On Oct 2nd, Sarah Palin ended the Vice Presidential debate by voicing her strong belief in American exceptionalism, – that America has a unique blessing by God and a special mission to the world.
Just a couple weeks later this belief has been clarified – she meant Republican exceptionalism.
In recent days it is clear from the emerging rhetoric of Sarah Palin and her doppelganger Congresswoman Bachmann that it is not really all of America that is blessed by God or fully comprehends God’s mission for this country. Only Republicans. Sarah Palin exclaimed last Thursday to a crowd in Greensboro North Carolina that she is so glad to be in the pro-American part of the country, by which she means those parts which agree with her. Likewise, Congresswoman Bachmann is putting on her best Joe McCarthy just in time for Halloween by seeking an investigation of every member of congress to find out if her colleagues are “pro-America or anti-America.”
The gist of these attacks is that if a person or a group of people aren’t for the Republicans then they are ant-American. And by the extension of American exceptionalism – these same people are anti God and God’s mission. This was recently oddly backed up by their Republican clergyman Arnold Conrad who invoked the God of the universe at a political rally with a perverse plea for a McCain victory:
“There are millions of people around this world praying to their god–whether it’s Hindu, Buddha, Allah–that his opponent wins, for a variety of reasons. And Lord, I pray that you will guard your own reputation, because they’re going to think that their God is bigger than you, if that happens,”
I’m not sure if threatening God is a good strategy.
But what is more disturbing is the current litmus test of God and Country which idolizing their own ideology and sets up their own party as the golden calf. If McCain does lose, will Palin, Bachmann, and Conrad be willing to entertain the thought that God has withheld favor because of their ridiculous and hateful campaign and remember that neither party owns this country – or God.
posted October 19, 2008 at 11:51 am
I have some sympathies with Palin’s use of small-town America as some kind of idealized foil against cosmopolitan globalized culture in larger urban centers. There is by and large a more patriotic sense of identity in these communities to which I can attest as a resident of one.
However, Bachmann’s comments take this kind of “feel good” sentiment of mom, apple pie, Friday night lights, and flags on main street during Memorial Day to a different level of ideological divisiveness that is not helpful at all. By labeling people who are in active public office as Anti- or not even Pro- American is repellant and slanderous – especially her clear association of Obama to terrorism and anti-Americanism whcih we all readily associate with Al Quaeda, Islamism, and Tim McVeigh, among others.
As this continues, someone needs to be held accountable for the slander and libel that is being used to transpose instances of clear American hatred onto the character of not only Barack Obama, but any critical dissenter to the GOP ideological postures toward the world.
posted October 19, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Somehow this sound a lot like the Herodians and Pharisees who sent out disciples to check up on the unRoman activities of Jesus. For some reason they suspected that he was subverting the party and country of Tiberius Caesar Augustus, son of the Divine Caesar Augustus, whose coinage showed clearly that he was the one they trusted. It was Tiberius’ country and he was their God.
Conrad, Bachnann, and Palin would have fit right in with their version of nationalism.
posted October 20, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Good observation, well said.
posted October 21, 2008 at 1:50 am
I agree with Libranne, Gravis points out the unfettered lack of humility shown in this campaign. It is a dangerous tactic, and unworthy of someone of faith. I fear that no matter which side wins, faith will receive a black eye in the coming years.