Many years ago, during the Nixon administration, there were cutbacks in government that affected some very loyal Americans. My dad was one of them. He and I were not on the best of terms because of my rebellion against what he considered acceptable (long hair) and what I considered something that did not speak to one’s value or what was in their heart or their belief system. (again long hair) I was kicked out of the house for refusing to cut my hair and there was definitely tension over what we disagreed on regarding our nation’s response to protest and the Vietnam war. So peaceful evening dinner chats were out of the question.
The Nixon Republican administration during the 70s had some similarities to what we see in today’s administration. We watch as so many actual loyal Americans are summarily let go from jobs they performed well and were necessary for the welfare of our nation. Cut by a person not elected to an office and much of that being cut is for reasons of maga retribution by an addled man unequipped for any position. But during that time in the 70s they were cutting back. My dad had recently had a mild heart attack. And he was being singled out for a form of cutback. They would keep him at his current pay but degrade his government GS grade. Eventually that would lead to him being pushed out. My mom shared this with me and I was incensed. My dad was a 20-year Navy vet. A pilot who was in the top of his class landing on Aircraft Carriers. Also, a helicopter pilot. He excelled at all he did. He flew a noted Admiral into many classified missions. Always gone. Country first. Yet this was how they would reward him. At the time, my father worked for a government division that was initially called the Bureau of Weapons. We lived in Connecticut. I called both US Senators Dodd and Ribicoff and shared this travesty with them. A patriot that gave his all to this country. Disregarding his own health and too many times, even family, and this was how they were treating him. At that time, I actually got through to people that had the ear of their Senators. I told them my dad and I differed on so much, but we both loved our country. They said they would look into it. One day, not too long after I spoke to the US Senators, my dad was called into the Captain’s office. He showed my dad a paper with some info on it from the Senators’ office and asked my dad if he initiated this. He had no knowledge of it, and he being an honest man, was believed. The Senators had stopped this travesty. My dad retired a few years later at his choosing. My mom had shared what I had done for my dad, but he and I never once discussed this. Yet there was some new respect between us. It’s sad how often there is so much left unsaid between fathers and sons. I wish I had told him how proud I was of him.
Now I look at what I see in the news regarding those chosen to represent us in cabinet offices by Trump. People unqualified. Chosen by a traitor and too often traitors themselves. And I can imagine my father’s reaction to seeing the news of the Secretary of Defense, Hegseth, along with our Secretary of State, Director of National Intelligence, Director of the CIA, our Vice-president and others incompetently and traitorously sharing a secret defense mission with Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief of the Atlantic, of an upcoming military mission discussing plans for a bombing raid in Yemen. My dad would have been apoplectic. He would have demanded their immediate resignations and looked into jail time. He would see what this would do to our country in the eyes of the world and to what could have happened to pilots, like himself, flying this mission. The bible speaks often of the talebearer and one who cannot keep a secret or bridle his tongue. Proverbs 11:13 says, “A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. And Proverbs 26:20 says “Where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” Rahab kept secret the plans of Joshua and her whole family was spared when Israel conquered Jericho and she was rewarded for her honesty. She, a prostitute, was included in the lineage of the Messiah. The prostitutes who lead our nation today will have no such place. They look only to themselves. To a path of utter darkness. I pray you fully delve into what the Apostle Paul spoke to the church of Colosse in Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” These are evil times. Pray without ceasing. Blessings.
Stand My Watch 