Paradigm shift.

It finally comes to this, & it is serious. Some find it terribly disturbing. Some are laughing, smirking, & cheering it on.

As we sit here at our computers, viewing this screen, a life-size representation of Sarah Heath Palin hangs from a noose in the eaves of Chad Morrisette’s house in West Hollywood, CA. This kind of display is very, very dangerous, friends. It speaks to the character of those who erected it, yes, but that’s not all. It’s getting national attention, and sinking into the collective consciousness of our nation.

Yes, recent death threats against Senator Obama were vile, & the offenders are right where they belong – in jail. The authorities in whom we place our public trust are handling the threats justly; the public would not have it if they didn’t. And yet, the public is watching Mr. Morrisette & draws the only conclusion it can. While threatening Mr. Obama is a crime, this murderous display against Mrs. Palin is okay. It is tolerable. It is an acceptable paradigm of soft violence toward her, and women.

As we watch, we’re getting the point. A threat against Barack Obama is being dispensed with swiftly, as it should. Yet, Sarah Heath Palin’s likeness still hangs from the rafters in that West Hollywood house. The perpetrator gets interviews & his voice echoes through our living rooms. His freedom crows in the face of human decency, & remains unchecked by legal authority.

Have you ever wondered what a perpetrator of violence against women does, psychologically, in order to carry out an assault? It’s a mental trick called objectification. It allows the mind to dehumanize the victim in order to shed inhibitions, short-circuit normal human empathy & compassion, so that a violent act can be perpetrated. (Ever see Silence of the Lambs? The weirdo with the girl in his basement? That’s objectification.)

I suggest that Mr. Morrisette’s display, whether he intends it or not, plays the same psychological trick with our collective minds. It objectifies Governor Palin so that psychological violence can be perpetrated against her. As the nation looks on, she is an object, & can be psychologically shredded, strangled, & left twisting in the wind. And the worst of it, friends? The very worst is what it does to our culture’s view of the humanity of women. It's suggesting that we as women can be objectified, made public targets for ridicule & humiliation, & that there is no recourse. Not one ounce of legal or criminal remedy is available for this viperous display. So, down it sinks, into our new understanding of how we view women in our culture.

Can we not draw the inferences here, friends? Do we not understand the implications for women? Can't a woman be strong, have opinions that go against the grain of group-think, and be allowed to survive? Can't a woman hold traditionalist views & join in the public discussion without being shredded & strangled, as if she’s some rag-doll Halloween joke? Is Sarah Heath Palin not a mother? A wife? A beloved daughter? Is she not a human being? (Nor am I?)

Where, dear friends, are Women’s Advocates? Where are the feminist legal challenges, demanding 'hate crimes legislation' to make Mr. Morrisette’s actions punishable by law? Where is Arianna Huffington, Katie Couric, Oprah Winfrey? Where is Mrs. Obama – herself a legal mind & a minority twice over – demanding legal remedy for this display? Madonna? Sandra Bernhardt? (Oh, I forgot, they already led the charge …)

I’ll tell you where they are. They’re standing on the ticket line, & they’ve sold themselves out. They’re so ravenous in their shortsighted political hunger, they don’t even know that they’ve become the aggressors. Their silence makes them complicit in setting up this paradigm of soft violence against women. About the psychological violence heaped on Governor Palin, you can almost hear them whispering, “Going around talking like she does, acting like she does…She was asking for it...” They have now become the perpetrators that they revile. (Am I wrong here? I'm willing to say so, if I am. Have I missed the public feminist outcry?)

Funny, when Gov. Palin was first nominated, she was accused by the Left of setting women back because of her stances on ‘women’s issues’. Most of the culprits above piled right on. They had the national floor, & their accusation was validated by an all-too-eager media.

I may be a lone voice in the wilderness in this lowly blog, but I’m making an accusation of my own. If women are being set back, if women are being oppressed, it’s now because of standard Feminists. In their silence, they are reinforcing this paradigm of soft violence against women who’re not in their lock step. The Left rests their accusation on a balky, slanted opinion that they own ‘women’s issues’. Upon what evidence does my accusation rest? It’s not mere opinion. It’s in plain view, hanging from the eaves of a West Hollywood house, and in the silence that swirls around it, causing it to twist ever so gently in the wind.

~~~

Women who care about women, it’s time for a paradigm shift. We must do better than this.

~~~

It really is all about Joe.

I ran into, by accident, another blogger who posted a piece about socialism. She waxes eloquent about the societal improvements that have evolved throughout the 19th & 20th centuries, which she attributes to socialist principles (don't have permission for a link, but comment & I'll show you). About each advancement, she says, “If you like --- having your weekends off, not stepping over sick homeless people, etc. ---, you can thank a socialist.” Being fair, in some regard she may have a point. However, on balance, I think we’ve got it licked:

If you like early detection & treatment of breast, uterine & cervical cancers, you can thank a capitalist.
If you’ve needed an emergency C-section (as I have three times), & had medical equipment on hand for the job, you can thank a capitalist.
If you’re relieved because of the advances in dental sciences, you can thank a capitalist.
If you’re thankful that vaccinations are available to keep your children safe from horrible, tragic diseases, you can thank a capitalist…
If you have the chance to save for your own rainy day? To provide for your family with enough to spare, you can thank a capitalist…

If you even know there’s something called a ‘Gamma Knife’ for exquisitely delicate brain tumor surgery…
If you like your computer for the blogging that’s so easily accessible to your fingertips…
If you’re glad you have contact lenses…
If you’re thankful for car seats that keep your children safe…
If you’re thankful for the car you drive…
If you’ve ever considered the advancement of home electricity, refrigeration, heating/cooling, indoor plumbing…

…you can thank people like Joe – yes, the Plumber – a capitalist.

Human nature doesn’t go out of its way to innovate, engineer, produce, improve, advance, compete - without incentive. Folks like Dr. Phil call it “secondary gain.” It’s the ‘what’s in it for me?’ factor that drives human nature forward. It compels productivity. Innovation & invention is the fruit of its toil.

Face it. We are selfish creatures. We want ours; & we want it better. Voila the capitalist society: teeming with advancements, opportunity for personal wealth; a place where the rising tide really does – eventually – lift all boats. (There are holes in this analysis; I agree. That’s for another post. I’ve got so much to say – you’d run ‘screaming into the night’ if I tried to fold it all in now.)

Is it perfect? No. It’s a human enterprise. There are bad apples in every barrel. On this point alone, some urge that the answer is socialism: an even-playing-field-utopia. I argue that socialism removes the playing field, changes the rules & kills the game.

You may say, “Look at the Swedes. They’re socialist & they’ve got Volvo.” Yeah, they’ve got Volvo. Just Volvo; & they bring it over here to make it really sing.

I also argue that socialism would neuter American innovation. Punishing success by revoking ‘profit’ (by confiscatory taxation, or punitive regulation) from those who strive to compete freely. It would dis-incentivize innovation, suffocate ingenuity, squelch productivity, & strangle the American dream. Look at history. Do you see any society advance by leaps & bounds like ours, as a result of socialist principles?

If you look for capitalist ills, you’ll find them in spades. (Heck, we’ve seen the whole deck in the past month.) Slow down, though… We’ve also seen the malignancy grown by forcing ‘socialist principles’ on the free market, too. Can anyone say Community Reinvestment Act of 1977? Can you say government-forcing-banks-to-supply-Sub-prime-loans-since-then to those who couldn’t shoulder them?

If you think it’s time to throw the baby out with the bathwater because of AIG, Lehman Bros., etc. you must first confront this: why do people from all over the world risk their lives to come here? Why do people cross deserts, swim across oceans on the strength of their own arms & legs, to wash up on our shore? Ask them & I guarantee you’ll hear something like this, “Freedom from tyrannical government, a chance to make it…opportunity.”

If you think it’s time to chuck it all & head for that utopian playing field, I ask you to ponder: what innovations will we miss? What advances will we thwart by tossing a system that “capitalizes” on some of the most ingenious qualities of the human mind & spirit? What greater good will we stunt: autism treatments? Cancer advances? Alzheimer’s therapies? Energy development? Scientific progress?

We are that “shining city upon a hill,” whether we realize it/want to admit it or not; & it’s not because we’ve followed Karl Marx. We are a hero to the world (a fallen one, for the moment, but a hero nonetheless), and the world is drawn to heroes. That’s why they come. The world needs a hero.

Be thankful. For the moment, the world still has one.

~~~

Big Ben Reprise.

Just so you know, friends, if anyone decided to take up the "Big Ben Silent Minute" with me, I'm still at it. Sometimes it's 9:15. Sometimes it's 9:2o. But other times it's actually 9:00. Sometimes I'm by myself, knowing that others are joining in. Sometimes my husband is right there with me, proving it.

I'm trusting that our temporal world doesn't matter to God - our small acts of discipline do. Our seeking His presence & pouring ourselves out for Him matters. Our humbling of ourselves & seeking His wisdom & will is what God desires. Oh Lord, help us to be what You desire.

~~~

Afterthoughts.

Many thanks to my friend for being willing to put herself on record with her convictions. Sandy is not a blogger (though, arguably now she is), so I applaud her courage!

Poverty, illegitimacy, weakening of marriage, & educational failure rates are only a few of the issues she brought up, yet they are some of the most complex problems that we face in America. Sandy rightly states that neither Republicans nor Democrats have faced them squarely. (Note that some of my dearest family & friends are Democrats. While I do favor one approach over the other, these are not issues over which either party has a claim to victory; clearly.)

While contemplating these issues, their etiology & their solutions, here’s what comes to my mind:
Reinstate the notion of God’s presence in our public conversations & forums. Reclaim morality. Protect life. Reinforce & encourage traditional marriage as a foundational element of society. Promote literacy & educational achievement. Lift away the learned helplessness that comes from reliance on government for the sustenance of life - by encouraging business expansion, which provides broader workforce, which affords broader financial opportunity.

What to do, then? Get involved in your local public school, whether you have a child there or not. Read with a child. Teach an adult to read. Support local businesses (or start one) & farmers. Get involved with philanthropic & faith based organizations. Serve someone else – don’t wait for government to do it. Claim, or reclaim, your faith. Find out – if you don’t know – what your faith says about morality, & claim that too. Support your church – or start visiting if you don’t have one. Pray. Then vote. Then pray again.

~~~

Big Ideas building...

In Primary Perspectives , one of the stated objectives of this blog was to speak my thoughts & to allow other women’s voices to be heard, in hopes that we might discover some big ideas in the process. So far, we’ve heard from one older friend, one group of seeming strangers , & now from one of the “Sarah Palins” in my life. Sandy has been following this blog, & has a few big ideas of her own. She & I have had political discussions for years, & come at the issues from different perspectives (she’s the wicked-smart CPA & I’m the counselor/writer). Her voice adds texture here, & I know that she has taken exquisite care to examine the issues she presents. I’m glad she’s joining our conversation. Here's what she has to say:

Last night I was invited by an acquaintance from church to a "Cookout for Change". I told a close friend about it & she wondered why I would be invited to such an event, when I feel as I do about Barack Obama. I thought about it, & I guess it's because this person I see at church & at the pool & at the Harris Teeter doesn't know how I feel about Barack Obama. She's just trying the spread the word about what she believes. I applaud that. She has inspired me to do the same!

I am sending this e-mail to you not because I necessarily know that you are Republican or Conservative, but because I know you are thoughtful intelligent citizens. You may not agree with my opinions, but I hope you will at least give respectful attention to the three issues most important to me. I think every American should think long & hard about at least these three things before they vote in a couple of weeks.

1. Spreading the wealth. We are in tough times. But we've had it really good for a long, long time. Economic prosperity always has, & always will, wax & wane. We can't just hand our country over to the socialists at the first bump in the road. In the second debate, Obama said that McCain’s plan takes tax money “out of the system”. (That statement tells you what system Obama believes in – not the American free enterprise system.)

Granted, no matter whom we elect, the next few years may be leaner for all of us than to what we are accustomed. Obama wants to immediately repeal the Bush tax cuts & raise taxes on families earning over $250,000 per year. That figure sounds like a lot, but that threshold is way too low for a national definition of "rich". People in major metropolitan areas know this all too well.

Why should you care about this if you make less than $250,000 per year? First of all, don't automatically assume that you aren't affected. Take a look at your old tax returns & see if the Bush tax cuts helped you or not. I bet they did, & you're about to lose that benefit. Secondly, isn't there a point that tax rates are so high it just becomes confiscation? Obama's plan will set the highest marginal federal tax rate at 39.6%! And that is just federal income tax - it doesn't include the 15% FICA/FUTA taxes, state income taxes (which here in NC are around 10%), capital gains taxes which can be as high as 28%, property taxes, gas taxes, sales taxes... What's going to be left to put into the economy after all these taxes?!?

Even if you aren't rich, & it doesn't hurt you personally for the rich to be punitively taxed, it just isn't right. It kills the American dream. Why work hard to achieve success if the government is going to steal your hard earned money & redistribute to others? 38% of the American public pays no income tax at all (yet under Obama's plan, that 38% will be getting a 'tax cut' - huh?). What both parties need to do is move those people into the realms of productivity. Our society is in big trouble when there are more takers than givers, & we are getting perilously close.

Sure, the Republican Party hasn't done anything to help these people & that's a mistake. But the big issue is that the Democratic party has a vested interest in keeping these people ‘down’, b/c they all vote Democratic.

Rick Martinez of the Raleigh News & Observer has a great article about just this. He cites a study done by William Galston (former adviser to President Clinton & scholar at the liberal-leaning Brookings Institution). His findings state three simple things that individuals must do to break the cycle of poverty. What are the three things? In Mr. Martinez’ words, “Basically, all that's required is to finish high school, wait until at least age 20 to get married & not have a child out of wedlock. Now how hard is that?”

The Democratic Party courts the votes of the disadvantaged by saying they are the only party that cares, & by throwing entitlement money at these poor people. But they have done nothing in the past 40 years to address the root of the problem (a la Martinez). If the Democrats care so much, why don't they? I fear the truth in Alexis de Tocqueville’s observation in the mid-19th century that, “The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money”.

2. Legislation from the bench. Watch this clip of the final debate (listen carefully to the closing words), if you want to hear it directly from Obama's mouth. The American system of governance was carefully crafted by our founding fathers to protect the citizenry from the tyrannies of corrupt government. They fought & won a bloody war of revolution to establish this great nation upon these brilliant principles, which have served us unbelievably well for over 230 years.

What I am talking about is the system of checks and balances provided by the three separate branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial). Assigning legislative rights to the judicial branch of government is dangerous & unconstitutional. Think what this means to us - in some instances one UNELECTED person (a federal judge) can use his/her judgment to change the laws of our nation. This is already happening at an alarming rate. We should not allow someone who views the judiciary this way (Barack Obama) to nominate our Supreme Court justices. These people are appointed for LIFE, & the effects of who sits on the court will be imposed upon us all for the next 50 years. This is not about abortion. This is about the sacredness of the Constitution of the United States of America.

3. National Security. Every time I go to a public event I am thankful that despite all his faults & mistakes, George Bush has kept me safe. All over the world, terrorists have been plotting how to kill us & still we've been safe since 9/11. I trust John McCain with the security of the United States. He has fought for our freedom, loves this country, & is dedicated to its continued achievement above all else, including his own personal success. Obama has no experience in foreign affairs & is stunningly ignorant. Prime example, his statement regarding the Russian invasion of Georgia - "We should continue to push for a United Nations Security Council Resolution calling for an immediate end to the violence." Even I knew that Russia is a permanent member, with veto rights, of the UN Security Council. Ridiculous.

Sure we're all tired of hearing about it, but B.O. has had long associations with people like Jeremiah Right & William Ayers. Shameful. At the very least it shows a stunning lack of judgment & character. (There's a reason every mother tells her children to be careful who you choose as your friends.)

And for some reason, the media has made it absolute taboo to bring up his name. They imply that anyone who would do so is a hateful bigot. I am not a bigot. But I have a problem with the man's name. He is named Barack Hussein Obama because his father was Muslim. And technically, that shouldn't matter. But we are in a war with Muslim extremists. They repeatedly state their aims of killing Americans every chance they get & destroying our free society. And so, yes, before anyone votes for this man to be the next President of the United States of America, they absolutely should at least consider the possibility that this individual might not have the best interests of the nation in his heart. I pray that's not the case, but I just can't be sure.

So if you are thinking of voting for Obama, please be sure you consider these things. Don't take my word for it. Research the issues yourself & be careful not to use partisan sources of information. Don't vote for him because it's what all the young or intellectual people are doing, or because he's more eloquent than John McCain. Search your soul then cast your vote.

And if you support John McCain, which I know most of you do, don't give up yet. The media is trying to fool us into thinking it's all over. Be sure you vote. Be positive. Remind every Conservative you know that they must vote. Offer your elderly neighbor a ride to the polls. And in these last few weeks, show that you are proud to support John McCain. Put a sign in your yard, a magnet on your car, and a pin on your lapel. And I strongly urge you to write down why YOU must vote for McCain & share it with your address book. Think big. I am sending this e-mail to contacts is NC, SC, GA, VA, WV, NY, IN, IL, AZ, CA, HI, MD, FL, TX. You can do it too. It takes a few minutes, but the very future of our nation is at stake.

Thanks Sandy.
~~~

A privilege to pray.

This Monday seems fresh & new with possibility. The morning greeted me with the "Women of privilege" notion that we explored a few weeks ago. Not long after came my friend introducing the "Big Ben Silent Minute" idea. There seems to be a thread forming - a thread of intentional prayer.

Trouble is, sometimes I’m not sure what to pray. It’s probably those times that I should just be quiet & listen. (Do you think?) Other times, I need words; I need to articulate my thoughts. It was one of those times – when God knew my need to be expressive – that the following prayer came to me. I am extremely grateful for these words, and my prayer is that they will be a blessing to you today.

Oh, Christ Jesus. We thank you & praise you for the tremendous blessings in our lives, in our churches, in our country. We have been given so much; our cups overflow. Thank you, thank you God.

And still we know that there are places in our world where cups are empty; where sickness overpowers health, where your children have lost the dignity of shelter. God, we know that there are places in our world where fear grips stronger than freedom, and news of your Grace is scarce.

Lord, God, with all that we have, help us to remember who we are. Help us to remember that we are to be your mercy - to help fill empty cups. We are to represent your healing - giving aid where we can. We are to be builders of community, opening doors for those who’ve been shut out. Help us, oh God, to remember who we are, so that where there is fear, we will stand in Your strength before it; and where there is no message of your Grace, we will be the bearers of good & refreshing news.

Thank you for the privilege of being your children. Help us to remember, so that your blessings to us become blessings to your world. Let it be so, in Your holy name.

~~~

Just Fun

Okay, so we knew it would come to this. Pictures from the Rally :)

Elizabeth Dole at Latham Stadium @ Elon University, the host of the Sarah Palin rally. She opened for Hank Williams, Jr. who opened for our Headliner...

The Headliner herself addresses the crowd of upwards of 15,000 people! Note the button being worn by the woman wearing white, over Gov. Palin's right shoulder. "Read My Lipstick!"

According to Nancy Midgett, a University employee, the school was seriously surprised by the crowds. They sent Ms. Midgett out on reconnaissance when parking shortage became a concern...

My take-away on the day?

First, don't believe the media...trying to convince you that you're isolated in your convictions. There are literally thousands (dare I say millions?) of people who believe, quite fervently, in conservative principles.

Second, don't believe the media...The people at Republican rallies are kind, patient (sitting in the sun for 3-4 hours, making new friends, playing cards & waiting politely in long lines for water), family-minded, patriotic people, who want the best for their country. The only crass & ugly words hurled were from left-wing protesters outside the stadium, & one inside who was later hauled to jail (Oh, you didn't see it on the news? Didn't think so.)

And third, don't believe the media...there were mothers, fathers, grandparents, babies, children, professionals, hippies, & (gasp!) hordes of college students!! (Apparently, they slipped out of the thick grasp of the left-wing camp & came running to freedom in droves...)

Oh, and didn't I mention already that Sarah was GREAT?

~~~

"Read My Lipstick"

Oh my goodness. May I please tell you about my day yesterday? It started in the hair salon, where my friend Mark & I were talking about “Get the Big Idea”. I explained the theme I’ve been wrestling with, & Mark’s eyes lit up. He proceeded to tell me that a group of women he knows have started an operation to energize women to ‘stand up & be counted in the culture war of our country’ (sounding familiar?). Their operation has a catchy name. It’s called “Read My Lipstick” (any bells ringing now?).

As it happened, I was leaving the salon to travel with my Mom to Elon University to the Sarah Palin rally (yippee!! More on that later…). Before I left, Mark handed me a small grocery bag full of small campaign-like buttons. The buttons had the name of their operation in attractive, catchy graphics & their web address in small print.

So off I go to the Rally, where I happily distribute my cache of buttons to delighted women (& even some men). Within 30 minutes, my little bag was empty. The Rally was super, as you know I’d say. (But it really was; very exciting!) When I returned home, I pulled off my button & went to the website scrolled on the bottom. “Read My Lipstick” is an organized movement, friends. I was almost astounded at what I saw. The press release on this site expresses the same theme that has been on my heart, & captures the essence of the original inspiration for “Get the Big Idea”.

I’m almost astounded that the themes are so clear & common, yet arising independently. I can still scarcely believe how yesterday’s events played out: the trip to the salon coinciding with the Rally, the buttons that ‘happened’ to be on-hand, & the crossover of themes. These seemingly serendipitous events have borne substance that feeds my spirit. It’s like the galvanizing encouragement of hearing voices floating across the wind, when you fear you’re stranded in the valley. It’s the hope that spurs your search for them, the joy of recognizing their language as your own, & the assurance that settles deep in your soul when you find that you are, indeed, not alone.

I’ll be keeping up with "Read My Lipstick" as it develops, & I invite you to do the same. Be encouraged, friends. We’re not stranded in the valley. There are voices floating across the wind. Listen.

~~~

The "Big Ben Silent Minute."

Apparently, there’s a rumor spreading across the internet (& what else is new?). I didn’t get the email, but learned of it through a friend today. She showed me a sheet of paper, & with a sparkle in her eye she said, “This is what we need to be doing! It worked for Churchill in World War II. Why couldn’t it work here & now?”

So, she handed me a printed copy of an email that you can fact-check by searching one of those fact-checker-type-sites. Truthorfiction.com has a thing or two to say about this one, and so does history: it was called the “Big Ben Silent Minute”.

The paper that my friend so excitedly gave me reads as follows:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves & pray, & seek my face & turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, & will forgive their sin & will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people to drop what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute, and to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people & peace. This had an amazing effect, as bombing stopped.

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. The USA & our citizens need prayer more than ever!

If you would like to participate: Each evening @ 9:00 pm EST, 8:00 pm Cent., 7:00 pm Mtn., 6:00 pm Pacific, STOP whatever you are doing & PRAY for one minute. PRAY for the safety of our country, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world. PRAY for wisdom & courage for our leaders, & the up-coming election. PRAY that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land, & that Christianity will grow in the United States of America. If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along.

Tell God how big your storm is; then remind the storm how big your GOD is!

Regardless of the fact-checkers' details, the premise is sound, & I believe the British were really onto something. So now is my friend. The “Big Ben Silent Minute” worked, friends. The chimes are tolling for us & the clock is ticking. How will we respond? Tomorrow night, 9:00, please join me.

~~~

Women against women.

I’m getting a little ruffled, & I’ll tell you why. It’s the women-against-women thing that's swirling around us. Women are attacking-to-destroy Sarah Palin. She’s conservative & she places human life above human choice. She doesn’t follow the feminist manifesto & they don’t like it. In my mind, it’s not about partisan politics; it’s about Feminist Politics.

Let’s ask, “Who are these women, & why are they doing this to one they should presumably champion? Why is it that they claim to speak for women, & yet so viciously tear this one down?”

It seems the answer lies in compliance, acquiescence & power. When they have no challenger, the women about whom I speak demand that we all be tolerant, that we love peace, be sensitive & take care of “the children.” (Sure Madonna, adopt beautiful African children who don’t have choices of how to live – how lovely. But what about children who are being ‘eliminated’ on our own continent – before they have a choice to live?)

Then, a woman emerges who challenges their singular oratory. She comes onto their national stage & they rage & foam & spew vitriol. It’s not just that they don’t want to share. (Really now, weren’t we taught to share in Kindergarten?) It’s real seething venom. Have you seen it? (Quick - search Youtube. I won’t link them to my page.) Nice. Yes, & how very loving & tolerant & sensitive of them to whip up their crowds into a fresh lather of rancid antipathy. How pleasant. How peaceful. (You, too, Sandra Bernhardt.)

And then there’s the print media (even Canadians are complying - now that’s obedience!), cartoon media (featuring Governor Palin being punched, etc.), & the regular ol’ TV media. They’re crafty about it, though; splicing interviews, photographing legs from behind in bald attempts at sexual objectification. I could go on… Where is Barbara Walters & Whoopie Goldberg to decry this shameless sexism? When do Arianna, et. al, come rushing to defend of one of their own? What’s that I hear? Static…?

Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. Not a peep. They rant for years at the injustice men have imposed upon women (& sometimes rightly they rant). Yet they fail to see their own injustice is far more dangerous. I wonder what Susan B. Anthony & Sojourner Truth would think of this women-against-women campaign? Those women knew hardship & fought the uphill fight. I’m grateful for what their untiring efforts have afforded us (even when it means a woman with whom I disagree gets a solid shot in Presidential politics). But Hillary isn’t on the scene right now, Sarah Palin is. She’s in a historic position, having benefited from past efforts also. To my thinking, she is uplifting women’s status around the world, & it is to our country’s great credit that she does.

What’s that Madonna? Sandra? Doesn’t Sarah also have the right to claim her place on the stage? She’s a woman, right? Oh. Yes, but she’s not compliant; she hasn’t acquiesced. She’s a woman who is stealing your thunder (read: power). Therefore, even though she’s a woman, she doesn’t count. Because for women-against-women, XX chromosomes only count when they lean to the Left.

~~~

Perspective.

Human beings have a point of view.

God has a view.

~~~

Brothers.

One vast fortune I have is to have grown up with brothers. They were at one time an aggravation. Dealing with them was an exercise in frustration. They never did what I wanted them to do, what I demanded they do! So many years later, I’m fully aware that my life is blessed because of them. I am a richer & better person because they are my brothers.

They helped make me a more understanding, perhaps a more patient person; a more loving wife. Brothers taught me about life; things I would never have learned on my own. They taught me about toughness & how to appreciate masculinity (even bathroom humor – ugh!). They lived loyalty for me, & showed me how to receive & understand their kind of love. They taught me their antics – me, the direct recipient – & how to see the giftedness of the male spirit. At least for these reasons, I am forever a better wife, mother & hopefully sister.

Whenever they wonder what their purpose is in life, these boys, I want them to remember that part of it is in giving their sister the chance to become the woman she’s supposed to be. It’s their spirit that helps give her an understanding of her place in the world, a contrast to her own giftedness. It’s their brother-ness that helps her get beyond herself to see into the heart of another. I tell this to my brothers because I’m the only sister who can. I’ll tell this to my sons, because their sister won’t know it for years to come. And I’ll tell it to my daughter because she, whether she realizes it now or not, has a vast fortune of her very own.

~~~

Women of privilege. Tough questions.

Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; & from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48

Tall order?

What does it mean to be a Christian woman in America?

Does our American-ness give us a unique perspective on God?

Does our Christianity give us a unique perspective on life?

Working backward:

Does our Christianity give us a unique perspective on life? Yes. It’s Grace, & freedom through Grace. Freedom to be exactly who we’re supposed to be for the Glory of God.

Does our American-ness give us a unique perspective on God? Yes. Indeed, it does. Stay with me…

If you own the computer through which you view these words, if you’re sitting in a comfortable place, safe from enemies; if you are a woman & you can read (at all), then you’re among a privileged minority of women in the world. American women have these privileges simply because of where we live. Regardless of our socio-economic status, level of education, etc., American women are collectively – by comparison to the rest of the globe – privileged.

We’re part of a nation that elevates women through education, opportunity in the marketplace, access to healthcare for ourselves & our families, & freedom to worship freely without fear of torment. Those who claim ownership of American ‘women’s issues’ will beg to differ with me, but that’s their right. (Get it?)

And yet we don’t realize, don’t truly understand, how deeply fortunate we are; & that this ‘fortune’ is from God. Even as I write, I confess that I don’t have a working understanding of women’s experiences around the world. A Thousand Splendid Suns was enough for me. At least in my head, I get it.

At a Beth Moore event a few years ago, a friend & I scanned the sea of 20,000 women’s faces & asked each other, “What would God do if all these women claimed His will in their lives? What would He do in our churches, our communities, in our country? What a movement of God’s power we would see, & it could be through women!” It was a humbling, awesome prospect.

What does it mean to be a Christian woman in America? Our American-ness, if we’re paying attention, gives us a unique perspective on what God can do with us & our privilege, if we yield it to Him. First, we have to claim it. We have to step out of ourselves, our yearning to complain, our materialism, & acknowledge our blessings. God has mercifully allowed us privilege & blessing in order that we may be a blessing, a force for good in the world. We must be willing to step out of ourselves, step up to our blessing & humbly approach God. When we begin to do that, I believe He will use us to be a blessing in our homes, our communities, our country, & ultimately in our world.

Tall order? Yes. What a privilege.

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All about polls

Just because polls are swirling all around us these days, I thought I'd throw one out for us. It's not comprehensive, nor scientific. It's just for fun - and maybe we'll get some interesting data.

Select your answer from the sidebar, but here's a bit more info, if it helps:
Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, Arianna Huffington, Oprah Winfrey, Peggy Noonan

Enjoy~ poll is open through 10-12-08

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Just say it.

Remember in my first post, when I told you that I’ve decided it’s time to say some things? I wasn’t referring to jumping on a stump & shouting through a bullhorn. Though if that’s your style, be my guest. For me, those opportunities come more quietly. I’ve decided it’s time to pay closer attention, & act when I feel that tightening in my gut. Here’s an example of what I mean:

Dear School Board:

I am a concerned parent of three in your school system. Recently, I learned from another parent (whose child attends Rosy Glow Elem. School) that many teachers exhibit openly partisan support of only one Presidential candidate. This support is present in the form of t-shirts, campaign buttons & stickers worn throughout the instructional day, as well as bulletin board displays favoring one political persuasion, with minimal representation of the other. Children have been taken on field trips to campaign headquarters of one party at the exclusion of the other. And, as a class assignment, they were required to view the coverage of one party’s convention (for purposes of class discussion), but not invited/required to view the other party’s convention. One would hope that in covering issues relative to an historic Presidential election, that our school system would encourage children to develop thoughtful analysis by exposing them to balanced instructional material.

Partisan passions lend a certain zeal the political process, especially during an election season. However, partisan passion should be unequivocally mute in the instruction of public elementary school students. Anything less, and public instruction becomes pure indoctrination, as in the examples above. I hope you'll agree that indoctrination does nothing to foster clear, independent thinking and logical reasoning in the growing minds of elementary school children.

This school system has served my children very well to date, but news of what is being allowed at Rosy Glow is unnerving. In my opinion, it requires that you address it immediately. We are proud of a school system that fosters independent thought and a balanced approach to learning. Regarding the above situation (as it was explained to me), this system is doing a disservice to its children and parents.

Thank you for your kind consideration of my concerns. And thank you for all that you do for the schools to equip teachers and embolden students to face a world of diverse and difficult challenges.

Sincerely…

The response of this fine school board was swift, though my voice had been quiet; and I am thankful. Based on reports, I trust that the issue has been handled sufficiently.

Friends, when you are fortunate enough to recognize injustices around you, act. When you see unfairness, speak. I’m not only referring to injustice in Africa or the Middle East; global things. The thought of trying to effect change there overwhelms me. I’m not large, loud or significant enough a human being to do anything about that. My voice seems to get lost in the cacophony of politics, or even just in the wind.

BUT, where I do have a voice loud enough to be heard, I’ve decided it’s time to speak. I encourage you to, also. You don’t have to be harsh or obnoxious. When you see an injustice that catches in your gut – and you all know what I mean – decide what you want to say, & find the best ear. Be firm, be calm, be respectful. Then just say it.

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New on the scene

Well, it seems I have some up-and-coming friends!

I'm pleased to introduce you to Hummingbird, written by Kimberly Greene Angle. Kimberly is my cousin's wife, my cousin-in-law. (Does that mean I'm famous by marriage? I didn't think so, either...)

It's a "sweet and tangy debut [which] introduces a memorable cast of characters who come to learn that grace can abide within and beyond the realities of pain and loss" (B&N.com synopsis). For ages 8-12.

and also:

The Christmas Booger, by Leila Haggerty Montgomery. It's a picture book, you might guess, with Leila Montgomery's wacky sense of humor infused throughout! Leila (& her sister Lisa, illustrator) are friends of ours from our Knoxville years, & we're thrilled for their success!
Available at Amazon.com

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Thanks for soccer

Dear Coach,
I sit to write because you’ve been on my mind for several months. Recently, I found myself reminiscing about High School years & what I’m thankful for.

I’m writing because of the dedication & commitment you gave our little travel soccer team all those years ago. You were a real pioneer – tournament soccer was an infant in the South then, & we were part of that first wave. Thank you for making that experience happen for us girls. It’s nice to look back & know I was part of it.

On a more personal note, though, I have a lot to thank you for. Our team gave me another place to belong, to learn teamwork & leadership, & blow off steam at a time when my life seemed difficult. You were a Godly example to us girls: giving, generous, honest. We knew, even as you put up with our shenanigans, that you were there just to be in His service. I am proud to have been associated with our team simply because of that.

It’s just in recent years that I’m understanding how important my soccer years were. Yes, there was school, music & the rest. But soccer gave me a place to compete & be strong; to prove myself. It gave me a place to unwind the awkwardness & insecurity that seems to entangle young girls. It helped me to remember who I was. It helped me to build a bridge to the strong & rather independent woman that I would become.

Why I’m writing now, I’m not sure, except that it’s time I said thank you. And perhaps because my perspective on life has changed. I’m coming to appreciate people more & the sacrifices that were made for me. So, thank you, thank you.

I hope this letter finds you well, & your family happy. Thank you again for all that you did for me - & I’m sure many others. Take care, & may God bless you deeply.

I remember you fondly,
Susannah

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