I dislike the parts of the news cycle which exploit the personal failings of others. There are times when, reluctantly, I concede they may be relevant. I intentionally stayed away from the John Edwards adultery story, for example. But I admit his behavior, had it been known, would likely have derailed his candidacy. Which would likely have changed the Democratic primary. Which may well change the history of both our nation and our world should Barack Obama be elected President of the United States.
Seen in that light, discussion of Edwards’ adultery as it applies to the political consequences of his candidacy is legitimate. It matters what we do. It is through this lens that, as a father of 5 and as a man who has answered for his share of unwise decisions over the years, I view the past week’s politics. It matters what we do.
John McCain faced the most important decision for his campaign to date. Who to choose for VP? Be the maverick, choose Lieberman and the base be damned? Play both ends against the middle? Choose Romney or Huckabee and both appeal to and repel a portion of the base? Or make a bold play to the base, the country and the world and go with Sarah Palin? Tough choices. Important choices. It matters what we do.
Millions of dollars in donations over a few days, an almost unanimously energized base, the best possible poll results and frantic, desperate, Democratic spin and attacks later - it would seem he chose well. After all, if the response of most reporters and news rooms to Obama’s candidacy is cheering and open campaigning on his behalf, it then speaks volumes to me that those same newsies respond to the Palin pick with laughter. They’ve fashioned for themselves, by their own actions, a reputation in the public eye that ranks right down there with our Democratic Congress. If they’re against it, it must be the best thing going! It matters what we do.
Which brings me to Bristol Palin. Who would have thought a 16 year old from one of our least populous states would, by actions undertaken in private and never intended to be made public, have the ability to reach out and touch a family, a country and maybe a world? I cannot imagine what it is like to be Bristol Palin tonight. A lot rides on this election. It is impossible to calculate how her behavior will impact that election and thus, the world. It is an academic exercise in the theory of “What if?”. But it’s real. It matters what we do.
Given the predictable, inevitable response from the Left once her story became known, her family’s choice was bold and courageous. They would support Bristol and her decision to both have the baby and marry the father. Grace under fire. The courage and strength that come from actually having convictions even if you don’t always live up to them. It matters what we do.
We have come to the last weeks of the election. I didn’t watch much of the DNC’s antics. I won’t watch much of the RNC’s either. I will tune in for Sarah Palin’s speech. It’s time to stop watching and start working. Working to stay true to what I believe. Giving to those men and women that I believe in. And voting on November 4th for the people and the party I believe are best for the country and the world.
Because I’m reminded this week, by a 16 year old Alaskan mother and wife to be and a 72 year old Presidential wannabe, what I’ve always known, what it is vital I continue to teach my children, and what I must continue to live by myself. Behave as if the world depended upon your actions. It just might. It matters what we do.
On a scale from 1 to 5, this rates a 7
civil_truth Tuesday, September 2nd at 9:25AM EDT (link)You’ve given us our marching orders
And Rightly So!
Great blog
DGaines Tuesday, September 2nd at 9:45AM EDT (link)and worthy advice for us all.
None
Spare me the sob story
gaonmymind Wednesday, September 3rd at 9:10PM EDT (link)I’m reposting what I posted in the other thread. As a Republican back when we had a sense of decency, I’m completely dismayed by the choice of Palin.
I do feel terrible for Bristol, who’s learning all too young what a terrible place the world is. I blame her mother for failing to raise her properly.
She’s the new Dan Quayle. At least Dan Quayle could claim some kind of a pedigree.
The other day, I said that I’d wished McCain had picked someone more qualified … qualified at anything … but would’ve preferred someone on the economy to shore up his lack of expertise. Running a town the size of a large high school does not count.
I said her background didn’t bother me, but who am I kidding, it isn’t about her lack of experience, but her lack of character. Yes, she’s pro gun (who isn’t) and she’s pro-life (who isn’t) and has a strong faith (who doesn’t) but seriously could we not find someone (anyone) else to fit that bill?
Belief isn’t enough, deeds do matter. So she’s against fornication, I can’t stand by and say “kids are kids.” She’s a mom, that’s her first job. If my kid had a DUI I wouldn’t say “kids are kids”. That’s lip service. It’s hypocrisy. It’s against everything I raised my daughters and sons to believe. Neither of my daughters got knocked up before they graduated (or before they were married for that matter). When I was growing up, abortion wasn’t even an option in our state, and guess how many teen pregnancies we had? Zero, because in the midwest we don’t just say we have values, we keep them. If my sisters or my daughters had done that, they would have had a huge setback and may never have gotten where they are. And heaven forbid they married their high school idiot boyfriends. How much would that have held them back.
A mother like Sarah should know how hard it is for a woman to get ahead in this world, and you don’t get there by partying in a trailer park and getting knocked up at 17. It’s simply not acceptable. I don’t want my grand daughters to think abortion is ok and I also don’t want my granddaughters seeing a VP force her kid into marriage to correct her first mistake.
Our party used to be about character, about pride, and about common sense. What happened? I blame that unholy alliance we made with the evangelicals in the 1980s. I’ve been a Christian my whole life and I’ve never had to beg forgiveness for anything because I’ve never been stupid enough to make the huge mistakes we always forgive. I think all this forgiveness has succombed to lax morals.
Forgiveness is great, but let’s try a dose of prevention first.
We had a shot to win this election. I’m not sure now.
How sad and completely off-base - probably another troll
Jack_Savage Wednesday, September 3rd at 9:24PM EDT (link)You really should be on the other side, if you aren’t already. I certainly wish you were. And you sure missed something in the translation when you reference being a Christian.
And you are sure your daughters never got knocked up? Or had a pretty bad scare? Are you really? If they turned out fine, I would credit luck more than parenting. A parent who beats his chest like you do is very likely not to know quite a bit that went on with their kids. You might be surprised.
For you to comment on the motives and situation of Sarah and Bristol Palin should be embarassing to you, because I am embarassed for you, and what you don’t know is one hell of a lot.
A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are made for.
Wow...
aesthete Wednesday, September 3rd at 10:30PM EDT (link)You’re good.
Self-Righteousness?
Check.
Omission of important facts (such as that she is currently Governor, and not someone “Running a town the size of a large high school”)?
Double Check.
Arrogant belief that you can control the behaviors of others, as you presume w/Bristol Palin and her mother?
Check again.
If I missed anything, let me know.
Your typical Spartan warrior clinging to spears and gods:
What gas, man.
blooch Wednesday, September 3rd at 10:34PM EDT (link)“I’ve been a Christian my whole life and I’ve never had to beg forgiveness for anything because I’ve never been stupid enough to make the huge mistakes we always forgive.”
You should be preaching at TUCC with that patter. What utter, jaw-dropping hubris.
“i agree that a better system would be better. but what is that better system?”–chchatham
Sorry to tear you away......come to the open blog
speciallist Wednesday, September 3rd at 10:37PM EDT (link)n/p
Tim Tebow is a Stud…
a concern troll and a fake christian to boot
kyle8 Wednesday, September 3rd at 10:40PM EDT (link)And HEY! I know I am not supposed to doubt anyone else’s religion, but that smug self righteousness is pretty much exactly the opposite of the teachings of Jesus Christ.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
Slug
bs Wednesday, September 3rd at 10:41PM EDT (link)The Unofficial RedState FAQ 3.0
“The Democratic tendency to make gods of successful politicians makes it all the more necessary to oppose them vigorously. ” - H. L. Mencken
We'll be sure to win this election with team players like you gaoonmymind. Or should that be Moby?
stang Wednesday, September 3rd at 10:41PM EDT (link)As my momma said, “If you ain’t got nothin’ nice to say, keep your pie-hole shut.”
Your arrogance,
and your desperate need to prove you’re just like us,
and finally your employment of oblique, personal attacks on Palin and her family,
Emphasis mine
….spell M-O-B-Y. Better than most at mounting your derisive, indirect character attacks (you used up your plausible deniability yesterday), but a MOBY just the same.
If you were all the things you’ve been trying to make us believe you are, Perfect Republican, Perfect Christian, Perfect Parent, Omniscient Political Analyst and Perfect Human, why then, we’d be crazy not to agree with you, wouldn’t we?
Well you’re not and we don’t. Go peddle your whale crap somewhere else.
“The Constitution, in addition to delegating certain enumerated powers to Congress, places whole areas outside the reach of Congress’ regulatory authority.”
Clarence Thomas
I generally enjoy the comments on what I write. However, ...
Blue_Collar_Muse Wednesday, September 3rd at 11:06PM EDT (link)Either you’re drunk, in which case you will be granted some measure of forgiveness if you confess your besottedness …
Or I’m completely impressed with your ability to make such a complete jackass out of yourself in such a short time …
Or maybe it’s a little of both!
Blue Collar Muse
Smaller Government! Lower Taxes! Stronger Defense! More Liberty! Complete Transparency!
I don't know what you were trying to accomplish
talleyrand Wednesday, September 3rd at 11:12PM EDT (link)but every time you hate on Gov Palin, it makes us more and more loyal to her and excited by her.
Same goes for the dems.
Same goes for the press.
Same goes for Barry & Joe.
…And if you haven’t noticed by now, every time you flood her with negative attention, she takes that attention, and sends a message that is powerful and inspiring and nullifies all your negativity.
So gaonmymind et al., get ready to be “dismayed” even more for the next four years.
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
-Niccolo Machiavelli
besottedness...that's on the List
speciallist Thursday, September 4th at 12:54AM EDT (link)n/p
Tim Tebow is a Stud…
Sorry, had to go to bed.
blooch Thursday, September 4th at 7:20AM EDT (link)gaonmymind just gave me a new sig line. Some good material out there lately. I love trolls and mobys, especially when they really exert themselves creating huge motherloads of stoopid.
“i agree that a better system would be better. but what is that better system?”–chchatham
A rebuttle
gaonmymind Thursday, September 4th at 11:48PM EDT (link)Stang, thank you for at least entertaining the substance of my post though not seriously. Clearly my temper undercut my point.
I am not perfect and I don’t know who is. I do expect near perfection from leaders. More than a few blemishes is not acceptable at this level. Leaders have to be the ideal if they want us to move mountains.
I believe in forgiveness but the bar must be higher for public leaders. I also don’t like this pendulum swing that I see young and old alike doing. What happened to moderation
Life isn’t fair and people don’t get second chances.Let me illustrate my point about the lack of seriousness and consequences in kids and parenting today. I run a business in two Southern States. I try to hire American but have to hire a lot of foreigners to find the skills i need. While only 40% of my staff is immigrants, they make up over 80% of my technical staff. The other jobs are people who do invoicing and admin and they support the others. Without those foreigners, I don’t have a product and I can’t run a company or hire any Americans. I don’t outsource, but it is hard to compete. That’s not the future, it is now.
Some of these foreign guys never take vacation and I just want to shake some of the lazy full-timers working in admin positions. They just don’t get how easily they can be replaced
When I see kids wasting opportunities and granted enjoying their youth, it tells me they don’t realize the world we live in. I want everyone to enjoy their youth, but do it in moderation. I expect the same from parents.
My mother lived through the great depression. You know what she says about this economy? She says it’s not that bad. Her neighbors didn’t have money for food. They wore the same clothes for years. Unemployment was 5 times what it is now.
That’s it. Apparently I’m not the only conservative disappointed with this choice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCEjIHwyw0c
I’ll go halfway and try to keep an open mind on Palin. When the real issues come we’ll learn who was really right.
You are gonna get reeducated..
speciallist Friday, September 5th at 12:00AM EDT (link)Tim Tebow is a Stud…
I must admit
gaonmymind Friday, September 5th at 12:15AM EDT (link)That was a good one Speciallist. I haven’t seen that one on anyone’s lawn in my neighborhood yet.
I did my talking, I’ll do my listening.
Gov Palin Walking the Talk Once Again
K_Miller Friday, September 5th at 9:15AM EDT (link)gaonmymind, your initial posts sounds like it came from a Steven King caricature of a Christian. Your post reinforces the kind of self-righteous picture that the Left so elequently paints of Christians in the movies. Sure, it’s your right to “blame the mother” for her child’s failings if you choose. In the Old Testament, the peanut gallery blamed Job for his trials too. Job’s wife even urged him to curse God and die…I suppose in your eyes, Job’s wife’s failings were evidence of Job’s poor leadership? I choose to admire the fact that she and her family, once again, walk the talk when it comes to abortion. If this were Obama’s daughter, we’d never know she was pregnant because she wouldn’t be pregnant long enough for the truth to come out. No, Obama wouldn’t want to “punish her with a baby.” Gov Palin has demonstrated tremendous poise and grace where other “more qualified” choices would have folded. Her daughter likewise demonstrates that she was brought up to value life over convenience. She takes responsibility for her decisions and shows accountability for her own actions. That says more about her and the family who raised her than straight A’s in the Ivy league.
K. Miller