I spent much of my day today in the car, listening to the radio as I traveled. The big news of the day was about the meltdown on Wall Street and the failure of our government to produce a $700 billion dollar rescue.
The President said emergency action is needed because Mom and Pop America needs to have access to credit. The presidential candidates said emergency action is needed, because without it, average Joes won’t be able to get the credit they need to care for their families and grow their businesses. Interviews with financial experts said without emergency action, the little guy will suffer because his access to credit will dry up. John McCain said this money is not for Wall Street, but Main Street.
Then I got home and found six credit card applications in my mailbox. Altogether, I’m pre-approved for about 50 large in new credit. Somebody is lying to me.
The other day I saw a news blurb about cell phone safety. Some researchers in Sweden reported that radiation from cell phones elevates the risk of brain cancer. The same report said numerous American studies, however, show the opposite—that cell phones pose no threat to our brains at all.
But then a few moments later the same report said men should not put cell phones in their pockets because the radiation can reduce sperm count. Sooooo . . . radiation is bad below the waist, but innocuous above it? Somebody is lying.
Two opposing concepts cannot be true at the same time. A room can’t be light and dark. A bowl of soup can’t be simultaneously hot and cold. A bank account can’t be both flush and bankrupt. Yet when it comes to news, media and politics, contradictory realities are everyday’s business.
Sarah Palin stopped the “Bride to Nowhere,” but she supports building a bridge to the airport in Ketchikan. The same bridge. Barack Obama fondly recalls the influence of Jeremiah Wright on this life, but can’t remember a thing his preacher ever said.
Somebody’s lying.
We’ve become very comfortable with lies. We think nothing of buying fat-free foods that have fat in them and sugar-free drinks that contain sugar. We buy cars with big stickers that promise good gas mileage, all the while knowing they will be far less efficient in real world conditions. We buy products that promise to make us younger, healthier, sexier, happier, but when we look in the mirror, we see the same plain person staring back.
It can be argued that we love lies, that we need them to cope with the burdens and complexities of life. In trouble meeting a deadline at work? A little lie will buy some time. Somebody wants you to do something you don’t want to do? A lie will get you out of it. Trying to get customer service to refund your money? Bending the truth will help you get your way.
Lies. Where do they all come from?
Jesus taught that Satan is the father of lies. If that is so, then every time we tell a big one (or a little one), embrace a lie, tolerate lies, rationalize them and pass them on, then we must be—as they used to say about fathers and children—chips off the old block.
Jesus called himself the exact opposite. He described himself as the truth. He also said that the truth will set us free.
In our efforts to plot our way in this world and make decisions that improve our lives, bless our children and honor our God, it is critical to remember that truth brings us liberty, while lies weigh us down. Truth emancipates. Lies turn us into slaves.
Listening to the news and analysis of the proposed $700 billion cure for Wall Street’s hangover, I’ve learned that the tab for each American family will be about $23,000, maybe a lot more. We’re told the total cost burden, including interest on our national debts, will be a lot more.
We’re also told the $700 billion is not really a debt, but an investment. We’re told it won’t be a burden to pay back. We’re told we are really buying assets that will someday have greater value and be resold. We’re told the cost of doing nothing will be much more painful.
Somebody is lying. I’m sick of it.
The President said emergency action is needed because Mom and Pop America needs to have access to credit. The presidential candidates said emergency action is needed, because without it, average Joes won’t be able to get the credit they need to care for their families and grow their businesses. Interviews with financial experts said without emergency action, the little guy will suffer because his access to credit will dry up. John McCain said this money is not for Wall Street, but Main Street.
Then I got home and found six credit card applications in my mailbox. Altogether, I’m pre-approved for about 50 large in new credit. Somebody is lying to me.
The other day I saw a news blurb about cell phone safety. Some researchers in Sweden reported that radiation from cell phones elevates the risk of brain cancer. The same report said numerous American studies, however, show the opposite—that cell phones pose no threat to our brains at all.
But then a few moments later the same report said men should not put cell phones in their pockets because the radiation can reduce sperm count. Sooooo . . . radiation is bad below the waist, but innocuous above it? Somebody is lying.
Two opposing concepts cannot be true at the same time. A room can’t be light and dark. A bowl of soup can’t be simultaneously hot and cold. A bank account can’t be both flush and bankrupt. Yet when it comes to news, media and politics, contradictory realities are everyday’s business.
Sarah Palin stopped the “Bride to Nowhere,” but she supports building a bridge to the airport in Ketchikan. The same bridge. Barack Obama fondly recalls the influence of Jeremiah Wright on this life, but can’t remember a thing his preacher ever said.
Somebody’s lying.
We’ve become very comfortable with lies. We think nothing of buying fat-free foods that have fat in them and sugar-free drinks that contain sugar. We buy cars with big stickers that promise good gas mileage, all the while knowing they will be far less efficient in real world conditions. We buy products that promise to make us younger, healthier, sexier, happier, but when we look in the mirror, we see the same plain person staring back.
It can be argued that we love lies, that we need them to cope with the burdens and complexities of life. In trouble meeting a deadline at work? A little lie will buy some time. Somebody wants you to do something you don’t want to do? A lie will get you out of it. Trying to get customer service to refund your money? Bending the truth will help you get your way.
Lies. Where do they all come from?
Jesus taught that Satan is the father of lies. If that is so, then every time we tell a big one (or a little one), embrace a lie, tolerate lies, rationalize them and pass them on, then we must be—as they used to say about fathers and children—chips off the old block.
Jesus called himself the exact opposite. He described himself as the truth. He also said that the truth will set us free.
In our efforts to plot our way in this world and make decisions that improve our lives, bless our children and honor our God, it is critical to remember that truth brings us liberty, while lies weigh us down. Truth emancipates. Lies turn us into slaves.
Listening to the news and analysis of the proposed $700 billion cure for Wall Street’s hangover, I’ve learned that the tab for each American family will be about $23,000, maybe a lot more. We’re told the total cost burden, including interest on our national debts, will be a lot more.
We’re also told the $700 billion is not really a debt, but an investment. We’re told it won’t be a burden to pay back. We’re told we are really buying assets that will someday have greater value and be resold. We’re told the cost of doing nothing will be much more painful.
Somebody is lying. I’m sick of it.
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Christine @ Live to Learn