The last several months have seen more than a little interest in the beliefs and activities of political figures, an occurrence that frankly stymies me. The first flap was over whether President Barack Obama is Christian or Muslim, the second around Delaware Republican Senate candidate’s 1999 admission that she “dabbled” in witchcraft in high school.

For the purposes of clarity and disclosure, I consider myself politically neutral. I don’t support any particular political party and I don’t participate in political activities — including voting — but I respect your right to do so if you choose and won’t interfere with your choice.

Maybe it’s my position as an “outsider” to the political process that’s leaving me confused. But I seem to remember learning in school about this crazy thing called separation between church and state, and this other thing called freedom of religion. And since I seem to remember those things being kind of fundamental to the founding of the country, I’m a bit baffled as to why anyone cares about the religious beliefs of political figures. As a general rule in this country, we seem to expect that our most of our politicians have association with some faith or organized religion. Does it really matter which one?

Presumably, Obama was elected by a population that supported his political views and thought he would be a good political leader for the nation. Unless I missed something really important in Mrs. Jensen’s class in seventh grade, I don’t think his job is to provide religious or otherwise spiritual guidance or direction. His job is to oversee the running of the country. Where and whether he worships aren’t part of the job description, right? So who cares? And WHY?

As far as O’Donnell goes, most Americans seem to think of The Craft, Blair Witch Project, and maybe Harry Potter when they think of witches. But regardless of how you may feel about it, witchcraft is legitimately a religion. Wicca, the religion with which modern practitioners of witchcraft largely identify, has a specific theology, symbology, and practice. (A number of practitioners have pointed out in the media that what O’Donnell described in her 1999 Politically Incorrect clip doesn’t match up with Wicca, but that’s another conversation entirely, and one that doesn’t belong on this blog.)

Whether O’Donnell was “dabbling” in Wicca, Satanism (which, incidentally, does also have a theology, symbology, etc.), or something else entirely isn’t really relevant. What matters is that like anyone else in this country, she has the right to practice or explore whatever religion she chooses. She’s been variously identified as a Protestant and a Catholic — generally conservative either way — and no one seemed to have an issue with that. But this witchcraft thing, well, it’s a big controversy. Said one publication, “It is one thing to be against masturbation, it is quite another to admit that you took part in pagan rituals and attended a picnic on a Satanic altar.” It’s religion either way, so again, who cares? And why?

Political viewpoints causing strife and controversy in a political setting makes sense to me, but religious viewpoints having the same effect is beyond me — at least, for a country that professes freedom of religion and separation between church and state.

(http://kristenking.com) — The flap surrounding President Barack Obama’s nomination of Hispanic female Judge Sonia Sotomayor (who remarked, “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life,” almost 10 years ago) to the Supreme Court has drawn a flurry of indignant comments about reverse racism.

Newsflash, all you so-called experts waxing eloquent on the news channels: Racism means discriminating on the basis of someone’s race. The races of the discriminator or discriminatee are completely irrelevant; any discrimination based on race is racism. That means that, gasp, if a Hispanic person makes discriminatory comments about a white person or group of people, it’s still racism.

Wanna talk about indignation? I find it completely absurd that we have nationally embraced the concept that only white people can be racists, and everyone else has to be “reverse racist.” How’s that for racism?

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — President Elect Barack Obama’s daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, are probably more excited about the upcoming addition to their family than their new digs after Dad’s January 20 inauguration next week. Obama promised his girls a dog to keep them company in the White House, and the family is reportedly deciding between the designer Labradoodle and the long-famed Portuguese water dog.

My pick? The Labradoodle.

I’m not generally one for designer dogs, but the Labradoodle just warms the cockles of my heart. Maybe because the apricot color of this breed reminds me of Barkley from classic Sesame Street. Labradoodles are a cross between labrador retrievers and poodles. While their physical characteristics may vary with any combination of traits, they are consistently smart, energetic, friendly, and loyal. In short, Labradoodles are great family dogs, and for two girls the ages of Malia and Sasha, the Labradoodle strikes me as a perfect match.

A poodle or poodle mix is also a great choice because 10-year-old Malia has allergies, and poodles are a non-shedding breed.

What dog would you pick for the Obamas?

(image; used under Creative Commons license)

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King