Farewells and new beginnings...

Ok, this is a total rant... (almost.) I heard on the radio this afternoon that conservative columnist, Robert Novak, died today. He was a man - like Dick Chenny - who deserved the moniker: Prince of Darkness. In fact, he used it as the title of his autobiography. To my sensibilities he was mean spirited, boorish and unwilling to admit that his ideas and often half-baked blathering caused harm to innocent people. (I can already hear someone say, "please, tell us how you really feel!")

Please don't misunderstand: I am not fuming because he was a social conservative. Most social and religious conservatives are principled, dedicated people who value serving others and encouraging the common good. But there are a handful of public bullies - Dick Armey, Rush Limbaugh, Tom Delay, Ann Coulter, Dr. Laura and Glenn Beck to name the obvious - who all learned from the master: Robert Novak. He confused authentic questioning of the government with treason, shouting for civil discourse and venomous attacks for serving the body politic.

For those too young to recall, Novack was the role model for the Saturday Night Live skit - Point/Counter Point - where Dan Akroyd turned to Jane Curtain and rather than argue her point simply said, "Jane, you ignorant slut..." Very funny, too honest and pure Novack. Take a look at: www.hulu.com/watch/2306/saturday-night-live-point-counterpoint-lee-marvin-and-michelle-triola_)

Never forget: he was the hack who did Dick Chenny's public bidding by "outting" the undercover CIA agent, Valerie Plame in order to distract and punish those who opposed our scandalous war in Iraq. (Karl Rove and Richard Armitage were the actual "leaks" but Chenny was the source.)

No wonder Jon Stewart awarded him the "Number One Douche bag of Liberty" award: he was a person who hid his questionable ethics behind a loud voice and a cruel persona. You can be tough - look at Tim Russert (rip) or even David Gregory - but Novak was ruthless regardless of the costs. And when James Carville - no slouch to political street fighting - called his bluff on CNN, Novak could only curse him, throw down his microphone and pout off the set.

When Americans lament our lack of public ethics - or even propriety and manners - let us not forget Robert Novak and the deceptive, lying minions he spawned - he has a great deal to acount for and we are all the worse for his life's work. My heart goes out to his family as it is always tough and empty to grieve a loved one. May God's spirit be with you all. And, let's not forget this man's legacy...

Thank God we serve a Lord of grace... On a brighter note, I was back at church day - and it was wonderful to see my friends and staff after a two week vacation - this is a sweet place. It feels like a new beginning as I start my third year as their pastor. I was struck this morning in prayer by this poem of Mary Oliver's:

There is the heaven we enter

through institutional grace

and there are the yellow finches bathing and singing

in the lowly puddle.