It seems that most pastors are either hesistant to speak their political minds or qucik to drag out their soap-box and stump for their candidate. It is hard for me to trust either option, though I do value my own freedom to speak my mind in an election cycle. Then again, when speaking my mind about the candidates involves quoting the Simpsons...I probably should just be quiet.
Okay, I can't resist. Here is the synopsis of the party platforms, ala The Simpsons. Republicans- We Want What's Worst For Everyone. Democrats- We Can't Govern.
"Don't blame me...I voted for Kodos."
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Feeling sorry for Sarah
Disclaimer: I am a dedicated third-party voter. I do not support the Republicrat Party that maintains a monopoly on our national political discourse. Out of this conviction, I forsee no instance where I would support a two-party system by voting for Coke or Pepsi. I am a dedicated Diet Mountain Dew voter.
You can't help but feel sorry for Sarah Palin. Well, maybe you relish her misery. I don't know. But I am going to ask an open and honest question. How would the average American do on the Great American Political Quiz? If you don't know the answer to that, you have been out of college for far too long.
How many voters do you think have been ever been outside of the country (Cancun, the Virgin Islands, and Bahamas excluded)? How many of them could name and describe any Supreme Court case apart from Roe vs. Wade? How many can describe the 'Bush Doctrine' or tell us who, when, and where that term was coined? How many know why Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac were created? For that matter, how many could find Afghanistan on a world map?
The point is that much of the population of our country is ignorant about politics, history, even religion. Sure, they can name all the winners of American Idol. But what about the first five presidents? Four? Two? Though we fight to keep them in (or out) of our courtrooms, how many of our nation's PASTORS can actually recite all 10 Commandments? If my seminary experience is any indication, the answer is somewhat emabarassing.
I suppose we ought to hold our candidates for office to a higher standard than the general population. They should know these political facts. But part of me thinks we are, as a nation, a bit hypocritical when we shame Sarah Palin for her answers to these questions. After all, we are the nation that invented the open book test.
If anything, as a pop culture nation, we should also shun candidates who can't get basic sports facts right. Barack Obama, life-long basketball fan from Illinois, a Big Ten state says 'Nitally Lions'? I mean, come on. Nitally? Do you even watch Sportscenter, Barack? Joe-Pa. Joe-Pa. Sheesh.
You can't help but feel sorry for Sarah Palin. Well, maybe you relish her misery. I don't know. But I am going to ask an open and honest question. How would the average American do on the Great American Political Quiz? If you don't know the answer to that, you have been out of college for far too long.
How many voters do you think have been ever been outside of the country (Cancun, the Virgin Islands, and Bahamas excluded)? How many of them could name and describe any Supreme Court case apart from Roe vs. Wade? How many can describe the 'Bush Doctrine' or tell us who, when, and where that term was coined? How many know why Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac were created? For that matter, how many could find Afghanistan on a world map?
The point is that much of the population of our country is ignorant about politics, history, even religion. Sure, they can name all the winners of American Idol. But what about the first five presidents? Four? Two? Though we fight to keep them in (or out) of our courtrooms, how many of our nation's PASTORS can actually recite all 10 Commandments? If my seminary experience is any indication, the answer is somewhat emabarassing.
I suppose we ought to hold our candidates for office to a higher standard than the general population. They should know these political facts. But part of me thinks we are, as a nation, a bit hypocritical when we shame Sarah Palin for her answers to these questions. After all, we are the nation that invented the open book test.
If anything, as a pop culture nation, we should also shun candidates who can't get basic sports facts right. Barack Obama, life-long basketball fan from Illinois, a Big Ten state says 'Nitally Lions'? I mean, come on. Nitally? Do you even watch Sportscenter, Barack? Joe-Pa. Joe-Pa. Sheesh.
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