Lessons From Iraq: More Shock Than Awe

Thursday, December 15, 2011 was a day that many have long anticipated.  On that day the United States formally ended its involvement in the War in Iraq.  Amid controversy and uncertainty a modest ceremony marked the conclusion of this horribly prolonged conflict.  Future generations will undoubtedly debate the merits of a war that was a collection of contradictions from start to finish.

The numbers only tell part of the story.

·        Approximately 8 years and 9 months of fighting

·        Nearly 4,500 American deaths

·        32,000 Americans wounded

·        100,000 Iraqis killed

·        Tens of thousands of Iraqis wounded

·        Untold destruction of buildings and infrastructure

·        $800 billion dollars spent from the United States Treasury on the war effort

These statistics are cut and dry.  There is no debating them.  But the real story lies behind the numbers and will continue to stir controversy for many years to come.  I wonder, for example, how many people clearly remember why we created this war in the first place.

On March 20, 2003 the United States-led coalition initiated an invasion of Iraq through a relentless round-the-clock bombing attack which President George W. Bush called "Shock and Awe".  The premise for this invasion was never clearly established.  The Bush Administration insisted that they had evidence that Saddam Hussein's Iraqi government had a stockpile of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).  These included, but were not limited to, biological weapons that Saddam Hussein intended to use against the United States and several of the countries neighboring Iraq.

It should be pointed out that this was approximately 1 ½ years after the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001.  The Bush Administration was desperately seeking a dramatic way to respond to that humiliating and tragic event.  At the very least, a diversion of sorts that could unify the nation and build a sense of national pride and superiority would be a welcomed change.  But the terrorist enemy of September 11 was a very different enemy than any we faced before.  They had no national boundary; no sovereignty.  They did not have military uniforms that clearly identified them.  We did not even know for sure who they were, let alone where they were.

On the other hand, Saddam Hussein was well known and quite visible.  We already had a strained relationship with him, having engaged in a short-lived war known as Operation Desert Storm in 1990 - 1991.  That conflict, led by President George H. W. Bush, had a clearly defined purpose: to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait following their invasion of that nation, and to be sure no other nations in the region would be Saddam's next target.

Now, twelve years and a Presidential generation later, things were a bit different.  Iraq had made no aggressive acts toward any of its neighbors.  For that matter, Iraq had made no hostile activity toward any nation, neighbor or otherwise, with the obvious exception of rhetoric.  Saddam Hussein was given to making all kinds of remarks that were less-than-friendly, especially toward the United States.

The American public was itching for a fight in the wake of 9/11.  Still, for all his shortcomings, President George W. Bush understood that the idea of going to war was serious stuff.  The people would demand a reason for sending their sons and daughters off to a desert to fight.  To be effective, the reason would have to include an eminent threat to us.  I have no idea where the concept of Weapons of Mass Destruction came from but there is no denying its effectiveness.  Not only did Bush convince the American people we needed to stop this perceived threat, but he also convinced the United Nations General Assembly, who authorized the invasion.

In a demonstration of irony we launched our defense against the Weapons of Mass Destruction stockpiled by Iraq  with our own, real-life demonstration of honest-to-goodness Weapons of Mass Destruction.  Shock and Awe was just that:  the United States shocked the world by their heartless, never-ending display of awesome destruction.  Night after horrid night the bombings continued.  Baghdad was a constant glow of red and yellow flames enveloped by thick black smoke.

It took a while, but when the Coalition forces finally secured Iraq and the United Nations inspectors had the chance to inspect, what did they find?  The answer is:  nothing!  No WMD's nor any hint of Iraq being remotely close to possessing the technology to produce any in the foreseeable future.  This led the three-headed monster known as Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld to conclude that there were underground tunnels throughout Iraq in which the WMD's were hidden.  Again, a thorough search proved no tunnels existed.  Eventually, the Bush Administration was forced to admit that there was no trace of any nuclear, chemical nor biological weapons anywhere in Iraq.

Having been embarrassed in this way the brain trust of Bush Administration developed another theory.  We went to war with Iraq because Saddam Hussein was providing a safe haven and training grounds for al-Qaeda.  And al-Qaeda was responsible for 9/11.  Yet once again having taken possession of the desert domain it was learned that there were no terrorist training grounds, no material support, no connection what so ever.

By now we are looking pretty foolish and downright aggressive in the eyes of the world.  In hopes of saving face another angle was promoted.  Saddam Hussein was an evil madman who oppressed his people and abused their rights.  He was a dictator with no regard for his people.  Thus we attacked in order to "liberate" Iraq form their hated oppressor and to bring democracy into the Middle East.

I find it a little hard to swallow this pill, however.  How can we say that we delivered Iraq from the horrors of oppression when we killed over 100,000 citizens, wounded 10's of thousands more, and left the infrastructure in ruins?  Who are the true oppressors?

Saddam Hussein was, in fact, an evil man.  I will not deny this.  But if Jesus taught us anything it is that the ends do NOT justify the means.  Driving Saddam from power by virtually destroying the entire nation is not justified.  In fact, in light of the so-called "Arab Spring" that has dominated 2011 one wonders what would have happened in Iraq if we had left the Iraqi people deal with their fate on their own terms.  Would Saddam Hussein have been toppled from power by a non-violent - or at the very least a much less violent - internal resistance movement?  We will never know.

It is difficult to compare the Iraq War with World War II yet a few observations stand out.  WWII lasted about six years, the last four involving the United States.  The total number of casualties is generally considered to be in the neighborhood of 62 million, though some sources put the figure closer to 70 million.  The United States alone lost over 416,000 soldiers.  Clearly we are talking about a very different kind of war.  Nevertheless, VE Day (Victory in Europe) and VJ Day (Victory in Japan) were highly celebrated and ceremoniously marked.  In comparison, December 15, 2011 was strikingly quiet and unassuming as it closed the door on a war that, for the United States, lasted more than twice as long as WWII.  Personally, I am glad.  I welcome the fact that this war was ended with little fanfare and hoopla.  We as a nation have little to be proud about regarding our involvement in Iraq.  We went to war under false pretenses and we kept up the charade for nine years.  We completely destroyed a sovereign nation that had presented absolutely no threat to us at all.  Once we came to realize that mistake, we were in it too deeply and had too much egg on our faces to correct the course.  So we played it out to the end, much to our shame.

Perhaps the most disturbing part of this war's conclusion is the attitude of the Right Wing politicians.  Senator John McCain, a true Hawk if ever there was one, declared just a few days ago that he still believes Saddam Hussein was on the verge of developing Weapons of Mass Destruction.  U. S. Representative Michelle Bachman stated in the last Republican Presidential Debate that she would indeed authorize a pre-emptive strike against Iran if she had any indication that Tehran posed a threat to our security.  Therein lies the true legacy of the Iraq War.

Pre-emptive strike.  We, the United States of America, can now wage all out war against any nation that we deem to be a potential threat to our security.  We do not need any hard evidence.  A mere suspicion will suffice.  The "enemy nation" does not have to do anything hostile or aggressive in order for us to justifiably annihilate them.  We only need to find - or create - some top secret report that says, in effect, that these guys don't like us. 

Is this honestly what we have become?  Are we going to forget about the basic premise of our judicial system:  the conviction that one is innocent until proven guilty?  This same reasoning tells me that I am justified to go out and kill the guy living down the street from me simply because I believe there is a very good chance he might try to rape my wife some day.  Never mind the fact that he has never said anything to anyone in my family.  Nor has he ever set foot on my property.  In fact, he has not done anything at all.  I just don’t like the way he looks at us when we pull into our driveway.

In 1945 George Orwell published the allegorical book Animal Farm.  In it the farm represented a mythical country; the farmer was the tyrannical dictator/monarch who ruled with an iron fist; the animals on the farm represented the working class citizens whose rights were routinely ignored.  What really stood out for me in this book was the way in which the animals, who staged a successful revolt against the farmer and took control of the farm, ultimately became the very thing they revolted against.  The pigs in particular, who were the equivalent of the Communist Party leaders, moved into the house once occupied by the farmer and his family.  One of the most dramatic moments in the book came when some of the other animals realized that the pigs were even walking around in two feet - just like the humans who once ruled before them.  The story was intended to demonstrate how the Communist revolutions of the early and mid 20^th Century failed to live up to their lofty ideals by taking on the essential corruptions and deceptions of the system they replaced.

The thing that bothers me today is this:  are we becoming the image of our enemy?  Has "Pre-emptive Strike" become our new mantra?  Have we learned nothing from the past nine years?  Or has the desert sun caused us to become delusional?

G. D. Gehr 

December 19, 2011

Comments invited below

Funding Cuts Are a "War Against The Weak"

I just read an important article in the Lancaster Sunday News.  It appeared in the column known as "In My Opinion" and was written by Dennis B. Downey.  The article was entitled Pa. Must Not Abandon Disabilities Services".

Mr. Downey does an excellent job of identifying the efforts of the Corbett Administration and the Pa. General Assembly to make drastic cuts in the important services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  These services are absolutely vital to the many citizens of Pennsylvania who depend on the therapies and rehab services that are quietly being scaled back so the public is not aware of it.  As has been the case far too often, our politicians and other public servants are targeting a group of citizens they know will not speak out in opposition simply because they cannot do so.

I find it horribly ironic that this same General Assembly, while stripping services from a vulnerable and defenseless group, certainly did not mind giving themselves yet another pay increase of over 3% recently.  We need to call these people to accountability.  Remember, they are supposed to be working for us.  And by "us" I mean ALL of the citizens of Pennsylvania, not just the ones who are likely to vote for them.

I urge you to read Mr. Downey's article.  If you are a citizen of Pennsylvania do not let this crime continue.  Take action.  Call your Senator or Representative.  Call the Governor's Office.  Tell them you will not stand for such abuse.  Let's get our priorities in order and protect those who can not provide for themselves.

For the full article by Mr. Downey click on the link below.


http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/548137_Pa--must-not-abandon-disabilities-services.html



G. D. Gehr
December 11, 2011
Comments welcome

"For Unto Us... A Personal Journey of Faith

Married couples go through nearly every imaginable range of emotions and challenges as they face life together.  I won't say the decision to have children is the most important one, but it certainly has to rank among the top two or three.  For some, that decision is made for them.  Sort of.

My wife and I were married in 1981.  A few years later we faced the reality that we were not going to have children of our own.  Shortly after that we turned to the possibility of adoption.  It was not a difficult decision for us to make.  We were equally committed to the idea.  But there remained a few obstacles, mostly in the form of adoption agencies.

Contrary to what some believe adoption agencies are not "baby stores".  In fact, we found most to be extremely uncooperative.  We began exploring the world of adoption in 1984.  It was the start of a remarkable journey that flirted with catastrophe at times.  I never knew my wife and I were such terrible parental candidates until we began talking with the experts.  I guess I was puffed up with pride and could not see what we were really like.  I mean, I was a pastor who had some training in psychology and counseling and was, by nature, a compassionate and nurturing kind of guy.  My wife was a nurse who was even more nurturing and caring than I.  Neither one of us had any criminal record or even traffic violations in our closet.  We were what one might label squeaky clean.  Boring, perhaps, but clean.  And, if I do say so myself, qualified to be parents.  Boy did I have my eyes opened!

One agency told us that because of my career we were too unstable.  Pastors tend to move around too much.  They wanted to place children with couples who had deep roots in the community and would be expected to stay in one place, at least until the child was grown.  Another agency told us that we were not rich enough.  Actually, what they said was our income level was below the minimum that they could accept.  In other words, they were not going to place their children into poverty!  Yet another agency gently informed us that we were too old!  At the time I was 30 and Lillian was 29.  However, this agency had a waiting list that averaged seven years, which meant that I would be 37 and Lillian 36 when we would make it to the top of the list.  The problem was that they had a policy that they would not adopt children to couples over the age of 35.  Thus, we were over the hill!

On and on it went.  We tried private agencies, church agencies, para-church agencies and the State system.  They all ended in disappointment and frustration.  If someone would have told me that a Christian pastor and his nurse-wife could not possibly be approved to be adoptive parents I would have said, "No way!"  But there was no denying our situation.

By the fall of 1989 we found ourselves moving out of State when I accepted the Call to serve as Pastor of a rural congregation in Indiana.  At first we agreed to take some time off from the adoption thing and just settle into the community.  My wife was working as the head nurse in a doctor's office.  Before long her employer told her of a special needs couple who learned that they were expecting a baby.  Their families agreed that they were not able to raise the child but they did not want to consider an abortion.  It was decided that they would put the child up for adoption privately.  The doctor asked if we were interested.  After giving it careful consideration we said "Yes."  To make a long story short, the couple changed their minds during the second trimester and decided to raise the child themselves.

Several months later the doctor approached us again.  This time she had a young, unwed teenage girl who was pregnant.  The father wanted nothing to do with the girl or the child and the girl did not want to become a mother, at least not until after she graduated from high school.  Once again we saw an opportunity.  This time things really progressed over the next several months.  Lawyers were talking, we had names chosen and we were getting a nursery prepared.  You would think two rather intelligent people would learn their lesson by now, but we didn’t.  One day the doctor informed us, in a most solemn tone, that the young girl's grandmother had stepped in and decided she would raise the baby.  We felt as if we had our hearts ripped out of our chests.  It is fair to say that we grieved almost at a comparable level as if our own baby had just died.  I know I shouldn't say that, because there was no death, actually.  We probably should have found solace in the fact that this baby was going to live and remain, more or less, in its true family.  Nevertheless, we suffered a terrible blow to our emotional health.  I, especially, went into a state of depression.  Lillian did too, but she coped with it better than I did.  We eventually landed on our feet, but the path we took was not a pretty one.

In my denomination each congregation is part of a district, and each district has an ordained minister who is the supervisor of the pastors within the district.  The title of this supervisor varies from one district to another but the structure is basically the same.  In this particular district we were served by a "District Pastor" named Terry Hatfield.  When Terry learned of our story he offered tremendous support.  Eventually he also told us of an acquaintance of his, a member of the Church he used to pastor, who was caseworker in an adoption agency.  He offered to make a phone call on our behalf.

Within a few weeks we received a phone call from this woman.  Would we be interested in not one, but two children?  Two full brothers, nine days short of a year apart, had recently come under her caseload.  These two boys were already offered to three other families but all three had turned them down.  The boys were only 14 months and 2 months in age, respectively, but there was some evidence that the older one might have some developmental challenges.  No official diagnosis was made.  Every family to date agreed to take the younger one but not his older brother.  The Agency, however, refused to split them up.

A meeting was quickly arranged.  It happened that not only was the caseworker a member of our denomination, but so were the newly appointed foster parents.  This foster family was going to be in our area for Thanksgiving to visit the father's parents.  It was agreed that we would meet them and get to see the two young boys. 

With an indescribable feeling of joy, apprehension, uncertainly, self-doubt, unworthiness and perhaps most of all, reverence, we knocked on the door and were greeted by a most delightful family.  I have absolutely no recollection of the house, nor the owners of the house.  But I will never, ever forget the image of those two precious young boys.  I believe to this day that the caseworker knew what she was doing in arranging this meeting.  She knew that once we actually saw the boys there was no way we would say no.  She was right.

We spent the rest of the weekend in deep prayer and much soul-searching.  The Monday after Thanksgiving I placed the call to the caseworker.  Yes, we were interested.  We wanted to make both boys a part of our family.  We were convinced beyond any doubt that this is what God had been preparing us for.

One week went by and we received a large envelope in the mail with an abundance of papers to be read and signed.  Another week went by and we spoke with the foster parents on the phone.  They told us that once we decided what names we wanted for the boys - should we choose to change their names - - we should let them know so they could begin to use them.  This way it was hoped the boys would begin to recognize the names we wanted by the time we gained custody of them.

Week three came and went.  The Agency informed us that they were hoping we could have custody before Christmas, but that was becoming unlikely.  Then, early in week four, we received the call we thought we would never have.  Everything was set.  We had a court appearance scheduled for December 23.  We were the last case on the docket before Christmas break. 

The courthouse was a ten hour drive from our house.  The foster family offered to serve us supper and put us up for the night, if we wished.  In the wee hours of the morning on December 23 we set off for our destination.  That afternoon was nothing short of magical.  It was a typically cold and windy winter's afternoon in mid-western America.  But none of that mattered.  We met with our lawyer, who was yet another member of our church denomination.  And then we appeared before the judge, who was very thorough and asked us all kinds of questions.  He seemed particularly interested in our faith and the Church of the Brethren, which was unfamiliar to him.  I can't recall a thing we said, but I suppose it was sufficient, because in a whirlwind of activity papers were signed and custody was granted on a temporary basis while the adoption proceedings continued.  We returned to the Foster Parent's home for supper, with a family that had just doubled in size.

We rested for a while after eating and then decided we needed to make the long trip back to our home.  We left the home of that wonderful foster family late on the evening of December 23.  After driving non-stop through the night we pulled into our driveway early in the morning on December 24. 

Although we had legal custody of the boys, in the eyes of the law the adoption was not finalized and we were not officially parents.  In truth, however, God brought our family together on that Christmas Eve.  From that day until the present Lillian and I have always held a special reverence for December 24.  I fully understand that our experience in no way compares to that of Joseph and Mary's.  The Incarnation and the Virgin Birth are unique and most holy events.  The miracles surrounding the birth of Jesus are indeed the greatest demonstration of God's love for humankind.  Yet there is no denying that God looked favorably upon Lillian and me, too, on that incredible day when our prayers were answered and our lives were blessed.  December 24^th has become a most precious day for us.  We carefully and respectfully treat it with honor, for it was on this day that we experienced our "homecoming".  In just a few days we will observe our twentieth anniversary of that dreamlike occasion.  By the grace of God we have overcome unbelievable obstacles.  We continue to be challenged, too.  The initial suspicions concerning our oldest son proved to be correct.  In time he was diagnosed with Autism, Mental Retardation, and, more recently, Schizo-Affective, along with several minor challenges.  These will never change.  He will need constant supervision and care for the rest of his life.  For reasons I do not understand God has called my wife and I to assume that responsibility, no matter how inadequate we have proven to be, and that is something we have accepted.  God has never abandoned us.  He has produced one miracle after another to sustain us and provide for our family, and we praise him for every blessing.

In some ways I find myself identifying with Joseph, the husband of Mary.  One might say that Joseph was an adoptive father.  He raised a son who was not biologically his own, yet he treated him as if he were.  Joseph had his doubts, according to the first chapter of Matthew.  Yet ultimately he was humbled before God and obeyed the Lord's will to the best of his ability.  Somewhere along the line Joseph fades off into oblivion.  Twelve years after the birth of Jesus we come across the final account of this remarkable man when he and Mary take Jesus to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover (Luke 2:41 - 52).  The very next passage, however, introduces Jesus as a grown man approximately 30 years of age and beginning his public ministry.  The scripture remains silent with regard to Joseph's fate thereafter.

At one time I remember thinking that Joseph deserved more recognition.  For all practical purposes he was, after all, the earthly father figure for our Savior.  And judging how Jesus turned out he must have done something right!  So why is the New Testament so vague about this man?  Oddly enough, we do not have even one word that is quoted from his mouth, nor is there any record of his death.  It doesn't seem fair.

As I thought about this, however, I came to the realization that it's not about Joseph, it's about God.  God is the one who brought this family together.  God is the one who provided for them in the crowded city of Bethlehem when they were far from home and with no place to sleep.  God is the one who saved them from Herod's wrath and gave them safety in the foreign land of Egypt.  And God is the one who lovingly brought them back to Nazareth where Jesus could grow and develop into the young man his Heavenly Father intended him to be.  Joseph had a very important role to play in this drama, but it was no more than a supportive role, at best.

In many ways, then, I am inclined to think that Joseph is a wonderful model for me and perhaps for all of us.  He quietly did exactly what God wanted him to do, without recognition or fanfare, yet with a holy dedication that appears to have been almost radical.  Matthew 1:19 describes Joseph as a "righteous man".  Does anything else need to be said?

Adoption is a marvelous gift; a privilege that defies description.  It is a humbling experience to raise somebody else's child.  Along the way I have been constantly reminded that it is not about me, however.  It is about the child, or in our case, the children.  It is always about the children, and so it should be.    Above all, it is also about God, who loves, calls, empowers, and saves.

We are the children of God (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1) by way of adoption (Ephesians 1:5).  I am lovingly reminded of this every time I look at my two sons and think about our incredible story.  I suppose one of the things that impresses me the most about all this is the way in which this all came about.  Lillian and I tried everything as we took matters into our own hands.  Interestingly we tried to force the issue of parenthood for exactly seven years - - a good biblical number that has not escaped my notice in hindsight.  It also happened to be equivalent to the length of time on the waiting list for the agency that claimed we would be too old!  Regardless, all we got in return for our efforts was frustration, guilt, and failure.  We actually came to the point where we agreed that this parenting thing was not going to happen.  We were, in many ways, broken and defeated.  It was a rather liberating experience when we agreed to tell God that it was OK;  we accept the fact that we were complete as a couple even if we did not have children.  Having finally come to that conclusion and turning everything over to God, the Lord took the reigns and performed the miracle that we could never accomplish ourselves.  Perhaps we needed to go through all the frustration and the heartache that we did in order to appreciate the wonder and the power of our Lord.  "For when I am weak, then I am strong", the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:10.  I understood.

Yes, Christmas Eve is the time when the Christian community pauses to reflect upon God's love expressed to us in the infant of Bethlehem.  Immanuel:  God with us.  It is the beginning of the process whereby we are adopted into the Family of God, a process finalized at Calvary.  This has been accomplished not by anything we had done, but based entirely upon the grace of God himself.  The power and the wonder of this theme has been played out in the life of my family, and I am humbled at the thought.

"For unto us a child is born;

Unto us a son is given..."

Isaiah 9:6

Living With Autism: Holiday Tips

I recently came across an excellent article for parents of children with autism.  From the Autism Society of America comes these most helpful tips for a joyful, successful holiday season.  For more ideas concerning life with autism visit their web site at www.autism-society.org.

Twelve Tips for Helping Living with Autism

Have a Happy Holiday Season

While many happily anticipate the coming holiday season, families of people on the autism spectrum also understand the special challenges that may occur when schedules are disrupted and routines broken. Our hope is that by following these few helpful tips, families may lessen the stress of the holiday season and make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. The following tips were developed with input from the Autism Society, the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Easter Seals Crossroads, the Sonya Ansari Center for Autism at Logan and the Indiana Autism Leadership Network..

1. Preparation is crucial for many individuals. At the same time, it is important to determine how much preparation a specific person may need. For example, if your son or daughter has a tendency to become anxious when anticipating an event that is to occur in the future, you may want to adjust how many days in advance you prepare him or her. Preparation can occur in various ways by using a calendar and marking the dates of various holiday events, or by creating a social story that highlights what will happen at a given event.

2. Decorations around the house may be disruptive for some. It may be helpful to revisit pictures from previous holidays that show decorations in the house. If such a photo book does not exist, use this holiday season to create one. For some it may also be helpful to take them shopping with you for holiday decorations so that they are engaged in the process. Or involve them in the process of decorating the house. And once holiday decorations have been put up, you may need to create rules about those that can and cannot be touched. Be direct, specific and consistent.

3. If a person with autism has difficulty with change, you may want to gradually decorate the house. For example, on the first day, put up the Christmas tree, then on the next day, decorate the tree and so on. And again, engage them as much as possible in this process. It may be helpful to develop a visual schedule or calendar that shows what will be done on each day.

4. If a person with autism begins to obsess about a particular gift or item they want, it may be helpful to be specific and direct about the number of times they can mention the gift. One suggestion is to give them five chips. They are allowed to exchange one chip for five minutes of talking about the desired gift. Also, if you have no intention of purchasing a specific item, it serves no purpose to tell them that maybe they will get the gift. This will only lead to problems in the future. Always choose to be direct and specific about your intentions.

5. Teach them how to leave a situation and/or how to access support when an event becomes overwhelming. For example, if you are having visitors, have a space set aside for the child as his/her safe/calm space. The individual should be taught ahead of time that they should go to their space when feeling overwhelmed. This self-management tool will serve the individual into adulthood. For those who are not at that level of self-management, develop a signal or cue for them to show when they are getting anxious, and prompt them to use the space. For individuals with more significant challenges, practice using this space in a calm manner at various times prior to your guests' arrival. Take them into the room and engage them in calming activities (e.g., play soft music, rub his/her back, turn down the lights, etc.). Then when you notice the individual becoming anxious, calmly remove him/her from the anxiety-provoking setting immediately and take him/her into the calming environment.

6. If you are traveling for the holidays, make sure you have their favorite foods, books or toys available. Having familiar items readily available can help to calm stressful situations. Also, prepare them via social stories or other communication systems for any unexpected delays in travel. If you are flying for the first time, it may be helpful to bring the individual to the airport in advance and help him/her to become accustomed to airports and planes. Use social stories and pictures to rehearse what will happen when boarding and flying.

7. Know your loved one with autism and how much noise and activity they can tolerate. If you detect that a situation may be becoming overwhelming, help them find a quiet area in which to regroup. And there may be some situations that you simply avoid (e.g., crowded shopping malls the day after Thanksgiving).

8. Prepare a photo album in advance of the relatives and other guests who will be visiting during the holidays. Allow the person with autism access to these photos at all times and also go through the photo album with him/her while talking briefly about each family member.

9. Practice opening gifts, taking turns and waiting for others, and giving gifts. Role play scenarios with your child in preparation for him/her getting a gift they do not want. Talk through this process to avoid embarrassing moments with family members. You might also choose to practice certain religious rituals. Work with a speech language pathologist to construct pages of vocabulary or topic boards that relate to the holidays and family traditions.

10. Prepare family members for strategies to use to minimize anxiety or behavioral incidents, and to enhance participation. Help them to understand if the person with autism prefers to be hugged or not, needs calm discussions or provide other suggestions that will facilitate a smoother holiday season. If the individual becomes upset, it might also be helpful to coach others to remain calm and neutral in an effort to minimize behavioral outbursts.

11. If the person with autism is on special diet, make sure there is food available that he/she can eat. And even if they are not on a special diet, be cautious of the amount of sugar consumed. And try to maintain a sleep and meal routine.

12. Above all, know your loved one with autism. Know how much noise and other sensory input they can take. Know their level of anxiety and the amount of preparation it may take. Know their fears and those things that will make the season more enjoyable for them.

Don’t stress. Plan in advance. And most of all have a wonderful holiday season!

Resolution 181 Revisted

The current debate over the establishment of a Palestinian State has taken on an ironic twist.  Recently the Palestinians have sought to gain recognition from the United Nations and thus are playing an end-around the Middle East Peace negotiations.  Then again, those negotiations have been stalled for decades.  That is precisely the point raised by the Palestinians.

The Israelis and the United States object to this maneuver.  And here is where I find the irony.  This small section of Planet Earth has had a long, tumultuous history that pre-dates the Bible itself.  This history is so long and complicated that I am going to over-simplify things here and attempt to present the situation as it existed following World War I.

The now-defunct League of Nations created the "Mandate for Palestine" effective September 26, 1923.  Essentially it established two States:  one known as "Palestine" was placed under direct British rule; the other called "Transjordan" was given autonomous rule.  Almost immediately a movement developed with the intent of creating an autonomous homeland for the Jewish people, a movement known as Zionism.

Following World War II, and fueled by the horrors of the Holocaust, Zionism gained international support.  The newly formed United Nations took up the issue and, in 1947, passed Resolution 181 that established the sovereign Nation of Israel and a separate, sovereign nation of Palestine, both carved out of a section of the former Mandate for Palestine.  The Resolution passed by a very narrow margin.  The boundaries that were established were odd and intertwined, which did not help the situation.  The region of Jerusalem and Bethlehem would remain under international control and not be granted to either Israel or Palestine.  The details were complicated and controversial. 

Almost as soon as the Resolution passed it was tested by a declaration of war between Israel and an alliance of Arab neighbors.  When it ended Israel looked very much like it does today, minus the West Bank (which went to Transjordan) and the Gaza Strip (which went to Egypt).  Palestine was left with nothing.  Next came the famous 6-Day War of 1967.  In a flurry Israel walked away with control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  Again, Palestinians had nothing they could call their own.

Ever since the 6-Day War there have been so-called "Peace Talks" or attempts at "Peace Talks" aimed at creating an independent, sovereign State of Palestine.  Occasionally some headway is gained, but in the larger scheme of things the goals have always remained unfulfilled.  How long should a people wait on a process that has proven to be impotent for over 44 years?  Rightly or wrongly the Palestinians have sought to pursue an alternate route by returning to the United Nations.

It makes sense, I suppose.  The United Nations is the authority that created the State of Israel and, originally, a Palestinian State.  Interestingly, the United States cast the deciding vote that made this possible.  Now, some sixty-four years later, the Palestinians have returned to the UN in hopes of gaining what was promised to them.  But whom should they find standing in the way?  None other than the United States of America.  The same country that cast the deciding vote sixty-four years earlier now goes on record to declare their opposition to such a plan through the United Nations!  It is significant to point out that the United States is not opposed to a sovereign Palestinian State.  They just feel that it should be established through Peace Talks and negotiations.

In a perfect world the U.S. is correct in their thinking.  If the Peace Talks successfully reach an accord in which the Palestinians are granted their own land and the opportunity to govern themselves accordingly, there is a greater chance for success.  Such an accomplishment would be born out of mutual support by the two major players - Israel and Palestine.  It would be built from the bottom up, which is always preferable to any edict issued from the top down (i.e. coming from the United Nations and forced upon the players.)

This, however, is not a perfect world.  While Israel claims they are not opposed to a free and sovereign Palestine their actions indicate otherwise.  Rather than taking steps toward that goal Israel continues to build settlements in the disputed territories and maintain a constant military presence in the West Bank.  One would think that 44 years would be enough time to reach a diplomatic goal if all parties were serious about a solution.  Instead there is an ominous cloud of doubt hanging over the real intentions of Israel.  One could say that they hold all the cards - or all the land, as it were - and thus have no motivation to change the status quo.

Perhaps the only real solution is return to the United Nations - but not in the manner that is currently being pursued by the Palestinians.  The more logical option is to ask the United Nations to reaffirm Resolution 181 and hold all its members accountable for respecting it.  Resolution 181 established two sovereign States, not one.  It is time to face the facts and return to the terms and conditions that graciously permitted Israel and Palestine to co-exist in the modern world.  If Israel cannot agree to her birthright, then perhaps she needs to surrender it.

And the United States had better refresh its memory and realize that this was the solution it endorsed in 1947 when she cast the deciding vote to usher in this era.  To deny it now would be to call into question American integrity in the International Community.

G. D. Gehr

November 3, 2011

All Men Are Created Equal, Except.....

It has been called "the immortal declaration".  Five simple words that played such a vital role to ignite the flames of revolution.  One solitary phrase that changed the course of history.  "All men are created equal..."

The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence actually begins with this sentence:

            "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, than among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

Lofty ideals, written by a slave owner!  Therein lies the first clue that these words were to be interpreted in the most subjective form.  Two of the five words in question are particularly important.  How one defines them determines how the rest of the document is to be interpreted.  The featured words are "Men" and "Equal".

"All men" is generally thought to represent the whole of humanity.  But when it came to the right to vote, a right the American Revolutionists based their dissention with Great Britain upon, Jefferson and his co-conspirators denied this right to women and slaves.  Not only so, but when the Constitution of the United States was adopted years later, this elite group created the Electoral College as a means to maintain the power to choose a President within the hands of those smart enough to make the wise choice.  Thus while only white men could vote, not all white men could be trusted to vote wisely.  Therefore, in theory at least, these less educated, less wealthy men could only vote for an "elector", someone they could trust to make the difficult and important decision regarding who should become President.  These electors, then, would meet after the general election and would cast the official votes for President.

It would appear that "All men are created equal, except..." if they happen to be anything other than a well-educated, wealthy white male.

"Equal" is equally subjective.  Equal in what way?  Obviously, not when it comes to voting.  Nor with regards to slavery, as has already been noted.  Not all men were treated equally during the American Revolution, either.  For example, there was a printer from Germantown, Pennsylvania by the name of Christopher Sauer, Jr.  Because of his religious beliefs he was opposed to all violence, including wars of any nature.  Thus he was not supportive of the American Revolution, believing instead that Christians should "submit...to the governing authorities... The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.  (Romans 13:1, 2   NIV)".  As you might guess this did not sit well with the Revolutionists.  The fact that Sauer was a printer also meant he was in competition with another printer named Benjamin Franklin.  That is believed to have influenced his fate.  In 1778 he was considered "an enemy of the State".  He was arrested and asked to take an oath of loyalty to the State of Pennsylvania.  Again, based on religious beliefs, he refused, quoting Jesus who said "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not break your oath"... but I say to you do not swear at all.  (Matthew 5: 33-34).

Consequently, Christopher Sauer, Jr. was beaten and tortured by the colonial authorities simply because he would not swear by oath to remain absolutely loyal to the Revolutionary Cause.  He committed no other crime, nor was he charged with anything.  Yet listen to his own account of his ordeal.

            "They frequently struck me in the back with their bayonets till they brought me to Bastian Miller's barn, where they kept me till next morning.  Then they strip'd me naked to the skin and gave me an old shirt and breeches so much torn that I could hardly cover my private parts, then cut my beard and hair and painted me with oil colors red and black, and led me along barefooted and bareheaded in a very hot sunshiny day."

He remained under arrest for four days before successfully appealing to George Washington and released.  However, he was soon arrested again.  This time all of his personal property, including his printing press, was confiscated and sold at auction in August 1778.  He was permitted to keep only his spectacles.  Christopher Sauer, Jr. lived out the rest of his life in poverty. ¹ 

As you can see, "all men are created equal, except...". if they do not agree politically with the popular persuasion.

Things haven't changed all that much in the past 233 years.  The "inalienable rights" are still denied, though the target group may have changed.  There are many subcultures within American Society that can rightfully claim they are the object of prejudice.  Muslims, blacks, Hispanics, the poor, gays & lesbians, and Native Americans can all make worthy arguments.  I stand in solidarity with them.  I also would add another group to the list:  The disabled.

Persons with disabilities have long been denied the basic rights the rest of us take for granted.  Things have certainly improved in the past 25 years or so, but we have a long way to go.  As a general rule of thumb I would say that socially things have improved dramatically.  Building codes now require accommodations be included for the physically disabled.  By and large people are becoming better educated and more empathic toward disabled citizens.  These conditions are to be commended.

However, it should be noted that the average citizen does not have to pay out of pocket for these accommodations, which may explain why such concessions are made so voluntarily.  It doesn't really cost us anything to smile or greet a young man with Down's Syndrome.  And while we may silently huff at having to surrender the nearest parking space because it has a blue wheelchair painted on it, we will concede that a person in a wheelchair or one dependent upon a walker probably should be allowed to park there.  Again, what does it really cost us?

Unfortunately, the song changes once the wallet becomes involved.  And the chorus becomes louder during times of recession.

There are a few areas of life in particular that we would rather ignore, if possible.  One such topic is EDUCATION.  Education is an expensive concern nowadays.  No doubt about it.  The educational demands of those with special needs becomes increasingly expensive.  For one thing they require closer supervision, thus the student to staff ration must be strikingly smaller than in the typical classroom.  Whereas a mainstream elementary classroom might have one teacher for 25 - 30 students, their special education counterparts may need to have one staff for every 4 - 8 students.  Additionally, there is a need for a wider variety of specialties.  In addition to the teacher there are commonly Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Psychologists, Behavioral Specialists, Therapeutic Support Staff persons, Companion Aides, Social Workers and Teacher Aides included in the routine education of a special needs/disabled student.  And of course each of these persons expect to be paid a salary. 

Another cost of Special Education that is often overlooked is transportation.  Nearly all of these students require special accommodations in order to be transported to and from school 180 days a year.  This is typically accomplished by using a fleet of vans, as opposed to buses.  Some of these vehicles need to be equipped for wheelchairs, but most do not.  Still, because of the behavioral needs of the students or their sensitivity requirements they are not able to be transported on the usual school bus with some 50 other students and only one adult who doubles as the driver.

Secondly there is the cost of MEDICAL/HEALTH CARE.  Without exception these persons, regardless of their age, have much higher medical expenses than most of us will ever dream of.  Therefore, persons with special needs qualify for Medical Assistance (M.A.).  This is covered under the program called Medicaid.  Without Medical Assistance most families with a disabled child could never afford the health care necessary to meet the child's needs.  When the disabled person reaches adulthood, the problems intensify.  Many health insurance policies will not cover adult dependants, or if they do, there is an obvious increase in premium that may be too much for families to bear.  At the same time the disabled person typically finds employment options are non-existent, resulting in no employer-sponsored health care plan.  It becomes absolutely vital that the government intervenes on behalf of these persons.

As I already alluded to, the next logical concern involves EMPLOYMENT.  Disabled persons come in all varieties of abilities and skills.  To assume that a disabled person cannot support his or herself is a mistake.  Many cannot.  But some can, with the proper training and support mechanisms.  This is where Vocational Rehabilitation comes into play.  Vocational Rehabilitation is a process of education and professional training in a closely supervised environment.  Many candidates will remain in Vocational Rehabilitation for most or all of their life.  Naturally such a program involves a cost - - an enrollment fee, if you will, to cover the cost of staff salaries and facility expenses.  In turn, candidates receive a paycheck in proportion to the work they are able to do.

A good number of these candidates eventually are able to move out of the Vocational Rehab facility and onto some form of Customized or Competitive Employment.  Frequently these will require a Job Coach in the beginning to teach them their new responsibilities but the Coach withdraws as the candidate masters the job.  In short order the disabled employee functions successfully as a contributing member of society.  Because disabled employees tend to be highly loyal and dependable workers, this proves to be a win-win proposition for all.  Wise employers with open minds reap the benefits of such a program.

Unfortunately, less than 20 % of disabled persons are provided such an opportunity.  This is not because of a lack of ability.  Rather it is due to a closed minded stereotypical response on the part of too many employers who associate the label "disabled" with "unqualified; bothersome; unproductive; lazy".  Thus, the disabled community continues to work in Vocational Rehabilitation if they are lucky enough to find a way to pay for being a part of such a program.  If they cannot secure the funding, they have no hope for employment of any kind.

Finally there is the need for HOUSING.  Where will these dependent persons live?  Most people assume they will live with their families.  At the same time the ones making that assumption would never consider allowing their own adult children to live at home and be totally dependent upon them.  But I suppose its OK as long as it doesn't directly affect us, right?  Now understand, many families happily take on the responsibility of continuing to provide for their adult child who is disabled or has a special need.  But for how long?  There comes a time when the parents themselves need to be cared for, or they simply cannot outlive their adult children.  Then what happens?  Without an adequate income the disabled person requires assistance from someone.  Once again, there is a cost involved.

So here is the point of this lengthy article.  ALL MEN ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL.  This is the reality of life - - no matter how much we may want it to be otherwise.  There are far too many people who are not treated equally when it comes to EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, EMPLOYMENT, and HOUSING.  In these days of economic distress, unbalanced budgets, and high public debt everyone is screaming for financial responsibility.  "Reduce government spending" is the battle cry these days.  "No new taxes" becomes the mantra of the masses.  But in the quest for financial responsibility does anyone stop to give any consideration to person-centered responsibility?  How easy it is to declare "We must reduce government spending."  I do not necessarily disagree with that.  But the question is:  how?  Where I stand we cannot begin to reduce spending for programs involving the support of the disabled population who are unable to support themselves.  In fact, the plain truth is we must INCREASE spending in these areas.

Yes, you hear me correctly.  I am calling for an increase in government spending for the necessary support to individuals with disabilities and special needs.  We must provide more resources for education, health care (Medical Assistance), employment, and housing.  These people deserve that.  I am calling for an increase because what we are currently providing is not nearly enough.  Too many are3 being denied the services they need to live a reasonable life because the funds are not there.  And already cuts are being made to these vital programs resulting in a greater number of persons losing benefits.

It is so simple to say we must reign in government spending.  But of course, everyone wants to cut the budget items that do not affect them personally.  So do not think of cutting veterans' benefits or defense spending, because that touches the lives of virtually every American either directly or indirectly, we are told.  And public employees must continue to have their inflated benefits for healthcare and pension services even if it is at the expense of the mentally retarded person who doesn't realize what's going on.  Since that person likely won't vote, what difference will it make?  Who is going to lose sleep wondering where the paraplegic will live after his parents are dead?  Certainly not John Q. Public.

I wonder if the followers and the promoters of Right Wing politics ever give any reasonable thought to the outrageous claims and demands they endorse.  What bothers me the most is the vast number of self-proclaimed Christians who are leading the charge in this "Cut-Back Craze".   How do they reconcile their devotion to Jesus, the all-time champion of the poor and disabled, with their blind refusal to consider the needs of these people.  In their frenzied call to balance the Federal budget (and the State budget, too) without increasing any taxes they are in fact declaring that they want to make drastic reductions in human services (because we all know they certainly will not touch defense spending).  Again, as long as it does not affect me, why should I care?  So the reasoning appears to be.

The hard and difficult reality is that budget cuts have a human face.  It is the face of the poor, and the face of the disabled.  I have a hard time looking them in the eye and saying, "I'm sorry, but my $300,000 home and $55,000 car and $1,200 health club membership and employer-sponsored health care policy and $2.5 million Church Budget and $18,000 annual private school tuition for my 3 small kids and $1,500 child care fees and [fill in the blank] are more important than YOU!  Go in peace - - oh, and God bless you!"

The words of Jesus are incredibly relevant for today:

"Then (the king) will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'  (Matthew 25:41 - 45  NIV)"

All men are created equal, except....?

¹  Information obtained from Martin Brumbaugh's A History of the German Baptists Brethren In Europe and America.  1899.

gdgehr

October 29, 2011

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