Presidential Alert: “THIS IS A TEST”

Last updated on: October 5, 2018 at 4:34 pm by Andy Gill

Presidential Alert: “THIS IS A TEST” 2018-10-05T16:34:17-05:00 Andy Gill

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

… case in point:

Quoting Wikipedia, “The alert level was raised once in 2004, an election year, leading some critics to speculate that the Bush Administration used them for political rather than strictly security reasons.[17][18] ”

And, to be clear, I don’t believe Homeland Security (DHS), Congress, etc. is in any way, shape or form at fault here… It was Bush et. al manipulating the good intentions of those he was leading (including you and I, unelected officials).

We can even see, thankfully, Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson telling CBS that [the system] “should not be used for a political agenda.”

Think about it, there’s a reason Johnson is having to reiterate something that’s seemingly so obvious…

What This is Really Testing…

So, yeah, they are completely right in saying, “this is a test.”

As it’s a test in our nation’s memory but, mostly, it’s a test in our countries level of engagement.

Because, if we are doing the diligence of paying attention, being actively involved, and therefore, rising above and learning from past travesties, coercions, lies, and fear-mongering manipulations… then, we’ll be able to pass this test with flying colors by recognizing it’s incredibly dangerous for us to place these types of alerts in our President’s control.

You’ll know I’m right when history repeats itself and this beta version of an “alert system” ramps up action during Trump’s next election.

“Sen. Joe Biden, a Delaware Democrat who is no dove, warned of rushing “pell-mell” into an endorsement of broad war powers for the president. The Los Angeles Times reported that Sen. Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, protested in September: “We’re being asked to go to war, and vote on it in a matter of days. We need an intelligence estimate before we can seriously vote.” And Rep. Tom Lantos, a California Democrat, put it plainly: “This will be one of the most important decisions Congress makes in a number of years; I do not believe it should be made in the frenzy of an election year.” But it was.”

(This is an excerpt from E. J. Dionne Jr. in 2005, during Bush’s Presidency and election year for 2nd term).

[If you enjoyed this read head over and like my Facebook page ]

Previous Post

September 30, 2018

The Growth Gap…

Next Post

October 8, 2018 A Theology of Codependency...

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Books Buzzfeed Christian Church Church Culture Dating Dechurched eXvangelical Guest Post Humor Inspirational Justice LGBTQ Life Marriage Media Millennials Mini Post Monday Money Podcast Politics Race Reason Relationships Science Sex Socioeconomic Theology Theology Uncategorized Video Wednesday Youth Ministry

Select a Month June 2020 March 2020 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 January 2013 December 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I appeared to Paul on the Damascus road as a blinding light. I spoke to him and changed his life forever. Who am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

God the Father Jesus The Holy Spirit An angel

Support this
Column