Debate redux
In an earlier post, I explained my impression that Senator McCain is a "fight first" guy. He certainly reinforced that image tonight - contemptuous, combative, fault-finding, angry.
In contrast, Senator Obama reflected a calm, reasonable, irenic, strong, and wise demeanor. I think Andrew Sullivan's comments are spot on ... it was graceful of Obama to affirm McCain, although sadly, McCain showed none of that grace. I also agree with Sullivan that it is indeed significant that McCain seemed to acknowledge that the current president has indeed been engaged in torture of prisoners.
I thought it was quite ironic that Senator McCain attacked Obama's experience, when Sarah Palin is the person he chose to be one 72-year-old-heartbeat away from the presidency, whose readiness was evidenced here.
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Political ads, political lies, political truth …
Like a lot of people, I'm disturbed - actually, infuriated - by dishonest political ads. I find it strange that a toothpaste company can't lie about its competitors nor can it misrepresent its own product without being liable to lawsuit, but there are no laws against lying among political candidates. So, I'm disappointed when either campaign spins, stretches, or breaks faith with the truth.
As an enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama, I was saddened to read this ...
And I was disturbed when an Obama supporter said things like this ...
Sadly, Senator McCain's campaign has repeatedly stooped to deeply disturbing levels, as explained here and here.
As has his vice presidential candidate, as explained here and here ...
So, my hope is that Democrats will complain when Democratic candidates are less than honest and honorable, and Republicans will do the same. If we let our candidates get away with sleaze, if they win the election but lose their integrity, we'll get what we deserve after the elections.
See the Put Away Falsehood Campaign for accurate responses to falsehoods being spread about Barack Obama, and see Fact Check's "whopper roundup" for both campaigns here.
The words of the Apostle Paul are certainly relevant:
"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are all of the same body" (Ephesians 4:25).
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Letter to American Christians
This important letter is from our brothers and sisters in the global south ... I hope you'll spread the word.
(Thanks to Mike Todd for passing on this link.)
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Wall Street Bailout
Two really helpful responses ... make that three ... no four:
First, from Chuck Collins ... author of The Moral Measure of the Economy (one of the best books on a Christian view of economics I've ever seen - highly recommended).
Second, from Sojourners ... where you can send a message telling our government not to bail out Wall Street without caring for "Main Street."
Third, from Economic Pundit Jon Stewart
And Bob Carlton gets it right here. He says ...
Devinder Sarma frames the contrast in priorities in STWR (Share The World's Resources):
The one trillion dollar bailout package that President Bush is promising could have wiped out the last traces of poverty, hunger, malnutrition and squalor from the face of the Earth - if only our global leadership prioritised the poor with the same level of urgency as the financial crisis
It is shocking to me how silent American churchianity has been in the midst of this collapse. America's Pastor has not said one word in the last 20 days about what is happening to people's homes & their retirement, as well as the $1 trillion plan for financial PEACE. Mainline leaders have been silent as well, ironic given how much of their funding comes from the very investment bankers who drove this collapse. Those who tout themselves as traditionalist or orthodox have been fairly silent, despite their emphasis on free markets as an idea that is almost Biblical.
Be sure to watch the beautiful music video at the bottom of the page.
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George Will nails it …
One wouldn't expect George Will to be an Obama supporter ... but here is how he ends an important editorial in the Washington Post:
Conservatives who insist that electing McCain is crucial usually start, and increasingly end, by saying he would make excellent judicial selections. But the more one sees of his impulsive, intensely personal reactions to people and events, the less confidence one has that he would select judges by calm reflection and clear principles, having neither patience nor aptitude for either.
It is arguable that, because of his inexperience, Obama is not ready for the presidency. It is arguable that McCain, because of his boiling moralism and bottomless reservoir of certitudes, is not suited to the presidency. Unreadiness can be corrected, although perhaps at great cost, by experience. Can a dismaying temperament be fixed?
Will speaks of McCain's "fact-free slander," of his substituting "vehemence for coherence," and the "depths of McCain's shallowness." I hope many of my conservative friends will take Will's editorial seriously. I think he's right - a smart, teachable person like Obama will inevitably learn and gain experience, just as he's been doing through the campaign. But while Senator Obama has been growing more and more presidential, Senator McCain has, it appears, been deteriorating in judgment, temperament, honesty, and other needed presidential qualities.
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