Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Historic Night

A sad day for individual liberty.
A sad day for the unborn.
A sad day for limited government.
A sad day for free speech.
A sad day for taxpayers.

A victory for style over substance.
A victory for eloquence over character.
A victory for socialism over capitalism.

A historic night: the first socialist elected President of the United States.

12 comments:

Kyle Hommes said...

Come On, you have to at least celebrate the fact that we have elected an African-American president which is a triumph for the message of equality and image of a melting pot that makes this country great.

Marge said...

Very eloquent, Jon.

Rudi said...

What's most disapointing to me is that we're NEVER going to hear the end of racism. Everyone keeps declaring Obama's victory as a "crowning achievement" for the civil rights movement, but they're very quick to add, "but keep in mind, this doesn't put an end to racism."

I feel like the people who are actually the most accepting (and the LEAST racist) are the republicans who voted against Obama not because he's black, but because we disagree with his policies. We're not judging him by the color of his skin, we're judging him by the quality of his charachter. Contrast this with the white dems that voted (at least in part) due to liberal white guilt, and the legions of african american voters that ONLY voted based on color.

I would be happy to cede the next 4-8 years of American history to racial reconciliation if we could just finally call everything even, and start over... but that's never going to happen, and I'm going to have to hear about this garbage for the rest of my life. And THAT's what is upsetting to me.

Unknown said...

The people of Pennsylvania have spoken.

The people of Virginia have spoken.

The people of Ohio have spoken.

The people of Colorado have spoken.

The people of New Mexico have spoken.

The people of Indiana have spoken.

The people of North Carolina have spoken.

Indeed, the people of the United States of America have spoken. Loudly.

Rudi, more disappointing to you than minorities enduring slavery and discrimination that has lasted over centuries is the fact that you as a white man have had to hear about it? Are you serious? I'd recommend you attend anti-racism training offered either through the CRC or an agency like Crossroads. You seriously need to consider some perspectives on the world that differ from your own.

Rudi said...

Wow, Tom. thanks for handing down the life lessons from your cloud of judgement. Racism counceling? Don't be ridiculous.

Here's my point: it's 2008, it's America, the land of opportunity, and this man just proved that anyone can do anything.

Are there barriers for black people? Yep. Is it "harder" living in America and being black? Probably overall, yes. But in 2008, if you apply yourself, it doesn't matter what color you are, you can achieve the American dream. So while I'm right there with the civil rights movement, and Dr. King is one of my alltime favorite people, we have officially overcome.

My point is simply this: I voted on the content of the man's charachter, and I'm called a racist by people like you. Millions voted for the man ON THE BASIS of race, and they're "part of the solution"... quite the far cry from Dr. King's speech:

"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today."

I've realized that dream... my judgement of Obama has NOTHING to do with race. Why can't everybody else jump on board, move beyond race, and start judging a man/woman on the content of his/her charachter?

If America did indeed elect Obama because they agree with his principles, well then, great. But for MANY people ("white guilt" liberals and many african americans) Race was a major reason that they voted Obama, and that's not a dream- that's a nightmare.

Meghan said...

hey Jon.. thought you might have something new to read today. hope you're hanging in there. 4 yrs goes by fast. Remember college?! :)

Unknown said...

Attending training to better understand the history of race relations, discrimination, and prejudice in our country, as sponsored and supported by our church denomination, is ridiculous?

If you honestly think that is a ridiculous endeavor, a waste of someone's time, you are certainly entitled to your opinion. But that doesn't mean that racism isn't a real factor that continues to operate in society today. And if you are sincere in your desire to achieve racial reconciliation then I would suggest that education via readings or conferences would be a great place to start.

I never called you a racist Rudy, so please don't imply that I did.

Rudi said...

holy cow. Rather than slinging your rhetoric, why don't you respond to the issue that I've brought up? You've been too busy preaching at me to listen to what I've been saying.

Yes you did call me a racist. "I'd recommend you attend anti-racism training," why would you recommend this unless you're calling me a racist?

"Gee, Bill, I really think that you should attend Alcoholics anonymous, but I'm not accusing you of being an alcoholic or anything... I just think that it's a good program."

I've already covered that racism is still a factor in our culture, but the entire point is that in 2008 America, clearly, there is nothing that can't be accomplished... so can we PLEASE move on? I don't need to attend training in how to relate to other races, because I'm beyond that- I deal with PEOPLE! That's the truly amazing thing that happens when you put all the b.s. aside, and just take interest in people. Race is a part of every persons story, but it's only a part- it's not the determining factor by which their entire life is defined. By valuing all people, you automatically value their race as part of who they are. It's really as simple as loving your neighbor as yourself. I'll let God's Word be my guide.

My brother recently attended a conference where Clarence Thomas was a key-note speaker. He was asked about racism and overcoming obstacles to gain his success. He said something very telling: "I've never understood how we as a culture are going to move past racism as an obstacle to success by regularly and continually talking about racism as an obstacle to success."

Unknown said...

I did not intend to call you racist. I apologize if that's how it came across.

Our church offers a 3 day seminar on anti-racism that is very powerful and has changed the way I view the world. Here is what I believe: that racism infects not only individuals but perhaps more importantly institutions and the power structures in our society, and is so pervasive that it has the ability to influence us in ways we don't understand, and that therefore any members in such a society stand to benefit from training on understanding racism, but also in moving beyond to anti-racism. So I would make the same recommendation to anybody.

Jon Vander Plas said...

Oh my. Ok, to Kyle's point, yes equality is good, but because of Obama's radical views I fail to see this as a triumph, but rather as a debacle. Diversity is a good thing, but it is not what makes this country great. People around the world don't immigrate here for our diversity. They come for freedom and the opportunity that freedom provides. Obama promises to erode these freedoms.

Anonymous said...

Clarification Jon--- my response was to your original post. Your second post(which is also good) came thru just after I sent my note.

All of the comments displayed here are written with passion---I appreciate your interest.

Anonymous said...

This is a repetition of my first post which somehow was eliminated when I submitted my second post. Sorry for the inept confusion.

Jon, your original post succinctly summarizes the consequences of our "collective wisdom" displayed Nov 4th. Yes, our citizens have spoken loudly. It makes me very sad that some were not more discerning.

Our President-elect is very talented and clever but he speaks with a forked tongue. I am confident that this will become increasingly more apparent. The old saying,"You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can not fool all the people all the time" seems to fit.