By Ed Randazzo
The following is the text of the statement issued by Senator John Thune and Kimberley Thune on Tuesday, 2/22/2011.
For months now, my wife Kimberley and I have received encouragement from family, friends, colleagues, and supporters from across South Dakota and the country to run for the presidency of the United States. We have appreciated hearing their concerns about where the country is headed and their hopes for a new direction.
During this time, Kimberley and I and our two daughters have given a great deal of thought to how we might best serve South Dakota and our nation. That process has involved lots of prayer.
Along the way, we have been reminded of the importance of being in the arena, of being in the fight. And make no mistake that during this period of fiscal crisis and economic uncertainty there is a fight for the future direction of America. There is a battle to be waged over what kind of country we are going to leave our children and grandchildren and that battle is happening now in Washington, not two years from now. So at this time, I feel that I am best positioned to fight for America’s future here in the trenches of the United States Senate.
I want to thank those who have encouraged us and prayed for us during the past several months. We are forever grateful for all the support.
John and Kimberley
Will you join me in thanking John and Kimberley Thune for their continued service and commitment to the best interests of the people of South Dakota and all Americans. Their continued steadfast commitment to Christian conservative values is a great comfort to me as a citizen of South Dakota.
God Bless You, John and Kimberley Thune
I like Thune, but his fundamentalist foundation and partisanship cut through this prepared statement like a lighthouse on the foggy coasts where out country was born. “Battle,” over America, and “trenches” of the Senate? I expect a higher road from our Senator.
I almost forgot. God bless America, and all Americans.
Amen.
Well aren’t you just sad, Biff. The truth of the matter is that Senator Thune is successful and popular BECAUSE he reflects the Christian values that prevails in the State of South Dakota. Progressive liberals and spineless independents have made a mess of our economy and our ever-intrusive government. That’s the battle he is called to fight in the trenches of the Senate.
It’s truly sad when “Christians” who live in glass houses throw rocks at God’s chosen people. I know it’s your site guys, but there may be a few others reading, and you’re certanily not setting a very good example for other Christians to follow.
Thune decided not to run because he had a non-existent showing in the polls. He never stood a chance.
You assume that I value your judgment on the example I set.
I just thought I’d point out your decidedly poor reflection of the Christian religion.
I appreciate your disapproval. I, as you, fall short of God’s will every day.
But you appear to do so knowingly. Sure you’re not a Catholic?
I am a Christian. I am a member of a non-denominational community church. Care to join me in giving worship and praise to God?
Being “a Christian” is easy. Just say you accept Jesus as your lord and savior. Being Christian is very different, and infinitely more difficult. Being like Jesus is virtually im possible, yet that’s the goal of Christians. One must love and forgive everyone, even your enemies to be Christian. The circle of hate, resentment, judging, revenge and holding grudges must be totally abandoned. One must live the Sermon on the Mount, not take it as lip service. I’ve never met a fundamentalist yet who is a heart felt Christian. Come to think of it, I’ve yet to meet a person who lives Christianity, and emulates Jesus. I’m not saying they aren’t out there, but they’re so rare as to be virtually non-existent.
Sadly, we ALL fall short because we are given to sin.
Converting a Jew must be the ultimate feather in an evangelist’s cap. There’s no such sentiment in the Jewish faith, and I’m afraid I’m not much for organized religion. God doesn’t give more credence to prayer and worship based on numbers. He hears one man’s prayer as surely as he hears an entire congregation singing from a hymnn book, then putting cash in the basket. Perhaps more so because it’s more intimate, and doesn’t come with any strings attached.
May God bless and give wisdom to Senator Thune! Thanks for the post, Ed.
God bless all Americans, of all parties and all religious systems! Even those who knowingly violate our laws.