As this day draws to a close I find myself immersed in the significance of its historic value. In addition to being Martin Luther King, Jr., Day January 17, 2011 also serves as an overlooked anniversary. Both events deserve consideration.
Today is the fiftieth anniversary of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's "Farewell Speech" from public office. On January 17, 1961 Ike gave what is clearly among the most important and memorable Presidential speeches of all time. Commonly referred to as "The Military-Industrial Complex" Speech, it contained the outgoing two-term President's warning of the growing influence held by certain industrial giants who grew quite rich and, by extension, extremely influential over the very entity it was expected to serve: The American Public.
The speech is made all the more compelling when we consider the speaker. Not only was Eisenhower completing two terms as President of the United States, a position which, in itself, demands our respect, but he was himself a five-star general. Surely if anyone was qualified to speak on the subject of military spending and the insanity of defense contracts it was the man affectionately known as "Ike". Having served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces during World War II, Eisenhower the General was fully aware of the immensity of the situation. He knew all too well how vast the resources of the American military arsenal had become. As a two-term President during the tense and, at times, fear-driven years of Cold War buildup in the 1950's, Eisenhower the Politician understood how the whole of the American power structure was being dictated by the huge companies that were on the receiving end of the government's frenzied effort to out-do the Soviet Union in the newly defined world of stockpiling weapons and gaining an edge in technology.
Dwight Eisenhower was perhaps underrated as a visionary leader. Clearly he was more than a popular war hero. His dream of establishing an effective Interstate Highway system across the continent helped pave the way for future development and growth. Perhaps as a result of his military background and training, Ike was unusually perceptive in analyzing the contributing factors in complex trends. He seemingly understood that a nation's greatness could not be measured by the size of its nuclear arsenal, but by the concern it demonstrated for such basic rights as a sound education, the promotion of health initiatives, and a general commitment to a constructive, rather than destructive, lifestyle and economy. Interestingly, I find a certain trail-blazing quality in Eisenhower's approach to life that perhaps helped to lay the foundation for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s , rise to prominence as a Civil Rights Leader in the decade that followed.
I am not familiar with Eisenhower's views on civil liberties and racial equality. That is an area I need to research someday. Nevertheless, I am somewhat inspired and certainly impressed that today, at this crucial time in history, we pause to remember both the prophetic voice of caution and military accountability with the peaceful, non-violent vision of Dr. King's dream to build a world of respect and dignity for all humanity. This holistic approach begs to be revisited in 2011 and beyond. President Barak Obama has a tremendous opportunity to build on the tradition of Eisenhower and King. We need someone who can lead us into a new decade of unity and cooperation while refusing to submit to the oppressive and economically destructive influence of the military-industrial complex that continued to hold a suffocating grip on the American economy.
As Christians we need to grasp the implications of the trends of this day. Our role in the public arena must be far more than that of a cheerleader clinging to political clichés and stubbornly promoting a one-sided agenda. Let the Church of Jesus find its voice of prophecy and rise to the challenge of the times by leading the way in modeling a life of respect, harmony, good will and above all peace. Let us recapture the vision of our Lord Jesus, who sought to bring healing to the sick, dignity to the outcast, strength to the weak and humility to the proud.
Now as much as ever we need to take a good hard look at ourselves. We need to revisit the challenges presented by Eisenhower and King. Are we content to remain a nation of division? Will we continue to be polarized by ideological differences, racial inequalities, economic influences, and misguided religious passion? How long can we continue to ignore the cries of the helpless, the frustration of the disabled, the pain and shame of the abused, and the sufferings of the poor? Jesus refused to look the other way. Let us commit ourselves to continuing his legacy by renewing our loyalty to Him above all others, and by looking at others through His eyes.
-gdg 01/17/2011
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