Does Bob Corker have a problem with Jesus?

Regular readers of Rocky Top are well aware that we have a wee bit of a problem with the junior senator from Tennessee.  His financial dealings are suspect, his conduct in office has been the focus of at least two ethics complaints and maybe a couple of other ongoing investigations.  His relationship with Wells Fargo is the stuff of legend, and we don’t mean that in a good way.

So with all his detractors and facing re-election in 2018, one would think Corker would not want to attract any more enemies.

But Jesus?  Why would RTP say a thing like that?  Is Sen. Corker going to Hell or something?

We will humbly leave final judgement of Sen. Corker to an authority much higher than a ragtag group of political miscreants like the crew here at Rocky Top.  But here is why we say ‘Ol Bob has a bit of a moral credibility problem (above and beyond his rather obvious personal financial credibility problem).

A bit of history:  Back in 2010, as a part of the noxious Dodd-Frank bill, a modest provision was inserted into the massive legislation. The Cardin-Lugar amendment addressed a very big problem.  When large U.S. companies (such as major oil and mining companies) cut deals around the world, more often than not they have to deal with some unsavory characters.  Dictators, tyrants, despots and strongmen rule over some of the most abundant and lucrative natural resources.  Once the deals are cut, they then re-route billions of dollars to their personal use and that of their cronies.  The people of their country suffer greatly for this governmental theft.  These countries are typically racked with poverty, disease, war, human trafficking and slavery.

The Cardin-Lugar amendment sought transparency on such dealings, requiring such deals be reported to the U.S, government so that we would have a road map of where to look when trying to address these problems.  Cardin-Lugar provides evidence that companies play it by the book, and that such exchanges of vast amounts of money need to and will see the light of day.

But in addition to rampant greed and theft, even more ominous is a common denominator that unites many of these rogue countries:  They like to kill Christians.

From Nigeria to Kenya and many others in between, the dictators gleefully harass, torment, torture and kill Christians.  It’s a fact:

 

When Rep. Chris Smith (R) first floated the concept behind the Cardin-Lugar Amendment, he was thinking specifically of persecuted Christians in third world countries. The Obama administration largely turned a blind eye to their plight.  And now, just as President Trump seeks to shine a light on persecution of Christians, the U.S. Senate is considering turning out that light and making it harder to detect.  All because the big oil folks don’t like the hassle of some extra paperwork.

But now the oil companies want to change all that and go back to the bad old days of See No Evil, Hear No Evil, etc.  They want Congress to remove the rule through something called the CRA (Congressional Review Act) which would cancel this law as well of a raft of other regulations.  RTP agrees that many regulations need to be expunged, but Cardin-Lugar is not one of them.

That’s where Bob Corker comes in.  From his position as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Corker has made a big show of appearing to fight human trafficking.  Even introducing a bill to fight trafficking, called the “End Modern Slavery Act” just a year or so ago and which went nowhere.

But when the vote comes up as early as this week to get rid of the Cardin-Lugar transparency provisions, Corker has a big decision to make.  And his decision as Chairman will likely sway some of his committee members to do the right – or wrong – thing.

If he votes for any CRA legislation which includes revoking Cardin-Lugar, Corker is voting to aid those who target and kill Christians.  It’s as simple as that.  Any Sunday School student at First Pres in Chattanooga could recognize this.  Can Sen. Corker?

Bob, the world is a dangerous place.  It is going to take more than taking selfies of yourself with an “X” painted on your hand” and introducing half-hearted legislation to solve this problem.  Don’t compound the problem by getting rid of one of the few tools we have to counter Christian persecution.

RTP will be watching how you vote.  But more important, so will your colleagues, the voters and your pastor.

Maybe if Jesus was on the board of Wells Fargo, you would pay more attention.