Politics & the Media: SPINNING out of control...

dear friends,

where to start? well, i've gotta start off by saying, "I HATE POLITICS!!!"

now that i've got that off my chest....if you have read my previous blog posts, you know that up to now (and mike huckabee) i have never been interested or involved in anything remotely political. it was only after learning of governor huckabee, that i felt compelled and convicted to get involved. after 4 months of blogging for governor huckabee, and watching the goings-ons of all the candidates, campaigns, christian leaders, and the media. i find myself thoroughly and constantly disgusted, incensed, infuriated and frustrated. this is the world of politics?! yuck! no thank you!!!

to watch "politics-in-action" it is no wonder that the majority of americans (and especially evangelical christians) disdain and avoid politics altogether. IT IS DISGUSTING!!! and i think i'm putting it rather mildly!

recently, with governor huckabee's rise in the polls, things are definitely heating up. it is like a crazy political rollercoaster ride of ups, downs, twists and turns. the opposing campaigns and the media are in attack mode. (and i'm sure it'll get worse, before it gets any better...) they are jockeying for position, pushing and shoving their way into the limelight and to the top of the heap. and it's not pretty.

as i watch, i can't believe my eyes, or my ears. i watch and listen as candidates, their campaigns and the media LIE, TWIST, EMBELLISH, MALIGN, and MISREPRESENT..and all this under the harmless word of, "spin??"

i watch as men like fred thompson, mitt romney and groups like the club for growth and the liberal media continue to attack governor huckabee. they BLATANTLY LIE , BIASELY TWIST THE FACTS, and TAKE THINGS TOTALLY OUT OF CONTEXT in an effort to intentionally mislead the public.

it's NOT about reporting the news in a 'fair and balanced manner.' and it's NOT about "reporting the facts." the media are notoriously biased and liberal. this is a well known fact. but more recently, they have become unabashedly more blatant.

i must say, i've heard so much about the 'religion thing' the past few weeks, and not much of it has been very positive. but yesterday, i heard a great answer by governor huckabee on the subject. a reporter was asking if people of various religions (other than christianity) could or would be a good president or should it even be an issue? governor huckabee responded, (paraphrased), "it doesn't matter what religion they say the are. the issue is, once they state what religion they are affiliated with, are their lives are consistent with that faith's beliefs and tenets?" i agree with governor huckabee... basically, we're looking for consistency and commitment to their faith. let's see it!!! whatever it is!!

friends, in this presidential primary, what do you see? these candidates that are aggressively vying for the spotlight....are these men that talk of "faith in america", and "conservative values"... walking the talk? how are they conducting themselves and their campaigns?

ironically, the candidates that are trying to align themselves with evangelical christians, the faith and values voters groups, and the social conservatives....these candidates are fred thompson and mitt romney. both these men profess to have a faith in Jesus Christ. yet, these two men have been the most aggressive in the negative ads and nasty campaigning thus far. isn't this a contradiction??

they are pandering to the evangelical christian and social conservative, but they are conducting themselves more negatively than non-christians like guliani and mccain.

sadly, within this world of politics and spin, i don't see much honesty, character and integrity. instead, i see politics running in amuck..in "full force". whether this type of behavior is the 'norm' or not for this presidential race, it does not make it not make it any more palatable. frankly, it's ugly. it's distasteful. it's offensive. and many americans and christians alike, are sick and tired of it.

instead, i believe america is looking and longing for something different. personally, as a christian voter, i am looking for a man of character, integrity, and competency. i'm not looking for perfection. it does not exist. i'm not looking to agree with the candidate 100% on all the issues and all his opinions. rather, I AM LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY WITH INTEGRITY, THAT I CAN TRUST. somebody who's life reflects his beliefs. i'm looking for somebody that conducts himself in a manner, that i feel exemplifies character, honesty and integrity. a man that i can trust to represent and make decisions for me, my family and america with honor.

for me, it really boils down to the "man, himself." DO I TRUST HIM? DO I BELIEVE IN HIM?

what i greatly appreciate about governor huckabee is....HE IS, WHAT HE IS. he is honest and sincere. he addresses questions forthrightly. if he makes a mistake, he says so. he is a refreshing breath of fresh air, in the toxic world of politics. he is not trying to "repackage himself" or "spin himself", to suit the voters. he is what he is, and what he has been. he hasn't changed radically. he is consistent. now, i didn't' say he was perfect. but significantly more consistent than any of the other candidates.

interestingly enough, as the media and opposing campaigns pick-pick-pick away at issues in governor huckabee's past...why aren't the media pick-pick-picking away at any of the other candidates with significantly more inconsistent and torrid pasts? it seems almost a coincidence, that the two opposing candidates that have been the most aggressive in negative attacks, have also enjoyed a somewhat 'free pass' from the media on their own issues of inconsistency and controversy? this is a bit puzzling and disconcerting.

over the years, organizations like focus on the family and afa, have taught and encouraged christians to stand up for their beliefs and principles. they have taught us to be bold, and to have a voice in the public square on issues that effect our faith and families. the presidential election is no different. to the degree that evangelical christians comprise a good percent of america, we also have the power to object to negative campaigning and biased media coverage. we have a voice, and we have the economic muscle. friends, it's time to use it!!!

we do not have to sit back and tolerate politics and the media's spin. we can communicate our displeasure; turn off the t.v., stop buying the paper or magazine, and not vote for that candidate. friends, we do have the power to make a difference. let's do it!!!

onward, christians....because OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!


" He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; i shall not be greatly moved." psalm 62:2