Why the world should be alarmed by unfolding events in the United States
I've seen some wild ocean storms living in the Canadian Maritimes for nearly two decades. Yet, I always, always believed the storms would eventually end and calm will return. The current storm hitting the United States and the world has already caused horrific damage, with no clear sign of when the damage will stop so that we can get back to some sense of normalcy.
We knew the political divide in the US, for example, had been brewing for years. As the November 2020 election neared, we expected upheaval. If Biden lost, radical leftist would storm the streets and riot. If Trump lost, right wing zealots would do the same. Well, it happened, and it might only get worse. I read so many posts on social media claiming, "This is not America!" Unfortunately, it's time for all of us to face reality and admit America is what it is!Why are we shocked? Our political leaders and law enforcement authorities have failed us miserably.
Here's a rundown of the most shocking events of this week (Jan 4-10, 2021), a week like no other in my more than five decades of life.
1. Chinese Communists arrested the entire democratic opposition in Hong Kong, reversing any hope of a free and fair election. You can read more about that from the Wall Street Journal. However, what seems to be more shocking is the lack of attention and interest from mainstream media.
2. Donald Trump, the outgoing President of the USA, held a protest rally down the street while US Congress met to certify electoral college results in favor of Joe Biden.
3. US citizens (pro trump folks and likely Antifa, BLM and other rioters) easily stormed The People's House, the Sacred Temple of Democracy, while the electoral college was being certified. Our elected politicians cowered in fear, running for their lives. Civilians and one law enforcement died.
4. Big Tech Businesses Twitter, Facebook, Google, Apple, and Amazon removed a competitor, Parler, from their platforms and censored the speech of millions of American citizens, citing violations of community standards. On Saturday, unfortunately, the most trending hashtag on Twitter was #hangmikepence. Really, Big Tech?
5. The American Civil Liberties Union seems to be the lone voice in sounding the alarm of Big Tech's censorship. Yes, that's shocking, because the ACLU is so partisan and favors Progressives.
My bible readings this week have brought to attention one key verse, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others" (Philippians 2: 3-4). May this key verse guide my thoughts, words, and actions in the coming weeks and months.
Could it be that Canadians are being duped by the Liberal Party?
Deep down, informed Ukrainians know that their president failed them.
Here's what I think about the Feb 25, 2025 UN resolution
What would your response be...?
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Recently, I spent my lunch time with a senior leader in our organization. It was one of the best working lunches I’ve had in a long time. In fact, I can’t remember a time like this, when someone above me poured into me. For too many of us, times spent with senior leaders are filled with anxiety. Or, we're beaten down afterward and feel like in order to get clean from the experience, we need to take a long, hot shower. Please! For your sake, and the sake of your team, learn from what I am sharing and put some of these into practice the next opportunity you have to pour into your team. 1. He gave me his full time and attention. He didn’t check his phone (or Apple watch) the entire time we met. No blurting sounds either, to interrupt our lunch. In fact, I didn’t know he had a phone. He listened intently to what I had to say. He asked follow-up questions often. He looked me in the eyes often when he spoke to me, which said to me he had just the right amount of self-confidence. 2. He bought me lunch. That is kindness in action, since I invited him to lunch and was profuse in my attempts to buy him lunch. 3. He offered up a sum of money to invest in my leadership development. Very impressive. This said to me he not only believed in me as a leader but that he sees a future for me in the organization. When someone does that it causes you to think, “I want to be here for a while.” I came away thinking I have a opportunity to help write our story. 4. He asked about my family. I know there’s debate about how personal you should get with co-workers. But in this instance, man to man, I appreciated his interest how my wife and I were doing with our transition to this new job and how our kids were doing. 5. He challenged me. As he politely inquired about one area of life, I was stuck and he knew it. He politely suggested a reason for this and then challenged me by carefully suggesting a way to become unstuck. Very smart move on his part. Friends, this isn't rocket science here. Life is about making good memories. This was one of them for me. I hope you take steps now to intentionally pour into someone and make a forever positive memory for them.