What's Really Important Has God Been Tricked By The GOP?
When I first heard that both Bush and Cheney were going to address the Republican National Convention I was taken by surprise. I couldn’t help thinking, “why would John McCain, desperate to deny he represents a Bush third term, want this pair speaking at the RNC to remind everyone of just how really close they are on policy, or to even remind everyone they are all in the same party?”
It was despicable enough that a James Dobson minion and employee of “Focus on the Family,” Stuart Shepard, requested that politically conservative Christians join him in praying for rain at Invesco Park in Denver, Colorado in time to mar Barack Obama’s DNC acceptance speech, but the irony of that request was yet to play out and aid the Republicans in a totally different way in their crusade to turn religion into a political weapon, instead of a spiritual acknowledgment of God.
Although Shepard didn’t exactly get what he prayed for, he was apparently heard and answered. It’s amazing how often many (certainly not all) “good” Christians don’t actually pay close attention to the meaning of the “Word of God” they read in the bible. I’m not quite sure how they interpret “as you sow so shall you reap,” but when they pray for rain to ruin an opponent’s event, I have to wonder if they are surprised when they get, instead, a major hurricane that threatens to drastically alter an event of their own? It must seem puzzling to them when their own thoughts and prayers result in dire consequences to themselves when irresponsibly and selfishly invoked.
Or did they understand this and apparently have a duel purpose in mind? Are they that clever? Were they able to play God for a sucker, and forward their own self-interests after all?
The Elmer Gantry type rain prayer may have resulted in the answer to another prayer, and manifested as a big advantage for our spiritually challenged friends, all the while being the proverbial cloud with a silver lining. The great discomfort and potential danger to all those living in New Orleans and the surrounding areas may just be a small price (for others) to pay so that these "particularly" pious, pompous and politically self-proclaimed followers of Christ can achieve another goal. Ironically, John McCain and the GOP might get the “out” that they really prayed for – essentially not having to have Bush and Cheney speak at their convention, even though they were obligated to invite them. What a neat trick!
As it turns out, it was announced that the President and Vice President would indeed not be attending the RNC, but would instead remain on duty because of the threat of Gustave to hurricane challenged New Orleans. After all, it wouldn’t do to have them completely fail in their responsibilities to defend New Orleans a second time. And the cookie in the jar turns out to be not embarrassing the GOP candidate himself by having these two appear at his nominating convention! Who says prayer doesn’t work in mysterious ways?
Of course there just might ultimately be a greater price to pay down the road when attempting to trick God. We are now painfully learning it was not wise to fool (mess with) Mother Nature, and will no doubt eventually realize it is equally unwise to mock God.
And though I don’t really credit Stuart Shepard or James Dobson and their followers with the power or intelligence to actually pull off such a scam, I do often marvel how, throughout history, all too many professed followers of Christ have interfered in the political arena in attempts to sway governments and people (often with catastrophic results), even though Jesus was purported to have said, “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”
Comments
It's no surprise that someone from the Dobson contingent would act so immaturely as to call for followers to pray for rain on the day of Obama's speech, and then try to pass it off as humor. The irony of a hurricane undoing the plans for the GOP convention would be amusing if it weren't related to such a disturbing event as serious as another hit to New Orleans. Like you, I thought right away that it's a great excuse for Bush and Cheney not to show up after all. I'm sure many Republicans have been wringing their hands at the thought of bringing them close to McCain when McCain is trying to pretend that he can be an agent of change. Well, that would be those Republicans who have finally recognized that they've hitched their horses to the worst president and most evil vice president in American history.
Posted by: Renee G | August 31, 2008 06:54 PM
There is one other boon for the Republicans in all this. They now have a perfect face saving reason to have a bare bones, unremarkable, and uninspiring convention in contrast to the Democrat’s spectacularly successful gathering last week. They can now sanctimoniously proclaim a noble reason instead of acknowledging the lack of enthusiasm for their candidate.
Posted by: Trish | September 1, 2008 08:57 AM
I was also thinking that Trish. It's an all around win for the McCain camp. They don't have to identify with Heckel and Jeckel, and don't have to compete with the DNC.
You really have to wonder how any one in their "Right" mind or otherwise can actually have any interest in McCain/Palin. They can't trust McCain because he changes his mind so often to pander for votes, they can't be sure what his stance would be on any issue if president, and Palin is really a joke. Not only is she an extremist to a fault (what about the undecided and moderate voters), but her credentials consist of being governor for a year and a half of a state smaller than most mid size US cities, and mayor of a town about one fifth the size of Paradise. I mean let's get real!
I'm kind of feeling sorry for her because I think she's probably a nice person caught up in a situation much larger than she is, and which is going to backfire big time. I wonder why she actually decided to accept the position. Any data on that?
Any chance they might change the name of the Republican Party to the GottaBeNuts Party? They are really losing touch with reality, even the reality of the right wing.
Posted by: Stephen Rose | September 1, 2008 11:58 AM
Seems like something new about Palin pops up every few minutes. She may be a nice person but if even half the things that are coming out are true she is a good fit for the GottaBeNuts Party.
The more I've read the more I've wondered what in the world McCain and/or his advisors could have been thinking. Today, there is an article by Jay Rosen in the Huffington Post that really gives pause for thought. It sounds so like a Rove strategy and would explain how they could have made what appears to be such a colossal mistake but may have been intentional.
If not intentional, I read that McCain defied Rove, who wanted Romney, when he choose Palin. So this could be a Rove attempt to save the day after a McCain screw up. Read it and see what you think
Posted by: Trish | September 3, 2008 05:24 PM
Trish, I've changed my mind about Sarah Palin being a "nice person." From all I've been reading about her, and all I heard her say at the RNC my feelings tell me otherwise. She appears a bit pompous, and underneath the silky smooth rhetoric and condescending oratory is a person I believe who could be quite ruthless when and if challenged.
Read more about Palin:
http://www.andrys.com/palin-kilkenny.html
http://www.truthout.org/article/palins-speech-nowhere
Posted by: Anonymous | September 5, 2008 08:33 AM
Yep, Yep, Yep.
Posted by: Trish | September 5, 2008 11:43 AM