Pick the preacher for president?
Given the circumstances, it’s not surprising that various presidential candidates are going to insist that they, and they alone, are uniquely suited to combat global terrorism. Some of the arguments are coherent but unpersuasive (John McCain emphasizes that he’s the only candidate who served in the military), while other arguments are plainly ridiculous (Rudy Giuliani argues that he’s the only candidate to serve as mayor of a city attacked by terrorists).
But former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, chatting with crazed TV preacher Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network, offered an entirely new argument about his own qualifications.
“People look at my record and say that I’m as strong on immigration, strong on terror as anybody. In fact I think I’m stronger than most people because I truly understand the nature of the war that we are in with Islamo fascism. These are people that want to kill us. It’s a theocratic war. And I don’t know if anybody fully understands that. I’m the only guy on that stage with a theology degree. I think I understand it really well.” (emphasis added)
Pointing to a theology degree is really the wrong way to go. Indeed, the follow-up question is fairly obvious: just how much did the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary teach Huckabee in the 1970s about 21st-century fundamentalist Islam? Here’s a wild guess: not much.
Now we have Osama's perfect theological opposite number. Oh Glory, how happy I am.
Yeah, great idea. Maybe he and Sonny Perdue can just pray us out of all our problems. What an ass.
Well who would have guessed that a degree in Theology would give a person more insight into religeous fascism and hatred than any discipline in the entire free world?
PHFFFT!
True, it is unlikely that his background in the baptist church will give him any useful insight on fundamentalists in Islam. I also argue that we need a president who understands the ideological dimensions of the terrorism issue without being an ideologue him/herself, a point on which Huckabee would fail. But, he's at least recognizing that the conflict is primarily over ideas.
He came and spoke at the think tank where I work in DC, and he might have a theology degree, but he doesn't know a damn thing about Islam or Islamic history. He talks about it like someone who had an intern read the Cliff's notes and prepare a one-pager.
He kept referring to "the hateful ideology of Sayyid Kyutab" (he means Sayyid Qutb, but he just couldn't be bothered to say it correctly). As someone with a degree in Middle Eastern Studies, it's pretty difficult to listen to.
"These are people that want to kill us. It’s a theocratic war. And I don’t know if anybody fully understands that. I’m the only guy on that stage with a theology degree. I think I understand it really well."
It takes one to know one.
Nothing like fighting dogma with dogma to see that the Enlightenment was a failed experiment.
The degree that religion is playing a role in our elections makes me want to throw up. I think everyone in the country should be asked this question: Should we pass laws based on your religion that even people who do not believe in your religion must follow?
Everyone who answers yes should be forcibly kicked out of America and sent to live in a country that follows sharia (islamic) law until they recant their wicked ways. Assuming they survive the experience.
JonfromAL @ 5:
I will say, however, the fact that he had any idea who Sayyid Qutb is was pretty impressive, and it definitely was not what I expected. His speech, which was supposed to be about foreign policy (we're a foreign policy think tank, no domestic issues, too divisive), and while it was decent, he kind of contradicted himself by saying he wants to reengage diplomacy and simultaneously put on an extremely hard line with Pakistan. He did state that he would reopen diplomatic relations with Iran though, so I guess that's something. Paraphrasing him, "Before we put wingmen in the air, it might help to have some wingtips on the ground to tell us what's really going on."
He's an impressive guy. I'd never vote for him, but he's an impressive guy.
Let the Islamofascistas and the Christianofascistas fight it out I say. I'm neither so I want to stay on the sidelines and watch to see which Allah/God wins.
Islamo fantasist.
Basing your beliefs on a 2 thousand year old fairy tale is considered a political necessity these days. Even the Democrats are climbing aboard the "faith based" Presidency, they have been tripping all over themselves claiming "spiritual" superiority. Well I say I know BS when I see it or hear it. There is a reason our Constitution forbids a religious test to hold PUBLIC office a fact our current politicans have conveniently forgotten in pursuit of the HOLY DOLLAR.
wldj @ 11:
There is no religious test for getting elected. Its up to the people to decide who they want to elect, and if people feel more comfortable electing a man or woman of faith, then so be it. Although it would be nice if the voting public could tell a real christian from a fake one (Bush, Pat & co)
Another follow-up might be, so you're in a better position to fight a theocracy because you would understand how to form one of our own. Fight theocracy with theocracy -is that correct?
Another good question would be: Would you vote for an crooked stupid politician who shares your religious beliefs over a competent honest politician who is an atheist, agnostic or of a differing religion? Anyone who answered yes (probably voted for Bush twice!) would also be kicked out of the country.
Considering the threats that these scare factor pseudo-wannabe dictators are fighting against are all made up in their heads I'd guess they know plenty about it.
It's a repug candidate so it's not like anything he says has to be true or provable or right. Just so long as he can convince the spongy headed fools he's braying at that it is. Considering his choice of audience I doubt he'll have any trouble doing that.
Here's a question mike: what is an islamo whatsis? can you point one out? Have you chased one out of your basement with a bible and a broom? Did it have long pointy teeth and green skin? Does it eat children? These are all important things to know about your personal made up boogy man especially since no one else can see it.
And how will your imaginary mental war against the fairy tale islamo whatsis going to help balance a budget and restore legitimacy to the white house? How is your not so subtle race hatred going to help you successfully negotiate delicate diplomatic negotiations? What? Sure I can look those words up for you if you like. But I'm using my own dictionary. You know. . . the one without the made up words in it.
Gary @ 12:
Is there a difference in the imaginary friend they worship?
Correction... it IS NOT a theocratic war... IT IS AN ILLEGAL WAR!!!! I think we should have a president who not only can read and speak intelligently, but a president who also KNOWS AND ABIDES BY national and international law!
My oh my that is some funny reading. Your country is an economic train wreck and he's talking about this. Tell me people won't actually vote for him.
theology= circular logic. The language of idiots.
Do they still sell divinity degrees in rolling stone?
Mike the Canuck @ 18:
What are you an idiot? People voted for bush twice! Of course we'll vote for this schmuck.
well this like the tenured economics prof who says he/she can predict where the economy is headed by studying statistics, generals who have no combat experience read a book/attend classes at a military academy and therefore can fight a war, or presodent who joins a national guard unit that has obsolete weapons, never leave the states, and say we could have won the war in vietnam...bullshit artists all.............
Good to know Huckabee has officially turned this into a religous crusade. Now we can say for sure he most definitely should NOT be president. An endorsement from crazy Pat Robertson is in and of itself darn good reason NOT to vote for Rudy. These people seriously scare the crap out of me. So, just how stupid are the Americans who would vote for these people. I'm leaning more and more towards Obama.
No Thanks, Mr. Huckabee...we've had enough religion. Religion doesn't give any one clearer perspective on world affairs, just look at the last 7 years for proof. You haven't used the word "crusade" yet, but you imply it.
Let's put the "These are people that want to kill us" story to rest. I don't know what they WANT to do, but I DO know what they've done. On 9/11 they attacked the Trade Center before it was fully occupied. The Pentagon is not a target due to it's being occupied by large numbers of Americans & neither is the White House. Anyone tragically killed in those attacks were to "these people" what we often call "collateral damage." They struck at symbols of our greed & military power.
Mr. Huckabee's perpetuation of Bush/Cheney lies makes my point that religion doesn't give a clearer perspective in this "war on terror."
I grew up as a Baptist in the 1970s (and survived with my brain almost fully intact, thank you very much). I can tell you what a Baptist seminary taught Huckabee about Islam: it's wrong, so don't learn about it, it might confuse you as to what you should really believe.
I'm still a Christian, but not a Baptist. Some Baptist churches might be all right, but mine was fundamentalist. *shivers*
WHY is the MSM and MOST of the wingnut blog space making the prospect for war-of-civilizations a closer reality?? What happened to the right (hopefully worldwide) to practie ANY religion you desire??
Our tolerance for differences of opinion is now taught as fighting words in our schools?? Time to leave for a different planet!
MargeAggedon @ 16:
yes, Bush and the Neo-cons worship an owl....
it is on every one dollar bill in circulation.
google it.
"Theocratic war" is a polite way to say that the current global catastrophes were caused by religion and the nuts that will do anything in its name, including our superstitious cretin-in-chief George Bush. Put a lid on the political power of religious zealots and watch the killing stop.
Question for Mike Huckster, oops Huckleberry, oops Hunckabeef, oops Hucklehooey, oops, oh whatever.....
Q. So you are saying that the problem with fascist-militant-Islam is all about Theocracy?
Because if that is what you think I can find 1,000 experts from every discipline imaginable that could proffer an argument that Theocratic conflict is not the sole reason reason for this current conflict with Islam.
I'll bet you he did learn something about Islam in school: those evil Mohammadans are out to destroy christianity and they should die. And that's all he needs to fix the problems in the middle east.
OOPS! Replace sole with catalyst.
OOPS! and leave out all reason....hee hee.
"Just how much did the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary teach Huckabee in the 1970s about 21st-century fundamentalist Islam?"
Perhaps they taught him about the Christo-fascists of the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions. Now THERE were a bunch of theocrats. In fact, my ancestors came from Lithuania because they had to get out of Portugal in the 15th Century.
Wouldn't it be interesting to take a poll (perhaps online) regarding which of the presidential candidates is the most demented, and rank the rest on a scale of -10 to zero?
McCain is not the only candidate with military experience. Ron Paul served in the Air Force as a flight surgeon.
while McCain was bombing people, dropping bombs on his own carrier, and becoming a prisoner of war,
Ron Paul was saving lives.
It was easy...
How much did they teach Preacher Mike?
Well, they didn't need to teach him more than two things:
1 - We're right.
2 - Everyone else is wrong.
See? It was very easy.
Filthy Harry @ 20:
Nope just a Canadian trying to understand.
Radically Moderate @ 28:
The conflict is not with Islam. It's with a particular weird sect of Islam emanating from Saudi Arabia that's analogous to the Southern Bumpkins, er, Baptists in the US. But because their rulers are friends with GW and they sell us a lot of oil, we pretend that everyone BUT these guys are our enemies. So, basically, 1000s of American soldiers and 100s of 1000s of Iraqi civilians have died over a phony semantic distinction. Now can we ask the French to lend us a guillotine?
Huckabee will get the 24%rs......and thats it.
The perfect leader for the Christo-Fascist country the USA has become.
"I don't care if it rains or freezes
As long as I got my plastic Jesus
Mounted on the dashboard of my car"
Lord Balto @ 37:
More to the point, the Saudi's and other middle east "leaders" are fomenting religious intolerance to consolidate power and affluence.
Da Spyda @ 39:
Cheesus Crepes Almighty!
The nice thing about getting a degree in Theology is that there is only one textbook.
Medical Diagnosis by Video @ 9:
Yeah, and they can go fight it out on an ice flow at either pole.
president huckabee. sheriff taylor. deputy fife. floyd the barber. goober. gomer. otis. aunt bee.
instead of president huckabee how about reverend huckabee. yeah, that'll work.
(you should take that theology degree and use it to start a little church in mayberry.)
An atheist won't be elected President of the United States anytime soon.
Not totally OT:
http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=3228
ADC [American-Arab Anti-discrimination Committee] Deeply Troubled by LAPD Plan to 'Map' LA-Area Muslims
The mapping "would collect information about Muslim communities in the Los Angeles area in an effort to identify who the Muslims are and where the Muslims reside."
Sound familiar?
WTF. Mccain is an idiot. Ron Paul served in the military also.
Filthy Harry @ 7:
I am so with you on this. This is one of my pet pieves-one of many- about the so called religious right that they want to force their so called moral views on everyone else.
Probably already been said here, but I'd call a degree from a right wing religious school a negative. The last thing we need is another President with a closed mind.
Yup ... I think it's time to photosop Mike Huckabee in Crusaders armor.
He must be trying hard for that third party Dobson nod.
just how much did the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary teach Huckabee in the 1970s about 21st-century fundamentalist Islam?
no, no! the other way. he thinks it is a christian war. he doesn't really know or care what the other side believes.
hadenuf @ 46:
Gee what, going after blacks and latinos it too much of a hot potatoe, but going after Muslims is "safe" . . who will care, right?
LAPD keeps looking for a way "in"
CJ @ 13:
rock goes right through paper.
so what beats rock?
nothing. rock beats everything.
Here I thought the Constitution sort of, you know, kinda' mentioned something about the Separation of Church and State. Religion, and God for that matter, has no place in our politics, and having a degree in theology is not a qualifier to be President.
We need not fear "Islamo-fascists" whatever they are. But, we'd better pay attention, and soon, to the real global fascists who control the financial strings of our world.
Truth Be Told @ 34:
no one cares about military experience. otherwise, duckworth would be in congress, and kerry would be president.
A degree in theology is like a degree in Pegasus biology.
So Huckleberry will wage a Holy War against those dirty, non-white, Islamofascists? Yeah, great. That's so reassuring.
A degree in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary? Ooooh, impressive. /snark.
Maybe he should have spent his time more wisely and invested it in something more useful, like a correspondence course in arc welding or small engine repair. Instead he wants to be a Preacher Preznit. Sounds like the perfect
GOPHezbojeezus candidate.Clytemnestra @ 52:
I was thinking more along the lines of Germany ~1930's.
Apparently blacks & latinos are just appetizers.
ralph @ 19:
I know you're the Idiot.Your Logic tells me,that you are still green
behind the ears.No Life Experience what so ever.America became
a strong and whealty Country,under the CHRISTIAN Faith. Socialists are trying to change this,and ignorand Idiots like you,
should study Marx,Lenin,and Stalins Gospel,to realize the inhumane
Results of Communismus.I hope all you Morons FAIL.
Huckabee understands nothing. The one thing many "terrorists" of all different backgrounds and religions have is that they are experienced fighters. Those that are not, usually end up dead pretty quick or are caught. I had seen a list some time ago of the new up and coming Al Qaeda leadership. Each and every one selected has years of combat experience to go along with their ideological beliefs. Huckabee has a theology degree. If anyone is looking to Huckabee for some sort of military leadership they should look elsewhere. Because all you would be doing is selecting one incompetent man to replace those crooked, incompetent imbeciles are in office.
These annal retentive repugnants would love to see all america assume the fetal position and whimpering
For such a warrior class of citizens they sure as hell appear to be scared to death
Steve-----you don't understand.
I grew up as a Southern Baptist. Baptist ministers have the cure for cancer and the common cold, they can solve impotence and all failing marriages, they can move clouds and redirect weather, they can solve employment problems and emotional upsets, and other personal issues because they ARE God's annointed ones. God put them where they are and they wouldn't be there unless God wanted it.
At least that's what I was told.
The mindset explains it all. It's very consistent. BS, but consistent.
Huckleberry, the theocraptic buffoon.
Face it Mike, nobody likes you. Robertson picked Guiliani. Comeon!
This idea of religious war has become a recurring theme for a couple of the candidates as well as the current administration. Creepy as it is, it's important to remember that the choice is fairly simple in a religious war. Submit, or die.
I remember seeing Giuliani once after 911 Anniversary, some 15 minutes after the ceremony was over with two Republican friends and a bodyguard buying a freaking digital cameras in an Electronics store, laughing, joking around and stuff. I remember my first though - 911 must have been the best thing that happened to you you f******g bastards, wasn’t it. After 4 years now hearing “911” this and thats from Giuliani all over again, it just makes me f******g sick. Huckabee is simply more mindless and ignorant person in what he says, thus far more dangerous than Giuliani could ever be.
thebewilderness @ 65:
THESE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST ARE CRAZY!
They want to start world war 3 and then expect to be tellaported out of here. Now we've got NEOCON preachers saying that Jesus was not the messiah but we need to attach Islam ans start a Holly War.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzdziGln5Qc
Huckabee's group is the problem not the solution - making this into a theological war.
As an Arkansawyer, I can accurately say this Governor Huckster was the WORST since reconstruction.
The day he announced his bid on Russert's show he chose to LIE about the release of Wayne Dumond who was a serial rapist and murderer. He is, from an Arkie standpoint, a worthless sack. He's secretive, spends the peoples money, used State Police airplane & charged it to state, tossed out FOI in Arkansas when questions were asked about him, took & didn't report huge $$$ and gifts constantly, abused goods & services on the States nickel and lies.
That must be what he was taught at Jim Bob's College of Theocracy (one flight up).
SicofFknLiars @ 67:
Wrong thread.
You want the War on X-Mas thread. ;-)
Another looney right-wing republican idiot. This guy doesn't even believe in evolution. This guy is a crack-pot.
Has anyone seen Andrew Sullivan sudden love for Barack Obama in The Atlantic Monthly's cover piece?
My fellow ConservAmericans, we're in the fight of our lives. To win it, we need a president who truly understands it. It's the Talibanists against the Talibaptists. And who better to fight that war for us than someone who has a bona fide degree in the one true god? That's me. I'm Mike Huckabee, and I approved this message.
At least Huckabee talks of theology, which is likely the root of the "Islamo" (sounds like a nickname, like "Slobo") terrorism. Compare that to Giuliani or McCain, who are merely talking about fighting terrorism after the fact. I know, I know, the whole discussion is absurd in any event.
Oh yeah, sure, vote for Nehemiah Fucking Scudder.
I can't believe that America wants a theocracy! I hope these stupid people wake up! Never in my 68 years have I dreamed that our country would base it's government on religion. I thought that was settled 200 years ago!
The mere fact that he is calling it "Islamo fascism" shows he knows NOTHING about it.
Next candidate!
Huckabee thinks torture is A-Okay, too.
I will admit the idea of Christianity and Islam fighting one great war sounds awesome...for a religious nut. I would not join an army to fight muslims and I would not join an army to fight Christians. If they want to fight each other then we should give them a country and let them fight it out, but don't do it by me. I don't want my future kids to grow up in a dangerous, theocractic world so Mike Huckabee gets a couple more votes from the 29%ers.
Couldn't be worse than the amateur....
Huckabee's using rapture bunnydom to get the marks to vote for his Boortz inspired tax plan
I hope that's a misquote in the text that McCain says he's the only one to have served in the military (Republicans, that is --- many more dems have served) ----- but right on that stage WITH McCain, standing on the edge, is Cong/Dr. Ron Paul, who served in the USAF during Viet Nam as a Flight Surgeron/Flight Doc ----- and as a former flyer, he's the guy all pilots, co-pilots and crew-members depended on. Not on hucabee or McCain.
I sure hope the CrazyChristianEvangelicalBorn-AgainBoobs soon reach their goal of providing enough money to Huckabee that he can buy all the white steeds, white robes and sheets, lances, pennants with the Cross of Jaysus embossed, and the tickets to transport all of that plus his loyal crusaders to the shores of France, so he can start his trek across Europe and Asia, and we won't have to listen to his idiocies.
So, only theologians should be allowed to hold public office. Great! Let's call the Mullahs in Iran, and tell them we're all on the same page, now, and there's no need to be 'enemies' any longer!
Pericles @ 84:
Actually the Iranians have been trying to be our friends for the last 6 years.
GW has been telling them to F-off and calling them evil America haters.
The only one with a problem in this relationship is the US.
Mike the Canuck @ 36:
Trying to understand what goes on in the mind of a crazy person - is an exercise in futility.
Just be thankful that the Bush/GOP lunacy is not destroying your country.
Viktor Popp @ 60:
What's a "whealty" country? And "communismus?"
Equating communism with secularism is an old argument, my friend. But thanks for the history lesson from your home school.
Viktor Popp, a perfect example of what is wrong with religion based home schools. :roll:
We are a SECULAR nation Viktor, that means we LET you worship whatever invisible sky daddy you want.
It does not mean you EVER get to tell us that we have to live by YOUR sky daddies wish's.
Get it?
Another Arkansas resident (transplanted northerner) weighing in on the Huckster.
He WAS a preacher at one point and from what information I've been able to find, not a very good one. He was SELECTED to go into politics by a cabal of wealthy influentials here because he was malleable and would follow directions. Hell, one wealthy local Arkansas businessman actually bought the Huck a wardrobe because he was embarrassing Arkansas by going out looking like a total rube.
Huck hasn't a clue on anything - theology degree or not. The only reason he even sounds remotely intelligent is because the cabal bought him the best speech writers and research people their southern money can buy.
In the words of the immortal OZ..."Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
great huckabee...turn it into a religious war, and we're f*cked completely.
You're supposed to DECREASE the amount of tension and distrust..not FAN it moron!
I feel sorry for those of you with such a negative viewpoint. Your eyes are truly blinded, and one day I hope and pray you will be given a revelation of the truth. Mockery never has been a benefit to anyone. It's a shame that viewpoints have to be expressed with such anger and hatred; until we can criticise with decency of another human being, the best interest of this country is jeopardized
There are Catholics in Ireland who still would like to kill Protestants in Northern Ireland and England. The I.R.A. is made up entirely of Catholics, remember, and in fact they've already killed thousands of Protestants.
Ergo, England is now at war with Ireland, because "those Catholics want us dead." And, England would be justified in bombing the Vatican, because the pope must have financed the terrorists. I know all this, because a guy who graduated from a theology school told me so (I think it was a correspondence course). This guy is planning to run for Prime Minister of England.
Memo to the Archbishop of Canterbury...better go clean your hunting rifle.
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