“... Just as he could be a Wiccan. But, like a Wiccan running for President, his personal beliefs call into question his judgment, discernment and wisdom. “

Humph. I'm not sure I sit well with what I just read above, found while casually reading some commentary on at (http://www.postchronicle.com/commentary/article_21258565.shtml) "Why Jim Gilmore Can Be President” by one James Atticus Bowden on The Post Chronicle (www.postchronicle.com). I guess this is as good a topic as any to get my new teeth grinding on the newley live BlogXero 2. I was just a little frustrated at losing my previous posts... but this definitely makes up for it.

I was really getting into the read, and started to chuckle here and there, but that line put a kill on my fun real quick. The author is not being humorous, they are simply being dumb, and like any red blooded American I like to laugh at the dumb things some people can do. Take for instance, a person who may or may not be Wiccan themselves (I dunno and don't care to ask), suggesting that a Wiccan who might run for presidency would be of questionable “judgment, discernment and wisdom” due in part to their “personal beliefs”. Is this to suggest that a Wiccan's judgment, virtue of discernment, and wisdom are somehow flawed because they are Wiccan? Humph.

Let's try a backwater, bigoted, religious fundamentalist instead, who enjoys picking fights, favors his own religious clique, and claims that Wicca isn't a “real religion”... Oh Wait! Sorry... I guess even years later I still wonder how he got away with that. Not related – entirely – so I will leave that alone.

More on point: As a Wiccan I a bit miffed by the statement, but he is entitled to believe and surely say that a Wiccan might be of questionable judgment, discernment and wisdom. Shoot, I already say the same of most Christians, Muslims, Mormons, and occasionally Buddhists. However, I don't say it about all or assume because any person is one of the above that their “ judgment, discernment and wisdom “ should be questioned. I understand and appreciate that while we may have radically different and sometimes even opposing views concerning life and living, that most of us cherish the same and any would make fine Presidential leaders simply because there are moral and ethical values held dear by all that we can share in common. However, I suspect that the implication is one of not being wholly in tune with reality, or somehow being “wrong”.

Now, I salivate, and anticipate the scrumptious dish of well enlightened argument that will ensue....

Being a Wiccan in many respects demands that an individual be severely concerned with their ability to discern reality from maya in such a way that the truth of their experience as a Wiccan does not lead them into some direction that would indeed make them a very bad choice for a leader. Most especially where it might concern how best or not so best it would be to allow those experiences to influence their decisions concerning course of action or prudence.

Wisdom. I love this. How would a Wiccan's depth or season of wisdom be anymore questionable than anyone else? Wisdom is the result of knowledge gained from experience and thoughtfulness in word and deed. I miss the question of wisdom here, but I am sure there was a good reason why the author would question their “wisdom”.

Judgment in affairs concerning the fate of the nation, security, economic moves, relations... I tend to suspect that any Wiccan candidate would certainly be the best choice of any lot in matters of judgment. A Wiccan's commitment to the nurturing, protection, healing, and exaltation of life, and the conditions of that life would set a very lofty and noble standard of judgment – unbiased by religion, but prejudiced in the preservation of life – oooooooooohhhhhhhhh.... who am I kidding. This guy is obviously speaking out of the side his neck and I'm a sucker for responding.

Nevertheless, let's make this clear. As in all things, thinking before speaking will definitely help you to avoid convincing stupid people that they are smart and right (which can be entertaining, but eventually leads to someone getting their feelings hurt), while just piping up will only save you the embarrassment of admitting that you really didn't think about what you said.

I believe a Wiccan Presidential Leader would be wonderful. However, I don't think it a likely scenario anytime in the future. You see, we have a hard time being dishonest, two-faced, backstabbing, hypocrites, who would much rather feed a bad lie than actually do something about it while being honest and forthcoming. Silly us. However, it would be a nice change to see anyone in office that wasn't a Christian, Catholic, blah blah blah... I think it would be great to have a Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist or Atheist Leader for a while. I think if they were really influenced in such a powerful office by their personal beliefs that any of these could prove a refreshing change in a nation's spirit.










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