De-Americanizing America
(Pastor Terry Jones - Before) Long time readers of this place know that I have been calling attention to GOP hate-mongering long before the tea party even existed. I said that they were taking a horrible chance. For reasons I won't get into Dancing with a Snake (1/29/09) got deleted, but these are still up. The events of last week show how close the Republicans are willing to take us to the abyss. We still might fall in.Toxic Talk (3/01/09)
Toxic Distraction (The "T-shirt Post") (4/15/09)
Darkness (7/21/09)
The shameless Republican behavior regarding the de-Americanization of President Obama is bad enough. You know the list, from the assertion that he not a US citizen to the mindless claim that he is not a Christian (conveniently forgetting their earlier outrage towards his very Christian minister, Jeremiah Wright) to alleging he is a socialist, communist, facist, dictator... all easily shown false with solid evidence. Those involved aren't to be deterred by facts.
Far worse, the hysteria the Republicans generate does not stop with Obama. As said before, and by many including myself, they are taking a grotesquely irresponsible risk. With excruciating irony, we have hypocrites professing to love America engaging in the very behavior the country was created to prevent, religious intolerance and religious persecution.
(Pastor Terry Jones - After) Anyone care to explain how the burning of Torahs, Qurans, or Bibles is anything but religious persecution? You know how close we just came, and it still might happen, but not under the direction of Pastor Terry Jones. Did you notice the shift in his body language, facial expression, and speaking? He has now said he will NEVER burn a Quran, no matter what happens in New York, and his church has torn down the signs about the event.I'm guessing he realized his current path had a less than optimal early retirement program.
Newt Gingrich's comparison of a New York Islamic community center to placing a Nazi sign next to a Holocaust museum is past unconscionable. If we want to blame an entire religion for the actions of some who cite it for their own agenda, the apt comparison would be a crucifix next to a Holocaust museum, Newt. People think Obama is a demon?
Nicholas Kristof's excellent Is this America? in today's Times closes with:
“We know what it is like when people have attacked us physically, have attacked us verbally, and others have remained silent,” said Rabbi David Saperstein. “It cannot happen here in America in 2010.”
Cardinal Theodore McCarrick put it this way: “This is not America. America was not built on hate.”
“Shame on you,” the Rev. Richard Cizik, a leading evangelical Christian, said to those castigating Islam. “You bring dishonor to the name of Jesus Christ. You directly disobey his commandment to love your neighbor.”
If the Islamic community center is not built or is moved, Osama Bin Laden can raise a toast of victory. He will have succeeded in damaging the United States far more than he could have ever anticipated. He must love watching the Republican Party cater to the hatred/intolerance for which he stands. It is heart breaking enough to realize how many in America will toss the foundation of the country in the trash and march to the sickening tune played by pipers Palin and Beck. Watching Republican leaders cheer the insanity is mortifying.
posted by x4mr at 3:09 PM
12 Comments:
OBL has to be elated with what has happened in the nine years since 911. Obviously I have no idea what he expected to accomplish, but he must be pleased. The damage we have sustained is massive.
Our economy is trashed. Our government is paralyzed. Hatred consumes our media. The lunatics are crashing the gates.
We're protesting the building of a church and on the brink of burning books.
Osama may be pleased, but he really deserves no credit for what has happened.
We did all of this to ourselves.
I think the word that most captures my thoughts is "disappointment."
The Republicans have abandoned the core values of this country. They don't believe in freedom of religion at all. They overlook atrocities committed by Christian zealots who want to purge the earth of non-Christians. Then they say that Muslim fanatics reflect the views of the entire religion.
Republicans have sold their souls.
I remember precisely the day you published the T-shirt post and the comments that followed it. I will never forget the body sensation I got when I read, "Partial Sunnis, Scattered Shiites." It was SO offensive.
Disappointing is right, Observer. It is one thing for the wackjobs in the brain dead remnants of the Confederacy to go bat shit. It is far more disturbing to see elected officials, people in Congress who are supposed to be leaders, encouraging the wackjobs.
I once had a measure of respect for Newt Gingrich. That is now completely gone. I also once had a better opinion of Republicans. Maybe some of the local Republicans are all right, but what I am seeing at the national level is repulsive and disgusting.
Sarah Palin's greed and ego are a greater threat to this country than Osama Bin Ladin ever was or could be.
I'll bet that pastor had one hell of a "come to Jesus" meeting.
I'd say he was told in clear language how easy it is to arrange an accident for a single dumb shit in Florida.
I doubt he's sleeping too well these days.
The Republican party has most definitely embraced its fringe. And, according to the recent polls, that has worked better for them than challenging the Obama Administration on the basis of policy and offering thoughtful alternatives. They are getting more mileage by cheering while the fringe screams about the national deficit (minus the source), out of control government spending, government control of everything leading to "socialism", and "entitlement" programs that will bankrupt the nation. The Republican "solutions" are to repeal the health care bill, cut entitlements, and cut taxes again mostly for the wealthy. Same agenda, different election. Apparently, there is no crisis in America that cannot be addressed by eliminating social programs and cutting taxes for the wealthy. That is the GOP, in a nutshell.
We know, of course, that there is no moral boundary that the Republicans will not cross to regain power. And given how easy it has been to exploit racism and bigotry in their target audience, that is the most logical way for them to augment the ranks of supporters who might vote for them.
So, while their supporters lie that President Obama is a Muslim born in Kenya and that all Muslims hate America, the GOP steers as far as possible from taking their three talking points to the next level.
We keep wondering why any ordinary person who is not a wealthy Republican would want to vote for them. Why do so many middle class and low income people support the Republican "agenda" when it is not in their own best interest? How do you get people who haven't got two nickels to rub together to demand tax cuts for the wealthy and budget cuts to social welfare programs?
The core message that the Republicans have very successfully framed for their middle class supporters is this: "If you do not side with us, you will lose what little you do have."
That is really all they are selling to these people, and the people buy it because they are afraid. It is a very sad state of affairs that is being reinforced by the recession and high unemployment.
It actually reminds me of the Jim Crow South and how so much of the racial conflict was rooted in the fear that whites would be at an economic disadvantage if black people had equal rights and opportunities. There is a lot of history to back that up, as we all know.
All the GOP sells is fear.
Liza's comment is, as x4mr would say, "spot on."
She very well states the various details and then captures it perfectly, "All the GOP sells is fear."
Absolutely F***ing right. They stand before the exploited and clueless, proclaiming, "Without us, you'll lose what little you do have. Other religions will take over. Your children will be taught by gays."
I read the T-shirt post. Jesus.
Can someone please post a link to the T-shirt post?
It is posted. It's the second link under the first photo of Pastor Douche Bag. The title is "Toxic Distraction."
I agree with Liza. My problem is, the Democratic party is responding in kind ... it would be nice if Dems could campaign this year on their accomplishments, however those they have (health reform, financial reform) are watered down and don't have much in the way of tangible benefits for voters as of yet, while other things they were supposed to address have been tabled (gay rights, immigration reform, energy reform) or have actually been made worse (civil liberties).
Sooooo ... finding themselves largely unable to run on their "accomplishments", Dems find themselves resorting to running on fear as well ... fear that Republicans will be even worse than Dems, fear of tea-party extremism, fear of Sarah Palin/Glen Beck/Rush Limbaugh/Faux News/Bush Jr. ... fear, fear and more fear.
The snake bit the repubs bad tonight. Delaware nominated an unwinnable kook against a sure general victory and New York put a goon up against Cuomo for governor.
A circus full of monkeys.
The Rachel Maddow Show had lots of video of the Delaware woman talking about the sin of masturbation. Really? REALLY? OMG. Kook is right!
Just re-read the T-shirt post and the comments... and as I said the other day....
We are so screwed.
What can I do?
Not vote for John McCain.
Volunteer, financially support and vote for Rep. Giffords.
What, what else?
I despair. I ache.
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