pigs and lipstick
So, if you’ve tuned it at all to the presidential race over the past week, you’ve no doubt heard about “lipstick gate.” In short, Sarah Palin spoke a classic line in her VP acceptance speech when she quipped, “Do you know what the difference is between a pit bull and a hockey mom? LIPSTICK.” Well, two days ago Barak Obama, when speaking of John McCain and Sarah Palin’s economic plan, said this, “you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig.” Great line? Bad taste? Poor judgement? Well…The Obama campaign says it was a shot at the plan, not the VP and the McCain campaign says it was a direct shot at Palin. The truth probably lies in the middle, but anyone who studies nonverbal commuication (or human nature) can tell you Obama knew what he was about to say could be viewed as taking a shot at Palin and could get him in a little trouble. Check out Obama’s hand coming to his head and covering his eyes. His body is telling us what his mind was thinking ”oh, this is good line but I’m not sure I should say it….I can’t resist….” In my opinion, he knew it could be construed as taking a shot at the pitbull (or pig??) in lipstick.
Lipstick or pig, I hope that we are not either. Lipstick connotates that we are trying to cover something up and make something look better than it actually is: lipstick, in this context, is code for superficial. I don’t want to be superficial. Pig, in this context, is code for “rotten at its core.” Not good either.
We’d all do well, politicians included, to say what we mean and mean what we say. (James 5:12) When we are transparent and honest things have a way of working out.
Here’s the news of the day in my opinion:
“Make no mistake about this,” Biden responded. “Hillary Clinton is as qualified or more qualified than I am to be vice president of the United States of America. Let’s get that straight. She’s a truly close personal friend, she is qualified to be president of the United States of America, she’s easily qualified to be vice president of the United States of America, and quite frankly, it might have been a better pick than me. But she’s first rate, I mean that sincerely, she’s first rate, so let’s get that straight.” -Biden, yesterday
Who’s Biden?
He’s the one that’s already quit and thrown in the towel. The Dem’s are preparing for a change in running mates. The sad part is I think HRC is still too sore at Obama to want to dig him out.
Why do you think Obama was in Bill’s office today. I assure you begging was involved.
I have met a lot of pigs with lipstick on. Most of them have sat in pews trying to cover up their uncleanness (the pig) with man made religious tradition (the lipstick).
I have to say that in many ways I am less repulsed by the unclean in the world than I am by the unclean in the pews if for no other reason than those in the world without any knowledge of Christ just do what they do and are who they are without pretense while so many in the pews are such B movie actors it’s pathetic and repulsive.
Is it any wonder the lost so easily reject our message, and want nothing to do with “our kind?” I think not.
I think it was another brilliant attempt to distract us from the real issues we should be looking at the election season-the rising cost of EVERYTHING, the nationwide lack of quality healthcare, being the world’s largest debtor nation, childhood poverty, etc…Isn’t it hypocritical for it to be ok for McCain to criticize a woman with the term, but if Obama says it?…Kinda like when Jeb Bush wanted to copyright ‘Jeb’? Please, people, as long as children go hungry, and veteran’s go without healthcare, there are WAY more important things to think about…
As you do for th least of these…
John – so true…as a Believer I pray that I lead with integrity and humility. I want my “outside” to match my “inside!”
Kate – Thanks for the comment! great insight. I’m blown away about how much of the political game has NOTHING to do with the actual issues. We should be much more focused on where the candidates stand on issues like the economy, Iraq, terrorism, social programs, etc.