Dangerous Prideful Arrogance

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before a fall.

NKJV

I believe the purpose of this scripture is to remind us of the importance of humbling ourselves before God.  I know in my life when I begin to believe I have things figured out and under control, something happens to remind me that God, not me, is in control.  This is why I try, and often fail, to live my life in obedience to God’s will and encourage everyone reading this to do the same. 

For most of us, when we become prideful and fail, the only people we hurt are ourselves and those closest to us.  However, sometimes prideful arrogance endangers the lives of other innocent people, as is the case with Kaci Hickox who continues to refuse mandatory quarantine after treating Ebola patients in Africa.  (1)  This is also true of Dr. Craig Spencer who actually has Ebola and lied to officials about his movements around the city of New York after returning from treating Ebola victims.  (2)  I commend their charitable efforts in assisting Ebola victims in Africa but question their motive for going over there based upon their behavior after returning. 

I find it alarming that someone in the medical profession, supposedly dedicating their lives to saving lives and treating sick people, would act in such an irresponsible manner after exposure to the deadly disease of Ebola.  Based upon comments from Kaci Hickox, it appears she is more interested in looking like a good person by going over to West Africa and treating Ebola Victims then in being responsible by honoring quarantine protocols in order to insure she does not infect innocent people in her own country.  This is an example of prideful arrogance that has the potential to endanger us all.

Then we have the careless irresponsible actions of our President.  First, the President who oversees the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Homeland Security could unilaterally initiate a travel ban from infected countries until the threat of Ebola subsides.  President Obama speaks of having a pen and phone that he intends to use to get things done so why not use them to call the FAA and use his pen to initiate an immediate travel ban.  There is even talk within the administration that they intend to bring Africans infected with Ebola into our country for treatment.  (3)  Like Kaci Hickox, the Obama Administration appears more interested in appearing compassionate with a desire to be the world’s health care provider then the safety of the citizens that elected him. 

In fact, President Obama even endangered his own life, the lives of his family, and those that work for him by having a photo op with doctors and nurses who have been to Africa treating Ebola victims, many of whom could be incubating the disease because they are still in the 21-day at-risk period.  (4)  Once again, a photo op designed to make the President look like he has the situation under control is placing innocent people, including his own family, at risk. 

Kaci Hickox claims having to be under quarantine is a violation of her civil rights and has even went so far as to hire an ACLU attorney to sue claiming a violation of her civil rights.  (5)  If a violation of civil rights has occurred, it is ours because of irresponsible people running around that possibly have Ebola.  Someone needs to remind Kaci Hickox and her attorney of the Supreme Court ruling in Schenck v. United States that someone falsely yelling fire in a crowded theater is not protected under the first amendment since their actions would cause a panic and injure others.  (6) 

Kaci Hickox, Dr. Craig Spencer, and even President Obama are engaging in dangerous arrogant prideful activities that have the potential to harm innocent people.  In order to maintain a civil society, it is the responsibility of us all to act responsibility.  For example, if you are sick, stay home until you get better and are not infectious.  We expect this from people we work and socialize with when they have a cold or flu.  Is it too much to ask someone who may potentially be infected with a deadly disease like Ebola to do the same?

This Tuesday we have an election in the United States.  This year is seems that all the political ads are attack ads with nobody actually telling voters what they intend to do once elected.  Ebola reminds us that these are dangerous times.  We need leaders not interested in photo ops but leaders that will humble themselves and do the right thing when it comes to insuring the security of the people that elected them to office.  The Bible also reminds us that:

Proverbs 18:12

Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,

And before honor is humility.

NKJV

Pride leads to a fall but humility leads to honor.  Let us begin electing leaders with honor this Tuesday. 

1. Hanna, Greg Botelho and Jason. State of Maine, nurse who went to Africa at odds over Ebola quarantine. www.cnn.com. [Online] CNN Health, October 30, 2014. [Cited: October 31, 2014.] http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/29/health/us-ebola/index.html.

2. Fox News. New York City doctor with Ebola reportedly lied about his movements in cit. www.foxnews.com. [Online] Fox News, October 29, 2014. [Cited: October 31, 2014.] http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/10/29/new-york-city-doctor-with-ebola-reportedly-lied-about-his-movements-in-city/.

3. Dinan, Stephen. State Department plans to bring foreign Ebola patients to U.S. www.washingtontimes.com. [Online] The Washington Times, October 28, 2014. [Cited: October 31, 2014.] http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/28/state-department-plans-to-bring-foreign-ebola-pati/.

4. Martosko, David. Trust me, it's safe! Obama tries to calm Ebola quarantine fears with handshakes for health care workers still in 21-day at-risk period after Africa visit. www.dailymail.co.uk. [Online] The Daily Mail, October 29, 2014. [Cited: October 31, 2014.] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2813200/Trust-s-safe-Obama-shares-stage-hero-healthcare-workers-21-day-Ebola-risk-period-Africa-visit-warns-likely-cases.html#ixzz3HZWso1GX.

5. Schwartz, Carly. Nurse Under Ebola Quarantine Hires Civil Rights Lawyer. www.huffingtonpost.com. [Online] The Huffington Post, October 26, 2014. [Cited: October 31, 2014.] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/26/kaci-hickox-lawyer_n_6050450.html.

6. Cornell University Law School. Schenck v. United States. www.law.cornell.edu. [Online] Cornell University Law School. [Cited: October 31, 2014.] http://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/249/47.