Posted on 07/03/2009 5:00:52 PM PDT by DB9
Friday, July 3, 2009 Sarah Palin Crosses the Rubicon By Videmus Omnia
In 49 BC, Julius Caesar led his army across the Rubicon River. As he did so, he reportedly muttered the phrase "Alea iacta est" - "the die is cast". It was the point of no return.
Sarah Palin has crossed the Rubicon today. It's a gamble of incredible proportions. None of us saw it coming, and we're the most dedicated political junkies you will find anywhere. It took our breath away.
I wish I had the eloquence of RAM, but for now it's fallen to me. All of us in the Palin camp have found quicksand beneath our feet today. Nobody knows what to think.
I'm a man of the world. As most people know, I'm a military veteran who has served in three wars. Been in dozens of countries and most states of the Union. I can curse and blaspheme with the best of them. Politically, I'm a libertarian and haven't voted for a GOP presidential candidate since the 80s (aside from an exception I made in November of last year.) I love Robert Heinlein and Ayn Rand. And Sarah Palin.
I'm also a Catholic - my people fled Ireland and came to this country because they were starving and dying - but they brought their faith with them, and despite my worldly cynicism I can't shake it. I was taught to never stop speaking up about your beliefs by my parish priest, who had been imprisoned by Nazis, beaten within a inch of his life over and over again until his body was nothing but scar tissue, and still never gave up exhorting against tyranny.
My political faith in Governor Palin was shaken today - I'm ashamed to say it, but it happened. So I did what this worldly, secular, guy rarely does unless he wants something - I took a knee and said a prayer.
And guess what - I found my rock. For me, it was an overwhelming feeling that I should look to Exodus, always my favorite book of the Bible. (Maybe it's because The Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie - yeah, I'm hopelessly corrupted by pop culture.) Wherever it came from, I got out my Old Testament and re-read Exodus.
Don't get me wrong. I don't think Sarah Palin is Moses. But, as with so many things, I found a useful analogy in God's word to clarify my thinking. I won't spin off a full-fledged sermon (will leave that to Pastor Rob, or to RAM, who is so much better than me at spiritual matters). But I did see an analogy. Moses was set loose on the waters, and found by Pharoah's daughter. And he lived with them, as one of them, until he could no longer abide the evil that he saw. So he slew the overseer and fled into the desert, building a life for himself and his family until it was necessary for him to return to free his people.
Take from that what you will. Castigate me as some kind of holy roller, but I stand by what I say unashamed.
In any case, Palin has crossed the Rubicon and made her stand clear. She gave us a hint before when she said "Politically, if I die, I die." I think this was her equivalent of alea iacta est. She will now be the anti-Obama, standing up for her personal beliefs, free of the constraints the Alaskan people have placed on her. She is now free of them, and they of her - though I think they will be the ones to regret it first.
As for me, my feet are wet. Because I just waded across the Rubicon, too.
Wow.
What an excellant, articulate post.
I shared your initial shock, confusion and doubt about the ‘why”. You wrote so well that what we love about Sarah..is that she is true to her beliefs and strong.
How rare that is today..in this cynical, besotted political age.
It has become harder and harder for me to make excuses, try to ignore the many failings of the Republican Party ( I am an ‘independent” who holds off from the Libertarians only because of some of that party’s views on defense). This failure of the the republicans to support, defend this strong conservative woman has turned the page for me.
That Vanity Fair article was not some “quirky accident”..but a manifestation of how the conservatives have treated Palin. The gulf between the Political conservatives and Palin is way too deep.
She will continue to be the voice of true conservatism and the guts to say what she thinks. Liberals laugh now, but beware...you haven’t seen the last of her...and she may just be their undoing.
bttt
I am still for SP. I think she will continue to speak, now even stronger, and I hope we will see that impact in 2010 and beyond.
The DBM will criticize her no matter what she does; screw their opinion. She has a vision, it may include a big time major role for her, it may not, of all people I don’t see her as one insisting it’s “her turn” to run for pres. What if some other good person is Pres and she is Chief of staff, director of communications? But I know she still cares about the American people who work and support their families.
I still support Sarah and will contribute to PAC.
“The gulf between the Political conservatives and Palin is way too deep.”
the gulf between the Washington Republicans and Palin are too deep, there is no gulf between conservatives not in Washington and Sarah Palin.
thanks, that’s what I meant to say.
ping
God used the plagues in Egypt specifically to mock the so-called gods of the Egyptians. The things they put their faith in, He turned against them.
ditto
If that, ha.
Amen and Amen!
Thanks for posting.
Well, she sure got the left wing maggots to crawl out from under their rocks. Go Sarah. Whatever you decide to do is OK with me. If you go for the big prize, you will have my support and as much dinero as I can afford!
What I appreciate about Sarah Palin is her ability and willingness to speak clearly, forcefully, and with integrity. In contrast with the teeming masses of self-serving, parsing, compromising politicians, a leader with integrity is like a breath of fresh air.
Nam Vet
Well, I would agree. We need a miracle at this point to save our country. We need a Great Awakening. We need divine intervention.
But unless this is the End of the World, when Jesus will come again on the Clouds of Glory, God will choose human instruments to carry out His will. And He will ask us to cooperate with Him in furthering His providential plans.
As this writer says, Sarah Palin is not Moses. There was only one Moses. But God sends prophets and political leaders whenever He so chooses. Among Protestants, John Wesley was one such figure, and he made a tremendous difference to the English speaking world.
This is a long shot, because the whole culture of our country has been corrupted, and liberals control most of the levers of power. But change is possible. It has been seen before in history, and we can pray that it will be seen again in this country.
Bigger picture, Sarah sees it. Alaska is a beautiful/wonderful/glorious state, but part of something greater and even more beautiful.
Palin/Bachmann 2012 - give estrogen a chance!
Why does everyone always make that sound like a bad thing! If the Lord is bringing this age to a close, say hallelujah! Discern the times....that’s a command from Christ.
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