Countdown: The Pulpit Bullies
By Nicole Belle Thursday May 08, 2008 8:30am
While others in the media have played snippets of Rev. Wright's sermons over and over to call into question Barack Obama for his association with his pastor, they've remained conspicuously silent on the statements of conservative Christian leaders John Hagee, Jerry Falwell and Rod Parsley. As I've blogged many times before, the snippets of Wright's words have been taken out of context to twist and make malevolent his intent. But Keith Olbermann allows the full statements of Hagee, Falwell and Parsley to air, revealing their hatred, ignorance and intolerance.
Download | play 
Download | play (h/t Bill W)
John Hagee: I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God, and they are, were recipients of the judgment of God for that. The newspaper carried the story, in our local area, that was not carried nationally, that there was to be a homosexual parade there on the Monday that the…Katrina came, and the promise of that parade was that it was going to reach a level of sexuality never demonstrated before in any of the other Gay Pride parades. So I believe that the judgment of God is a very real thing.
I'm not sure how I feel about exhorting believers to follow a God so willing to callously end the lives of more than 4,000 Gulf Coast residents, most of whom, I think it's safe to say, were not planning on attending the Gay Pride parade in New Orleans.
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OBAMA PASSES HILLARY IN SUPER DELEGATE COUNT http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/05/obama-now-takes.html
For the good of the party and the country, pack it up Hillary. You lost fair and square.
And of course Keith Olbermann is not a bully! You people are starting to believe your own BS.
The company McCain keeps makes him a very scary presidential contender.....!!!
Oh dear, olbermann the leader of the pack of blue pill poppers. Who really gets a "high" when he trashes a woman. He used to have credibility but when he started his vendetta against Hillary Clinton I lost all respect for him.
The bloggers on the net are all white males. If obama had to face the daily lying denegration that they pile on Hillary he would be in a tizzy looking for cheney's undisclosed locations. It is a shame that there is so much sexism in this country.
This campaign does do one thing, it shows the women of this country they should organize. It is about time they showed the good old white boys, (not the REAL MEN) THAT THEY AREN'T GOING TO TAKE IT ANY MORE. Any real man would not lower himself to do that the good old white boys have done. Real men have steel ones and not ones made of jelly...don't you know?????????
sieg heil!
No. Most of them were just poor blacks. kaT doesn't care that they died. After Katrina, kaT was heard to say, "thank Jesus there are fewer 'ni%^ers' freeloading off our backs!"
Go for it Keith!! Very few others in the Media are willing to bring out the truth about these jackasses and their followers!!
Expose those hypocrites for all their ignorance, hatred, lies and inhumanity to anyone that does follow their teaching. Why do they have "God" doing so many terrible things to "his/her children"?
Marge @ 4:
Apparently you didn't see the author of this blog entry.
Carry on.
Marge... not sure what you are talking about.. Hillary got a lot of mail voters... particularly blue collar..... so far from a male-female thing here.. also what is your point kaT... Olbermann is simply point out facts.... are you blind.... McCain has got into bed with some pretty controversial religious leaders.... I don't understand your point???
Dick @ 6:
Did she really say that? If so, she is disgusting!!
"God Damn New Orleans!"
Ok so y'all are hating on Olberman for quoting your heroes(?) Interesting - I have one question - What did Virginia do to warrant your god sending twisters through there and destroying 200 homes. Were they all secretly gay or was he punishing them for not being patriotic enough? I'm just following through on the logic of the argument. While your at it why did your god punish Dorothy(sp?) in Wizard of OZ - shes from Kansas where they believe the planet is only 6000 years old(lol).
I say thank god for a Talking head pointing out the hypocrisy of todays world.
We are seeing the earliest effects of what a delayed Democratic nomination has done to this campaign, shifting the focus away from McCain so escapes any scrutiny over crap like this.
i can't wait until russert etermines it is time to bring this info to the light of day. talk about the elephant in the room.
You've gotta see this Parsley guy in his full glory:
Hate Mongering Parsley
I saw this klown on Ku satellite years ago, and assumed he had faded into well deserved obscurity. Apparently not: the World Harvest Church is harvesting a bumper crop of idiots. And yet the MSM picks on Obama's pastor? I picked up an e-copy of the Koran years ago and a cursory read-through revealed nothing to support this shithead's vitriol - of course.
What a hate-mongering, opportunistic, megalomaniacal, pathological liar. (I still have some adjectives left over...)
Marge @ 4:
As usual you are off target and you miss the point. My disdain has nothing to do with Hillary's gender. Quite the contrary, it has to do with her unbriddled desire to be President above all else; country, party, voters, common sense.
This sums it up quite well.
I'll be sure to make another donation to the ACLU (I am a card carrying member) in the hope that they will continue their work in maintaining our civil liberties.
First among these, literally and for good reason, is the first amendment which guarantees that these folks can spew their hate speech under the cover of 'religious tolerance'. As long as they include some imaginary god in their vile talk, they seem to be OK.
The bigots that include the ACLU in their words of hate don't get it. They are literalists, a sense of irony seems to be beyond them.
Mugsy @ 13:
The MSM is much more to blame than the extended Democratic nomination. What, they're not allowed to scrutinize McSame as long as the Dem nominee remains unresolved? That's the excuse that Russert et al are selling, but I'm not buying it.
Apparently God doesn't mind a little "collteral damage" when he's bringing his wrath down upon supposed sinners.
Yet we hear these same nitwits railing on about the evils of Islam.
Whoofah.
-GSD
Marge is here proving just how delusional and self-righteous she really is, once again! Marge... seriously lady... The "anyone-who-doesn't-vote-for-and-respect-Hillary-is-a-misogynist-and-a-womanizer" shtick is so completely devoid of any real logic that it frightens me. Look up cognitive dissonance.
While watching this YouTube clip (www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaXs8MdmXWY&feature=related )from a Bill Moyers program on John Hagee, I was stunned to see John McCain refer to our nation's capital as "Satan's City." McCain's comment appears at 5:08 in the clip.
These are not words from a nut job pastor, these are words from the mouth of a possible future president. Satan's City. That sounds remarkably like something the Iranians might say. How can a U.S. Senator refer to Washington D.C., the seat of our representative government as Satan's City? Does he hate America?
Christian = Hypocrite.
I guess Jesus was up there in the sky with our kindly old Grampa God, cheering on death and destruction in New Orleans, just as he did when he walked the Earth.
Oh, wait......didn't he say something about compassion, love, tolerance? Or brother's keeper? Love one another as I have loved you? Obviously he didn't mean those damn homos!
ROFL!!!!
Look, it's not the religious nut-cases the media ought to be concentrating on. They're nothing but Machiavellian 'auxiliaries' and are as expendable as toilet paper...and that is why the closest they have ever gotten to real power was "Crisco" Johnny Ashcroft.
No, for the real 'devils in the details' you need to look at who's advising McShame on real issues, and that is the remnants of the PNAC crowd, like ex-spymaster R. James Woolsey. They are proof that the cabal behind Bush wants to maintain the madness. Given such a coterie, McCain is going to be exponentially worse than Bush, if that can be believed.
Never mind the puppet; look up at who's holding his strings!
GOD HAS A SENSE OF IRONY?
With all the death and calamity that HUMANS bring upon themselves, I really doubt God has to figure out where to bring MORE destruction ("McCain supporter Rev. Hagee says New Orleans ravaged by God because of Gay Pride Parade")
But even if he did, why spare The French Quarter??
Hagee doesn't know his own Bible.
So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom; but Abraham still stood before the LORD. Then Abraham drew near, and said, "Wilt thou indeed destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; wilt thou then destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from thee! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake." Abraham answered, "Behold, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Wilt thou destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." Again he spoke to him, and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." He said, "Behold, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it." Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.
My main issue with most Christians is that they do not know their own teachings and yet they want to foist them upon us all.
The main reason why this quote didn't light a fire under people is simply the fact that lots of people don't like homosexuality and lots of people believe in divine retribution. It's just that when those people happen to be white and you are black saying that there is divine retribution for America in general, then the rants of a pastor are scary and offensive. Plenty of whites WOULD like to see some divine retribution to rid this blessed land of the darkies...not rocket science. Just America.
When you're surgically attached at the hip with the most disasterous leader in the history of the human species, as McSame is, then Hagee, Falwell and Parsely are the LEAST of your problems.
God won't be blessing America anytime soon.
While I believe that an Obama candidacy is a gift to the Republicans I will say it is good to see someone focusing on McCain. Even if it is someone who is a disgusting as KO.
....and McCain gets a pass, why? And while we're at it, anyone ever see McCain wearing a flag lapel pin? And does he think John Hagee loves America as much as he does? And what is McCain's bowling average? And is Cindy proud of America? Why is she unwilling to disclose her tax returns?
God DAMN American Media. With a few exceptions, notably KO, they seem to be trying to steal viewers from FOX Noise.
The existence of Hagee is enough to convince me that there is no "God"
Marge @ 4:
When did Keith Olbermann trash Hillary for being a woman? I thought it was her campaign he criticized for, among other things, appealing to racists.
As Dr. Matt pointed out, the author of this post is a woman.
Obama has had to face daily lying about himself and his record. Have you entirely missed Clinton saying she has the "white vote" and therefore appeals to a broader base and is more electable? Never mind the fact, that Hillary used to have a majority of the black vote until she began appealing to racism. Maybe you also missed the point of this post, that Obama has had to face the MSM machine's 24/7 manufactured "Wright controversy," while McCain gets a free pass. Or the manufactured controversy over Obama's so-called ties to the Weatherman and indicted Rezko. While Hillary's many shady deals, Whitewater anyone and fraudster Norman Hsu, have gone unmentioned.
I've noticed a lot more racism coming from Hillary's campaign and the usual right-wing media spin aimed against Obama, than I've noticed sexism aimed at Hillary. I'm not saying there hasn't been sexism, such as remarks about Hillary's tears. But it pales in comparison to the racism and media coverage of non-issues about Obama. Flag pins anyone? Or how about Hamas supports Obama? Or is Obama a Muslim?
Actually, Rev Wright is in the majority.
only about 60 Million of the Earth's 7 Billion people do not believe that America's failed foreign policy was the root cause of 9-11.
Ahhhhhh...three of my favorite "power priests" with their usual message:
“There is one God. God happens not to be here at the moment, but, fortunately for all of us, He left me with a full set of instructions as to what He wants from us. So … listen carefully, and do exactly as I instruct you, or else you’ll be very, very sorry, for our God is a god of wrath who sees all transgressions and who plunges the disobedient into the pits of everlasting Hell!” The power priests require a God of Wrath, not a God of Love."
All of you who worship the mean spirited, bearded, white robed dude sitting on a throne in the heavens keeping a list of who's naughty or nice can have him. Yuck.
None of these so-called preachers has any solid Christian theology behind their extremely prejudiced statements. Solid Christian theology does NOT state that God punishes evildoers in this life and also happens to also punish good people who might be in the same town, etc. Christian theology posits that evil exists, whether in people or in forces of nature, and sometimes bad things happen to good people. This of course does not fit in with these wacko preachers' propensity to condemn everyone whose lifestyle or values does not dovetail with theirs. But real theologians must be aghast every time one of these guys opens his foully un-Christian mouth.
The original Jesus hung out with people that the elite society thought were the dregs of the earth. If He walked the earth today, I think He would be with the homeless, the gays, the poor, minorities. I have a feeling He would condemn as Pharisees the Hagee, Falwell etc. types. I just don't know why the mainstream media haven't picked up on these guys as they have the Rev. Wright.
I remember when Canada legalized same-sex marriages and God was so angry he brought down his wrath by ... uh ... TURNING THEM INTO CANUCKS!
Apparently Hagee didn't notice that the "Southern Decadence" event was canceled because news reports showed that there was a hurricane coming.
If God was going after them, he has really bad aim.
Unfortunately, with his base, these wild eyed ranting lunatics do good for McCain. That's why he won't repudiate! denounce! or condemn! them.
Right wing, fanatical, religeous extremists blame deadly weather phenomenom on God for the same reasons they reject the research and publishings of Charles Darwin... They do not understand even the most fundemental science behind it all.
Chico Hussein @ 40:
Speaking of which, I'm really glad they caught that Wizard in Florida. Making a toothpick disappear indeed!
Robin @ 38:
One would think that an all-powerful God would at least own a laser-guided scope for his wraths.
Off-Topic but .. another "heckuva job" in the breaking news:
Washington Post: Hezbollah Gunmen Seize Several Beirut Neighborhoods
Leslie [Hussein] @ 41:
MR WIZARD ?!??!?!
IN JAIL ?!?!?!?!?
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!
Why would God bless or damn America anyway?
Surely HE knows better than to mix state and religion?
Incidentally, where was HE when the native Americans were being slaughtered? Maybe he wasn't on watch yet? God Damn God.
Chico Hussein @ 44:
No, not in jail. Fired!
YourMom @ 45:
God is selective. That's how Parsley, Hagee et al get away with their nonsense.
Dr. Hussein Matt @ 23:
OMG! So Funny - Absolutely Priceless!!
MountainMan23 @ 43:
Chalk up another success to Bush's Democracy Export program.
"When all else fails lower your standards"
it;s absolutely sickening to know what these people, the Bush followers, have done to America. They have turned patriotism into a dirty word. They have turned saluting the flag, saying the pledge, and singing the national anthem into something i just never want to do again. i hate nationalism in every form. And now the flag carriers for religion have license to spew their venom openly in God's name. I say openly because they've been at this a long time, but until Bush emerged they never had the open forum to do so to this magnitude.
It's been a long time since i believed in any kind of organized religion but these ass wipes have taken it to new lows. They will utilize any kind of tragedy to push their agenda, Don't wait for middle america to see through them. This is the same bloc of voting americans who believe in the religion of snake handling and speaking in tongues. We're almost at the brink and it won't take too much more of this bs to get us there. And MCCain seeks their endorsement. talk about selling out.
Listen up, John, you're old and your time is near. i perceive instances of decency occasionally in what you say. When you meet your maker, is this something really that you would like to explain. After it's all said and done and we're all WORM FOOD, does it really matter whether we were president of a country or a cashier at the local mac's. i think all that really is going to count is how we led our lives and what guided us in our actions.
Leslie [Hussein] @ 33:
Uhh, that would be Weather Underground, Leslie. The controversy was hardly manufactured and Obama's ties were much more than 'so-called'. The Rev. Wright controversy has blunted it's effect to this point because Hillary was not without fault here either and she was in no position to exploit it, her husband having pardoned one of the jailed felons.
If you think Whitewater and Norman Hsu haven't been covered, you're not paying a whole lot of attention.
What's striking about McCain's pastor problems is that he, I think, did not look to them for spiritual guidance or religious support. Does McCain share their religious views? If not, then Mccain's actions are far more troubling than Obama's, as his pursuit strictly involved politics, and their politics are what are so offensive. Yes, wright's political views offend many, but that's not why Obama had a relationship with him. Obama wanted spiritual and religious guidance. What does McCain want from Hagee, Robsertson, etc. it is only their politics which forms the basis of a relationship.
L.A. Confidential @ 50:
"A stitch in time saves nine!"
Know any others?
Apparently if you're a republican you get to have more than three crazy associates before the msm will criticize you about your relationship with them. If these are the people who will be visiting mccain if he's president, this country will be in an unbelievable amount of deep shit.
xoites (Bitter before Country was Cool) defends Constitution @ 54:
"If it works don't fix it, you leave it alone"
i can't see any other answer except to say that the 24/7 technicolor coverage of pastor wright, while the near total silence on the rightwing nutjob priests, by the msm is anything more than plain racism.
Dr. Hussein Matt @ 23:
Now that's comedy!!!! (as he spit coffee ALL over his laptop, who's gonna' pay for that mess). I suspect that caught the spirit at HRC campaign hq these days.
no longer a proud american @ 51:
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross."
-Sinclair Lewis-
Chicken "Hussein" Little - Not!! @ 58:
yeah, that was pretty damn funny. a little over the top, but still pretty damn funny.
dennis @ 52:
The controversy was manufactured. Because Obama is hardly the first or only politician to ever come in contact with someone of dubious repute. Chicago's Mayor Daley has also worked with Ayers. McCain has indicted Congressman Renzi working on his campaign, a fact that has received little or no MSM coverage.
By the way, Bill Clinton pardoned two former Weathermen, who had been convicted. Ayers was never convicted of anything.
Times Flavor Flavs
http://tinyurl.com/6lzgdu
L.A. Confidential @ 62:
http://tinyurl.com/66wytu
dennis @ 52:
I'm referring to now, not during Bill Clinton's presidency.
Who's screwing who now
http://tinyurl.com/58u5ow
I woke up with a little cartoon in my head this morning.
Obama was there in a suit and Hillary was there dressed like a boxer,gloves and everything.
Obama had his hand on Hillary's forehead while she was just swinging away, never laying a glove on him.
As for Hagee, calling the Catholic Church a whore house, will go over very well with all the Catholics. I'm sure.
Religion. If it were a physical substance it would be illegal to possess. It would be kept away from children and no one would argue that it should be kept locked up and out of site.
L.A. Confidential @ 65:
I mean can't people see through this sh*t?
Well the bible says that God created man in his own image. To a non-believer like me, the opposite is true - man creates God in his own image. You can see this by looking at different cultures worldwide.
Hagee's mean, evil, vengeful God filled with hatred, tells of Hagee himself (and McCain by extension).
MargeAggedon @ 67:
Sure, but it would be impossible to keep it out of the tubes of the internets.
Mornin folks!
Damn...sure are alot of trolls out this mornin...hehehe...all you trolls are pissin yer skivvies because an educated, cultured man, who happens to have darker colored skin than y'all do is about to be our next president...and that really scares you doesn't it? Pathetic.
I'm a southern white man, and I endorse this message.
missmarple @ 48:
HA!!!! Poor Hills. Think she'll actually conceded? Or will she insist on some kind of hand to hand death match to show everyone how tough she is?
PS: I happen to have that movie. It is called "Downfall" and it's quite good. Bruno Ganz, the actor who plays the lead is phenomenal.
another glance at the false-prophet mccain sought for an endorsement.
"poverty is caused by sin and disobeying the Word of God." john Hagee (Praise-A-Thon broadcast, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), 16 April 1993.)
is this mccain's idea of a good christian leader? or is mccain a lying hypocrite? either is fucking pathetic.
why does mccain think that poor people are sinners? or would he care to distance himself from the man he chose to align himself?
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 71:
I'm not sure if I would call Hillary supporters "trolls", but I guess it's possible. She was sucking face with O'Reilly and Limbaugh is trumpeting her campaign, so ............
L.A. Confidential @ 68:
Exactly why I don't subscribe to Time anymore.
Chico Hussein @ 73:
Your going to lose Chico if you keep attacking and disenfranchising Clinton Voters.
Big Time
MargeAggedon @ 72:
Ok...those folks who did that little vid...are effin geniuses! That's the funniest thing I've seen in weeks!
Chico Hussein @ 74:
Nah Chico, I wasn't referring to Hillary supporters as trolls at all...but the 2 or 3 regulars that try to divide and conquer the dems. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if they're on the GOP payroll.
Phillip @ 3:
Yeah, like his chief foreign policy adviser, Henry Kissinger:
“Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy."
L.A. Confidential @ 76:
I wasn't aware that she went on those shows. Did she infact go on these shows?
Ron @ 75:
Yeah...my dad has subsription, and I leafed through it, and it's so blatantly pro neo-con...I wouldn't use it to wipe my ass.
There was glowing article about rupert murdoch that made my stomach churn.
mudshark @ 80:
I think she went on BOR, not sure if she went on rashbo's show...
He went after us Pagans? Farwell? I have never been more proud than to put that man on my enemy list! Bring it Fatty! Have you noticed that these pious men are obese gluttonous pigs? Dont (*^# with us, we are not afraid like the rest of the sheep.
Ron @ 75:
I mean, Paul Wolfowitz?? the neocon from Hell. jeez. No wonder I haven't opened that rag since the 90s.
I saved the 2 issues from Katrina. Just to remind people of what actually happened. On this topic, Time did a first rate job.
As for their political postions. Money! To me, that says it all.
[ok, lets get back on topic please. Thank You. Site Monitor]
Sure took the MSM a long time to get to Hagee. How many times did we have to hear, Olberman, Matthews , Abrams and so many other talking heads repeat part of one of Wright's statements "God Damn America" They never EVER FINISHED that sentence.
"God Damn America for KILLING INNNOCENT PEOPLE"
inform yourselves: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03072008/watch.html
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 82:
Bill Clinton went on Rushbo.
As much as I respect Keith Olbermann, I form my own opinions about candidates. Hillary exhibits body language and mannerisms that remind me of a certain village idiot from Texas who has (dis-)graced the White House for the past seven years.
She lied about her experience, and then told an even weaker lie to cover it up.
And then there's this whole 'Obama can't carry hard-working white voters' crapfest, three racist lies for the price of one - emphasizing Obama's skin color, implying that non-whites don't work hard, and that white votes matter more than those of other racial groups. This from the woman who is also pitching herself as 'representing all the voters'.
Bill Clinton railed against a woman who questioned Hillary's achievements, and somehow, it was All Someone Else's Fault. It was Bob Dole's fault. It was the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. It wasn't because Hillary didn't listen to anyone else. So things are supposed to be different if she gets the nomination, and then the presidency? "I'm the President, and you have to do what I say"? That's the kind of thinking that shouldn't be anywhere near the White House.
And it's still Someone Else's Fault. She's losing because Obama 'outspent' her, rather than admitting she mismanaged her funding and financial strategy (but she's ready for a 3AM phone call to handle an economic crisis!). It's because Other People are telling her to drop out. It's because Other People are misogynistic and dislike the idea of a woman in power, or some other nonsense.
It's not because SHE is failing to express the ideas and leadership that voters want in their next president. Give me a break.
What has happened to our country? How did these yahoos ever get their pathetic mugs on the tube? Men of god? No wonder I'm an atheist.
Back in the day these guys would politely be ignored...kinda like how we ignored the old men who mumbled nonsense at the family gathering.
I was raised Christian (albeit in a very liberal denomination) and I was taught that any and all sin is equally offensive to God -- including the sin of pride of which it would appear Hagee is guilty. Hagee's remarks seem to imply that the sins of people like him are too insignificant to matter to God, which according to what I know of Christian theology is quite simply not true. As a minister, Hagee knows this very well or at least should -- which in turn implies that he's either abysmally ignorant about the religion which he's allegedly qualified to preach to other people or he's deliberately twisting it for his own purposes (not a good sign in either case). After all, most large cities have gay pride parades every single year and yet many of them continue to go unscathed -- and even if Hagee were to state that 9/11 was God's punishment on the citizens of New York for the gay pride parades here (which he hasn't done as far as I know), his argument would be seriously undermined by the fact that these parades continue to take place every year and yet there haven't been any other tragedies here which could be perceived as divine reprisals for continuing to persist in sin.
Leslie [Hussein] @ 61:
Ayers got off on technicalities. If you think he's a good guy, you have my sympathies. Mayor Daley was introduced into Chicago politics by his dad. It would've been a whole lot different for him if his dad was an unknown in Chicago and he had been introduced by William Ayers, like Obama was. He didn't just 'come into contact' with him. Please do some reading first and then we can talk. Or wait a month or two when this becomes a much bigger issue- either would be fine with me.
the more i listen the diarrhea coming from the likes of hagee, parsley and robertson the more i see them as puppets, not puppet masters. they are puppets of the imperialists. they excuse america's foreign policy aggression, they excuse the policies that make few rich and the majority poor, they excuse crimes against the innocent, they excuse american neocolonialism, and they support the dumbing down of society.
they not only excuse, they justify them thru the bastardization of the bible. they claim that jesus wants disparity, appreciates hate, and condemns the weak.
all of these play right into the hands of our corporate overlords and military proconsuls.
this neochristianity is supported by the neocons, neoliberals and neocolonialists thru tax-exempt status/economic favors, political favors, ignoring the hate speech, and inculsion in domestic/foreign policy formulations
Kathleen @ 86:
I have to admit, I lost some respect for Obama when he repudiated Wrights statement rather than explaining the context. He could have framed it in a way that led to sensible discussion of our (middle eastern) foreign policy. Guess they decided it was too much of a risk.
I think comparing McCain's religious affiliations and Obama's is apples and oranges. The point is, most religious leaders who have put themselves in the spot-light are nuts and they are political but McCain did not sit in any one of their churches over a 20 year period. He's just pandering for votes among those who support these nuts.
Rev. Wright's church is the church to belong to in Chicago if you are a black man with political ambition. And obviously it worked for Obama and he found something in Rev. Wright's rather bizarre and separatist views that appealed to him and he stayed with him in a close relationship for 20 years. He was married by this man, his children were baptized by him and he, his wife and his children listened to this hateful rhetoric for a long time without a problem. So I don't think questioning this was out of line and even Obama said it was legitimate.
The media did question as they had to but the majority did it in a way as to excuse it rather than try to destroy him with it. At least on CNN & MSNBC. I don't know how Fox handled it because I can't stomach them and don't watch. When Wright's ego got the best of him and he went really public and made a complete fool of himself, Obama reacted as though this man had suddenly changed and I just don't buy that. I believe Wright is who he's always been and it doesn't instill a lot of confidence that Barack and Michelle stayed with that church and this particular reverand. Oprah had enough sense to leave it 10 years ago, why didn't he?
I live in a small college town in the midwest, and every year the Fourth of July parade includes a gay and lesbian float . . . what is God plotting against us, I wonder . . . ?
As for the religious midgets masquerading as God's spokesmen, I can only think of a line from the movie LadyHawke:
"Sorry, Sir, but I speak to God all the time, and He never mentioned you."
It's not that God is telling these people to disapprove of a lifestyle or choice, but to condemn people who live that lifestyle or make those choices with such fervor that their deaths are not only valid and approved of, but even desired.
And what does it say about this God when 9/11 is to punish the secularists, liberals, gays, and pagans; Katrina was to punish a region for hosting an event that never happened; and that AIDS is some kind of punishment from on high (how, exactly, is that more sensible than Wright's 'made by the government' line?) ... yet Christian voices remain silent about torture. God hasn't dumped a major disaster on this Christian nation for that? He whose Son, Christ Jesus, was tortured and crucified?
Either He doesn't exist, or He's not someone I'd want to keep company with.
And, of course, everyone wants to stuff Christians into a box or something. Not saying 'Merry Christmas' (when the holiday was hijacked from Solstice celebrations) is somehow going to destroy your faith, just like invisible hordes of Muslims are going to take over America. It's all Someone Else's Fault. (Gee, that sounds familiar, doesn't it?) Praise God, but don't contradict my beliefs, because they're too fracking fragile to stand up to criticism or examination?
Laughable.
“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.”
-Sinclair Lewis
what a wonderful quote. The Dems need to really promote this as a rallying point. Is it too early to begin the fight? I think not.
Philip Graham @ 95:
You're doomed! So is NYC and every major US city. Probably all of Europe...
It's hard to keep up with the wrath of God.
How come an all knowing and powerful god has such a bad aim? He missed all those damned f****ts in the Quarter and killed all those Holy Mississippians on the Coast. Some rapture when they got swept up into heaven. The bodies were found which I guess means all those Missippy Christ-tons were damed after all. I do wonder how Jebus was able to put only the damned in those two planes that crashed into WTC or how he managed to keep only the sinful in their offices or on the fire trucks.
and the media will sing: tra la la. tee dee dee!
The MSM emphasis on the Reverend Wright vs. the scant attention paid to Pastor
Hagge and other clergy that supports the Neo-Con movement is indicative of the bias
that exists among TV & Radio pundits .
Only Olberman on MSNBC seems to point out the disparity in this swift boat coverage .
Should Obama succeed in gaining the democratic nomination , the Wright controversy
will again come to life courtesy of what the Neo's prefer to call the ' liberal ' media .
In fact , the liberal opinions within the main stream media are a small fraction of what is
expressed over radio and television .
Considering corporate ownership and domination of the media , it continues to amaze me that any views that are contrary to the politics of the New World Order are allowed to be expressed at all , whether it be in print , television or radio .
Bluesage @ 94:
No, it's not apples and oranges. Because McCain sought Hagee's endorsement--this is a political issue for McCain. While for Obama, Wright was his pastor and Obama looked to him for spiritual guidance, not political support. Obama and Wright don't have a political relationship. But McCain and Hagee do. That's a difference.
IF we are Gods children and s/he kills us, what the f does that make God?
F GOD, F ALLAH, F JESUS. And if you don't like that? F YOU...
Breaking news,Second coming of christ called off! "Wouldn't be caught dead here," says jesus, reported an unnamed whitehouse staff member today. The staff member, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that jesus was frightened by the actions and speech of american preachers and could not believe how bad things had become. Jesus, having just returned from a two thousand year vacation, also said "I don't know what the hell happened while I was gone, but everything is really fucked up, I would rather be nailed to a cross or something than have to live around here. When we asked Jesus if he would still be watching over us, he took a long pull of his holy bong, smiled and said," don't worry, whatever you sow, I will weep." He then flipped us off and said" here sow this dickheads "and climbed onto his bus.---------CEO
...but, but, but, but Hagee, Falwell, and Parsley are good Christian white men and Wright is a scary black guy.
Jesus would be saddened to read or hear the way his philosophy has been perverted by the modern Pharisees who's true motivation is highly suspect.
Don't forget Neil Horsley, get him back in the spotlight.
You know, the sheep f#*ker?
Leslie 101
We, as Democrats, have known that the republicans have had these weird attachments to these crazy preachers and have used religion as a tool to divide people and judge people for a very long time. Most Democrats have never had their ministers become the subject of discussion in the political arena. Do any of us really know anything about Carter's, Gore's, Kerry's, Clinton's etc. churches or pastors? No, because they have not been political. I don't think you can really say the same about Rev. Wright. He is a crazy, political left-wing pastor not unlike the ones on the right. Obama chose this man and I think it does raise questions of judgement.
Shadowgm Hussein @ 89:
Hear, hear.
What's interesting is that whenever Clinton does something out of line, and the MSM (or Olberman) calls her on it, there are certain folks here who start complaining that the media is being unfair to Clinton. Then they'll go one worse and complain that Obama isn't getting "equal" coverage.
Fact: Clinton's campaign arrogantly offered Obama the vice presidency, despite the fact that Obama was leading at the time.
Fact: Clinton's campaign ran a fear-based, rovian television spot against Obama with the 3a.m. ad. (All it was missing to be a Bush-style ad was a bunch of photos of Bin Laden and Obama clustered together.)
So, what happens? Olberman calls them on it. (Granted, he resulted to humor, which may have diluted the point a bit.)
The response, then, from some Clinton supporters, is that Olberman and the MSM isn't playing fair. For some reason there's a disconnect that it was Hillary's own actions, not some sort of made up issue, that caused Olberman to respond the way he did. And then came the inevitable "Why is Obama getting a free pass?" questions, never realizing that Obama does not pull this sort of shit.
I'm not a big fan of Obama's. He was probably my fourth or fifth choice for the nomination, mainly because his policies have so closely mirrored Clinton's. But if you can't see the difference in the sort of campaigns the two are running, then it would seem as though you might want to take a moment to step back and be really honest with yourself.
Olberman doesn't use humor - he uses sarcasm and it's grown very old and grating. I'm not a huge Hillary or Obama supporter, I didn't want either of them because I think we really need to win in Nov. but Olberman has jumped the shark and become such a cheerleader for Obama and ravages Clinton daily that I can no longer watch his show. He has literally become O'Reily right before our eyes, the thing he says he hates the most.
Have to go out and mow now so have a good day all.
Whoops, Neil Horsley was a mule skinner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOKbrdYevfQ
dennis @ 92:
Conservatives think the Bill of Rights is a "technicality."
Bluesage @ 110:
Interesting how pointing out facts now has become "hate."
LOL...
L.A. Confidential @ 76:
no we got the message just because we like a different candidate were trolls not democrats , way to go , keep pissing us off all the way to november!!!!
Marge @4
"Real men have steel", huh? looking at the present GOP adminstration and you make that type of statement, hmmmmmmmmmmm!
I believe in God, but I also believe that it's because of this fundamentalist drivel that is produced by many 'religious' leaders is one the reasons this country is in the mess it's in. As far being the subjects of any wrath from an angry, vengeful and vindictive God....they are in just as much trouble because they are giving him a bad name. 'Religion' has a habit twisting the word and concept of God to suit their own agendas and tend to give God more help than he wants and most certainly does not need. A good example was the statement "America was founded to battle Islam", C'mon I doubt that in 1776, our founding Fathers barely knew anything about the existence Islam. In my opinion these fundamentalist are just as bad as any terrorist. They are sowing the seeds of hate and intolerance.
L.A. Confidential @ 76:
Awesome attitude!
Speaks volumes...
Rusty Shackleford @ 112:
And it's a pity that the report about Bush complaining that the Constitution 'is just a goddamn piece of paper!' was a single-sourced item.
marbotty @ 109:
See, in the same sense that Conservatives don't like reality because its liberal bias, Hillary supporters don't like it either, because reality is very very very misogynistic.
Shadowgm Hussein @ 118:
Yeah, as if the constant shredding of the constitution and bill of rights from this president during the past 8 years, were not enough data points to corroborate that source.
If god was punishing NOLA, why did he destory the 9th Ward instead of the French Quarters? Could it be the god is a corparation CEO and the business must succeed?
c127 @ 121:
Nah, it's lousy aim. Same reason that Trent Lott's house got leveled.
Unless...
JerryO @ 116:
I believe Thomas Jefferson owned a copy of the Koran and read it.
**Sigh**
Too many Christians, too few lions......
Matt Hussein in Texas @ 124:
LOL, best quote so far this week!
Chapeau!
c127 @ 121:
Why did God also destroy parts of Florida, Mississippi and Alabama?
fwacbar @ 104:
Well put!! :-)
What has been done for centuries all over the world in the name of all organized religions has been criminal and horrific and is even more so today !!!
Rusty Shackleford @ 112:
Since when do reich-wingers ever think? They blindly obey, drink the Kool-Aid, gulp the red pill, and worship their reich-wing failures/heroes.
Rusty Shackleford @ 112:
You'll never read anything on here about William Ayers aside from his defense, Rusty. I don't fault you for calling it innuendo.
Would you like to see a picture of him standing and dancing on the American flag just a few years ago?. Barack Obama wasn't a nine year-old babe in the woods then. He was a babe in the woods then, as now, just not a nine-year old one.
Rev. Wright is not a religious issue like many on here are trying to make the Hagee, Falwell and Parsley associations with McCain. Wright's comments were offensive to Americans who love America. William Ayers and Rebecca Dohrn's actions and Barack Obama's relationship to them are offensive to Americans who love their country. And Michelle Obama's pronouncements that she has only now just decided that she's proud of her country is offensive to Americans who have always been proud of their country.
dennis @ 129:
I love America and am proud of it, but am not offended by any of those people expressing their First Amendment right of free expression. I guess I'm not as thin-skinned as some.
But it's good to know that you're offended by not only the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, but also the First. (Odd, for such a patriot.) Are there any guaranteed rights that you do approve of, dennis?
Blind patriotism is a bitch Dennis.
It got the Germans in all sorts of trouble a few years ago.
Should be "exercising their First Amendment right..."
ron Ft lauderale @ 127:
This is mainstream for left-wing blogs, ron and fwacbar. Not much chance many would not like what you said. You might as well say 'Bush lied, people died', or 'What Reverend Wright said was the truth'. I mean, who the hell would care, right?
JerryO @ 116:
Thomas Jefferson owned a copy of the Koran.
Regardless, we need not look to Islam for examples of religious intolerance; we simply need to look at our own history. It wasn't just the capricious whims of a nutjob with a crown, it was religious dogma that drove some of the colonists to seek their fortunes in America.
Now, I was raised Catholic and still consider myself to be one, despite that I no longer attend church or hold with key policies on abortion and the death penalty. But I've never seen the value of browbeating someone about their choice of faith, nor subscribe to the 'God gave us free will, but You Must Choose To Worship Him Or You're Damned!' game. I have been blessed with a successful career, a loving wife, family, friends, and opportunities that would suggest either fortune is being kind, or God isn't at all displeased with how I live my life. (And He hasn't seen fit to strike me down for having married a witch, nor participating in circle numerous times.)
Am I perfect? Far from it. I sometimes get the impression that for certain types of Christians, it's 'accept Christ, be saved' - but then you don't have to actually be mindful of your actions, because, well, ol' JC has given you His Blessing. Does accepting Christ remove character defects and base desires? I don't think so. That examination of self is the core of a moral philosophy; admitting failure and asking for the grace to forgive others is the foundation of the Lord's Prayer. Anyone who comes to my door trying to sell me on their moral superiority through Christ is basically being dishonest.
Is my path superior? Nope. It works for me, and that's all I can say. Sometimes the road to the top of the mountain isn't the one that starts with the steepest angle.
"Rev. Wright is not a religious issue like many on here are trying to make the Hagee, Falwell and Parsley associations with McCain. Wright’s comments were offensive to Americans who love America. William Ayers and Rebecca Dohrn’s actions and Barack Obama’s relationship to them are offensive to Americans who love their country. And Michelle Obama’s pronouncements that she has only now just decided that she’s proud of her country is offensive to Americans who have always been proud of their country."
so i take it when this character says the people who died in katrina deserved it, or when jerry falwell says that america deserved 911 because we have legal abortion, or when mccain political advisor g. gordon liddy says it's okay to shoot american federal agents in the head, you do NOT find these comments offensive? i wouldn't be surprised, because i know your type -- if a republican says it, it's automatically patriotic. but i'd love to hear from your own lips that you think these comments are okay, because i find them far more disgusting than anything wright said.
The Dude @ 120:
That's what shills like John Yoo and Alberto Gonzales are there for. Having those words come directly from the Cowchip-in-Charge's mouth is something that can't be spun or excused.
Classic point: "...most of whom, I think it’s safe to say, were not planning on attending the Gay Pride parade in New Orleans."
JerryO @ 116:
FYI - yes, some of the founding fathers were Christians (and Jews, and atheists.....) but references to a higher power in the Declaration of Independence were nothing more than flowery prose. In 1787, when it became obvious the Articles of Confederation weren't working, they came up with the Constitution - WHICH HAS ABSOLUTELY NO MENTION OF GOD - OTHER THAN TO STATE THAT NO ONE CAN BE FORCED TO WORSHIP ANY PARTICULAR WAY. (Shouting intentional.)
I can't stand it when historically-ignorant Christian wingnuts say "America was founded as a Christian nation." Absolutely NOT TRUE!!!! It was specifically founded as a secular nation. That's what the break from England and the Constitution were about - not having to kowtow to any one religion.
In my experience, Christians are the most ignorant people on the planet. Unfortunately, they're also the most insistent on forcing their views on you.
Jesus himself would be appalled.
Rusty Shackleford @ 130:
Rusty- I don't expect you or anyone here to be offended by anything Wright or Michelle Obama said or what William Ayers and Rebecca Dohrn did as an expression of their rights. I'm just telling you many people do find them offensive. I should've put the word 'many' in front of 'Americans' in all three cases above. Thank you for pointing out my error.
AllanTBG @ 137:
the god republicans believe in seems to be about as unconcerned with collateral damage -- needless civilian death -- as republicans themselves are.
sorry, i'm cranky today. i know how pissed off republicans get about this. probably because it's so obviously true.
Rusty Shackleford @ 132:
Or the 2nd!
Rusty Shackleford @ 132:
Is "anal retentive" hyphenated? :)
We understood ya the first time, Rusty. And we agree.
dennis @ 133:
Bush, Cheney, and their many minions lied and many, many have died and still are!! Unacceptable!!
kaT @ 2:
So God did damn America?
.
dennis @ 133:
Sorry, dennis, but even though it may be standard thought here, it is HISTORICALLY ACCURATE. It's that whole "truth has a liberal bias" thing.
Matt Hussein in Texas @ 142:
I don't think so, because a person would not be characterized by the tendency to retain his or her anal.
Many people get around the hyphen problem by simply referring to me as an asshole.
LOL!!
dennis @ 139:
You're welcome. In the future you could replace the whole "many Americans" phrase, as used in that context, with the term "29-percenter" for brevity without loss of accuracy. We'll know what you mean.
.
Only Good Loyal(R) Christians know how to hate properly...
.
I've said this befoire and I'll say it again.
I will support whichever candidate gets the Dem nomination... period.
I think most democrats feel the same way.
McBush as prez is a fate worse than death.
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