Goodbye, Charley...
Category: News Commentary...
Posted Wednesday, April 23, 2003 at 07:41 AM [GMT-6]

It's with some regret that I make this announcement: I'm giving up on Charley Reese.

Over the years, I've agreed with about 90% of what Charley has written. Jeff Elkins referred to him as a "paleo-libertarian," which I take to mean that he's a dinosaur, a throw-back...and that's not necessarily a bad thing. For the most part, his opinions are grounded in common sense and he doesn't suffer fools, gladly or otherwise. But lately, his consuming isolationist desires and anti-Israel rants have just tired me out, to the point where I'm not interested in anything he has to say.

Then there's today's column (apparently published only in the particular universe inhabited by the Midland Reporter-Telegram; I can't find it online at his "official" website...and the MRT doesn't have it online either, so no link), where he makes these statements:

I'll be frank—I don't think the whole country of Iraq is worth one American life, and I don't care what kind of government Iraq will have... No American ought to die in defense of any country except this one.

I'm sure that there are some solid political and/or historical arguments to be made in support of his position. He's not one to generally resort to the "because I said so" form of logic. And this is an area in which reasonable men may differ without permanently parting company. Except...

Based on Charley's writings, I'm of the opinion that he's what one would refer to as a God-fearing person, and, probably even a Christian. That's what makes the preceding statements even harder for me to swallow. This is not a position with Biblical support, as I read and interpret Scripture.

Jesus Christ is quoted thusly: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13; NIV)

OK, perhaps I'm lifting that verse out of context; maybe it refers only to fellow believers. Let's then look to what Jesus says about just who our neighbors are. In Luke 10, He tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, in which a man is commended for taking care of the needs of an enemy (think Israelis vs. Palestinians).

Well, maybe "neighbor" isn't the same as "friend." Then let's just take the human terminology out of it completely and look at what God told us through His Old Testament prophet, Micah: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8; NIV)

Strip away all the doctrine and religosity and you get down to this bedrock...justice, mercy and humility—in God's presence.

That's what Charley fails to recognize...or refuses to acknowledge, as I think he's too intelligent to not know this. What we did in Iraq—for the people of Iraq—was just and merciful. I don't know whether we're carrying out the humble part or not, although the concerted effort to restore the infrastructure and address the humanitarian needs tends to make me think we are.

It's my contention that only a Christian nation could carry out an action like we've witnessed. I'm not naive enough to believe that there aren't huge political and economic factors at work as well (and I really don't want to get into a debate about whether America is or ever has been a "Christian nation"...I'll just say that we've been blessed in amazing ways for over 200 years and it ain't because we're so much smarter and good looking than everyone else). But the act of laying down life in the cause of justice and mercy is noble, and it's made more so when the recipients of that sacrifice might not even like you for having done so. That's the true definition of grace.

Charley may not be pleased by what America is doing in Iraq...but, then, Charley's not the One we will ultimately give an account to at the end of time.