GlocalNet

If politically you don’t need to meet with the Dali Lama for various reasons we don’t all know - you have to make that call.  That’s why we have a President.  But to meet with someone, and treat them with disrespect like that - I’m disappointed.  As one who prays for you, and believes in you - though not always agreeing with you - you disappointed many me.

The greatest Christian I ever knew was a man named C.U. Callihan who lived to be 83.  My brothers and sisters grew up thinking he was our grandfather.  He was a single old bachelor and a tank driver during World War II who was a drunk but became a Christian.  His whole life changed.  Though he was of meager means, he had come from a wealthy family and he blew all he had on alcohol.  He lived in a small house and would welcome everyone.  Only, when African Americans came to see him to mow his yard or whatever, they would come to the back door.  One day, he was convicted that this practice was wrong - and told them to start coming to the front door.  As a little, fat, white boy hearing that story had a huge impact on me.  He was teaching me dignity and respect for every human being.  Another time I remember in Beaumont, Texas, a poor old African American lady had gone to the back of the store to get all the rotten produce to take home for her family.  Walking out front she stumbled and fell with all the rotten food spilling out.  People were just staring, and smirking - but my dad looked and me and my brother and said, “Come on boys - let’s help the lady.” 

I pastor a church where many African Americans come - they come through the same door everyone else comes in.  You broke my heart, Mr. President.  Our country has come a long way - we now have an African American President; You.  Many in my congregation helped put you there.  Never in a million years would I expect the indignity of how African Americans were treated in our country to be emulated by our first African American President by showing someone the back door.  When the cameras caught it happening, what was the response of the Dali Lama?  He was smiling and waving.  A class act of a man. 

You have to respond to this.  Your two daughters are watching you - being a good Father is the greatest job you will ever have. Your mother-in-law, whose hand you held the night you were elected and her husband who is deceased and suffered the indignities of racism deserves better.  You must set a new tone in our nation.  I don’t know if that was from you or your staff - but I do know and believe that you’re better than that. 

The solution - publicly apologize for showing the Dali Lama the back door.  Be honest with people. Tell them what’s going on.  Our economy is in a mess, the Chinese helped bail us out, you don’t want to anger them and mess up what’s going on in the recovery so you did what you did as a result of that - or whatever reason it was.  Apologizing for what is wrong doesn’t make men weak, it makes them stronger - because we see their humanity and can identify with it.  It gives us confidence in our leaders because they are hearing us and show us that when they’ve gone in a wrong direction, they can swallow their pride, and do it.  Not apologizing for what is wrong when everyone sees it, is what makes us weak and not respected.  God knows, we’ve had enough of that. 

Father, I pray for President Obama today.  He has a heavy load on his shoulders.  The economy, the war, the partisanship - all of it - it is enough to run any man crazy.  Like all men, he is not a perfect man - but I believe he is a man who wants to do right.  I ask you to give him the courage to treat all men with respect and to set a new pattern for how every man is treated in our country.  Guide him, protect him, surround him with exceptional counselors, bless him, and use him for peace in our world.