While DHS/ICE continues to violently “arrest” US citizens in Chicago and other communities, including a middle-age social worker, and pepper spray a 3-year-old in her parents’ car, and drug lords are pardoned, China quietly invests in road and other projects that the US abandoned because of our decision to shut down USAID.
Called soft diplomacy, China uses its projects to create influence throughout the world, including the Western Hemisphere. The new kind of isolationism we are practicing reminds us of how the US looked at itself as “Fortress America” before Pearl Harbor, the anniversary of which is 84 years ago today. China won’t need bombs.
Current US policies instead go for war. Between strikes on alleged drug dealers and not so veiled threats against countries if they elect leaders not wanted by the current administration, the US is emerging as a country that bullies its way around smaller countries. Trump may not have gotten the Nobel he so desperately wanted, but never fear, FIFA stepped in with its peace prize. How fitting for this second week of Advent.
Prayer for the Day
Like peoples of old, we look to words of comfort,
Words spoken by prophets in a war-torn world;
Like people of today, we hear words of war,
Wondering if words of comfort will come again.
Searching for peace, we want your assurance, O God,
Giving us the hope that peace will reign at last.
In the name of the One who shares peace with us,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
War is only a cowardly alternative to the problems of peace.
Thomas Mann, German writer, Nobel Prize laureate (1875-1955)
An individual can march for peace or vote for peace and can have, perhaps, some small influence on global concerns. But the same individual is a giant in the eyes of a child at home. If peace is to be built, it must start with the individual. It is built brick by brick."
Dorothy Day, American social activist (1897-1890)
Listen to me in silence, O coastlands,
Let the peoples renew their strength;
Let them approach, then let them speak;
Let us together draw near for judgment
Isaiah 41: 1