Presidential Debate

[Prettymaid]

I know we have a few Christians on this board who will perhaps understand where Mrs Palin is coming from on this:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...23/2398989.htm

To me, a non-Christian, it's like she is saying 'vote for the Republicans if you want your country to remain Christian and righteous as opposed to athiest and socialist, etc'.

It's 'in God's hands'. Does that mean if Obama wins, the US has been forsaken by Mrs Palin's God?

The stuff about 'the power of the prayer' surely is not only confined to people on her side of politics. She makes it sound as if she has a monopoly on it. I find it disturbing. I expect that people will disagree with me on this and I understand it. You'll say 'she's just expressing her faith' which I guess is fair enough, but it really jars with me.

I am just saying that we just do not have this overwhelming religiosity attached to our politicians in Australia. They don't invoke God every time they have something to say and they certainly don't say the election is 'in God's hands'. I thought it was in the voters' hands. The US is very different - 'God' bless it.

FP, are you lost? You're on the Eagles message board. Why bring up such a controversial topic?
Keeping this in it's correct context, Gov. Palin was being interviewed by Dr. James Dobson on his national Christian radio show. Of course God is going to come up! I cannot find one quote in the article that makes it sound as if she is putting God on the side of the republicans. By "putting this in God's hands", I assume she is speaking as a human saying she has done all she can.

Look, I don't know what's in the hearts and minds of Senators McCain and Obama or their running mates. I just know that I am tired of the hatred and harshness. Why can't we just disagree? Why must we hate? We don't even know them!
We're just a bunch of Eagles fans who, if you live in the U.S., happen to be voting in a national election this year. This is just a bit too controversial for this board, IMO.

[tbs fanatic]

I agree tbsf about the religion thing being a main issue when it comes to politics. I truly believe they should never mix. But I must disagree with you on the National Anthem thing ---I am very proud to be an American (no matter what the shape of this nation is now) and I don't care where the National Anthem is played, I treat it with the utmost respect by standing and placing my hand over my heart as a sign of respect! We aren't the only nation is this world that plays their anthem before sporting events or other events. I know the Canadian anthem is played before hockey games (been there) and I have seen God Save The Queen played before events on tv. Just my 2 cents-but everyone is entitled to their opinions!

Oh I'm sure everyone who participates in this feels good about it. I just think it's overdone. As for GSTQ being played before events in UK?? When I was young and TV ended at midnight - they played the National Anthem then and they play it at Royal/Government events but I think that's about it. Well, maybe when England makes it to The World Cup (soccer championship) or something major like that. It just seems when it is so overdone that everyone is just going through the motions, but what do I know.

[TimothyBFan]

tbsf--you are probably right about the "going thru the motions". It's like anything else, it just doesn't seem "special" any more if overdone. I definitely see your point there. I guess my Marine Corp dad just pounded it into our heads so much that when it is played, you stand, take off your hat and cover your heart, that I just don't even think about it anymore. I still see my father having tears run down his face everytime he ever heard it played (that and the Marine Corp hymn).

[Prettymaid]

I went to an Illinois Fighting Illini football game a couple of weeks ago and , of course, they played the national anthem. I stood, placed my hand over my heart, looked at the flag and got emotional. Just because they play it at every event doesn't mean I'm there at every event. When I'm standing there with thousands of other Americans paying tribute to my country it does not feel overdone. It's very different when you are there as opposed to just seeing it on t.v.

[TimothyBFan]

PM-like I said earlier today--I also am proud to be an American and would never consider not participating when it is sung. I too get very emotional when I hear it, and I do believe it is because my father instilled in us exactly what it was all about and why we pay tribute and show respect when it was played. But I can also see why someone would feel that it is overdone, especially if you were not raised in this country. I however have been known to tap someone on the shoulder and tell them to take off their hat and show some respect when I see people ignoring it while it is being played. That to me is just unAmerican and I will not condone that! Again, everyone is entitled to their opinion even if we don't all agree on it.

[tbs fanatic]

I'm sure it means a lot to many and I will leave it at that.

[Freypower]

It's interesting that this has come up. In Australia the national anthem is played before major football games. The players stand there and try to pretend they know the words. In recent years they've stood with hands on hearts just like the Americans. It is not an Australian tradition and I wish it hadn't suddenly become fashionable (NB I don't object to Americans placing hands on hearts - its what they do - but I don't see why we should slavishly copy them).

In England the most moving thing they do is sing Abide With Me at the FA Cup Final, but I believe they do also play God Save The Queen. At Anfield the Liverpool national anthem is played - no other team has anything like You'll Never Walk Alone.

And PM, no, I'm not lost, but we have this topic and I felt motivated enough to discuss it. If nobody else wanted to respond, that was fine with me. I knew it was controversial. I was also aware that Governor Palin was talking to a religious audience and chose her words accordingly.

Just because this is an Eagles message board doesn't mean that issues like this shouldn't be discussed. We have this particular forum specifically for that purpose. It wasn't my intention to imply 'hate' for the Republicans, although I freely admit that if I were American, I would be a Democrat. But I'm not American. I have been taking great interest in this election, but that is where I'll leave it.

[Molly]

I have been taking great interest in this election, but that is where I'll leave it.

[TimothyBFan]

I agree FP and Molly---everyone in every country should be taking notice of this election because it is looking as if it will be affecting everyone no matter where in this big ol' world you may be. All you have to do is turn on the news every once in awhile and you hear how we are on the verge of a "global recession".

[DonFan]

It is election eve eve here in the States, and I just got an email from Jill Conner Browne, author of the very funny Sweet Potato Queen book series. Here are her wise words about the election:
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When you stand in that voting booth, you are standing on the shoulders of many and the GRAVES of many more—it is sacred ground—BE GRATEFUL!


SO, GET OFF YOUR *** AND VOTE!

Then, when the dust settles, and we HAVE a new President and Vice President—will everybody just focus on doing the Next Right Thing with Whoever We End Up With?! All this carping from BOTH SIDES has just about done me in! PLEASE, SHUT UP AND JUST DO WHATEVER GOOD YOU CAN PERSONALLY DO AND DO IT QUIETLY! God willing, we will all live to vote another day so, let’s just make the best of it and move forward…without gloating and/or belly-aching!