It's a Tough Call
I've been thinking about this year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia and honestly, I think it was a big mistake to send our athletes over there.
Yes, I think we should've boycotted.
Some might say, "But that's letting the terrorists 'win!'" Well, so what? Maybe we should concede this time. We have to consider the personal cost to our country if the terrorists follow through on their threats. They might be bluffing...but then again...they might not be. Remember, these people are ethically and morally bankrupt. They'd like nothing better than to stick it to the western world, the United States in particular, and they have nothing to lose in trying.
We already know a group of female suicide bombers has penetrated the perimeter despite Russia's promises that every precaution has been taken, and at least one of these women cannot be found. She could be anywhere, poised to strike at a moment of her choosing. Despite all our contingency plans, we can't account for that variable. If she is successful at killing even one of our own countrymen, it's one precious life too many, especially when we could've prevented it by keeping our own out of harm's way.
The Olympic games are supposed to be a peaceful, enjoyable competition amongst nations. They are not meant be used as a political arena, and that is exactly they have become...a political battle. I know our athletes have trained for years, putting in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to be ready for these games. I understand their deep desire to follow through and make the best of it. But in this situation, I feel that common sense has to rule the day. The stakes are too high, and the sensible thing to do would be to pull them out and send them home, away from the poisonous snakes that are coiled and ready to strike.
I'm certain some will disagree strongly with my opinion, and that's OK. I am not intimidated by it, and I'm not writing this in an effort to gain popularity. I wish to make the point that we should be doing more to protect our fellow Americans rather than hoping all our carefully-constructed safety measures will hold off the devil. The terrorists have proven themselves cunning, unpredictable, and dangerous. In my opinion, it is better to bring our American athletes home and be ridiculed for our caution, than to feel the sting of regret and sorrow later when some of our loved ones are lost to senseless violence.
I will be praying throughout these Olympics, and my prayer is that our Lord in Heaven will squash all attempts by the terrorists to harm our athletes. No matter how clever the terrorists think they are, they cannot outsmart God. Praise Him for that!
Yes, I think we should've boycotted.
Some might say, "But that's letting the terrorists 'win!'" Well, so what? Maybe we should concede this time. We have to consider the personal cost to our country if the terrorists follow through on their threats. They might be bluffing...but then again...they might not be. Remember, these people are ethically and morally bankrupt. They'd like nothing better than to stick it to the western world, the United States in particular, and they have nothing to lose in trying.
We already know a group of female suicide bombers has penetrated the perimeter despite Russia's promises that every precaution has been taken, and at least one of these women cannot be found. She could be anywhere, poised to strike at a moment of her choosing. Despite all our contingency plans, we can't account for that variable. If she is successful at killing even one of our own countrymen, it's one precious life too many, especially when we could've prevented it by keeping our own out of harm's way.
The Olympic games are supposed to be a peaceful, enjoyable competition amongst nations. They are not meant be used as a political arena, and that is exactly they have become...a political battle. I know our athletes have trained for years, putting in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to be ready for these games. I understand their deep desire to follow through and make the best of it. But in this situation, I feel that common sense has to rule the day. The stakes are too high, and the sensible thing to do would be to pull them out and send them home, away from the poisonous snakes that are coiled and ready to strike.
I'm certain some will disagree strongly with my opinion, and that's OK. I am not intimidated by it, and I'm not writing this in an effort to gain popularity. I wish to make the point that we should be doing more to protect our fellow Americans rather than hoping all our carefully-constructed safety measures will hold off the devil. The terrorists have proven themselves cunning, unpredictable, and dangerous. In my opinion, it is better to bring our American athletes home and be ridiculed for our caution, than to feel the sting of regret and sorrow later when some of our loved ones are lost to senseless violence.
I will be praying throughout these Olympics, and my prayer is that our Lord in Heaven will squash all attempts by the terrorists to harm our athletes. No matter how clever the terrorists think they are, they cannot outsmart God. Praise Him for that!