The Far Left, The Far Right & Sarah Palin

Posted on September 1, 2008 by elizabeth

This weekend, someone on the far left called me a r*tard and someone on the far right suggested I'm not a real Christian–all because I defended Sarah Palin as John McCain's VP pick.

The far left says Sarah's baby is not her own. The far right says it is an abomination for a woman to hold civil office.

To me, these are two sides of the same coin.

On the left you have extremists chanting, "Peace! Love! Justice!"  and in the next breath, "Kill Michell Malkin!"

On the right you have extremists calling abortion an abomination and in the next breath, a pro-life candidate an abomination.

Why can't the far left call abortion an abomination and the far right call a pro-life woman Justice?

Because both sides espouse a totalitarian worldview. On the left, the government controls your life. And on the right, a pastor controls your life.

On the left, the extremists will be satisfied with nothing less than absolute socialism and on the right, with nothing less than absolute theocracy.

Their idealism is their god and it blinds them to everything including their own hypocrisy. They have no use for practical solutions because they demand perfection. They make no compromises because that would be a breach of their conscience.

They are unyielding in their rigidity, even in the face of facts.

It's humorous to me to watch both sides whip themselves into a frenzy. It's amusing, that is, until they are given real power.

I, for one, am grateful that the Michael Moores & Vision Forum folks of this world will not decide this election.

At least, that's what I'm hoping.

Until then, I have a kitchen to clean. My sink backed up, my dishwasher flooded and this mommy has some major mopping to do.

(I'm leaving the comments open. If you must disagree, do so agreeably. )

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  • Cathy

    Elizabeth,

    I’m with you. For the life of me, I cannot understand the vitriol of many of the Christian bloggers who are Reformed in their theology–and I’m Reformed in my theology.

    I’m not a fan of the Clintons, but to call Hillary Clinton the “Wicked Witch of the West (as stated on one of those blogs mentioned in the first paragraph)” is unbelievable to me. How does that jive with Scripture? How is that kind? Furthermore, as believers, are they praying for the ones who are in authority over us? One commenter actually said that it wouldn’t be God’s will if Palin was elected. That’s odd. God is firmly in control and EVERYTHING that happens is because HE ordained it.

    Does being a “keeper at home” preclude one from working outside the home? Can she do both?

    Maybe it’s because I’m kind of grouchy because Nadal won his match in the US Open today, but unlike you, I find little humor about the whole thing. Instead, I find my head spinning and wondering if I’m reading the same Bible.

    It. Is. Insane.

    Cathy

  • http://www.emilygsblog.blogspot.com EmilyG

    I’ve been a reader for awhile now and have admired your poignant honesty about being a mother. Anyone who can write a coherent blog post while caring for infant twins must be a pretty smart cookie if you ask me :)

    I do however, think you are off in your criticism of the far right in regards to Mrs. Palin. Perfectionism is not demanded by them but by God. We know we will never make it, but by God’s grace we are free to try. This is a blessing to us. And when we fail, we are not cast down, also by God’s grace. But we strive for these ideals because we want to glorify God as best we can and we know that God’s ways are always the best. I think that having a woman as VP is not God’s best for our country nor for her family. I believe this is evidenced by the sad news of her daughter’s pregnancy. I say that it is sad, not because of the baby – that will be a blessing to them, but because of the heartache I know this sin has and will cause. My heart goes out to that young woman. It seems to me that Mrs. Palin would do better to tend to her family and her children rather than Washington. Besides that, this is obviously a very crafty move on McCain’s part to pick a woman. Were there no pro-life men available? What about Huckabee? Very calculated and very manipulative of the conservative population.

    So to sum up:
    ElizabethEsther knows lots about kids, twins and laundry bins,
    but she’s got a lot to learn about elect-shins :)

    Blessings,
    Emily

  • http://monkswife.blogspot.com Michelle

    Good stuff, my friend. I couldn’t agree more. I had to chuckle that someone from the “politically correct” far left called you a r*tard. Hypocrisy at it’s best.

    As for the extremists on the far right, I just have to shake my head. I was in their camp for a while and just couldn’t get comfortable with the judgement passed there. If I choose to wear pants, it’s between me, my husband and God. The same for the way I vote. Why are they SO concerned with what I’M doing and how I’m voting? I can submit to my husband, obey God AND have a brain. I’m not, nor will I ever, say that McCain/Palin is the perfect ticket. But in the end, God is Sovereign over all things. I’m perfectly content in my vote when I can cling to His Sovereignty and know that no matter the outcome, God ordained it.

    p.s. Cathy, I’m reformed in my theology as well. I totally get what you’re saying.

  • http://www.elizabethesther.typepad.com Elizabeth Esther

    Emily: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. And thank you for being a loyal reader. I can appreciate honest disagreement.

    The point of my post was not to debate doctrinal positions, but to expose the hypocrisy endemic to BOTH sides. Can you at least see this?

    As Christians we all agree that abortion is a tragedy. Maybe we don’t agree on how exactly we can stop abortion. I do know that sometimes God works in ways we do not expect. And I’m willing to give my vote to McCain/Palin, especially when I realize that a 3rd party vote would essentially be a vote for Obama.

    I, too, am concerned about how Sarah Palin will manage the needs of her children with the demands of her job as VP. I would like to hear her talk about this candidly and honestly. Maybe she knows some tricks I don’t! ;-) Until that time, I cannot dismiss her just because I don’t think it’s “God’s best.”

    For readers like Cathy & Michelle, I can only imagine the kind of frustration they feel when they see fellow Reformed Christians responding with such harsh, unkind vitriol. It’s sort of like a “huh?” moment because you feel like your beliefs are being sabotaged.

    Lastly, Emily, thank you for reminding me that I have a lot to learn. How well I know it–my kids remind me of this every day! :)

  • Yvonne

    I’m with you on this Liz. I noticed the same bashing going on . Yesterday at church we had a good reminder that as Christians we should not be bashing either candidate. Obviously we have our preferences and opinions but we are to live supernaturally, above the way the world behaves.

  • http://www.emilygsblog.blogspot.com EmilyG

    Okay, for the record, I’m sure you already know lots about politics. My little ditty was just light-hearted fun. Somehow, the more kids I have, the more my brain thinks in nursery rhymes :)

    Now, let me see if I can get my poor sleep deprived brain to think this through coherently…
    I think there is definitely hypocrisy on both sides. We’re all sinners, so sin cannot help being present in everything we do. However, I would say it is not hypocritical to think that abortion and a woman VP are both abominations. I believe the Bible speaks clearly on both issues. I think that it is more hypocritical to say that as Christians we should knowingly choose a path that is not pleasing to God in order to abolish something else that is not pleasing to God. I don’t see this as unrealistic idealism, just consistency. Perhaps you do not believe that Isaiah 3:12 demonstrates that ruling women are displeasing to God? In which case I would obviously disagree.

    Blessings,
    Emily

  • Cathy

    Wait a sec, Emily. Doesn’t Isaiah 3:12 also state that “children/infants (depending on the translation)” are oppressors? Doe that mean that God sees children as a negative?

    I haven’t the time right now (I’m going to run the dreaded treadmill in my hot garage–No CA has been strifling the last several days) to look up the passage in a commentary, but it’s interesting that lots of bloggers who are in opposition to the VP choice (I am not a McCain fan and don’t even know how I will vote–not for Obama, for sure) use the Isaiah passage.

    Cathy

  • http://www.emilygsblog.blogspot.com EmilyG

    Cathy,
    Yes it does say that it is also bad for children to be rulers. It doesn’t say that children or women in and of themselves are seen as negatives. BTW- kudos for running the treadmill. I’m sitting at the computer rather than exercise tonight :)

  • http://www.morningstarr.typepad.com Dina

    Kids, Twins, Laundry Bins, AND Palin!

    I love the discussion (go Liz!) but fear I am far from qualified to join in! But thanks, to all (go Liz!) who do and give others like me something to think on.

    (go Liz!)

    :O)

  • http://www.elizabethesther.typepad.com Elizabeth Esther

    Dear Emily: thank you for plugging through sleep deprivation to comment again—you’re my hero! :-) I also truly appreciate it when my readers de-lurk to express their thoughts.

    Thank you for your honest reply. I’m happy you can see the hypocrisy! yay! *little happy dance*

    I have read the Isa.3:12 verse being used by many bloggers—but I’m always wary of verses being taken out of context and because I haven’t studied the context myself, I’ll have to read up. ANYONE ELSE KNOW MORE? PLEASE COMMENT!

    That said, I do think you and I have much more in common than we have in difference which is why I appeal to you to please reconsider your vote. Please! Unborn babies are hanging in the balance. Let’s not quibble over minor differences of opinion—let’s get this thing done! Let’s help stop abortion!

    However, I do understand that many cannot vote against conscience and I will not ask you to do that.

    Lastly, Holly over @ “Seeking Faithfulness” shared some great thoughts. Here’s the link:

    http://seekingfaithfulness.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/piper-and-grudem-on-the-rules-of-role-distinction-molly-ivins-writes-a-chick-flick/

    Have a blessed night, Emily! And get some sleep, if you can!

    Y-vonne: Hello, my friend!! :) thank you for chiming in! And you, too, Dina—you are both qualified and welcome to share any ol’ time you please. {{hugs}}

  • http://adventuresinmercy.wordpress.com Molly

    My thoughts in general:

    It’s astounding to me that the spewing from the Far Right is just as full of teeth as the spewing from the Far Left. Except the Far Right’s spewing isn’t so much about Palin the person, it’s about the fact that Palin is not a male.

    I, personally, get peeved about the whole, “mothers can ONLY be mothers but fathers can go do whatever they want.” Huh?

    Good grief. Don’t we read a Bible that has a Deborah in it?

    What about Romans 15? Who were all those women Paul was talking about (and check out the original language in that chapter, because some of the translations pervert some of the strong authority-type words into meek “feminine” sounding words that really aren’t there in the Greek).

    Who were those *married* women who were among the disciples of Jesus following Him around and ministering to His needs instead of the needs of their husbands back at home?

    Be Biblical, sure. But bring *all* of the passages into forming your view of women, not just a few often-taken-out-of-context verses. Ie., Jesus is the Word in Flesh… and so the infamous “keepers at home” line MUST not mean what the “woman are to stay home camp” thinks it means—-unless, that is, He was violating His own word when He recieved married female followers into His rabble rousing pack of disciples.

    One Alaskan Woman,
    Molly

  • http://www.heidijowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com Heidi Jo

    i guess i must be living with my head in the sand, because i didn’t know such controversy existed. and if i am indeed sticking my neck in the sand, so be it, i’d rather be naive than cynical.

    for me personally, to suggest that a woman with a family, a large family, a diverse family, is somehow incapable of the job requirements of VP is absurb. show me another person….ANYWHERE, with more on the job training, for crisis prevention, multi-tasking, peace-making, and general knowledge.

    maybe it is not what it taught in the halls of our ivy league schools, but there is not an education available that compares with motherhood.

    i think she is brilliant. not because of what she has accomplished, but because of what drives her.

  • http://www.heidijowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com Heidi Jo

    oh and i think she’s brilliant not because my pastor says so, but because my conscience does.

  • http://www.elizabethesther.typepad.com Elizabeth Esther

    As far as Bristol’s pregnancy is concerned: we can’t use this as “evidence” of Sarah Palin’s alleged poor mothering. Out-of-wedlock pregnancies happen to every kind of family from pastor’s kids to politicians kids. This isn’t about poor parenting as much as it is about being 17 in a sex-obsessed culture. At least she didn’t use abortifacient birth control methods!

    And let’s keep in mind the positive: Bristol is keeping her baby, has the loving support of her family, AND is marrying the father.

    Remember what Obama said? If his daughters “made a mistake” he wouldn’t want them “punished with a baby.”

    The Palins practice what they preach.

  • http://www.heidijowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com Heidi Jo

    “Remember what Obama said? If his daughters “made a mistake” he wouldn’t want them “punished with a baby.”

    if the above is true:

    it sounds like the obama’s practice what they preach too.

  • Jill

    “punished with a baby” can mean other things than abortion, can’t it? I’m not sure of the context that the quote was derived from, but it could also mean adoption, don’t ya think? Is there anything morally or biblically wrong with adoption?

  • http://www.elizabethesther.typepad.com Elizabeth Esther

    Jill: you can watch Obama’s complete comments on YouTube. He was speaking at a town hall meeting and was addressing the topic of sex ed in public school. He used the analogy that if his daughters ever got pregnant or “made a mistake” (as he called it), he didn’t want them “punished with a baby.” Those were his actual words. The implication was clear: he endorses abortifacient methods of contraception and in the case of pregnancy—abortion. He wants those options available to his daughters.

    Also, this speaks to a more troubling moral question: are babies (even unexpected ones?) ever punishments? This is exactly the reason why abortion is such a horror: it makes unborn babies pay the price (death) for their parents’ choices. The name “pro-choice” is misleading for precisely this reason—what about the baby’s choice? Sadly, they are given no such choice; they are the least among us for they have no voice of their own.

    Sheesh, now I”ve gone and written a whole book in my comments. :-)

    And of course adoption is a wonderful option! Don’t know where you got the idea that I somehow frowned on that?

  • Cathy

    As my husband has stated, “A baby isn’t a punishment because you weren’t careful.”

    Therefore, I have ten kids.

    Cathy

  • Jill

    Elizabeth,

    I love your blog. I read it daily. I think I like it best when it’s about family and kids, twins and life. I don’t so much like it when it gets political.

    So I’m going to bow out and come back when the elections are over -or when the topic of late has passed.

    I am too much of a middle of the roader when it comes to mixing politics and religion. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think abortion is right, but I don’t think that making it illegal solves much.

    Abortions will still happen.

    Sin will happen whether it’s legal or not.

    I don’t believe in sex before marriage, but that doesn’t mean that my kids aren’t going to do it. I believe that sex ed should be taught in schools and I don’t mind if they teach abstinence and teach that there are methods of protecting yourself against STD’s and pregnancy. This doesn’t mean that I think a baby is a punishment. It might just be that it’s not a very wise decision to get pregnant when you’re still a kid.

    If your daughter chooses to have sex before marriage, would you prefer that she try not to get pregnant by using contraception?

    I just think that the mixing of these moral/religious/political issues just beg for people to start trying to find the best, most fierce bible verse to quote -that proves that they’re right…that proves they are on “God’s Side”.

    We’re all sinners, (whether it’s abortion or something else) and no sin is different than another in God’s eyes. He has died on the cross and provided us with Grace and Salvation if we choose to accept it.

    My personal opinion is that we should be focused on the broader issues at hand. I just hate to see it when our leaders are decided on one issue alone.

    I realize that this comment from me is completely out of left field. I’ve now said “my peace” and I’ll move on, I promise. But I’ll be back when the political ramblings are over.

  • http://www.elizabethesther.typepad.com Elizabeth Esther

    Here’s the YouTube link, if anyone is interested.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPpnQBT54o4

  • http://justjanetblogs.blogspot.com/ Janet

    “I, for one, am grateful that the Michael Moores & Vision Forum folks of this world will not decide this election.”

    Now THAT is funny.

  • http://www.elizabethesther.typepad.com Elizabeth Esther

    Hi Jill: hello and…goodbye? :-(

    I understand that some of my readers visit my blog for the kids, twins, laundry bins stuff. But if recent stats are any indication, lots of readers don’t mind if I wax political, too.

    I’ve always tried to be honest about my life as a mother and right now, the issues that face our country deeply trouble and concern me. So…I write about them, too. If that scares a lot of my readers away, I understand. I don’t hold it against you in the least. In fact, Matt suggested that I start a whole separate blog to keep my political ramblings separate from my family stories.

    *sigh* Like when do I have time for TWO blogs? SHEESH.

    All of which to say, I appreciate all my readers for whatever reason they read be it kids, twins, laundry bins or elect-shins (thanks, Emily G! ;-)

    Jill, I did honestly consider the other side. Did you read that post? You don’t have to answer–I know you’re probably bowing out now, but just in case:

    http://elizabethesther.typepad.com/2008/08/re-thinking-my-position.html

    Regarding abortion: yes, abortion will still happen if Roe v. Wade is overturned. BUT–and this is a huge but—it will not be federally subsidized by tax dollars. This is an important difference.

  • Steph

    @Emily: Canadian chiming in here, so none of this is huge to me, but I don’t think God finds it an “abomination” for a woman to lead…maybe not in the normal order of things, but “abomination” is a bit much.

    Reminds me of a song from one of my daughter’s CDs, Jamie Soles (www.solmusic.ca)

    Deborah! Deborah!
    Why was she the leader?
    She was judging Israel
    And Israel would heed her!
    When the nation turned from God,
    the knees of men would quiver.
    Up! Up! The Lord raised up a woman to deliver!

  • Steph

    Re-reading, and I guess Emily didn’t say “abomination”, but “displeasing”, “negative”, etc. Just correcting! :)

  • http://lilacsandavocados.blogspot.com/ Rachel

    Elizabeth, I think you have brought a lot of interesting points to the table. I am still wavering with my vote, but I have enjoyed seeing things from your eyes. Keep the posts coming :)

    (ps, I just went back and looked at you last post and the comments, and I just want to clarify that I wasn’t the anonymous “rachel”!)

  • http://ardamar.blogspot.com colleen

    elizabeth, i think your blog is just FINE the way it is. it really really irritates me when people are so averse to hearing view that oppose theirs…what are they so afraid of?? if what you say offends them, then they just shouldn’t read it!! no one is taping their eyes open and forcing them to! good grief.

    anyway, i realize i am coming into this discussion a but late, but as for my own 2 cents…i personally feel much better about voting for McCain now that i know Sarah is involved. to me, she represents a type of meekness and humility that also carries strength. i know she has faults…there is no perfect candidate.
    as far as her daughter is concerned, my heart goes out to Sarah and her family…and it has no sway over my view of her whatsoever. i happen to know quite a few dear, loving, wonderful Christian people whose children have chosen to walk away from the Lord. i have seen pregnancy, drug addiction, inprisonment…and have also seen God’s hand work through it.
    truth is, we all deserve damnation.
    we. are. all. sinners.
    what a smear on our testimonies that we judge others as having done worse than we…or that somehow they don’t deserve as much Grace as the rest of us.

    so elizabeth, don’t change a thing! okay that’s all :)

  • http://karennkool.blogspot.com karenkool

    WOW. Lots of great discussion happening. I am thrilled about John McCain’s running mate. She’s a brilliant pick. I’m finding myself more and more confident that McCain is the man for the job and Obama is definitely, absolutely not.

    As for Mrs. Palin becoming our country’s next VP… AWESOME!!!! I love it!!!!

    The whole idea that God frowns upon women who lead, is ludicrious to me. I am so tired of the church being a “man’s world” as if that’s God’s perspective. Maybe some believe we should return to the days when the women of our nation weren’t even allowed to vote. oh puhlease!

    Anyway, many women are completely equipped and gifted to lead–how about the PTO? a sunday school class? principal or superintendent of a school? CEO of a corporation? Mayor of a town or governor of a state? Why not a nation? Who detirmines where the leadership begins and ends? Who gives a woman the gift to lead in the first place–THE DEVIL??? Ayi!

    God’s ways and his plans are far, far beyond what we could ever comprehend. It definitely makes my stomach turn just a little when people have the arrogance to believe they have God all figured out just because they study the Bible… and then to try and detirmine what a woman should and shouldn’t be gifted or allowed to do just because of her gender… I suppose I was like that at one time–so I do understand… but as I’ve grown in my christian walk, it’s clearer than ever to me–God enjoys opening up our minds to the broader strokes of His wonderous ways.

    “Neither Jew nor Greek… male nor female…”

  • http://karennkool.blogspot.com karenkool

    Sorry–to be so straight forward. I’m a New Yorker. What can I say?

  • http://www.goodforsomething-stilltrying.blogspot.com Frances, New Yorker in the OC

    Wow, I had no idea that Sarah Palin was getting bashed by the far right for simply being a woman in a man’s role (sorry if that’s oversimplified paraphrasing on my part).

    As a voice from the left, I admire her as a working mother of five kids (including a child with special needs). I don’t have a problem that she’s a hunter, that she was a near Miss Alaska, that her son serves in the armed forces, or that she has a pregnant, unmarried, teenage daughter. I don’t feel she has to defend any of those issues or answer to “what kind of mother would work in the White House when she’s got children to take care of?” Her husband and children are standing by her and that’s enough for me.

    It’s going to come down to a number of issues for me. I’m not familiar with all her viewpoints though I realize she has made her anti-choice stance clear (which I know is the deciding issue for a lot of folks here) as well as an ironic abstinence-only sex-education stance. I’m not familiar with her career, though what seems to be surfacing (whether it’s the ethics investigation or how she has called out corruption in her own party), indicates she’s not as naïve or inexperienced in politics as some people would make her out to be.

    Interesting post—I’m still trying to get my head around Sarah Palin myself…

  • http://www.thepipers.wordpress.com Molly

    Great discussion here! I am not terribly politically savvy, but wanted to relay another angle that I picked up on this morning.

    I was listening to women react to the Palin pick on NPR this morning. It seems to me that Palin’s toughest critics are women; women from both extremes of the political continuum.

    And in their criticisms of Palin, it sounded like they were a bunch of jealous high school girls who got slighted for prom queen. Women are sooo hard on each other! The left hates her, the right hates her. The poor woman!

    On a different note, I couldn’t agree more with what you said:

    “As far as Bristol’s pregnancy is concerned: we can’t use this as “evidence” of Sarah Palin’s alleged poor mothering. Out-of-wedlock pregnancies happen to every kind of family from pastor’s kids to politicians kids. This isn’t about poor parenting as much as it is about being 17 in a sex-obsessed culture.”

    AMEN!

    I’ve seen God transform an out-of-wedlock pregnancy and “shotgun” wedding into a BEAUTIFUL picture of his grace. God will use even this (gasp) in Bristol Palin’s life. May it draw her close to a Savior who loves and forgives and loves and forgives infinitely.

  • http://www.conversiondiary.com Jennifer (Et Tu?)

    First of all, thank you for leaving comments open. I’ve seen quite a few sites that basically say “Christian women shouldn’t support Palin as VP and I’ve closed comments because I don’t want to talk about it,” which is frustrating.

    I just don’t understand the Christians who’ve come out against Palin. I agree with some of their points but, umm, we live in a country where infanticide is legal, and where one of the candidates in this race supports it . You can get some stunning quotes from Obama on that here:
    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ypDwNpgIUQc
    (warning: graphic subject matter)

    My theology isn’t Reformed (I don’t think — not sure exactly what that means) so I might be missing something, but it seems like making sure that we do not elect a candidate who supports leaving babies to gasp for breath and die when they survive late-term abortions would be a higher priority than not electing a candidate who has a VP whose family structure might not be ideal.

    Anyway, great post. I added you to my blogroll, BTW.