Like many of you, I suspect, I have grown weary of the political season we are in. The incessant sniping and nitpicking over relatively trivial issues for the purpose of diminishing the other guy has caused my enthusiasm for this contest to sag. I don't care that Sarah Palin has a tanning bed in her governor's mansion. Neither do I care what Barack Obama eats for a snack.
Of course, there are issues I do care about, but it seems that it is becoming increasingly rare to get any substantive coverage on these matters from the media. I have had all I can take of the tabloid mentality of this campaign. It has left me agitated and annoyed with the whole process. Both camps have conspired with the media to contribute to this silliness. There are matters of extreme importance on the line and most of what we're getting from the respective campaigns is an unending game of "gotcha". Each camp has highly paid consultants whose job is to do nothing more than cherry pick out of context remarks and unguarded moments of the opposing candidate they can spin to the media or throw up on a political add so we all can be reminded what a terrible person the other guy is. It is utter nonsense and an insult to any voter who longs for thoughtful dialogue and intelligent debate.
Personal attacks on the opposition are at an all time high while real solutions offered are at an all time low. We could save millions of dollars and lots of time if we simply put the candidates face to face sticking their tongues out at each other and declared whichever one blinked first to be the winner.
So far, I think Simon and Garfunkel offered the most astute commentary on the current political process when they wrote "Mrs. Robinson" 40 years ago:
Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon.
Going to the candidate's debate.
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you've got to choose
Every way you look at this you lose.
That pretty much summarizes how I'm feeling about the Republican and Democrat campaigns this year.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Dominators Lose
I'll never forget an incident that happened to me when I was in Spanish language school in Guadalajara, Mexico back in the early '90's. For an assignment to prepare an oral report, I selected an article from Reader's Digest that was a celebration of American values. Being a patriotic American, I was inspired by the American "can do" spirit and opportunities described in that particular article. It never occurred to me that fellow class members from Germany, France and Canada might see the world through a different lens.
Employing my best oratory skills, I built the speech to an emotional climax extolling the greatness of America. At the conclusion of my speech, one of the students angrily criticized what I'd had to say and in very hostile tones let me and the class know that she and the other non-American classmates resented the arrogant boastfulness of Americans like me. What I assumed everyone felt about America came across to them as a pushy insensitivity toward the rest of the world.
As I watched the Republican National Convention the other day I remembered that exchange back in language school. Maybe you saw it during one of the speeches. A young delegate wearing a red, white and blue Uncle Sam hat was chanting passionately, "USA! USA! USA!" His face was twisted in an expression of scorn and aggression against anything or anyone who didn't share his idolization of America. More than once I heard statements that conveyed the message loud and clear to the rest of the world that we think we're the biggest, baddest, wealthiest, most powerful and most special nation in the world. To people from other countries, like my classmate in language school, it sends the message that Americans believe the rest of the world is inferior to and answers to us.
Put yourself in their shoes. Many people in other countries have been paying over $4.00 a gallon for gasoline since the late '70's, when we were paying less than a dollar. Like the spoiled people we are, we are outraged that our fuel prices have only recently gotten so high. How would you feel if you lived in a country where you've been paying $5 or $6 a gallon for years to learn that the USA, which consumes 25% of the world's oil and gasoline while having only 5% of the world's population, is having a hissy fit over $4 a gallon gas?
We are bitter that manufacturers and major corporations are closing factories here and opening them in China, India and Latin America because their labor is cheaper. Meanwhile, folks in those countries are elated that companies with better jobs with better pay than they ever could have hoped for have come to their shores. Shouldn't there be something in our attitude that indicates we feel good about a better standard of living being enjoyed by others rather than the resentment some express because impoverished, developing nations have taken something from us?
And, while our politicians carry on about the superiority of our military and the importance of "winning", to much of the rest of the world we come across as a menacing, muscle-flexing super power that once again stands ready to invade and bomb other countries at will. It was comments about our military power and readiness to use it that evoked the response of the delegate in the Uncle Sam hat that I mentioned earlier.
Jesus said greatness is found in serving others rather than dominating them. "Relationships of domination are forbidden in the kingdom of God," wrote Jerry Cook, and I agree. In fact, Jesus said that at the end of the day the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Dominators lose. I'm looking for leaders who will take the harsh and threatening rhetoric out of our communication with the rest of the world and show some humility.
Employing my best oratory skills, I built the speech to an emotional climax extolling the greatness of America. At the conclusion of my speech, one of the students angrily criticized what I'd had to say and in very hostile tones let me and the class know that she and the other non-American classmates resented the arrogant boastfulness of Americans like me. What I assumed everyone felt about America came across to them as a pushy insensitivity toward the rest of the world.
As I watched the Republican National Convention the other day I remembered that exchange back in language school. Maybe you saw it during one of the speeches. A young delegate wearing a red, white and blue Uncle Sam hat was chanting passionately, "USA! USA! USA!" His face was twisted in an expression of scorn and aggression against anything or anyone who didn't share his idolization of America. More than once I heard statements that conveyed the message loud and clear to the rest of the world that we think we're the biggest, baddest, wealthiest, most powerful and most special nation in the world. To people from other countries, like my classmate in language school, it sends the message that Americans believe the rest of the world is inferior to and answers to us.
Put yourself in their shoes. Many people in other countries have been paying over $4.00 a gallon for gasoline since the late '70's, when we were paying less than a dollar. Like the spoiled people we are, we are outraged that our fuel prices have only recently gotten so high. How would you feel if you lived in a country where you've been paying $5 or $6 a gallon for years to learn that the USA, which consumes 25% of the world's oil and gasoline while having only 5% of the world's population, is having a hissy fit over $4 a gallon gas?
We are bitter that manufacturers and major corporations are closing factories here and opening them in China, India and Latin America because their labor is cheaper. Meanwhile, folks in those countries are elated that companies with better jobs with better pay than they ever could have hoped for have come to their shores. Shouldn't there be something in our attitude that indicates we feel good about a better standard of living being enjoyed by others rather than the resentment some express because impoverished, developing nations have taken something from us?
And, while our politicians carry on about the superiority of our military and the importance of "winning", to much of the rest of the world we come across as a menacing, muscle-flexing super power that once again stands ready to invade and bomb other countries at will. It was comments about our military power and readiness to use it that evoked the response of the delegate in the Uncle Sam hat that I mentioned earlier.
Jesus said greatness is found in serving others rather than dominating them. "Relationships of domination are forbidden in the kingdom of God," wrote Jerry Cook, and I agree. In fact, Jesus said that at the end of the day the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Dominators lose. I'm looking for leaders who will take the harsh and threatening rhetoric out of our communication with the rest of the world and show some humility.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Tardy Wrath?
Once again New Orleans and the gulf coast have been hit by a major hurricane. My heart goes out to all whose lives and property are threatened by the storm.
A recurring theme in the news coverage is the comparison drawn between FEMA's response this time and it's pathetic response after Katrina 3 years ago. Early indications are that the Federal Emergency Management Administration may have learned a thing or two. We certainly hope so.
I wonder if there will be similar comparisons made by those who subscribe to the notion that such natural disasters are orchestrated by God in response to sin and wickedness. Perhaps you will recall the rhetoric of judgment upon New Orleans' sinful legacy that was offered up by the late Jerry Falwell and numerous others after Katrina. Many in the ranks of the religious fundamentalists agreed with him and were cheering God on for bringing his wrath down upon a city so tolerant of sin.
In a strange twist of irony we have learned that Hurricane Gustav is wreaking havoc with the Republican National convention. Today's opening agenda has been scuttled as keynote speakers have cancelled their appearances and the nation's attention is drawn to the Gulf Coast. If we follow the logic that God sends such disasters to punish evil, it begs the question. Why is God upset with the Republicans? After all, the Democratic National Convention went off without a hitch just last week.
I predict that from the same ranks of those who blamed Katrina on God will come statements attributing Gustav to a satanic plot to thwart the "righteousness agenda" of the Republicans.
A recurring theme in the news coverage is the comparison drawn between FEMA's response this time and it's pathetic response after Katrina 3 years ago. Early indications are that the Federal Emergency Management Administration may have learned a thing or two. We certainly hope so.
I wonder if there will be similar comparisons made by those who subscribe to the notion that such natural disasters are orchestrated by God in response to sin and wickedness. Perhaps you will recall the rhetoric of judgment upon New Orleans' sinful legacy that was offered up by the late Jerry Falwell and numerous others after Katrina. Many in the ranks of the religious fundamentalists agreed with him and were cheering God on for bringing his wrath down upon a city so tolerant of sin.
In a strange twist of irony we have learned that Hurricane Gustav is wreaking havoc with the Republican National convention. Today's opening agenda has been scuttled as keynote speakers have cancelled their appearances and the nation's attention is drawn to the Gulf Coast. If we follow the logic that God sends such disasters to punish evil, it begs the question. Why is God upset with the Republicans? After all, the Democratic National Convention went off without a hitch just last week.
I predict that from the same ranks of those who blamed Katrina on God will come statements attributing Gustav to a satanic plot to thwart the "righteousness agenda" of the Republicans.
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