I'm actually embarrassed to be a Minnesotan today. Al Franken was certified the winner of the U.S. Senate race and I'm embarrassed to say I live in a state that elected him. In addition to that, I'm embarrassed by the recount and that I feel I can no longer say. "We're above all the scandal and shenanigans that other places have, like Chicago and Texas and even Louisiana." Nope, we're no different, if it's close, there will be cheating. (For those of you wondering what I'm referring to, there was over counting in 25 precincts, all favor Al Franken, absentee ballots were not counted that favored Norm Coleman, I thought every vote was supposed to count. In addition to that, one precinct counted the election day totals and not the recount totals and surprise, surprise it favored Franken. Also, it is alleged that approximately 150 votes were double counted and one Minnesota Supreme Court Justice admitted that it very well could be true.)
In addition to the recount, I'm embarrassed that there are people in Minnesota that actually voted for him. He joked about rape, (He later said he was sorry because he was running for the Senate.) he called Senator Coleman a "butt boy". He said he hates Rush Limbaugh, he called President Bush a derogatory term and he just really isn't fit to lead or represent Minnesota in my opinion. We're only as good as the leaders we elect and if he's one of our best and what we aspire to, we're in deep trouble. Minnesota used to elect great leaders and statesmen like Hubert Humphry, Walter Mondale, and Eugene McCarthy. Now, we have Al Franken. Hey, if we need to vote in a celebrity, I'd rather have John Madden or Jessica Lange or even Bob Dylan! (Yes, they were born in this State!)
Sorry if this post offends you, it has very little to do with Democrats vs. Republicans and much more to do with the issue of Minnesota electing a guy that admits he's not a great leader, a great decision maker and has no credentials whatsoever to represent us other than being from this state. He's a very poor choice in my opinion and as a state, it's a very sad day for us. There will be lawsuits but I would be stunned beyond belief if Norm Coleman wins them. It's just a sad day and unfortunately it's going to last for six years.
Believe we all feel that way and arent too thrills also, but we have a best one, it a lord that waitting for us.
Posted by: Chad | January 06, 2009 at 10:38 PM
I'm with you 100% on this one Pastor Rob
Posted by: Steph K | January 06, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Perhaps the Church should encourage people to be election judges and poll watchers. Is our Christian and democratic responsibility to do more than vote and participate in caucuses?
Posted by: Steve Forsberg | January 06, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Ditto!!!!!!
Posted by: Kari Cornwell | January 06, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Not so much a comment on Al (although I don't know if I would go so far as defending Rush Limbaugh!). I'm not a huge fan of his and the process does seem sketchy. My question is (completely unrelated) - my eleven-year-old son wants to know if you kill someone defending our country, does God forgive you? (It's not like the 10 Commandments says "Do not kill" and then "Amendment 241; except in war, when you are on the 'right' side", etc.
PS - Political venting is very healthy. Don't worry, the pendulum (sp) will swing back to the elephants soon enough.
Posted by: Alison | January 06, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Here's a link to an article that I think helps to explain it. I believe that there is just war and just defense against evil. I also believe the commandment is against murder and not war.
Here's the link http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=2355
Posted by: robketterling | January 06, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Amen and amen
Posted by: Lisa | January 08, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Amen and amen
Posted by: Lisa | January 08, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Embarrassed is a good word for this and this isn't a "red or blue" issue. Doesn't character count for anything? How many "Christians" voted for him ... as you said ... we shouldn't have even gotten to the point of a recount. I think this was an election year that successfully spread so much Bush hate that cause or character was overwhelmed. A SOAP revival across the state would not only help us grow as followers of Christ, but as citizens that need to make character based decisions each day.
Posted by: Tom | January 08, 2009 at 08:41 PM