I caught a bit of Barak Obama’s coronation speech the other night. Just a few comments:
1) Obama is one of the better political speakers we’ve seen in a while. I include Bill Clinton in this statement. When Clinton speaks (I’ve thought this from day one), I say over and over to myself, “How is this believable?” He has a little smirk that makes me think deep within, “This is all political paper mache’.” Not so with Barak Obama. No deceptive smirk. He’s a far better political public speaker. He may even seriously believe in what he is saying. There is no WAY McCain can compare. He shouldn’t even try. He’s Dr. Bland compared to the golden tongued Obama.
2) It was a visually compelling and historic night. An African-American man being nominated to be President of the United States. That should make us proud. I was proud to live in America. I think it is a great sign that the Democratic party can finally support an African-American other than Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton, neither of whom could ever seriously be considered to be President. Wow! 84,000 people in a stadium cheering a man who walks out onto a stage built to look like the Parthenon (says Peggy Noonan). It was one of the most impressive coronations I’ve seen in my short run at watching presidential nominations. I’m sure the Clintons were jealously in awe.
3) Here’s what I heard that I found most disappointing: Abortion is a small thing. Homosexuality is a small thing (Obama actually said we should all agree that homosexual couples should be given the right to visit their ‘loved one’ in the hospital if they wanted. WHAT? Are hospitals really disallowing visitors to see patients based on homo or hetero-sexuality? He must have forsaken his teleprompter here). These are small matters we need not concentrate on or be concerned with in regard to our differences. In other words morality in America is a small thing that does not garner the weight of presidential debate. We have heard this sort of reasoning before and it gave Obama’s Democratic predecessor two terms in the White House. I find little encouragement here.
4) I do not have cable Television. I watched the speech via the Internet from the DNC web-cast. No commentary, just the raw footage. So I missed the coverage. But, the clip below is a humorous touche to what I’ve seen (via the Internet) from the likes of Keith Olbermann.
So, there’s my take on the coronation ceremony. Visually and historically impressive. Morally disappointing. Shall we see much different from next week’s Republican coronation ceremony? I’m sure it will not be nearly as visually or historically compelling as Obama’s (this despite the Republicans running a woman for VP). I am yet convinced it will be any more morally compelling than the DNC. I hope morality is not a small thing to them. I will be watching (via the Internet).
While I enjoy following Presidential politics and history, it’s comforting to have a theology that does find its success or joy in the one who sits in the Oval Office or in those walk the halls of congress, but rather in the one who is King of kings and Lord of lords.
I have been watching both conventions, and I think you’ve hit the target on your comments. Both parties (even though the RNC just started) have hit their traditional party lines, for the most part.
What I found interesting though, is when a non-partisan reporter from CNN asked the really tough question about Gov. Palin’s experience as CIC for the AK National Guard, the question was deflected by the Rep. Spokesman with a deftness I had not expected. He never answered the question directly, but said that whatever decisions she had made were certainly more than what Sen. Obama had done.
But what, praytell, did Sen. McCain do? Did he keep his commitment with Larry King even after this hardball session? He did not. He took his proverbial ball and went home. The first real adversity his campaign had faced resulted in his backing out of a scheduled interview in retaliation. I hope that does not foretell of actions he would take in the global arena.
That’s not to say I have stepped in line with all Sen. Obama’s stances on every issue. I do see the moral failings in the Dem. viewpoint – I believe wholeheartedly in One Man-One Woman Marriage. But I would prefer to keep abortion, as abhorrent a procedure as it is, legal and safe for those women who believe it is a viable option. I would never choose it for myself, but I don’t want to see women being butchered in back-alley “clinics” like we saw in the 70’s.
To hear my brother tell it, you would think I’ve totally jumped ship and become a rabid liberal. Not so, but I have enjoyed the healthy debates this presidential campaign has produced.
Whoever is elected in November will have an uphill battle, no matter what side of the Aisle he came from. Either way, it’s an historical year – we will see either our first African-American President, or our first Female Vice President.
I would just call on Christians to remember, however, that God is neither Republican OR Democrat. He is, as you so eloquently stated, King of kings and the Lord of lords. And ultimately, He is who we ALL answer to.
Christy,
Thanks for the comment. Agreed, God is neither a Republican or a Democrat.
As for you being a rabid liberal . . . I don’t know what your brother has told you about me-I’ll be sure and ask. I’ve yet to see any froth around your mouth, but I’ll look more closely next time. Whether you are politically liberal or conservative is really little concern of mine. I certainly have my preferences on issues like taxes, drilling for oil, the war in Iraq, etc. However, I am continually trying (however imperfectly) to run my convictions through the grid of Scripture. I assume you would say the same.
So, on the subject of abortion, I would ask how you have come to your conclusion? Is “legal and safe” the basis? Is “a woman’s choice to do what she wants with her body” the foundational premise? In your estimation, what criteria do you use that makes abortion a viable option for a woman? What biblical basis would you appeal to in order to substantiate your viewpoint of the right to take the life of an infant?
Just curious.
Christy, I did ask your brother if you were a rabid liberal. He wasted no time in letting my know that you were in fact rabid and liberal. Now, is that because he is your brother, or because he’s right? He did have a sort of devious grin when he said it (but, then again, when doesn’t he?).