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Just when you think you've seen it all...you haven't.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spent the weekend lecturing and condemning the United States over the tensions in Ferguson, Missouri.
The Ayatolla was not only speaking to the press, but was on Facebook and Twitter accusing the US of claiming to support human rights even as "people are deprived of a sense of security only because they have dark skins."
He said, "This is not about the past...50 or 100 years ago...It is about today and the major cities of the United States."
Does anyone in America believe we need a lecture from the Ayatolla on morality and human rights?
Apparently some do, as they are advancing a narrative that is very similar to that of the Ayatolla's on the matter in Ferguson, Missouri.
A memo from Jam Wallis' religious left SoJourners seems to indicate they have already tried the case, at least in their own minds.
Their statement begins with, "I'm angry..."
Clearly the Ayatolla is trying to exploit this issue in Ferguson and further divide America with the intent of destroying the country. He has been clear about Iran's intentions toward both Israel and the US.
But what is Jim Wallis and his religious left cohorts trying to accomplish?
CNS News reported yesterday that the Muslim leader is continuing to rehearse a long list of injustices committed over time in America. You can read his comments in the linked story.
President Obama took a brief break from his vacation and returned to Washington. He announced yesterday afternoon that Attorney General Eric Holder would be going to Ferguson this week to meet with DOJ and FBI investigators.
To his credit, the president said, "It's clear that a vast majority of people are peaceful protesters. It's also clear that some people are not."
"Giving in to that anger by looting or carrying guns, and even attacking police...undermines rather than advances justice," he said.
The president said, "We are a nation of laws."
That is true.
We are also a nation torn along the lines of moral issues, but America is still good.
America, as a whole, is not racist and we are not driven by hate.
Our country has been at this place before and with God's guidance and blessing, America has done the right thing in the past and we will do the right thing again.
Most Americans are not seeking guidance from the Ayatolla, clearly he is trying to exploit the issue in Ferguson.
But what is Jim Wallis and his Sojourners thinking?
Their memo begins, "I'm angry that Michael Brown is dead. I'm angry that his death is just the latest in a long line of injustices against young men of color. I'm angry about the militarized response, callous actions, and defection of responsibility by the police in Ferguson and public officials."
Grow up Jim.
This country is a good country, not a bad country.
And to the Ayatolla: We've endured lengthy lectures about America's history of slavery before you came along. We've already heard about our defects and excesses. We have a president who has traveled through your part of the world apologizing for America's past, but not all of us agree with him.
History gives another view of this country.
America has gone further than any other society in establishing equal rights for ethnic minorities.
In your country, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would be imprisoned or killed for doing what they do here.
There is nothing distinctively American about slavery or bigotry. Slavery has existed in virtually every culture in history, including your own. Western civilization...America in particular, is the only country to mount a principled campaign against slavery. No country has ever expended more blood and treasure to abolish slavery than the United States.
Please don't lecture us while your country kills Christians because they are Christians.
America is the freest and most virtuous nation on earth.
Some Islamic leaders accuse America of being given to vice and vulgarity, using those who live their lives in that way as examples of what's wrong with America. These Islamic leaders argue that Islam is morally superior to the United States because they seek to foster virtue among citizens. Virtue, they argue, is a higher principle than liberty.
Indeed it is and in a free society, some will choose to use their freedom badly. But if freedom brings out the worst in people, it also brings out the best.
Millions of Americans choose virtue over vice as a lifestyle. Their virtue is special. It is personal, because they have chosen it. Many of us believe God is our personal source of life and virtue and goodness.
Coerced virtues are not virtues at all. The woman who is forced to wear a veil, is not necessarily virtuous. There is no modesty in this, because she is forced to do so. Compulsion cannot produce virtue, it can only produce the outward semblance of virtue.
America is the most generous nation in the history of the world. Americans have helped more people more times than any other country in history.
America is also morally superior to theocratic and authoritarian regimes that seek to destroy America, because we freely choose to do good and correct our mistakes.
America is not perfect, and in more recent years we have not chosen good leadership, but we are still free to choose. And we will do better next time.
Rather than rail about the speck in America's eye, perhaps you might take notice of the plank in your own.
And to Jim Wallis--get over it. It is only because America is so good and so free that we tolerate your anger over an issue that is yet to be fully investigated and resolved.
Be Grateful. Be Blessed. Be Prayerful.