I don't know what's freaking me out more, the upcoming war on Iraq or:
1) the superflu bug that seems to be spreading around the globe. "The Stand" by Stephen King is one of my favorite books, and you bet I thought of the "Captain Tripps" virus when I read this headline;
2) the thought of retaliatory terrorists strikes by Al-Queda or Iraqi sleeper cells in the US;
3) Saddam Hussein launching chemical/biological weapons on US troops;
4) Saddam Hussein launching nuclear weapons against US troops;
5) Saddam Hussein attacking Israel;
6) Saddam Hussein launching chem/bio/nuclear weapons against US interests outside of Iraq;
7) Saddam Huseein launching chem/bio/nuclear weapons at the US;
8) the crazy North Koreans launching a pre-emptive strike against the US, while we're at war with Iraq;
9) watching the body bags of our troops come home on TV;
10) CNN showing all the civilian casualties in Iraq;
11) a repeat of what happened to the Japanese during WW2, but this time happening to anyone from Iraq or or arabic descent.
12) hate crimes against people of middle eastern descent.
I can go on and on, but I'm freaking myself out even more just to list my fears.
It's a crazy, crazy world and it's not going to get any better soon.
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
The following was sent via email to all members of my church on the upcoming war.
Subject: [PCUSANEWS] Church leaders issue pastoral letter on war
Note #7628 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:
Church leaders issue pastoral letter on war
03142
March 19, 2003
Church leaders issue pastoral letter on war
Presbyterians urged to place their trust in Jesus Christ by Jerry L. Van Marter
LOUISVILLE - With a U.S.-led war against Iraq all but certain, three leaders of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have issued a pastoral letter to all Presbyterians, calling for prayer and fasting in support of all who will be in danger in the event of war.
The March 18 letter is signed by the General Assembly moderator, the Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel, the PC(USA)'s stated clerk, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, and John Detterick, executive director of the General Assembly Council.
It acknowledges that Presbyterians "represent many different views regarding the best response to the threats posed by Saddam Hussein," and urges members of the denomination "to remember that our ultimate security is in the One who says to us: 'Take courage, I have conquered the world' (John 16:33)."
The full text of the pastoral letter:
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We write to you today with heavy hearts, believing that short of a miracle, the beginning of full-scale military action against Iraq is imminent. In his address Monday night, our President left little room for the fading hope that war could be avoided.
We know that as the specter of war hangs over us all, those for whom it is most painful are those who find themselves in imminent danger, including U.S. military personnel prepared for combat, Iraqi soldiers ordered into place to defend their country and the citizens of Iraq who will find themselves the unintended objects of destruction and death. We cannot help
but think, also, of all the families, churches, businesses, and other communities whose circles have been broken by the call to bear arms. Though we know all too well the real toll of every war, it is our fervent prayer that God will offer protection to all those who are placed in harm's way by decisions not of their own making.
As we are in the midst of Lent and looking toward Holy Week and Easter, we call upon you to join us in prayer and fasting for all these named above, and also for the leaders of our nation, the leaders of Iraq and of all the nations of the earth. We are praying especially for those leaders in whose hands lie both the implements of war and the instruments of peace. We dare
to hope that whatever military action there is will be brief and that when the destruction has ended, the community of nations will come together to bring restoration. We urge Presbyterians to be in the forefront of efforts to rebuild Iraq, to support the United Nations and to work for peace and justice in the Middle East.
We are a diverse church, called into life by the Triune God, who is known to us in Jesus Christ. We represent many different views regarding the best response to threats posed by Saddam Hussein. Yet we are one in our faith in Jesus Christ as both the source of our salvation and the ground of our security. We urge you to remember that our ultimate security is in the One
who says to us, "Take courage; I have conquered the world" (John 16:33).
We know that you will be gathering in many places in the weeks ahead to pray, to study, perhaps to grieve and to support one another. Please take advantage of the resources that are available to you on our church's web site, www.pcusa.org/iraq. Many of these have been prepared for such a time as this.
"And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
In the love of Christ and the hope of His Resurrection,
Fahed Abu-Akel, Moderator
Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk
John Detterick, Executive Director
Subject: [PCUSANEWS] Church leaders issue pastoral letter on war
Note #7628 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:
Church leaders issue pastoral letter on war
03142
March 19, 2003
Church leaders issue pastoral letter on war
Presbyterians urged to place their trust in Jesus Christ by Jerry L. Van Marter
LOUISVILLE - With a U.S.-led war against Iraq all but certain, three leaders of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have issued a pastoral letter to all Presbyterians, calling for prayer and fasting in support of all who will be in danger in the event of war.
The March 18 letter is signed by the General Assembly moderator, the Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel, the PC(USA)'s stated clerk, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, and John Detterick, executive director of the General Assembly Council.
It acknowledges that Presbyterians "represent many different views regarding the best response to the threats posed by Saddam Hussein," and urges members of the denomination "to remember that our ultimate security is in the One who says to us: 'Take courage, I have conquered the world' (John 16:33)."
The full text of the pastoral letter:
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We write to you today with heavy hearts, believing that short of a miracle, the beginning of full-scale military action against Iraq is imminent. In his address Monday night, our President left little room for the fading hope that war could be avoided.
We know that as the specter of war hangs over us all, those for whom it is most painful are those who find themselves in imminent danger, including U.S. military personnel prepared for combat, Iraqi soldiers ordered into place to defend their country and the citizens of Iraq who will find themselves the unintended objects of destruction and death. We cannot help
but think, also, of all the families, churches, businesses, and other communities whose circles have been broken by the call to bear arms. Though we know all too well the real toll of every war, it is our fervent prayer that God will offer protection to all those who are placed in harm's way by decisions not of their own making.
As we are in the midst of Lent and looking toward Holy Week and Easter, we call upon you to join us in prayer and fasting for all these named above, and also for the leaders of our nation, the leaders of Iraq and of all the nations of the earth. We are praying especially for those leaders in whose hands lie both the implements of war and the instruments of peace. We dare
to hope that whatever military action there is will be brief and that when the destruction has ended, the community of nations will come together to bring restoration. We urge Presbyterians to be in the forefront of efforts to rebuild Iraq, to support the United Nations and to work for peace and justice in the Middle East.
We are a diverse church, called into life by the Triune God, who is known to us in Jesus Christ. We represent many different views regarding the best response to threats posed by Saddam Hussein. Yet we are one in our faith in Jesus Christ as both the source of our salvation and the ground of our security. We urge you to remember that our ultimate security is in the One
who says to us, "Take courage; I have conquered the world" (John 16:33).
We know that you will be gathering in many places in the weeks ahead to pray, to study, perhaps to grieve and to support one another. Please take advantage of the resources that are available to you on our church's web site, www.pcusa.org/iraq. Many of these have been prepared for such a time as this.
"And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
In the love of Christ and the hope of His Resurrection,
Fahed Abu-Akel, Moderator
Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk
John Detterick, Executive Director
People are talking about shutting down the city of San Francisco with protests and civil disobedience to stop the money war machine. San Francisco is is such an economic slump, and the city currently has the biggest glut of office space in last 20 years. San Francisco has already been economically damaged by the dot com bust, so it's not the ecnomic engine it used to be. San Francisco is in fact, an economic hell hole right now.
If protestors really wanted to shut down the economic war machine, they should shut down Washington DC and Pentagon City, or Wall Street in NYC, or the Chicago Board of Trade, and not my already economically ravaged city.
Personally, I think the anti-war protests and the shut down of the city will have the opposite effect. I think people will just get upset, and turn away from the anti-war protests. I'm listening to a representive from anti-war protest organizers, and he's totally pissing me off. He is such a jerk! Talk about whiny and not answering any directly any of the questions that people are asking him. He's worse than any slimy politicianm who won't answer a question directly. I can see the headlines now, downtown San Francisco workers getting into fights with anti-war protestors. Great!
Whatever. This is one of the few times I'm glad I don't work in the downtown Financial District of San Francisco.
If protestors really wanted to shut down the economic war machine, they should shut down Washington DC and Pentagon City, or Wall Street in NYC, or the Chicago Board of Trade, and not my already economically ravaged city.
Personally, I think the anti-war protests and the shut down of the city will have the opposite effect. I think people will just get upset, and turn away from the anti-war protests. I'm listening to a representive from anti-war protest organizers, and he's totally pissing me off. He is such a jerk! Talk about whiny and not answering any directly any of the questions that people are asking him. He's worse than any slimy politicianm who won't answer a question directly. I can see the headlines now, downtown San Francisco workers getting into fights with anti-war protestors. Great!
Whatever. This is one of the few times I'm glad I don't work in the downtown Financial District of San Francisco.
I'm not sure what kind of paper The Guardian UK is, but a columnist had this to say about Tony Blair, Electrifying Blair goes into Churchill-Custer mode. Did I read this right? Tony Blair being compared to Winston Churchill?
News commentators here in the SF Bay Area are saying to check out Blair's speech to the House of Commons. It's supposed to be amazing, and they're predicting it will be studied for years as a great speech. Well done, Tony Blair!
News commentators here in the SF Bay Area are saying to check out Blair's speech to the House of Commons. It's supposed to be amazing, and they're predicting it will be studied for years as a great speech. Well done, Tony Blair!
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