On page 8 of Section 1 of my Sunday Tribune there is a full page ad with a giant picture of Billy Graham with flowing white hair looking like a Biblical prophet. Billy’s message encouraged a “vote for biblical values” which include “protection of the sanctity of life and support of the biblical definition of marriage between a man and woman.” ( I did not know the Bible had a definitions section) Billy also urged a vote for candidates that ‘support the nation of Israel.” How about Canada?
I thought the Reverend Graham was dead. I guess I had him confused with Andy Rooney or Lawrence Welk. I’m pretty sure they are dead. I think Rev Graham should stick to the pulpit and shepherd the spiritual lives of his flock. I don’t need his warped , narrow , old white guy insights. But as Billy noted this election could be his last. So he’s got that going for him. Which is nice.
In the same paper the Trib endorsed Barack Obama for president. Colonel McCormick, the archtypal Reblican founder of the paper , is no doubt rolling over in his grave. I suspect the endorsement was part of a business strategy. Obama is from Chicago and will enjoy overwhelming electoral support. There’s no reason to allienate readers of the paper in a time of subscription decline. None the less it is quite amazing to contemplate the Trib’s endorsement of someone the Colonel would have considered a Socialist. Heck. Maybe someday the Cubs will win the World Series. Naaah.
