Free Republic

I am by no means an expert on the subject on politics in the 1880s—though if I had time and the means I would certainly do research in the subject. I actually have great respect for Twain and other Mugwumps of the era, such as Nast. I think they had the best of intentions. However, in the end they ended up exiling themselves rather than having the influence and impact they so desired to have. I see a similar trend in politics today at both ends of the political spectrum. Of course, I rejoice in the idea that many on the left are engaging in their own brand of Mugwumpery, while at the same time I see this attitude as being counterproductive on the right.
It’s still a cool-sounding handle, though.

From what I can tell, your understanding of the origins of the term Mugwump is not correct. The term related to the rejection of Blaine’s candidacy in 1884. The Mugwumps were primarily against machine politics and business as usual. Blaine was as well—and had a track record to back it up. However, Blaine was also a product of his times, and had been an effective and skilled political operative on the national scene for over twenty years. (He authored of the 14th Amendment, for example). That he knew how to use power and make deals—even if it was for principles that the Mugwumps agreed with—made him tainted in their eyes.
The Mugwumps ended up despising his humanity and rejecting him, making him the issue because he was not pure enough—costing the GOP the 1884 election.
The truth is—and here is the nub of the matter—while it can be argued that Blaine was dishonest and imperfect, he was not any more dishonest and imperfect than his opponent, Grover Cleveland. Effectively, the Mugwumps were turning their backs on someone they were nearly 100% in agreement with and who had the ability and desire to carry through with the program they supported. At the same time, they were embracing another man, many of whose policies they disagreed with, because he was “clean”, when in reality he was no more cleaner than Blaine.
This was perverse. The modern equivalent is how Jimmy Carter rejected allies because they were not democratic enough, and then turned around and coddled dictators; or how anti-war demonstrators in 1968 threw Humphrey under the bus because of his association with LBJ, thus making Nixon president in what turned out to be a squeaker of an election.
While I think the sound of the word “mugwump” is cool, I do not think it is possible to give it a good meaning.

I love it!

Hadn’t heard that. Seems appropriate.

You sure are hung up on this.

You believe that footnotes in your Bible are as authoritative as the Word of God itself?

The Black Death is identical to the plague that hit London years later—the plague continued on and off for hundreds of years. I’m sorry, but Wikipedia is good for spot checking and for a quick reference, but it is hardly a good authoritative reference on anything—fact-checking things is an important part of my day job, so I know. As for Snopes—you’ve got to be kidding

Sorry, my bad. What prophecies are you referring to? In what way does biblical prophecy mandate that the end times are now, as opposed to the many other times and dates which were supposed to be the end in the past? In my life, I have surpassed several dates that many evangelicals thought would be the end. My grandfather used to laugh at me because I was so sure that the end was near, because in the 1930s everyone was sure that prophecy would be fulfilled then, but it didn’t happen. I just remain a skeptic that this is the end. If it happens, hallelujah. But I’m not holding my breath.

Knowing him. Having a personal, living relationship with him. Walking with him, being dealt with by him. When everything else has been stripped away and all you have left to rely on is God and his promise, when only he can help you and sustain you and you no longer have any resources of your own to rely on, then you quickly discover what it means to know God, rather than just some creed, doctrine, or words on a page. Most Christians in America would fail this test in a heartbeat, which is exactly the problem I am trying to speak to. There’s not enough space here to give a complete testimony, but trust me, I’ve been through everything I’ve just described, and seen too many other people—in some cases friends—fall by the wayside because of comparatively minor trials, so I know what I’m talking about. There has to be more to one’s relation with God than just church, Bible study, hymns, and early morning devotionals if you really want to get through times of trouble. You have to know him.

Sorry, the Great Plague of London in 1665 was the same plague as the Black Death, and scholars have traditionally associated the rhyme with this event, no matter what the revisionists over at Wikipedia might say. Even if Wikipedia is correct, it does not at all affect the historical truth of the plague and peoples’ attitudes to and experience of it.

You really need to become better informed before you start accusing others of heresy. It was Jesus who said, referring to the end times, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24: 36; Mark 13: 32). Since Jesus is the Son of God, then by your standards he is a heretic, because he said that he didn’t know.

My statement was not in reference to the churches of other countries. It was in reference to the only thing left in America that resembles biblical Christianity—conservative, evangelical churches. Too many churches in America are preaching a feel good gospel, are enamored with different theological doctrines or controversies, or are just preaching to the choir with sermons about sin and hell. However, if the knowledge of God is missing, then none of this has any meaning at all, and none of this will help you in times of trouble. A Gospel without the knowledge of God and his ways at the very core is essentially a false Gospel, no matter how many Scriptures are quoted and how biblical it sounds.

Actually, I have an MDIV from a conservative seminary and was fairly steeped in just about everything that came out of Dispensationalist Theology. I just no longer accept a lot that is being preached in the American church as being true. I believe in the Bible, yes. False prophets, no.

Astute, to an extent, but also highly limited in their view of the world, and tending to see the leadership and the people of a country as one entity (unlike Americans, who believe that the two are separate). Added to this is a quickly growing arrogance. While they may indeed hope to see an adult in the White House in 2012, this does not mean that such behavior will ever be forgiven or forgotten. If the US wants to make China permanently angry, it should be over something truly important, not over BHO’s need for some false achievement to show off at a press avail.

The media played a part, but I think many Americans just engaged in wishful thinking. When you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind.