Satan's Second Choice for 42A
Shari May is Maria Ruud's opponent in 42A. She's a zealous religious conservative; her website advises the incumbent: 'Maria should read "Unprotected" by Dr. Mary Grossman. whose experience reveals that the "safe sex" message is making our kids physically and emotionally sick. [sic]' (Hyperlinks not in original.)
The book May cites was actually authored by Miriam Grossman. A reviewer notes Grossman is 'a Senior Fellow at the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute, a conservative non-profit that counts Ann Coulter, Phyllis Schlafly and Michelle Malkin as members.'
After making May's acquaintance I viewed her church's website and noted they were holding an Election 2008 Prayer event last night, which I attended. About 200 people took part. The huge EFCA congregation is very conservative. Worshippers at New Hope Church believe that behind earthly events there is an ongoing battle between Jesus and Satan--and that Satan has candidates and ballot initiatives in the present election. And that all-powerful god's preferences may not be realized if we don't do our part. That's where the squinting comes in.
Those assembled are given handouts with biblical quotations, which we read aloud to remind god of some key ideas that He might be overlooking at present. The idea that an infinitely powerful, omniscient, all-compassionate, ever-perfect Being might require our urgent advice and reminding seems pretty nutty--a hateful secular humanist might nasally complain. Though I detected none.
We break up into small groups for prayer. I'm with five other adults who include a Champlin couple whose son is now serving in Iraq. Eyes are closed and impassioned praying occurs, as one person or another takes the floor, giving thanks for our wonderful-if-morally-imperiled country. (Those tireless homosexuals!) Everyone but me eventually has led the praying at least once; I'm somewhat concerned I'll be called upon to take the lead but am relieved--they don't.
Later we're asked to pray for more specific election-related things. People pray for ending abortion and gay marriage, they pray that the evil plans some have to steal the election come a cropper, they pray that strong Christian candidates win and that the Satan-leaning candidates lose. The people in my group seem kind-hearted in a way, burning with worry for the country and for our straying youth, for the Islamic hordes, etc. No one makes an explicitly partisan statement, but it's pretty clear this isn't Franken country.
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It's been a long campaign. I'm happy it's coming to a close and we'll be moving on soon. It appears the McCarthyite campaign of John McCain, Norm Coleman, Erik Paulsen and Shari May stands a decent chance of being rejected tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
