Two years ago Barack Obama decided to run for President of the United States.  There were others.  Seasoned politicians.  Politicians who have been representing people in an official capacity for years.  Each of the candidates spoke to the people.  Each presented their case.  Obama said, “This is about change.”

We the people cheered.

Think of these names – Clinton, Guilianni, McCain, Biden, Thompson, Dodd, Romney – people of great stature – earned stature.  These are the heavyweights of politics.  Each of these folks thought they were the second coming.  They analyzed the electorate and carefully crafted messages designed to garner support. Most of the messages were around experience.  “Whoo whee, look at me.” These folks have some pretty big egos.  They spell pride with a capital ‘I”.  They are smart, articulate, and their experience speaks to their understanding of how government works.  But it was Barack Obama alone who identified the message the people wanted to hear.

Obama spoke to change.  But what did he mean?  We the people listened, pondering our choices.  Obama said, “The audacity of hope.”  Obama said we need to change our attitude, we need an attitude of gratitude.  Obama said “Change,” change from playing with the Dark Arts.

The Dark Arts are all about fear, about anxiety, about intimidation, coercion, about Power and Control. The Dark Arts of foreign policy are about intimidation, about coercion.  The age of the American Military was spawned by belief in the Dark Arts.  “You are either with us or against us.”  We have the power to crush other nations and we will use it.  America swung the heavy sword of anger and bitterness.

Obama said, “Put down that sword.”

The Dark Arts of domestic policy are about fear, anxiety, hate, and greed.  Placing blame – dividing the people.  My way or the highway.  Steal from the poor, give to the rich.  Divide the people along the lines of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and even language.  Politicians drove the wedge of fear between the people.

Obama said, “Put down that wedge.”

The Christian Right trumpeted the Dark Arts of theology. Theological Dark Arts encompass superstition and complete submission to anecdotal reason – shrouded in the false Turin of Jesus.  Fear tactics.  Obama is the Anti-Christ.  Obama is a Muslim.  Obama is a terrorist.  Look at him, you can see it in his smile – the anti-Christ will charm the people.  He is different than us.  Obama was sent by Satan himself.

Obama said, “Put down that fear.”

Barack Obama said we must return to the Christianity of kindness, forgiveness, concern for others, and love of our fellow man.  We must act out of faith rather than out of fear. John McCain has completely succumbed to the Dark Arts.  His rhetoric is all about fear and hate.

Sarah Palin is the puppet of greed and lust for power. Obama said, “Put down those Dark Arts.”