There has been much in the media about Senator Obama’s choice of friends. There have been those right-wing nut jobs that have called him a terrorist, or any number of untruths about who he is and where he has come from. None of that concerns me about him. However, there are some problems about the people with whom he associates. Associating with a former terrorist (or unrepentant, depending on your take) does not a terrorist make. But the question remains as to why he would spend so much time with him. In 2002, Trent Lott had to resign his leadership position in the senate for simply making a statement that he would have liked to have seen Strom Thurmond (a State’s rights supporter, but also a segregationist at the time he ran in 1948) as president. He was forced to RESIGN because of a COMMENT! And yet we are not supposed to question Obama’s odd relationship with someone that is so unbecoming to the position of Commander-in-Chief? Nor his history of relationships with less than savory characters. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” This should apply to all Christians, as Obama is, but it should apply even more so to someone seeking the highest office in the nation. Whether or not Obama is as his friends are, I have a hard time trusting someone who surrounds himself with people I don’t trust. And I do believe this country needs someone right now in whom they can trust.
In the sermon on the mount, Christ declared that “by their fruits ye shall know them (Matt 7:20).” For some, the fruit Obama offers is just what they’ve been looking for. And that I can respect. It is not shameful to be conservative, or liberal, or even socialist. But I do hope that people know what fruit they are getting, that they take the time to look. Thank you for indulging me, and as always, respectful dialogue is encouraged.
Hi there! My friend sent me your website link so I could check out your arguments against Obama as president. I want to tell you first that I appreciate your willingness to talk about these issues and second (and perhaps most important) that I commend your research on these topics. You make very compelling arguments and I can only wish that more people would be as thorough in their research of the most important matters. I agree with you wholeheartedly with regard to each of your arguments and would like to add my thoughts on same-sex marriage, being right here in the thick of it. What’s sad is that so many people here in California believe that those who support Prop 8 are haters and discriminators. They believe it is our desire to strip homosexuals of rights when in reality they have all the same rights, under the title of civil unions/domestic partnerships, that traditional marriages have. There is not one thing with regard to insurance, child rearing, etc. that is different between a same-sex domestic partnership and a heterosexual marriage. What the homosexual community wants is to procure the word “marriage” as an important step in its fight to normalize homosexuality. They would like to remove the stigma of homosexuality by forcing it to be accepted under the guise of equal rights/civil rights. By legalizing same-sex marriage, it is then put on equal footing with traditional marriage and would then be required to be taught in schools right alongside traditional marriage. This has already happened in Massachusetts. Anyway, I don’t know where you and your family live and you are so well-read that you probably already know all this, but I wanted to concur and apparently I have to write a book to do that!
I’m a bit verbose. Well, thanks! I hope you don’t mind that I’ve added a link to your arguments on my political blog.
Thank you for your input. You definitely write very eloquently and it was enlightening and definitely took out some of the leg work for me.
Thank you! I wish I had the drive to do some of the research myself, but until then, I will just continue to frequent your blog. 
You must be one of the few, the proud, the NoBama people in Portland! I appreciate your analysis and will just say, “No-Bama, keep the change!”
just wondering about your last point on trust, as a member of the church I can’t help but respect Obama for having relationships with those who in the words you used “have the appearance of evil.” I only ask that you remember who the Savior loved and devoted much of his time to when he walked on the earth.
That’s a great comment, Anonymous! I guess my response would be that Christ loved those he served, and worked to make them better. He told them to go and sin no more. Obama’s friendships with people of questionable character have not been in this fashion. Instead of serving them, they often serve him and his purposes. Nor have they changed their ways. Bill Ayers was responsible for the deaths of innocent people, and says he thinks he didn’t do enough. I don’t believe Obama’s relationship with him has helped him come to God or to feel sore repentance, nor do I believe Obama has tried to do this. I believe Obama’s relationship with Tony Rezko was for each other’s own gain, and not for the building up of the kingdom. Christ loved the sinner, but hated the sin, and I have yet to see anything in Obama’s character that really proves to me that he hates the sin, or even is not somewhat entangled in it. But thanks again for the thought. It reminded me that I need to take seriously who and how I judge. In Doctrine and Covenants 11:12, it says, “And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good – yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit” (emphasis added). So we do need to make judgments about people’s characters, but we need to do with careful thought and consideration, with deference to the Spirit of Christ.
Karli for President! (and maybe Kara as vice)? Although I don’t necessarily agree with a lot of what you said, you can’t help but respect your passion. I don’t even know where to start… hmm.. I guess I won’t right now since i don’t have time to write a thoughtful response right now