August 2007 Archives

Perhaps you've seen the clip below. If not, it is worth watching for its honesty and passion

It is easy to see John Edwards as a slick, rich, glossy politician defined not by the substance of his campaign - economic justice, compassion, challenges to corporations - but by the gaffes - expensive haircuts - and the reality of his personal wealth.

But to dismiss his message because of the gaffes or because he is wealthy is to miss someone who is truly challenging the status quo. There are certainly things he says that give me gas - the idea that we are going to "eliminate" poverty in 30 years seems utopian; his answer to a forum in the gay community about what a mistake it was for faith to inform his opinion was a true head scratcher. All that being said, however, his message is important and his passion is unquestionably real. This is not a man posing by poverty's side for electoral gain. This is real stuff.

Did the South Korean government go too far in negotiating for the release of the hostages? Talk about a hard case. Everyone should be celebrating the release of those men and women. How truly, truly wonderful.

At the same time, reports that the South Korean government agreed to bar missionary activities to Afghanistan - if true as reported - are troubling. A government barring the work of faith overseas? If not chilling, it is at least troubling.

Is this something Christians should agree to following? If so, at what price does it come? I need to learn more.

Here is an addicting site for the politically nosy - OpenSecrets.org. Type in a name and a city and you can find out who has been giving money. You can do it for yourself or for neighbors or for celebrities or for other politicians. Have fun.

A United States Senator is held - or should be held - to a higher standard. Sen. Larry Craig's behavior doesn't pass a lower standard. He should resign.

Some will say that there is a double standard, that Democrats get away with more than Republicans; that when Democrats get in trouble the "media" doesn't focus on their problems as much. In some cases that may be true. I don't think this is one of them.

John Edwards said that he would ask Americans to sacrifice their SUVs in favor of more fuel-efficient cars.

I'm sure people will be mocking him - probably already are - but it is an example of honest leadership.

Consider this - he dared talk about sacrifice. He said he would ask Americans to give up something they like for a greater good. Such talk from a politician was once not all that unusual. In today's America it is rare because as any pollster will tell you, "sacrifice doesn't sell" as a message. Why? Well, we Americans don't like giving up anything. Take a look at our waistlines - mine is 38, should be 36 - and discover we prefer yes to no.

But if the message of global warming is true, if the message of energy independence is true then it follows that sacrificing our gas guzzling SUVs is at least something to talk about... even if the idea of sacrificing is a lost idea.