Fashion plate-cum-governor Sarah Palin is the new darling child of the Republican party, and probably rightfully so. She seems to have strong views that are right in line with the fundamentalist Right that is so maligned by the loony Left. However, there has been a gross misrepresentation in the media of Palin as a “christian conservative”. We're not talking modest exaggeration, we're talking PT Barnum type stuff here. She is christian, and she is a conservative, but there have been claims that she has a number of 'dangerous' religiously-informed views. These are not always presented directly in mainstream media, but blogs and news commentary is rife with them. What's more, Googling the phrases “christian conservative” and “Sarah Palin” at the same time yields nearly 100,000 hits as of this writing. Indeed, you can't open a newspaper without seeing the epithet attached to her name. Whatever her personal views (which will be discussed below), there's cause for pause when looking at the rumors perpetrated by the left. Bust out the acetone and the cotton balls – this pig's ripe for a makeover...1) Myth: Sarah Palin is unjustly opposed to homosexuality.
The record shows that while she does harbor personal disagreement with homosexuality, she has been diligent in applying the state constitution in Alaska with regards to those laws. Indeed, she has cited Alaskan constitutional law (with help from the Attorney General) in vetoing a proposed law that would have denied rights to same-sex couples. She would likely welcome amendments that are in line with her personal views, but so far has a clear record of constitutional adherence in these matters. Even gay blogs have figured this out.
2) Myth: Sarah Palin wants to teach creationism as doctrine in schools.
Again, this is apparently not true. Sarah Palin acknowledges theories of evolution, indeed her father was a science teacher. She supports the view that individual communities discuss various theories of creation and teach parallel theories that are in line with the values of a given community. Again, even religious blogs have recognized this. When pressed on the issue in 2006 she said:
“Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information... Healthy debate is so important and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both. And, you know, I say this, too, as the daughter of a science teacher. Growing up with being so privileged and blessed to be given a lot of information on, on both sides of the subject -- creationism and evolution... It’s been a healthy foundation for me. But don’t be afraid of information and let kids debate both sides.”
3) Myth: Sarah Palin believes the Iraq war is a mission from God.
Sarah Palin certainly stresses supporting the troops, but has given no evidence that she believs it is a holy crusade. Indeed, she left the fundamentalist church of her youth in 2002 to join the more moderate, non-denominational Wasilla Bible Church. Even the pastor of the pentecostal church of her youth says of his congregation's view, “Our basic belief is that God is God and he knows where history is going and he has a purposeful plan and within the middle of that plan we live in an environment in our world where certain events would take place...Sarah wasn't taught to look for one particular sign.” This is a frequent argument against her, but I have no idea where it comes from, beyond the fact that some fundamentalist churches do preach a zionist rapture-oriented foreign policy based on their belief in the imminent parousia. She has said nothing more provocative than that the troops' lives in Iraq are part of “God's plan”. This is hardly pushing for the formation of a seven-nation army.
The swan-song of the Obamessiah's campaign will probably be the vicious lies perpetrated by his foam-mouthed followers. The most ardent supporters of any political party can be loony. Fortunately for the country, McCain has at least given all appearances of being moderate, and appeals as such. Obama, as far left a nut as there has ever been, will be dragged down like a lost soul in Dante's Inferno by the vorpal claws of his own rabid fans.
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2 comments:
Your commentary is worth reading just for the colorful allegory.
Excellent piece of authentic journalism. Your conclusion is dead on. While Obama may or may not have meant the "lipstick on a pig" comment as an insult to Palin, his supporters at the rally certainly knew who he was talking about. They laughed and cheered in frenzied delight and immediately began chanting "no more pit-bull!" And now Moammar al-Ghadafi ("President" of Libya) is saying that Barack Obama is a good Muslim who is just lying about his religion and foreign policy because American election politics demand it. As the old saying goes, "with friends like these, who needs enemies."
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