The following essay by Daniel Wunderlich was published in the Orlando Sentinel column, New Voices: A Forum for Readers Under 30 on Saturday, February 24, 2007. I agree with what he's saying. I'm not saying that I'm voting for Obama or even really leaning toward any candidate at this point, but I agree with Wunderlich's basic premise. What do you think?

"I think I am sort of the stand-in right now for the American people being interested in a different kind of politics."

Sen. Barak Obama made this statement in early December 2006 while appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. It is very perceptive and very honest. For someone riding a wave of publicity and popularity to admit that perhaps he himself is not actually what the people love is bold.

This level of genuine humility is not something we are used to in Washington politics, and that's the point. Nothing about Obama is anything we are used to in politics (except perhaps his being a Democrat criticizing the war). I don't need to list what makes him different, for far smarter and more informed writers than myself have done so. Even other candidates with momentary mental lapses have done so as well.

Yet what Obama essentially seems to have said back in December can't be missed, and can't be underestimated. Perhaps people like the idea of Obama more than they like Obama himself.

Commentators for MSNBC asked shortly after his announcement on Feb. 10 whether he could "live up to his story," referencing his unique and inspiring background. Yet, I think the question has to go deeper: Can Obama the man live up to Obama the superstar?
I do not doubt his charisma, his honesty and his commitment to "a different kind of politics." I have to admit that I myself like the idea of Obama. For someone to be this far into the political landscape and still be able to make believable idealistic speeches, the kind one makes in a first run for local or state government, is amazing. I like his stand against underhanded and negative practices, which is just as pointed at members of his own party as those "across the aisle."

Yet, at the end of the day, when we have to cast our votes, are we not in actuality voting for the man or woman? I agree with the statement during his announcement that campaigns built solely upon the promises of an individual without the support and commitment to the same values by the American people are doomed to fail to deliver the promised results. However, it is still the individual who has to make the actual decisions.

His great sense of humor, incredible ability to communicate, and engaging smile can win American hearts easily enough. But can they build a bridge with the president of Iran or North Korea? He may put them at ease, which is a huge step forward, but it is the ideas and the plans that the other leaders of the world have to agree to. They sign peace treaties, not smiles.

It can be argued that by not voting for him, we would only prove to the other politicians that taking this stance isn't ultimately worth it because it doesn't win the votes. I sometimes wish that we could cast two different votes -- one for the person to supply the ideas and the other for the person to deliver them.

I want to see a change in the way politics is run as much as anyone else, but are his policies and plans worth this kind of vote? So far, he has played things fairly close to the vest. He is much like a new recording artist who gets only one shot at a debut album. Obama and his advisers have decided that his music is ready for the charts, and it looks like it is going to debut high. But we need to hear the other songs before we can decide to buy the whole album, as opposed to simply the single off iTunes.

We must remember in the midst of our political daydreams, that if we cast our vote for the idea of Obama in 2008, we are going to get the real, live Obama as president. I don't know yet whether I think that would be good or bad. Only the coming year and a half of debate will determine that. Yet, I get the feeling that his campaign is going to be a benchmark and case study on a variety of fronts. It is my hope that whether the man Obama succeeds or falls short, the other current and aspiring politicians would take note of what many Americans have fallen in love with. Because honestly, you don't have to be the man to embody the idea.

Daniel Wunderlich, 23, attends Asbury Theological Seminary's Orlando campus.

will want to serve Scalloped Cauliflower. This 1949 Home Ec film on Cooking Terms says so.

Not likely in my house.

HT to Barbara at Count It All Joy.

Sexual Images Psychologically Damaging Young Girls

I took the kids grocery shopping recently. At ages 2 and 3, they can be a bit of a handful, especially just before nap time. But today things were going fairly well. Shortly after we got started, Jason announced he had to go potty, so we trotted across the store, parked the half-full cart, pulled Cora out of her seat and took Jason's hand to march into the restroom at Publix.

Of course public restrooms are never the greatest, especially for little boys who are easily distracted from the task at hand, but again, they both did well. Jason did his business in the handicap stall with me and Cora standing there instructing him and redirecting his wayward attention. At some point I realized that someone else had come in the restroom and was in the next stall so I tried to tone down my instructions to Jason... stop touching things, Jason... ok now pull up your pants... yes jason that one is the hot water... argh, no soap... ok dry your hands...

It was impossible for us to be completely unobtrusive, especially as we fumbled with the door to the stall. We ran straight into the path of the older lady coming out of the stall next to us. It can be hard to tell what sort of response you're going to get from a person in a situation at a time like this. But I had no clue what was coming.

She was terribly gracious. Oh let me help you with the door... I can get that one too... what beautiful babies you have... just the perfect number... I bet you just love them... no more, of course, these are perfect...you only want two...

At this point I realized that behind her designer gym clothes and painted-on eye brows, this lady had an agenda.

Only two, right... promise me that...

What should I say??? Oh yes, I said, we just love these two... So thankful we have them... I trailed off as she interrupted again.

Really, you don't need more than two, trust me... This is the best... After all you want them to become Doctors and Corporate Giants...

I was almost in tears at this point. It's a good thing we were to my cart and she faded back into the store. She was about to get more than an ear-full from me.

Doctors? Corporate Giants? I would be thrilled if God led one of my children to serve Him in those capacities. But would they be less valuable if one becomes a carpenter or a perhaps a teacher? What about a grocer or an artist or a pastor? Or an accountant, or a chemist or a mommy... 

And I'm failing them by having any more children because that will eliminate the opportunity for them to achieve their highest possible potential? Like what - the potential for them to be spoiled, and self-absorbed? To have every possible opportunity handed to them on a silver platter but to miss out on the joys and character lessons that come from sharing a bedroom with a younger sibling, and helping a little one tie his shoes? What about learning to put another persons needs before their own and pitching in on family chores for the common good?

I have no idea how many children we will have. I'm not even 100% sure Joel and I are on the same page about the whole thing. But I do know this: anyone who believes that a life is not worthwhile unless they can become a Doctor or a Corporate Giant is wrong.