The most foolish thing I saw or heard on April 1 was CNN's new version of "Crossfire." Sen.Tom Daschil, senate majority leader, was the guest; along with that obnoxious bald headed smart aleck from Arkansas, James Carvil. I usually rove from MSNBC, to FOX, then CNN and Headline News. But with that Paul Bigala now alongside Marvelled, I think I'll have to avoid Crossfire and maybe even CNN. Bob Novak and Tucker Carlson were the Crossfire out-gunned conservatives, partly because Novak wasn't even at the table (he was speaking from a screen somewhere else). I think he's about the only Catholic on CNN, and they are usually on the right. Perhaps Aaron Brown's another, but he's not very conservative. MSNBC has hard right Catholics Chris Matthews, Pat Buchanan and Alan Keyes. And at FOX there is Bill O'Rilley and Sean Hannity (both of whom blasted their own church, while Alan Keyes stood up for it amid the disgrace). Many of the other leading newsmen are Jews. So Protestant America looks at the world largely through Catholic and Jewish eyes. Of course, there's more and more female reporters, too. I had a hard time for years accepting that, but have finally made the adjustment. Now, they go into places where even sturdy males might hesitate because of the danger. Lately, and especially since 9/11, we've seen media people loosing their lives trying to get the facts out to the rest of us. Danny Pearl's death sure wasn't just "April Fools," though his body has never been found (only seen on that video where the terrorist was slashing the throat of his propped up corpse).
I just saw this Tuesday morning where the former playboy American president blocked an investigation of fund raising for Islamic terrorist organizations done here in the U.S. allowing billions to flow into preparations for global terrorism. Though Bush has cut it off (and taken the criticism from liberals), the greatest damage (9/11) was already done. Now we have to put up with such legal antics as trying to free the American Taliban, Johnnie Walker, from justice. Is it any wonder that his name also belongs to an old brand of whiskey? If the Israelis had one of their number siding with the Arabs against them, how long would he last after being caught? I heard that they are calling their West Bank invasion "Operation Protective Wall." And that's what is needed as they clean out terrorism. Ours is "Operation Enduring Freedom." Remember how it was first named "Absolute Justice" but was changed to avoid offense to Muslims (because only Allah is absolute)? I called Israel "our kids" in a previous column, and they are sure following locally our world-wide example. Did you hear Arafat by candlelight charging them with Nazi methods? Well, instead of just having no electricity, he'd have been shot and cremated long before now by Nazi. Since he wouldn't police his own area, Israeli forces have had to do it themselves as I see it. Sure, the Arab League is upset because they thought the big Saudi offer from their Beirut conference was going to fool the world with Islamic pretense of accepting Israel. Animosity between the children of Isaac and of Ishmael roots back to sibling rivalry in Abraham's family. His wife had the idea of providing him a son through her Egyptian slave. Then Sarah hated Hagar because of her son's behavior toward little Isaac, the child GOD had promised her. Thus the Hebrew/Arab family split began and only Gospel power to change hearts can heal the situation; or else our Lord's return in power and glory as He comes to take His own out of this world and then judge all humanity in righteousness. May "the grace of our Lord Jesus be with (us) all. Amen."(Rev.22.21)
As I watch the situation in Bethlehem where that church of the nativity is surrounded by Israeli forces, I marvel that such hostility can abound at the birthplace of the Prince of Peace. One of the things I recall from my two visits to the grotto where the manger stood on that first Christmas Eve, is that everyone agrees this is the spot. With so many sites claimed for other Biblical events, this one had agreement by Protestants, Catholics, Muslims and Jews; that much accord seemed appropriate for the King of kings: if only it could extend into current events as well.
One authority on Mideast affairs said that the root of all the distress is those settlements that Israeli religious citizens have created. He said a paprphrase of that Clinton campaign slogan could describe the problem: "it's the settlements, stupid." Settlements drew attack and that required occupation of the territories by Israeli security forces. Then things went from bad to worse. Those of us who feel that the settlers are exercising their God given right to the land just have to be stupid, it seems. If only they had stayed out, the Palestinians could have reached an agreement on two states. I hear Daniel Natinyahu called BB. Since I know he believer they have a divine right to settle there, I wonder if BB stands for "Bible believer." Years ago Manachen Begin waved the holy book in front of the UN General Assembly and said "Here's our deed to the land." It's so clearly stated several times in Genesis, that evangelicals have to agree.