June 21, 2008
June 03, 2008
A Great Night for America; A Small Moment for Clinton
America celebrates a great moment in its history tonight, as a land that once counted blacks as 2/5 of a person now has one poised to become the nation's President.
The best reason to vote for Barack Obama for President, though, is not his color. It's because, between him and John McCain, Barack is the best person for the job.
Obama steps forward tonight as the duly-elected nominee for the Democratic Party for President of the United States. In his victory speech tonight, both out of real character and political need, he was magnanimous and kind to his primary opponent, Hillary Rodham Clinton. And, beyond that, he caught fire in a speech which captured the imagination and created a thrill for what could be.
Meanwhile, the greatest hope that America has ever had of seeing a woman run the country showed just how little she could be tonight. After having already started trying to push her name forward as a good VP candidate to go to the White House on Obama's coat-tails, Clinton further embarassed herself tonight by deciding not to concede, even as she essentially acknowledged that she'd lost.
Obama will be forced to consider her as a possibility for the back seat on his ticket. But, really, why should he entertain the thought? Clinton doesn't have the temperament of a number two, and her ambition (I believe) would prevent her from fulfilling the tacit understanding that a Vice President's job is to support her boss.
One line of thinking is that Obama needs to reach out to Clinton, because otherwise Clinton's voters won't support him in the national election. But, really, does that make sense? Sure, some of Clinton's supporters are racist whites who'll decide not to vote for Obama simply because of his skin color, but the majority are committed liberals who want to loose the Republican grasp on the White House. In a national election with no Hillary, where will they cast their vote? They certainly won't sit on it, and they certainly won't give it to McCain. Out of a lack of options, their votes will go to Obama, even if they don't like pulling the lever in his favor.
Obama's likely running mate, in my opinion, will be John Edwards. A Northern and a Southern candidate, both energetic and (at least publicly) committed to some pretty sweeping and, frankly, exciting social reforms, would excite the whole base of the Democratic party, while Edwards would wisely see this as a good stepping stool to the Presidency and would behave in an appropriately supportive fashion.
Of course, much remains yet to be seen. For tonight, I simply see confirmation of what I've known for weeks: the right person with the right temperament won, and the other person continues to be a classless and graceless loser, just as she's been for years.
The best reason to vote for Barack Obama for President, though, is not his color. It's because, between him and John McCain, Barack is the best person for the job.
Obama steps forward tonight as the duly-elected nominee for the Democratic Party for President of the United States. In his victory speech tonight, both out of real character and political need, he was magnanimous and kind to his primary opponent, Hillary Rodham Clinton. And, beyond that, he caught fire in a speech which captured the imagination and created a thrill for what could be.
Meanwhile, the greatest hope that America has ever had of seeing a woman run the country showed just how little she could be tonight. After having already started trying to push her name forward as a good VP candidate to go to the White House on Obama's coat-tails, Clinton further embarassed herself tonight by deciding not to concede, even as she essentially acknowledged that she'd lost.
Obama will be forced to consider her as a possibility for the back seat on his ticket. But, really, why should he entertain the thought? Clinton doesn't have the temperament of a number two, and her ambition (I believe) would prevent her from fulfilling the tacit understanding that a Vice President's job is to support her boss.
One line of thinking is that Obama needs to reach out to Clinton, because otherwise Clinton's voters won't support him in the national election. But, really, does that make sense? Sure, some of Clinton's supporters are racist whites who'll decide not to vote for Obama simply because of his skin color, but the majority are committed liberals who want to loose the Republican grasp on the White House. In a national election with no Hillary, where will they cast their vote? They certainly won't sit on it, and they certainly won't give it to McCain. Out of a lack of options, their votes will go to Obama, even if they don't like pulling the lever in his favor.
Obama's likely running mate, in my opinion, will be John Edwards. A Northern and a Southern candidate, both energetic and (at least publicly) committed to some pretty sweeping and, frankly, exciting social reforms, would excite the whole base of the Democratic party, while Edwards would wisely see this as a good stepping stool to the Presidency and would behave in an appropriately supportive fashion.
Of course, much remains yet to be seen. For tonight, I simply see confirmation of what I've known for weeks: the right person with the right temperament won, and the other person continues to be a classless and graceless loser, just as she's been for years.
May 27, 2008
SOAP Notes
The latest SOAP Notes entry:
May 27, 2008
Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8
S: Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
O: Solomon lays out seven things despicable to the Lord. Paul gives us hope despite them.
A: Easy enough today. What of the hateful things do I have?
P: God, help me to see those moments when I’m preparing to fall short, and to step back from those instances. Help me to focus on your love, which will always be there for me as long as I accept it and act in accordance with it. Amen.
May 27, 2008
Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8
S: Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
O: Solomon lays out seven things despicable to the Lord. Paul gives us hope despite them.
A: Easy enough today. What of the hateful things do I have?
- Haughty eyes: am I arrogant, snobbish, or scornful? Yes.
- Lying tongue: I try earnestly to be honest, which makes it even more obvious to me when I’m being dishonest. Most of my lies are those of omission; I avoid saying the truth or a lie and let silence tell the lie for me. Is that any less a sin than speaking falsely? No.
- Hands that shed innocent blood: I don’t kill. But in a million ways every day I fail to act to protect life, or to stand up for what is right. I don’t feed the homeless, I don’t clothe the cold, I don’t provide for the orphan. When I leave them in the cold, I might as well take their lives, since I’m not giving to them in times of need.
- A heart that devises wicked plans: Yes, that’s me. I catch myself plotting things that aren’t right. No grand capers, just little things here and there which I know better than to do. I rarely fall into sin; I usually scheme it out in advance.
- Feet that run rapidly to evil: when a chance to do something naughty but fun arises, how often to I run the other way?
- False witness who utters lies: I think of the list I manage to do well here. I see this as spreading untruths about others. I think I’m good at holding my tongue in that regard.
- One who spreads strife among brothers: I also think I’m good at trying to maintain harmony and order, though I do catch myself sometimes drumming up some dischord.
P: God, help me to see those moments when I’m preparing to fall short, and to step back from those instances. Help me to focus on your love, which will always be there for me as long as I accept it and act in accordance with it. Amen.
May 22, 2008
May 14, 2008
Can Obama Win?
I think a better question might be "does it matter?"
JLowe sent me a link to an interesting article discussing the inherent racism on display in our current Democratic race for the presidency.
Basically, the point raised is this: Hillary Clinton asserts, perhaps not always openly, that she's the only candidate who can challenge John McCain, and the primary reason is because she's white.
The article also notes that Barack Obama understands the challenge of race in this election: "as Obama said in a recent interview, people may need to get their head around the concept of an African-American even seeking the presidency, let alone winning it."
And that, I think, is an important point. I think that it's important for Barack to be the candidate to face John McCain in the actual presidential election not only because I believe he is the best person for the White House (yes, I'll be voting for him, despite being a registered Republican), but also because it will finally break a glass ceiling that is in place in our current society.
Sure, people have a problem with the concept of a female president. But, as a whole, women have had much more ready access to power and opportunity in this country (especially white ones) than racial minorities. By admitting that, as a white, she's in a better position to win, Hillary Clinton reinforces a shameful truth of America today--that we only see skin deep--and asks us to affirm its correctness.
America may not be ready for a black president. I hope we are. But for those who can't wrap their head around the idea, the only way to get them to acknowledge the possibility, and start thinking about substance over form (or content over color) is to force them to consider whether to cast their vote for a black (or yellow, or green, or red, or whatever) person and then explain why they won't.
Can Obama win? I don't know. I hope so. But, whether he can or can't, Obama for President is, in my mind, an important message to perpetuate for as long as possible.
JLowe sent me a link to an interesting article discussing the inherent racism on display in our current Democratic race for the presidency.
Basically, the point raised is this: Hillary Clinton asserts, perhaps not always openly, that she's the only candidate who can challenge John McCain, and the primary reason is because she's white.
The article also notes that Barack Obama understands the challenge of race in this election: "as Obama said in a recent interview, people may need to get their head around the concept of an African-American even seeking the presidency, let alone winning it."
And that, I think, is an important point. I think that it's important for Barack to be the candidate to face John McCain in the actual presidential election not only because I believe he is the best person for the White House (yes, I'll be voting for him, despite being a registered Republican), but also because it will finally break a glass ceiling that is in place in our current society.
Sure, people have a problem with the concept of a female president. But, as a whole, women have had much more ready access to power and opportunity in this country (especially white ones) than racial minorities. By admitting that, as a white, she's in a better position to win, Hillary Clinton reinforces a shameful truth of America today--that we only see skin deep--and asks us to affirm its correctness.
America may not be ready for a black president. I hope we are. But for those who can't wrap their head around the idea, the only way to get them to acknowledge the possibility, and start thinking about substance over form (or content over color) is to force them to consider whether to cast their vote for a black (or yellow, or green, or red, or whatever) person and then explain why they won't.
Can Obama win? I don't know. I hope so. But, whether he can or can't, Obama for President is, in my mind, an important message to perpetuate for as long as possible.
May 13, 2008
May 12, 2008
May 10, 2008
May 08, 2008
May 06, 2008
SOAP Notes
The latest SOAP Notes entry:
May 6, 2008
2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23
S: Psalm 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Matthew 23:3 …all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.
Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
O: The core theme I see in all of these verses seems to be a concept akin to integrity. In Psalms, the idea is internal truth. In the Matthew verses, it’s about being real both to what one says, and also to what one is. So, for me, the observation is that these verses relate to being a true person who demonstrates the truth in their actions, and who demonstrates their knowledge of the truth in their humility.
A: I am a very flawed person, and verses like these draw that knowledge, which is always under the surface for me, out into my full attention.
First, I find myself denying the truth of who I am in so many ways. I deny my imperfections, or more correctly ignore them by focusing on the imperfections of others. I deny my failures by over-focusing on my few successes and blowing them up in my mind, and over-focusing on my strong traits to the exclusion of addressing my weaknesses. I deny my duty to Christ in living how I want without regard for what I should be doing, what I should be saying, and how I should be behaving. I have moments of introspection that I try to avoid, through activity or through mind-numbing or through sheer evasion, so that I don’t have to understand what it really means to be me.
Second, and alluded to in the first, is that my actions don’t portray the truth. I know how to behave, to my wife or to my daughter or to my friends or (even) to my enemies. And I can offer advice to others about how they should behave to those same classes of people. But I shudder everytime I hear the verse about the cloud of witnesses that watches, unseen. I won’t engage in such false modesty as to say that I never do right. In fact, I do it enough to demonstrate that I know what it is, and I do it enough that people know that I know better when I do wrong. That said, I act out and speak out and lash out in so many ways that are so opposed to how I’m supposed to so often that I’m clearly not a man of integrity.
Finally, I’m a man of pride. Even in moments like these where I’m able to focus on my negatives, I find myself struggling not to puff my chest out at the plusses on my ledger. God has gifted me in too many ways to number, and I’m thankful in these moments of insight for that. But too, too often I look at these blessings as the works of my hands, and I fancy myself something greater than what I really am. I know deep inside, in my heart of hearts, that I’m here for something important. And I know with absolute certainty that, as long as I look at being important as the goal, as opposed to serving an important end, I will never achieve it. Humility requires knowing that we, of ourselves, mean so little in the great scheme. I’m important to my friends and to my family, but in truth I’m a speck. I have a part to play, and that’s all, and if I look at things as being about me, as opposed to being about that part, I’m missing the point.
And so the application: I need to seek the truth of who I am. What is the mission for me, and how do I serve that end (and who do I serve to that end)? What are my flaws, and how can I work to address them? Where I’m falling short, what do I need to address to allow me to reach what is there for me? I need to develop consistency within and without. I need integrity.
P: God, help me to be wise, and to search myself for those things that lead me to distraction, to delusion, and to destruction. Let me be a man who behaves in a way that reflects a true image of a heart that’s been molded by You, and that is dedicated to serving Your purpose. Help me put aside the stumbling blocks, whether those of attitudes inside of me or behaviors I engage in, and help me to become a man of integrity, strength, and consistency. Amen.
May 6, 2008
2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23
S: Psalm 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Matthew 23:3 …all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.
Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
O: The core theme I see in all of these verses seems to be a concept akin to integrity. In Psalms, the idea is internal truth. In the Matthew verses, it’s about being real both to what one says, and also to what one is. So, for me, the observation is that these verses relate to being a true person who demonstrates the truth in their actions, and who demonstrates their knowledge of the truth in their humility.
A: I am a very flawed person, and verses like these draw that knowledge, which is always under the surface for me, out into my full attention.
First, I find myself denying the truth of who I am in so many ways. I deny my imperfections, or more correctly ignore them by focusing on the imperfections of others. I deny my failures by over-focusing on my few successes and blowing them up in my mind, and over-focusing on my strong traits to the exclusion of addressing my weaknesses. I deny my duty to Christ in living how I want without regard for what I should be doing, what I should be saying, and how I should be behaving. I have moments of introspection that I try to avoid, through activity or through mind-numbing or through sheer evasion, so that I don’t have to understand what it really means to be me.
Second, and alluded to in the first, is that my actions don’t portray the truth. I know how to behave, to my wife or to my daughter or to my friends or (even) to my enemies. And I can offer advice to others about how they should behave to those same classes of people. But I shudder everytime I hear the verse about the cloud of witnesses that watches, unseen. I won’t engage in such false modesty as to say that I never do right. In fact, I do it enough to demonstrate that I know what it is, and I do it enough that people know that I know better when I do wrong. That said, I act out and speak out and lash out in so many ways that are so opposed to how I’m supposed to so often that I’m clearly not a man of integrity.
Finally, I’m a man of pride. Even in moments like these where I’m able to focus on my negatives, I find myself struggling not to puff my chest out at the plusses on my ledger. God has gifted me in too many ways to number, and I’m thankful in these moments of insight for that. But too, too often I look at these blessings as the works of my hands, and I fancy myself something greater than what I really am. I know deep inside, in my heart of hearts, that I’m here for something important. And I know with absolute certainty that, as long as I look at being important as the goal, as opposed to serving an important end, I will never achieve it. Humility requires knowing that we, of ourselves, mean so little in the great scheme. I’m important to my friends and to my family, but in truth I’m a speck. I have a part to play, and that’s all, and if I look at things as being about me, as opposed to being about that part, I’m missing the point.
And so the application: I need to seek the truth of who I am. What is the mission for me, and how do I serve that end (and who do I serve to that end)? What are my flaws, and how can I work to address them? Where I’m falling short, what do I need to address to allow me to reach what is there for me? I need to develop consistency within and without. I need integrity.
P: God, help me to be wise, and to search myself for those things that lead me to distraction, to delusion, and to destruction. Let me be a man who behaves in a way that reflects a true image of a heart that’s been molded by You, and that is dedicated to serving Your purpose. Help me put aside the stumbling blocks, whether those of attitudes inside of me or behaviors I engage in, and help me to become a man of integrity, strength, and consistency. Amen.
May 02, 2008
April 04, 2008
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