Wit or Wisdom

about the political angle to all this economic mess is that major Republican leaders are supporting this socialistic plan to “save” our economy. Including our current president and the man who would be our future president.

Last night, I unwittingly watched the debate between McCain and Obama. Not unwittingly in that I continued watching on accident, but unwittingly in that I had no idea it was going to be on. So, I watched most of it.

Yawn.

I definitely learned nothing new about either of these men. They are both really great at saying a lot of nothing (as politicians should be). McCain did an admirable, but not spectacular, job of defending the war in Iraq and attacking Obama’s complete lack of common sense when it comes to world affairs. I certainly did not agree with the various liberal talking heads on the network stations who thought that Obama somehow pounded McCain in the economic portion of the debate. I don’t think we were watching the same debate. If anything, McCain forced Obama time and again to backpedal. It is reported that Obama said “you’re right” to McCain some eight or nine times.

Regardless, I doubt any of it will have much impact. Most of those who are decisive enough to vote based on issues, and the remaining probably only care about what is cool… and an hour and a half debate where two men debate fine points of American policy is not really in the cool section.

And that is the remarkable post on the unremarkable debate.

To be honest, what this whole election started as, and has become, is disgusting to me.

It began as something that seemed civil. Remember when Obama and McCain secured their respective nominations? We were told that because these men were both unifiers and bridgemakers, it would be a civil campaign with lots of respect from both sides. I inwardly scoffed at such an idea. Presidential campaigns never have been, nor ever will be, civil.

What they (the MSM) really meant when they said that was that we would never get down to issues and we’d be able to watch Obama ride the donkey into Jerusalem, only this time, the messiah wouldn’t bother with the crucifixion, he’d just stride right up to big ole Pontious Pilate (aka GWB) and strike the governor down. And for that matter, there wouldn’t be any donkey. It would be a gas-guzzling, carbon-emitting private 747. “Obama Force 1″ is what they’d call it. (And you can be sure no one would ask him about whether he purchased carbon offsets or not.)

Then came Sarah Palin, and normal conservative guys like me… and a lot of women who don’t really get all that excited about politics normally, stood up and took notice. Here’s how I knew conservatives had a good thing going: on one of the nights of Republican Convention, Katie Couric was interviewing a couple Republican bigwigs (don’t remember the names, doesn’t matter anyways). In all my life, I have never seen a liberal reporter so unashamed to let the world know that she is not unbiased. She was begging for them to concede that just maybe it was a legitimate question whether or not Palin could raise kids and be VP. (Suffice to say that Palin has probably done a far better job than Couric could dream of thus far… her son is in Iraq.)

Panic mode. When liberals go into panic mode, you know that good things are happening. And good things have been happening in conservativedom. McCain got a huge initial convention push, and they’re still talking about Palin, not Obama and not McCain.

The problem I have with this election cycle: the fact that it still isn’t about issues. And it won’t be. The Democrats will keep “accidentally” calling Palin names such as “pig” and “disabled.” The conservatives will be outraged, the Democrats will retreat, and we’ll do it again in a couple days. (By the way, does anybody else find it fascinating that Obama said when the Republicans were mocking his “community organizer” experience that he’s been called worse things on the playground, but then turned around and clearly implied Palin to be a pig, which is a fairly childish insult in and of itself? Furthermore, what is the new messiah doing on the playground? I thought he had devoted his life to America? While McCain was out getting tortured, Obama was playing basketball?) Anyways, the endless cycle of namecalling, retreating, and doing it again will replay and replay.

The Republicans have to stop falling for it. Let the libs dig their own grave. Let them keep insulting her, and just let the media run with it. Meanwhile, drive home the extreme points that Obama defends, and there are a lot of them. Point out how idiotic his idea that we can fund all of America’s healthcare is when the economy is supposedly so bad. Make sure people know that the man not only supports abortion on demand, he supports abortion of babies already born. Point out his total naivete about foreign policy, and how wrong he was about the war in Iraq, and how he refuses to stand by the troops he voted to send into combat. Point out what happens when men like Obama “talk” to men like Mahmoud Ahmenijad. (Neville Chamberlain, anyone?) The Republicans did a fantastic job of going on the offensive against Obama during the convention. Rudy Guliani and Fred Thompson were outstanding at that time, so why not send them across the country and into key states and have them attack Obama on his worst points? The momentum from the Palin nomination must not be lost, but I fear that the Republicans may be in danger of losing it if they merely defend her honor against Obama and his cronies’ namecalling.

1. Communication is 99% of the game. The rest really doesn’t matter.

2. If you treat everyone badly, they’ll all look worse to you.

3. Most network TV is trash.

4. Most internet is trash.

5. Computer games are perhaps the safest way to waste your time.

6. Don’t waste your time on computer games.

7. I’m incapable of not wasting (at least some of) my time on computer games.

8. Staying up until one every night really isn’t worth it. Staying up until eleven thirty is.

9. Cars are expensive.

10. The extra things you have to pay when you buy a car are also expensive.

11. Red is a nicer color than blue, however…

12. My car is blue. So blue cars are way prettier.

13. Gas is expensive.

14. Gas is less expensive if you only drive to work and back.

15. Food is expensive.

16. Debit cards are dangerous.

17. 13, 15, and 16 put together have the potential to cause pain.

18. You’ll live. You might feel like you’d rather be dead, but you will live.

19. There are some people who are going to run from you if you stick to principles. But the ones that stick or come back are the ones worth keeping.

20. Normal people think about themselves. Exceptional people think about others.

21. Normal Christians trust God. Exceptional Christians throw themselves at Him.

22. Banks are cool places to work.

23. God loves you before you stumble, while you stumble, and after you stumble.

24. I have faith that’s worth telling other people about.

25. Self-deprecating humor is sinful.

26. It’s possible to be the world’s biggest jerk and not even know it.

27. Waiting is hardly ever the worst answer. It just feels like it most of the time.

28. Often, waiting is actually the best answer.

29. Cars may be expensive, but it’s hard to get by without one.

30. God tends to change everybody’s plans. Yet He still wants us to have plans.

31. Saint Louis needs a mass transit system like the BART.

32. God is THE awesome God.

33. Real Chinese food is an acquired taste. I don’t plan on acquiring it.

34. Taco Bell is good.

35. Wifi is great… as long as it works.

36. Wifi is even more great when you actually have it. (I don’t.)

37. 35 and 36 seem to be a contradiction with 4.

38. Wearing ties six or seven days out of the week is not cool. Especially not in summertime.

39. 38 can be gotten used to.

40. I miss wearing t-shirts all the time.

41. It IS possible for me to eat too much sugar. But I have to try really really hard.

42. Josh Groban’s voice is beautiful. Most of his songs are depressing.

43. Some people need to learn the meaning of the word no.

44. Branson is a rather boring place, outside of the two-minute long rides at Silver Dollar City.

45. Barack Obama is NOT a good man. (okay, so I knew that before… but I had to throw it in)

46. Mothers are really good when dealing with other people’s kids.

47. Old people are better at communicating than teenagers. That’s why they’re old.

48. People really, really, really get embarrassed too easily.

49. Basketball is the world’s coolest sport.

50. And last but DEFINITELY not least, God is ALWAYS good. (See my other recent note “the most important truth” for an expanded version of this one)

My thoughts are many, but my time is little.

On Palin: Perhaps the most energizing, fresh thing that has happened to conservatives for years. The liberal fear of her is palpable, and the conservative buzz surrounding her is enlivening. John McCain could not have made a better pick, and it looks like he may win after all. In all, this is exciting enough to tempt me to re-enter the ring and start hurling my fireballs at liberal foolishness. We shall see.

On Productivity: I was, for a period of time, a highly lazy person. This is changing. Last night I was astonished at the amount of things I got done, to the point that it almost felt wrong to feel that good. Of course, tonight I am atoning for this productivity by doing nothing.

On Peace: I began an abrupt journey at the beginning of the summer, one that has not culminated yet. But it has brought me to a new understanding of God’s grace, and a new peace about my life that I have never felt before. It remains to see what else it will give me.

I hope that I can soon consistently return to this blog, but I have said that before. We shall see.