In Search of Celebrity

It happens every few years or whenever John Hinckley makes the news again. You may remember the name, unfortunately. He’s the wannabe Lee Harvey Oswald who almost killed a president of the United States. And a great president of the United States at that. If he’d succeeded, he might have changed the course of 20th-century history, whether we’re talking about the end of the Cold War (and the Soviet Union with it) or the revival of the American economy and American pride with it.

Luckily, John Hinckley failed. But just barely. Although he didn’t even graze Ronald Reagan’s spirit. Looking at Nancy’s worried face in the emergency room, the ever-chipper president came up with an explanation for what had happened, borrowing a line from Jack Dempsey after the Tunney fight: “Honey, I forgot to duck.”

Now his would-be assassin is up for parole again. Correction: He doesn’t get a parole hearing, but a periodic sanity hearing. For he’s not in jail but in the nation’s premier mental hospital/prison: St. Elizabeth’s in Washington. That’s where we put the country’s most prominent crazies when we can’t think of anything else to do with them.

St. Elizabeth’s is where the poet Ezra Pound was confined after broadcasting for Mussolini during the Second World War, and allowed to go on scribbling his verses/cantos. Try him for treason? Really now. This isn’t Franco’s Spain or Stalin’s Russia, where poets were shot. And then only if they were good enough.

St. Elizabeth’s is our version of Sovpsychiatry. In the end times of the Soviet empire, subversive types were sentenced to therapy. For they had obviously lost touch with reality, being unable to see that they were actually living in a workers’ paradise.

And so bearded old Ezra, instead of being hanged from a sour apple tree, was dispatched to St. Elizabeth’s. For if he was a traitor, he was also an artist, and so entitled to Modern Enlightened America’s version of the medieval benefit of clergy.

Naturally enough, John Hinckley would wind up there, too. A jury found him innocent by reason of insanity, and you can’t very well execute a crazy man. On the other hand, much of the public was outraged by the jury’s decision, and so was the country’s sense of justice. So what do you do with him? You can’t just let an aspiring assassin go. Which would be as scandalous in its own way as executing him.

And that’s why we have a St. Elizabeth’s. It’s all worked out well. Mr. Hinckley even gets to pay his mother 10-day visits now and then in quaint Williamsburg, Va. It’s the practical, humane, politic solution.

The latest 80-page report on the patient’s condition indicates that he still suffers from a widespread American malady: an insatiable hunger for fame. Fame no longer being on offer in contemporary America, he’d settle for celebrity. The always perceptive historian/sociologist Daniel Boorstin defined celebrity as being well known for one’s well-knowness. Rather than for any particular talent.

Or as Mr. Hinckley told his doctor, “I would like to be known as something other than the would-be assassin.” That’s understandable. John Wilkes Booth always wanted to be a famous actor like his brother Edwin, too. But that’s not the first thing that may come to mind when his name is mentioned in the history books.

For his part, John Hinckley would like to be known for his paintings, usually landscapes. That’s bloody likely, too. It’d be like a collector’s wanting one of A. Hitler’s landscapes because of its beauty rather than the notoriety of its painter.

But if John Hinckley is sick rather than criminal (why not both?), his sickness is widely shared by his countrymen. Doesn’t every American have a day job that lets him pursue his true vocation in his off-hours? Like writing the Great American Novel or leading a rock-and-roll band out in the garage. There’s no harm in it. What a pity John Hinckley didn’t stick with painting by the numbers instead of taking up assassination.

Call it the Hinckley Syndrome. What’s the use of our art unless we’re well known for it? It goes with the vapid expansion of the public sphere in American life and the shrinkage of private life, the diminution of home and family life in contrast with the hunger for celebrity. And now everybody can be a star on his or her own Facebook page, where you don’t have to put up with other people at all, but can pose alone. And, like John Hinckley, become well known.

Tags:                 Celebrities            ,                                    Ronald Reagan            ,                                    Hospitalized            ,                                    Assassination

Paul Greenberg

Pulitzer Prize-winning Paul Greenberg, one of the most respected and honored commentators in America, is the editorial page editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

http://townhall.com/columnists/paulgreenberg/2012/03/20/in_search_of_celebrity/page/full/

What Is Fair?

President Obama says he want to make society more fair. Advocates of big government believe fairness means taking from rich people and giving to others: poor people; or people who do things politicians approve of, like making “green” energy equipment (Solyndra); or old people (even rich ones) through Social Security and Medicare.

The idea that government can “make life fair” is intuitively appealing to people — at least until they think about it. I’ll try to help.

Obama says fairness requires higher taxes, but as The Wall Street Journal’s Stephen Moore asks, “Is it fair that the richest 10 percent of Americans shoulder a higher share of their country’s income-tax burden than do the richest 10 percent in every other industrialized nation, including socialist Sweden?”

Or as economist Art Laffer asked on my Fox Business show, is it fair that American corporations pay the highest corporate tax rate in the world?

Beyond taxes, again quoting Moore, “Is it fair that President Obama sends his two daughters to elite private schools that are safer, better-run and produce higher test scores than public schools in Washington, D.C. — but millions of other families across America are denied that free choice and forced to send their kids to rotten schools?”

No. Parents ought to be able to spend their education money at any school they choose.

Big-government politicians bemoan income inequality, but would equalizing incomes make life fair?

To many, it is intuitive that such inequality is necessarily unfair. If someone makes his income by looting the taxpayers — sure, that’s unfair. His gains are ill-gotten, and honest taxpayers are out hard-earned money. But there’s nothing unfair simply in making more money through productive work. People have a range of talents and ambitions. Some will serve consumers better than others and therefore make more money. Government should not worry about that.

It should spend its time abolishing political privileges so that people compete fairly — in the marketplace.

You want to know what’s unfair? Social Security. Progressives say Social Security is the best-working government program ever, but they are wrong. I explored this on my show recently with Charles Goyette, author of “Red and Blue and Broke All Over.”

“Think about Social Security in terms of what would happen if a private company came up with a deal like this,” Goyette said. “The president of the company says, we’ve got to sell some new policies tomorrow to pay you what you’re due when you cash in today. They’d lock these guys up.”

Goyette was referring to the fact that your payroll taxes are not invested. The money is spent right away, and the government counts on new money from current workers to pay retirees. The touted trust fund doesn’t exist.

“There’s no trust. There’s no fund. There’s no security. And the really bad thing — this is what’s really destructive — it has changed the propensity of the American people to save for themselves. … We’re creating a multigenerational calamity. And it’s right at our doorstep.”

We’ve taught people to be dependent. But dependence robs us of our dignity and keeps poor people poor.

Few politicians will touch the issue because seniors vote. And so trouble is not far up the road.

“We’ve loaded kids up with a debt that they will be burdened by for the rest of their lives,” Goyette said. “What kind of people, what kind of country does something like that?”

It’s even worse for Medicare. We’re talking tens of trillions in unfunded liabilities. Where’s that money going come from? Since seniors resist cuts, will politicians keep their promises by devaluing the currency? And why do the guardians of fairness never talk about this?

It might seem reasonable for government to make life more fair. But when it takes your money and freedom trying to do that, life becomes less fair. Everyone is poorer and less free. As government grows, individual liberty shrinks. That’s not fair.

It might help if instead of talking about fairness, we talked about justice: respecting other people, their freedom and their honestly acquired belongings. Real fairness, or justice, requires limiting government power. That means the same rules for everyone. No special favors. No handouts. Or, in Frederic Bastiat’s phrase, no “legal plunder.”

Tags:                 Social Security            ,                                    Wealth Redistribution            ,                                    Big Government            ,                                    Fairness

John Stossel

John Stossel is host of “Stossel” on the Fox Business Network. He’s the author of “Give Me a Break” and of “Myth, Lies, and Downright Stupidity.” To find out more about John Stossel, visit his site at johnstossel.com.

http://townhall.com/columnists/johnstossel/2012/03/21/what_is_fair/page/full/

The Need to Be Accountable (2)

“The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Jdg 17:6 NLT

There’s no better depiction of our ego-driven nature than this: “The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Their philosophy was: “Don’t tell me what to do.” But that philosophy leaves you without checks or balances, exposing you to the dominating power of your flesh. We’re all capable of becoming addicted to something. Recognizing that is a necessary first step to overcoming it. “The sin that so easily entangles” (Heb 12:1 NIV) may be a weakness for food, money, sex, drugs, alcohol, popularity, toxic relationships, power, workaholism, etc. When it strikes, you’re much more likely to capitulate if you’re alone and can act covertly. “If you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble” (Ecc 4:10 CEV). You need to “turn on the light” immediately by connecting with your support system and sharing your situation. Don’t allow the darkness of isolation to overpower you. “If you fall, your friend can help you up” (v.10 CEV). The pride that drives you to hide your weakness will keep you permanently weak. The humility to acknowledge it and ask for help is the key to breaking the vicious cycle. God has blessed us with mature, caring people who recognize our common struggles and will help us deal with them. We are part of Christ’s church, and “if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1Co 12:26 NAS). God instructed Moses, “Select…some…honest men who fear God…They will help you carry the load” (Ex 18:21-22 NLT). Accept the help God provides!

http://theencouragingword.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/the-need-to-be-accountable-2/

Turning Bitterness into Joy

“Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, ‘Naomi has a son.’ And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” — Ruth 4:16–17

Sometimes the events of life can feel nothing short of soul-crushing. We feel devastated by the loss of a loved one, or some other life-event, and it seems like life will never be the same. Our hope is gone. All that fills the emptiness of our hearts is despair. Hopefully, times like that only last for a season, but in the midst of them, it feels as if the despair will last forever. Life seems hopeless.

When Naomi returned to Bethlehem after years of famine and the loss of her husband and both sons, she told her friends not to call her Naomi, which means “pleasantness,” but to call her Mara, which means “bitterness.” Naomi’s misfortune had made her empty and bitter (Ruth 1:20–21).

As Ruth cared for her mother-in-law, however, Naomi’s heart began to open back up. Naomi watched the budding relationship between Ruth and Boaz and gradually her own despair turned to hope and joy. Her season of despair and bitterness had begun to change.

Ruth’s marriage to Boaz resulted in one of God’s greatest blessings as she became the great-grandmother of King David, placing her in the lineage to the Messiah. Of course, none of them knew that at the time, but the birth of a child, a son, was certainly worthy of celebration!

Naomi’s friends celebrated with her at the birth of her grandson:  “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth” (Ruth 4:14–15). Did you notice? Ruth’s gentle and loving care for Naomi was considered better than seven sons – the highest praise and honor that could be given!

Family and friends play an important role in turning our despair into joy, but, above all, our hope comes from the Lord. He is able to lift us out of despair and renew our hope and joy. Our transformation and renewal will likely take time, as it did with Naomi, but we can see signs of change if we ask God to renew our hearts.

Whatever kind of hurt or hopelessness you might be feeling, turn to God and ask him to heal your bitterness and restore your joy.

http://www.holylandmoments.org/devotionals/turning-bitterness-into-joy

“Casting all your care upon Him” (I. Peter v. 7).

Some things there are that God will not tolerate in us. We must leave them. Nehemiah would not talk with Sanballat about his charges and fears, but simply refused to have anything to do with the matter–even to go into the temple and pray about it. How very few things we really have to do with in life. If we would only drop all the needless things and simply do the things that absolutely touch and require our attention from morning till night, we would find what a small slender thread life was; but we string upon it a thousand imaginary beads that never come, and burden ourselves with cares and flurries that if we had trusted more, would never have needed to preoccupy our attention. Wise indeed was the testimony of the dear old saint who said, in review of her past life, “I have had a great many troubles in my life, especially those that never came.”

Trust and rest with heart abiding,

Like a birdling in its nest,

Underneath His feathers hiding,

Fold thy wings and trust and rest.

Trust and rest, trust and rest,

God is working for the best.

http://devotionals.ochristian.com/a-b-simpson-devotional.shtml

 

Your Faithful Friend?

Your Faithful Friend?.

Remember Christ’s Example

Remember Christ’s Example.

Your Bio Here

While searching for an interesting way to instruct my college writing class about the concept of writing a biographical sketch, I found this idea: Write a biography in six words. When asked to do this, Pulitzer Prize winner Ernest Hemingway wrote this poignant bio: “For sale: baby shoes, never used.” Imagine the sad story behind those six words.

As I thought about this concept, I wondered if we could find any six-word biographies of people in the Bible. What I discovered was astonishing. Many of our scriptural heroes have already been described that way. For example, David, of whom God said: “A man after My own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). Or Paul’s self-description: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (Eph. 1:1). Or Paul’s description of Timothy: “My true son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2 NIV). And consider these words about Mary: “The virgin shall be with child” (Matt. 1:23). And about Jesus: “Became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

This exercise in precise descriptions of people of faith should cause us to wonder: What six-word description would best describe me? Would it be positive or negative? Would it be “Not an easy person to love” or “A shining light for the Lord”? What would your bio say?

Lord, help me to be what You want me to be In character, actions, and will, For You are the potter and I am the clay— Your purposes I would fulfill. —Fitzhugh

Once lost, now found. Eternally thankful!

http://odb.org/2012/03/21/your-bio-here/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+odb%2Ffeed+%28Our+Daily+Bread%29

Tozer Devotional-What Is Faith?

What Is Faith?

Remember that faith is not a noble quality found only in superior men. It is not a virtue attainable by a limited few. It is not the ability to persuade ourselves that black is white or that something we desire will come to pass if we only wish hard enough. Faith is simply the bringing of our minds into accord with the truth. It is adjusting our expectations to the promises of God in complete assurance that the God of the whole earth cannot lie. A man looks at a mountain and affirms, “That is a mountain.” There is no particular virtue in the affirmation. It is simply accepting the fact that stands before him and bringing his belief into accord with the fact. The man does not create the mountain by believing, nor could he annihilate it by denying. And so with the truth of God. The believing man accepts a promise of God as a fact as solid as a mountain and vastly more enduring. His faith changes nothing except his own personal relation to the word of promise. God’s Word is true whether we believe it or not. Human unbelief cannot alter the character of God. Faith is subjective, but it is sound only when it corresponds with objective reality. The man’s faith in the mountain is valid only because the mountain is there; otherwise it would be mere imagination and would need to be sharply corrected to rescue the man from harmful delusion. So God is what He is in Himself. He does not become what we believe. “I AM That I AM.” We are on safe ground only when we know what kind of God He is and adjust our entire being to the holy concept.

http://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer?id=495

Jesus Came to Serve · Max Lucado

Jesus Came to Serve · Max Lucado.