Posted by
peripheral on Monday, September 08, 2008 6:25:47 AM
From My Perspective - - - -
There are many trite sayings
that are occasionally used as a generalization for ones expressions about particular
matters. Sometimes it is represented as
coming from someone who’s “thinking on his feet”, or a statement can be
relegated to “a slip of the tongue.” There is another statement that is also
circulated about some people: “he keeps talking until he can think of something
to say…” And then, there is the statement of Jesus Christ in Luke 6:44-45: “Each tree is recognized by its own
fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn-bushes, or grapes from briers. The
good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the
evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of
the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
On the basis of “…out of the overflow of the heart his mouth
speaks…” one could conclude there is something more to be said about what is
expressed than to relegate it to “a slip
of the tongue” or a statement is the product of one “thinking on his feet…”
Great care has to be exercised to prevent jumping to wrong conclusions. Keeping
that firmly in place and mind, it does give one pause when a candidate is asked
about his view in terms of when life begins. After verbal meandering, he
finally responds to arrive at a firm conclusion is – “above my pay grade.” This
is not an acceptable answer or even a valid excuse. What YOU believe should
receive a definitive answer. This same time of verbal evasiveness is present
when he was being interviewed about his view of the Iraq War and the recent effort of
the surge. He cannot get himself to admit that the surge was an excellent
military strategy that has brought about a positive result and may very well
lead to redeployment of troops because of a greater possibility of peace and
democracy in Iraq.
The more telling “slip
of the tongue” may have occurred while this candidate was “thinking on his feet”
and made the following statement on “This Week with George Stephanopoulos”: “Let's not play games…What I was suggesting -- you're
absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith. And
you're absolutely right that that has not come.” Mr. Stephanopoulos interrupted
with, "Christian faith." "My
Christian faith," Mr. Obama said quickly. "Well, what I'm saying is
that he hasn't suggested that I'm a Muslim. And I think that his campaign's
upper echelons have not, either…” To be fair, anyone who does public speaking
is aware that there are moments when a misstatement can and will be made. One’s
hope is that people will grant “the benefit of the doubt” for the speaker and
allow for a clarification – not political spin – of his views on the War in Iraq, Abortion,
and matters of “Christian” Faith. Fight The Smears (http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/christian)
is an Obama Website where the following statements appear: “Senator Obama has
never been a Muslim, was not raised as a Muslim, and is a committed Christian…Barack
Obama was sworn in (the US
Senate) using his family Bible.”
Consider these things with me - - - and remember the words of
Jesus Christ in Matthew 12:36-37, “But I tell you that men will have to give
account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by
your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
The candidates should be precise and honest in what they represent, and others
need to be careful and guarded in terms of judgments reached and shared. President
Theodore Roosevelt once said regarding foreign policy: “There is a homely old adage which runs: 'Speak softly and carry
and big stick; you will go far.' If the American nation will speak softly, and
yet build and keep at a pitch of the highest training a thoroughly efficient
navy, the Monroe Doctrine will go far.” The “speak softly” is always beneficial. We need to have as the
goal and commitment of our lives the words found in Psalm 19:14, “May the words
of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord,
my Rock and my Redeemer.” I hope this is your concern and commitment.