watch out-Kate’s gettin politcal

I have been pretty stubborn when it comes to talking about the upcoming election/politics in any sort of group setting. I certainly enjoying joking about these things, but actual serious conversations or debates I avoid. I will talk to Dustin, but outside of him I pretty much refuse to take part.

First of all what is one more opinion? Honestly, no one really wants to hear my opinion on Obama, Palin, the economy or WMD’s. Everyone is just waiting for their turn to speak anyway. People waste too much time imposing their views on others.

Secondly, I don’t feel educated enough to contribute in a way that would be satisfying to me or to anyone else. The worst thing to me is talking about something I don’t know enough about and should be listening instead of sharing.

Thirdly, I like harmony. There is no room for harmony in politics. When I am in a group setting it is very important to me for everyone to feel comfortable and unoffended. I feel there is little to be gained from conflict and friction. I strive to merge ideas and thoughts to find common ground and unfortunately hit a dead end when it comes to political conversations.

Fourthly and lastly, in all honesty we all vote along our party lines anyway. It doesn’t matter if their names are McCain or Obama, we choose early on without knowing much about these people who we are going to vote for and we build a case to back up this pre-made decision. I applaud anyone who can really say they don’t do this (but I will find it hard to believe).

I think Mark will know what inspired this post on this fine Tuesday morning.

In the end no one looks good.

Donald Miller’s closing prayer at DNC

“Donald Miller to me is like an indie band that I loved and was loyal to, that was signed to a major record label and is now everywhere.”

Donald Miller the author of popular “postmodern” books like Blue Like Jazz, Searching for God Knows What, he is also a speaker, blogger, music connoisseur-fan of The Smiths…and Morrisey!, smoker, beer lover, hopeless romantic, Christian and Democrat. For some this may be disappointing. Even disappointing enough to cancel a Blue Like Jazz church book club. Whatever your reaction to knowing this, here is the prayer he prayed:

Father God,

This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.

We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.

We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.

Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.

Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.

Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.

Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.

Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.

Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.

We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.

Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.

A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.

Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.

Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.

Lastly, father, unify us.

Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.

And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.

God we know that you are good.

Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.

I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.

Let Him be our example.

Amen.