Meanness isn’t a virtue.

Ok.  Politics aren’t really my thing.  I honestly don’t believe my vote matters.  (You really don’t have to argue if you disagree, I sincerely doubt you’ll change my mind.)  If, however, I were one of those wealthy people politics actually cares about or one of the powerful people politics tries to appease, I would make it clear that meanness is not a virtue.

I watched bits of the Democratic convention and I’ve watched bits of the Republican one.  Neither one is completely guiltless on this front, but last night as I watched Guilliani and Palin I reached my limit.

Adults should act like adults.

Grown-ups should not act like bullies.

National leaders have no place engaging in teenage-style, snarky, half-truth-focused, almost-dishonest, cynicisms.

I think I could have liked Palin.  Her background is, in many ways, something I like and am familiar with, but last night she was just too much of a “mean girl.”  I didn’t like mean girls in Jr. High or High school.  I don’t like them now.  (And no, it’s not because she’s a woman – this type of behavior was as unappealing in Guilliani last night as it was in Palin.)

Somewhere along the line I remember being told that “you don’t raise yourself up by tearing other people down.”  That doesn’t mean that candidates can’t honestly argue and question one another’s positions (indeed, I hope they do!)  But it does mean a certain modicum of kindness should be maintained.  These people are hoping to be our children’s role-models.

Oh, and on an entirely different note – I just got the coolest yarn/knitting T-Shirt… after only a month and a half of being on back order!
Grace and Peace,

`tim