Uncategorized patrickmead on 02 Oct 2008 08:31 am
Some "Change" You Don't Need
I wish I could vote for Barack Obama. I’ve always wanted to see an African American in the White House. After eight years of Bush, I hunger for a president who is a good speech maker; one who won’t make me cringe everytime he opens his mouth with stutters and malapropisms. Alas, I can’t vote for Obama. There is too much baggage and not enough "change."
Obama purposefully and intentionally lied in several of his major commercials. I can understand differences of opinion, nuance, and playing with words, but he went far beyond that. Years ago, Rush Limbaugh read out Mexico’s harsh laws on illegal immigration and their highly restrictive, complicated rules on any legal immigrants. He asked, "What if these were our laws towards Mexican immigrants?" He then read them aloud again. Obama took that clip and claimed Rush was stating what OUR laws SHOULD be when he knew that was never the case. Obama then claimed that McCain agreed with Rush, an assertion that made every Republican do a spit take. McCain has always been far closer to Obama than to any Republican (except Lindsay Graham) on that issue. Obama knew it. ABC news excoriated Obama for that deceptive ad, running in Spanish on Telemundo and Univision, but he continues to run it anyway.
He is currently lying in ads running in Michigan about stem cell research. He shows sick and handicapped people and then claims McCain opposes stem cell research. He knows that isn’t true. McCain opposes federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. If you want to study stem cells — even embryonic ones — you can do so pretty much anywhere in the US (a couple states banned embryonic stem cell research, but it is legal in most). The problem is that they are embryos and that bothers people like me who think that is a cavalier and dangerous way to treat a living thing. The second problem is that embryonic stem cells are turning out to be useless in treating the very diseases Obama claims they could cure. They give rise to dangerous, life threatening tumors almost everytime they are used. ADULT stem cells, on the other hand, are showing fantastic promise. McCain believes that private labs, universities, hospitals, and corporations can continue to study and work with them. Because he opposes taxing everyone to pay for all forms of stem cell research, Obama claims he is against the whole thing.
Obama claims that he isn’t anti-gun but a questionnaire he turned in when running for the Illinois Senate said he was in support of banning all handguns. He denied he said that and claimed a staffer filled out that form but the original form was found… with his handwriting on it. The media gave him a pass. As a candidate for the Illinois Senate, he gave speeches saying there should be a national ban on concealed carry licenses (Illinois is one of two states that allow no concealed carry). California law on concealed carry makes it hard to get a permit, but if you are a victim of domestic violence that process is streamlined so that you can protect yourself. Obama voted against a similar law in Illinois, denying victims the ability to protect themselves.
Obama pushed for a federal ban on gun stores within five miles of a school or park. This would eliminate nearly every gun store in the US (check it out). He answered a questionnaire in 1998 saying he supported a ban on all forms of semi-automatic weapons — that includes your hunting rifle and shotguns. When Hale DeMar, a resident of Wilmette, Illinois, used a handgun to defend his family against a home invader, Obama pushed for him to be prosecuted because he had a handgun and those were illegal in Wilmette. The shooting was righteous, but the possession of the handgun, according to Obama, made DeMar a criminal who needed to go to jail. (the rest of the legislature wouldn’t back Obama on that one)
Obama’s friends and supporters are noted gun banners such as George Soros, John Podesta, and Rebecca Peters. In fact, Obama has hundreds of millions of dollars in campaign donations from overseas contributors who he refuses to name (he says he will after the election. Nice). Some of those have now been found to come from Palestinians, gun ban organizations, and people using false names. So far, the media has been silent about this.
He keeps talking about change, but when I see Nancy Pelosi, Soros, Kennedy, Reid, Murtha, and all those other old white men and women standing behind him I am suspicious that "change" means "the same old, partisan, far left politics… only more of it." Voting for Obama means voting for the dinosaurs behind him.
McCain? He drives me crazy. I’ll write about him soon. I wish the ticket were Condolezza Rice and Sarah Palin. I would put stickers all over my car! As it is… I wait for the debate tonight and wonder what will happen to this beloved country of mine.
[NOTE: I am on a speaking run through West Virginia and East Tennessee over the next week. I won't be able to respond to comments as promptly over, especially, the next three days. I will do my best to keep up, though. Please feel free to agree or disagree with me, but keep it factual and civil]
patrickmead
on 02 Oct 2008 at 9:34 am # Jennifer Brenneman
I look forward to your comments on McCain. Oh man, if it was Rice/Palin I’d go door to door!
Man, that guy drives me nuts! His recent vote on the bailout/giveaway was enough to turn my stomach.
on 02 Oct 2008 at 10:10 am # Danny Gill
Frankly, unless he has a prepared script, Obama has proven to be more tongue-tied than George Bush ever was. I, too, would love to have an African-American President. But it won’t be Obama if I have any say in the matter. I’m just afraid that a combination of the obvious media backing, the almost messianic way lots of people view him, and the quality of his opponent will put him in the White House. There’s a lot I don’t like about McCain, but he’s a great statesman compared to Obama.
on 02 Oct 2008 at 10:14 am # shannon
Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Rangel, etc. Now that will make your stomach churn.
on 02 Oct 2008 at 10:46 am # Mike
Nothing Obama has done leads me to believe he’s a candidate of change. I’m gonna keep my change in my pocket.
on 02 Oct 2008 at 10:51 am # Les Ferguson, Jr.
I loved your post. However, as much as I agree with what you have written, the fact that he supports abortion and wouldn’t want his own daughters ‘punished” with a child is enough for me…
on 02 Oct 2008 at 11:48 am # Dave
Thanks for your perspective Patrick, but a post on candidates who twist what others have said is about as original as finding a nationalistic-fundamentalist-right-wing-Christian at a Church of Christ Potluck.
Your Palin comment does frighten me though. So, if you were going for shock value, big score there.
Great line, but we have more Democrats than Republicans in our large northern congregation. Still, I really do love that line.
on 02 Oct 2008 at 11:56 am # Greg England
There is something wrong on a systemic level when the very best statesmen / women in our country won’t even consider running for president. I fear for our country whomever wins this election.
on 02 Oct 2008 at 1:16 pm # Donna
I find myself more immersed in politics that ever before…and I agree with you completely. I was even going to comment how cool it would be to have Condi Rice as President. (she’s a Bama girl too.)
I told my husband before McCain was selected that he scared me…but I have come to have great respect for him. I am not saying he is the “best” choice, but you have to admit that he loves this country and has suffered more for it than most of us will ever be called upon to do…
on 02 Oct 2008 at 1:37 pm # Eric S. Mueller
“Change” in Obama’s context is nothing more than an emotionally charged yet essentially meaningless political buzzword. Yeah, he’s for change, then picks a relic of the establishment as his running mate.
Remember the movie “Brewster’s Millions”? If only our ballots had a “none of the above” option.
on 02 Oct 2008 at 2:18 pm # Mike
When the change is from less socialism to more socialism…I’ll pass on the change. When the change is from fewer abortions to more abortions…I’ll pass on that change too. You do not have to be a follower of Jesus to consider it wrong to kill a fellow human being. I felt the same way when I was not a follower. It’s just not in my “nature” to murder.
on 02 Oct 2008 at 5:46 pm # Philip
Obama wouldn’t scare me as much if we had a Republican controlled Congress. Obviously, that’s not likely to happen. It worked for the Clinton years.
Too bad McCain is pulling out of Michigan. I guess he’s conceded a loss their.
Also, what did you mean in the comments about “our large northern congregation?” Are you implying that your particular congregation has more Dems than Repubs? Interesting.
That’s exactly right!
on 03 Oct 2008 at 6:29 am # Bob
How do you know this large northern congregation has more democrats than republicans?? I don’t remember a survey going around!
We put you down as “other.”
on 03 Oct 2008 at 9:40 am # Joshua
I appreciate your thoughts on Obama, and I hope you will give McCain the same “truthful” treatment. While I am put off by both candidates I am more alarmed by the perceived attitudes of many on this comment page, and in the larger Christian movement, regarding their hatred of abortion and yet an embrace of war. Do we not appear at the very least hypocritical when we rail against abortionists on the grounds of the sanctity of life and yet seem strangely unmoved by the over 1.2 million people who have lost their lives since the beginning of the war on terror. If we are to claim the sanctity of life as our battle cry, then it must ring true from conception to grave. I know several, and perhaps you Patrick, will trash me at this juncture, but I feel we at least need to consider this.
How sad that you think I would trash you! The figure of casualties you quote is not accepted by any survey group. It is a political figure given out by Code Pink and sometimes parroted by the AP. Regardless, since the war began five years ago, we have killed 6,500,000 million innocent babies. Even if your figure were not off by a factor of ten, you must admit that the weight of blood goes towards the abortionists’ side.
on 03 Oct 2008 at 7:40 pm # Michael Ejercito
ABC news excoriated Obama for that deceptive ad, running in Spanish on Telemundo and Univision, but he continues to run it anyway.
And Obama had the nerve to demand that TV stations not air the NRA ads because the NRA ads contained lies?
on 04 Oct 2008 at 3:08 pm # Mike
…and no one said they “embraced” war…that’s a typical tactic of the left to distort the values of a majority of American people.
on 05 Oct 2008 at 11:32 am # Joshua
Let me first apologize for assuming you would trash, I am sorry. It is just that in the current political climate I tend to steer clear of political discussions, especially with religious people because it is assumed which side one should be on, and if there is even a hint of dissension from the standard voting line then it tends to turn ugly immediately. I felt like this might be a forum for genuine discussion.
I am in no way defending abortion, I am saddened by Obama’s statements, and they may very well seal my decision to not vote for him or anyone. Perhaps I should have done more research on the number, but I take offense to the political slights given me that I am using a “typical left” position as a political statement. (please forgive me if I offended you with the “embracing war” statement. I know better that to generalize.)
I did not use the term liberal, conservative, Republican or Democrat intentionally, because I refuse to be labeled. My stance is based upon my own moral conviction about the sanctity of life. Even if we elected the “perfect” candidate and he or she passed all the laws we needed to have the perfect “moral” society our nation would still be fallen and it would still fall to the families and the churches they are apart of to live out and pass along the values that God desires in our lives. No candidate can replace that.
Thank you, Joshua. I appreciate your spirit!
Regardless of the numbers, and I weep at the 6.5 million babies that have been aborted, if they are important, I believe they are, then all lives are important!
on 06 Oct 2008 at 5:38 am # Tina
I am really afraid for this country if Obama wins. If you drop by my blog, you can see four major concerns I have. (Yes, this is a blatant attempt to get readers!)
on 07 Oct 2008 at 11:07 am # Luke
I wouldn’t even know where to begin addressing these comments, and frankly don’t think I have the energy. However, I am very intrigued at your congregation having more democrats than republicans. I say prove it. I won’t believe it for a second until it’s proven to me. I was baptized and married in that congregation before you were there, and back then I only knew of conservatives – both politically and religiously. If what you are saying is true, are there also theologically liberal folks there now too? If so, maybe I would feel comfortable returning someday. Your readers should know that there are alternatives to this way of thinking from a Christian perspective: look at sites like http://www.sojo.net . I am looking forward to the proof that my former congregation is over 50% democrats, this should be interesting.
Yes, we have many, many theologically liberal people here and we are written up every week because of it. Yes, many, many things have changed since you left. No, I won’t poll the people to prove anything to you. You might want to tune in to our website audio for the Wednesday nights this month. We are talking about politics and faith each of the five nights. One speaker is liberatarian (me). Two are liberal. One is conservative. The last Wednesday, we will all be on stage answering questions as a panel. How’s that for a changed congregation!
on 09 Oct 2008 at 3:28 pm # Dion Frasier
Here goes…
Patrick, you display a huge amount of bravery and courage to talk politics. God bless brutha! I’ve been reading your blog and the responses. Entertaining to say the least. I appreciate your take on the new legalism (seperate post). Over the past few years, I’ve been enticed by the thought that there are elements of the message of Jesus that represent a political movement. To be honest, I don’t know if I buy into it. Politics is such a polarizing entity and seldomly promotes unity. I know it’s a no-brainer that the message of Jesus transcends our politics, hence Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world”. SO here’s my question,(and its not original)should we even involve ourselves so intimately in Politics?
I speak on this becaue as a minister, I am having a hard time particularly in this political season. I grew up in a democrat family. My parents did not adore Reagan as many do. So I just assumed, I was a democrat too. I grew up in a church that said it was OK to be a democrat. Then I got to college and my faith was immediately questioned because, I kinda liked Clinton. “But how could you support a pro-choice politician… You have God to answer to!”
My philosophy since has been to “not go there” I only discuss politics with people I trust. And now, Obama is running. An African- American! I’m African American. Man this is awesome! I want to share this excitement, but if I do, I’ll encite a riot at my church… perhaps! My church family might say, “How could you support such a liberal?” I’ll admit that I have no problem with taxes or gun control. But I have to admit that his political party isn’t what excites me. I remember being told by my father, who was born in 1924 and has seen a lot, that there would never be a black president. Consequently my dream to become the first black president was squashed by my parents at an early age.
I have to be honest, I’m kind of rooting for Obama, because I don’t want anyone to think they “CAN’T” achieve this or that! And if he wins, I think there should be much to celebrate. But here I go, look how intimately I have tied myself to politics. If Obama wins many of the ills of this nation will be solved! The truth of the matter is, if I subscribe to the Kingdom of God, does it really matter who becomes President? Will I become less passionate about protecting the unborn, or less passionate about the poor, or less passionate about being a peacemaker or less passionate about preaching the gospel? Absolutely not!
I have no problems with the person who supports McCain or Obama or Ron Paul. But I do have a problem when Christians fall right into the trap to let something else divide us. In the words of the great Prophet – “Can’t We All Just Get Along!” – Rodney King c.1992.
My suggestion to stay out of politics may sound naive and I am aware of calls from some of our early Restoration leaders that made calls for us to stay out of the Political arena. And maybe I am so intamately tied to the arena and I’m going into defense mode. Or maybe you are completly confused and saying to yourself, “what in the world is he talking about?” Well you have just entered the brain and confused heart of a conservative, evangelical, liberal leaning, african american, and skeptical Christian!
on 10 Oct 2008 at 12:11 am # Greg
I am interested in two things…one is a question and one is a statement.
The first…how do you know who Obama is getting money from if he isn’t telling and the media is not reporting it?
Second…the number of abortions was greatly reduced when Clinton was in office. It seems to be a much bigger issue than just an up or down vote on pro-choice or anti-abortion. In Obama material and in his speeches he has said to desire to reduce the number of abortions. Isn’t that what we are all after?
I thought of something else…if we could be “more socialist” but have less abortions wouldn’t that be positive. Also, as a gun owner I am for more gun regulation. We as a country have significantly more gun violence than any other (even those “war torn” countries we hear about on the news every day). We are one of the few countries that have liberal gun laws yet when anyone tries to offer a option that could promote peace by lessening the access to guns that person is seen as not Christian.
Just some thoughts.
Blessings,
Greg
Thanks for the spirit of your comment. The NYT, WashPo, and LA Times have all run front page stories in the last week about foreign contributors to Obama’s campaign using false names to slip many tens of thousands of dollars into his coffers. His spokesman admitted issues and said they would supply the names of all contributors… in January.
Obama is not just for abortion. He is the only state senator in the nation who voted three times against the Born Alive act. He has lied about this, but the record is there and he is also seen bragging about it in a speech to Planned Parenthood on YouTube. That is infanticide.
Gun violence? I have the books and facts and figures if you want them cited, but every study done has shown that more guns in the hands of citizens means less crime. Why are there so many more gun deaths in America? Look to our insane war on drugs for that answer. I have a list of books and government websites as long as my arm if you’re interested. Americans, by the way, kill each other by EVERY method more than do other countries. You overstate somewhat (Somalia, Darfur, etc. are much more violent) but I understand your point and you made it kindly, which I appreciate.
The problem with socialism is that it uses the gun, the tank, and the jail to enforce the spread of goods and money. It is the most violent of all systems but, since that violence is almost entirely done by the government, it is considered somehow more acceptable.
on 10 Oct 2008 at 12:18 pm # Stan
I am a conservative( some would say ultra) I do not believe our constitution is a “living document”. Enough of this. But I have come to the conclusion that BHO is a humanist. His comments about when life begins being above his pay grade contrasted with his comments regarding when a fetus is viable are very conflicting. He has the right to decide if an aborted fetus is alive after abortion to deny medical care, after all a fetus is not a “person” until 9 months gestation. All you pre term births are not a “person”. David Freddosa’s book ” The Case Against Barrack Obama” is worth reading. David never hides the fact that he is a conservative but does expose a good many interesting facts about the man. By the way I would hope most everyone is opposed to war but it seems to me that there was a lot of war written about in the scripture. Maybe God even used it for punishment and cleansing. Like the old cowboy says I ride for the brand!!!!
on 14 Oct 2008 at 2:36 pm # Greg
thanks for your info. I appreciate a place where people can speak honestly without feeling attacked. We need more places where we can disagree and still love one another, witnessing to the power of the all who make up the body of Christ.
on 15 Oct 2008 at 12:32 pm # Greg
Regarding Socialism…what about Germany (now not in the 40s), Sweden, and other European countries with high qualities of live and low violence?
on 15 Oct 2008 at 12:32 pm # Greg
i meant “life”…sorry
on 15 Oct 2008 at 10:00 pm # Beth
Boom shacka lacka, Dion. Boom shacka lacka.
on 18 Oct 2008 at 10:40 am # Luke
Wish I would have gotten to know you better while at RC Dion…..or any other ministry students for that matter
I’m gonna visit RCOC soon, since they apparently have a liberal voice running through the congregation. I’ve got to check out those Wednesday night audios as well, Patrick.
I think you’ll like the audio, Luther. I was soundly attacked after my talk, but I knew I would be. Only one attack came from the left. Four attacks came from the right. The next two Wednesday nights were given by two different elders, both of whom are voting for Obama. This coming Wednesday night we will hear from a genuine American hero, John Todd, who supports McCain. The last Wednesday night of the month when we all gather for a panel discussion should be an interesting night!