"America is Great Because America Is Good"

French writer Alexis de Tocqueville  visited America in 1831.  He was fascinated by it.  He was intrigued by it.  He could not understand why there was so much order and so much respect for the law.  He wrote much about the greatness of America, but the following paragraph condenses his attitude toward America.

 "I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning--and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution--and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"

I just have two questions:  Who is the greatest teacher of  "good"?  If America is great because it is good, does it not stand to reason that somehow, America had to be taught how to be "good."?

"To Spare Servetus............"

Why did John Calvin have Michael Servetus martyred......burned at the stake?  Because Servetus did not believe in the trinity, and he spoke against it.  Calvin had written a booklet in defense of the trinity.  Because Servetus spoke against it, Calvin argued "that to spare Servetus would endanger the souls of many."  A Christian scholar by the name of Sebastian Castelio wrote an essay entitled "Contra Libellum Calvini," (Against Calvin's booklet).  Here is part of what he wrote, and I agree one-hundred per-cent:  "To kill a man is not to protect a doctrine; but to kill a man.  When the Genevans killed Servetus, they did not defend a doctrine; they but killed a man.  If Servetus had wished to kill Calvin, the Magistrate would have properly defended Calvin.  But when Servetus fought with reasons and writings, he should have been repulsed by reasons and writings."

Pregnant Teen And Elderly Person Pepper Sprayed

It is risky going to a demonstration. It is risky going to a concert. Sometimes people get trampled to death. It is risky going to a Dodgers, Giants baseball game. It is risky going to a Charger, Raider football game. Please be mindful that a police officer is not to blame for one's unhappiness with the economy. Pregnant women and the elderly need to be mindful of their safety. Yes, they have rights, but let us be realistic. Among those protesters are the homeless and hard core criminals. Why should one be victimized? There are many ways to be a political activist, not just via demonstration. Don't be unkind to a police officer. He/she is just doing the job he or she was assigned to do. The pregnant and the elderly have their priorities. So do the police. Please do not assign yourself to victimhood.