FOGHORN LEGHORN. Do you remember him? Probably not if you’re under 40. It’s the name of a character appearing in numerous Warner Brothers animated cartoons. He is a large, anthropomorphic adult rooster with a strong Southern accent and a penchant for mischief. He was patterned after the character of Senator Claghorn, a blustering Southern politician who was a regular character on the Fred Allen radio show.
I thought it was appropriate to bring him up, seeing as how we are smack dab in the middle of a political campaign. Leghorn is reminiscent of some of those running for office today. Bombastic, promise-makers who are full of themselves (not all, of course, lest I seem too cynical). They remind me of something I learned way back in grammar school.
We learned about camouflaging animals. They can use this ability to help them remain hidden from predators or prey. Some animals can change their appearance as their surroundings change. An octopus can change the color and texture of its skin extremely quickly in order to hide in the changing terrain of the ocean floor. An Arctic fox will change the color of its fur based on the seasons. In the warmer months, the Arctic fox will grow brown fur to hide in the trees, and in the winter, it will grow white fur to hide in the snow. And, some animals change colors not to camouflage themselves, but to express their mood. Chameleons can turn yellow, dark blue, or even black if they become angry.
In a similar manner, some politicians have learned the art of camouflage as well. They do not change their outward appearance; they simply alter their positions to satisfy the crowd they happen to be appealing to at the moment. In an effort to elicit votes, they throw caution to the wind; integrity is tossed to the side in an attempt to “blend in” with the environment. How sad. I think most people would rather have a forthright politician, even if he/she is not in complete agreement with the masses.
Here we are in the midst of an election year, when the word “change” is prominent in the candidates’ speeches. It’s one thing to promise and another to hold to it. The promises seem to change according the latest polls. Don’t you think it is ridiculous for a candidate to make vows as if they can accomplish it separate from the Congress? I do. My earnest prayer is that we can elect someone who will be honest with us and KEEP their word.
Perhaps we should take to heart the words of our Savior in Matt 5:33-37: "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.