Last week Hillary Clinton continued her campaign for nomination as the Democrat candidate for, arguably, the most powerful position in this world - ever. She is seeking to become President of the United States of America.
In a speech Hillary explained graphically her only visit to Bosnia - she was in grave danger from sniper fire as the plane descended, had to scurry down the airport apron and the planned welcome party for her husband, Bill Clinton, President of the US had to be abandoned.
Within hours a news video of that event was posted on the internet showing what looked like a normal welcome party on the tarmac with Hillary chatting happily with a small girl.
Hillary explained that she "misspoke". The prefix "mis" means "bad" or "badly". She had spoken badly..... Unfortunately this was not the first time - for her or her husband.
Here in Jersey, such things would never happen.
Every Tuesday when the States of Jersey meets the Lord's Prayer is repeated (admittedly in French) and signed off with an "Amen".
What request is being made to the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ? See above. Amongst other things, the plea asks Him to ensure that His name is treated with reverence, that His kingdom will come, that His will will be done in Jersey as it is done in heaven.
And this petition is repeated at funeral services by all of the followers of Jesus Christ in Jersey.
But, given that these things are so, why is it that the name of Jesus Christ is such a conversation-stopper in Jersey? Why, if we are saying that we want the will of the Father of Jesus Christ to be done in Jersey as well as in heaven, do we not seek and find that "will"?
The response of Hillary was "I misspoke". Should that be our reply also?
But was Hillary being honest when she said "I misspoke"? We are back again to another irregular verb: I misspeak; you are disingenuous; he lies. Hillary minimised her lies. So do we.
Hillary's lies were addressed to the American people. The Lord's prayer is addressed to Almighty God.
In a very early incident in the first Century AD in Jerusalem, a Christian couple decided to sell a piece of land and give a part of the proceeds to meet the needs of fellow Christians. But they agreed with each other to misspeak; they would say that they were giving all of the proceeds, not just a part.
The consequences for them were dire (death) for one good reason. They had not lied to their fellow Christians - in fact they had lied to the God of supreme holiness.
Not in Jersey AD 2008 will such instant justice arise - or so it seems. Nor for Hillary either - or so it seems at present. But I for one am going to take much greater care about my words - especially those addressed vertically. |
