What we say, and do, AND are – does impact others.

By: American Decency Staff

I listen to radio talk show host Mark Levin regularly on the radio.  I also have deeply appreciated his books “Liberty and Tyranny”; “Plunder and Deceit”; “Men in Black”; and “Liberty Amendments”.  

I have appreciated his political acumen and scholarly insight cutting deeply into the meaning and implications of political trends, Supreme Court decisions, etc..

In fact, my staff gave me a faux “autographed” picture of Mark Levin for my birthday.  In other words, the joke was on me. 

However, as much as I appreciate Levin’s political insight, I am not a fan.  It bothers me when this very gifted man uses derogatory words to describe certain persons such as Nancy “Stretch” Pelosi (liberal, former U.S. Speaker of the House) due to her purported multiple face lifts.  And, there are other concocted name tags that he uses to describe political opponents.  Yeah, I admit that I have laughed but it is a slippery slope and I have stopped.

How can Levin be shocked then when Donald Trump calls Senator Cruz a “nasty guy” or says” nobody likes him” yet does the same to politicians he doesn’t like?  What goes around comes around.  This kind of incivility is disgusting, hate-filled, derogatory and catching.  What’s good for the “goose is good for the gander.”  

Read the comments below any political article and you will find a hate-filled diatribe from commentators attacking those who hold different views. And, unfortunately, such incivility isn’t limited to the political arena.  It is rampant throughout our culture and in all walks of life.     Common decency is becoming increasingly rare.

In the athletic realm, here’s another degrading, damaging trend:  the manner in which certain college football coaches are going about the business of recruiting young high school football players to come and play football at the college level.

In this case, I’m referring to news coming out of the University of Michigan where their new head coach Jim Harbaugh has been creating quite a stir in some corners (including mine) with his “meritocracy” approach to recruiting athletes.

Young high-schoolers are wooed by Michigan – wide-eyed teenagers, learning to “bleed blue” – make a verbal commitment perhaps in their sophomore year, longing for the day when they can wear the maize and blue.  Then, out of the clear blue, just weeks away from officially signing, they are told they are no longer wanted and to look elsewhere.  The recruiter has happened upon a more promising high schooler (meritocracy).  You get the picture.  Student-athletes, young 16 and 17 year olds are discarded because their value is less than an athlete more prized. 

The anty is upped forcing other universities and colleges to also get down and dirty in order to compete for the dollar flow that comes to those who win, win, win – seemingly at all costs to win. 

Lost in the “win at any cost” mentality are human beings who are being trampled underfoot.  How would you feel if it was your son or daughter that had been recruited and it was their heart thrilled that they would be wearing the maize and blue and then were tossed aside for someone of more value? 

I like to win.  Most of us like to win but at what cost?

Leadership.  What we say, and do, AND are – does impact others.

There are candidates running for the highest office in the land right now who are not worthy of leading.  Should those who are liars, corrupt, and reprobate be entrusted to lead a nation?    What does it say about the citizenry when millions of voters overlook a candidate’s lack of character?

Can’t we see that vile leaders degrade, destroy and undermine that which is good, honorable, decent and lawful?  Leaders who are lawless will lead lawlessly. 

If we are a corrupt, godless people, we will beget the same. 

Pray.  May God have mercy upon us once again.

 

 
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