It’s Going to be a Long Summer

It’s going to be a long summer, politically speaking, that is. Especially if you’re like me and you enjoy speaking about politics and current events, but not to the point it paralyzes you from real action. On the other hand if you’re like Justin and his boys at Southern Appeal, you’re elated that there is one and possibly two Supreme Court vacancies to be filled by October. Either way, you’re staring at a bullet; whether you’re loading the gun or it’s just been fired at you is another story.

Essentially, for the next few months, every newspaper and media outlet will have something to say daily regarding the Supreme Court vacancy(s). Already, Republicans and Democrats have voiced their opinions on a justice(s) to be named later. President Bush has already made several statements, commercials have been aired, and here we are, weeks before an announcement and months before a confirmation. What a way to preoccupy ourselves.

I already can’t stand the talking (screaming) heads on Fox News or CNN (which is a good reason not to have cable) and now they have more fodder for their mouths. Inevitably, in all this pre-discussion and in the analysis that will ensue once there has been a nomination, religion and moral values will come to the forefront. Not that that’s a bad place for them to be. But once again, someone’s beliefs will be used to crucify or canonize them instead of inspiring us to action.

I wish that as much attention could be diverted to other issues, like Darfur, of course. Or maybe the Rwandan decision to send troops to Sudan, the economic implications of the G8 Summit, the apparent change-of-heart by Pat Robertson, the UCC’s resolution to support same-sex marriage, or the battle here in Tennessee over health care. So dig in: it’s going to be a long summer, full of yelling and accusations, a little humor I’m sure, “the debate over moral values” at the forefront, and unfortunately, real news that propels us to make a difference, lost in the background.