Running for office

Almost 500 years ago, Rabelais’ words "Scampering as if the Devil drove them," conjure up present day visions. Outside my window, dead, fallen leaves run across the ground, driven north by strong gusts. In Iowa and New Hampshire, candidates for President have run for the highest office by hop, skip and jumping in whirlwind visitations across cities posturing, preaching and pandering for votes. A conservative radio talk show host has been called by his detractors, "the man who runs America." High schools across the country run ever increasing venues of sports events including wrestling, tennis, golf and bowling. Adventurers run down slopes on skis and snowboards. Vacationers run rapids in pontoon boats. Football players run for touchdowns. Basketballers run up and down courts. Extremists run marathons. Those who try something new run the risk of failure. The clock runs out for some who fight fatal diseases. Most days, kinetic adolescents run in circles. Where does all this running get us? Athleticism accounts for a great part, but, for certain, if Satan inspires the pace, no worthwhile end will ever be in sight. The Great Deceiver inhabits the mindlessness and ignorant idolatry attached to politics. Only a pause to think can stave off continuous activity useless as leaves escaping one resting place to swirl and settle in another. Presidential candidates will now rush like driven leaves to their next campaign stops in Michigan and South Carolina. Running for office calls for caution because the Devil is in the details.