Mike Pouraryan
The Saddleback Civil Forum On August 16....
:
Maybe Rick Warren Will Try and Talk Some Sense....
By now, I am sure everyone has heard about the upcoming get-together Barack Obama and John McCain have got planned for August 16. For those who are interested, the details are available at Really Long Link It is also going to be broadcast live on CNN, as well as streamed over the internet.
I view this get-together as significant. First of all, it will in a forum moderated by a very interesting man. Rick Warren, Saddleback's Senior Pastor, started this church from virtually nothing a little over 25 years ago. I remember the time when the campus Saddleback Church is now was being built and how it evolved. I view his message of love and compassion as refreshing. He is truly one purpose driven man that should be listened to. I have also been quite taken by his humility in spite of his power and that in and of itself makes him credible in this increasingly cynical world that we live in.
The recent edition of Time Magazine (http://www.time.com) had articles by Senators McCain and Obama on their personal journey of faith. I was moved by both their personal reflections as they have continued their quest to attain the highest office the people of the United States can endowe for four years. But, I am praying for a civil substantive debate. I don't want a discussion on who is ready and who is not. The so-called 3 AM debate has no space in this campaign. The recent Russia-Georgia Spat (that I reported and commented on) is a recent example on what not to do. The idea that somehow John McCain would do something differently and be tougher is sheer nonsense. The fact is the United States has no leverage at all. At least Nicholas Sarkozy talked a bit of sense. Both sides seem to have agreed to stop hostilities. I continue to wonder why?
I view this get-together as significant. First of all, it will in a forum moderated by a very interesting man. Rick Warren, Saddleback's Senior Pastor, started this church from virtually nothing a little over 25 years ago. I remember the time when the campus Saddleback Church is now was being built and how it evolved. I view his message of love and compassion as refreshing. He is truly one purpose driven man that should be listened to. I have also been quite taken by his humility in spite of his power and that in and of itself makes him credible in this increasingly cynical world that we live in.
The recent edition of Time Magazine (http://www.time.com) had articles by Senators McCain and Obama on their personal journey of faith. I was moved by both their personal reflections as they have continued their quest to attain the highest office the people of the United States can endowe for four years. But, I am praying for a civil substantive debate. I don't want a discussion on who is ready and who is not. The so-called 3 AM debate has no space in this campaign. The recent Russia-Georgia Spat (that I reported and commented on) is a recent example on what not to do. The idea that somehow John McCain would do something differently and be tougher is sheer nonsense. The fact is the United States has no leverage at all. At least Nicholas Sarkozy talked a bit of sense. Both sides seem to have agreed to stop hostilities. I continue to wonder why?
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