Ahh, it's that time of year again, readers! Where I sit down to watch a lil TV during dinner and suddenly all the commercials have gone from being annoying to annoying with a purpose. It be election time! This means that people in high places really want me to like them! And once November 4th passes, they will care less what I think, yet again. How exciting for us all!! Elections are neat.
Except when elections are not neat. It is wicked how crazy people get. One of my best friends has been doing nothing but blogging about his hatred for Obama/Biden '08. I have found joy in poking fun at him for this. He is turning into an angry conservative before my eyes and the odd part is that, after the fateful day, the boiling taking place, in not only my friend, but a large majority of the population will be lowered to a simmer. I am not saying we shouldn't be especially focused on the running for the leadership positions in our country right now but I am interested by how extreme people tend to become. I am only extra crazy because I am tired of hearing how every commercial slamming someone is approved by someone I could care less about anyway.
Politics are difficult for me. I think, for the most part, the way we go about elections is silly. For me, I want to see who the person running really is. I am less willing to vote based on stands made on issues than I am by what leadership & character qualities I see. That is the rub, though. It is so muddy and foggy and generic. It makes it hard to see the real person behind the candidate. That's me.
I was up at the bum crack of dawn yesterday for the annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. This was my fourth time attending and it is incredibly encouraging every time I attend. Political leaders from all over Clark County are there, along with clergy (of which I am, apparently), teachers, business leaders and others of this type. This year was no acception. Our keynote speaker was Al Egg, chaplain for the Blazers, Beavers & Vikings (PSU). Everything was excellent.
I mention this is for one reason. During the breakfast, at one point, the origins of the meeting were talked about. This was the seventh year this was held in Vancouver. It was the brain child of one Royce Pollard, mayor of Vancouver, WA (pictured). His idea was to bring together 
all of these leaders to pray over the city, county, state and nation. It was very important to him. So important that he postponed heart surgery to make sure he attended the first meeting. I plead ignorance to the work of Mayor Pollard but that spoke volumes to me. Not simply because he chose to make a stand for God but that he made it a priority and lead by example and said proudly that no matter what people thought or the cost, this was worth having and fighting for.
I sat in the Hilton Ballroom in downtown Vancouver, letting this thought sink in. I cannot speak for the hearts or views of everyone in the room but this was something that was honoring to God and I felt Him there. To see all of these political leaders making this a priority and making public its importance. To see the soldiers that were there, tears in their eyes, as 500 people applauded their courage and sacrifice. To see members of the community, religious and otherwise, uniting under the breakfast's theme "from tragedy to triumph". To hear Vancouver Police Officer, Rey Reynolds, belt out the National Anthem so passionately that perfection didn't matter. Pride beat in my heart. This is leadership, this is real, this is America.
Anyway, I don't know what your feelings are on the election, just make Obama proud. Oh, I can feel the heat of your eyes, conservative Christians!! HAHA!! I won't post on my blog who I am voting for. Can't stand not knowing who and why? Send me a message and we'll talk. Until next time, America!! (wow, that sounded very much like Bob Saget from America's Funniest Home Videos signing off. Weird.)
I'M ERIK ANDERSON AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE.
By the way, feel free to comment on who you are voting for and why. Hugs!
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