Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

May 26, 2011

After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?s address to a joint session of Congress, several conservative media commentators complained that Vice President Biden didn?t applaud with the same vigor displayed by most in attendance.

No, seriously. This was treated as a controversy by many of the Obama administration?s right-leaning critics.

This brings to mind the fact that the Soviet Politburo was required to render at least ten minutes of applause at the end of each speech by Stalin in order to display their devotion to the Dear Leader. Being the first to stop applauding could result in a quick one-way trip to the basement dungeon at the KGB?s Lubyanka Square headquarters.

Such dictated devotion to any ruler is deadly. In this case at least some elements of the American Right are promoting a leader cult involving a foreign head of government. It wouldn?t be surprising to see some conservatives displaying bumper stickers reading: ?Benjamin Netanyahu is MY President.? There is already a bumper sticker declaring that ?Real Americans defend Israel.?

Real Americans defend the Constitution ? not any regime, or any ruler ? whether foreign or domestic.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.