Brain in hibernation

Hello friends,
I have been MIA from this little blog for nearly a week now! All summer coursework was due on Friday and since then my brain has gone into hibernation before fall classes resume next Monday. I hope to get the dialogue rolling again soon. Thanks for bearing with me!
Peace,
E

Lipstick on a Pig

If you watch these two videos, you will see how both McCain and Obama have used the phrase, "lipstick on a pig" in describing an oponent. The McCain camp calls Obama's use sexist and a smear of Palin; yet it seems to me that Obama is clearly talking about McCain's policy here. However, McCain's use of it seems to be much more of a chauvinistic slam on Hilary Clinton. I know that I watch these videos with biased eyes and ears...but seriously, do you see them differently?

McCain:



Obama:

Bipartisan Lies

http://www.slate.com/id/2199923

On a side note, there is a link to a YouTube video at the end of the article. The video is hilarious but it breaks my "no spin" ground rule, so I will not post it here.

Grace and Peace,
E

Energy Policy

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/opinion/14friedman.html

Come on now, let's be fair

This election season, I have been particularly disturbed by the rediculous double-standards for judging moral character coming from both sides of the aisle. Case in point:
(All links below guide you to the very scholarly source: wikipedia!)

• Obama's (former) Spiritual Mentor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright
• Controversial for some of his racially and politically charged sermons
• My perspective: Much of white America does not understand the racial oppression that still exists and that we perpetuate with ignorance. White America, further, does not understand the black church. Given this, I believe that the overarching majority of Rev/ Wright's sermons were misinterpreted; the media and the GOP told Americans what to hear. Ultimately, I think that, at times, Rev. Wright may have gone too far. Unfortunately, at some point all of our heroes and mentors fall short (save Jesus). We live in a fallen world which means that every last one of us falls short of perfection. We say and do things that we later regret. Is is fair to judge someone by his/her mentor? I resoundingly say no.
  
• McCain's (former) Spiritual Mentor, Pastor Rod Parsley
• Controversial for extremist views on Islam and participation in the "dominionist" movement
• My perspective: Parsley takes it way too far. But it is Parsley alone who is responsible for what he says. We cannot aptly judge McCain based on Parsley's words.
  
• Palin's (loose) Ties to Jews for Jesus Leader, David Brickner
• Controversial for views regarding Jews and Israel recently preached at Palin's home church; specifically, comments that terrorist attacks on Israelis are God's "judgment of unbelief" for Jews who have not embraced Christ. Brickner has recently recinded these statements saying that, "The notion that the terrorist, bulldozer attack in Jerusalem this summer was God’s judgment on Israel for not believing in Jesus, is absolutely not what I believe. In retrospect, I can see how my rhetoric might be misunderstood and I truly regret that." (http://jewsforjesus.org)
  
• My perspective: Sarah Palin was there, but that tells us nothing of her perspective on the sermon. I have attended sermons in my own and other faith traditions wherein I firmly disagreed with the message being preached. I watch the current President address the Nation, but that does not mean that I agree with what he has to say, even though I am both watching and am a member of country.
  
• Leveling the Bipartisan Playing Field:
• If you heard about Brickner or Parsley and thought, "Oh those Democrats, taking it out of context and out of line" or heard about Wright and thought, "Well, I can actually get on board with what he is saying. It is the Republican Party that is twisting this", I implore you to consider the other side. Either a) none of these attacks are valid/fair, or b) they all are. Pick a side, a) or b), but do not dance on both sides of the fence depending on the repercussions for your party.
  

A few recent links

From the NY Times:
"Once Elected, Palin Hired Friends and Lashed Foes"
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/politics/14palin.html

"Blizzard of Lies"
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/opinion/12krugman.html

From CNN:
"Rove: McCain Went 'Too Far' in Ads"
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/14/campaign.wrap/index.html


From YouTube:
Sarah Palin: Reads Well From a Teleprompter, Does Not Do Well On Her Own




McCain: Caught in a Web of Inconsistencies




McCain's Ads: Replete With Lies

I never thought I would be a blogger...

When I first heard about blogs, I thought they were a bizarre form of narcissistic expression. As more people, including close friends, ventured out into the blogosphere, I began to see the value of blogs and realized that they were more than just a home for neurotic catharsis. However, if you had asked me, even a week ago, I would have told you that I, personally, would never host a blog. I simply never had any desire to do so, until now. I feel that the present political situation has left me no choice. The media and the candidates try to spoon feed us flawed and imperfect reasoning. I am searching for the grains of truth and justice out there. My husband has heard more than his share of my beef. So, friends, if you feel called, join me on this journey as I organize my thoughts and rantings, and try to make some sense out of the 2008 presidential campaign. If you know of any good articles/youtube videos/etc. that would be well suited, please feel free to post them here. I welcome bipartisan dialogue; the only ground rule is that whatever is posted must be intelligent and fair. Please, no spin and no Brittany Spears.

Peace,
Erika

"You must speak until justice wakes, rubs sleep from its eyes, and balances the scales of history. You must speak until the wrong has been made right, till the oppressed have had their day in court, and till truth can stand tall again, clothed in righteousness."
-Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith.
(2006). Speak Until Justice Wakes: Prophetic Reflections from J. Alfred Smith Sr. Valley Forge, PA: Fortress Press, p. 19.