Associated Press
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam (R)
First up from the God Machine this week is a look at a popular Republican governor, facing criticism from his own party because his administration had the audacity to hire a Muslim-American employee.
At issue is Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam's (R) decision to appoint Samar Ali as international director at the state's Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD). Ali, a 30-year-old lawyer, is a former White House fellow who grew up in a small town in Tennessee, before getting undergraduate and law degrees from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where she was student-body president. She's also a Muslim.
And for some Republican activists, that's a problem. In fact, it's such a problem, that several Republican Party county organizations have passed resolutions criticizing Haslam for hiring Ali, among other people the right doesn't like.
The county GOP resolutions denounce Ali as an expert in "Sharia compliant finance."
"Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has elevated and/or afford [sic] preferential political status to Sharia adherents in Tennessee, thereby aiding and abetting the advancement of an ideology and doctrine which is wholly incompatible with the Constitution of the United States and the Tennessee Constitution," the Williamson resolution, dated July 10, 2012, states.
Kevin Kookogey, chairman of the Williamson County Republicans, told TPM his own party's governor just doesn't understand "the threat of Shariah." Kookogey, in all seriousness, added that Haslam administration officials "seem willing to accept the claims and defense of the Muslim Brotherhood at face value, refusing to even consider that, perhaps, those bent on destroying Western Civilization might just be infiltrating our institutions."
For its part, the Haslam administration doesn't seem to care about the resolutions approved by county Republican committees. One official said, "We have absolutely no plans to dismiss [Ali]. On the contrary, we are proud of her hire and lucky to have her as part of our team."
Also from the God Machine this week:
* To put it mildly, the Christian conservatives were eager to exploit the tragic violence in Aurora yesterday, blaming the murders on, among other things, the absence of state-sponsored prayer in public schools and government-endorsed Ten Commandments displays.
* Rick Warren, the mega-church pastor and author, announced this week he will host another forum for the presidential candidates, just as he did in 2008. The date has not yet been set, and neither President Obama nor Mitt Romney has formally agreed to participate.
* David Barton's "The Jefferson Lies" was named the "Least Credible History Book in Print" this week. Barton is a pseudo-historian who's become a celebrity within the religious right movement.
* And a federal judge this week agreed that Muslims in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, who've been trying for months to get a permit to use their new mosque, "should be allowed to worship there in time for Ramadan," which began on Thursday (thanks to reader R.P. for the tip).
Leave a Comment:
"Christian Conservatives blaming the murders on the absence of state-sponsored prayer in public schools and government-endorsed Ten Commandments displays."
By that logic, "God" did this because he was not sufficiently supplicated? I guess it was the Wrath of God that Jerry Falwell so often invoked.
Well, it's garners more media attention than advocating forgiveness.
They themselves would have to forgive first, before leading others to forgive so the point is moot, finger pointing is more fun.
It never ceases to amaze me how right wing "Christian" nut-jobs rationalize their idiotic agenda:
Right Wing Christians are willing to exploit a national tragedy such as the Aurora shootings, as an opportunity to further cram their theology down peoples throats and push their religious beliefs on everyone else--by blaming lack of religion/prayer in public schools as the reason for this horrible event.
I notice that people seem eager to blame tragedies like this on everything from no prayer in school to Sharia law. But the minute someone mentions guns... then, suddenly, it's not the time to exploit this tragedy for personal gain.
Asshats.
Thank goodness the person that did the shooting was not a muslim american.
It's a terror attack by a white male affluent enough to attend college! Lock them all up, just to be sure! I mean, that's what we do to OTHER ethnic groups; is there something special about that demographic that makes them immune? *sarcastic as hell*
More displays of the Ten Commandments would not have prevented this. "Thou shalt not kill" is not one of the lesser-known commandments.
As opposed to the little-known Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Wife, given the 50% divorce rate among both the secular and Christian population?
Or the 8th - "Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor" Something the birthers have forgotten, and our Politicians.
Lorr,
In my experience, they get around that commandment by using self-serving definitions of "neighbor" and "false witness".
Maybe everyone that buys a gun should have a tattoo on their forehead that says "Thou Shalt Not Kill".
NRA Teapubs should love it.
But, reversed so they can read it in a mirror.
How do we know that they can read?
I bet these right winged "kooks" make their God smile.
Fear the devil! He is everywhere! We must force OUR religion upon others.
Oh well religion just has to prove its unholiness.
Unfortunately amazing is how so often, in such frequency, the swinging eye of ignorance tries to monopolize the sociopolitical agenda here in the good ol'USA!
So, according to pre-ordained Saint Kevin Kooky, "his own party's governor just doesn't understand 'the threat of Shariah.'" Well, the dear Mr. Kooky seems to understand so much about the 4th dimension of the 5th column infiltration who am I, (but a sane human on the planet earth), to disbelieve his madness?
Oh, what a slippery slop these Republicans have been skateboarding down for the past 6 years! Their trucks are shot, and they can't even ollie! -Kevo
in additional "twig" news
the vatican bank got mixed grades on transparency issues related to such issues as money laundering and terrorist financing from a european financial organization
http://news.yahoo.com/vatican-more-reach-financial-transparency-report-083733337.html
and
the leader of the orthodox church in america resigned over sex-abuse cover up claims
http://news.yahoo.com/leader-us-orthodox-church-quits-amid-rape-claim-215505875.html
I looked up Barton's book on Amazon. In it's preview pages, I saw "Foreword by Glenn Beck."
That should tell you everything you need to know.
And yet Jon Stewart is always eager to promote Barton. :-(
Jon Stewart has all sorts of people as guests.
Public figures like Glenn Beck and Michele Bachman are very DANGEROUS people. The poison that comes from them incites the ignorant masses that they contact. We really need a more educated public concerning how dangerous these people really are.
Tom, I also think we need a law to prohibit elected officials from inciting treasonous activity with blatant lies and falsehoods. They should be held accountable for their lies.
That's not 'politics', it's treason.
I checked back a month to see if you had missed it, but didn't see anything listed. At their triennial General Convention, the Episcopal Church voted to approve a liturgy for blessing same-sex unions, and also to allow for the ordination of transgendered clergy. For the same-sex unions, there are conscience clauses that allow individual clergy to not officiate, and to make sure that a parish is informed of any such rite. In my own diocese, our bishop has approved of same-sex blessings for the past two years, and my parish conducted one five years ago. Just thought you'd like some good news on this front.
I think I recall Russell mentioning it in one of his "twig" updates a few weeks back. But thanks for bringing it up again. I don't think improvements on the equality front can be posted too many times.
In a similar vein, there is this news concerning the push to introduce marriage equality in Maine.
It's worth knowing stuff like this, since the media dominance of the religious right makes it seem as if the rapid advancement of acceptance in recent years is a purely secular phenomenon, when that is not the case. And I think it's important to understand and accept that, because to do otherwise is to help out the other side.
I'm very glad to see the Republican governor & his staff refuse to allow the nut jobs to regulate who they hire. I doubt Mitt Romney who do that, of course I doubt he would hire a Muslim anyway.
Romney has already released one employee due to pressure from the religious right because the gentleman (foreign policy spokesman, Richard Grenell) is gay.
I'm just going to end up pissing people off if I think about this "religious right" crap much more today.
Don't think Haslam has any virtue because of this; he's my governor, and plenty of a scumbag in other ways.
I figured as much. This is just an instance of the old adage, "Even a stopped clock is right twice a day."
Interesting to note that the right wing, radical element of the Republican Party is alive and well. Over the generations, this helpful reminder has served many well:
"(Thomas) Jefferson’s only attack on religion was if it assumed a political character, or because it limited the freedom of the mind, upon which the progress of the human species toward happiness depended."
Read more at
http://lifeamongtheordinary.blogspot.com/2012/06/thomas-jeffersons-personal-pursuit-of_17.html
Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear: -Thomas Jefferson
"The returning good sense of our country threatens abortion to their hopes, & they [the clergy] believe that any portion of power confided to me, will be exerted in opposition to their schemes. And they believe rightly; for I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." - Thomas Jefferson
Religion, uncontaminated by power, can be the source of a great deal of private solace, artistic inspiration and moral wisdom. But when it gets its hands on the levers of political or social authority, it goes rotten very quickly indeed. - Philip Pullman
"Ali as an expert in "Sharia compliant finance."
I guess that these dingbats must know quite a bit about "Sharia compliant finance" if they realize she's an expert. It sort of reminds me of all the interest that these same people have in gay sex practices and their detailed knowledge of the same. What does it say about them?
Kevin Kookogey, chairman of the Williamson County Republicans, told TPM his own party's governor just doesn't understand "the threat of Shariah."
Someone needs to ask Mr. Kookygüey (some jokes just write themselves) how Sharia and right wing christianist law differ. Both of them are misogynist. Both of them are antigay. Both of them are antiblasphemy. Both of them are authoritarian. Both of them are oppressive, especially of low status individuals. I can't think of any significant difference between the right wing Dominionist creed and the more extreme forms of Sharia.
The christianist law advocates probably just hate the idea of having competition for those dunderheads who might follow them.
The difference is that one tells people to believe in Jeebus or go to Hell, the other tells people to obey the Koran or go to Hell. Other than that, they're as similar as my two thumbs.
My question to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and anyone else who is working so hard to ban abortions:
Women make the decision to have an abortion because they are unable, incapable or unwilling to take care of the child. The reasons are complex, very emotional and, I might add, PRIVATE!!!
If the government prevents her from having the abortion, what plans does the government have in place to make sure that the child is loved, nurtured and supported?
Here is a thought:
If there are no such plans, then the motivation of the people banning abortion is only Pro-Life from conception (does not matter how you define it) until the moment of birth - and no further. And that is, in my opinion, evil.
Whenever I encounter an anti-abortion ranter, I ask them, "How many crack babies have you adopted?"
maphi ... That's why so many of us on the left refer to those people as "pro-birth," rather than "pro-life." They don't give a da** about the baby once it's born. Which makes one wonder why they're so interested in it being born.
That is why I've always believed that the "pro-birth" people were more interested in "control" rather than the life of anyone. Anti-abortionism is just a "pretext". Women need to be "controlled" don't you know? This is a theme that appears in all "fundamentalist" or extreme right wing religions and has always existed in the extreme right wing of the Republican Party.
Sometime, for grins and giggles, go back and look what Phyllis Schafly was talking about - you will see it was all about "control" of women!
@mpguy
Along the same lines, I do not consider myself pro-choice but pro-"somethings are private and a pregnancy is nobody else's - especially the government's - da** business other than the mother and possibly the father".
@once
Back in the 2008 campaign, I remember candidate Obama saying (I am not quoting - don't have a link to the exact words - so this is what I recall) that, while we disagree on the subject of abortion, we should be able to agree that the goal is have every pregnancy be a wanted pregnancy.
I remember nodding my head in agreement. Why wouldn't a Pro-Life person agree that preventing unwanted pregnancies and thus reducing or eliminating the need some women have to seek an abortion would be a good thing?
I was stunned when the Pro-Life forces turned from just outlawing abortion to restricting access to birth control. And even potentially outlawing birth control through those "personhood" amendments. What!?!
It makes no sense!
Unless - as you point out - it is all about "Control".
Pro-Life advocates get the freedom to choose when they have children. They make their decision based on their religious beliefs and their morals. However, they want to take that same freedom to choose away from people who do not share their religious belief and their morals on this issue.
They're not pro-life. They're anti-woman.
I know I am preaching to the choir here, but the hypocrisy of "Pro-Lifers" who are also pro-gun, pro-war, pro-capital punishment and anti-healthcare, anti-education and anti-any type of support that might require taxes never ceases to amaze me. I refuse to believe that the Jesus they all profess to worship would feel the way that they do.
just to clarify Rick Warrens cred in hosting a presidential candidate forum http://www.patheos.com/ blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/07/20/rick-warren-the-teaching-of-evolution-is-to-blame-for-the-colorado-shooting/
Rick Warren, the mega-church pastor and author, announced this week he will host another forum for the presidential candidates...
Thanks for the link.
To save time for others, it reports that Rick Warren tweeted the following comment in the wake of the Aurora, Colorado shootings: "When students are taught that they are no different from animals, they act like it."
In summary, he blames the shootings on science. President Obama and Governor Romney should tell Mr. Warren what he can do with his invitation.
Let's hope that Obama has the good sense to find something else to do that day. Or any other day Rick Warren wants to share a stage with him.
As for Romney, I'm sure he'll be thrilled to appear. The Repub base will be delirious with joy. He has nothing to lose, since he has no ethics anyway.
Fundamentalist preachers have been trotting out that "if we're related to animals, then we are going to act like animals" idea for decades. I would have thought that Warren was too smart to resort to such antique cliches.
as a native tennessean, i can only watch what's happening there with a profound sadness. the advent of the modern republican party to power is demonstrating that it's adherents bear a startling resemblance to something they profess to hate: fundamentalist islam. as much as the typical talibanist or wahhabi, they are marked by ignorance, intolerence, chauvanism, and an abiding conviction that they alone exemplify god's idea of the unfallen adam. anyone who dares differ in idea, skin color, or accent is of no more concern than an ancient caaninite. sad. it was once a good place.
If there is a just God, these 'God fearing people' have every reason to fear Him. They have debased every worthy principle ascribed to God or Jesus. They are so busy looking for Satan in everyone else, that they miss it in their own behavior. Hell will be a family reunion for the right wing.
However they disprove their own "intelligent design" idea with their very existance. Seems almost worth it in a way.
Kevin Kookogey, chairman of the Williamson County Republicans,
Talk about an appropriate name! "Kooky Guy"
A friend sent this to me last night. I used to not think that much of Eisenhower when he was president, but over the years my opinion of him has vastly improved. Along with Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt (both also cordially hated by the GOP right wing of their respective times), Eisenhower is the last good Republican president.
As the 1954 congressional elections approached, and it became evident that the Republicans were in danger of losing their thin majority in both houses, Eisenhower was among those blaming the Old Guard for the losses, and took up the charge to stop suspected efforts by the right wing to take control of the GOP. Ike then articulated his position as a moderate, progressive Republican: "I have just one purpose...and that is to build up a strong progressive Republican Party in this country. If the right wing wants a fight, they are going to get it...before I end up, either this Republican Party will reflect progressivism or I won't be with them anymore."
tom, that was an admirable expression on eisenhower's part, but it looks like he lost the fight. badly. and we're all worse off for it.
The modern-day Grand Oil Party would consider Ike a communist. Even Nixon and Reagan would be too far to the left for them. Before too long, they'll consider George W. Bush too far to the left.
In other Islamophobic news---Michelle McCarthy Bachmann has accused the only Muslim congressman (also from MN) of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
My friend says bachman is toast in Mn. , the Mn supreme court fixed the jerry maundered district that put her in place , by by bitch , that was the best news I heard all day , hopefully she will go down in flames like this last bat @!$%# crazy melt down , and expose the t baggers as the crazies they are once again
I am just wondering. As I discovered this article, editorial in the Washington Examiner written one day BEFORE Limbaugh ever mentioned the Bane connection: Is this what he was talking about? Note, it was written the day before Limbaugh's radio show comments. It just allows for a different prospective in what's been reported here. Is it at all possible this editorial which pre-dates his comments, was the fuel that stoked Limbaugh's fire?
I don't know. I'm just asking. I know his comments came July 17th as did Ms Maddow's against Limbaugh. This editorial is dated July 16th. And does lend itself to affirm Limbaugh's thoughts on the "issue". Especially the quotes from Christopher Lahane.
Romney's new foe: Batman's 'Bane'
July 16, 2012
1165Comments
Warner Bros.
Paul Bedard
Washington Secrets
The Washington Examiner
@SecretsBedard
This summer's much-anticipated Hollywood blockbuster, "The Dark Knight Rises," is getting an unusual boost from Democrats and other foes of Mitt Romney who are eager to tie the Gotham crushing villain to the GOP presidential candidate. Their angle: the mask-wearing, "Venom" gas breathing bad guy has a name that sounds just like Romney's former investment firm that President Obama has been blasting as a jobs killer.
"Bane" is the terrorist in the new movie who drives the caped crusader out of semi-retirement in the final Batman movie. Democrats, who believe they have Romney on the ropes over the president's assault on his leadership at Bain Capital, said the comparisons are too rich to ignore.
"It has been observed that movies can reflect the national mood," said Democratic advisor and former Clinton aide Christopher Lehane. "Whether it is spelled Bain and being put out by the Obama campaign or Bane and being out by Hollywood, the narratives are similar: a highly intelligent villain with offshore interests and a past both are seeking to cover up who had a powerful father and is set on pillaging society," he added.
As the Friday release date has neared, liberal blogs were the first to connect Batman's toughest foe with Romney's firm. But now even some conservatives, concerned Romney isn't fighting the Bain attacks hard enough, see a similarity in the epic DC Comics fight and the political campaign.
Conservative commentator Jed Babbin told Secrets, "Now we have the new Batman movie with super-villain Bane, the comic book bad guy who broke the Bat's back. How long will it take for the Obama campaign to link the two, making Romney the man who will break the back of the economy? Romney can't win if he's constantly on the defensive," he said.
Even GOP advisor Frank Luntz jumped into the fray. "Hollywood does it again," he told Secrets. "[Romney] had to know all this was coming and he should have done a lot more to prepare for it."
But conservative analyst Greg Muller doesn't buy the connection or the Bain attacks. "Democrats are truly living in fantasy land if they think the Bain story is anything more than a little summertime blues for Romney," he said. "The election will be a referendum on Obama socialism and the Obama economy. Wonder if the Batmobile was made in China."
Democratic strategist Karl Frisch suggests a Romney comparison instead to Mr. Burns, the devilish nuclear power plant owner on the Simpsons. "The similarities are endless."
And even while playing up the Bane-Bain tie, Lehane suggested that Romney is a weak version. "The 'Bain Romney' should at least endeavor to match the comic book Bane in at least one way: prove to be a worthy adversary. Bane never asked Batman to apologize--neither superheroes nor super villains nor candidates for president should ever ask for apologies from their opponents if they are to be taken serious," he said in a reference to Romney's demand of an apology from Obama for his Bain attacks.
@Irish
Because the Bane character was introduced to the Batman comic books way back and because calling a bad-guy character "Bane" is a logical choice ..."You are the bane of my existence"... and because the movie producers probably plan out in advance what the arc of sequels is going to be, it looks to me like just a coincident.
Some people just noticed the coincidence. If we didn't have such a divisive hate-filled climate, the response would have been, "Oh yeah ... so?" But instead people just go off the deep-end.
I know the name Bain comes from Bill Bain - as in Bain & Company.
Did the people who picked the name "Bain" for the company think about how similar it is to the word "bane", and just accept it or did it not occur to them?
I am unsure maphi I am simply sayng it appears that Mr Bedard had the idea before Limbaugh spoke of it. Bedard stated that dems were using it prior to Limbaugh's references. I would not have been able to make the connection. And Bedards editorial would not have influenced me one way or another. Was TRMS making more of Limbaugh's comments than was necessary? I don't know, maybe, maybe not. Seems by the date of this editorial she was jumping the gun a little or should have investigated her resources a little better. A little too quick to vilify Limbaugh. It seems he's not the originator of the Bane-Bain equals dems using it to attack Romney, Bedard was onto that concept first. An entire 24 hour news cycle earlier. That's all.
Hope you have a pleasant Saturday
The "Bane" character "issue" just shows how incredibly farsighted Obama is.
Nineteen years before running for re-election (to an office he hadn't really contemplated running for until around 2004) he gets an author he didn't know to create a character with a name similar to that of a firm run by a person who had never run for office, much less the presidency. A person whose background he wouldn't have been aware of, and whom he wouldn't have had any reason to believe would ever oppose him in a political race. And he did all this knowing that a series of films would be created, and that the one with this character would come out right in the middle of his re-election bid.
It's almost as farsighted as having his parents put his birth announcement into a Hawaii paper just to throw people off the track so they wouldn't figure out that he was born in Kenya.
He's brilliant I tells ya, brilliant!
Sigh.
I think you, as did Ms Maddow on her program, are over thinking this. You putting too much into it. I get the impression that the author of this Washington Times editorial is getting at much more simple than that. He's suggesting that as fate may have, just as we approach the 2012 Presidential election. Where a thorn in the side of Mitt Romney's bid for the Republican nomination comes a gift to his opponent. By some strange circumstance, this Bain Investment firm association is ignited anew (or as it were, in the mist of a bombardment of anti Romney anti Bain ads) as a new release of a Batman movie just happens to have as it's main villan, a character named Bane. Call it a twist of fate or perhaps doom for Romney's hope of finally shedding this persistant ball and chain around his ankles. Once lightly tossed aside when Republican candidiates seeking his spot on the party's ticket assualted him with an array of shots each seeking to mortally wound Romney's chances of winning the prize. Finally free from this burden he is once again in shackles. Only these are tighter still. Gripped by the media attentions and television ads that only a Presidential election of this magnitude can provide. And with this latest barrage comes a gift. A mid summer release, the blockbuster of the year. And the evil character's name, Bane. Any association? Of course not. But knowing the climate of this years political enviornment and the sting of the 2010 elections still causing Democrats to cringe at the thought of losing the Presidency again. That after a cursed eight years of George W. Bush. Complete that with a resounding death nell blow as a result of the Wisconsin Governor's recall vote that too ended soundly in defeat for the democrats. Please dear divine inspiration send us hope. Hope has arrived. A renewed hope which once sprung like an eternal flame in the bright and promised filled words of Barack Obama in 2008. Amidst all the chaos of a struggling economy where unemployment continues at a miserable 8.2% and dwindling approval ratings and polls showing Romney edging closer and closer until at day one of the Batman release Romney has drawn dead even. Here comes a salvific end game. Batman. Bane. Bain. Get it. The creator himself could not have divised in a more heavenly package. No divine intervention needed at all. Just chance. Hollywood did not draw up this script. It is lead part whose script simply fell into democrats hands as if lifted upon angels wings (perhaps demonic & evil angel's wings Rush Limbaugh would contend)
You get the picture. A dramatic write up which simply says: It's all chance. A current movie comes out and the main evil character is Bane. No matter if it was a western or love gone bad story or Pyscho 10 remake of Hitchcockian fame with Anthony Perkins characters present day name being Bane. No matter, but Bedard picks up on the opporuntity for the Obama campaign to use this, to an advantage. Heck, former Clinton advisor Chris Lahane picked up on it. What democratic character would not. WE can use this sh@t. James Carvelle would be all over this if he was running Obamas re-election campaign.
Now that's an elaborate way of saying a very simple thing. POW the movie is a blockbuster and the bad guy is Bane. Run with this.......... its subliminal like ALL advertising is.
I think you and TRMS are just making more of it's impossible possibilities of ever being planned. Well stop. Its NOT planned. It's not divinely inspired. Its NOT an immaculate concept concieved in the crazy out there in deep deep right center field. It's just a chance happening that any savvy politician would use. No different than "You didn't build that" "I like to fire people" But this is a movie promising millions of viewers and fans and soon to be no doubt Gaming fans when this rendition of the game comes out. Heck, if I was George Soros I'd create the game for this NOW. Call it Batman vs Bane and go with it. Make it free to democrats and independants for the PS3 & XBOX 360 today at Gamestop. I'm surprised David Brock of Media Matters hasn't jumped all over this.
It would have been like having Die Hard 5 coming out in 2008 with Bruce Willis' John Mc Cain being the hero. Repubs would have been stupid not to associate McCain with Willis' character. He's a hero, they both are! And with that some democratic pundit would be being accused of being in fantasy land thinking that 15 yrs ago when McCain was born a movie hero, somehow now repubs would use it, Die Hard 5 as a crazy wing nut conspiracy theory to defeat the senator from Ill. Damn those evil repubs.
Sorry about the length. I had to show someone I could say something of my own. So IrishPat7 is a person of waaaaaaaaaaaaay to many words after all.
@Irish
I read your post.
Most of the people and statements you are referenced are examples of what I stated:
Romney's business experience at Bain Capital is a big issue in the Presidential election, because Romney claims that it is a big reason why he is qualified to be President.
I watched descriptions of vulture, behavior on the Animal Planet. Will Rush rush to look for left wingers there as well? By the by, there were hyenas and jackals as well oh my!
I don't kow what causes people like this Colo. shooter to do what they do. I don't know what his background is. Heck, he may have been from a very conservative family whose background is deeply rooted in faith, spirituality or religion. Or not for that matter. Was his interest in guns his own? Did his family own guns are thye gun lovers or haters? No idea. Would having the 10 Commandments platered all over his bedroom walls have helped? I don't know. Maybe no different than having the Communist Manefesto tatooed on his back. That's not the point. I cant explain why tragedies like this happen.
Here, in southern NH, perhaps 30 minutes from where I live in Fitchburg Ma. a 12 year old using a hammer to make his victim (a neighbor) submit, is charged with aggrevated rape of a 63 yr old woman. a 12 year old!
What causes humans to do this to each other? Maybe, maybe the mysterious state of affairs which is referred to as "sin". Original sin. Maybe. But I don't pretend to have all the answers.
I pray for the victims and their families. I pray for President Obama, who by all appearances has a model family. To lead us as a nation today, to assist us as a people to understand the mysterious nature of such evil events. And by his familiar example, show us how to cope with such tragediy. As we seek to explain such horrors to our children. And answer as best we can, the "why's" That from his office he will aid us as a nation, through this difficult healing process.
Seems to me that such ideals may be more deserving of our time than trying to vilify the right wing, the left wing, the God machine people or whatever is the premise here. As a father of three and grandfather of five. I can't imagine the pain & horror these victims families are going through. I don't think I would be seeking a person or organization or political party to blame. I doubt that I could think at all. I coulld only cry because of the devestation that has overcome my life. And feel helpless that there is nothing I can do to erase the hurt. Ever.
Love your enemies, do good to those that would harm you or say all manner of evil against you. Maybe stop pointing the blaming finger and cross words and just give it time to heal.
So well said, Irish Pat!!! My sentiments exactly!
Thank You oncearepublican,
Hope you have a wonderful Saturday evening........
The Roots of Violence: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without humanity, Worship without sacrifice, Politics without principles. ~Gandhi
It is clear that the way to heal society of its violence... and lack of love is to replace the pyramid of domination with the circle of equality and respect. ~Manitonquat
We have a long way to go. If we could speak of our society as being of one body, I would say we are what we eat; and understanding our compulsive nature, should resist storing chronic doses of arsenic in the frig.
Some God huh. If you were God, couldn't you come up with a better plan than this...the one being told you? As if their "beliefs" were objective reality. Western guilt demands repentance...on your knees. Sounds like a comic book.
Religion or lack of it had little to do with this tragedy. More likely the pressure to live up to the expectations one has placed on one's self and failure to do so. Income inequality and fear of poverty always produces higher incidents of violence in a society.
More poignant when it happens here but we have become immune to drone strikes killing tens of children and innocents etc. Shock and awe in Colorado. Look at what we have done as a nation (mostly the neo cons) to thousands of innocents...yet that hardly makes the eve. news. Waterboarding one man 84 times in a month!!! Torturing children.?? Yes it is very much left wing right wing and we must face our own hypocrisy if we are ever to survive. Keep religion out of politics and government. Our own free will is what we use to deal with violence and tragedies like this. No God has ever interviened...it is left up to us...this is the responsibility given us.
Start by changing our gun laws...
It's incredibly short-sighted to blame God's Wrath / God's Disinterest for "letting" a tragedy like this happen. God doesn't allow things, nor does God meddle in human affairs.
I'm no Bible-thumper, I'm not even a Christian per-se. But, I do believe that Ephesians 2:10 is true, even if there is no God:
If you don't believe in God (which I didn't for a very long time) then just take it metaphorically. Humans have free will. We have choices to make. When someone does something tragic, comforting the victims and preventing another situation like that from happening are the good works that were prepared in advance for us.
That's not to say that God prepared this tragedy in advance, only that human free will inevitably leads to tragedy, to oppression, to marginalization. Doing our best to alleviate these thing, those are the good works that were prepared in advance. That's the root of progressive thought, whether one wants to attribute it to God or just basic human decency.
My point is, don't fall into the trap of thinking that God or human beings are inherently malevolent just because things like this happen. God is in the souls of human beings, not in some building on Sundays.
Peace.
In the meantime, the sleazeball known as Louie Gohmert claims that the shooting happened because America is abandoning Judeo-Christian values.
In thinking about the Rick Warren 2008 debate, I skimmed over the transcript (available online from CNN). I had forgotten this quote from McCain, in response to Warren's question about whether or not McCain believed that evil existed in the world:
"[If] I'm president of the United States, my friends, if I have to follow him to the gates of hell, I will get bin Laden and bring him to justice. I will do that. And I know how to do that. I will get that done. (APPLAUSE). No one, no one should be allowed to take thousands of American -- innocent American lives. "
All Obama did was follow Bin Laden to Pakistan.