After The One-Night Stand

Television and film often portrays those that have a one-night stand as waking up the next morning and instantly looking at the person beside them, coupled with the memory of what they've done the night before, and viewing it all as a huge mistake.

Today, I wonder if that's how this country will come to view their decision to elect Barack Obama to the office of President of the United States. Only time will tell.

I don't have much to offer this morning so instead I'll simply offer my thoughts and observations after a LONG DAY of taking in a healthy serving of Election Day coverage:

RANDOM THOUGHTS & OBSERVATIONS

• Having to watch CNN all day was maddening. I must add that I simply cannot stand the "projected winner" approach that TV, Radio, and the Internet uses BEFORE even 1% of the state has reported their results.
  
• Maybe it was just me, but why did it seem like Obama wasn't happy that he had just won and accomplished an historic and monumental feat? I didn't see the exurberance, excitement, or passion from a man who had just become THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT in the history of this nation. Why is that? Was it a case of "I-finally-reached-the-end-of-the-road-and-the-journey-is-over-so-now-I-can-take-a-moment-to-rest" syndrome? Was it a subdued and stoic response as the weight of this moment was upon him? We'll never now for sure, but that was just something I noticed when watching his victory speech.
  
• Speaking of his victory speech, for a man who is known for his oratory skills I expected much more for a speech of that magnitude on such an historic night. When you consider that he also wants to set the tone for the country moving forward it seemed mundane and unimpressive. Again, perhaps it was a subdued and historic response given the weight of the situation. Even so, that begs the question - For someone who ran a campaign and won a presidential election on "change" and "hope" and "high expectations" he was rather somber and reserved and he almost tried to play done the very tone that got him into office. Strange. On second thought, perhaps it's very calculating.
  
• It's a subtle point, and I'm sure that every TV station was different, but as a student of film (I actually took several Film Studies classes in college due to a passion of mine) it was interesting to note the extreme closeup shot of of Obama during his speech (typically, these kinds of shots are used by directors to get the viewer to connect with the object/character on a very personal level). In contrast, during McCain's speech the shot was much further away. Again, subtle stuff, but it would seem that even after helping him to win the election the media will continue to serve him as best they can.
  
• CNN's Wolf Blitzer just announced that there are an estimated 25,000 people at that park in Chicago. Nevermind the fact that 99% of them seem to be first-time voters all 18-24 years of age, but this statement made me chuckle because earlier in the night (after they showed footage of some of these attendees running to the park for a chance to see "The One") Blitzer guessed that there were "thousands...perhaps hundreds of thousands" waiting to see Obama.
  
• Sticking with the "national/international euphoria" theme for a moment, did anyone else get a strange feeling in the pit of their stomach to hear the talking heads go on-and-on about how happy the world was to see us elect Obama? My favorite part was when CNN's Campbell Brown talked of "numerous anecdotes" from people around the country who told of instances of people celebrating in the streets, dancing, screaming, laughing crying, honking horns, and just simply wallowing in a feeling of complete euphoria over this moment.
  
• There were also a lot of religious talk by CNN's panel of analysts. From discussing one Pastor's assertion that Obama is a "Moses" figure to another equating him with Nehemiah. Remember the hysteria when Bush said he felt as though God had chosen him to serve to American people in a political capacity? Apparently, the media doesn't exhibit the same brand of intolerance toward their preferred candidate.
  
• I'm curious to see what may or may not happen over the next few months before Obama officially becomes president. For instance, will Bush keep America neutral when it comes to potential military conflicts overseas or will nations like Syria and Iran attempt to stir the pot and see what happens? In addition, while U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter has rejected an emergency appeal for the court to halt the tabulation of the 2008 presidential election results until Barack Obama documents his eligibility to run for the office, the issue isn't going away, at least for now, since Souter set a schedule for a response from Obama to the challenge from attorney Philip J. Berg by December 1, 2008.
  
• 66% of voters 30-years-old and younger voted for Obama. Count me as one of the 34% who did not vote for him.
  
• I'm VERY surprised that Pennsylvania did not turn in McCain's favor this year. While it's true that categorizing this as a "toss-up state" when it's traditionally gone Democratic, I thought for sure that Obama's recent comments about bankrupting the Coal Industry would've been enough to strike genuine fear through PA voters who now risk losing their jobs in an already depressed economy. Not so. As if that weren't puzzling enough, how the heck does Jack Murtha win re-election after calling his constituents "rednecks" and "racists" during his campaign?
  
• Six months from now will put us into May 2009. I'm now taking bets as to whether or not you think Biden's "international crisis" will occur before or slightly after that date.
  
• Now that it's official, does this mean the U.S. Presidential Seal will be formally changed to the one Obama was showing off on the campaign trail?
  
• Watching the Republicans lose so much today I sincerely hope that this will serve as a wake-up call to the party that we need fresh new voices who can lead us back to our roots, and restore relations with the base. Personally, I'm considering switching my affiliation to the Constitution Party. Say what you will about Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee, but they made sense and had some serious things to say. I contend that either of them would've been a better Republican candidate and formidable opponent for Obama than John McCain was. It wasn't long after those two exited the primaries when I began to find something appealing about a candidate like Chuck Baldwin who strangely sounded more like a traditional conservative Republican than those on the R-ticket.
  
• All was not lost for Christians today. At the time of this writing California's ballot measure known as Proposition 8 was still in contention even thought a "Yes" vote was leading the way. In addition, 28 states installed in its constitution a definition of marriage limited to one man and one woman. It may be viewed as a "small" victory in the political sense, but it's a "major" victory in the spiritual realm.
  
• I guess we're no longer a racist nation since we finally elected a black man, right? Bye, bye affirmative action and civil rights lawsuits, right? Man, I hope so.
  
• Here's a frightening thought: Not only is Obama in power, but he has a Democratic Senate (perhaps House as well), a friendly press, and the backing of the world. Things could change quite quickly around here - not the kind we want to see either!
  
• Is this what Obama meant when he refered to a Civilian National Security Force?
  
• I thought it was interesting that we seem to have a new message and talking point and his ascension to the presidency in merely a couple of hours old. The new theme is "I need your help..." as this was his main response to McCain during their phone conversation and his message to Americans during his victory speech.
  
• In retrospect, I'm not surprised that Obama won tonight. He had to win. He's the perfect political leader for this country during a time like this. Please let me clarify. Take a look this online ministry. It's devoted to recognizing, discussing, and sounding the alarm about things that prove that we are living in the end times. Surely, God can accomplish His will no matter who He puts in a position of power, but if I truly believe that we are living in the last days then it makes perfect sense to be that a man like Barack Obama would come along, quickly rise to power, and become president of our nation. On the surface he seems to fit this entire end times scenario much better than McCain.
  

All things being said, tomorrow we will wake up in an entirely new nation. I pray that God has mercy on us and that He helps to guide Obama and his administration according to His will.

Ultimately, a son or daughter of God need not be concerned if the government of his homeland is legal or illegal, or if it governs appropriately or inappropriately. What matters is that the Christian recognizes God's sovereignty, confident that in His oversight God NEVER sleeps or looks the other way. He is fully aware of whatever happens.

Because of the purpose He is working out, this One who knows every sparrow that falls has either passed on what occurs or directly caused it. That is all that matters. With this understanding, we can truly live by faith, knowing God is ruling His creation. That is what we are here to learn and trust.

Please prayerfully consider this hard truth. Tonight He gave us EXACTLY the kind of leader we deserve, and that He intends for a time such as this.

Let's remember to trust in Him, not in political leaders and government to save us.

I'm still proud to be an American.

Posted in: How Close Are We?,Political Signs