it is no coincidence or strange happening that the voices of the people who know righteousness are silent in the face of public deceit and criminal intent in high places. Little children know that the leaders of the nations are selfish, brutish, ignorant and corrupt. There is no jurisdiction where bad things are not happening. We have come from a tradition – African Diaspora – where consciousness began with hard questions about identity and the function of justice. The case of Nathan, a prophet in King David’s house, illustrates a missing element in bringing truth to bear in the halls of power.

We have leaders who seem eager and ready to throw the library at wrongdoing in the church but never have even a “small rebuke” to the people who oppress us in the courts of justice and rob us blind of our wages, and they love to be called ‘man of God’.

Courage! Are you still with us?

We know what our leaders have done and someone – just one – must have the courage to tell the story to them. You think? Nathan told David’s story to David. The king’s response is legendary.

And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD lives, the man that has done this thing shall surely die: 6. And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7. And Nathan said to David, You are the man. Thus said the LORD God of Israel, I anointed you king over Israel…

2 Samuel 12:5-7a

IS THERE a general, a great economist or person of scientific or medical expertise who dares to tell the truth? Is there only one lawyer who knows the score and has courage to tell? Where are the Nathans? What will become of the dumb prophets near the throne? For now they are comfortable sitting in the seats of power. Waking up or standing up seems delayed.

The gloating bigot in the White House is trying to show there is no blood on those pleading palms. His talking points can do nothing to turn back the plague and do not change his very public incompetence. Maybe his evangelical prophets and commandment-keeping sycophants have convinced him that the plagues included a scorching sun. Perhaps his sun-allergy has not taught him that heat kills people. There is no bleeding heart behind these hands that seem to say “Look, can’t you see I got this?”

“We have this under control” sounds a lot like “what he’s done for others he’ll do for you”. “Open for business” is simply more prostitute lingo. What’s he going to do: forcefeed the population his miracle drug?

If we have learned anything about oppressive business and phony worship and nationalism it is that overturning vendor tables and throwing out moneychangers was the least the administration’s problems of Judea in New Testament times. If we really are wondering “what lesson” and want the facts, does what’s left of Judea look like a blessed-above-all nations? Who wants to live in a community where history rubs one’s face in the grime of human deceit?

What pie- in-the-sky grunge will the omnipotent toad of Mar a Lago invent when the economy falls – and it will – back into the abyss it came from? The Democrats did it?

Pity those “journalists” whose questions the bigot loves, and who say nothing when one of the pool gets an insult from the chief of America’s fine racists.

Cheer loudly for the journalists labelled fake because they pursue the facts and shake the criminal empire of 45 to its core. He has never been more exposed as incompetent and malicious as when he says “I’m not a doctor“? Duh! Perhaps he should to his admissions human, lover, leader, and thief.

“Just try this drug any way”. What do Americans have to lose? Their lives – that’s a thing people need to pursue liberty and happiness.

Wash your hands and take your hydroxychloroquine, please.