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http://thepost.com.pk/OpinionNews.aspx?dtlid=185532&catid=11
Postcards from San Francisco | Witchcraft vs Warcraft?
by Samina Masood
In the midst of a failing war, an economy on the verge of a depression, and an upcoming election which will determine the course for America, is the question of Sarah Palins mental, emotional, social and intellectual competency.
Most literate people vote for a candidate based on a candidates performance and abilities.
However, when it comes to ones religious affiliations, most modern minded secular individuals prefer a separation of church and state.
In countries where the clergy dominate how the country is run one expects people to consider the candidates religiosity as getting him or not getting him enough votes. Even in Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto who prior to becoming prime minister had worn Western clothes, had to change her appearance, and indeed began carrying a rosary in her hand.
Religious masses have to be placated by the elected in order to elicit public support. But in a country like America, one expects less of an emphasis on the candidate’s church-going activities and more on the candidates ability to run Washington.
It is the tragedy of democracy that the enlightened and the educated classes have to co-exist with people who are superstitious, not bright, highly conservative, believe in hunting witches and religious ceremonials in dealing with economic realities.
The Republicans appeal to the rich, the poor in thought, the clergy, the narrow minded, the hillbillies, the Mormons, the KKK types who hanged black men and others who are selfishly trying to hang on their wealth a the cost of others.
Will this half of the country vote for Palin? And is this her qualification, her attractiveness to the uneducated who still have medieval thought?
There are two Americas, it is said, one for the well to do and one for the rest. I wish there was a way to make two Americas based on those who are educated and the rest who are making a mockery of a nation with so much to offer to the educated.
There are mullahs in the East, and clergy in the West.
On September 24 on all major television networks, the media showed real life footage of Sarah Palin being exorcised and anointed by a Kenyan witchcraft specialist calling on Jesus to save Palin from all witchcraft, endow her with money and power.
When one sees such a medieval spectacle on all major television networks, one is frightened for America.
It is the year 2008 and one could expect witchcraft rituals in an African village, but to see a vice-presidential candidate standing with outstretched hands while three believers chanting, touching and yelling religious slogans calling to the lord to give her power and money, one wonders what will happen next?
Will she call upon the witch-hunter to chant some slogans and do away with Americas doomed economy?
Can the witch-hunter find Osama bin Laden?
Is Washington going to run on the power of the lord and witch-hunters from Kenya?
One can only imagine what would have happened if Obama had been caught with his arms outstretched and a clergy man exorcising demons from his path in the name of the lord. The whole right wing would have been up in arms and dismissed him as a hocus-pocus candidate.
But when a rich white woman handpicked by McCain appears as a medieval creature calling upon the lord to give her money and power, they just smile and try to say, how sweet.
What is American politics coming to?
Is the American public so backward as to believe that Washington can be run by witch-hunters?
If that were so Washington would be a ghost town, because witches are actually bringing it down, hard and fast.
Whoever inherits the new government is going to have to perform quite a few miracles to save the worlds greatest economy from complete collapse.
Whether the new president does this by means of political prowess or needs the power of witchcraft will determine whether we are headed into the new century or backwards in time.
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