All That Glitters Is Not Gold

[audtatious]

by Nina May

There was an entertaining Peter Sellers movie in the late 1970s’ called Being There. It was about the rise of an unknown, simple gardener named Chance, to be the candidate for president. He fascinated the clueless elite because he spoke in such sweeping, symbolic, erudite terms . . . in their opinion. All conversations made him seem so brilliant when really he was just talking about planting, seasons, seeds, etc. The adoring crowds even misunderstood his name and thought it was Chauncey Gardener . . . when really, he was just, Chance, the gardener.

Barack Obama is this generation’s Chauncey Gardener. He rose from absolute obscurity to be the darling of the elite who hang on his every word and get chills up and down their spine when he speaks. But, when he speaks, what does he say? His depth of articulation is tantalizing, as was Chauncey’s, but when you unravel it, and analyze it, there really is no substance to it.

In the Saddleback Forum that Rick Warren hosted on Aug. 16, Barack was stripped of props, sycophantic media, and pre-prepared talking points and the world saw that all that glitters is not gold. Even on key issues of major concern for a huge segment of the electorate, like abortion, his answer rambled and meandered to an ironic dead-end when he basically said, “It was above his pay grade.” That might be one of the most intriguing self-fulfilling prophecies uttered by a presidential candidate in history. He, who has opinions about everything from the war in Iraq to off shore drilling draws a blank when it comes to killing unborn babies that are fully viable, and sidesteps the question with a condemnation of his own abilities. It suggests that he has actualized the Peter Principle and should not be further elevated to a position of incompetence, that truly would be above his pay grade serving as President.

The attraction of Barack Obama by so many is his seemingly flawless performance and smooth style which reminds people of what leaders look like when they are comfortable in their own skin . . . the way Chance the gardener was. The problem is though, if you dissect what Barack says, it is full of platitudes and motivational rhetoric. And because he is fun to listen to, no one really hears what he is saying. If you ask any Barack supporter what he has done, what bills he has passed, what qualifies him to be president, most say, he wants change and so do they. That was how Chance got so much support too, and there was never an accounting, a deeper questioning of who and what he really was, until it was too late.

At the Saddleback Forum, you could see a clear distinction between the golden boy, Barack Obama, and the grumpy old man, John McCain. The only problem was . . . Barack’s gold was flaked and thinning and McCain’s grumpiness gently morphed into a strength of character and integrity that he has not shown this entire campaign. The short, direct answers to tough questions, when taken out of context, could have been perceived as being curt or a product of grumpiness. But when placed in the context of plain questions being asked of someone who wants to lead an entire nation, the simple responses were brilliant because they signaled resolve and gravitas. There was a depth of character that resonated with each response because you knew it was his heart, not his political head, answering the questions.

Barack on the other hand seemed irritated to have to answer tough questions without the drooling media covering his every gaff. He was off his game without notes or briefing papers and seemed ill-equipped to dig deep and respond from his heart. He was well-briefed, but briefing cannot compensate for lack of substance and foundational absolutes. His flowery rhetoric and non-answer sound bites just were not cutting it, and the crowd knew it.

When the old prospectors would be mining for gold, they would find fool’s gold that glittered on the outside but was dusty and unimpressive on the inside. There was no there there. But at the same time, they would occasionally come across a nondescript, brown, round rock, that when split open, would reveal a nest of crystallized gemstones. That is the new distinction that is slowly emerging as the dust settles around both candidates. Conservatives who in the past wrung their hands in frustration at the election choices, got a glimpse at the inside of McCain’s rough and blemished rock and saw the beauty of resolve, the sparkle of integrity and the refracted reflection of a man who has communed in the suffering of Christ.

How interesting that the choices in this election cycle should so wonderfully parallel not only the choices we have in life, but who we are as a nation. We have the glittery elite who foolishly believe the world revolves around them and we have the vast majority of Americans who quietly chip their lives out of granite blocks of humility, hard work, loyalty and perseverance. The outside of their existence might not look as exciting and glamorous as those who worship at the alter of appearance and fame, but their hearts are made of gold. Their hearts weep at the idea of an unborn child being ripped from its mother’s womb and they are vilified for this compassion.

When John McCain said that the time a human being should be given human rights equal to the rest of us was at conception, he separated himself from a legion of individuals who cringe at the idea of touching the sacred third rail of domestic politics . . . abortion. But what they don’t realize is that the numbers are on his side. There have been over 40 million abortions performed since 1972 which means that is about 80 million men and women who have been impacted by that choice. Add to that would-be grandparents, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles and friends, and you will see that every single person in this country has lost a friend or a relative to the ravages of abortion. But to speak out against this holocaust is a sacrilege to those who cower in the corners of political correctness while courage takes a stand.

John McCain might not glitter like the golden boy Barack Obama, but his substance and integrity are undeniable. The movie Being There, ends without us knowing if Chance wins the election or not, but it was clear, there was a point of sobriety that hit those who knew there was no there there and to elect him would be a disaster for the nation. Conservatives can prevent this disaster, by looking in the heart of the rock and making the right choice that could save lives.

[rn79870]

I wonder if Nina writes for Rush Limbaugh. She has that same sort of "pick the low fruit" journalism that Rush is so good at.

[srellim234]

Character and integrity?

I believe your actions, not words, are what demonstrate character and integrity. McCain continues to collect a taxpayer funded paycheck while failing to show up and do the job he is paid to do well over half the time. When he does actually show up and vote, his record is "talk maverick but vote the other way, along George Bush and Republican Party lines almost exclusively" and hope nobody notices.

While thousand of Americans choose not to receive their social security checks because they don't need them (yes, you have an option to not take the money), John McCain talks about the bankrupt system, how we need to do something about it, but fails to do even a little by acknowledging he's a rich "fat cat" that doesn't need it. No, he's going to take every dime he can wrestle away from anybody whether he needs it or not.

John McCain hides behind his former POW status by saying that shows he supports the troops but he consistently votes against them.

John McCain's character and integrity has morphed into something utterly shameful and disgusting.

[audtatious]

I believe your actions, not words, are what demonstrate character and integrity. McCain continues to collect a taxpayer funded paycheck while failing to show up and do the job he is paid to do well over half the time. When he does actually show up and vote, his record is "talk maverick but vote the other way, along George Bush and Republican Party lines almost exclusively" and hope nobody notices.

I agree his voting record sux as he has missed 68% of votes since April. Maybe it will make you feel better that Karry missed over 72% of votes during his failed bid for President.

[audtatious]

I wonder if Nina writes for Rush Limbaugh. She has that same sort of "pick the low fruit" journalism that Rush is so good at.

No worse than the trash that telco posts which is why I posted it.

[srellim234]

I agree his voting record sux as he has missed 68% of votes since April. Maybe it will make you feel better that Karry missed over 72% of votes during his failed bid for President.

Not at all. I didn't vote for that bum, either. Neither major party appears capable of putting up a candidate with integrity any more. The worst part is that voters in this country don't care. They will keep rewarding their party by blindly voting for a bum just to keep the other party from winning. That's why I promote the growth of third parties and independent voter rolls. Vote for someone instead of voting against someone and quit rewarding one party or the other for putting up poor candidates.

[telcoman]

No worse than the trash that telco posts which is why I posted it.

Matt

My gold may be your trash, but the fact remains that Abortion, gun rights, stem cells are not the most important items in this campaign.

Our country is in the mess it is presently in because the present administration in charge has made too many mistakes and catered to the wrong people to get elected and remain in office.

Character and integrity?

I believe your actions, not words, are what demonstrate character and integrity. McCain continues to collect a taxpayer funded paycheck while failing to show up and do the job he is paid to do well over half the time. When he does actually show up and vote, his record is "talk maverick but vote the other way, along George Bush and Republican Party lines almost exclusively" and hope nobody notices.

While thousand of Americans choose not to receive their social security checks because they don't need them (yes, you have an option to not take the money), John McCain talks about the bankrupt system, how we need to do something about it, but fails to do even a little by acknowledging he's a rich "fat cat" that doesn't need it. No, he's going to take every dime he can wrestle away from anybody whether he needs it or not.

John McCain hides behind his former POW status by saying that shows he supports the troops but he consistently votes against them.

John McCain's character and integrity has morphed into something utterly shameful and disgusting.

Excellent points srellim234

McCain is a great American and I appreciate his service to our country.His get out of jail free card has expired and he is not the right person to fix what is wrong with our country. This is a man that agreed with GWB 95% of the time. We don't need four more years of that failed policy.

Telcoman

[audtatious]

Not at all. I didn't vote for that bum, either. Neither major party appears capable of putting up a candidate with integrity any more. The worst part is that voters in this country don't care. They will keep rewarding their party by blindly voting for a bum just to keep the other party from winning. That's why I promote the growth of third parties and independent voter rolls. Vote for someone instead of voting against someone and quit rewarding one party or the other for putting up poor candidates.

Rewarding their party? That's a stretch. If the dems had a better candidate up than Obama I may have voted for them. Guess what, they don't.

[audtatious]

Matt

My gold may be your trash, but the fact remains that Abortion, gun rights, stem cells are not the most important items in this campaign.

Guess what, the economy is more important to me. The soverignty of the US is more important to me. Not being penalized for busting my rear working 40-80 hour weeks for 25 years is important to me. Stem cells are being handled via researchers, gun rights are covered via tha Constitution and abotion is legal (and all three should stay as they are).

McCain sux. Obama swallows.

[telcoman]

Guess what, the economy is more important to me.

Me too that why I'm voting for Obama. The present administration over the past eight years has made a mess of our economy.

BTW I've been in the workforce longer than you and have never experienced a worse period economically as I have these past eight years.For most Americans, their homes are their greatest asset and Americans are losing them by the millions. Nice that McCain has more than he can count!That along with misguided tax cuts, running up huge deficits, a failed policy in Iraq, a mismanaged war in Afghanistan,.... aahh, whats the use. your going to vote for another bush anyway.

Telcoman

[audtatious]

Me too that why I'm voting for Obama. The present administration over the past eight years has made a mess of our economy.

Every one on this site needs to send me money. I bet that when the election started up the Obama camp would pull the "a vote for McCain is a vote for Bush" crap and that's exactly what you are doing. I should be more "rich" than I am.

BTW I've been in the workforce longer than you and have never experienced a worse period economically as I have these past eight years.For most Americans, their homes are their greatest asset and Americans are losing them by the millions. Nice that McCain has more than he can count!That along with misguided tax cuts, running up huge deficits, a failed policy in Iraq, a mismanaged war in Afghanistan,.... aahh, whats the use. your going to vote for another bush anyway.

Telcoman

Bush's fault. All of it. The internet bubble burst before he took office was his fault. He paid the terrorists to crash planes into the WTC in order to have a reason to invade Iraq, thus making the economy worse. His tax cuts have not pulled in record revenue into the Gov't body. The dow and others are far lower now than before Bush came into office and before 9/11 (9,605.85 on Sept 7, 2001 vs 11628.05 today and was over 14k in Oct of last year). Bush is 100% at fault for crappy spending in Congress because he is the one who votes for it. Its Bush's fault that people jumped at the chance to buy a home they could not afford, thus proving that there are lots of people out there that is more stupid than our current President. Yadda Yadda Yadda

If Obama gets into office there will be 4 years of him and the democratically controlled congress getting blamed for everything bad happening (those who are tired of everything being Bush's fault will see to it). I just hope after he is not re-elected (for screwing us all) that it's not too late to fix things. Mac aint much better but he is a bit more monetarily conservative than "dig deep" Obama.

[AZhitman]

How about we go back to the point of this thread.

The point being made was clear: BO's oratorial style doesn't even stand up to close scrutiny, once the teleprompter is stripped away. He fumbled on critical issues (I seem to recall many here criticizing JM for the same) and couldn't even lay out his stance on a topic as important as abortion.

Bob calls it "picking the low fruit", but fails to comprehend what that means. Explain to me why the same can't be said of every critique of JM we see here?

[audtatious]

"picking the low fruit" means it's so obvious it's an easy shot because it's true. They'd rather have people dig elsewhere instead.

[OriginalWheelman]

Me too that why I'm voting for Obama. The present administration over the past eight years has made a mess of our economy.

Blaming the President for the economy is like blaming Remington for assault rifle deaths. He has about as much influence on the economy as Bob Barker. Our economy is shot because people all over the country bought things they didn't need, with money they didn't have, to impress people they don't like. Why don't you open your eyes and realize that an individual is responsible for his position in life, not the government.

[OriginalWheelman]

For most Americans, their homes are their greatest asset and Americans are losing them by the millions. Nice that McCain has more than he can count!

I agree. Good for him.

[OriginalWheelman]

That along with misguided tax cuts

Woah woah woah woah...Isn't that exactly what Obama is promising? The democrats always talk about helping the people. This administration is the only one I can remember that sent me a check.

[Soravia]

Well, no wonder Obama chickened out when Hillary challenged him to debates, while he calls her ads as not focusing on real issues and making gimmicks.

A real leader is a leader in tough times and not just when things are convenient.