Rumor thrives in two environments. The first is obvious. When men who love to wag the tongue are so undisciplined that they refuse to confirm what they pass on, the ninth commandment is clearly broken. The environment is that which is established by the lying tongue. The world has always contained many who have loved to live in this way—and Christians condemn all such gossip, slander, libel, and wild speculation, particularly when it has to do with a "ruler of your people" (Acts 23:5).
But another breeding ground for rumor exists as well, and this is why we have seen such a remarkable explosion of astounding reports in recent years. This environment for rumor is created when the courts of justice have been hopelessly compromised and corrupted, and have been turned aside from their ordained and appointed use. When this happens, it means that those who have reasonable grounds to make an accusation are prevented from doing so by a conspiracy of factors—awareness of the futility of the endeavor, knowledge of the widespread corruption and bribery, real fear of being dismissed as a crank, concern about physical harm, and so forth. The throne of iniquity has no fellowship with God, and the righteous know that these guys are good at framing mischief through a law (Ps. 94:20). Anyone who believes that unbelieving secularism can have become the established faith in our nation without a gross corruption of the courts of justice simply does not understand the biblical teaching of antithesis. This is not written as a warning of things to come, but rather as a explanation of what has already occurred to us. Res agitur.
When someone cannot lawfully be charged with wrongdoing—even when plain and evident proof of that wrongdoing exists—then the available information seeks another route. Meantime, the one who is officially "bulletproof" believes he may conduct his affairs with a high hand because he knows he has the official system in his back pocket. This creates an abundant demand for information from those who disseminate it through the new channels. In our day, when the courts no longer settle anything that looks or smells like justice, the new channels are books by alternative publishers and internet newspapers.
When someone is bold enough to mention such things as will be mentioned below, he will be indignantly told that these are all unconfirmed internet rumors, none of this has been established in a court of law, no controlling legal authority . . ., etc. Quite so. We're sorry. So may we be permitted to present all this evidence in a court of law? No?
Our president is well-known for his sexual immorality and financial corruption. Tragically, this considered by itself does not make him unique among our presidents. But it must honestly be said that he has brought an old game to new levels of performance. In addition, in the minds of those whose understanding goes past what they hear from Peter Jennings, he is also under reasonable suspicion of drug trafficking, cocaine use, obstruction of justice, perjury, and serial murder. These are reasonable charges, with enough evidence to bring a biblical charge in a court of law, provided that the court has not been previously subverted. But here is our dilemma—the courts have been.
Now the loyal opposition is of no use in such situations. The Republicans believe themselves to be conservatives, but they have an ineluctable problem before them. Scandal of the garden variety helps them out, helps them considerably in the next election. Then, if everything goes well, they can be king of the hill. But scandals of this magnitude call into question the legitimacy of the entire regime, that entire interlocking power grid which we call the Washington establishment. This includes the media and Congress, lobbyists and presidents, cabinet officers and big business, White House interns and Starbucks employees. If such charges are true, then that whole sorry ganglion on the Potomac needs to go.
Our "national greatness" conservatives are of course appalled at the corruption and mendacity of the current administration. But for the most part they remain quiet about it—why? And those who are not quiet are attacked by the tamed conservatives with a ferocity which can only come from fear. This is not the same kind of corruption as was found in the administrations of Ulysses Grant or Herbert Hoover. Our national life now lingers between a struggling consciousness and the collapse of final surrender. We are afflicted with the kind of disease which attends great republics, hacking pitifully on their death beds.
Nevertheless, we pretend otherwise, which calls to mind a comment from Pirates of Penzance, where it is said that there are "the remains of a fine woman" about Ruth. The vestiges of blessing which we still enjoy these days are enough to convince many that these problems are transient and will pass away. A cancer patient may truly enjoy those times in which he denies everything he knows. But reality is not optional, and truth haunts.
When an accuser is refuted in open court, we may all rejoice at the defeat of slander. But when potential accusers are found dead in an open ditch, our thoughts turn in another more melancholy direction. The silver has become dross, the wine is filled with water, the bread is made with sawdust, and Lady Justice has taken to sleeping around.
"Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity" (Micah 3:9-10).
