Questioning Authority

I just came across an online CNN report that Sen. Russ Fiengold from Wisconsin is going to introduce a resolution to censure President Bush for intentionally breaking the law in his wiretapping without a warrant.

Now I've generally stayed pretty publically low-key about what is going on in politics, the war, and these other controversies. I have my opinions, but I' m not sure that in my role, being too vocal about them would limit my ability to do work and ministry with those who have different opinions. So I really don't want anyone to think that my particular opinion on this topic is an endorsement of a particular candidate, party, philosophy or anything. However...

The critics of Sen. Fiengold claim that by filing a motion for censure, we are "sending the wrong message" around the world. They claim that it undercuts the work and mission of the troops stationed in harm's way.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Our country was formed based on skepticism of those in authority. We have not only a right, but a duty to wonder, to question and when necessary, to challenge.

Raising these questions does not undercut our troops. Rather, it is exactly why they are overseas: To protect the fundamental rights of people to disagree with their leaders.

I admit to a healthy skepticism about the military presence and the violence in Iraq. But we created this mess, and now it needs to be cleaned up. As my Mother taught me, "clean up your own messes."

But it seems to me that we went into this military action under false pretenses, that the work we have done, while much has been good (and don't get me started about these people who complain that the 'good stories don't get told...yes, we know that schools have been built...the problem isn't about the good, the problems quite simply lay with the bad.), hasn't seemed to solve anything.

But people of good conscience should continue to doubt and to question. And those who are politically on the other side of the table shouldn't work to indict the critics based on whether or not they should speak. That's what you do when your arguments don't hold water.