{"id":5824,"date":"2016-01-28T06:26:27","date_gmt":"2016-01-28T11:26:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=5824"},"modified":"2016-01-28T07:27:55","modified_gmt":"2016-01-28T12:27:55","slug":"fascinated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=5824","title":{"rendered":"fascinated"},"content":{"rendered":"

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So let\u2019s lead today with the bottom line: this election cycle is the oddest I have ever seen.<\/em><\/p>\n

Now I am no ambassadorial expert nor Poli-Sci major nor anything close. I am merely a current events observer and only a semi-humble one at that. Ronald Reagan was the first President I ever voted for, and I\u2019ve visited Jimmy Carter\u2019s hometown twice. I was always struck by how a radio announcer for the Chicago Cubs and a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia could each\u00a0become President and lead our country. I am again fascinated by who wishes to lead it now\u2026 odd as this cycle may sometimes be…<\/p>\n

My spouse challenged me on the word \u201cfascinated\u201d last week. \u201cYou use that a lot,\u201d<\/em> he said. I do; it\u2019s a great word. Note that \u201cfascinated\u201d does not infer positivity nor negativity. \u201cFascinated\u201d means there\u2019s something laced within the current condition that irresistibly keeps my attention.<\/p>\n

So let us not dive into a \u201che-said\/she-said\/take-that\u201d kind of conversation. The challenge when ignoring the timeless tip to avoid talking politics or religion is that the disrespect comes quickly from stances that are passionately engrained; we have trouble stepping out of what\u2019s engrained. Granted, the Intramuralist has never avoided politics or<\/strong><\/em> religion, as we believe all things are discussable if we are mindful of the one who thinks differently.<\/p>\n

With that as our backdrop \u2014 recognizing we do not all view this the same way \u2014 and we are not going to<\/em> \u2014 I see some \u201cfascinating\u201d people involved in the 2016 presidential race \u2014 a vote, no less, that is still more than nine months away\u2026<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with first-namers Donald and Hillary, as several of us are significantly, distinctly more grace-giving to one.<\/strong><\/em> And yet\u2026<\/p>\n

The Donald\u2026 he says some outlandishly harsh things. He seems to thrive on intransigent opinion and provocation of opposition. As HBO\u2019s \u201cReal Time\u201d host Bill Maher recently posed, \u201cDonald Trump is largely a result of a backlash to political correctness.\u201d<\/em> In other words, there exists a perception among many of increased, imposed political correctness in our society, which has arguably prompted Trump\u2019s clear lack<\/em><\/strong> of political correctness; that\u2019s attractive to many people. Trump is thus tapping into frustration with those who believe society is on the wrong track, utilizing his contagious mantra of wanting to \u201cmake America great again.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hillary\u2026 she says some outlandishly dishonest things. She seems to thrive on her unique female qualifications and being the target of fully political ploys. As long-time NY Times political columnist William Safire wrote 19 years ago, before he passed away, \u201cAmericans of all political persuasions are coming to the sad realization that our First Lady \u2014 a woman of undoubted talents who was a role model for many in her generation \u2014 is a congenital liar.\u201d<\/em> Clinton is staunchly dismissive of the accusations, saying she\u2019s a victim, which also resonates with many people. She thus focuses instead on being a \u201cchampion\u201d for others and how we are finally \u201cready\u201d for \u201cHillary for America.\u201d<\/p>\n

What may be equally fascinating to this observer, are the justifications we offer, that seem to substitute for the above, perceived liabilities. Some will quickly, respectfully suggest, \u201cWell, Trump may be harsh, but at least he\u2019s honest,\u201d<\/em> while others will equally, respectfully counter, \u201cWell, Hillary may lie, but all politicians lie.\u201d<\/em> My observation is that each is an acceptance of something lesser; each is an acceptance of something that is not good, not true, and not right. I am not suggesting that the harshness and deceit are automatic disqualifiers for their respective candidacies; more so, I am saying that I am fascinated at how often those traits seem minimized or ignored by their supporters and endorsers.<\/p>\n

Yes, we tend to be significantly, distinctly more grace-giving to only one.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

We should also acknowledge the additional others vying to be President #45, even though the media seems slightly obsessed with the above two. My sense is that all others running are currently being portrayed minimally and thus somewhat inaccurately \u2014 causing us to unknowingly craft incomplete assessments of both their campaigns and character. Granted, candidate Cruz is challenged by\u00a0his brashness and Senator Sanders\u00a0by his fondness for\u00a0socialism.\u00a0But the reality is that for these two and others, we think we know who they are, what they stand for, and how solid their character is \u2014 primarily\u00a0based on social memes and minimal, often slanted coverage.<\/p>\n

To be clear, as my older brother continues to remind me, no votes have actually been cast as of yet. Then again, that changes on Monday, with the start of the 2016 primaries via the \u00a0Iowa Caucus.<\/p>\n

No doubt, therefore, the next nine months will continue to be fascinating.<\/p>\n

Respectfully\u2026
\nAR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            So let\u2019s lead today with the bottom line: this election cycle is the oddest I have ever seen. Now I am no ambassadorial expert nor Poli-Sci major nor anything close. I am merely a current events observer and only a semi-humble one at that. Ronald Reagan was the first … <\/p>\n

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