A Mile High and an Inch Deep

There was an article in The Denver Post the other day that attributed Democrat politician from Colorado, Diana Degette, with saying that the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, as the running mate for Republican presidential candidate, by John McCain, as being an "insult to women." This article spawned a lot of debate between men, women, Democrats and Republicans on the newspapers website about the validity of Degette's comments. Growing weary of hearing all the baseless negativity written about Sarah Palin, I gave my opinion on the situation. I didn't address anybody specific in my comments, but I did get a rather mean-spirited response to what I had written. Here is the response I received, followed by my rebuttal:

"You're missing the point. If she had been chosen for something other than her chromosomal makeup and the prettiness of her face, then I'd applaud the decision. But the fact that she is so clearly a pawn, so clearly being used and apparently doesn't know it, saddens me. If he had chosen an accomplished Republican woman who had earned her stripes and who so clearly wasn't a puppet, then more power to them both. But the fact that this isn't actually sets women back years. I think John McCain is assuming that women can't see this and will blindly go to the polls and vote for a vagina."

"Typical liberal response. I haven't missed the point. Devoid of any real analysis, and full of personal attacks (chromosomal makeup, pawn, unaccomplished, puppet, vagina), you claim to know McCain's motives for picking her. Besides, he is a politician, everything can be considered a political move. If Hillary, or another woman, was nominated by the DNC, you would be praising the move. But, as I said in my original post, if the Dems don't do it, they cry foul. Your whole analysis is based off of stereotypes and assumptions you have about Republicans and conservatives. It amazes me that liberals are so concerned about the pick. First of all, you're not going to vote for McCain anyway, so why be worried about Palin's selection? Secondly, If she is just a pawn, it will only help your side, right? And thirdly, the shine is coming of your candidate and he is being exposed for the big government, leftist socialist he really is. The fact is that the savvy displayed in selecting Palin is bugging the Dems because the conservative base of the GOP is energized by it and it may just carry them to the White House. The Left and the Democratic Party feed off of negativity because all they can campaign on is how bad they believe things are and then play to the emotions of their constituents by making empty, and unbelievable, promises designed to fix those perceived problems. If they had any real ideas they would be winning the White House consistently. Fact is, they don't and they haven't."

"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them." Ephesians 5:3-7

This back and forth that I had with this individual is typical of what comes out of a supporter of Barack Obama. In many cases it is useless to interact with them because, from my experience, they are not interested in dialoguing with you. Their pride only allows them to engage in personal attacks, labeling others and avoiding factual statements. Republican headquarters in Colorado, during the Democratic National Convention, had a slogan about Barack Obama that read "A Mile High and an Inch Deep." This, of course, is an obvious play on the altitude in Denver and the substance of Barack Obama. It also can come across as engaging in the same kind of personal attacks I am claiming the Obama supporters own. However, tag lines can only be so long and they have to get their point across. But, when you decide to engage in debate over what goes into such a "bumper sticker" remark you have to have something to back that up. And all I see from the Obama supporters is rhetoric, emotionalism, anger and empty promises. And it must work since it has gotten them to within one election of being in the White House. Now, I don't know the religious beliefs of the individual I argued with, but his comments are straight out of Ephesians. They are obscene, foolish, coarse, out of place and full of empty words. But, I am thankful for the opportunity to talk to him because it presents God with an opportunity to teach me about patience and forgiveness. After all, how do you learn these things without someone being impatient and sinning against you?

"I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people." Romans 16:17-18

There is an online political ad, by John McCain, called "The One." It highlights Barack Obama's celebrity and, borderline, messianic appeal to his followers and that, while popular, he is not fit to lead the country. In the ad, they use Barack Obama's own words to back up their claim. "A nation healed. A world repaired," says Obama. The ad continues with Obama saying, "A light will shine down from somewhere. It will light upon you. You will experience an epiphany. And you will say to yourself, 'I have to vote for Barack.'" Barack goes on to say, "This is the moment when the rise of the oceans will begin to slow and our planet began to heal." The ad wraps up by comparing Obama to Charleton Heston's "Moses" parting the Red Sea in the 1956 film, The Ten Commandments. Can you see how Obama is just appealing to the itching ears of his followers who are ready to fall hook, line and sinker for his deception? His smooth talk and flattery are deceiving the minds of naive people. Add to that the historical appeal of his nomination as the first African-American to head the ticket of a major political party and the prospect of exposing his deceit is nearly impossible. When people have an emotional investment in something it is hard to tell them they have made a mistake. Their pride won't allow them admit it.

"They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth...I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray." 1 John 2: 19-21, 26

For an unbeliever to be caught up in the hype of Barack Obama does not disappoint me. After all, they are dead to God in sin and can only respond to that which appeals to the flesh. But, for someone who claims to be a Christian to fall for the demagoguing of Obama amazes me. They don't appear to be exercising any discernment on the matter. Perhaps, it is because they are not Christians at all, are immature in their faith or are so loyal to the Democratic Party they cannot support another candidate for the fear of having to explain why. As a friend of mine recently said, "I think a real, regenerated, born again Christian who aligns themselves with the Democrat Party and their anti Christian agenda has a lot of explaining to do." I happen to agree with this statement. How can someone who knows the truth consistently support those who have dedicated their lives to doing everything in their power to undermine the Christian traditions, ethics and morality of the United States? As my friend continued to say, "So if I have two people (McCain/Palin) who at least present and respect the Christian ethic, and I have two (Obama/Biden) who have demonstrated, by their voting record, they don't, there is no question [who to support]. I have to look at what they believe and what's the history of the party they represent." Christians who have put the Bible on the back burner, or don't refer to it at all, have unknowingly put themselves in the position, by their actions, to support a presidential candidate who claims to be a believer, but who promotes nothing, but unbiblical policies. By not relying on the Truth presented to them by Jesus Christ, the Holy One, they have fell for the lies put forth by "the one."