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Presumptuous Prognosticators and Pundits
From My Perspective - - -
It is all too easy to become confused by the Mass Media these days. We have several types of people who give their various viewpoints – Analysts; Commentators; Strategists; Prognosticators; and Pundits. We also have several organizations who are conducting Daily Tracking Polls to indicate what they believe is the most up-to-the-minute opinion of the nation as a whole. With the 24/7 Cable and Satellite coverage, we have many others who are merely News-Readers. Most of these individuals in all areas come across with their own sense of what the “American People” are thinking; the trends and concerns; and how they will be voting, etc.
A Prognosticator is one who will “forecast or predict something future from present indications or signs; prophesy...” A Pundit is “a person who makes comments or judgments, in an authoritative manner; a critic or commentator…” This is where we find ourselves today as the political conventions are held and predictive and authoritative commentary will rain upon us. Will there be some inspiring and motivational presentations? Yes! Will there be negative, anti-opponent rhetoric and linkage to everything that appears to be wrong? Yes! Will there be Media Bias in terms of Candidates and Parties? Yes! For instance, Time Magazine has had Obama on the cover seven times so far this year, whereas McCain has been on the cover twice. In a special forum over the weekend, Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA) stated: “MSNBC was the official network of the Obama campaign…and who called their coverage absolutely embarrassing. Chris Matthews, loses his impartiality when he talks about the Clintons.” The Forum Moderator condescendingly stated: "Why don’t we let Governor Rendell sit down." That was met with applause by some lackey-types who were there. And so, a contrary voice was silenced!
It is interesting that Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary makes use of Isaiah 47:10 through 13 to illustrate the meaning for Prognosticator: “You felt secure…you said, No one sees me; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, I am, and there is no one besides me…You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you…” Inasmuch as the Prognosticator wishes to make predictions and tries to foretell the future, and whereas the Pundit is almost a parrot for the Prognosticator, one should observe the cautionary statement about such types in Deuteronomy 18:18 through 22, “I will raise up for them a prophet…And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak…that same prophet shall die. And if you say in your heart, How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken? When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him…”
Consider these things with me, and try to remember that Presumptuous Prophets, Prognosticators and Pundits will fail. They are making from their own devices and for their own causes predictions based on their own preferences. It would be refreshing to have someone proclaim reasonable and achievable goals for our nation. It would be beneficial for there to be a national referendum to stop spending; to reduce the national debt; and to promote personal responsibility and industry. If change is what is being promoted, then let us Change Our Focus so we will once again be “One Nation, Under God” that has fully embraced: “In God We Trust.”
It is all too easy to become confused by the Mass Media these days. We have several types of people who give their various viewpoints – Analysts; Commentators; Strategists; Prognosticators; and Pundits. We also have several organizations who are conducting Daily Tracking Polls to indicate what they believe is the most up-to-the-minute opinion of the nation as a whole. With the 24/7 Cable and Satellite coverage, we have many others who are merely News-Readers. Most of these individuals in all areas come across with their own sense of what the “American People” are thinking; the trends and concerns; and how they will be voting, etc.
A Prognosticator is one who will “forecast or predict something future from present indications or signs; prophesy...” A Pundit is “a person who makes comments or judgments, in an authoritative manner; a critic or commentator…” This is where we find ourselves today as the political conventions are held and predictive and authoritative commentary will rain upon us. Will there be some inspiring and motivational presentations? Yes! Will there be negative, anti-opponent rhetoric and linkage to everything that appears to be wrong? Yes! Will there be Media Bias in terms of Candidates and Parties? Yes! For instance, Time Magazine has had Obama on the cover seven times so far this year, whereas McCain has been on the cover twice. In a special forum over the weekend, Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA) stated: “MSNBC was the official network of the Obama campaign…and who called their coverage absolutely embarrassing. Chris Matthews, loses his impartiality when he talks about the Clintons.” The Forum Moderator condescendingly stated: "Why don’t we let Governor Rendell sit down." That was met with applause by some lackey-types who were there. And so, a contrary voice was silenced!
It is interesting that Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary makes use of Isaiah 47:10 through 13 to illustrate the meaning for Prognosticator: “You felt secure…you said, No one sees me; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, I am, and there is no one besides me…You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you…” Inasmuch as the Prognosticator wishes to make predictions and tries to foretell the future, and whereas the Pundit is almost a parrot for the Prognosticator, one should observe the cautionary statement about such types in Deuteronomy 18:18 through 22, “I will raise up for them a prophet…And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak…that same prophet shall die. And if you say in your heart, How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken? When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him…”
Consider these things with me, and try to remember that Presumptuous Prophets, Prognosticators and Pundits will fail. They are making from their own devices and for their own causes predictions based on their own preferences. It would be refreshing to have someone proclaim reasonable and achievable goals for our nation. It would be beneficial for there to be a national referendum to stop spending; to reduce the national debt; and to promote personal responsibility and industry. If change is what is being promoted, then let us Change Our Focus so we will once again be “One Nation, Under God” that has fully embraced: “In God We Trust.”
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