Just who do they think we are, a bunch of mindless cattle?? (No offense to the mindless cattle.)A terrorist attempts to blow up a plane, but his explosives don't fully ignite, and passengers put out the fire and subdue the terrorist. And Janet Napolitano, homeland security czar is quoted by CNN as saying "One thing I'd like to point out, the system worked."
What system? Dumb luck, chance, astrology......and the courage of an astute passenger? Is that the system our government has in place to subdue terrorism? I didn't see her being interviewed but she must have been laughing and spitting coffee when she said that. The CNN reporter must have been slapping his knee and rollicking on the floor, saying ,"Good one Secretary Napolitano! Now tell us the one about how universal health care will reduce costs and save lives again!" Again, I didn't see the interview, but clearly this was in preparation for an upcoming role on Saturday Night Live.
It all reminds me of the problem of windows in our house. This morning, the sun is streaming through our front window, although it is cranky about doing so, as it must shove aside dog nose smears, fingerprints, dirty shoe spatter, and dead bug carcasses. I realize that while I am a fine vacuum-er, and a bit less so fine, but occasional duster, I am a horrendous window cleaner. I also realize this is a good chore to set one of the members of my family on. Nonetheless, I don't want to travel too far from the point. Windows get dirty slowly, and I almost don't notice til they are so filthy that it is impossible to ignore. No matter how hard I squint, I cannot see clearly until I see them for what they are, and take the necessary action. First I must admit that they are dirty, and I must accede that I have let them get in that condition through laziness, neglect, or even worse, the belief that they would clean themselves if I just treat them kindly. (I have tried that approach....) Then I must buckle down and take the appropriate steps to clean them. If I pretend to look out of them and see a clear and distortion free picture before I do that, I am just lying.
It is, of course, the same thing with all aspects of life, and most vividly, the spiritual. If I drift away, little by little from serious Bible study, prayer, gathering with believers, challenging and supporting my beliefs....., the smears of life events gradually obscure my vision of God.
Cleaning the windows is on my check list today.
