12 Angry Men and 911 (Who's Right? Opinions Changing?)
Applying the movie "12 Angry Men" to the Sept. 11 Attack, and the change of attitude from near unanimous "let's go get those devils," to one of seeking humble reconciliation, realizing that due to the corruption in our country, in large part we did indeed have this coming, and it could have been much worse; and that we need to mend our ways, lest far worse come upon us.
by Bradley Jordan
Greater Things News Service
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001
A METAPHOR -- 12 ANGRY MEN
Last night my wife and I watched the video, "12 Angry
Men" starring Jack Lemmon. It was the story of twelve jurors who, through course of several hours debating, went from 11-1 "guilty" to unanimous "not guilty" verdict.
At first, the eleven men thought the case was absolutely clear and that the person was guilty. "All the evidence was so clear!" "We knew in the first few minutes that the guy was guilty!"
The man played by Jack Lemmon was the only hold-out, saying that he could not in good conscience convict a man to death when there was the slightest doubt in his mind of the 'guilty' verdict, which there was.
One by one, the pieces of 'evidence' were discussed (angrily), and one by one, the jurors switched votes.
In the end, every piece of evidence was brought into questionable standing, and every juror admitted that there was "reasonable doubt," so they entered a unanimous plea of "not guilty."
It was quite a show, with excellent acting.
APPLICATION TO SEPT. 11 ATTACK
The point is that as we debate this Sept. 11 attack scenario, the knee-jerk reaction is to "go after those bastards and bomb them to hell."
I believe, however, that a different course should be pursued, namely of humbly realizing that we as a country in our decadent state, so full of pride and hypocrisy, so full of corruption and intrigue, so full of smut . . . the list goes on (though admittedly there are also many redeeming qualities in the midst of this decadence); anyway that because of our decadent state we did indeed 'have this coming' as the Arabs have said.
Let's just be glad that God let us have this warning shot before throwing the book at us a little further down the road, for surely if we continue in our present course, we would deserve near utter destruction.
I don't want that, you don't want that. Nobody wants that except the gruesomely twisted who are calling the shots behind the scenes seeking to draw the entire world into a dictatorship, and who could care less if it means the destruction of nearly the entire planet.
So rather than seek hot revenge on the 911 attackers, perhaps we should look inward and realize that unless we change our arrogance, the anger of the Arab world will continue to seeth. Hot revenge would only further increase their anger and their resolve -- backing them into a corner. And with other nations like Russia and China being more sympathetic to the Arabs than us, such a course would ultimately lead to World War and . . . annihilation of the planet except, perhaps, of a few saints who might be lifted up.
We have enough weapons on this planet to destroy every living creature and make the planet uninhabitable for thousands of years.
Let's not do that.
And the only way to lasting peace is through righteousness, and a key element of righteousness is humility, which requires the acknowledgement of error.
I believe that the U.S. deserved what it got on September 11 -- that actually they deserved a lot worse; and that the Arabs were acting as a punishing hand of God to bring us to our senses, to galvanize us and perhaps turn things around.
And that is what is happening to a significant extent.
God governs in the affairs of men. He would not have allowed to happen what happened if we didn't have it coming to us to at least some degree.
My goodness, we should have gotten this and worse many years ago, but God has been extremely merciful, turning away or mitigating many destructions that were slated to come upon us because there was enough of a turn-around in the hearts of the people.
Well, I probably stand close to being alone on this, though there may be a few who agree.
However, as the evidence is scrutinized, I believe that one by one, others will realize this too.
And 11 angry jurors intent on sending a man to life-long prison and possibly death, may change their vote one at a time until coming to the unanimous verdict of "not guilty."
What if . . . what if God actually was using those terrorists to punish us because of our decadent ways? Like a boy on the playground who finally had enough of the bullying around, and punched the bully hard enough to knock him out. The bully could either come to and seek revenge -- only perpetuating the evil that he was with even greater ferocity, or he could come to and realize that maybe he shouldn't be a bully any more.
Should I chronicle for your the "bullying" acts of the United States of America?
Such a list has already been compiled by many, but let me just cite a few things that come to mind. I am compiling this list from the saddle, without digging out references for each. I may have the particulars mixed up in some cases, and even some of the main points may have slight flaws in their portrayal. But the main gist is accurate and substantiable by unending documentation.
First, after WWII, through Lend-Lease, the United States funded the Soviet Union, enabling them to become the Frankenstein terror that they were (and still are, though they are giddy to think we don't think so any more).
Second, the U.S. abandoned Hungary (and other similar countries) after telling them they would defend them, and the Russians went in an brutally took over their country, slaughtering many.
Third, during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, while ostensibly fighting a war against Communism, the insiders of the U.S. government were passing all key intelligence to the U.N. who then relayed that information to the Communists, so that the Communists were nearly always apprised of U.S. maneuvers before they happened and were able to prepare accordingly. Furthermore, rather than attacking military targets only, at times they targeted innocent civilians, further sullying the image of the war against communism, providing an entire 60's generation with the impetus to be soft on communism; which generation is now leading this country, turning it into a socialist state while claiming to be for freedom (and perhaps even thinking that this big-brother heavy government is the preferable form of freedom?).
Fourth, while supposedly "helping" third world countries through loans, the U.S. has created such an impossible indebtedness that these countries are near the brink of ruin.
Fifth, while supposedly waging a war on drugs, other covert elements from the U.S. government have been actually involved in the transfer of drugs as a means of financing other black operations.
Sixth, while supposedly waging a war on crime, the U.S. has sought to disarm its law-abiding citizens, which takes from them their personal means of defense; not to mention taking from them their ability to resist a government-turned-tyranny.
Seventh, while supposedly fighting disease, the U.S. government has shipped purposely tainted immunizations to third world countries to help reduce some of the burgeoning populations there.
Eighth, time after time the U.S. government has covered up its actions, portraying to the public one face while another is the case. The public face is a benevolent one. The hidden face is a monster. Many informed inhabitants of the planet are not blind to this.
Ninth, the United States has been importing goods made from China and other countries, which goods, in many cases, have been made in part through slave labor camps and sweat shops, hence the low price. Even the best-intentioned Americans have given in to buying these products because they are so much cheaper. Meanwhile wrongfully incarcerated political prisoners and others suffer while we live in false prosperity.
Tenth, the United States has manipulated the financial status of its own country as well as that of others, so as to make huge profits at the detriment of millions worldwide who are less informed and unaware of the looting.
Eleventh, the United States has made its 'patriot' community appear as if they are an enemy potentially akin to terrorists. It is these 'patriots' who know the above facts through their studies of documentation upon documentation, who are appalled that the fabric of America is so taken over by these elitist powers who can control the major media, national education, big business, who then set the trend for the small guys who don't dare step out of line less they be trampled.
Twelfth, the United States has helped finance and train these terrorists to the tune of billions of dollars, such as when helping the Afganistanis become liberated from the Soviet Union -- which itself on the surface appears noble. Due to darker elements in the U.S. government, the government has turned the other way time after time as terrorist camps have emerged.
Twelve angry truths, that is only a partial listing of the general categories of corruption. For example, we could also list how instead of importing freedom around the world, we have been importing pornography and debauchery-lauding films; Coca Cola, cigarettes, etc.
Even the U.S. government's anger at the Sept. 11 attacks is hypocritical, for their intelligence showed them what was coming, and they allowed it to happen, to promote various dark agendas.
No, it isn't the Arabs who deserve our indignation. The enemy is within -- the U.S. and in our own hearts.
It is time to wake up.
The greatest threat to freedom is not terrorism followed second by overzealous patriots. The greatest threat to freedom is the conspirators within our own government and other western governments, who have facilitated the emergence of the various Frankenstein elements of the world, including terrorism, including a vast threat from China and the Soviet Union and their satellite countries.
And who do we blame for this? Ourselves, each and every one, for letting it happen.
Which one of us has not bought Chinese goods? This very computer infrastructure is made largely by parts manufactured or assembled in China and other dictatorial countries that oppress their people's freedoms, the most oppressed of which are making these products for us at the point of a gun for a pittance existence in filth and squalor.
Which one of us has not turned at one point or another or allowed an intimate acquaintance of ours to turn to the troth of government hand-outs which are exacted from the people by force of law, the violation of which is possible imprisonment, with lesser violation resulting in horrific penalties and harassment from IRS agents?
We all have blood on our hands to some extent or another. We all must humble ourselves deeply before the Lord and acknowledge the awfulness of our situation as a country.
We are at the brink of destruction because we have not been vigilant but have allowed these secret combinations to get above us.
No, the Sept. 11 attack, terrible as it was, is only the tip of the iceberg of what we deserve -- and of what we will get if we do not mend our ways.
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--- In davids_outcasts@y., "Ginger Eldridge" <apoemge@w.> wrote:
I have to admit that when this all started I was of the bomb them and kill them and hunt them down and squash them mentality. I think some respects I still am in that place- I would certainly be for killing the people who are behind this horror. However, I truly hope that we can spare the innocent and unkowing. I found myself taking the stance for peace when talking to my mother tonight. Something I wasn't sure I believed until I had to defend my thoughts. I still find myself wavering and maybe that is just fine at this point. Maybe the wavering is part of the thinking and working to listen to the spirit and let it lead rather than letting myself lead myself. Either way, I'm glad I have had the chance to listen to the opinions of those on this board. Thanks.
G
--- End message ---
Responding to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/davids_outcasts/message/8287
