As some of you already know, Marion Barry, current DC council member for Ward 8 was robbed a couple weeks ago.
If you don't already know, in 1990, he was that infamous politician who got caught for smoking crack while he was under police surveillance. For those outside the beltway and for some inside the beltway will think he received his just desserts for getting robbed. Absolutely notorious, eh?
However you feel about him, he was (at the time) a popular politician who did some GOOD for the down trodden citizens in the urban areas, if not for the entire city of DC. Definitely the fallen idol.
Although he did help DC disadvantaged communities and youth while he was in office, his current exploits as a council member show that he hasn't done anything new for the city. Of course, he has his die-hard supporters.
He created youth summer and intern programs and aid the locally disenfranchised. What has he done recently that young people would appreciate him now? For those he helped years ago are now adults with families.
Even though his own perceptions state that,- "there is a sort of an unwritten code in Washington, among the underworld and the hustlers and these other guys, that I am their friend,..."
The blogosphere is filled with opinions filled with bile as most people remember him as the person busted with drugs and did some unsavory stuff while he was serving as DC mayor.
I do feel a certain level of sympathy for the man. Don't get me wrong. He got caught and was tried, and he should serve his time. Yes, he is like all men, fallible.
A few hours ago, this article cited that Barry failed yet another drug test last November. It was determined that the test proved positive for cocaine. If this is true, what a shame. An online site states that he has been quiet since the drug test. This article hints about guilt.
Not only does this man need prayer, but those who robbed him need it too. Repentance and forgiveness are required. Although it may be a long wait, there is also hope. I guess that I don't want to believe that no man is ever unredeemable. No matter what the mistakes are.
Ultimately, individuals have to make choices, and, sometimes those choices have consequences for others as well. How will Mr Barry help out his constituents now? He may have to face pending legal action for violating probation.
"See no more visions!"
and to the prophets,
"Give us no more visions of what is right!
Tell us pleasant things,
prophesy illusions.
11Leave this way,
get off this path,
and stop confronting us
with the Holy One of Israel!"
12Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says:
"Because you have rejected this message,
relied on oppression
and depended on deceit,
13this sin will become for you
like a high wall, cracked and bulging,
that collapses suddenly, in an instant.
14It will break in pieces like pottery,
shattered so mercilessly
that among its pieces not a fragment will be found
for taking coals from a hearth
or scooping water out of a cistern."
15This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it.
16You said, 'No, we will flee on horses.'
Therefore you will flee!
You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.'
Therefore your pursuers will be swift!
17A thousand will flee
at the threat of one;
at the threat of five
you will all flee away,
till you are left
like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,
like a banner on a hill."
18Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
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