We all knew that American culture pervades the world, influencing fashion, music and the arts, even political style with tin horn dictators trying to imitate the American version. However, we must all be surprised when the Taliban of all groups have decided to follow American political culture.
Following Moms for Liberty and the new priorities of the current administration, the Taliban has purging books written by women from Afghan male-only universities. It’s clear the Taliban has followed the American playbook because also purged will be certain college courses: human rights, democracy, women’s studies.
Just think of how proud Linda McMahon must feel to know that so many others are following her lead. Both the Taliban and McMahon are reshaping curricula to reflect history to fit their imaginations, much like Putin did in Russia., Here, it’s clear that we are taking a page from Putin’s playbook, but don’t tell the Taliban that. Let’s take credit where credit is due.
Prayer for the Day
Stuck in the past and unable to face the future,
We rehearse our sins of long ago and stall vision for today;
Hoarding our possessions and bank accounts,
We are unable to trust in your grace.
Release us from our insecurities, bringing us into your Presence
So we may approach a new future with confidence.
In the name of the One who gives us courage,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
For books are not absolutely dead things, but do contain a potency of life in them to be as active as that soul was whose progeny they are; nay, they do preserve as in a vial the purest efficacy and extraction of that living intellect that bred them.
John Milton, British poet, writer from Areopagitica (1608-1674)
What I do know is this: Freedom is a muscle. It atrophies whenever fear reaches into the mind of a writer, resulting in self-censorship or—even worse—total silence.
Margarita Engle, Cuban American writers
They have spoken falsely of the Lord, and have said: “God will do nothing.
No evil will come upon us, we shall not see sword or famine.”
The prophets are nothing but wind, for the word is not in them.
Thus it shall be done to them!
Jeremiah 5” 12-13