I spent at least a part of this week questioning my political beliefs—and writing about them. Probably not one of the more sane things I’ve done lately, but there is a freedom in writing about my feelings, at least that’s what I’m told.
All of my deadlines were met for the week—except one. I’m still chasing that last interview. He’s in my sights. I’ll have that story completed by Monday.
Am I upset that the Vice President of the United States of America accidently shot his friend while bird hunting? Or, more to the point, that he didn’t report it to the media immediately? I’m sorry his friend is hurt. I’m certain VP Cheney is not only remorseful about the accident, but embarrassed by it.
Do I think he did anything wrong? No. Mr. Cheney hauls with him the best medical team one could have because of his own health issues. If he had called in the media it would have become a circus and stolen every ounce of dignity his well-respected friend had, all so the man could have been photographed and interviewed while he lay in a field, his upper body full of bird shot.
I think Mr. Cheney and his hunting party, including the owner of the ranch where they were hunting, made the correct call. We, as Americans, don’t need to see everything as it happens.
The looting, rioting, and killing in the Muslim world over some cartoons of their prophet has been in the news all week. Newspapers in the US chose not to print the cartoons—so why are we being hated anew over something other countries did, that we didn’t?
Christians have the same commandment: Those shalt not make any graven images.
Just what constitutes a “graven image”? My handy paperback dictionary is fine most of the time, but when I need a real dictionary I reach for The American College Dictionary, published by Random House circa 1947. The definition of “graven”: adj. Deeply impressed, firmly fixed. Archaic. Carved; engraved.
I think we all understand what an image is, regardless of the year.
There are likenesses of what people think look like Jesus everywhere. In the Bible, in Christian homes, in churches, in books. So have we all broken a commandment by viewing a “graven image” of Christ? Or was the commandment written to prevent the caricaturization ie; a picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things?
Can anyone ludicrously exaggerate the likeness of a person or being no one has seen?
I’ve written about this, too, and shot it off to the New York Times. I’ll know by next Friday if it is printed on the op-ed page. If they don’t print it, I’ll post it here.
I’m off for the weekend to enjoy some time with my daughter, son-in-law, their son and foster children, and to attend daughter’s baby shower. The prospect of becoming “grandma” again next month is fulfilling—and may keep me out of political hot water for a short time.
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