Elections

I've been fascinated by the elections going on here in North America.

The Canadian election did not seem to capture anyone's imagination, and appeared to be a failure to every party. No majority for the Conservatives. Liberals tanked and Dion is soon to be out. NDP did not meet Ed Broadbent's high or capture a seat in Quebec, let alone make the breakthrough that labour parties have been able to in other British Commonwealths such as U.K., Australia and New Zealand (For which we can all thank Bob Rae -- why are the Liberals even considering him for leadership?). Bloc lost votes across Quebec. The Greens couldn't even win a seat.

In the U.S., the election is a slow grind -- at least there the possibility of renewal not only exists, but is currently in the lead. We'll see if Obama can stay there until November. ("Recent" thinking by some Anderson Cooper wannabe at CNN says that the polls in favour of Obama might be misleading, since Americans don't like to admit their racism.) Actually, I'm excited for election day in the States because I will be there on a conference. It's also interesting to see the fascination with Sarah Palin (especially the SNL sketches with Tina Fey -- Alec Baldwin's "You are way hotter in person" was great!). I am thinking that her protracted 15 minutes of fame are soon to be up. Alaska will never fly under the radar again!

Spirituality and Credit

An interesting article on CBC.ca this week from Listen Up TV's Lorna Dueck on Spirituality and Credit. I am definitely a fan of Christians getting involved in media, moving up-stream of culture to have an impact on our society. I also know that there are inherent dangers -- the need to get published or broadcasted can often lead to the distortion of the gospel message, as well as the need to sensationalize what we say and write. For example, Lorna writes "I hope the church can cash in on our turmoil." Not really the best sentiment there -- pithy, though.

I can relate a little -- I was interviewed last year and at the beginning of this year regarding my position at school. In both cases, the journalist was looking for that elusive sound bite, that quote which could sum a complex idea up ever-so-neatly for people to easily digest. In the first interview, I was far too detailed to be used for quotes. However, in the second interview, I said something mildly controversial in the first sentence, and knew that was the clip they would show on the daily news. I was right. All of the other brilliant things I said were stolen right from my mouth by the interviewer, and used as her monologue piece, then - CUT! - straight to my contentious line. Oh well, I suppose it was worth my 15 sec. of fame!