LORD God formed man the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."
Genesis 3:14 --- "And God said...I AM THAT I AM."
Matthew 7:14 --- "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth to life, and few that be that find it."
John 3:16 --- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 14:6 --- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 20:22 --- "Receive ye the Holy Ghost."
Romans 13:14 --- "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ"
Colossians 2:9 --- "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
II Peter 1:3 --- "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue."
The presidential election season is a'comin'. You can tell without looking at a calendar or clock. Political operatives -- Democrat and Republican, are jousting for the advantage that will produce victory for their respective in 2016. What would be the central issue? Will it be domestic or foreign policy? Will it be economic or social policy? What is the political zeitgeist that will direct the presidential election?
Through American history, presidents have been elected as a result of zeitgeist.
For some presidents the zeitgeist involved the idea of continuity (Franklin Roosevelt).
For some presidents the zeitgeist involved the idea of strong leadership through period of transition (Harry Truman)
For some presidents the zeitgeist involved victory and idealism (Dwight Eisenhower)
As a Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in World War II, Dwight Eisenhower personified the euphoria of American victory.
For some presidents the zeitgeist involved when idealism meets realism (John Kennedy, Richard Nixon)
The idea of Camelot, Richard Nixon's push for Comprehensive Healthcare, the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, the assassination of JFK, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.
For some presidents the zeitgeist involved the idea of trust i.e. in government (Jimmy Carter)
As a southern Baptist minister, Jimmy Carter inspired trust of the American people after the events, Vietnam War and Watergate.
For some presidents the zeitgeist involved national pride, patriotism (Ronald Reagan)
Ronald Reagan's humor made the electorate feel good about being an American as well as reminded people of the fact America is capable of overcoming hard times and achieving greatness --- when the country was in malaise.
For some presidents the zeitgeist involved empathy (Bill Clinton)
The slogan, "It's the Economy, Stupid" as well as Bill Clinton's egregious interpersonal style highlighted need of the electorate
For some presidents the zeitgeist involved responsibility (George W. Bush)
Still today candidates adopt the tagline George Bush introduced, "I'm <candidate's name> and I approved this message." which highlights personal responsibility after the actions of predecessor.
For some presidents the zeitgeist involved collaboration i.e. bipartisanship (Barack Obama)
Barack Obama gained national attention in 2004 when unity of purpose was highlighted in speech at Democratic National Convention. In 2008, Barack Obama made people feel good about being human and reminded peoples of the fact an individual is capable of overcoming hard times and achieving greatness --- when there was worst financial crisis since Great Depression. In 2012, the issue became a matter of trust i.e. being principled.
Now, in 2016, what will be the deciding factor --- bipartisanship, responsibility, empathy, patriotism, or strong leadership? What would be the central issue --- minimum wage, equality (e.g. women, gay/lesbian), or immigration reform. Will it be domestic or foreign policy? Will it be economic or social policy? Will it it be an integration of everything --- domestic and foreign policy; economic and social policy?
What is the political zeitgeist that will direct the presidential election?
The American People is looking for someone who has vision for United States of America. Vision is more than a goal. Vision is process plus goal. There is a question/concern whereby a candidate's response would highlight the tactical and strategic understanding of vision for United States of America. A vision that is comprehensive integration of domestic and foreign policy; economic and social policy. Most importantly, a candidate may be shown to be unprincipled if their response is not congruent with their record.
