Dig in your heels, America. Continue to be paralyzed by the politics of fear. Stay the course. Turn a
blind eye to the chance to elect a human, Mr. Obama, with the intuitive ability to articulate and analyze fundmental problems in our society that need to be fixed.
Stay the course. It is a proven method --- the Bush presidency
(garnering greater personal wealth for those in the executive branch by means of war) has proven to us that "staying
the course," in fact, has further damaged our culture and our economy. How can we act, how can we face the
future and make a difference?
Let us separate from the past and be brave. Show the world how a distinct kind of vision and bravery still inform American
culture at its core -- how it is a mantle the nation has a right to wear. If America is to be a force for
global change, a force for global "morality," we must model that bravery and vision of a better world.
Many bloggers and posters fail to see what Mr. Obama
pointed out in his speech in Philadelphia this week. Issues of race do change
along generational lines...we perceive the US as it appears
through our distinct generational lenses. Younger voters are far less likely
to be so reactionary in their views as the polarisms expressed by Wright and by others like Hagee or Limbaugh.
As Americans we love to be fickle. And we have
only a short term memory. Hillary Clinton has more explaining to do about her past - business deals -- tax returns (WHERE
ARE THOSE??) - than Obama could ever have.
So, Barack Obama attends a church with a respected
Black theologian as its pastor. How is that really threatening to voters
-- except Republicans who are white, right wing conservatives who enjoy listening to those like the completely offensive
Rush Limbaugh on a daily basis -- not to mention the other hateful theologies spewed by those who have supported the Christian
Right for decades?
The comparison is necessary, here, because, quite
frankly, white hate is a poison that sells advertising dollars. Bush, Cheney and others have NEVER HAD TO APOLOGIZE or explain
their connection to "offensive" preaching.
Frankly, speaking "Truth to power" is a fundamental
theme of Christian preaching...and Christian action. Speaking
"Truth to Ceasar" is something Jesus called his followers to do. Speaking truth to power is a way to find
the hope and courage we need to love again.
In many previous campaigns voting Americans have bemoaned
the "lack of REAL choice." Here, in Campaign 2008 we have that choice. America, you can dig in your heels, turn a blind
eye...STAY THE COURSE, vote to stay in Iraq, vote for a third Clinton White House. The world and our grandchildren will see if we chose bravery over fear, and they will know what happened
if we chose to remain in fear.
