Hermenuetics

Comments

I haven't paid iattention to politics enough to have informed opinions about either Ms. Clinton or Ms. Palin. Growing up in Arkansas did not lend me to being a fan of the Clinton crew, but it could primarily be because I didn't want year-round school and they lobbied for it as part of an intense school reform program.

The main thing I've taken away from watching the Palin campaign is that women -- for some reason -- cannot support one another. SAHM's bashed Palin for working. Working moms bashed her for having a large family. I don't suppose that we will ever reach a place where we realize that most women do whatever is necessary to support their family. That might be working away from home. That might be staying home. It might be sending their children public school, or private school, or it could also mean homeschooling.

Life is very difficult on families these days and women still seem to bear the brunt of balancing it all. Whether we agree with someone's politics or not, we need to refrain from attacking their mothering decisions in the midst of the conversation. Don't we all just get up every day and do what needs to be done for our families? That might be cleaning the toilets, but it might be running a country.

Posted By: Lisa | July 6, 2009 1:06 PM

I think that people, particularly Christians, need to reflect on the effect of media on their opinions about others.
If people learn to think for themselves rather than allowing CNN or the like to think for them they may realize their opinions are being engineered by the liberal media. The liberal media have made good look evil and evil good. So the Scripures tell us, Woe to you when good becomes evil and evil good.

Posted By: Lorraine | July 6, 2009 3:51 PM

Lorraine, you are absolutely right on! I have never seen the media despise any politician as much as Sarah Palin. The whole thing is Orwellian, with evil being presented as good and good as evil. The Vanity Fair piece was an absolute joke.

We should learn to think for ourselves....unfortunately, that involves a little more work than some of us are willing to do.

Posted By: Truthmeister | July 6, 2009 4:34 PM

I wonder whether there is a way CT could deal with controversial issues without stirring up so much judgmental retoric??

Posted By: Lee C | July 6, 2009 4:46 PM

Fundamentalists always see themselves as under siege. They need religion for the power it provides, not the hope. They gather their strength by identifying enemies - there is always an enemy, and if there isn't, they'll make one up. Without an enemy, there is no fear, and without fear, there is no power." - Where's Your Jesus Now? Zondervan.com

Pretty sure this is Palin's MOD.

Posted By: Karen Spears Zacharias | July 6, 2009 5:04 PM

Lee: Actually, the CT article on Sarah Palin stirred up LESS judgmental rhetoric than I think I have ever read about her.
This article and the readers' comments have been fair and favorable. The only part of Pulliam's article that might be deemed judgmental is the paragraph in which she quotes Vanity Fair....and Pulliam, of course, was quoting, not creating. Lisa's observation that "that women -- for some reason -- cannot support one another" is spot on.

Posted By: SALLY | July 6, 2009 5:04 PM

Sarah Palin was conscripted to service at the wrong time and for the wrong reason. John McCain is unable to forgive and forget otherwise a competent Romney would have been on his ticket. When we use the Christian label as a brand and a manipulative strategy the players usually get in trouble with the accuser (Satan). We accept the Christian Rock Star as a worldly way to gain popularity and approval. When the Rockstar has no idea where Her Identity is in Christ..defeat is inevitable. Gov Sandford has demonstrated extremely well how fantasy mixed with a few bible quotes destroys his christian witness. Maturity and character are 2 needed qualities for the Christian leader today..Its hard to find them in the barren God forsaken country called the USA. The people "are destroyed for a lack of knowledge" Hosea

Posted By: Mo | July 6, 2009 6:06 PM

Frankly, I think everything about Gov. Palin has been blown way out of proportion. I did not like the campaign she ran with Senator McCain for reasons I won't go into, but I feel bad that the media has such a range to slander and mock people just because they are in the public eye. This happens all the time especially when the person seems to be gaining an incredible amount of popularity among the public. Think of any icon and look over how the media eventually tells every dirty detail in their life making their good small in comparison to hashing up dirt on them. They do this to the unsaved so all the more will they do it if you love God.

I don't think Gov Palin was expecting that at all and I think she has all in all done well in trying to stand up for herself against an incredible amount of attack against herself and her family. I don't know any mother that would not go into protective mode over her children or grandchildren. I also wonder how her husband deals with the attacks on his wife. It is a good thing they are people of God. It is not like she has received much help from her party either and I still believe they used her as a means to an end for themselves and just left her out to dry (forgive me if that offends and I am not saying I am right, but that is what it seems to me).

For all that she has gone through and the fact that she stood her ground I certainly respect her. The woman has guts. I wish her well. I don't think I would vote her into office if she ran for president or any other political position unless she came across more suited for that which for me she does not, but I do think she is a blessed woman and that as a model for women she is force to be reckoned with and someone to be admired.

Posted By: Anonymous | July 6, 2009 7:23 PM

Just to add to this and I didn't mean to be anonymous, as Christians we shouldn't worry about Palin. If it were meant for her to be in office or to stay governor she would. I will pray for her, but I don't pity her. She'll be fine. How do I know? Because I know Jesus and He does not fail His sheep. This is the season for what it is for and it will serve its purpose. Palin will withstand the drama to the end and maybe even find more peace now that it is over. Quite frankly, I really believe something better is coming for her. As Christians, I think we need to cheer her own and keep her lifted up.

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Frankly, I think everything about Gov. Palin has been blown way out of proportion. I did not like the campaign she ran with Senator McCain for reasons I won't go into, but I feel bad that the media has such a range to slander and mock people just because they are in the public eye. This happens all the time especially when the person seems to be gaining an incredible amount of popularity among the public. Think of any icon and look over how the media eventually tells every dirty detail in their life making their good small in comparison to hashing up dirt on them. They do this to the unsaved so all the more will they do it if you love God.

I don't think Gov Palin was expecting that at all and I think she has all in all done well in trying to stand up for herself against an incredible amount of attack against herself and her family. I don't know any mother that would not go into protective mode over her children or grandchildren. I also wonder how her husband deals with the attacks on his wife. It is a good thing they are people of God. It is not like she has received much help from her party either and I still believe they used her as a means to an end for themselves and just left her out to dry (forgive me if that offends and I am not saying I am right, but that is what it seems to me).

For all that she has gone through and the fact that she stood her ground I certainly respect her. The woman has guts. I wish her well. I don't think I would vote her into office if she ran for president or any other political position unless she came across more suited for that which for me she does not, but I do think she is a blessed woman and that as a model for women she is force to be reckoned with and someone to be admired.

Posted By: Anonymous | July 6, 2009 7:32 PM

I have the utmost respect for Sarah Palin. She served as a remarkable governor, but when her children and family was constantly denigrated, she resigned.

I wish all our politicians had the goodness that I see in Sarah Palin. She certainly is a good Christian witness.
.

Posted By: Just_Saying | July 7, 2009 7:54 AM

In our desperation for a hero/heroine, we accepted a not ready for prime time player. Like most, I was wowed by Palin’s acceptance speech, but the weeks that followed were filled with quotes and quips from that high moment. She had one hit song and sang it everywhere she went. I suggested that she was thrust into the political arena prematurely. As for the slams against her, her faith and her family…it comes with the territory. I think she’s big enough to handle it. My hope is that she will she will go from being a “one bullet in the pocket Barney Fife” to a conservative version of Rambo.

Posted By: Anonymous | July 7, 2009 9:12 AM

With all due respect Just_Saying, the "it comes with the territory" statement is not true. The President made it clear that his children were off limits... and righfully so. Presidents and presidential canditates in the past - none - have had to deal with what Palin and her family put up with. The media has taken unfair and unprecedented aim at her. Our media is not interested in truth and fairness. Their interest in in their ideology. Unfortunatelly, ideology, left or right, will not save us.

Posted By: Leland Nelson | July 7, 2009 9:41 AM

I think the Bible is clear that you can't serve 2 masters at ago; if Sara feld soory for what she have done and repent to God our only father I think she is able to renew her leadership style.

Posted By: J.A. Ohia | July 7, 2009 10:19 AM

I think the media has indeed been quite cruel in their treatment of Sarah Palin, but I wholeheartedly disagree that it has anything to do with an Orwellian left wing media conspiracy.
She was over hyped, under prepared, and made herself an easy target.
I for one was extremely unimpressed with her campaign and many statments she made, especially when I saw her live speeches without media spin.
That does not excuse the way she has been subjected to many attacks that are way out of bounds, but neither should those attacks make us rally around a person who seems far from qualified for the presidency.

Posted By: Mason | July 7, 2009 10:26 AM

Our memories are short-lived if we claim that Gov. Palin is the only politician to endure intense scrutiny of her policies and family. The Carter family was written about and criticized endlessly as well as the Reagan's and their wayward offspring's antics and Nancy Reagan's astrology consultations. Chelsea Clinton was cruely deemed ugly as a teen by other politicians and the Bush girls were tracked all over Europe as one was detained for public drunkenness. The press loves a good story and unfortunately for Sarah Palin, she gives them one. She is less than agreeable, defensive, poorly spoken, and while complaining about the hounding of her family by the press, manages to flaunt them at every opportune moment - often late at night when most children (Trig and Piper) would be home with grandparents or a nanny and settled down. If she truly wants to shield them, she needs to stop using them for political advantage. When other politicians are refusing to quit their office for inappropriate behavior, she is quitting because she doesn't like the way the game is played. Vince Lombardi once said that "winners never quit and quitters never win." Enough said.

Posted By: Debra | July 7, 2009 10:28 AM

The part of the Vanity Fair article quoted at the end does indeed sound a bit extreme, perhaps contrived. However, I don't think it is FAR off the mark. If not truly narcissistic, Palin at least can fairly be charged with poor judgement in over-estimating herself, both in relation to her family situation and to her own preparation. When she accepted the VP running mate offer, she wasn't aware of her limitations, didn't know what she "didn't know," but could have found out fairly easily.

Her significant limitations were both in suitable preparation to potentially take over as President within months or a few years, and in how she would be stretched too thin, given her proper focus on her family, even if the media and political opponents were all perfect angels. And I'd say the same re. family obligations if a male candidate were in a similar situation. She didn't exercise appropriate patience to wait for a more suitable time, and seems to be showing the same trait in quitting the governorship, tho I withhold judgment on that because I don't know all of the factors involved and what she plans to do next.

Posted By: Howard Pepper | July 7, 2009 1:05 PM

I don't see why Chritianity Today has to allow adverse comments on a Christian such as Sarah Palin. Christ prayed so fervently that the church might be one; CT has made a nick to destroy that, and all in the name of "giving out both sides of a story." Such may be welcomed in other stories,but not in allowing her life and that of her family to be so trashed. BTW, would your writer like it if her/his life were torn apart like this? And no, I am not a Sarah Palin fan; I just think it is only fair that you leave Christians alone when the gossip cannot be properly refuted. I believe CT writers will one day answer to God for their destructive forces when writing about another Christian.

Posted By: Esther | July 7, 2009 1:20 PM

"With Palin's stunning announcement this weekend that she will resign, her political future seems uncertain. What do you think? Has the scrutiny been appropriate?"

I think that scrutiny of Governor Palin's political positions, actions, and statements is fair game. I was surprised by her resignation, and I don't really understand it. I find myself wondering if she's getting out before something bad hits or has decided that she truly wants out and is trying to give her Lt. Governor enough time as Governor to ensure his election. Time will tell.

I don't believe that her children should have been been made targets. That said, however, I do believe that Governor Palin occasionally made things worse. Sometimes I believe the media can act like a petulent 2 year old -- giving them attention and responding to them in the same vain just gives them and the story energy. I don't think that most media outlets actually work from a specific ideology or theology, or even all that much about politics. For most media outlets, its about getting eyes and ears to their product.

Posted By: LawGirl | July 8, 2009 7:03 PM

Howard Pepper says: "I don't see why Chritianity Today has to allow adverse comments on a Christian".

So you think that if anybody professes to be a Christian that should automagically make them immune from criticism about anything?

Posted By: MonkeyBoy | July 9, 2009 1:15 AM

Sarah Palin's only problem was Sarah Palin. Half of what she said was incomprehensible; the other half was a lie. The media had no need to lie about her; the truth was far more damaging. And her children wouldn't have been targets if she hadn't dragged them out into the public eye to begin with.

Evangelicals need to examine themselves to figure out why they have to mindlessly back any candidate just because they brand themselves a "Republican". (It seems a Christian isn't enough.)

Posted By: Shannon | July 9, 2009 2:32 AM

I haven't yet read the article on Sarah Palin in CT but will be as I am a subscriber. From the time she came onto the world stage I was a fan and supporter. My heart told me she IS our ESTHER and I have never wavered from my stand. Now with friends and even family giving me grief over her decision, I know more than ever she is. When I read her quote in the news from the Book of Esther it confirmed my belief in her. She truly does get her marching orders from a higher authority, the coming years will be exciting ones watching the leading of God in her life. My challenge to every believer in the one true God is to ask you to pray for her as I shall continue to do. Polly Groves

Posted By: pauline groves | July 9, 2009 8:24 AM

Although I do think Palin's family was treated more harshly than some other political families, I think she is more to blame for that than the "liberal media." Ultimately, it was her decision to accept the VP bid, knowing that her family (especially her pregnant teenage daughter) would be under intense scrutiny from the media. I'm not saying that she shouldn't have accepted, but you'd have to be fairly ignorant to not understand the effect this decision would have on your family.

Also, I don't think anyone thinks Vanity Fair is a "balanced" news source. Sure, they have a responsibility not to lie, but they certainly don't hide their liberal slant.

Just because this woman is a Christian doesn't mean we, as Christians, have to support her political career. Being a strong Christian does not mean you're fit to be the Vice President. I must agree with the other commenters who said she did FAR more to damage her own reputation (by appearing incompetent in television interviews, etc...) than the media did.

Posted By: Lauren | July 9, 2009 10:10 AM

She's our "Esther"? Are you kidding me, Polly? How many hundreds of Christian leaders will use the phrase "for such a time as this" in the next year? It's nearly as common as "For God so loved the world." How that is confirmation that she is the Esther of our generation, I will never know. Considering we're not facing genocide in America, either literally or metaphorically, I fail to see how our generation needs an "Esther."

As for the question in the original post: the vast majority of the criticism she received was warranted. Her kids should have been left alone. I have no idea why she resigned, and it would be totally awesome if she said something concrete in this regard so we could all say "oh, THAT's why!" But she continues to dodge the real question. She is not fit to be a public figure, IMO. If she's really a great mother, she should go back to doing that, because she's not great at politics, and she's not a good speaker.

(plz plz plz don't call me a misogynist. There are plenty of women who ARE fit for politics and public speaking. Palin just ain't one of them!)

Posted By: Patrick Gann | July 9, 2009 12:48 PM

I am fascinated by those who use the personal attack theme where Palin is concerned as obfuscation for her lack of credentials. She has no grasp of world issues and she is clueless when it comes to speaking about significant Supreme Court decisions. She leaves her job in Alaska just in the nick of time to avoid problems dealing with her own state legislature. She may be a nice holsum person who loves her family and believes in Jesus Christ but she lacks the breadth of knowledge necessary to lead this country. Having a born again Christian in the White House is no guarantee of having a competent chief executive. Remember President Jimmy Carter?

Posted By: Barry | July 9, 2009 3:14 PM

What was the original question? Oh yeah...ahh hmm, I believe it was, "Was the scrutiny appropriate, right? WElllll, not when you're counting freckles -- 'fraid not, but nice try!

After listening to one of the cable channels reporting on Gov. Palin's resignation speech, I could hardly believe this "reporter" had heard the same speech that I had just heard. She gave it without a teleprompter, and some said without notes, although to me, it looked like she may have glanced down at a note infrequently. This reporter took things so out of context it was ridiculous -- just a word or two quoted at a time, as if she were afraid to quote a whole sentence for fear that the viewers would see through the reporter's obvious deception.

As to why Gov. Palin is leaving, I honestly believe it has to do with the half-million dollar debt that was forced upon her by her political opponents in the form of legal fees to defend herself. That's alot of money for someone in her financial situation. Most politicians would simply
remain in office while spending an undue amount of their time in office traveling around the country to raise money for their legal defense fund. I greatly admire this woman's honesty -- may her tribe increase. Finally, we have a Christian politician who stays true to her values!

Posted By: Nance | July 10, 2009 12:30 AM

What was the original question? Oh yeah...ahh hmm, I believe it was, "Was the scrutiny appropriate, right? WElllll, not when you're counting freckles -- 'fraid not, but nice try!

After listening to one of the cable channels reporting on Gov. Palin's resignation speech, I could hardly believe this "reporter" had heard the same speech that I had just heard. She gave it without a teleprompter, and some said without notes, although to me, it looked like she may have glanced down at a note infrequently. This reporter took things so out of context it was ridiculous -- just a word or two quoted at a time, as if she were afraid to quote a whole sentence for fear that the viewers would see through the reporter's obvious deception.

As to why Gov. Palin is leaving, I honestly believe it has to do with the half-million dollar debt that was forced upon her by her political opponents in the form of legal fees to defend herself. That's alot of money for someone in her financial situation. Most politicians would simply
remain in office while spending an undue amount of their time in office traveling around the country to raise money for their legal defense fund. I greatly admire this woman's honesty -- may her tribe increase. Finally, we have a Christian politician who stays true to her values!

Posted By: Nance | July 10, 2009 12:31 AM

What was the original question? Oh yeah...ahh hmm, I believe it was, "Was the scrutiny appropriate, right? WElllll, not when you're counting freckles -- 'fraid not, but nice try!

After listening to one of the cable channels reporting on Gov. Palin's resignation speech, I could hardly believe this "reporter" had heard the same speech that I had just heard. She gave it without a teleprompter, and some said without notes, although to me, it looked like she may have glanced down at a note infrequently. This reporter took things so out of context it was ridiculous -- just a word or two quoted at a time, as if she were afraid to quote a whole sentence for fear that the viewers would see through the reporter's obvious deception.

As to why Gov. Palin is leaving, I honestly believe it has to do with the half-million dollar debt that was forced upon her by her political opponents in the form of legal fees to defend herself. That's alot of money for someone in her financial situation. Most politicians would simply
remain in office while spending an undue amount of their time in office traveling around the country to raise money for their legal defense fund. I greatly admire this woman's honesty -- may her tribe increase. Finally, we have a Christian politician who stays true to her values!

Posted By: Nance | July 10, 2009 12:32 AM

As has been reported in several places today, that $500k debt was paid by others not herself, and was never anywhere close to $500k.

Posted By: Adam S | July 10, 2009 4:29 PM

I will keep my vote for Sarah Palin sticker on my car. She took a courageous step in running for VP and is taking another courageous stand for her beliefs and her family. She has her priorities right. Sometimes we are given opportunities to be used by the Lord and I feel that she did what she was supposed to do.
In advertising they even accept negative responses as useful. Who knows how God will use her in the future but we need to pray for her and her family.
She has confused the "political analysts" because she is true to her faith and not to their usual patterns.
I also admire her very much.

Posted By: Lois | July 10, 2009 6:44 PM