Wandering Thoughts: Shutting down the Border

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Wandering Thoughts: Shutting down the Border

To be or not to be... apologetic

I had an interesting conversation with some new friends of mine on the bus last night. We were on our way home and they're just getting to know me, so they were investigating my background a bit. When I told them I was from Alabama (therefore an American), the conversation almost immediately switched to politics. I mean there was some transition, but not more than a few sentences.

Now, the question that came out was whether I was apologetic to people in Canada about Bush, because we have a mutual friend that is quite apologetic about Bush. Now, truth is, that I'm not altogether happy at all with what has happened in recent years with the presidency in the US. I feel like our president is probably a normal guy for the most part and relatively honest, but for political reasons has chosen to act as if he has got everything under control even though it's obvious that he's got his head stuck in a hornets' nest right now.

For whatever reason though, at the moment that this friend of mine asked me this... I got really preturbed. I told him I didn't see why I needed to go around apologizing for Bush to everybody. At that moment, I felt like the implication being presented was that I should feel apologetic because of my president, even though I'm not in control of everything he does, solely because I'm an American. This thought really, really bugged me. Why should I have to crawl around and lick the boots of every non-American I meet because my president has made some mistakes? That's how I felt. I felt in that moment, whether they meant to make me feel this way or not, demeaned and lowly because I was an American. Not being judged myself necessarily, but I felt as if I was being made responsible for his fowl ups. [Guys, if you're reading this, no hard feelings, I know that wasn't your intention, it's just how I felt.]

So, I've been thinking about this for a little bit now. I personally usually don't like discussing politics, because the discussions never seem to go anywhere, at least in my experience. They usually start with a common sharing of ideas, but as soon as a topic comes up that somebody feels strongly one way about, that's the end of the discussion and it doesn't move anywhere from there. I know that's not always the case. My mind has been changed quite a few times by the wisdom somebody else revealed to me, but I still find that I get more frustrated than anything in those discussions. Anyway, that was a side-track... but the question in my mind, is should I feel personally responsible as an American citizen for the actions of my nation?

As a Christian, I do feel responsible to be apologetic to non-Christians for some of the stupid crap Christians do and that has been a source of healing for them. So, in that context, I guess this is a good thing. Then again, I've also seen myself apologizing for things that I really don't need to apologize for. I would find myself conceding that Christians have just screwed up on everything for the sake of making somebody feel better about me as a Christian instead of whether they were really confronted with any real truth about themselves. That bugs me a bit.

I think in the end, my thoughts lead me to say that as an American, I am responsible to an extent for how my country conducts itself, even though the thought of being brought to accounts on that bothered me a lot last night. My friends were probably right to perhaps expect me to say something for how my president, who I voted into office, is running things. I don't think that means I need to take Old Glory to a stomping match everytime that I meet a new non-american. I believe that I need speak up for a lot of the great and wonderful things that my country is doing as well. However, I do think that I can be more sensitive then I was last night. It's always been my tendency to rear up whenever I feel like somebody is imposing a responsibility upon me that I don't want (not a very Christ-like attitude).

What do you all think Americans? Do you feel the need to apologize to everybody for the Bush administration? Or do you feel that people are so focused on what America does wrong that they fail to see the good as well? Do you feel you should be personally responsible? Do you feel demeaned or thought less of when people find out your an American? Canadians, what do you think? Other? :)... Leave a comment by clicking the "comments" link below.

Double Clutchin' Fool

Most of the Regent folks know my plans, but some of you guys might not quite know what I've got planned for my summer, but barring any huge hang-ups... I'm going to spend my summer in the beautiful state of Alaska! Got to love this seasonal work.

Technically, I won't be "double clutchin'" though because I'm driving an MCI bus like the one pictured above, which has automatic transmission. The cool thing is that I'll be licensed to drive a semi if I wanted (without a trailer). Fun times...

So, I'm going to be in a very small town called Skagway, AK and I'll stay there for about 3 1/2 months working my tail off. After that, I'll come straight back to Vancouver and get back to school. I'm excited. Elliot Ritzema and I are going to drive up the coast of BC to the little gold rush town, so that's going to be super fun. I'll be pulling out of Vancouver on April 28th and I'll be posting pictures as much as I can while up there. Peace out folks...

Remembering Stanley Grenz(Jan 7, 1950 - Mar 12, 2005)

In Loving Memory Stanley Grenz passed away early March 12th of a brain hemhorage at the young age of 55. We are mourning the passing of a wonderful man of God who's life and writings were an inspiration to so many. You will be greatly missed.

Remarks from his site concerning the memorial service and donations: A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2005 at 2:30pm. The service will be at First Baptist Church, 969 Burrard Street, Vancouver with a reception to follow. The church can be reached at (604) 683-8441. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate it if donations were directed to Carey Theological College or The Institute for Worship Studies, Florida Campus. Go check www.stanleyjgrenz.com for more information on his life and accomplishments.

Galiano Island

Hey guys... I'm so late on things :)... but go check out some photos from my community groups trip to Galiano Island the weekend of March [I mean Feb] 18-20... Galiano Island is a small island in the Gulf Islands off the coat. Funny thing is that it isn't a gulf but a straight. They were named the Gulf Islands before they knew that. Anywho, for those of you that don't know this. Galiano Island is home to a small population and happens to be the home of Loren and Mary Ruth Wilkenson. Loren is a professor of a number of wonderful classes at Regent and for his Christian Life class, he invites the community groups to come out and stay for a weekend and enjoy a taste of their very full, rich lifestyle. Their home is on a large community farm that serves as a wonderful example of living in harmony with the world around them. Check out the photos on flickr.