Bush's Treatment by the American Public: An Article & Responses

"To be sure, Mr. Bush is not completely alone. His low approval ratings put him in the good company of former Democratic President Harry S. Truman, whose own approval rating sank to 22% shortly before he left office."

In my own self-absorbed way of thinking about what thoughts others must have of me, I often come to the decision that they don't know quite what to do with me. I probably come across as naively idealistic and, now, in light of posts on Obama, all to willing to support him, ignoring the troubling policies or issues he may support.

I think, for one, rather than naivety, it's simply a continuation of who I am. I remember receiving from my high school Spanish teacher a note at graduation of congratulations that went on to say that she'd never heard anyone speak badly of me. A compliment and an encouragement - for I believe I'm called to respect, love, and honor everyone - even with whom I disagree or have very little in common.

It's as a result of that mindset that I'm committed to honoring those with whom I disagree at times (such as Barack Obama and the Democratic party platform) and encouraging others to do the same. Here's an article published by the Wall Street Journal this last week. I tend to agree with it's perspective that Bush has been undully mocked and disrespected. So, if nothing else, I don't want this to be said in 4 years about those of us who did not vote for Obama. May the review be, "They disagreed with him and the Democratic congress, but they always did it with deep respect that honored the President and those in power."

Here's the article at WSJ.com. Also, the emails/letters in follow-up to it are really good - albeit, lengthy. For what it's worth, enjoy!

Reading: The New GOP & Obama

Reading "The Gaurdian" the other day, I came across a column that talked about the GOP party getting together to redefine itself. In fact, they've set up a website to get input from Republicans on what needs to happen. In all this discussion, I've also come across two books on what the "new" GOP party needs to look like. Here's links to articles on them. I'll likely pick up one of the two.

The Grand New Party: Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream

A New Kind of Conservative (I couldn't find a review, since the book is so new, but here's an excerpt from it at RelevantMagazine.com)

On the second note, Obama. While I didn't vote for Obama because of policy issues and what I believe is best for the country, now that he's my president I really do want to know more about who he is as a man - a man of faith, an African-American man, etc. The Faith of Barack Obama showed up in last month's Relevant Magazine. It's written by Stephen Mansfield, who wrote a well-reviewed biography on George W. Bush's faith, and is published by Thomas Nelson - an evangelical publishing company that has a reputation for publishing well. So, in order to understand Barack Obama more, this new president of mine for 4 years and to speak intelligently about who he is and in a respectful, honoring way with others over the next 4 years, I'm planning to pick this book up and see what Mansfield has to say.

Democrats vs. Republicans: Healthy Correctives?

Came across several really interesting - and really good - articles on the elections, Christians, and Obama on my Google Reader feeds the other night. This one was particularly good - and then, particularly troubling, in the comment section.

Here's the link to the article. Read it if you get the chance. It's about what portion of evangelical/born-again believers voted for Obama and the role of Obama's religious life in his campaign. My prayer and my hope is that what Obama said is true of him and he lives up to it during his time in office. Particularly this part stuck out:

No Democrat since Jimmy Carter has spoken as openly, and as often, about his personal faith. In his Call to Renewal speech in 2006, Obama chastised some Democrats 'who dismiss religion in the public square as inherently irrational or intolerant, insisting on a caricature of religious Americans that paints them as fanatical, or thinking that the very word "Christian" describes one's political opponents, not people of faith.'

These were the two most recent comments at the end of the article:

To those who know God, we should have seen this coming. Whether we agree or not, we were given a reprieve to His judgement in 2000 for 8 more years. This time, we have foolishly voted for judgement on the whole country. Nothing for true believers to do now but fasten our seatbelts and brace for what is coming, as we also are guilty of doing nothing.

George W. Bush is a born again christian who has served this country well. But without our support in challenging the hatred unjustly focused on him, he faced an enemy of evil which made him ineffective, all a matter of plan by liberal democrats.

Starting with the lie about "no WMD's" the lies were never let up. But did anyone know there were hundreds of pounds of "yellow cake" uncovered years ago that Bush voluntarily kept secret and took the punishment on himself for top secret security reasons? The democrats knew it also, but continued to use it against him. Is it so hard to believe we are now under the judgement and the country is headed beyond the point of return to destruction? If it is God's will, so be it.

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2 Chronicles 7:14 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

This is our option now and has always been. The ONLY way to stop this man is to pray. For GOD nothing is impossible. Satan has tricked many believers into voting for this man which also means they voted for abortion, homosexual mariage etc. They put their finances before GOD. A sad day indeed.

I have to be honest, as a born again, Jesus loving Christian, posts like this make me sad. I know people have freedom of speech - so I'm glad they can exhibit and I'll never try to supress it. However, what they say - in this case - can be discouraging. What do comments like this do for Christian evangelicals that voted for Obama (of which I'm not one) out of conviction? Neither candidate was "squeeky clean" - so what if they decided that (like the article above points out) that people voted for Obama in spite of his stance of homosexuality, abortion - because they believe he did a better job at meeting the needs of the widows, the orphans, and the downtrodden? (By the way, most economists argue that his financial plan sucks, so I don't believe that the main reason people voted for him) Caring for the widows, orphans, and downtrodden is something we are commanded to do THROUGHOUT Scripture in both the old and the new. Yes, God will never condone homosexual activity and I think abortion does break his heart - but those are things that the church can stand against - but what about what the Church stands for? We are called to reach out to the widows, orphans, downtrodden. No, I don't believe that the gov't is the best means for that, but I will respect other Christians who, in this case, voted out of their conviction of Scripture and their love for God.

There's a deep sadness in the comments as well. There's the sense that neither of these people have known and respected a Christian democrat. They've never learned to understand and appreciate - with the full freedom to disagree - someone else's viewpoint that shares their belief in God. It seems that their world is so small and they've only allowed themselves to experience and embrace a very narrow piece of the family of God.

So really, this idea that Obama is God's judgement on America? I don't see this as trusting God with our appointed leaders and this election. But more than that, it doesn't show respect for our fellow believers in Christ. It doesn't honor them and respect them - in spite of our disagreements. Heaven help us if all Christians were Baptist or Presbyterian - we would miss so much. Heaven help us if we were all Republican, because for the same reason - we would miss so much. Just as denominations are faulty, so are political parties and personal views on society and government - we serve in the family of Christ or the society of America as healthy correctives to one another.

A Friend's Post on Obama

Here's a post from a friend of mine from junior high/high school in Kenya. I have the deepest of respect for both Danielle's faith and intellect. As you can see, we voted differently this election. I was telling a friend last night, this is what I love about having friends who see the world slightly differently then I do. Danielle sees things and knows things about Obama that I wasn't aware of - and it gives me great hope. I'm not a huge fan of Obama, but so many Christians that I respect did vote for him - so, because I respect them, I respect their choice, even if it was different from mine. And, just as I would have been praying for McCain through his presidency, I'll be praying for Obama - for wisdom and for strength - and with hope, that this is indeed a great time for America to respond to Darfur, reach out to the poor, see abortion rates decline, and more.

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It's a proud moment for all of us,

not only African Americans.

I am so excited about this day. I am excited to vote for someone who is concerned for the poor and who the poor, throughout the world, have voted for. I am excited to have voted for someone who knows something about Darfur and has not lost count of his houses. I am excited that this person has called Americans to sacrifice time and time again and that he continues to use unifying language. I am excited that the littles will grow up with a president who matches their skin tone. I am excited that people my age are interested and involved in politics.

My high school basketball coach wrote to tell me that Kenyan President Kibaki has declared Nov. 6 a national holiday to celebrate Barack Obama's victory. Have you ever heard of such a thing happening in response to the affairs of the other side of the world?

I don't agree with Obama about everything. I'm not in love with the man, nor do I place my hope in him. As a Christian, I don't expect to ever vote for a candidate with whom I completely align and agree. However, this does not diminish my excitement in the least over today's events. I think that the next four years will be easier for the hard core McCain loyals then it would've been if he had won. They are left to say at every bump in the road, I told you so, or should've voted for McCain. I hope that today does indicate a continuing trend of diminished partisanship and that people will heed both candidates' calls tonight towards unity and cooperation.

Yesterday's Vote: Today Brings Significant Change

(Associated Press)

Staying up till 3:00am this morning watching the election coverage has me heavy-eyed this morning. But, here are a few thoughts on the election.

First of all, congratulations to Obama and to his campaign. As McCain said in his speech, and I agree with him, Obama deserves the utmost respect for his victory. He campaigned well, focusing on the states that meant a lot for him when it came to electoral votes. As well, as much as I don't align with his views and ideas for the country, I do believe that his election breathes some life and breath into the minority groups in the US - that the US is not a place where one can think that things will never change or they will never have a voice. To what extent Obama will be a voice for these minority groups is yet to be seen, but symbolically there is no doubt that it is a significant occasion.

It is significant that, while Obama won a landslide in electoral votes, the popular vote was close. Just as there was a weight placed upon President Bush to bring together a divided country, Obama (indeed, all of us) cannot forget that while he won the election, there are a significant number of people that did not cast their ballot for him. I hope and pray that they will now give him their respect and honor him as their elected president, but I hope that Obama goes on to earn their respect - for respect earned is more deeply significant than that which is due.

As most will note, this is also a significant occasion for the Democratic party, as they now have the majority in both the House and the Senate and now have the Executive office as well. While of course this is "scary" (to use words I've read all to recently in emails) for Republicans, the great beauty of this country is that it is a country where things change every 2 & 4 years. It is a country where the people can call their leaders to account. It is also a country where, while a congressman or congresswoman may be Democratic or Republican, they may often vote in contrary to the majority of their party - because they vote on their own conscience.

To Republicans, I believe this is the beginning of a significant time for them. I hope and pray that it sees the rise of young Republican's with a sharp intellect who can lead the way in the dialogue with Democrats on important issues - and through earned respect, make some significant headway in establishing the Republican image as one that is deeply thoughtful and responsibly vocal in the way they present their opinions and respect their opponents.

To those in the Republican party - both young and old - this election ushers in a time where they must step up to the plate and work harder then they ever have before. It is a time to present, in the best of ways - morally and ethically, an intelligent determination to what they think is best for this country . That the Republican party might become a party not scarred by scandal - as they have all too recently - but a party that earns everyone's respect (irregardless of their own party affiliation) for the way that Republican's carry themselves, conduct themselves, and interact with people from all different perspectives. Let this be the "kick in the pants," if you will, that makes honorable men and women out of a party that has lost much face in the last months.*

*No doubts there will be arguments as to whether or not face has been lost. I think the case is easily made. The scandal of Ted Stevens from Alaska. The lack of an intellectual response/reply to Obama's campaign and promise for change. The place of white supremacists in threatening murder and aligning themselves with the Republican party. The scare tactic phone calls and email forwards about Obama that are poorly researched or unapologetically misleading/misrepresentative of Obama. Yet, at the same time, there have been signs of Republican "honor" through the Republican (initial) opposition to the bailout plan, etc. By no means has the story of the Republican party in the past years been completely dismal, but it does seem that the armor has holes in it that need patching and there's a staggered step from one-to-many falls.

Give Us a King Like the Other Nations

In following up to Daniel's comment on the last post, I agree, I too am ready for the ballots to be cast tomorrow, the decision made, and life to move on - God in control as He's always been, regardless of how the election turns out.

As I was thinking about the election the other day, this came to mind:

"Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him [...] 'Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the other nations.'" (1 Sam. 8:4-5)

I've come to the point where I've decided, if people truly want Barack Obama to be president, then let them have it (indeed, The Economist for this week communicates as though he's already won with the title "It's Time..." and Obama walking, humbly toward the camera). I think people will be surprised by what they actually get with him as President and I don't think it's going to be a good thing - but sometimes we only learn that what we wanted isn't good for us by getting actually getting that which we wanted.

Understand, I have nothing against Obama as a man. He's intelligent, thoughtful, kind, and well-meaning - I have no doubt about these. But, I don't think that he and his party's policies are healthy for the US economy and society. And, in the vein of the verse above, I feel like there is this idea - however slight or quiet it might be - that Obama is more like European leaders - trendy (in following the will of the people) and "a dweller of the gray area" (so you never quite know what he's thinking or what he actually believes) - and there's this call for "Give us a president like the other Western nations."

So, as I stay up tomorrow night way too late to watch the election results roll in, if the people begin crying for the "king" they think they want, then by all means, give it to them. It won't change the way I follow, love, or trust my Lord - so more power to them, and I'll keep step right behind this God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.