Tag Archives: Radical Islam

“Dear Mr. President” A Response to Terrorism in Paris November 2015

November 21st, 2015 | Dr. Charlie Self

Dear Mr. President,
We are afraid and angry, wounded by Paris and trying to deal with evil.
We need non-partisan, statesman like reassurance rooted in moral and political strength, not contemptuous dismissal of political opponents or declarations that concerned citizens are without compassion.

Sir,
We need to see genuine empathy for suffering Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Yazidis and other non-Jihadi dissidents. Please open our doors to these populations and use your office to demand Iranian release of prisoners and an end to Islamist persecution.

When tragedy occurs we need responsive action, not annoyance and deflection.  I want to believe that you mean well, but your actions in the past days are cause for grave concern.  A few drone strikes, changing language from “contained” to “on the run” and vilifying opponents is unhelpful. Strong action in concert with allies is the order of the day. Reasonable security screening and a call for Muslim states to receive refugees are reasonable ideas, not xenophobia.

Finally, Mr. President, I have historical news for you: life does not conform to ideological narratives. You and your advisors are so enamored with your anti-West, post-colonial, globalist visions that you refuse to confront the evils of radical Islam. These terrorists are not victims of the West and “frustrated” by “economic injustice.” These are followers of demonic extremism that enjoy engendering fear and they will not stop until their totalitarian vision is realized or sufficient moral and military force brings defeat.

By the way, in your “evolution” on marriage, please note that there is only one Middle East location where LGBTQIA folks are safe: Tel Aviv.  There are enough people of conscience of all faiths or none that will unite to secure the liberties we enjoy.

So what must be done?

First, you must declare that freedom of conscience and religion is the first freedom and the foundation for all others. Your must unequivocally repudiate any attempts to impose Islamicist rule in pluralistic societies with concomitantly challenging all Muslim nations top demonstrate compassion and greater liberty for minority populations. Ironically, Gadhafi and Assad were (and are) dictators, but they allowed greater religious liberty than many of our “allies.”

Second, you must partner with European and Middle Eastern allies and even Russia to seek and destroy all IS locations and those of their allies. Yes, concern for civilians must be paramount, but not paralyzing.

Third, you must use all your power to protect non-Islamic religious communities and help them defend themselves and if needed, come to the USA. It is criminal to deport Christians and welcome a flood of infiltrated Muslims.

Fourth, use your final year in office to build broad consensus instead of fighting more ideological/political battles in the name of your legacy. History will be much kinder to you join with all political factions and build coalitions for domestic and international compassion and justice.

I hope and pray you listen to the best voices of conscience and humbly receive these and similar words of wisdom. Millions pray for you, whether they agree with your policies of principles. Will you thank us by listening?

Time to lead.

Dear Candidates: An Open Letter to Democrats and Republicans Aspiring for the Presidency in 2016

May 11th, 2015 | Dr. Charlie Self

The recent announcements that Senator Hillary Clinton, Senators Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, along with Governor Scott Walker are all running for President in 2016 are the context for this special letter. Even though their particular positions vary widely – especially between Clinton and the rest, I address these thoughts to all of them as a concerned American and one who cares for the world. I welcome civil debate as we gear up for months of campaigning – with our nation’s future in the balance.

This letter is written in the manner of Socrates – a series of questions that imply particular concerns and positions, but compel clarity on the issues.

Dear Candidate(s),

Thank you for having the courage to run for this office. Others might cynically say that you are all supreme egoists for thinking you can do the job. Time will tell the proportions of altruism and ego, principle and pragmatism in your ideas and policies. The job of President of the USA is the most powerful and stressful job in the world. In 1839 Alexis de Tocqueville declared that the best persons do not run for President because of the compromises involved in getting elected! I hope such is not the case with any of you.

Here are my questions:

What is your vision of a healthy, prosperous nation? What key ideals are guiding your policy proposals? How can you inspire hope and sacrifice among a cynical and disengaged electorate suspicious of all politicians?
What is your sense of America’s uniqueness and her humble and wise partnerships with other nations?
What is your understanding of the “separation of powers” in the US Constitution and your interpretation of Amendments 9 and 10 that limit the federal government and place ultimate sovereignty in the hands of the people of our nation? What are your boundaries on Executive Orders? How will you be accountable to Congress? Recent history in both parties makes this a vital issue for our future.
Will you stand for Israel’s right to exist as a recognized Jewish State and freedom of conscience and religion around the world? Put another way, will you challenge Islamic states to open their societies and treat women and minorities with dignity?
Will you be completely pro-life and defend unborn children, the aged and the physically and mentally challenged?
How will you reform Social Security and Medicare so that they are protected for the needy and administrated justly?
Will you begin a new conversation on medical care and articulate what facets should be local, state and federal and what should be in the hands of the people? How will you assure compassionate delivery of quality medical services without an impersonal Leviathan of government bureaucracy?
How will you move us toward a balanced federal budget, a just tax system and reduction in the size of the federal government?
What is the government’s role in the economy and how will your policies helps millions find sustainable work?
How will you help our nation welcome millions of legal immigrants that desire hope and opportunity while screening for terrorist and welfare cheats?
How will you restore America’s global leadership role? How can we help lead the world away form the hegemonic agendas of China and Russia, as well as the threats of a nuclear Iran and her terrorist clients?
How will you position the USA at the United Nations? Are you comfortable with UN control over any territory in the USA and global courts attempting to trump our national ones?
What current federal structures will you decentralize or eliminate? How large a role should Washington, D.C. have in public education, the administration of welfare and food distribution and provision for other needs?
What is your transparent communications strategy? Will your Administration be open (apart from critical personnel or national security issues) or as opaque as the last 80 months? Can we find out about the influences in your upbringing and the educators and mentors that have shaped you into the woman or man you are today?
Will you stand for marriage as the union of one man and one woman, while allowing for other arrangements that afford partners legal recognition?

Candidates, I sincerely pray that you will humbly depend upon the Almighty, listen to all the people (not just the big donors) and articulate your values and vision well. Please help us reverse a half-century of moral decline, forty years of political polarization and a generation of economic mismanagement and deception.

A nation is listening.

9/11

September 11th, 2014 | Dr. Charlie Self

9/11: We all remember where we were. (Flames Restaurant, San Jose, CA).

9/11: Grief. Horror. Shock. Anger.

9/11: And prayers in full churches. Hugs with family and neighbors. Our Persian landlords bring a fruit basket and share tears with us.

9/11: Our eldest son’s 18th birthday. We still have cake and presents, because life is still worth living.

9/11: A nation in mourning. A nation facing an intractable and zealous, elusive and untraditional foe that hates every value we hold dear.

9/11: Not a conspiracy – a tragedy. Not a time for a religious crusade, but repentance and resolution, moral and spiritual reformation and action.

Today is 9/11/14.

Mr. President, will you lead with civil and political consensus, with international support and moral and military courage? The enemies beheading Americans (and raping and killing across all cultural and religious lines) must be opposed without qualification. We are not facing victims of Western imperialism. Israel is not a genocidal state, she is a democratic ally. Even Egypt knows this! The West is weak, but not destroyed. The question of the hour is simple: will be stand for freedom, oppose tyranny and not be reduced to the morality of our opponents?

9/11/14: Time to act with courage and wisdom, not platitudes and wishful thinking. We must not allow our self-hatred and historical guilt (some of which is valid) to cloud our vision. Our enemies want our complete submission. We must call for complete freedom of conscience and religion and defend for all others the rights we want for ourselves.

Like the 1930s, we are war weary – and hopeful that generous financial arrangements and a wide toleration of cultural differences will persuade our enemies to desist. Our lack of internal integrity and strategic inaction only increases their resolve.

9/11/14: A time to act.