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More Hypocrisy
Author: velveeta jones    Date: 03/23/2008 12:44:19

Happy Easter!

For some reason it just seems appropriate to talk about hypocrisy on Easter. Don't get me wrong, I'm not being anti-Christian or anything. I find it odd that we have probably THE most holiest of Christian holidays and Christians can't seem to celebrate a holiday without stealing from Pagans. In this case, bunnies, eggs, candy wrapped in ribbons......... nothing at all to do with Jesus rising from His grave and everything to do with the Solstice and celebration of spring. While I don't dispute that Jesus existed, no one knows when he was born or when he died, so instead, Holy Days were stolen from the "heathens". As if, long ago, some guys got together and picked this day just to convince Pagans that they were wrong (don't get me started on Christmas).

But, I can't single out Christians as being the only group to try to steal an event in order to erase it from history, or to attempt to otherwise "whitewash" history. We see whitewashing going on today from Ronald Reagan to Mao Tse Tung to the Confederate Battle flag and what it stood for.

During the past few decades, the media has been the “go-to” outlet to quickly and thoroughly make these revisions of history. Whether its George Bush’s many gaffs or the current controversy with Rev Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama.

Media outlets, politicians and pundits all attacking a man - a Presidential candidate - because he went to church and may have heard a sermon which may have had some divisive words spoken.

So what?


The Rev. Jeremiah Wright was talking about racism and, among other things the bombing of Hiroshima, when he uttered these words back in 2003:

"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people"


Frankly, I happen to agree with the Rev, perhaps not with the exact words but with the spirit of, the intent, of what he was saying. Have we not caused harm in the world and to our own people? (slavery, Tuskegee, Jim Crow, and the more subtle forms of racism in the housing and job markets, as just a few examples).

My beef is not with the people that disagree with Barack Obama or the comments made by Rev. Wright, its the fact that the media has a double standard. I have heard very little on the fact that other politicians, from Bush to McCain, have stood hand in hand with the likes of (now deceased) Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and many others.

They have stood next to and not just listened, but applauded, men who have said things like this:

"AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals” (Falwell)

“(re: 9/11 attacks) "...throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools, the abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked and when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad...I really believe that the pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way, all of them who try to secularize America...I point the thing in their face and say you helped this happen." (Falwell)

“[homosexuals are] brute beasts...part of a vile and satanic system [that] will be utterly annihilated, and there will be a celebration in heaven.” (Falwell)

“Maybe we need a very small nuke thrown off on Foggy Bottom to shake things up" –Pat Robertson, on nuking the State Department.


These quotes are just the tip of the iceberg!

Now, I don’t agree with what they said. In fact, how I feel about the above quotes is how many on the right feel about Reverend Wrights quote(s). So, why isn’t there some sort of fair play?

We progressives hold our leaders up to a high standard - we want them to be successful, but not at a cost to others. Seems the Right and the media also hold the Democrats and Independents to that same standard! But, its an honor we don’t want.

Barely a peep has been made of John McCain’s wooing of Pastor John Hagee, a man who has said many divisive things. Here is just one little tidbit, regarding Hurricane Katrina and its cause:

So I believe that the judgment of God is a very real thing. I know there are people who demur from that, but I believe that the Bible teaches that when you violate the law of God, that God brings punishment sometimes before the Day of Judgment, and I believe that the Hurricane Katrina was, in fact, the judgment of God against the city of New Orleans.


Now, John McCain has said that he does not agree with everything that the good Pastor says. Seems that’s good enough for the right-wing pundits and the TV news channels and major newspapers.

Hmmm. Double standard?
 

35 comments (Latest Comment: 03/24/2008 04:53:12 by Raine)
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Comment by velveeta jones on 03/23/2008 12:54:04
Morning all..........

Happy Easter.



I'm off to work and then to continue to take care of the sick wifey-poo, :(



She needs to get better. :pray:



Oh. LOVE THE PASTELS!!

Comment by Shane-O on 03/23/2008 13:41:53
Happy Easter to all - from the Cadbury Easter Bunny:



I hope the Easter Beagle was good to everyone:

Comment by BobR on 03/23/2008 14:27:39
Happy Easter everyone.... Have some green eggs and ham (or pink eggs, or striped eggs or....).

Comment by TriSec on 03/23/2008 14:37:21
Good Morning, everyone!



As expressed on Lib Sat, for those of you that celebrate, here's hoping for a spiritual and peaceful Easter in your part of the world.





Comment by Raine on 03/23/2008 14:39:01
Here is my for the day,

I pray that the azalea will bloom again, soon!



Get better Mrs. :cheese:





Comment by AuntAzalea on 03/23/2008 14:55:33
Wow, some good points, cheese girl. I have a response but my pneumonia has made me a little fuzzy, so I beg for your indulgence.



It has been a stressful high bloodpressured week for me, listening to the pundits try to sound byte, marginalize and recreate the status quo.



I grew up black in Harlem, my parents got married in 1955 in St. Ann's church in Brooklyn, the only church that agreed to marry them in the New York area. My father is black and my mother white. They were disowned by family, threatened with murder by one of my crazy uncles.



As a child I used to have a recurring nightmare- that the Powers That Be would segregate New York and my parents would be ripped away to live in different places and I would be stuck in a limbo place called "other".



Times have changed over those 50 years but lately when I visit I have felt Racial/Hate energy directed toward my parents and even myself. Several weird examples- In 2007 They spoke out against their Title 1 Co-op ( which was one of the only places that would accept interacial couples in 1955) going on the open market, arguing that it needed to keep itself affordable for all income levels and cultures. They had death threats towards themselves and myself (though I don't live in NY) and had to have Police presence for 2 weeks outside their apartment.



An everyday example : I went with them to see a performance at Lincoln Center, My father (who is 82) and I were waiting for my mother outside the Ladies Room when people kept coming up to him trying to hand him their coats, assuming he was coat check. It broke my heart, he had on a great formal suit and yet his skin color said "ignore that - he must be the coat check".



I understand Obama's pastor, I would not have put things the same way.



I am so grateful to Michelle and Barack Obama for taking this struggle on. They didn't need this crap,it puts them under constant danger at a zillion levels higher than the other candidates. I believe they are true American Heros, believing in the "audacity of Hope"



And after all isn't that what Easter is all about?

Comment by livingonli on 03/23/2008 15:07:42
Good morning everyone.



Welocme AuntAzalea, are you Mrs. ?



BTW, VJ, did you see my image I posted on the Saturday blog from a local Fox station? I figured you would appreciate it. (I snarfed it from Crooks and Liars).



And healing and rest vibes for the Mrs. ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Comment by livingonli on 03/23/2008 15:21:34
Obama advisor compares Bill Clinton to McCarthy.



They do seem to be giving McCain a pass in their quest for the nomination.

Comment by TriSec on 03/23/2008 15:36:35
Well greetings, Aunt Azalea!!



Reading your story below...you might be interested in this story in today's Boston Globe...

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/23/2008 16:31:31
Ohh pastels! Happy Easter everybody.

Comment by AuntAzalea on 03/23/2008 16:33:55
Interesting article - thanks, Trisec. It also reminded me of the different economic opportunities for children who are raised in homes with White father and Black mother as opposed to Black father, White mother. Also, hopefully now extended families are more accepting then 50 years ago.

Aunt Azalea = Mrs. Velveeta Jones

Comment by livingonli on 03/23/2008 16:44:29
The blog family just keeps getting bigger. :)



And now time for Brunch.

Comment by TriSec on 03/23/2008 17:12:38
Well, we're headed out for Easter dinner in a few.



But I can't resist posting about another local treasure. (Damn, I'm going to miss this stuff if Maine comes through...)



We just spent an hour or so wandering through the woods at Stonehurst, less than a mile from where I sit. It's the palatial home of a great-grandson of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. (Robert Treat Paine).



Anyway, the house was in the family until it was deeded to the City of Waltham in 1974, along with the surrounding 134 acres, which is now conservation land.



While on our walk, we ran across some vernal pools (gotta go back in a couple of weeks to look for frogs and salamanders) and a poor Waverly Oak that didn't make it through the winter. The city was starting to clear it away, and there was a good, clean, cut on it, so we counted the rings.



The tree was an astonishing 140 years old. (give or take.) So it's been growing in these woods since the end of the Civil War.



*wow*



I'll be back later...completely gorged, I might add.





Comment by livingonli on 03/23/2008 19:34:22
While I was out I noticed that Target was closed today for Easter but Wal-Mart is open.



Discuss.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/23/2008 19:57:39
Quote by livingonli:

While I was out I noticed that Target was closed today for Easter but Wal-Mart is open.



Discuss.






Why Livin, I was wondering if that was a regional thing or not. My local Target is closed, yet my Mandarin Wal-Mart is open and rocking 24-7 as usual. I had to stop in last night for some Tums last night and the joint was packed. It was unseemly!

Comment by starling310 on 03/23/2008 22:03:32
MRS CHEESE IS IN THE HOUSE!!!! Woot! Woot! Welcome AuntAzalea. Welcome.



Great post VJ!



Was listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me this morning and PJ O'Rourke, of all people, made a great point regarding Rev. Wright. He said "Me and the panel reached a bipartisan agreement that, as Catholics, we shouldn't judge anyone for what their clergy have done."



So true PJ. So true.

:clap:



:grumble: F*ckers.



Happy Easter. . . up yer Keester.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/23/2008 22:20:38
Quote by starling310:

MRS CHEESE IS IN THE HOUSE!!!! Woot! Woot! Welcome AuntAzalea. Welcome.



Great post VJ!



Was listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me this morning and PJ O'Rourke, of all people, made a great point regarding Rev. Wright. He said "Me and the panel reached a bipartisan agreement that, as Catholics, we shouldn't judge anyone for what their clergy have done."



So true PJ. So true.

:clap:



:grumble: F*ckers.



Happy Easter. . . up yer Keester.




PeeJee who seems to be a sort of co-host to Bill Maher now, said pretty much the same thing on "Real Time" on Fridee. I still think he is psedo-preppy douchebag in a lotta ways.

Comment by starling310 on 03/23/2008 22:25:15
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by starling310:

MRS CHEESE IS IN THE HOUSE!!!! Woot! Woot! Welcome AuntAzalea. Welcome.



Great post VJ!



Was listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me this morning and PJ O'Rourke, of all people, made a great point regarding Rev. Wright. He said "Me and the panel reached a bipartisan agreement that, as Catholics, we shouldn't judge anyone for what their clergy have done."



So true PJ. So true.

:clap:



:grumble: F*ckers.



Happy Easter. . . up yer Keester.




PeeJee who seems to be a sort of co-host to Bill Maher now, said pretty much the same thing on "Real Time" on Fridee. I still think he is psedo-preppy douchebag in a lotta ways.




I agree on the douchebag comment, darling Mondo!

But, again...as we are saying here, we need not agree with everything someone says to be able to acknowledge when they've made a good point.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/23/2008 22:35:00
Quote by starling310:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by starling310:

MRS CHEESE IS IN THE HOUSE!!!! Woot! Woot! Welcome AuntAzalea. Welcome.



Great post VJ!



Was listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me this morning and PJ O'Rourke, of all people, made a great point regarding Rev. Wright. He said "Me and the panel reached a bipartisan agreement that, as Catholics, we shouldn't judge anyone for what their clergy have done."



So true PJ. So true.

:clap:



:grumble: F*ckers.



Happy Easter. . . up yer Keester.




PeeJee who seems to be a sort of co-host to Bill Maher now, said pretty much the same thing on "Real Time" on Fridee. I still think he is psedo-preppy douchebag in a lotta ways.




I agree on the douchebag comment, darling Mondo!

But, again...as we are saying here, we need not agree with everything someone says to be able to acknowledge when they've made a good point.




Oh indeedy! I was just observing PJ's meta-douchebaggery. He might be a douchebag, but a douchebag who is capable of good judgement.

Comment by starling310 on 03/23/2008 22:36:26
Meta - douchebaggery! :rofl:

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/23/2008 23:01:32
Quote by starling310:

Meta - douchebaggery! :rofl:




It just came to me in flash of brilliance. It pleases me that I made ya laugh.

Comment by livingonli on 03/23/2008 23:10:10
Quote by starling310:

Meta - douchebaggery! :rofl:


I think we have an official blog phrase.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/23/2008 23:16:00
Quote by livingonli:

Quote by starling310:

Meta - douchebaggery! :rofl:


I think we have an official blog phrase.




Well we will need to take a vote but I think it is a contender



Comment by Shane-O on 03/23/2008 23:52:22
Quote by livingonli:

Quote by starling310:

Meta - douchebaggery! :rofl:


I think we have an official blog phrase.


Perhaps the attending drop? (close, but of course "douchebaggery" wasn't available )

Comment by velveeta jones on 03/24/2008 00:39:26
I'm home. I see Aunt Azalea has been playing with my box, er, laptop!



Comment by Mondobubba on 03/24/2008 00:57:49
Quote by velveeta jones:

I'm home. I see Aunt Azalea has been playing with my box, er, laptop!







:rofl: Chicka-bow bow!

Comment by TriSec on 03/24/2008 01:03:03
:moo:



Evening, comrades.





Comment by Mondobubba on 03/24/2008 01:04:02
Quote by TriSec:

:moo:



Evening, comrades.









Feeling a little like a fattened calf, Mr TriSec?

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/24/2008 01:05:37
So, MrImfromMassafrickingchusetts, are you watching "John Adams"?

Comment by velveeta jones on 03/24/2008 01:22:58
Quote by Mondobubba:

So, MrImfromMassafrickingchusetts, are you watching "John Adams"?


Oh that show looks great.

Good casting, I must say.



I wish I could watch it - but sadly, Velveeta only has basic cable. So, I'll have to wait for the DVD to order from Netflix.



Now if some good television happens on QVC, the Speed Channel, BET, MTV, LifeTime or the TV Guide channel........ be sure to alert me.





Comment by livingonli on 03/24/2008 01:26:42
You mean you can't appreciate the quality of Home Shopping and Infomercials? :rolleyes:

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/24/2008 01:28:36
Quote by velveeta jones:

Quote by Mondobubba:

So, MrImfromMassafrickingchusetts, are you watching "John Adams"?


Oh that show looks great.

Good casting, I must say.



I wish I could watch it - but sadly, Velveeta only has basic cable. So, I'll have to wait for the DVD to order from Netflix.



Now if some good television happens on QVC, the Speed Channel, BET, MTV, LifeTime or the TV Guide channel........ be sure to alert me.









Laura Linney is kicking some serious ass as Abigail! Giamatti is very good as JA.



Hey there might be a great true crime movie about a woman wronged Lifetime! Ya know with Alyssa Milano or Valarie Burtenilli.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/24/2008 02:12:38
John Adam on cliffhanger, I wonder if will recover?

Comment by Shane-O on 03/24/2008 04:33:33
Quote by Mondobubba:

John Adam on cliffhanger, I wonder if will recover?


And his son, what will ever become of him?



What a great series for history fanatics like me (and obviously us)!



Comment by Raine on 03/24/2008 04:53:12
:yawn: we are back from a wonderful day. I will be watching the JA on demand... Please don't spoil it!!





And now I must put my head to bead, as I have a blog to write in the AM! (love the sound drop Shane!)



:yawn:



Gnite all!