All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Options Or Principles - The Political Calculus
From My Perspective - - -
In life, one’s Core Values should govern one’s actions. If one is motivated by Principle, decision-making should be fixed and clear. A Person of Principle does not allow other factors to interfere with decisions where right or wrong are at issue. A clear definition of events, circumstances and assessment should occur based upon the Core Values – and – no other calculation or consideration. One must see things clearly for what they are and not some redefined interpretation based upon imagination rather than reality.
An interesting idea in this regard is the phrase: “Tilting At Windmills” that is based on Cervantes' Don Quixote - first published in 1604, under the title The Ingenious Knight of La Mancha. A summary of this tome explains a difference between what is imagined and what is reality. “The novel recounts the exploits of would-be knight 'Don Quixote' and his loyal servant Sancho Panza who propose to fight injustice through chivalry. In the book, which also gives us the adjective quixotic (striving for visionary ideals), the hero imagines himself to be fighting giants when he attacks windmills. Just then they came in sight of thirty or forty windmills that rise from that plain. And no sooner did Don Quixote see them that he said to his squire, ‘Fortune is guiding our affairs better than we ourselves could have wished. Do you see over yonder, friend Sancho, thirty or forty hulking giants? I intend to do battle with them and slay them. With their spoils we shall begin to be rich for this is a righteous war and the removal of so foul a brood from off the face of the earth is a service God will bless.’ What giants? asked Sancho Panza. ‘Those you see over there with their long arms,’ replied his master. ‘Some of them have arms well nigh two leagues in length.’ Take care, sir, cried Sancho. Those over there are not giants but windmills. Those things that seem to be their arms are sails which, when they are whirled around by the wind, turn the millstone." And so, the phrase: “Tilting At Windmills” would soon be born.
As one looks at the debates and actions of both the US Congress and US Senate, one truism that becomes obvious is that too many are “Tilting At Windmills” in the decisions being reached that will impact a Nation for years and generations to come. Imagination is often allowed to supersede Reality! An illustration of Options Versus Principles appears in an Associated Press Release today, headlined: GOP SENATORS WEIGH OPTIONS IN SOTOMAYOR'S WAKE - By Jesse J. Holland. The crux of the issue is summed up in these words: “Sonia Sotomayor's success at her Supreme Court confirmation hearing has some Republicans in a tight spot, with conservative senators forced to weigh the political calculus of voting on the court's first Latina nominee, who also is the first liberal nominee in 15 years. With Democrats solidly behind the 55-year-old Sotomayor, three days of grueling questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee gave Republicans no new or damaging ammunition to use against President Barack Obama's first high-court nominee…The underlying politics are dicey for Republicans. They must be careful to keep faith with constituents like National Rifle Association members who oppose her, yet avoid offending the Hispanic voters who represent the fastest-growing segment of the electorate…”
The crucial words in terms of “Options Or Principles” are: “…some Republicans (are) in a tight spot, with conservative Senators forced to weigh the political calculus…” And, “They must be careful to keep faith with constituents like National Rifle Association members who oppose her, yet avoid offending the Hispanic voters who represent the fastest-growing segment of the electorate…” The Bible states in James 5:11-12 (The Message Translation) that which should govern deliberations and actions: “God cares, cares right down to the last detail. And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don't add words like ‘I swear to God’ to your own words. Don't show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say 'Yes' or 'No'. Just say what is true. That way, your language can't be used against you.” One’s quandary occurs when there is vacillation between right and wrong – yes or no issues. Consider these things with me!
In life, one’s Core Values should govern one’s actions. If one is motivated by Principle, decision-making should be fixed and clear. A Person of Principle does not allow other factors to interfere with decisions where right or wrong are at issue. A clear definition of events, circumstances and assessment should occur based upon the Core Values – and – no other calculation or consideration. One must see things clearly for what they are and not some redefined interpretation based upon imagination rather than reality.
An interesting idea in this regard is the phrase: “Tilting At Windmills” that is based on Cervantes' Don Quixote - first published in 1604, under the title The Ingenious Knight of La Mancha. A summary of this tome explains a difference between what is imagined and what is reality. “The novel recounts the exploits of would-be knight 'Don Quixote' and his loyal servant Sancho Panza who propose to fight injustice through chivalry. In the book, which also gives us the adjective quixotic (striving for visionary ideals), the hero imagines himself to be fighting giants when he attacks windmills. Just then they came in sight of thirty or forty windmills that rise from that plain. And no sooner did Don Quixote see them that he said to his squire, ‘Fortune is guiding our affairs better than we ourselves could have wished. Do you see over yonder, friend Sancho, thirty or forty hulking giants? I intend to do battle with them and slay them. With their spoils we shall begin to be rich for this is a righteous war and the removal of so foul a brood from off the face of the earth is a service God will bless.’ What giants? asked Sancho Panza. ‘Those you see over there with their long arms,’ replied his master. ‘Some of them have arms well nigh two leagues in length.’ Take care, sir, cried Sancho. Those over there are not giants but windmills. Those things that seem to be their arms are sails which, when they are whirled around by the wind, turn the millstone." And so, the phrase: “Tilting At Windmills” would soon be born.
As one looks at the debates and actions of both the US Congress and US Senate, one truism that becomes obvious is that too many are “Tilting At Windmills” in the decisions being reached that will impact a Nation for years and generations to come. Imagination is often allowed to supersede Reality! An illustration of Options Versus Principles appears in an Associated Press Release today, headlined: GOP SENATORS WEIGH OPTIONS IN SOTOMAYOR'S WAKE - By Jesse J. Holland. The crux of the issue is summed up in these words: “Sonia Sotomayor's success at her Supreme Court confirmation hearing has some Republicans in a tight spot, with conservative senators forced to weigh the political calculus of voting on the court's first Latina nominee, who also is the first liberal nominee in 15 years. With Democrats solidly behind the 55-year-old Sotomayor, three days of grueling questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee gave Republicans no new or damaging ammunition to use against President Barack Obama's first high-court nominee…The underlying politics are dicey for Republicans. They must be careful to keep faith with constituents like National Rifle Association members who oppose her, yet avoid offending the Hispanic voters who represent the fastest-growing segment of the electorate…”
The crucial words in terms of “Options Or Principles” are: “…some Republicans (are) in a tight spot, with conservative Senators forced to weigh the political calculus…” And, “They must be careful to keep faith with constituents like National Rifle Association members who oppose her, yet avoid offending the Hispanic voters who represent the fastest-growing segment of the electorate…” The Bible states in James 5:11-12 (The Message Translation) that which should govern deliberations and actions: “God cares, cares right down to the last detail. And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don't add words like ‘I swear to God’ to your own words. Don't show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say 'Yes' or 'No'. Just say what is true. That way, your language can't be used against you.” One’s quandary occurs when there is vacillation between right and wrong – yes or no issues. Consider these things with me!
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