Dear Friends and Family...
Congratulations on Obama's unprecedented victory. While I greatly disagree with most of his left-of-center positions, I would be dim indeed if I didn't realize the amazing achievement his election represents. Despite my disappointment over McCain's overwhelming loss, I was moved by Obama's election night speech. Oddly, what struck me the most was the image of Jesse Jackson, openly weeping because of the reality before his him: President-elect Obama. How could Jackson not reflect upon the groundbreaking moment he was witnessing? Who could not appreciate the sacrifice, toil, and bravery demanded of so many African-Americans in order for Obama to achieve the pinnacle of the American dream? I can only imagine the pride and the triumph felt by Jackson and by so many others on that unseasonably warm, historic evening in Grant Park.
Even I became overwhelmed with emotion. Some might be surprised by the degree to which I can relate to the sentiment so prevalent among Obama faithful. The issue of race and the shame surrounding it has had a devastating effect upon many whom I call near and dear. Perhaps Obama's election will finally confirm what so many have known for a long time: Our ethnic heritage, while an important part of how we define ourselves, need not limit our talents, abilities, and achievements. How sad that so many people I have known and loved never discovered the freedom and the esteem that emerges from this essential truth. How limiting and degrading it must be to deny one's own heritage. Barack Obama's election may be just the thing so many need to finally close the book on race as a detracting factor in our beloved country.
If only we conservatives could clone Mr. Obama but reprogram our new "model" with pro-life zeal, laissez faire economic ideals, and more pragmatic foreign policy leanings. What a candidate that would be! I, too, have a dream.
To my friends who also happen to be Obama supporters...I know you are thrilled over this outcome and rightly so. While we part ways on policy, I congratulate you on this well earned victory. And, as I mentioned to my son just today, we don't have to agree with Mr. Obama, but as Americans, we must all respect the soon-to-be President Obama, who will confront numerous challenges upon assuming office. His will certainly not be an enviable position. He will need our support where we are morally able to provide it.
I pray for Barack Obama and his family. The weight of the responsibility and the duties that lay ahead will be great indeed. I hope all of you join me in this prayer.
Friday, November 07, 2008
To Obama Supporters... Whom I Call Friends
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5 comments:
I had basically the same conversation with Tim that you had with Ethan. I told him that even though we had voted for McCain, Obama had won the election and that he was our new President and we should support him and respect him. I told him that the beauty of America is that we respect elections. I know that Tim seemed relieved to hear me say that. Who know's what he was thinking before I talked to him. I congratulate Obama and am happy that race was a nonissue in the election, which is how it should be. It is funny, but I don't think my kids notice that Obama is black. I really don't. And that is a great thing.
--Oracle
Leigh- I have awarded you.
You are most gracious in this letter. I couldn't be.
God bless
Race was not an issue in this campaign? Are you kidding me? Race was one of the most important if not THE major issue in this campaign, why do you think the liberal media treated him with kid gloves? While I agree that it is an historic day for this country for a black man to be elected President, the process by which it was accomplished was disgraceful: acorn, incredible media bias, no proper vetting of this man's past such as his associations with known terrorists and socialist/communists, the disgusting attacks on Sarah Palin by feminists and the liberal media, and on and on. This was not politics as usual. Wake up Catholics! We are in a cultural war and the secularists are winning.
As a Catholic, any historic gain that may have been accomplished by Obama's election will be by far trumped by his pro-death decisions such as promising to pass the freedom of choice act and appointing liberal supreme court judges that will almost assuredly kill any hopes of overturning Roe v. Wade.
However, as you said he is our President and I will respect the office (unlike liberals who unmercifully trashed President Bush for the past 8 years).
Bob...
I never said that race was not an issue in the campaign. One of my commenters did. I agree with the substance of what you are saying. I'm just tempering my approach a bit more. The us vs. them thing isn't furthering our cause. It's just alienating people as opposed to persuading them. I still believe that people are basically good and that one day, we will eradicate this evil. Call me naive. I really believe it.
Leigh, I understand what are you are saying. I suppose it depends on how you define "basically good". There are over 50 million people in this country who consider Obama as a "good" (or even a great) person. Would you consider him a good person? I know for me that anyone who voted against the ban on the killing of babies born alive after botched abortions, who promotes giving women even more access to murdering their children through the FOC act, and has no problem steering our country to a socialist form of gov't is someone who is not only not good but is actively participating in an intrinsic evil. Jesus was not a humanitarian. He came to redeem us of our sin and He knew many would reject His message. Luke 14:51 "Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." Jesus is telling us that in order to achieve true peace - a peace of being united with God - we must not be afraid of losing our superficial ‘peaceful’ relationships. Our purpose in this life is to know, love and serve our Lord and this calls for saving souls. Part of that serving is perform our corporal and spiritual works of mercy. That includes admonishing sinners and informing the ignorant. Yes, of course we should do so with compassion and mercy but we should not be worried about alienating people. This is one reason why our country is in this mess to begin with. Too many Christians, especially Catholics, have silently stood by (worried about offending people) while this secular new world order is trying to take over. Did you know 57% of those who claim to be of the Catholic faith voted for Obama? We have a lot of work to do and we need to pray pray pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary to help intercede on our behalf. God bless.
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