LaughingSeven

I generally don’t engage in political discussions because it’s an area that I have historically had very little interest in (for a number of reasons I won’t go into here) nor have I had much understanding or knowledge of how government/politics works (Sorry Ms. Smith, your 9th grade Social Studies class wasn’t THAT bad). But this morning is different. I’m going to briefly offer a few thoughts on Obama for president given that he was on primetime last night. Much of these thoughts are the result of questions I have been asking myself, even though I’m unsure of what specifically those questions are in written form. I digress.

As a matter of theological/philosophical standing, I love Obama’s offering of hope. This blog, though not maintained on a regular basis, was founded with the idea that there is more; more hope. From an emotional standpoint, Obama speaks clearly to me that America, ahem the United States, can and should offer more to the world. And it is promised that he can deliver this change, this hope. And I agree … there is plenty more that we as a country can and should be doing. 

Watching his speech last night at the DNC in Denver, I kept wondering who this man was. My wife and I talked about the emotions on people’s faces as they watched and listened to Obama speak, both noting that on many occasions there seemed to be an air of awe and worship as those in attendance literally screamed, wept, and facially bowed at him and his offerings of hope. Being a therapist, I realize that hope does some crazy shit to people (not to mention me personally). It’ll make folks angry (as I saw on the faces of Hillary Clinton and Al Gore as they each took the podium at the DNC), it’ll make others sad for what should be, and it’ll make others so giddy with excitement that their serotonin levels are probably through the roof. All this to say that Obama creates a lot of buzz (captain obvious, here).

This morning, I am wondering what to do with Obama. My story and theology tell me that I cannot place my hope in humanity. Personally there is danger to believe in the promise and offering of hope in someone, anyone, I have never personally met, let alone someone I do know. But ultimately what scares me about Obama is the god-like status that he seems to command and get from people. Is his god-like status about the message or the man? My guess is that there is some of both … and I realize that my personal hermeneutic comes into play here, so perhaps this entire brain dump is all for naught (though I hope not). But as I watched him speak last night, I couldn’t get away from the faces of those watching/listening to him. There is/was a strange sense of fear mixed with relief that finally, finally we have a person/place/idea to put our (collective) hope. And again, that scares the hell out of me. 

It feels premature to end my thoughts now, but I’m unsure of where else to go. 

Fantastic video clip about Bush, the war, and John Kerry.

I’ve read a few articles and blog posts about Kerry’s statement supposedly directed at Bush but was interpreted as a slam on the soldiers. Not to put Bush in the same category with the soldiers, because they are in vastly different positions, but why is it acceptable for Kerry to make light of or make fun of, in a very public manner I might add, the president but if it’s done so towards the soldiers….burn him at the stake?

It’s almost as if there was a collective sigh of relief across the US when Kerry posted a rebuttal on his blog saying that his entire intention was to make fun of the President and not make fun of the soldiers. Why is that acceptable? Just because Kerry isn’t in agreement with Bush, it suddenly gives him license to make jokes about him and his policy?

I don’t agree with the war, but it’s become such a form of political banter today that we’ve totally lost the humanity of whats happening. Our soldiers are dying trying to protect a people group that never asked for protection. Iraqi soldiers are dying, civilians are dying, and blah blah blah… And what do we make of this war? For politics and elections? For freedom? For safety? For humor?

There may not have been weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq, but they have killed and captured many who had more ability to create mass destruction than a couple of bombs. Our country will always be at war with someone. Because of war, death will be a topic of discussion at dinner tables, at coffee shops, and at bars for many many years to come. As this is happening, and will continue to happen, I’m asking myself the question: How will I hold disagreement and uneasiness about death and the war? Will I create more violence by devaluing other people or will I be able to hold my discontent and actively pursue peace and love? How will you hold war and death?

This country is not going to get very far with the miserable split that exists in party lines and policy. We’re already at the point of a civil war (albeit done so if a very back-stabbing fashion) between the right and left, conservative and liberal, rich and poor, soldier and non-soldier, president and non-president, Christian and non-Christian, and the list goes on. Will we learn to treat the other as not an other but as a person? Or will we continue to objectify those who don’t share our same party line, or our same economical status, or our same faith?

This “great” country is going nowhere as long as our goal is power and control.