A Virtual Church

Happy birthday, America

31 minutes ago

Two hundred and fifty years is not bad in the history of nations. The Greeks and the Romans lasted for millennia. The reason great nations fall is the failure of leadership.

The Greeks squabbled with leadership issues. Emperor Nero fiddled while Rome burned. The barbarians at the gate took them out. One might think lessons of leadership would be modeled from generation to generation. But alas!

Every leader has his own ideas and thinks his are the best. Hitler thought leadership was purifying a race to conquer the world. The Roman leaders, who had a good thing going for a long time, began to think of themselves as Deity. It is never a good idea to compare yourself to God.

When we do, God is not amused.

Donald Trump has created an Imperial Presidency. He is king. Some portray him as God. We are deep into this dysfunction. Even the Supreme Court is giving license to his mischief.

The real-world consequences are mounting. The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Trump’s war had zero effect, except to get Americans and Iranians killed and spend billions in the process.

Inflation is rising and gasoline prices are remain high.

What are we to do?

I know. Let’s build a wrestling cage on the South Lawn of the White House. Let’s set up booths from every state and boast American greatness. Nothing says Happy Birthday America like a wrestling match on the South Lawn.

America is great. With a history of leaders and visionaries, statesmen and workers who built and fought and carried the torch of liberty for 250 years.

Freedom may be free, but it is not a given. It takes work to keep it.

MAGA Republicans are doing all they can to tear it apart. A few of them are now leaving the Trump train. Margery Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson and Thom Tillis are coming late coming to the reality but at least they are speaking out now.

Trump is coming apart at the seams. We all see his slide into dementia and poor physical health. One can hide old age only so long.

There is nothing he could do to improve his legacy. His latest fumbles with the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts and the Reflection Pool on National Mall are huge missteps.

Dead ducks in the algae-ridden reflection pool are not a good visual. If it weren’t sad, it would be comic to see the debacles coming one after the other.

Trump has waited too late to leave office before his legacy is torn apart in spectacular fashion. He will be remembered in history as a fool and a clown who brought the circus to Washington and wreaked havoc everywhere.

We will ride out the next two years, hoping nuclear war does not erupt. It remains to be seen if this land of freedom can be healed of the damage Trump and his sycophants have done.

CNN and PBS are our choices for airing July 4^th celebrations. Neighborhood barbecues and gatherings will survive. Fireworks from the fairground and camps will fill the night and we will know the thrill of celebration and give thanks for all that is America.

Let Trump rant and rave. On this grand holiday, he will not steal our joy.

He is a sad blip in the American story. Tragic that he chose the path he did.

Lib Campbell is a retired Methodist pastor, retreat leader, columnist and host of the blogsite Avirtualchurch.com

 

 

 

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