Farewell, Mr. President!

So tomorrow is the inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama as President of the United States. I've been noticing the conspicuous absence of his middle name in all the flurry of coverage. I notice it not so much for what his name is, but simply because it's such a departure from all previous Presidential coverage for things such as this. Every President in my re-collective memory has been referred to by their name in full. I guess I can understand his not wanting to use it, but I do feel it's rather contrived on the part of the media in attempt to wipe it from our collective consciousness. One more quick thought here: Bernie Goldberg has a new book coming out later this month entitled, "A Slobbering Love Affair" referring to the media coverage of their darling. I just think the title is deliciously wonderful, and I hope to read it at some point!

But enough about Obama...there will be plenty of time for talk of him in the years ahead.

Today my thoughts are really on the man that I have spent the last eight years praying for. The man who causes me to stop what I'm doing, and listen when he has something to say. The man who has caused me to take a second look at what it means to stand for principle and conscience...even if it means standing alone. The man who often causes my eyes to sting with tears or a lump to form in my throat, when he appeals to the deep love of liberty in us all. The man that I have proudly supported and called "Mr. President".

History will sort out what mistakes were made by Mr. Bush and when. Of course I am confident that he made his fair share. But I also sincerely believe that History will provide somewhat of a vindication of this good, good man. He is not the villain that many would have us believe.

I have felt as safe as logically and humanly possible under his leadership and care. I have felt like I had a voice in Washington to some extent. (Did you stop and read his proclamation on the National Day of Sanctity for Human Life?)

And I guess more than anything, even when nagging doubts or fears would come knocking, all it would take was the chance to hear him and look in his eyes or even watch him wrestle so gracefully with the press corps, and he made a believer out of me all over again. When I look into his eyes, I see honor and integrity that is profoundly inspiring.

I think even had the election turned out differently, and were we to witness the inauguration of Mr. McCain tomorrow, I believe I would still feel this sense of sadness and personal loss knowing that President and Mrs. Laura Bush would no longer "be there". It just feels like a sad day no matter what.

I'm sure some will read these thoughts and disagree, others may read and think it's way too overdramatic, others will think I'm completely nuts, and some of you share my feelings! I always welcome comments and thoughts shared on this blog. This may be the only time that I make this request: please refrain from sharing ugly criticisms of Mr. Bush today. I think he's earned a little respect, even if it's just in my little place in blogger-world. That's the least I can do for a man who I feel has done so much.

Blessings, my readers, and tomorrow I hope we rise up and begin a chorus of prayer for our new President that all of God's grace and guidance and wisdom will rest upon him. He will surely need it for the burden he's about to take on his shoulders.

It Really Happened.

Just called the race a few moments ago. President-Elect Obama. Tears are streaming down my face.

Now it's time to get serious about our faith and trust in God. He's still in control.

We Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God

I've been thinking about this old Steve Green song from the nineties. Sort of repeating it over to myself as a mantra. Hoping that its message will sink in deep into the fiber of my soul and rid me of the angst that our current political landscape can cause. If I'm being totally honest, I have to admit that the prospects for our nation's future frighten me. I need it to be more than a song; I need to know it is indeed God who raises up and tears down. I need to be reminded that God really is still in control of this world. I need resist the mentality that says, "Satan rules this world, we're going to hell in a hand basket, yada yada yada". I must embrace the HOPE that only comes from the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

I have observed over these last 7+ years during the Bush presidency, a level of vitriol and hatred for the man who holds the highest office that must surely be unprecedented. Of course, there are times when I have questioned his judgment in certain areas. There have been times that I have wondered if he's got it right. And there are times I'm pretty sure that he messed up. But amidst it all, I have felt SO perplexed when I have seen how much democratic pundits and others hate this man with all their might. They are so vicious in their personal attacks and mockery, and I have never been able to identify with it or to get it at all. Even during the Bill Clinton years, when I hung my head in shame at the defiling of the Oval Office, I still held a certain respect for said office. And I could watch and/or listen to Mr. Clinton speak at times, and I say to myself, "yeah, I totally get why some folks would love this guy." I saw the charisma. I saw the appeal to a certain degree. And after Katrina, when Clinton and Bush41 teamed up to appeal for help, I felt pride in our system.

After one of the debates, early on in this Primary season, I remember they had the Republicans debate first, and then there was a break before all the Democratic candidates came out. (Remember, this was back when there were like 740 people running for President! ha!) During that break, whichever network was hosting (don't remember) asked that all the candidates from both parties come out and greet one another. Maybe I should be embarrassed to admit this, but I watched that scene of them all shaking hands so cordially with each other.....political "enemies" as it were....and I actually shed a few tears. In that moment, I felt proud of our system. It didn't matter that I identified so much more strongly with one party than the other. I just thought how awesome it is that we change hands in our government and there is no bloodshed. There is no civil war. There is no rioting in the streets. That makes me proud to be an American.

I've done a lot of rambling up to this point, I know. I'm trying to work this to a cohesive conclusion, I promise. I've said all of this to say that I am afraid of what I feel when I consider that Barack Obama could really be our next President. I hear talk of the "pride" that all Americans should feel that we reached this "milestone" by having a black nominee. What's wrong with me? I feel no pride whatsoever. Give me a nominee worthy of the office, and I'll cheer regardless if he (or she) is purple, blue or green. My gut reaction when I hear this man speak is so intensely negative that I wonder if I would be able to hold the same respect for the "office in spite of the man" that I've always believed in. Will I be like one of those that I have judged in such perplexity? Will I be so blinded by my dislike of him that I can't support him at all? Will I be able to pray for him daily as I do our current President with the same ease and sentiment? Yes, I hope I never have to find out the answer to these questions! But I worry about these things.

And yes, I know I'm not supposed to worry. That's why I need reminded: "We Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God."

Some trust in chariots

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

Some trust in horses

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

Chorus: We trust in the name of the Lord our God

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

His love never fails His name will always prevail

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

Some trust in the works they do

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

'Cause by His grace all the work is through

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

Chorus Oh glory to the name The name of our salvation

Oh glory to the name above all names

The name of the Lord our God

Some trust in the wealth of things

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

The name worth more than anything

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

Chorus We trust in the name of the Lord our God

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

His love never fails His name will always prevail

We trust in the name of the Lord our

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

NOTE: I always thought of this as a Steve Green song, but as I searched the lyrics to share, I found this one is also written by Steven Curtis Chapman. SCC strikes again!

Politics: Enter at your own risk.

GRRR! I have pulled back from the deluge of campaign coverage since the losses of Super Tuesday. As a Republican, I no longer have a choice. But on the Democratic side, I just don't know if I can take another day of Barack Obama coverage. Hence, I tremble at the thought of him in the White House where I won't be able to escape him. I choke on his arrogance and his obvious lack of depth and understanding regarding the lives of everyday Americans.

Folks have been enamored with his oratorical skills since day one, (though for the life of me I HAVE NEVER SEEN WHY), but every now and then the facade slips just long enough for one or two stray comments to reveal the truth inside. This is true of he and his wife. Poor thing: only been proud of America once in all her borned days.

As this week drew to a close, Mr. Obama managed to insult the good peeps of Pennsylvania, and really every average small town American with them. He commented that the folks are bitter and THEREFORE cling to guns, religion, faith and family. In all their small-mindedness, you see. So, today, while speaking in Muncie, IN, he attempted to rectify his statements. What was that like? Well, something like this: he's "sorry" that he didn't say it quite right, but "EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT HE SAID WAS THE TRUTH." (Again, I refer you to his arrogance). He went on: the poor people of small town U.S.A. feel like their voices arent' being heard in Washington. They so long to have their government listen to them about their poor paying jobs, and their lack of healthcare, and their daddy away on his 3rd tour. They're so desperate for the government to listen. But the government doesn't listen. So THEY'RE REDUCED TO SEEKING SOMETHING ELSE TO COUNT ON: Faith, family, community, and their second Ammendment rights.

I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. If you're a person of faith like me, who counts heavily upon God, Family, and Friends, you can consider yourself insulted today.

If Obama has his way, there is a glorious day dawning in early November when we'll no longer be reduced to such small-minded ways!!!!! He and his government will be there to oversee our every need. Yippee.

Political Post...BEWARE!

Well, I'm breaking the eleventh...or twelfth...commandment. Just gotta do it. Gotta talk POLITICS! All Presidential elections are of historic importance, and since this blog is my little piece of history, I wanted to post the things that are popping up in my own mind as I watch this process unfolding. Maybe you won't even want to continue reading, as these things can produce fireworks sometimes!

So, digging right in....I'll begin with my thoughts on last night's NH primary. For the first, and no doubt last time, I found myself cheering on the likes of Hillary Rodham Clinton. (I can hear the startled gasps of horror.) Let me explain. First of all, I was exceedingly annoyed with the political pundits in all of their arrogant predictions of her downfall and mockery of her slightly teared up eyes. GIVE ME A BREAK! I don't like the woman, but COME ON! She is human. But my cheering was not so much for Hillary, as it was against Barack Hussein Obama. This man has become the latest media darling, and receives such rockstar treatment that he was becoming a little too cocky for my taste. So I felt that it was imperative that there be a Clinton win, in order to take him down a couple of notches, and force the media into a more honest (cough, cough) inspection of his qualifications. I know everyone is ga-ga over his "fresh" "hopeful" message of "change." I'm just not on the bandwagon. Show me the substance, please.

Now, as for the Republicans: again, found myself cheering for the supposed underdog. Still examining myself on that; I'm not usually an underdog kind of gal. All that to say, I was rooting for Mitt Romney. Alas, it did him no good. While I am deeply respectful of John McCain's honorable service to his country in the wearing of the uniform, I am not comfortable with the prospect of a McCain presidency. This is mostly due to disagreement on a few key issues, such as immigration, but also attributed to what I perceived as a petty, somewhat nasty attitude during recent debates and forums. Total turnoff. As for Mr. Romney....I know, he's a Mormon. And that should probably bother me more than it does. My hubby and I go a few rounds on this. :) I'm not saying that I'm rooting for him or that he has my vote. I'm just not ready to count him out yet. I'm intrigued by his business savvy, thinking that could be a real plus. And, frankly, I think his wife would make a good First Lady. There is something to be said for Mormons and family values, after all. I think having him in the race ensures that there IS a race, and keeps discussion going.

Whew...I'm on a roll! So let's talk Mike Huckabee~! As one of those famous, or should I say infamous, "self-proclaimed born again conservatives" (don't you just love the way the media makes us sound like extra-terrestrial beings or something?)..I should be singing all the praises of Gov. Huckabee and volunteering for his campaign. Who knows......a few months from now, maybe that's exactly what I'll be doing? But for now, I'm still a little reluctant and hesitant. I love his sense of humor, looking with great interest at his Fair Tax plan, love his easy going "preacher-speak"....but does that a President make?? I'm still not sure. And, of course, also pleased with his long-term marital commitment. Sadly, the Dems seem to have that issue over the Repubs. this time around. National security is very important to me, no matter which candidate we're talking about. That's a biggie, since we need to be alive to protect our culture and way of life.

Thinking also that we should wake up and stop putting so much stock in the poll-people, and news-makers, etc. I mean, really we should have learned a while back....after all, shouldn't we be wrapping up a four year term for President John Kerry right about now???? That's what we were told would happen back in '04. Power really does go to the people, doesn't it?!

Sidenote: I was very disappointed in FoxNews for excluding Ron Paul from their Sunday night Forum. This is America, the man is holding a 10% range of support, and his voice deserves to be heard. I will also say this: many people think he's just a nut, but I appreciate one thing about him. He talks about important things that no one else talks about, and has caused me to think hard and research some of those issues, and I always appreciate that, no matter where it comes from.

Well, bless your hearts....if you're still with me. You made it through this post! Please don't disown me....if necessary, go read Kimberly's latest post with its quote on friendship. :)

The interesting thing to me will be to see if/when I change my tune on any of this in the coming weeks and months. But I do promise not to do many posts like this one....only when it's so pent up it's just gotta come out. It's a long way to November!

Have a great remainder of the week. Blessings on you all.