The Political Power of Iconography

In the video below the powerful influence of icons and branding is discussed within the context of politics, specifically American politics. As someone who was once a graphic designer (and who have designed my share of logos) and also an avid believer in the need visual literacy in the times we live, I found this an excellent analysis well worth watching.

Politically Correct Holiday Greetings

From Good Clean Fun Archives.

To all my Democrat Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all;

PLUS

A fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere), and without regard to race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or choice of computer platform.

(Disclaimer: By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher who assumes no responsibility for any unintended emotional stress these greetings may bring to those not caught up in the holiday spirit.)

To all my Republican Friends:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Messiah Obama

Image from Williamette Week.

My aversion with America’s Republicans is the Religious Right movement. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure many of these people are sincerely thinking that they are doing the right thing, in promulgating Christian values in politics. Unfortunately, in their ignorance they are mixing an explosive concoction: politics and religion. The past has showed us time and again that throwing these two ingredients in the same pot will awaken a beast.

Surely the Democrats would not make this same mistake. Silly Prophet Kangnamgu. You’ve clearly not been watching closely. Not only are the Liberal Left mixing politics and religion, they are adding blasphemy to insult. Barack Obama is hailed as the Messiah. He is made to be not merely a political figure, but a spiritual figure heralding in a new era for America and the world.
He often uses religious rhetoric and his followers use religious jargon to praise his name. He is depicted as a source of light, in the style reminiscent of Great Leaders. (Isn’t that what they call Kim Jong Il too?).

“[Obama] won’t just heal our city-states and souls. He won’t just bring the Heavenly Kingdom — dreamt of in both Platonism and Christianity — to earth. He will heal the earth itself,” writes Micah Tillman, lecturer in philosophy at The Catholic University of America. Should we read her statement as academic jest, or take it seriously. She is an admitted Obama-supporter.

Unlike the Republicans that seem somewhat exclusivist Christian, the Democrats seem inclusivist towards all other religions. (This is a good thing if we want freedom of religion to prevail. However...) Obama clearly has a strong Christian following, and we all know of Obama’s reverent’s pulpit politics. But it is these other religious groups’ praising of Obama which is interesting. The Sify News reports prayers offered to Hanuman (the monkey-god) by Hindu priests for Obama. New Agers are embracing Obama as a Lightworker; i.e. someone who can raise the consciousness of other people and make the world spiritually a better place. (I know the New Age jargon – been there, done that, have New Ager friends, understand the paradigm, still do the diet and believe in telepathy.)

My concern is not with Obama the person, he seems to be a nice guy with the wits to boot (but let's not forget that he is a politician after all). My concern is with this obsession – this religious obsession with Obama. It is clear that religion and politics are mixing.

The Bible Prophecies foretell that America will become a religious-state. I just always thought it would happen under Republican rule.

When (is it still appropriate to talk of “if”?) Obama becomes the President of the United States look out for his interaction with other religious leaders. Especially, watch carefully his interaction with the Pope.

Isn't it exciting to see how the prophecies unfold?! How this puzzle will fit together is going to be a big surprise.

Democrats and Free Speech

I’m really enjoying Adam’s education of me regarding the Democrats. In a reply to a previous post of mine, Adam pointed out how the Democrats are actually working against Freedom of Speech, by trying to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine (sorry for linking to Wikipedia) policy. “Fairness is Censorship” is how the Washington Times describe the Fairness Doctrine and the Bussiness & Media Institute highlights how this policy could fetter Internet freedom and net neutrality. (Here is another interesting source about the problems with the Fairness Doctrine.)

I become more and more convinced that freedom in America is under serious assault, regardless of the political parties.

Thanks Adam.

An American Perspective

I requested an American blogger-friend to help me understand the financial crisis in America a little better. Below is part of his reply posted with permission:

This economic crisis is a disaster. Basically it all started in the 90's when some activist groups started lobbying the democrats to enact laws which would make it easier to obtain loans. They wanted this done because they were claiming that there was racism on the part of the lenders.... that a black man with the same or more qualifications as a white man was being turned down for a home loan. The examples they were using to back up their case actually turned out to be inaccurate and false, but, alas the legislation had already gone through and the politicians were not going to admit that they made a mistake so it stayed on the books. Then it turned into a 'one-up' game between the politicians and banks...one would say everybody should be able to get a loan who has a job...then the other guy would say, hey! we won't even check if you have a job and you can get a loan....then the other guy would say, hey! we won't even check if you're a US citizen. Both parties are guilty, but the bulk seems to land on the left.

My wife used to work for a firm that payed lobbiests to lobby some of these senators who are involved in this whole debacle, so we know how the system works. She has since left that position....good thing too because I'd really hate to be associated with these guys and this mess. Our politicians are not working for the people of the country; they are working for special interest groups who fund them.

This certainly helped me in contextualizing the current issue. Thank you!

True friend of Israel...

“She’s a true friend of Israel.”* I heard this said yesterday by someone on a radio news report about Hillary Clinton.

Why should her “true friend[ship]” even be an issue?

Unfortunately, in U.S. politics it is very important, and I think for all the wrong reasons. There is a large pro-Israel movement in the U.S., backed mostly by Religious Right voters. Clinton is trying to get the backing of these Republican voters.

But here is my real issue and concern.

These Religious Right have been brain washed to believe some silly apocalyptic mumbo-jumbo. According to many Evangelical movements, after the Secret Rapture (which is not a sound Biblical doctrine) Israel will become the ruling state of the world – a peaceful reign for a thousand years!

These Evangelicals believe that their loyalties should lie with Israel, since Israel is the blessed nation of God.

What surprise me is that these people clearly do not study their Bibles. Israel has stopped being pivotal when the Gospel was sent to all nations. Paul makes it clear that the Church is spiritually part of the Jewish nation (Romans 2:29). The promises are to spiritual Israel, not literal Israel. The conditional prophecies of the Old Testament towards Israel and the Jews were revoked because they refused the Messiah. There will never be a grand Israel state controlling the world.

What doesn’t surprise me is that politicians would suck up for any vote. My concern is how strong the “religious”-vote is. How is it possible that a nation founded on the importance of Separation of Church and State could have turned blind so quickly? Haven’t they learned from the past?! Also, the Jewish-American economy is extremely strong so she is probably begging for some financial support for her campaign.

…ooOoo…

* The expression “…true friend of Israel” was first used by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert towards prior British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2007.

The cloak of anti-terrorism

“The tragedy of our day is the climate of fear in which we live, and fear breeds repression. Too often sinister threats to the bill of rights, to freedom of the mind, are concealed under the patriotic cloak, of anti-communism.”

American Politician - Adlai Stevenson (February 5, 1900 – July 14, 1965).

In a Boston Legal episode, a character repeats this quote and says that “anti-communism” can easily be replaced with “anti-terrorism”. How shockingly true.

May America not forget this insight from her past.