The Rosie and the Donald — insensitive gangs at war

What should happen to this gang war in New York City? No matter that these gangs are worth millions and have access to daily national and international media outlets. The Trumps control America’s time and for those who travel to their casinos, they control their money and entertainment. The other gang, The O’Donnells is a female dominated gang and they seem to be willing to get into a street fight at the drop of a “do” — that’s Donald’s do (is all that hair his).

The idea of a chicken fight totally revolts me. Somehow, however, this Rosie-Donald feuding has a hold on me. I am sure it holds my base, carnal nature. Neither of their behaviors serves as model to inspire American youth. The only good thing that is coming out of the feud is ratings. The ratings are up for Trump’s television show and for “The View.”

I believe below all that fight, you will find both Rosie and Donald to be people of faith. I pray that the foundation of their lives is not money, momentary fame (for all fame is that way) or hate. I believe they have a faith. I just simply call on both of them to apply their faith to this situation. There’s got to be some confession and some forgiveness on both parts.

Trump says he is a member of the Collegiate Reformed Dutch Protestant Church. You know two famous pastors of this denomination: Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Dr. Robert Shuller, who envisioned and built The Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif. Dr. Peale served the Marble Collegiate Church and from that pulpit he taught the secrets of The Power of Positive Thinking, his most popular book still read today by millions.

I thought I would call to my column some thoughts from the pulpit of a church where The Donald might go. Even if he does not go to this particular one, it holds the same theology, views, etc. that others would hold. Today Dr. Arthur Caliandro is senior minister and I would love for Donald and Rosie to read his New Year’s message. They could really use it and perhaps you could too. I quote in part:

“A number of years ago, I behaved in a very insensitive way toward another person and hurt that person badly. As quickly as I was aware of what I had done, I called the person to ask forgiveness. The response was, ‘It will be hard, Arthur, because I am deeply hurt.’ Some months later the telephone call I was hoping for came: ‘Arthur, I’ve been praying and praying and praying, and I am able to say I forgive you.’ In that moment the God in that person met the God that was in me, and we met, and there was healing.

“I saw God in the city on 9/11 and the days immediately following. Those of you who were in New York on those terrible days know what I mean. Our priorities changed. All of a sudden, every other human being, every other human soul, was important. We reached out to one another, and we embraced; we forgot ourselves and did whatever needed to be done. It was an extraordinary time. I may never see anything like that again; God was in the midst of the city.”