The late comedian Rodney Dangerfield was famous for quipping, “I get no respect.” That line showed up in some way, shape, or form in most of the films he was famous for. Dangerfield typically played the role of bumbling but loveable idiot, who somehow managed to come out on top. But even though he came out on top, he still “got no respect.”
United States
By Graham Glover –
“I…do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”
These words are part of the oath that every person takes upon entering or being promoted in the United States military. These are serious words that speak to the importance of the profession and the purpose for which it was created. Although the military does many things, its primary purpose is and will remain the protection and preservation of the United States of America. Or is it the protection and preservation of the United States Constitution?
By Graham Glover –
Worthless.
Broken.
Corrupt.
These are just a few of the words I’ve heard over the last few days to describe the city where I live. Not that it’s entirely different at other times, but people don’t feel too great about the recent shenanigans going on in Washington, D.C.
By Graham Glover –
Another gun tragedy. Another debate.
This time though the debate isn’t about whether we need more or better guns laws. This time it’s about prayer. That’s right, prayer. 26 people were innocently slaughtered while worshiping God and now we’re having a debate on whether Christians offering prayers of condolence and support are enough.
By Graham Glover –
Some think it’s reached the point of absurdity. Our politics that is. These past few months (actually, this past year and a half) has not seen our politics at their best. Like many of you, I’m still a bit shocked that we’ve gotten here and increasingly saddened as to why we debate the asinine issues we think are important. Although I remain optimistic that things will improve (naively, perhaps), I’m certain that I’ll be banging my head against the proverbial wall this week, sighing out loud as I watch, listen, and even partake in this thing we call politics.
By Cindy Koch –
It was only 6:15 in the morning when the radio clicked on in the dark, cold car. “49 confirmed dead, but that number will surely rise…” It took my breath away to hear the first audible voice of the day speaking about such horrific events that had passed as our night broke into daylight. Suddenly radio screams and tap-tap-tap gunshots pierced our sickly curious silence. Right in the middle of our daily drive to the gym, tragedy stretched it’s sting across the airwaves – and without parental permission, it touched my family car.
By Graham Glover –
At any given time, there are less than 0.5% of Americans serving in any capacity in the Armed Forces of the United States. Let that sink in for a moment. Less than ½ of 1% of our population is currently serving in any branch – in any component (Active or Reserve) of our military. That is a staggering statistic! That 0.5% preserves the possibility for our democratic republic to survive for the remaining 99.5% is simply mind boggling.
By Graham Glover –
That’s right, with authors currently in Florida, California, Michigan, Washington, Illinois, and Arkansas, and readers located around the world, the Jagged Word will soon be represented in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.!
By Graham Glover –
Political victory. What is it? What does it look like? Does anybody (especially in America) ever really achieve it?
Did the Republicans achieve it last November? Donald Trump won the presidency, but does this mean he is politically victorious? He won an election, and his party maintains control of both chambers of Congress, but how much does that really mean in today’s political context? (See the inability for the White House and Congress to make any headway on the healthcare bill.)
By Graham Glover –
Universal healthcare. The mere mention of the idea is enough to bring a smile to a liberal and a scowl to a conservative.
Outside of the immigration debate, I don’t think there is an issue that divides the electorate more than whether the United States federal government should provide healthcare to all its citizens. Obama won two elections because of his promise to provide universal healthcare. One could argue that Trump won an election because of his promise to repeal it.
By Joel Krogen –
Are Christians spiritually and intellectually lazy? Do they understand what the Scripture actually teaches about life, in particular, life in the public square?
By Graham Glover –
I love my country. Although imperfect, the American republic is the greatest country in the world. No matter what candidates proclaim, protestors lament, or dissidents believe, there is little doubt that the American experiment reflects the best political model ever envisioned by humanity.
By Bob Hiller –
Like you all, I’ve been sort of reeling in the wake of Tuesday’s election results. If I am being completely honest with you (and why would I have reason to be anything else), I truly don’t know how to feel about the president-elect. But like many of you, my blood pressure has risen and fallen at remarkable rates as I’ve scrolled through my social media feeds. I have a lot of personal and political concerns about our country and would have had them regardless of who got elected. In today’s blog, I don’t think I can contribute much to the conversation by way of political analysis or social criticism. Anything that I have to say on that front has likely been said already by people far more capable and intelligent than myself. However, as I read through my feed and reflect on my own personal actions and attitudes this past week, I do have a pastoral concern that is weighing on me.
By Graham Glover –
I find the idea tempting. Really tempting.
On so many levels I’m the last guy in the world that should seriously consider this. The fact that I’m writing a post about it boggles the mind. Nothing about it seems like something I would do or that anyone who knows me thinks I would find appealing. But I’m tempted. Really tempted.
By Graham Glover – We’re all guilty. You. Me. All of us. We’re guilty of political idolatry. More […]
By Graham Glover –
Social conservatives in America have been on the losing end of two epic battles over the past 43 years. The first occurred in 1973 with the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade to legalize the innocent slaughter of unborn children. The second occurred in 2015 when the Court fundamentally altered the legal and historical definition of marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges.
By Graham Glover –
First, a confession: I’ve been politically depressed for about 8 months.
When 2016 began, my political psyche started going downhill. As the primary season rolled on, my political bad mood turned in to downright depression. I think it hit rock bottom after the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. For the past month I’ve wanted to shut down politically. Seriously, I thought I had reached the point of no return. My love of and faith in politics had all but worn out.
By Bob Hiller –
Well, sports fans, buckle your patriotic safety belts, because it is time to cheer on the good ol’ US of A in the 2016 Summer Olympic games. I have to confess; I am a sucker for the Olympics. I get all giddy when I hear the “BA-BUM-BA-BUM-BUM” of NBC’s Olympic soundtrack. I find the opening ceremonies captivating (Though, in the case of China a few years back, I found them utterly terrifying!). I get caught up in the human interest stories about the kids who learned to run on the battlefields of their war-torn countries wearing nothing but dreams on their feet because they couldn’t afford shoes. And I love watching my own kids get all fired up to cheer for their country.
By Caleb Keith –
Over the years I’ve come to enjoy the series of Jason Bourne movies. Things were no different last Thursday when I went to see the latest sequel. 2016’s Jason Bourne follows the same basic formula as every Bourne film. Step 1. Bourne comes out of hiding, Step 2. The CIA locates Bourne, Step 3. Bourne stops the corrupt CIA from some nefarious and internationally illegal scheme. While the movie was certainly predictable, the formula still works especially with the movies new technological focus.
By Graham Glover –
After listening to the last two weeks of political rhetoric, one might conclude that we are a divided nation. And that conclusion would be more than accurate.
Our nation is divided. Deeply divided.
The ideas, images, platforms, and personalities that the Republicans and Democrats offered in Cleveland and Philadelphia are as fundamentally different as any as I’ve witnessed in my lifetime.