Before proceeding further, I want to be clear that I hold a great deal of respect for this professor, having taken multiple classes from him, and also shared meals with him in his home.  I’ve even traveled to Europe with him on a missions trip for military youth.  His heart for youth and the Body of Christ at large is beyond question.

With that being said, I’m concerned that his thoughts on man are naive at best, and wonder at his theological dispensation as a result.  I wouldn’t normally post thoughts like this to my blog (because it involves a specific individual), but I have a larger concern that his thoughts are not unique in the Church and as a result are leading those both within and without further away from the focus of our worship:  Christ.

The main reason I take issue with this line of thinking – that if man would simply choose to act more morally, life would be better – is that I know the tendencies and desires of my heart.  I try with all my being to be the best ambassador for Christ that I can, because I love Him and want Him to be proud of me.  Much like that of a son trying to please his father.  In all my striving, I know I fall miserably short.  In spite of my failings, He still loves me and accepts me as His son!  Something too amazing for me to understand.  My point is that it simply isn’t possible for man to be righteous.  We are fallen and sinful.  We will choose our own selfish ambitions every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

What does the Bible say?

Romans 3:9b-28
“For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, ¹⁰as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;
¹¹ no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
¹² All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
¹³ “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
¹⁴ “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
¹⁵ “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
¹⁶ in their paths are ruin and misery,
¹⁷ and the way of peace they have not known.”
¹⁸ “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

So how are we to gain righteousness if we are sinful by nature?  How do we gain favor with God, who is holy and can’t stand sin?  How are we not all obliterated off the face of the earth?

Skip down to verse 21…

“²¹ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. ²⁶It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

²⁷ Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸ For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”

This last bit seems to fly in the face of what the book of James says regarding “faith” and “works”, but in light of the context of the whole, it’s not so contradictory.  If we love someone, our actions demonstrate that love through word and deed.  The same is true of our love for Christ.  If we truly have love for Him, actions flow out of that love.  The debate between “faith” and “works” however, is not the point of my post.

Man is sinful and incapable of righteous action.  To expect that someone who doesn’t believe in God, will behave with integrity is not only naive, it’s dangerous.  Instead if we, as believers, adopt our true position as ambassadors, we’ll recognize where the true power and authority originates.  WE HAVE NO POWER APART FROM CHRIST!  Apart from Christ we would not be ambassadors.  Apart from Christ we would not be conquerors.  Apart from Christ, everyone’s final destination would be hell.  Any power or authority comes from Christ alone, and apart from Him we cannot be expected to pursue anything but selfish ambitions.

As much as I enjoy history, and the intricacies of the relationship between Churchill and Roosevelt during World War II, it is not what this post is about.  It’s about the trait that I admire most in both of these gentlemen, and the vanishing act it has played in our current culture:  taking responsibility for ones actions.

* Quick side note about FDR*
He’s the only president to serve more than two terms (the longest serving president in history).  Though I disagree with some of the political decisions he made, he was also responsible for leading the United States through The Great Depression, WWII and is generally accepted as the second greatest president in U.S. history behind only Abraham Lincoln.

Responsibility (accepting) is something that has not only become rare, but the lack of accountability has been encouraged and facilitated by many in leadership positions from government leaders down to parents and the children they raise.  I’m not sure where I remember hearing it, but supposedly there are two rules to being a leader:  1) Accept responsibility for your actions, and 2) pass the buck.

Rather than accepting the consequences of our decisions, we’re told that our decisions are based on our environment, our genetic predisposition, or possibly even that the devil made you do it (possibly even God, if you want to really test those waters).  Norman Geisler, in “Chosen But Free”, offers some extremely fascinating conclusions of this last idea.

If I am driving on the freeway where the speed limit is 55mph, and I’m proceeding with the flow of traffic at a speed of 65mph, what should I say when the police officer pulls me over and gives me a ticket for speeding?  Though there are many excuses I could offer – I was simply going with the flow of traffic, I was in hurry to get to work, I was speeding to the ER with my pregnant wife – I must ultimately accept the consequences of my decisions.  I need to weigh the possible outcomes and decide if the tradeoff is worth the price of a ticket.  In the case of a rush to the emergency room, I gotta say it’s worth the tradeoff (after all, a ticket for speeding is still probably less than the cost of an ambulance ride).

God determines what is right and wrong.  There is an actual morality outside of human definition or understanding.  If there wasn’t, then no one would have a basis for saying any choice is morally wrong.  This includes generally heinous acts such as rape, incest and murder.  This is a little bit of a departure from where I wanted to go with this, but it’s a perfectly dove-tailed rabbit trail.

I have two primary rules that I try to live by, and expect others to as well…maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable.

1) Don’t lie…even little white lies can lead to a breakdown in trust.

2) Take responsibility for your actions (this applies to decisions with both positive and negative outcomes)

Our society seems to have little problem in making quick decisions.  It’s quite another thing when it comes to dealing with any negative consequences of those decisions.

“You have enemies?  Good.  That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” – Winston Churchill

The 2011 National League MVP, Ryan Braun recently tested positive for a banned substance and is in danger of starting the 2012 season with a 50-game suspension.  Braun responded by calling the positive test B.S.  Thought Bonds has always been an above average player, the physical change that took place throughout his playing career (along with Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire), make it easy to doubt his professions of innocence.  Braun on the other hand, though athletic in appearance, doesn’t have the bulky look that Canseco portrayed in his career.

Then Victor Conte, founder of steroid drug company BALCO, says that the current MLB testing protocols are easily beatable depending on the time of day drugs are injected.  Even going so far as to say that performance enhancers don’t need to be injected, or even ingested, but can be absorbed through the skin via a patch.

I’ve blogged many times about the legacy we leave behind.  The athletes that I have the most respect for, are those that played for the sheer love of the game.  They’ve not only never tested positive for PED’s, but they have consistently been known by their desire to reinvest what they’ve been given into the community.  There was an article in the most recent issue of Sports Illustrated discussing what it was like to photograph some of the most famous athletes in history.  The two at opposite ends of the spectrum?  Barry Bonds and Cal Ripken Jr.  After taking pictures of Bonds, the photographer was told that if any photos were used, he could expect to be sued.  Ripken, on the other hand, had the exact opposite attitude, offering to do the shoot after a double header in Baltimore – because it offered the best lighting for the photos.  Exhausted after the game, then posing over an hour for photos, Ripken ended his evening by falling asleep in the dugout.

Far too many athletes take the attitude of Rod Tidwell (from Jerry Maguire), simply looking for the bigger, better deal.  Who is going to give them the most lettuce.  Is this the message we want communicated to future generations?  I’ve been surprised by how many high school athletes think they’re bound for the draft.  Education takes a back seat to a payday.  They investigate colleges on the merits of the likelihood they’ll get noticed by a scout.  Though there are some exceptions to the rule, the “dollar mentality” is widespread.

This idea isn’t just unique in professional sports.  In all areas of life – church, school, work, where we shop – we’ve become more focused on how our environment and actions affects us, rather than how we can impact the lives of those around us.  We differentiate ourselves from others, rather than finding commonality and learning from others, even when we may disagree with them.  There is little humility in this attitude or behavior.

What kind of legacy are you leaving?

What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

Are these to things different?  Chances are, the answer to that question is yes.  Why?

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt – December 8, 1941

A very similar attack occurred on September 11, 2001.  Though I would like to say that our nation responded in much the same way, I don’t think that I can.  Yes, we subsequently went to war, and there were pockets of individuals that felt the call to defend our nation (such as Pat Tillman), by and large we seemed more interested in politicking than in justice, bravery and honor.  I watch the HBO miniseries, Band of Brothers, at least once a year, and am amazed each time by the dedication these men had, not only to their nation, but to each other.  Rather than pockets of bravery, there were pockets of cowardess.  It was far more unusual to find a soldier that didn’t want to be at war, rather than one that was willing to die for his brothers in combat – regardless of the circumstance.

My Uncle Carl was one of those individuals.  I’m sure my wife and sons get tired of hearing about him, but he was a man to be emulated.  Though he missed the bombing at Pearl Harbor by two weeks – he was transferred (and after hearing about the bombing was extremely upset he wasn’t there to help defend) – he entered WWII with one thought on his mind, to protect his military family, and his country.  He was a Sergeant in the Marine Corp. and prided himself on producing the most well prepared soldiers to graduate from Camp Pendleton.  When his squad was pinned down by a bunker on the beaches of Normandy, himself out of ammunition, he charged into certain death with the simple thought that he needed to protect those in his charge.  He ended up throwing his bayonet so hard at the German soldier that it was driven through the German’s neck and became lodged in the wooden beam at the back of the bunker.  He was awarded the Silver Star as a result of his actions in Tarawa, which is in the Gilbert Islands, as well as numerous other awards, including multiple Purple Hearts.

There simply doesn’t seem to be the same level of dedication, loyalty and honor in today’s society.  We don’t seem to remember things.  I wonder and worry about the legacy that we’re leaving our children.  When we “occupy” and destroy city parks, rather than coming alongside those less fortunate and actually tangibly helping them.  It’s a most serious indictment on the state of the Church as well.  Gone are the days when social services were attained through the church.  Everyone now proceeds to Uncle Sam with their hands out.

I hope and pray that this generation will turn from its wicked ways and repent and turn to God.  Remember the sins of our youth – which includes not giving proper honor to those deserving – those that have served without thought of compensation or reward.  God’s judgment is manifest in our own sinful desires and pursuits.

Love one another.

A greater gift has no man than this, that he lay his life down for a friend.

It wasn’t all that shocking because of how difficult a job like coaching can be when players don’t submit to what a coach is trying to accomplish within an organization.  This leads me to the following article on “The Un-Coachable Athlete”.

THE UN-COACHABLE ATHLETE
Submitted by Dr. G

“I DIDN’T do anything wrong, coach! That wasn’t MY ball. Billy should’a covered that one! I hear what you’re saying coach, BUT, I was in position. I did everything I was supposed to. You should talk to the defense about that. They were the ones who really screwed this thing up.”

If there’s one thing that frustrates good coaches and drives them to distraction, it’s having an “un-coachable” athlete or two on their team. What’s an “un-coachable” athlete? It’s that individual who feels that he/she is never wrong, that the coach is unfairly picking on them whenever any kind of critical or even constructive feedback is given and the player who simply refuses to take any responsibility for his/her mistakes or failure. The “un-coachable” athlete is usually a finger pointer, blaming teammates, opponents, officials, weather conditions, the crowd or even the alignment of the sun, moon and stars whenever things go wrong!

“The sun was in my eyes and I slipped because the field sucked! Let’s face it, that’s why we lost and I’m telling you, that ref was blind as a bat, cuz I was safe!” Whenever the coach tries to provide this kind of athlete with any constructive feedback, even if it’s mild and necessary, the “un-coachable” athlete becomes highly defended. If he/she doesn’t argue with the coach outright, they make it perfectly clear through posture, facial expression and voice tone that they think they’re right and the coach is wrong!

How do we understand the highly defensive, blaming stance of this type of athlete? On the surface, this athlete comes across as a know-it-all, someone who feels that they have all the answers. They present as overly confident, even to the point of being obnoxious. However, this self-assuredness is nothing more than a shell, a mere facade. When you scratch the surface of this hard outer shell, underneath you’ll find an individual with painfully low self-esteem and a poor self-image. Deep down the “uncoachable” athlete is an emotionally wounded kid.

Typically the “uncoachable” athlete’s self-assessment of his/her skills is terribly skewed. He/she thinks that they’re far better than they actually are. This overly-generous self-assessment goes hand in hand with their low self-esteem. Because they feel so badly about themselves deep down, they need to present themselves as much better than they actually are. This also explains why they have such a difficult time taking responsibility for any of their mistakes and failures. To own that you’ve done something wrong or failed takes a certain degree of ego-strength, something that the “uncoachable” kid does not really possess.

The really sad thing about the highly defended stance of this kind of athlete is that they continuously and unknowingly put themselves in a position where they won’t be able to learn. You can’t get better at anything unless you’re willing to look carefully at what you’ve done wrong. Your mistakes and miscues form the foundation of learning and developing as an athlete and a person. However, if you’re constantly unwilling to honestly look at yourself, then you will inadvertently rob yourself of the opportunity to really get better.

If you’re a coach and working with this type of athlete, then the best advice I can give you is to try to always keep in mind that this highly defended behavior comes from a place of weakness, not strength. By keeping this perspective it might be that much easier for you to maintain compassion and empathy for that individual. Otherwise this type of athlete tends to alienate most coaches by their seemingly over-confident, “I have all the answers” presentation.

As I re-read this article a few times, I came to the conclusion that there were a lot of un-coachable players that played baseball during both the spring and summer seasons.  Please don’t misunderstand me…there were also some diamonds in the rough.  Guys like Brian Quinn, Lowden Sonnen and Carson Richards who gave everything they had when they were on the field.  They were at the field/cages long after everyone else had left.  They literally bled on the field and would give anything for the game.  There are many times that I wish I could transplant some players hearts into the bodies of other players…never more so than right now.

IF
by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them:  “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foe nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man my son!

When I was in high school I used to LOVE country music.  Though my music tastes are still diverse, and I still enjoy the occasional twang, I’ve really gotten away from my country roots.  I did after all grow-up in a town of a couple of thousand and had to drive over 45 minutes to the nearest movie theatre.  Cow tipping wasn’t a joke (like in Tommy Boy), but a genuine activity!  Judge all you want!

With all that being said, and today being my 15th anniversary, I thought I’d break out an oldie but goodie.  It may seem a little off, considering the topic, but I have an extremely checkered past.  In spite of all the poor decisions I’ve made (and continue to make in some cases), she’s stayed with me every step of the way.  We sometimes fight, but knowing that you’ll be honest with me about my faults, while admitting your own, makes it all worthwhile.  Valleys make the mountains even higher.  I love you and look forward to the adventures of another 15!

Happy Anniversary Erin!

Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks

Just the other night a hometown football game
My wife nd I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn’t help but think of the way things used to be

She was the one that I’d wanted for all times
And each night I’d spend prayin’ that God would make her mine
And if he’d only grant me this wish I wished back then
I’d never ask for anything again

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care
Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

She wasn’t quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn’t much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he’s doin’ after all

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn’t mean he don’t care
Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered

Some of God’s greatest gifts are all too often unanswered…
Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

The show is based on a fictional series written by Jeff Lindsay.  Though many of the characters are the same, including the title role, many of the similarities end here.  It is also one of the few occasions that I can justifiably say that the visual media produced as a result of the literary work is far better.  The depth and character development are far superior and make it easy to identify with many of the characters.

To say that a show about a serial killer that paints the killer as the anti-hero may seem disturbing on the surface.  Digging into Dexter’s character a little deeper reveals that he holds the same sense of justice that we all have.  When injustice happens in the world, we all ask “why?”.  Those that believe in God invariably wonder how, if He is truly good, could allow horrible things to happen to good people.  In this case, Dexter acts as the hand of God to balance the scales of justice by serving up (albeit a feral and earthly brand) justice on those that escape punishment.

Dexter has an inner demon that calls on him to make sacrifices in order to maintain his sanity.  He feels wholly separated from those around him.  At the same time that he desires distance between himself and those around him, they confide in him more than any other.  They trust him with their secrets.  Rely on him to always come through in a pinch.

-Another parallel observed-

A Christian will often confide in those that don’t believe in God because (there is a perception at least) they won’t experience the same judgment.  Christians are very good at burning their own, or at the very least abandoning them in times of misconduct.  Distance from the fault is key to not being caught up in the mistake.  After all, isn’t it catchable?

Sometimes sin is not doing anything at all.

We all make mistakes. *Gasp!*

I’m not suggesting that we all become homicidal serial killers in the name of justice, though I know a few people who are tempted to do so.  Instead, I’m suggesting we adopt some grace in our interactions with each other.  None of us has the market cornered on perfection.  In addition, rather than pushing people away when we find ourselves knee-deep in…errrr….well, you get the picture; we should honestly confess our need and rely on the brotherhood of believers to carry us through.  If the support isn’t there, as it should be, those not providing it will have to answer to a much higher justice than any of us are capable of understanding.

Will they be able to buy a championship?

I have come to loathe the Miami Heat.  It’s not because they’re in the NBA Finals and my team isn’t.  The Sacramento Kings have never made it to the Finals, and at this rate, seem relegated to picking high in the draft for the foreseeable future.  They’ll be lucky to remain in Sacramento.

No, I dislike them for the same reason I hate the Yankees.  There seems to be an arrogant idea that they can either buy, or manufacture a national championship.

Pay-Rod has never come through when it matters

When Lebron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwayne Wade this past off-season it aroused questions as to what would have happened if Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson had played on the same team during the 80′s and 90′s.

Michael Jordan said, “There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team,’ but that’s … things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. … In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.”

Magic wasn’t a huge fan of the idea either.

Magic said, “We didn’t think about it, ’cause that’s not what we were about, from college, I was trying to figure out how to beat Larry Bird.”

Even though Bird and Magic have become close friends, Bird recently acknowledged that it was the competition between them that drove Bird to be a better player.

“I remember back in my days, I’d rather play against Earvin Johnson than play with him, he’s a guy I always compared myself to. I’d rather stay in Boston and let him stay in L.A. and just compete every year in the Finals. That’s what made me a better player”, Bird said.

****

When I woke up this morning I read something disturbing on Facebook.  A baseball player posted a comment about his desire to leave Aloha High School and transfer to another school.  His reasons weren’t academic or program related.  It’s because he wasn’t happy about the record of the baseball team at Aloha.

I’ll be honest…I hate losing.  Aloha’s varsity program went 1-14 in league play this year.  The junior varsity and freshman programs both won only two games a piece.  With that in mind, I’d like to point out a few things that contributed to this result for the varsity team:

1. John Dunn, the head coach, is in his first year with Aloha.
2. The Metro League is home to 4 of the top 10 teams in Oregon.
3. 2 teams in the Metro League are currently in the semi-finals for the 6A State Championship.
4. The #1 team in the state is in the Metro League.
5. The team that Aloha beat, was ranked 4th at the time, and as a result, dropped to 14th in the state.

The Greatest Hitter of All Time

Growing up, there were a few topics that were simply taboo.  My parents regularly went to church and encouraged me to participate in any and all activities available to me through the church.  So religion was certainly not off the table.  They did the best they could in this area and directed me to those that had answers if they were ignorant in any specific area.  It eventually led to me attending Azusa Pacific University and eventually finishing my degree at Multnomah University only a few short years ago.

The topic of “sex” on the other hand was something that was not entirely open.  Though I openly shared with them when asked about situations I was encountering, it wasn’t a topic that either of us were comfortable with, leading me to “figure things out” on my own.  Many mistakes ensued, to say the least.  I’m not at all suggesting that the mistakes would not have been made had there been a more open line of communication, but there may have been more to inform the decisions I was making.

Politics however, were completely and totally taboo.  I was told many times that it was simply “none of my business”.  Again, I don’t want to seem disparaging, but in the way of government and politics, I was absolutely clueless.  I think they may have feared it would turn into an emotionally involved discussion that wouldn’t profit anyone; but I wanted to know what they believed, how they voted and why.

Information is hardly ever the problem.  If an opinion can’t live up to scrutiny then it’s probably not worth having.  This applies to all three areas listed above.  Granted, there are things that aren’t necessary for a five-year old to know, simply because they don’t have the capacity to understand.  With that being said, there are also things within the government that even its citizens don’t need to know.  How is it beneficial to me as a citizen to see CNN broadcast troop movements in Afghanistan?  It seems to me that having media embedded with the military (providing daily updates of what’s going on) during operations does more damage to America than not knowing.  It all comes down to what information is necessary for me to make informed decisions complimentary to my stage and station in life.

This discussion really has little to do with parents and children and more to do with what we’re willing to talk about without getting emotional or insulting other positions.  We need to be willing to be wrong.  We also need to be willing to allow others to be right…as well as wrong.