Comments on: UPDATED: A Vote For Chile’s President

By: Barbara Grant

Barbara Grant — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 23:40:11 +0000

There was a time in American history when those in positions of power thanked God for difficult military victories or feats accomplished. As recently as 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts, first to orbit the Moon, read from Genesis on Christmas Eve: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqQdP5328FY&feature=related

Those times are long gone in America. Rather than seeking God during times of trial, we have leaders like Obama (and of course, not only he) seeking to figure out “whose ass to kick” when a destructive event takes it toll. That is not leadership; it is reality TV, with its accompanying flamboyance, narcissism, and total ineffectiveness.

The Chileans, fortunately, did not learn from our recent examples. Much of their nation sought God during the miners’ 69 day trial, and their President was at the forefront, not seated behind some desk in Santiago commanding underlings. It’s interesting that no earthquake occurred during the time of the miners’ captivity to hamper rescue efforts, particularly since Chile is one of the most earthquake-active locations on the planet. Even a small quake in that area might have sealed the miners’ fate. God elevates the humble, and humbles the proud.

By: Ingemar

Ingemar — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 22:43:00 +0000

A few days ago, the dweebs at NPR were claiming that the rescued miners’ interaction with the President were staged by the Chilean government. I don’t know what to make of that, given that no President of ours in recent memory ever came off as genuine to me.

But they also said the Chilean gov’t forbade any foreign media from being at the site of the rescue. I wonder if that’s true?

By: Mike Marks

Mike Marks — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:43:04 +0000

I was impressed on at least a couple of fronts. The first was that the miners, the families, the rescue team, and the Chilean president were not ashamed of expressing their Christian faith. Secondly I was impressed by the teamwork displayed by the rescuers, the engineers, technitions, and many others who helped in the rescue effort. Finally I was impressed with the Chilean president. I’ll have to admit when I started watching the rescue I honestly didn’t realize that one of the men I was watching was the Chilean president.

By: Donald Schell

Donald Schell — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:27:12 +0000

Dear Ilana:
Thank you for your insightful commentary on a great story. The differing styles of leadership by ‘our’ leaders compared to that of President Sebastian Piñera of Chile was well illustrated. The cultural strength of Chileans in this crisis was truly impressive.

By: Myron Pauli

Myron Pauli — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:12:37 +0000

It is interesting how the nations that experienced communism first hand (Chile, Estonia, Czech, and even China) seem to be running the fastest away from socialist economics even as America plunges headfirst towards socialism.

Republican socialist version: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=215325

And a list of the things the Republicans will not do after they take over (partially because they cannot do some and mainly because they will not do so):
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=215697

Pinera and much of his cabinet were schooled in libertarian economics and/or worked at free-market think tanks – how much OPPOSITE to “community activist” Obama and orthogonal to most Republicans as well.

But, perhaps, we can claim that Cecilia Morel Montes said “for the first time, I am truly proud of my country”!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:50:42 +0000

Wonderfully said, Ilana. That was one of the most beautiful moments in history.

By: james huggins

james huggins — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:54:46 +0000

Dignity, class, common sense and a belief in God. Chile obviously has a long way to go.

By: Philip Budden

Philip Budden — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 07:20:39 +0000

Dear Ilana,
Brilliant. You weren’t the only one to notice this.
only yesterday I wrote this mail to a friend.
See below.
best wishes,
Phil

Like everyone else I was interested to follow the recovery of the Chilean miners.

What was more interesting was to compare the response of the Chilean government and people with that of America’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
They were both types of mining companies and they both had accidents probably due to safety procedures being not adhered to. But the response of the people was completely different.

The Chilean government ministers were straight away on the site to get the problem solved. In America it took ages before the government got involved.
When they did get involved, Obama’s aim was not to see what he could do to help the people or understand the problem, but to put blame on those already doing their best to solve the problem, then talk about who could be sued for what.

During the time they were down the mine, the miners had regular prayers.

When they came out, many of the miners wore teeshirts saying “Thankyou Lord”. Others got on their knees and lifted their hands to heaven with thanks. Another said that he put his trust in God and said that the devil was trying to destroy him, but he thanked the Lord.

I might not have heard that here, but I did not hear public thanks to God for the oil spill in the Gulf being as big as it could have been or being stopped.

There is obviously more sense of God’s favour in Chilean than in the American government.

Best wishes,

Phil