How to reconcile what we hear, see, feel.

Let’s get this out of the way. I am old. I was in High School in the 80’s. So when I think back to things we were taught when the Cold War was still going on, and the USSR was transitioning to Russia… I can’t help but remember the things we were taught in World History. Thanks Mr. Yarbrough.

This is flooding over me this morning as I rerun the interview I saw last night on Tucker Carlson. As I tuned in kind of expecting a commercial for Russia full of propaganda, what I really experienced was a history lesson that reminded me very much of the history I had been taught before. There was a consistency in the tone and delivery of Vladimir Putin that quite honestly, I feel we are missing with leadership today.

The internal struggle for many Americans as they watch this interview, and I am spit-balling here, is “How does the guy we are supposed to dislike so much seem so rational?”.

In order to process what I am really thinking, you should know I haven’t had much trust in any level of leadership in the United States for a while now.

In my opinion:

• The pandemic was man-made
• The United States funded the research that caused the pandemic in a country they tell us is our enemy
• Our leadership does extensive personal business with China and other countries they tell us are our enemy
• A decade ago, if you would have told me that powerful and famous people flocked to an island to abuse children, I would have called you crazy…
• Sane people that know things commit suicide a lot in this country
• The vaccine (Covid 19) is not safe and effective (and they knew it, and they continue to push it in pursuit of revenue)
• Electric Vehicles, Windmills, and much of Solar is complete folly and propaganda
• Carbon increase in the atmosphere followed global warming, not the other way around
• Joe Biden did not get 85 million votes from legit Americans voting
• Bidenomics is not working
• Most initiatives with adjectives are lying (Productive Healthcare, Gender Affirming Care, etc. )

When my head is swirling with “Why do we sell foods here that are banned in other countries?”, and “Why do we allow corporations to bottle water, assume water rights, then charge people for the water that used to be accessible?” (Not just America – see Africa for this one), “Why do we shut down oil production in the US then burn an excessive amount of it to import here at a higher price?”… then it stands to reason that I am open to hearing what others have to say.

In the interview, Putin talks about the fall of the USSR, and the end of the Cold War. I remember that. I was alive and old enough to remember these things. What he said about that period completely made sense.

He said, and I am paraphrasing here… We as a people expected that once the Cold War had ended, we could put down our differences and join the world economy, and society. Our experience did not match our expectations. Instead, we were shunned, left out, and isolated in many respects.

When he talked about that, it hit me hard. I mean, we interact with Germany, Japan, and even China at high levels, but always culturally held a sense of disdain for Russia. I believe Putin is correct in this sentiment. Why is that? Let us not forget we fought on the same side at times against Germany, but we resumed relations with Germany much more than Russia.

Certainly, as recently as 2016-17 a prominent member of leadership further amplified this sentiment with her made-up story of Russian Collusion with Trump to overturn the election. We spent millions of dollars examining the Stelle Dossier and dragging a current President through a ton of nonsense and mainstream media circus acts only to find out it was a campaign trick. Yet, nobody seems held accountable, and the sentiment left in the air and on the tongue of a great many Americans is that association with Russia is bad.

We point to things that are distasteful to us in Russia, while our campuses are hosting Palestinian Support rallies. This is a lack of alignment.

So I listened intently to the things that President Putin discussed. He pointed to historical instances where Russia sought peace and the NATO countries either chose not to honor the agreements made or cancelled the agreements at the last moment. These were historical instances and can be verified. Now we are forced to ask ourselves “Who do we trust more, the people who lied to us about the pandemic, healthcare, diet, environment, social justice, and free speech… or do we trust this guy who is calmly and educatedly discussing historical matters?”.

When he is interviewed and point blank states he is open to negotiation, but points to his combatants and reminds us that they have forbidden negotiation… that is alarming.

Who forbade the leader of Ukraine from negotiating on behalf of his own country? When the Industrial Military complex has so much to earn, and the United States has given so much untraceable cash to Ukraine… it doesn’t look good on the world stage when President Putin says he has been open to resolution this whole time.

This is a mess.

Do I have faith that Biden is strong enough in his leadership to clean it up? Nope. In his weakness, he has sucked us into conflict on another part of the world’s stage.

Is There Hope?

There is always hope. As a believer in God, Christ, and His Spirit I believe that all things work for God’s good (even the horrible things). As I have written in the book Action Leadership From the Edge, I believe that each of us is called to a natural position of influence and leadership. It is when we abstain from these calls that we create gaps in leadership. These gaps can then be filled un-naturally. This is where we get leadership and circumstances that are out of alignment.

People need to recognize their calling and step up. No matter how small that call may be, the implications are huge. Just 2-weeks ago, my daughter received an Instagram DM from a young man in California. He asked if she was related to me. She was a bit gun-shy and cautious but started to chat with this young man. He went on to say that I was his small group leader at Church Youth Group and had made a large impact on his life.

One, it’s rewarding to hear that, and such a blessing. Two, that influence is now his to pay forward and amplify. It’s the little things. The more our society embraces the positive small things, the more we will recognize when outward actions lack alignment and call BS on them. It’s time to step up, for all of us.

Specific Leadership Examples that seem out of alignment

• Fauci – he botched HIV, so we put him in charge of everything health-related?
• Hillary Clinton – We all saw her marriage in the White House and still let her climb that ladder to Secretary of State?
• Kamala Harris – Failed in California to represent the people over her own agenda and now not even endorsed by her own party in her current role as VP
• Biden – No description necessary
• Newsom – Survived a vibrant recall campaign and is now positioning a Presidential run?
• Nicky Haley – Taking left-wing donations and swinging left while trying to leverage the right-side vote
• The Pope – abandoning scripture in pursuit of social norms and referring to things as progressive

When we look at the rise of many of these people, the root cause analysis is that many were unchallenged. Or for those that challenged, they gave up too quickly. Watching the interview last night, I couldn’t help but think…

We’re down to Biden, Haley, and Trump for the 2024 election. How in the *_#@ did we get here as a nation? Then I looked to the screen and saw Tucker Carlson interviewing someone who referenced history well, was articulate, calm, and spoke of peace. Yes, I’ll be the first to admit, as an American I am confused. Maybe that is their play?