Greetings!
I had an early start on this week’s DHD when I wrote what I thought I was going to feature. Then I watched Ernie Johnson’s “election reflection,” and I totally revamped my whole blog.
On “NBA on TNT,” host Ernie Johnson gave an excellent commentary about the presidential election. Watch his talk below, and then I’m going to give six takeaways from what Johnson shared on national television, and what I expect to be shared via social media across the globe before today is over:
- Issues with both candidates and his “clear conscience”
Johnson said, “There were trust issues with Hillary Clinton I could not get past, and there was this inflammatory rhetoric from Donald Trump which to me was incomprehensible and indefensible. I couldn’t vote for either one.”
I couldn’t either. Johnson said he chose to write in Ohio Governor John Kasich, but write-ins aren’t allowed in Oklahoma, so I chose to “Leave It Blank,” which is what I said I would do in previous DHDs, and have my choice be counted as an under vote.
I called Michael Dean, P.R. officer for the Oklahoma Election Board, and at the time of our conversation, there were 15,916 under votes in Oklahoma for this presidential election. That number almost doubled the 8,161 Oklahoman under votes in the 2012 presidential race. Of course, since there were more than 1.4 million Oklahoma voters participating this year, the number of under votes is less than 1 percent. But 15,000 Americans (and an abundant more in other states) demonstrated their civil right and privilege instead of not voting at all, and I am one of them.
Johnson said he knew Kasich wasn’t going to win, but he “left with a clear conscience” because he didn’t “settle” between Clinton or Trump. For me, I am confident in my “blank” vote because I made a commitment never to vote for a candidate who did not present themselves as somebody who valued the Sanctity of Life.
Trump said he was pro-life, but he also complemented Planned Parenthood, saying they do many wonderful things for women. To me, anybody who speaks favorably about the world’s largest abortion provider does not understand the importance of Sanctity of Life.
Also, I’ve looked over President-elect Trump’s 100-day action plan. There’s not a single pro-life measure on the list. Though there are quite a few actions that appeal to my conservative views, you can’t convince me that imposing term limits is a higher priority than taking action against the abundance of abortions that are happening in our country. More unborn babies will be aborted in those 100 days than there are senators and house members who are serving more than a second term in office.
I’m glad Johnson spoke up and said he did not vote for either Clinton or Trump. I’m glad he said he has a clear conscience, knowing that even though he understood either of those two would win the election, he demonstrated that his vote did not have to be based on a settlement between two candidates he found equally disagreeable.
- Ernie has hope
“I was hopeful and encouraged that there will be a difference between the President Trump and the ‘campaigning’ Trump.”
I feel the same way. So far, Trump has said some encouraging words, since winning the election. He presented himself well when he met with President Obama. Also, I do admire Mike Pence and have hope the Vice President-elect will be influential, especially since Pence does value Sanctity of Life.
Johnson said we have to give Trump a chance. He said he hopes Trump is “all in” in trying to fix the wounds in this country. Everybody understands how divisive our country is right now. It would be an extraordinary task to reconcile (my favorite word) all the bitter divisions, but if Trump sincerely wants to make America great again, he will have to find a way to bring a unity in this country.
- Be part of the solution by being “better”
“For me to be a part of (fixing our country) I have to look in the mirror, and I have to say ‘How am I going to be a better man? How am I going to be a better neighbor… citizen… American?’”
I appreciate Johnson taking personal responsibility. He wants to be better in all those positions in society. And he challenged me to do the same.
- A spring not a sewer
“’How can I be a fountain and not a drain?’”
This last question Johnson poses to himself has been interpreted as a reference to Trump’s campaign remark that he’s going to “drain the swap” in Washington. If so, that’s fine. I suppose he was attempting to make a positive spin toward Trump, encouraging him to work with those in our Capitol instead of trying to impose a vengeful spirit.
- “On the Throne”
“I never know from one election to the next who is going to be in the Oval Office, but I always know Who is on the Throne.”
WHOA!
I watched that small segment about 10 times now, and every time I tear up. God bless you, Ernie Johnson! You shared an incredibly powerful truth on a nationally popular television show. If more people would believe this, there would be no riots and violent responses.
- Acknowledging his Creator and his Lord
“I’m on this earth because God created me, and that’s Who I answer to.”
You go Ernie! Don’t let Barkley call you a knucklehead ever again! Anybody who will acknowledge our sovereign Creator on national TV is no knucklehead.
“I’m a Christian, and I follow this guy named Jesus. You might’ve heard of Him. And the greatest commandment He gave me is to love others.”
That’s the greatest message ever shared on television, and probably hasn’t been nationally aired since the Billy Graham Crusades were broadcasted.
I will be curious to see if Johnson receives any backlash. Considering how much liberal propaganda Bob Costas shares on his NBC segments without facing penalty, I hope the powers that be give Johnson a similar response.
I welcome your responses. And I hope you are proceeding in the election aftermath with the same conviction, personal challenge and faithful confidence in Who is in control that Ernie Johnson expressed.
I also hope you do know “this guy named Jesus” and have professed Him as your Savior and Lord. If not, I am happy to discuss this with you as well.