Public servants and poor media

By Lillian Daniel

Many newspaper readers had a shock when they opened Parade magazine in the last weekend of December and saw a glowing article touting Benazir Bhutto as the brave answer to terrorism. The article read as if the former Pakistani prime minister were alive, when in fact she had been assassinated more than a week earlier.

In the outcry over that article, I was reminded that public service is a sacrifice.

When the 54-year-old Bhutto was asked whether she had healed from the trauma of her father's execution when she was 25, Bhutto cited her father's parting words: "You can walk away. You're young. You can go to live in London or Paris or Geneva." She responded, "No, I have to keep up this mission of yours, of democracy."

There is much to criticize in Bhutto's political regime, but as the primaries take place and our own presidential election heats up, I am saying a prayer of thanksgiving for all the candidates who are willing to throw their hats in the ring. I am praying for every one of them, for their safety, for their sanity and for their communities.

These candidates could do any number of things, easier and more lucrative, but they are choosing to run for election and serve in our democratic government. Amidst the strong feelings about political parties, and the cynicism that creeps into every race, let’s not forget that each of these candidates is a real person, with family, friends and feelings. We are blessed to live in a country where we may cast our vote and, in that way, engage in public service ourselves. We have much to be grateful for.

Lillian Daniel is senior pastor of Glen Ellyn First Congregational UCC in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Comments

[Casey Taylor]

The American political experiment is truly amazing given the political instability of so many nations. We should, of course, pray for all governmental leaders and, in our case, a wise electorate.

That said, I'm not rushing to praise anyone who runs for office on such a grand scale. I'm fascinated by the psychological recipe it takes to make one run for the White House. I'm sure there's some desire to do good but what other drives are interwoven? I'm reminded of Gandalf's reaction to Frodo when the hobbit tries to give the ring of power to the elder wizard. Gandalf explains that though he would use the ring from a desire to do great good, through him it would work great evil.

Here's a mystery I don't understand: the constant will to and misuse of power, and the need for Christians to rightly use power for the good. In other words, I always vote with both hope and dejection.

Casey Taylor
irregularchristian.blogspot.com