Bi-Partisan Support for Israel in Florida

It's important for state leaders to stand with Israel

| OP-Ed article appeared in the Lakeland Ledger on May, 30, 2021.

Late Thursday news broke of a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. Time will tell how long this cessation of violence lasts, but all people of conscience should welcome this news. In the days of the most recent round of conflict, US support for Israel was integral to getting the situation to the point where Hamas’s rocket fire stopped.

That is why the faithful in Florida applauded the bipartisan chorus of Florida lawmakers in Tallahassee and Washington who spoke clearly, directly and unambiguously about Hamas’s onslaught against Israel. The message from these lawmakers was clear: terrorism is wrong, and America supports Israel.

 

Our elected leaders helped lead the nation and the world in support of one of our most important democratic allies. In doing so, they showed that they understand that there is no justification for the attacks perpetrated by Hamas, and that Israel was defending itself with precision and speed, and in accordance with its obligations to protect innocent lives. By contrast, the thousands of rockets and missiles fired by Hamas, a terrorist organization, inflict nothing but pain and suffering.

As we saw during past conflicts, Hamas’s tactics include desecrating houses of worship by using them as armories and sites for launching attacks. The terrorist group puts its weapons in apartments, schools and hospitals. These actions threaten Arabs, Jews and Christians who all call Israel home, as well as Palestinians who are also the victims of Hamas’s war crimes.

 

Senator Rick Scott said, “These Palestinian terrorists need to know acts of aggression toward Israel will never be tolerated,” and urged President Biden to “take immediate action to remind these terrorists and the world of the United States’ strong and unwavering support of the Israeli people.”

 

His colleague, Senator Marco Rubio, pointed to the necessity of taking a comprehensive approach to fighting the terrorists. In calling for President Biden to “immediately end negotiations with Iran,” he is recognizing that Iran is responsible for funding, arming and training the terrorists because they have a shared goal of destroying the Jewish state.

 

Many other Florida lawmakers – on both sides of the aisle – have recognized that the moral path is simple and the choice of which side to support is clear.

 

Representative Ted Deutch came to Israel’s defense by echoing the need to condemn Hamas as a terrorist organization, noting that Hamas uses “children as shields” and targets civilians. His colleague, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, also condemned Hamas terrorism against Israel, importantly emphasizing that “no people should be subject to a barrage of rocket fire like Hamas has inflicted upon Israelis,” and that she “unequivocally and unconditionally stand[s] with our ally Israel.” Building upon this, Representative Lois Frankel went on to say that, “Israel has a right to defend itself.” and that “Hamas must end its attack and the United States.”

 

All of this is important because it reflects the fact that our pro-Israel values are nonpartisan and unshakable. These were the right messages at a pivotal time, and they were heard by the families huddled together in bomb shelters in Tel Aviv and the soldiers on the front line of the fight to protect America’s strongest ally in the Middle East.

 

I am encouraged and optimistic that America will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel and against terror, but more work needs to be done.

 

Sadly, a minority of Florida lawmakers never spoke up, but it’s not too late to do so. The courageous leaders who stood up in support of Israel should urge their colleagues to clearly and unambiguously do the same and condemn Hamas and their backers in Tehran. Likewise, we Floridians need to do our part too, by demanding that our elected officials reflect our strong pro-Israel values.

BLIND SPOTS

'Disagreement' is not ‘attack’.

In reality, it is more so when we engage dissenting opinions and varying views that our understand grows and our perspectives mature. Start with the premise that your ‘personal view’ comes equipped with blind spots that others can see clearly. It doesn’t mean your view is ‘wrong’... but it may be ‘incomplete’. We ALL have ‘blind-spots’ — everyone of us.

So, if ‘disagreement’ isn’t necessarily an actual attack or disrespect... then, what is?

• Words become weapons when shared without humility.
• Statements become destructive when motivated by racism.
• Opinions become bullets when desiring to dominate instead of uniting.

I’ve noticed.... the mass majority of angry, agitating, slandering, race-baiting, bloviating’ replies on my social media posts are NOT from people who I’m doing life with. They are people from the past, people who I’ve never met, some who could care less about knowing who I am and those who ONLY comment when looking for another platform to spew anger, bias and division.

Like you, I’m still learning and growing — and have much further to go. ‘Age’ will teach you that issues are broader, deeper and more nuanced than one perspective can own. We need each other.

This begs the question... why give them your time, attention or mental real-estate?

BOTTOM LINE: We must stop demonizing ‘different’... and learn to earnestly engage in meaningful conversations with those of varying opinions. After all, bad accidents happen in ‘blind spots’.

'White Noise'

My heart and head have been messed up ever since I learned of the tragedy in Brunswick, Georgia. 

Ahmaud Arbery: shot and killed
while jogging in Brunswick, Georgia.

Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old man, was seen walking into a new home construction in a neighborhood in the middle of an afternoon. A local resident called 911 and reported the incident. After 3-minutes, the young man exited the house and began jogging down the street. Immediately, two men (one was possibly the 911 caller) grabbed their firearms, jumped into their truck and gave chase with intention of performing a "citizen's arrest". According to CNN and New York Times reports, the father-and-son perpetrators, Gregory McMichael and Travis (the shooter), told officers that the young African American jogger looked like a person that was suspect in a string of robberies in that area so they “armed themselves and began chasing him in a truck.” After they accosted the jogger, a struggle ensued over a shotgun that one of the men was carrying. Ahmaud was shot and killed in the middle of the street at 1pm in the afternoon, on February 23, 2020.

Two-and-a-half-months after Arbery's death, a video of the shooting surfaced and went viral. Immediately, the case gained national attention and produced an outcry that pressured local law enforcement to finally arrest the two men for the shooting death of this young man. A grand jury is being set to judge on this case.

After reading the on-going reports and seeing the horrifying video for myself, my mind came unglued by the anemic response of the local law enforcement officials. My heart was locked and lit with outrage and a passion for justice.

OUTRAGEOUS! More details are sure to surface in the weeks to come regarding this tragedy. But we do know that two men were allowed to walk free for 74 days after killing another man before public outcry forced their arrest.

HERE ARE MY QUESTIONS:
1. Where is the Caucasian voice for justice against minorities in America?
2. Where is the Caucasian voice against racism and hate crimes in America?

Why are the black and brown minority groups left to speak and fend for themselves – amidst a white ocean of silence? Justice must be seen as an incumbent responsibility placed on the backs of the majority populace to afford, secure and protect equality for all minority groups within that shared society. Obviously, there are those who still harbor and propagate their racist agendas, but their twisted and sick bigotry is outside the address of this letter. My focus and challenge in this moment is to my White bothers and sisters who truly disdain racism as a cancer, but have yet to publicly stand-up and speak-out for those being abused by it. Yes, I am speaking of the 'Caucasian voice' in general terms, which doesn't apply to the whole. Thankfully, there are many whites who speak-out on behalf racial equality. I celebrate those men and women. Yet, my growing concern is for the unwavering 'white noise' -- that empty, non-productive background static that fills the room but communicates nothing. In short, it is time for the collective Caucasian voice across our nation to break the sin of silence, speak out against inequity, stand boldly beside the racially marginalized and champion justice in every neighborhood, coffee shop, media outlet, church, school and courtroom across our nation. We need a fresh awakening in America of the white voice for justice and against racism.

PUMP YOUR BRAKES! Allow me to clarify my perspective before being sidelined as a ‘social jurist’. We live in a multi-cultural society that inevitably precipitates conflict between people of different races. For this reason, I do not believe that all incidents and crimes that are labelled 'racist' are, in fact, racist. Racial crimes and mistreatment happen on both sides of the street. However, my passion to see justice fulfilled has nothing to do with our pre-judging the motives, guilt or innocence of others. Judgment and sentencing are supposed to happen in a court room after due process has been rendered -- not before. My outcry is for all of us to simply work to assure that all people groups are given that same, equal, fair, reasonable, objective and moral treatment of dignity, care and due process. Justice for everyone.

What Is Justice?

Justice… I think our culture needs a refresher course on this word. Webster defines it as fair and reasonable treatment. Biblically, the definition of ‘justice’ goes even further to include objective, moral righteousness. You see, justice is like faith – without works, it is dead. Until justice is activated, it remains a beautiful concept with a barren womb – lacking the power to change anything. For this reason, God has tasked you and I to ‘do justice’.

        Micah 6:8 RSV 
        "He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but 
         to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

How Do We 'Do Justice'? 

Initially, we start by using our time, voices, actions, resources, prayer, phone calls, education, conversations and votes to propagate for the righteous care, concern and treatment of all of humanity. Until we are willing to show-up, speak-up and invest, we have no reason to expect justice to be done.

Secondly, comfort and encourage those impacted by injustice – especially those outside of your own race or ethnicity. Remember that the victimization of one can emotionally impact the majority within that same people group. Therefore, in these trying times we must use our words of support and solidarity to strengthen and lift the hearts of others.

Thirdly, I am convinced that one of the greatest disparities dividing racial unity is a ‘lack of story’. Allow me to explain. I define ‘story’ as owning a personal, first-hand experience of what it means and feels like to be marginalized, disregarded, rejected and considered less-than and/or suspect because of one’s race. For the most part, Caucasians have never truly experienced these discrepancies on a broad scale as other minority groups – at least, not because of our skin color. Consequently, since racism and bigotry have not been our personal stories, I believe we are naturally less aware, less affected and quite blind to much of the injustices that exist around us. We simply live desensitized to racism’s reality. Thus, the only path for us to gain true understanding and empathy into the bite of racism is to listen, learn and believe another person’s story – allowing their experience to become our educator. This is going to require trust. Choosing to confidently embrace another person’s experience so strongly that we allow it to shape and direct our personal views, understanding, beliefs and awareness. Only when we are willing to trust, learn and grow from another person’s story will we be able to stop this mayhem-go-round of injustice. It’s time for all of us to get woke!

SIDE NOTE: Despite my being a Caucasian man (with a severe deficit of pigmentation), I have personally seen racism in action. I have learned of its effect from my Hispanic wife and listened to horror stories of injustice from my Haitian brother-in-law. I have heard the pain and fear of racism in the words of my multiracial friends. So, after decades of living through my own experiences, studying history and learning from the stories of others, my heart has been educated, my spirit has been sensitized and racism now my enemy, as well. 

'Be' The Church!

I will finish with this. The cry for justice is a simple and righteous standard that should thrive in every Christ-follower’s heart. From pastor to parishioner and pulpit to pew, churches in America should be leading the way in what justice and racial solidarity looks and acts like. As Christ-followers, we must remember that it is God’s Word that encourages us to fight-back against all injustice, racism and maltreatment of humanity. We must allow the love, heart, principles and virtues of the Word to direct our lives — giving voice to justice -- even if it costs us personally. When we see one human treated with greater value than another, justice should scream inside of our hearts. If not, our silence in the face of injustice becomes a misrepresentation of the Gospel. And since justice is a ‘spiritual conviction’ that cannot be compartmentalized, those who have embraced that conviction no longer have the luxury of deciding if it will respond or not. Justice matters to God. Justice must matter to us.

        Proverbs 21:3 ESV 
       “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”

My prayer is that justice will becomes a verb instead of a noun, a scream instead of silence and a conviction instead of a preference.

I do not know what the outcome of this trial will be. But my prayer is that truth will be given the unfettered opportunity to speak loud and clear... and that justice will be served.

Let us all continue to pray for Ahmaud Arbery’s family and friends. 

The Other Virus

Two viruses are plaguing our world. Both are invisible, at pandemic levels, highly contagious and toxic.

The first is COVID-19.

The second is fear.

As a society, we are hearing megabytes of scary, tragic information on the coronavirus every day. From personal hygiene practices, social distancing and school/workplace closures to the increasing economic hardships, the rising number of those infected and the escalating mortality count -- it can be difficult to find and maintain inner peace and hope.

Operating as a cohort to the coronavirus, fear has also covered the globe and infected people, but with a faster and broader reach of contamination. Attacking the ‘respiratory system’ of the mind, threats of illness and uncertainty of the future are stealing the breath from our hope, joy, relationships and dreams. Like COVID-19, there is no vaccine to stop the spread of this dis-ease.  

I believe there are two purposes for fear in our lives. The first is alertness. When confronted with challenging news or situations, healthy fear rallies our entire being to identify and assess the present threat. Then, fear moves us into action by either distancing ourselves from the threat or by moving to eliminate it. 

However, if these purposes get twisted or polarized, fear can become antagonistic. The results? Healthy-awareness slides either into an obsession or denial, while healthy action derails into over-reaction or slides into paralysis. 

So, what should be our response?

While the medical community races to create a vaccine that will eradicate the coronavirus, each of us own the responsibility to uproot fear and restore a resilient peace within our own lives. Here are a few ways to vaccinate your mind against toxic fear.

First, guard your thoughts. Change the channel from 24-hour news and listen to music or watch some reruns of FRIENDS. Listening to 'fear on repeat' is emotionally draining. Although awareness is great, obsession is unhealthy. Give your mind a vacation!

Second, talk with someone. Worry and anxiety get stronger when kept in the dark corners of our minds. But honest and open conversation brings toxic thoughts into the light, draining its venom and lifting its weight off our souls.  

Third, don’t isolate. While ‘social-distancing’ is the strategy we’ve been given to curb the spread of the coronavirus, do not allow ‘physical distancing’ to become ‘social isolation’. Maintain a healthy distance, but keep your loved ones close via texts, calls, social media and FaceTime. ‘Isolation’ is torture; choose not to participate. We all need each other to get through this tough season.

Fourth, speak words of encouragement. It is easy to feel sluggish and weak when fearful thoughts and feelings are racing through our minds. However, we can fight wrong thoughts with ‘right words.’ Your voice is powerful! Stand tall, smile big and speak words of hope over your family, friends, co-works… and yourself!

Lastly, as a person of faith, I must also mention a fifth response, prayer. It is amazing how a simple moment of prayer and meditation can reset the emotional state of our souls. No, there’s nothing magical about it. But there is an unexplainable peace that flows in the recesses of our hearts when we talk to our caring, listening and willing to respond, Heavenly Father. Novices are welcome; no experience is necessary.

Is there a silver lining?

Despite these dark days, COVID-19 has unwittingly blessed us with a true gift. You see, it was only after the virus breached China’s borders and reached unbiasedly into all other nations, ethnicities, races, genders, ages, faiths, political affiliations and socioeconomic groups that the global community’s attitude shifted from casual concern to serious commitment in destroying our, now mutual, nemesis.

In effect, COVID-19 has delivered to us the very gift that will be the cause for its eradication - unity. Now, many of those who were previously divided over policy, politics and ideology are finding room, even if only for a moment, to see ‘the other’ as a partner in the war on this pandemic. This newly expressed oneness of caring, reaching and serving gives all of us reason to hope, smile and to keep on fighting. So, whether unity proves to be a silver lining or a silver bullet, we will prevail.

Article published in Orlando Sentinel: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/os-op-fear-in-time-of-coronavirus-20200330-tfsjzpuprbanrlwkni7r5uqhee-story.html 

7 Leadership Keys from Ferguson

Like most Americans, I had never heard of Ferguson, Missouri... until last week. Sadly, this mid-west community is now trending in social media due to a confrontation between local Police Officer, Darren Wilson, and eighteen-year-old, Michael Brown that tragically left the teenager dead. 

Capt. Ron Johnson

Ferguson is on fire... and its fuse is short! The police and community are in a stand-off with fractured communication and no cooperation. Racism is suspect in the shooting. Distrust is high. Frustration is growing. News cameras are running. Violent demonstrations are occurring. Arrests are frequent. Politicians are taking sides. An eruption seems inevitable.

Where leadership is vacant... chaos thrives.

Eventually, a new face, Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, was assigned to lead security oversight for the citizens, businesses and community protests in Ferguson. And it was during his introductory address in that hotbed of crisis where I identified seven leadership keys that Johnson displayed that had been grossly lacking.

1. Focus on the hurting.

    Immediately after taking the mic, Johnson asked the locals that were attending the press conference if they could hear him on the microphone. When the people said, "No",  he then proceeded to leave the platform and move into the crowd - leaving the national media scrambling to catch their sound byte without a mic. Johnson said that his greater concern was for the citizens of Ferguson because they were the ones that needed to hear his voice - they were the ones who were hurting.

    LEADERS will overlook the opportunity of name recognition, publicity and personal status to focused on the hurting people they are assigned to lead. 'Concern for people' trumps 'popularity' in the hearts of a leader every time.

2. Connect with the people. 

    The evening before his public introduction and assignment, Capt. Johnson walked among the thousands of civil and violent protesters - while dressed in full uniform. Please remember that the police had been considered the 'enemy' among the crowd. Yet, Johnson took the risk to personally engage with the scared, hurting and angry people, look them in the face and assure them that answers were on the way.

    
    LEADERS are among the people they are leading. Concern and understanding cannot be fully communicated from behind a desk or on a platform. Leaders must always remain as 'one of the crowd', while connecting, listening and caring for those they are privileged to lead, protect and serve.

3. Choose honesty over politics.

    I listened as Capt. Johnson carefully chose his words in regards to how he felt the Ferguson Police Department had handled the shooting and aftermath. In essence, He stated that some things should have been handled differently by local law enforcement, but he was assured that the necessary oversight was now in place and that answers would soon follow.
    
    LEADERS know that honesty and integrity are character issues that are foundational to lasting influence. Even in opposition, honesty is always identifiable and respected. Sadly, leadership and politics are no longer equatable. Charisma and accomplishment may sway the crowd for a moment, but when leaders choose to 'people-pleasing' and 'reputation' over honesty and truth - their end is near.
 

4. Admit your weakness.

    During his introduction speech, Johnson spoke of a conversation he had with his daughter. After walking with the protesters, she asked him if he was afraid. He admitted that he was. Then he admitted to the entire crowd that 'we all are afraid'.     

    LEADERS admit their humanity. Some say that confessing weakness will hurt a leaders influence. But there is a difference in 'owning weakness' and 'making weakness an excuse'. For a leader, admitting the presence of an obstacle makes him/her human; but moving forward despite the obstacle makes him/her a leader. The greatest quality leaders can portray is not the absence or denial of a challenge, but the refusal to be limited or owned by it. Leaders admit being human and keep walking. Weakness makes you human; refusal to quit make you a leader.

5. Speak-out against wrong. 

    The day he was introduced to the nation, Capt. Johnson stepped to the platform and called an end to the chaos in Ferguson. He made no excuse for it. He explained that rioting in the streets was only hurting the people of Ferguson and he appealed to the citizens to stop the destruction of their community, businesses and themselves. 
    
    LEADERS have the strength to speak-out against evil - using their voices to oppose chaos. Leaders see the long-term impact of today's actions, cast vision for tomorrow and then give hurting people 'permission' to stop destroying their own lives. Very often, leaders are the only ones left standing between life and death. Leaders are bride builders... but sometimes they must also build barriers so they can redirect people to a new bridge...  people.

6. Keep smiling in tough times.

    Capt. Johnson was brought on the scene in an emotionally charged and volatile time. Yet, during his address to the media and those in attendance, Johnson found a way to appropriately interject a smile and a moment of humor. As the crowd responded with their own smiles, peace and hope both made a needed appearance.

    LEADERS understand the importance of resetting the atmosphere with a smile. Tough scenarios are inevitable. Difficult conversations and meetings must be had. But leaders know that even challenging situations can benefit from a properly-timed, kind facial gesture. When used with appropriately, a leaders smile can add a sense of warmth, hope and concern for all involved.

7. Use the Bible to give hope.

    As Capt. Johnson spoke candidly about the conversation he had with his daughter, he concluded by reflecting on the bible story of Peter walking on the water with Jesus. He used the familiar story to encourage every listener how, in the same way Jesus picked Peter up out of his sinking situation, He is going to pick us up out of this situation and carry us out, too.

   
    LEADERS recognize the responsibility of giving hope to those they lead, especially in times of crisis. Identifying and speaking to the spiritual aspect of humanity creates deep impact. And the bible is that book that anchors people's hearts so they can see through the chaos and believe for a better tomorrow. Unexpected and unwanted seasons occur in everyone's life, but leaders lead the strongest when they discover the power of giving hope and expectation for a better future.

Only time will tell as to how things will play-out... because leadership only works when others are willing to follow. But hopefully, Capt. Johnson and the other officials will be able to restore a lasting peace, direction and order in Ferguson, Missouri.

*Please join me in extending heartfelt concern and prayers to Michael Brown's family and friends, Officer Darren Wilson and the community of Ferguson, Missouri.