Of Politics and Pacifiers

I suffer from occasional bouts of insanity. Thank God I seem to recover quickly.

Take for instance, my consideration of applying to be a community blogger. This is a position advertised by our local paper whereby you agree to post 3 times a week regarding current issues, reply to comments and submit to being a public whipping post. For FREE! Oh yes, sign me right up.

Granted, the reason I considered it is that it galls me that politics has become so political. I know, I know, I’m the eternal optimist who thinks it’s supposed to be about the thoughtful, intelligent exchange of ideas to lead government and formulate laws that are in the best interest of the people and in line with our constitution. How old-fashioned of me.

My passion to speak up is fueled when I read the words of Abraham Lincoln,
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

I love America. I find great comfort in the fact that I’ve read the last chapter of the book and righteousness wins. But it can get awfully messy between here and there.

The continous direction of our government in controlling more and more aspects of our personal lives alarms me on many levels. Did you hear that the FTC has issued a new law governing bloggers that takes effect December 1? Oh yes, it’s true. Michelle at Scribbit has an excellent summary of the 81-page document.


Lest I come across as harsh, I’ll leave you with a picture of goodness, peace and love. She brings joy and hope to my heart. She looks a little concerned about my conversation too, so we'll just have to fix our eyes on the promise in Jeremiah 29:11. And sing a bit- that always helps.

Fur Real - Don't Mess With My Peep

I interrupt the light-hearted travel commentary for a news bulletin. Cupcake has had a rough week. And if you think Mama Bear is a threat when angry, let me tell you - when Papa Bear is riled, watch out.

Cupcake called yesterday with a very disturbing report of events at her apartment complex on election night. Apparently, when the winner of the presidential race was announced, young people started pouring into the parking areas (this is a very large college complex with at least 1200 residents). There was screaming and yelling, profanity and breaking of glass. Shockingly, the “celebration” could have escalated into an ugly racial event. Cupcake was more than a little bit scared and she and her roommates actually pushed furniture against the front door as a barricade. The police came but things didn’t settle down for a few hours. This is in a college town and these are supposedly educated kids in a “good neighborhood”. I can assure you that she won’t be in this complex for long, lease or no lease.

My first reaction was anger that this even happened. I heard one newscaster discussing the term “racial transcendence” that had been used during the Obama campaign. I can tell you that in this part of the South, we haven’t transcended anything.

Interesting timing that we went to see The Secret Life of Bees yesterday afternoon. (I highly recommend it.) The movie was set in 1964 in S. Carolina and spotlights the significance of the Civil Rights Act. It depicted just a sampling of the gross injustices that black people suffered during that time, and of course, that is just the surface of a terrible and deep wound that has yet to heal. I can’t say that I can even imagine how it feels to have loved ones that were treated worse than dirt. And this is all quite recent, as history goes.

I am grieved over this incident with Cupcake. Of course, my first concern is the peace and safety of our daughter. But it reveals a sickness of the soul that has no simple solutions. Our country suffers from deeper ills than an ailing economy. There’s one thing I do know - we need to pray without ceasing for our country.

Sarah Palin- A Woman of Substance

I try to avoid discussing politics with my family. We have extremely different views on fundamental things and I don’t like to fight about it. But this blog is a place where I can let you know how I feel and if you want to disagree, you can do so politely in the comments.

I like Sarah Palin. I admire and respect her for a number of reasons. Being in the political spotlight has got to be tough. I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes, but I am thankful she has the courage to stand up in these perilous times and do what she thinks is right. I have read the harsh criticisms of her and know that comes with the territory in politics.

An AP article written by Martha Mendoza describes her as “the ethics-protecting, belt-tightening mom, who easily juggles family and her government job. She switches back and forth between mother and governor without a blink. But details of her life that have emerged under the glare of national attention show that she's a complicated politician. She's disarming and accessible for some, vindictive and hard toward others. She has many loyal friends, tremendous hometown support, and a few fierce enemies.”

Sounds like part of the job description to me. I am looking for leaders who will look to God and listen for His wisdom, rather than catering to popular opinion and special interest groups. I see Sarah Palin as the real deal. She is a woman of God who has made her share of mistakes and will probably make more. But she has my vote. And that’s what I have to say about that.

Pomp & Circumstance

I witnessed both pomp & interesting circumstances yesterday at the commencement exercises for the FSU class of 2008. Our daughter-in-law-to-be received her specialist degree. She got to wear the doctoral robe and all that special gear and I loved it. My mom graduated from FSU in 1949 and when we celebrated our daughter’s graduation with a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree from FSU it was very special. My dad also earned 2 degrees from FSU. So there’s some history and sentiment here.

It was with dismay that I listened to the commencement speaker’s address. He got my attention when early into his remarks he brought up “The Audacity of Hope”. I wishfully anticipated that he was going to build on a beautiful concept and address the graduates on the power of faith and hope. Instead, he started a rapid downhill slide when he used the platform to plug his political candidate. He did ask one thought-provoking question: “What are you going to do with rejection in your life?” Unfortunately, he didn’t take the opportunity to instruct or encourage.

I was sad for the graduates who deserved all the honor, encouragement and respect on that special day. I have now added to my list of “books I want to write” one based on basic speaker protocol. As a speaker, I came away with a starter list of cardinal rules to incorporate into the book:

Always honor the time limitations set by the program planner. It is extremely rude to thumb your nose at the clock.

Your audience is your reason for being there. It is not about you. It is an opportunity to speak into their lives, not a platform to glorify yourself.

It is an honor to be a speaker, not a right. Respect for the audience is essential. It's insolence when you don’t display that.

Hats off to the largest graduating class in the history of this wonderful college!
Nothing can mar the victory of your remarkable accomplishment.

(I’m tempted to send this review to the University president. Should I do it?)

Voting in the Deep South

I voted today at the smallest polling place I have ever seen. I get a kick out of it every election that rolls around. I remember going to vote with my parents (in S. Florida) when I was a child and the lines for machines with curtains. Nothing like that where I live now. This precinct is NOT a waste of taxpayer’s money. No frills (no bathrooms or running water for example). Country living has been a real adjustment for me, but since we have been here 7 years, I have learned to appreciate the good things. No lines for voting is one of them.

Our candidates speak of Florida as if it is one place. A quick geography lesson that I know they had to learn is that in Florida, the south is the north and the north is south. Got that? The line of demarcation is Orlando. So I grew up on the West Coast of South Florida, where more people are from Ohio and Michigan than from Florida, so it was more northern. The East coast of Florida is populated more heavily with people from the North Eastern U.S. When I moved to North Florida, I moved to the deep South. I’m sure this makes for very interesting campaign strategies. Maybe now that I’ve voted, the governor will stop calling me. I seriously had EIGHT phone messages last night with election messages. Round One is almost over. Whew!

Bumper Sticker Politics

Seen last week:
Monica Lewinsky’s Ex-Boyfriend’s Wife for President

Makes you think. Makes me think, “Not a chance!”
It’s kinda funny in a sick sort of way.
My attempt at political humor. The race has heated up in Florida.