You disagree with Sen. Barack Obama? You think he is neophyte unable to lead our country? You have a right to your opinion. But can you express it --- politely?
You disagree with Sen. John McCain? It's quite all right. You don't like his stance on the Iraq war? Your ideas are welcomed in the nation's forum of ideas. But can you be civil?
You disagree with Sen. Hillary Clinton? That's your privilege. You think her policies don't fit your red-white-and-blue values? That's your prerogative. But can you disagree in a kindly voice?
The acrimony in this presidential election campaign is a major turn-off. The Pennsylvania primary today may resolve some things, but the megaphone of anger has overwhelmed reasoned discussion. So much is at stake in our country and clarity of positions and plans are needed. How can anybody think when everyone yells? We snipe at each other on television, online and in print, often guided by some journalists who mishandle their responsibility to tell complete, fully reported, fully valuable stories. We scream on blogs and recycle misinformation on the Web about the candidates like it's gospel truth.
It's shameful enough that U.S. politics have descended into a bloody contest of jabs and counter-jabs. But tell me: Why does the church join in? What happened to our transcendent, prophetic voice? Why is it, that when we do speak, we frequently sound like fingernails clawing a chalkboard?
The story on Newsvine about the South Carolina church that thinks it's OK to still associate Obama to Osama bin Laden rattled me. The church put up a sign saying, "Obama, Osama — humm, are they brothers." This reckless unkindness from Christians boggles my mind.
Why do we persistently go there? Some Christians relentlessly demonize Clinton and her husband, Bill. Other Christians, during this campaign and in 2004, denigrated McCain personally and politically. I also have said words about this election that were not spoken with care. Or with love.
And I'm sick of it.
Don't try and guess whether I track with the red or blue states. That's not the point of this post. What I long for is civil debate that invites me to ponder my political choices. I am disinterested in today's polls, and what new indictments of character and intention can be consumed on YouTube. You see, I write this post jarred from watching "American History X" for the first time. This 1998 film exposes the deadly cost of hate for one family.
When white supremacist Edward Norton jettisons his anger around the family table, the scene is so raw I watched with horror and conviction. Edward Furlong, Norton's brother, follows in his steps. When Furlong is killed by a black student, and Furlong's voice narrates how "hate is baggage," I was sobered, repentant.
Video courtesy of altavid on YouTube.com.
Political debate is foundational in this country. Yet in its place we have courted malice, slander, and rage. We must rid ourselves of such things as these. The republic -- and especially the church -- will not emerge unscathed if this angry tide, left unchecked, spews violently over all of us... from sea to shining sea.
Movie links courtesy of idmb.com.
