.jpg)
A Year of Morning Thanks
Freedom
Yesterday, early in the morning in the gym, out of simple curiosity, I asked a number of my ex-colleagues (retired profs) whether they ever discussed politics. One of them said they did talk politics, and on their morning walk that day all four of them were in mourning.
The answer was a sufficient explanation of their views. Obama has been gaining in the polls--hence, the sadness.
Honestly, I wasn't asking for a fight. I was just wondering whether these guys--all good friends of mine at one time--ever disagreed about things during this intemperate political season.
Nope. They were all in mourning.
They waited for me to sign on the dotted line with them, and I didn't. And immediately, one of them pointed a crooked, Clinton-like finger at me, and yelled, "You're supporting a murderer."
At just past six in the morning, I'm in no mood to fight, and besides I'm not a fighter anyway; but the incident felt like a searing reprimand from a man I've always considered a friend. Righteous indignation can feel a whole lot like self-righteous repression.
I live in a corner of the state where religion and Republicanism go hand-in-hand. I can't imagine that the sprawling Obama political machine thinks much at all about securing any votes here. The cultural consensus is with my retired colleague: a vote for Obama is a vote for a murderer.
Case closed.
Minority voices are not tolerated; they're even, as I was, relegated to hell.
Republicans rightly observe that the media spends far more time harassing Sarah Palen than they do Joe Biden, despite his profligate gaffs. Conservatives correctly assess that many, many media stars are undoubtedly Democratic in their leanings. Last night, Chris Matthews asked Bill Maher to talk about the election; I turned Hardball off.
I understand why McCain supporters feel persecuted and picked on, even though I don't share their political views. But I live in a place where the thought police wear the uniform of the other side and bully the opposition just as brutally--and maybe even more because here it's done in the name of the Lord, which puts an eternal spin on the accusations.
What I wonder is, why does it have to be this way? Why do people have shout each other down? Why does hate have to run so deep and wide just beneath the surface of political discourse, even--and maybe even especially--among professing Christians? Is freedom to choose a candidate, to take a side, to have a contrary idea, a good thing or is it evil?
I'm sixty years old, but there are things I still don't understand.
But this morning, it's important for me to say that repression is awful, no matter who's behind it. And it's important for me to say, too, that I'm thankful for freedom.
9 comments:
You know, there is a lot of pain in the world as it is. Why do we have to continue to blame, shame, and pick on those who are different than us. They say that brothers fight the hardest and maybe that is true. Maybe we fight with those who are similar, yet different is some minor way.
Do we fear that we really do not know ourselves?
I'll comiserate with you--but only anonymously. Because, well, what if someone found out I was voting for HIM?
I can't wait for this election to be over.
I dare say arguments often look like hate, but aren't. I have strong feelings on the topic of say...abortion. I hate abortion. It should be illegal. I also believe that "distribution of wealth" smacks of something I don't want to be part of. The government crosses my American made line in that regard. But, I don't hate through my feelings. I think it's possible that a person such as yourself has to see people as hateful in order to justify feelings of victimhood or minority segregation etc. You could interpret that as a hateful statement, but it's not. You seem to have been quite down since oh a year ago and that might influence how you interpret your perspectives about people too. You're starting to put one group of people in one basket yourself y'know. Either way, sometimes I'm grumpy or tired. Sometimes I'm in a great mood. Any one emotion affect my perceptions.
I'm not very profound today. Even so, your blog does resonate. We were with liberal "friends" the other night and Monique and I thought we were in a safe enough environment to give an opinion or two. We were torn apart. Much like yourself we weren't torn apart for a good reason...Obama isn't a murderer, I know that. However, on another night, Sunday night, we had a good night. I became part of another conversation that was political, entertaining, enjoyable and, while neither of us changed our views in particular, we did agree on a number of angles. Either way, I hope people feel safe in my home.
I meant to say, "I don't hate people through my feelings etc." (1st p. 5th line)
It is statistically proven that making abortion illegal does not lessen the number of abortions performed. Obama supports education to prevent unwanted pregnancies. There is a WORLD of difference between pro-abortion and pro-choice. I wonder what all of these people are doing to place and care for these unwanted children. The foster care system is jam packed with unwanted children - surely there are enough pro-lifers out there to take them in.
I could be educated on the detriments of rape or theft. That would not mean that either should be legalized so that my sense of free will could be placated. That is some point of view.
The statement 'bout prolifers and fostering are plain ridiculous...you're throwing everyone in the same basket again in order to justify your political opinion...in fact we do take in foster kids...the system doesn't allow us to keep them.
I hate how ugly people are to one another. And I don't think hate is too strong a word for that sort of ugliness. Out here on this coast the Obama support swings opposite of that of Sioux County, but if there is one thing studying literature has taught me it's that human nature is consistant. And I suppose politics, whether it's discussion on podiums or private residences, is one more square inch longing for redemption.
What make me sad are all the people I know who are ardently pro life every four years on Nov. 4 but are doing nothing in their communities other wise to support and provide other more positive alternatives to young women and men who who wouldn' then feel that abortion and the behavior that leads to it are their only, or the best choice. Also it is too big of a stretch for me to call someone a murderer because the support a candidate who might, if elected, nominate a judge who might if confirmed make a decision which might if she's on the majority, continue to allow abortion. Preventing an abortion is more likely to happen when Christians are being Christ like in their communities not when more conservatives sit on the bench.
Sex education is on the same level as rape and theft? That's a new one. The only reason the system would remove foster children is because of reunification or an unfit home. I know literally dozens of people who have adopted foster children.
Post a Comment