I cannot be objective about this child of God (I have to keep reminding myself,,,,,) This is precisely all that God abhors. Nothing is new about this man; no humility, no servant leadership, lying, cheating, swindling insecurity, obtuse racism, child-like disdain for and revenge exacted on anyone who doesn't play along. He puts himself on the throne and mocks an almighty God.
And this is only what comes to me at this moment. What a fallen, depraved example of humanity. Apparently there is no bottom.
You put it best: The AI video is brazen idolatry. It is also crass and arrogant and cruel. You echo Willie James Jennings, too, in rightly calling Trump's vision for Gaza a "grave lack of imagination." That's whiteness--such poor imagination, indeed. Thanks again for your necessary analysis and insights.
Reminds me of what Europeans did to Indigenous Peoples in the lands they conquered (e.g. Canada, America, Australia, etc.): herd them off to 'reservations' in places where they can barely sustain life; take the best lands for themselves...
The whole ideal is reprehensible, made ever more so with the gold images. Nothing short of idol worship. The uprooting and displacement of the Palestinians, their security and heritage sacrificed on the alter of greed, is something that his spiritual support team show speak out against; of course their complicity prevents it.
Trump's video about his "vision" for Gaza is disturbing. I am sure if Saddam Hussein were alive, he and Trump would've been great friends as they have so much in common. Both are self-aggrandizing tyrants and enjoy flaunting the gaudiness of wealth. They also have no regard are use for anyone they deem unworthy and enjoy being cruel. I keep hoping that I will wake from this nightmare of an administration soon.
Good point. It reminds me of Ruth Ben-Ghiat's book, "Strongmen from Mussolini to the Present." The 45th U.S. pres is described; I note the greater application to the present with the weak 47th.
I wish there was more than the like button…because I don’t “like” this essay! I am challenged by your call to action , sickened by the video, and finally convinced that I cannot respect the Office of the President while that man and his minions are in charge. That means more than calls to my elected officials, and going to marches and other public events when it warms up a bit….but more…more writing, more sharing, more learning. This Reluctant Activist Grandma has to get to work!
Saw this promotional video yesterday and at first assumed it was a spoof. My stunned horror came when I realized it really was from “Truth” Social. I cannot imagine any image more inclined to unite Muslim, Jewish and even regional Christians in universal rejection of this SIN City Gaza image!
I had no language outside of Scripture when I posted an article about the video on Facebook: "There is a perverseness here that I think Scripture calls wickedness."
In later thoughts, Naomi Klein's book The Shock Doctrine came to mind. If I'm remembering well, she writes in there about the taking over of lands devastated by natural disasters and wars by wealthy nations for their own self-interests. Been a while since I read it.
Daniel chapter 3: King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold whose height was 60 cubits...And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples...when you hear the sound of the horn...you are to fall down and worship the golden image...and whoever does not bow down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning firey furnace...Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, ..."We will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."
I cannot be objective about this child of God (I have to keep reminding myself,,,,,) This is precisely all that God abhors. Nothing is new about this man; no humility, no servant leadership, lying, cheating, swindling insecurity, obtuse racism, child-like disdain for and revenge exacted on anyone who doesn't play along. He puts himself on the throne and mocks an almighty God.
And this is only what comes to me at this moment. What a fallen, depraved example of humanity. Apparently there is no bottom.
You put it best: The AI video is brazen idolatry. It is also crass and arrogant and cruel. You echo Willie James Jennings, too, in rightly calling Trump's vision for Gaza a "grave lack of imagination." That's whiteness--such poor imagination, indeed. Thanks again for your necessary analysis and insights.
This is what religious people - truly religious people - call sin. Pure and simple - this is a sin.
Reminds me of what Europeans did to Indigenous Peoples in the lands they conquered (e.g. Canada, America, Australia, etc.): herd them off to 'reservations' in places where they can barely sustain life; take the best lands for themselves...
Thanks Jemar.
The whole ideal is reprehensible, made ever more so with the gold images. Nothing short of idol worship. The uprooting and displacement of the Palestinians, their security and heritage sacrificed on the alter of greed, is something that his spiritual support team show speak out against; of course their complicity prevents it.
Trump's video about his "vision" for Gaza is disturbing. I am sure if Saddam Hussein were alive, he and Trump would've been great friends as they have so much in common. Both are self-aggrandizing tyrants and enjoy flaunting the gaudiness of wealth. They also have no regard are use for anyone they deem unworthy and enjoy being cruel. I keep hoping that I will wake from this nightmare of an administration soon.
Good point. It reminds me of Ruth Ben-Ghiat's book, "Strongmen from Mussolini to the Present." The 45th U.S. pres is described; I note the greater application to the present with the weak 47th.
I wish there was more than the like button…because I don’t “like” this essay! I am challenged by your call to action , sickened by the video, and finally convinced that I cannot respect the Office of the President while that man and his minions are in charge. That means more than calls to my elected officials, and going to marches and other public events when it warms up a bit….but more…more writing, more sharing, more learning. This Reluctant Activist Grandma has to get to work!
Saw this promotional video yesterday and at first assumed it was a spoof. My stunned horror came when I realized it really was from “Truth” Social. I cannot imagine any image more inclined to unite Muslim, Jewish and even regional Christians in universal rejection of this SIN City Gaza image!
I had no language outside of Scripture when I posted an article about the video on Facebook: "There is a perverseness here that I think Scripture calls wickedness."
In later thoughts, Naomi Klein's book The Shock Doctrine came to mind. If I'm remembering well, she writes in there about the taking over of lands devastated by natural disasters and wars by wealthy nations for their own self-interests. Been a while since I read it.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response on this disgusting abuse of power.
I felt like vomiting!
Daniel chapter 3: King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold whose height was 60 cubits...And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples...when you hear the sound of the horn...you are to fall down and worship the golden image...and whoever does not bow down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning firey furnace...Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, ..."We will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."
"And — as history also tells us — subversive and nimble resisters will be found in the Black Church." https://substack.com/home/post/p-157419286
There are no words. Unbelievable video.