A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

In a society that treasures freedom of speech; I think it's a good idea to apply the King's wisdom when unleashing our tongue. In Proverbs 15, verse 1&2, he proclaims an applicable edict: 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.'

Last week there was a firestorm of controversy surrounding the issue of freedom of speech at an unlikely venue - and many have expressed their fair share of verbiage about it. During the Miss USA pageant, a contestant for the crown of Miss USA, Carrie Prejean, honestly (and gently) answered a provocative question posed. Her answer earned her a poor score costing her the crown and later a tongue lashing from one of the judges, Perez Hilton. Not only was his tongue lashing harsh, profane and hateful but it lit the flames of a controversy that stirred up a great deal of wrath. Wrath by Perez and others that later Carrie publicly forgave and now hopefully, will turn away anymore ugliness.

This is a good example of what the King is saying. I suggest that had Perez exercised wisdom; he may have had more power to communicate his argument of persuasion surrounding gay marriage. It was just an opinion as was Carrie's. Yet he abused his position as a judge on the panel when he let that differing opinion affect the outcome of the crown with his low score (something Donald Trump, the owner of the pageant, announced). Then he opened his ugly mouth.

My point is: 'He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. (Proverbs 13:3). And though this episode put Carrie through great adversity; she is far from ruined. Her public image is more attractive now, than even her outer beauty, which I propose makes her message a powerful one.

I won't address the issue of gay marriage - that's for another day and it's just an opinion. But if we want to have powerful, respected authority when saying what we say; we must exercise wisdom and bridle our tongues. Profanity and harsh words won't win arguments. That kind of delivery is a turn off and unattractive, proving nothing except foolishness that gushes folly. And where were all those free speech advocates on this one? The ACLU, NOW, or even the gay lobbies that are constantly using the free speech thing to flaunt their message (frequently in obnoxious, insolently audacious expression). All should defend this woman's right to speak an opinion without being punished. I daresay a politically correct answer is not a point of critique in the rubric used for judgment in this competition. Was she eloquent? Did she answer the question with apparent consistent content in her opinion? Did she have genuine charisma in her delivery when responding? A differing opinion shouldn't be a part of the rubric.

Suffice it to say Perez is a fool and I'd venture a guess, eventually he will come to ruin. On the other hand, Carrie stood tall with honest integrity under this adversity and I'll bet this controversy will do her proud and bring all things together for good. But, that's just my opinion...something that for all Americans; we should be able to voice. And if we do it wisely, we just may get heard.

Don't Be Deceived

Proverbs 16: 25 warns us to be mindful of where our chosen course is leading. Some roads lead to nowhere; some lead to a bountiful prosperous success and some lead to death. It's our responsibility to choose wisely with regard to the end of the road. Presumably however, we need to be discerning with mature foresight to the extended 'down-the-road' consequences. King Solomon, reputed as the wisest ruler of all times puts it this way: 'There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.'

If the Obama's Federal budget plan (3.4 trillion, the largest deficit spending yet in history) that now contains some modest cuts (if not next to nothing) finds congressional approval; one prudently wonders the long term consequences. I much appreciate those zealous tea-baggers who are fed up and won't take it anymore. They're looking ahead to future generations, recognizing the consequences and it's not looking too good, folks. We need to understand something my grandparents and parents knew: money doesn't grow on trees. There isn't this kind of revenue out there, period. We have to either borrow or print it and neither option supports effective, sound, fiscal responses. Do we become enslaved to the foreign nations from whom we borrowed money (recently, China has indicated they're cutting up our credit card) or will we devalue our dollar and accelerate inflation? You think prices on goods and services are high now; just wait...

Point being - death is awaiting our prosperous existence ahead. This is a doomed course. No matter how eloquently the President waxes this destined demise; discerning folks sense an alarm signaling trouble ahead. The logistics of the plan just don't add up. And I'm one of those pragmatic types that estimate reasonable practical action. It's a realty check to those subjective beautiful ideals that tickle. It may sound good and strike a fancy to our compassionate hearts, but this touchy-feely stuff doesn't seem right to me. And I don't care how smart some people say this president is (and we certainly love a smart guy)! Bear in mind, his supporters had to rebut Obama's inexperience somehow.

So much for change. The only change I have these days is what's left in my pocket after taxes. And at this rate; it's only gonna get worse. Somewhere along this road though, I expect we can't squeeze any more 'blood from a turnip'...