This week in Washington D.C. CPAC - the Conservative Political Action Committee is meeting to plan the future of the Republican Party and the "conservative movement". I have been watching this circular firing squad play out in all its gory detail on CSPAN. Keith Olbermann brings us all up to speed.
It's been quite an education. What is always interesting is hearing the statements various players on the right make during the run-up to this annual event. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele decided to throw some political "red meat" to his hungry mini-hordes the other day, when in an interview he was asked if the GOP would be supportive of Civil Unions for Gay and Lesbian Americans instead of "same sex marriage". His response was truly illuminating.
Then not just one but two Republican lawmakers in the great Hate State of Colorado, just days apart from each other made comments about LGBT Americans that would make the Nazis proud.
The response from the Republican National Committee? Complete support for the bigoted bile spewed forth by these two trogladytes. (I can't call them Neanderthals because neither of them believes in Evolution.)
Then we came up to CPAC with speech after insane, completely divorced from reality, speech. Accusing President Barack Obama of not really being a U.S. Citizen, of being a Communist, a Fascist and even the Anti-Christ.
There is no other way to put this. These people are nuts. They have become completely unhinged. Their electoral defeat shattered their already fragile grip on reality. All they have left is who they want to blame, and who they want all of the rest of us to HATE. When they are forced to admit that America isn't buying the load of Crap they are trying to sell, all they can do is stomp their feet and say how because of Obama's victory somebody might attack Chicago with a nuclear weapon.
No... I am not kidding. Wing Nut darling John Bolton ACTUALLY Said that...
Believe it or not, I used to be a Republican. I was an officer in the College Republicans at the University of Wisconsin. I campaigned for Ronald Reagan and for George HW. Bush. I have always believed that Government is not a substitute for individual liberty and responsibility. I have always felt that a strong America is good for the world. I have always believed that Government does not have a place in my church AND vice versa. And certainly the Government had no place in my bedroom.
Then in 1992 the GOP lost its mind and then sold its soul to right wing fundamentalists, who are in essence, the American Taliban.
And I have had enough.
To all the "faithful" at CPAC , hear this; You lost. Get it though your addled, bigoted hate filled skulls. You lost. You failed. Your policies didn't work, your lies have all been exposed, your delusions of creating a "permanent Republican majority" are as dead as another right wing nut-job's dream of a "thousand year Reich".
Your sad pathetic attempts to sabotage American recovery have been seen by the VAST majority of Americans as exactly that. You want to truly help our Nation climb out of the deep dank dark hole that you dug for it then pushed us into? Then do this; Sit down and shut up for a while. Go sit in a corner and think about the disasters you have wrought upon this nation you claim so loudly to love.
If you cannot summon the decency and simple patriotism to do that, then in the words of the late great Zero Mostel...
"Just say OOPS! and get out!"
Oh and Michael Steele, as you are DETERMINED that millions of Americans should NEVER have the same basic rights as everyone else, the only thing I can say to you is this - I hope somehow through some twist of fate, you actually read this. And when you do, the small fear filled mind rattling around inside your head - explodes.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
">Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Friday, February 06, 2009
Enough is Enough! Dick Cheney can just shut the hell up now...
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Thursday, January 22, 2009
A few thoughts on the post-Bush era.
Well so much for the honeymoon...
I was reading the conservative blogs earlier today, and most are in full throated "Loyal Opposition" mode. Shouts to the rafters that the GOP defeats of 2008 will not deter them from making fun of the new President. Promising that their blogs WILL go on, full of conviction that President Obama is manifestly unqualified for his office. Their duty and patriotic obligation is to point this out at every opportunity.
Well Hooray... I have no problem with that. Likewise, it is just as important to point out who owns the steaming pile of "legacy" that the Republican Party has left behind on its way to political exile.
Many conservatives, faced with a new political reality, are feeling a bit put upon. So they are are coming out swinging, full of comparisons to the chorus of dissent that greeted George W. Bush in January of 2001. Now I can understand the desire for payback. Yet the difference in the path to the Oval Office taken by President Obama compared to President Bush (43) is worth noting. President Bush's road the White House had to be cleared for him by the U.S. Supreme Court. President Obama's road to Washington was paved by the most decisive electoral victory since Ronald Reagan stomped on Walter Mondale in 1984.
Now let's be clear about something, the role a Loyal Opposition in a democracy is VITAL. It is essential for the checks and balances on power to be more than just words. It preserves, protects and defends our nation from the tyranny of the majority. And the Republican Party must fulfill this role as a critical rudder on the ship of state.
Yet what many conservatives don't like to admit, is the GOP has no problem with the tyranny of the majority when that majority is theirs. The strategy of gridlock wrapped in righteous indignation is understandably a very attractive one. It enables people who have turned a willfully blind eye to the disaster of the last 8 years to turn the torn, charred and bloody page, without having to face the truth of their own handwriting on that page.
So by all means let there be no "honeymoon". Come out swinging gloves off, and ready for battle. But just as you will be there to trumpet every misstep, so many more will be here to remind you who got us in this mess to begin with. The hard reality is the GOP will never move forward until they admit the horror story that we now face economically, strategically, environmentally and culturally in this nation was largely authored by them.
If the GOP decides to continue down a path of petulant denial wrapped in a cloak of historical revisionism, the electoral rehabilitation of the Republican Party will have to depend upon the American People being two things; Stupid and incredibly forgetful.
Fortunately 2008 has proven neither to be the case.
I was reading the conservative blogs earlier today, and most are in full throated "Loyal Opposition" mode. Shouts to the rafters that the GOP defeats of 2008 will not deter them from making fun of the new President. Promising that their blogs WILL go on, full of conviction that President Obama is manifestly unqualified for his office. Their duty and patriotic obligation is to point this out at every opportunity.
Well Hooray... I have no problem with that. Likewise, it is just as important to point out who owns the steaming pile of "legacy" that the Republican Party has left behind on its way to political exile.
Many conservatives, faced with a new political reality, are feeling a bit put upon. So they are are coming out swinging, full of comparisons to the chorus of dissent that greeted George W. Bush in January of 2001. Now I can understand the desire for payback. Yet the difference in the path to the Oval Office taken by President Obama compared to President Bush (43) is worth noting. President Bush's road the White House had to be cleared for him by the U.S. Supreme Court. President Obama's road to Washington was paved by the most decisive electoral victory since Ronald Reagan stomped on Walter Mondale in 1984.
Now let's be clear about something, the role a Loyal Opposition in a democracy is VITAL. It is essential for the checks and balances on power to be more than just words. It preserves, protects and defends our nation from the tyranny of the majority. And the Republican Party must fulfill this role as a critical rudder on the ship of state.
Yet what many conservatives don't like to admit, is the GOP has no problem with the tyranny of the majority when that majority is theirs. The strategy of gridlock wrapped in righteous indignation is understandably a very attractive one. It enables people who have turned a willfully blind eye to the disaster of the last 8 years to turn the torn, charred and bloody page, without having to face the truth of their own handwriting on that page.
So by all means let there be no "honeymoon". Come out swinging gloves off, and ready for battle. But just as you will be there to trumpet every misstep, so many more will be here to remind you who got us in this mess to begin with. The hard reality is the GOP will never move forward until they admit the horror story that we now face economically, strategically, environmentally and culturally in this nation was largely authored by them.
If the GOP decides to continue down a path of petulant denial wrapped in a cloak of historical revisionism, the electoral rehabilitation of the Republican Party will have to depend upon the American People being two things; Stupid and incredibly forgetful.
Fortunately 2008 has proven neither to be the case.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Transitional Thoughts...
January 20th , 2009
Seems like that day will never get here. After 8 long years of disaster cloaked in stupidity covered in greed, it seems that the whole world, not just these United States is ready to bid a not so fond adieu to GW Bush, et al.
Yet this Presidential transition, like most has had its ups and downs. For the most part, the cabinet picks have been spot on. I think that Hillary Clinton at State, and Rahm Emannuel as White House chief of staff were both brilliant choices. Yet there have been some bumps in the road as well. A feeling that a campaign that ran on "Change" is relying rather heavily on familiar democratic faces. Not that this is a bad thing but it has given a despondent and diminished GOP a familiar talking point to drone on about.
Funny how the Republican party always wants to set aside "partisan bickering" only after they lose an election. The 2008 election was a CLEAR repudiation of the policies and philosophy of the GOP. They lost, and they lost BIG. This was not a close election by any means.
A graphic in the current issue of The Atlantic magazine clearly shows the Bush/GOP legacy. (Click on the map to see a larger version).
My advice to the incoming administration is simple. Forge ahead and do what you feel needs to be done. And anytime the GOP stands in the way, you get into the bully pulpit of the Presidency and you say to the entire nation; "look, the same incompetent, greedy, corrupt dolts who got our nation INTO this mess are now doing everything they can to prevent solutions to clean it up." You point to every Republican up for re-election in 2010 and you ask why do they not want America to succeed?
"Post-Partisan" must now mean that the GOP gets to go sit in a corner for while and think about what they have done.
The far right in this country still cannot grasp the reality of their loss. Ridiculous wing-nut websites touting theories of electoral conspiracy, and media collusion show how completely out of touch the GOP has become from lives of most Americans.
As I have said many times, I do not envy President Obama and the task that lies before him, but the facts are, he won. The GOP lost. The time has come to call failure what it is. As the GOP liked to say in 2000, "They had their chance, they would not lead, we will".
Time to grow up and take your own medicine.
Seems like that day will never get here. After 8 long years of disaster cloaked in stupidity covered in greed, it seems that the whole world, not just these United States is ready to bid a not so fond adieu to GW Bush, et al.
Yet this Presidential transition, like most has had its ups and downs. For the most part, the cabinet picks have been spot on. I think that Hillary Clinton at State, and Rahm Emannuel as White House chief of staff were both brilliant choices. Yet there have been some bumps in the road as well. A feeling that a campaign that ran on "Change" is relying rather heavily on familiar democratic faces. Not that this is a bad thing but it has given a despondent and diminished GOP a familiar talking point to drone on about.
Funny how the Republican party always wants to set aside "partisan bickering" only after they lose an election. The 2008 election was a CLEAR repudiation of the policies and philosophy of the GOP. They lost, and they lost BIG. This was not a close election by any means.
A graphic in the current issue of The Atlantic magazine clearly shows the Bush/GOP legacy. (Click on the map to see a larger version).
My advice to the incoming administration is simple. Forge ahead and do what you feel needs to be done. And anytime the GOP stands in the way, you get into the bully pulpit of the Presidency and you say to the entire nation; "look, the same incompetent, greedy, corrupt dolts who got our nation INTO this mess are now doing everything they can to prevent solutions to clean it up." You point to every Republican up for re-election in 2010 and you ask why do they not want America to succeed?
"Post-Partisan" must now mean that the GOP gets to go sit in a corner for while and think about what they have done.
The far right in this country still cannot grasp the reality of their loss. Ridiculous wing-nut websites touting theories of electoral conspiracy, and media collusion show how completely out of touch the GOP has become from lives of most Americans.
As I have said many times, I do not envy President Obama and the task that lies before him, but the facts are, he won. The GOP lost. The time has come to call failure what it is. As the GOP liked to say in 2000, "They had their chance, they would not lead, we will".
Time to grow up and take your own medicine.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Wow... Speaking of historic...
Regardless of your politics you have to appreicate the sheer historic nature of this..
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Thursday, January 01, 2009
HAPPY 2009!
Here is what we saw here in London Standing in the massive crowds along the Thames Embankment freezing our toes off! :)
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Hello from London!
Arrived here last Saturday, here with Daniel and Scott. Today Eric and I are doing our own thing and will meet up with the lads tommorrow for New Year's Eve.
Eric says hi to everyone. Will post more later in the week and will try to put up some pictures as well. In the mean time HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone!
Dave
Friday, December 19, 2008
As Christmas Fast Approaches...
We pause the blog for just moment for two of my all time favorite Holiday TV memories...
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And the last word in Holiday Specials always goes to Linus.
"Lights please..."
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And the last word in Holiday Specials always goes to Linus.
"Lights please..."
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Star Trek's First Lady Passes Away...
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From the Associated Press...
NEW YORK – Majel Barrett Roddenberry, the widow of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry, has died. She was 76. Roddenberry, an actress who appeared in numerous "Star Trek" TV shows and movies, died Thursday of leukemia at her home in Bel-Air, Calif., her representative said.
At Roddenberry's side were family friends and her only son, Eugene Roddenberry Jr. Gene Roddenberry died in 1991.
Her romance with Roddenberry earned her the title "The First Lady of Star Trek." A fixture in the "Star Trek" franchise, her roles included Nurse Christine Chapel in the original "Star Trek," Lwaxana Troi in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and the voice of the USS Enterprise computer in almost every spin-off of the 1966 cult series. She recently reprised the voice role in the upcoming "Star Trek" film directed by J.J. Abrams.
From the Associated Press...
NEW YORK – Majel Barrett Roddenberry, the widow of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry, has died. She was 76. Roddenberry, an actress who appeared in numerous "Star Trek" TV shows and movies, died Thursday of leukemia at her home in Bel-Air, Calif., her representative said.
At Roddenberry's side were family friends and her only son, Eugene Roddenberry Jr. Gene Roddenberry died in 1991.
Her romance with Roddenberry earned her the title "The First Lady of Star Trek." A fixture in the "Star Trek" franchise, her roles included Nurse Christine Chapel in the original "Star Trek," Lwaxana Troi in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and the voice of the USS Enterprise computer in almost every spin-off of the 1966 cult series. She recently reprised the voice role in the upcoming "Star Trek" film directed by J.J. Abrams.
Dear President Elect Obama...
Mr. President Elect, I would like you to consider embracing the following statements.
"If Darwin was right, which is survival of the fittest then being Black would be a recessive gene because it doesn't reproduce strong families and you would think that over thousands of years that being Black would work itself out of the gene pool."
And this...
"Most people know I have many Black friends. I’ve eaten dinner in Black homes. No church has probably done more for people with AIDS than Saddleback Church. Kay and I have given millions of dollars out of Purpose Driven Life helping people who got AIDS through Black relationships. So they can’t accuse me of Racism...”
Or even this...
“We support Segregation. And if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Segregation. …[T]he universal, historic definition of marriage [is] a White man and a woman, for life. And every culture for 5,000 years and every religion for 5,000 years has said the definition of marriage is between White man and a White woman. …This is not even just a Christian issue, it is a humanitarian and human issue, that God created marriage for the purpose of White family, White love and White procreation. I urge you to support Segregation and to pass that on.”
Pretty awful stuff right?
Well then, take out the word "Black" and substitute the words Gay or Homosexual. Take out the word White, and change "Racism" to homophobia and "Segregation" to Proposition 8. What you get is all of those disturbing quotes are in fact, statements from interviews and speeches by Pastor Rick Warren.
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If Rick Warren had said, the same things about African Americans or Hispanics, or Asians, or Jews, or even people who are left-handed, that he has about LGBT Americans, you would be appalled. If Warren had said about your family the things he has said about mine, he would not be allowed with in 100 miles of your inauguration. Yet you have chosen to put this man front and center on the day you take office.
You don't feel that you need to "agree to disagree" with White Supremacists, you don't say we need to "agree to disagree" with those who deny the Holocaust ever happened. You don't "reach across the aisle" to xenophobic bigots who want to round up immigrants. Yet you have embraced someone who is the equivalent to LGBT Americans. Why?
Millions of LGBT voters remembering the betrayal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act under the Clintons rallied to your cause during the primaries and then in the general election. Your choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation on inauguration day sends a clear message that Gay and Lesbian Americans can expect no better under your administration.
You are sending a clear message that to use the tyranny of the majority to strip away civil rights from a minority is ok. Your choice of Pastor Rick Warren says you intend to govern a nation that has two levels of citizenship. First Class for heterosexuals, and Second Class for anyone who isn't.
This isn’t bipartisan compromise, this is politically expedient cowardice.
And it is beneath you.
"If Darwin was right, which is survival of the fittest then being Black would be a recessive gene because it doesn't reproduce strong families and you would think that over thousands of years that being Black would work itself out of the gene pool."
And this...
"Most people know I have many Black friends. I’ve eaten dinner in Black homes. No church has probably done more for people with AIDS than Saddleback Church. Kay and I have given millions of dollars out of Purpose Driven Life helping people who got AIDS through Black relationships. So they can’t accuse me of Racism...”
Or even this...
“We support Segregation. And if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Segregation. …[T]he universal, historic definition of marriage [is] a White man and a woman, for life. And every culture for 5,000 years and every religion for 5,000 years has said the definition of marriage is between White man and a White woman. …This is not even just a Christian issue, it is a humanitarian and human issue, that God created marriage for the purpose of White family, White love and White procreation. I urge you to support Segregation and to pass that on.”
Pretty awful stuff right?
Well then, take out the word "Black" and substitute the words Gay or Homosexual. Take out the word White, and change "Racism" to homophobia and "Segregation" to Proposition 8. What you get is all of those disturbing quotes are in fact, statements from interviews and speeches by Pastor Rick Warren.
>">
If Rick Warren had said, the same things about African Americans or Hispanics, or Asians, or Jews, or even people who are left-handed, that he has about LGBT Americans, you would be appalled. If Warren had said about your family the things he has said about mine, he would not be allowed with in 100 miles of your inauguration. Yet you have chosen to put this man front and center on the day you take office.
You don't feel that you need to "agree to disagree" with White Supremacists, you don't say we need to "agree to disagree" with those who deny the Holocaust ever happened. You don't "reach across the aisle" to xenophobic bigots who want to round up immigrants. Yet you have embraced someone who is the equivalent to LGBT Americans. Why?
Millions of LGBT voters remembering the betrayal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act under the Clintons rallied to your cause during the primaries and then in the general election. Your choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation on inauguration day sends a clear message that Gay and Lesbian Americans can expect no better under your administration.
You are sending a clear message that to use the tyranny of the majority to strip away civil rights from a minority is ok. Your choice of Pastor Rick Warren says you intend to govern a nation that has two levels of citizenship. First Class for heterosexuals, and Second Class for anyone who isn't.
This isn’t bipartisan compromise, this is politically expedient cowardice.
And it is beneath you.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
John Stewart takes Rev. Mike to task...
John Stewart by gently asking simple questions gets Mike Huckabee to admit that for "social conservatives" it really is about a desire to brand Gay and Lesbians as second class citizens. His arguments for "defending marriage" simply don't hold up to even basic scrutiny.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Sunday, December 07, 2008
You Gotta Give 'em Hope...
I just got home from watching the movie "MILK", Gus Van Sant's bioepic of the life of murdered San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk. I had the good fortune to watch the film at the Castro Theater here in San Francisco.
The theater was completely sold out. I actually got to sit in the balcony of the theater for the first time. The Castro is of those fantastic "movie palaces" from a bygone era. Thankfully it has not carved itself up to make several smaller screens. The full theater remains today complete with its Wurlitzer Organ which plays prior to every movie.
I already was very familiar with this particular movie because I am actaully IN the movie, in the huge crowd scenes in front of San Francisco City Hall. (No you cant see me, but I'm there.) Its true that many people outside of California probably have no idea who Harvey Milk was, what he did and why he was killed for it. Hopefully this movie will change that.
Do yourself and me a favor, and go see it please.
Thanks
The theater was completely sold out. I actually got to sit in the balcony of the theater for the first time. The Castro is of those fantastic "movie palaces" from a bygone era. Thankfully it has not carved itself up to make several smaller screens. The full theater remains today complete with its Wurlitzer Organ which plays prior to every movie.
I already was very familiar with this particular movie because I am actaully IN the movie, in the huge crowd scenes in front of San Francisco City Hall. (No you cant see me, but I'm there.) Its true that many people outside of California probably have no idea who Harvey Milk was, what he did and why he was killed for it. Hopefully this movie will change that.
Do yourself and me a favor, and go see it please.
Thanks
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
A word or two about the Mormon Church
Lately the conservative blogs have been seething with rightous indignation over the "backlash" against the Mormon Church for their multi-million dollar involvement in the passage of proposition 8 in California. Conservatives are screaming about discrimination against the Mormon Church that was just "practicing their religous beliefs."
Actutally, no.. they were not just practicing their religous beliefs.
Seattle columnist Dan Savage and Americablog's John Aravosis state the truth better that I can:
"Millions of Californians definitely lost their civil rights," says John Aravosis. "But I'm not hearing a lot of concern about any of those victims, only sympathy for their attacker. When you use the power of the state to rip away my civil rights, and force me to live by your 'values,' you are no longer practicing your religion. You're practicing politics."
In the wake of Prop 8 millions of gays and lesbians all over the country have decided that we're no longer going to play by the old rules. We're not going to let people kick our teeth down our throats and then run and hide behind "Nothing personal—just my private religious beliefs!" That game's over."
The Mormon Church chose to expend millions of dollars of church resources in an effort to create public policy. That is not religous practice, that is being a poltical action committee. For the Mormons to engage in political activity that strips away the civil rights of millions of people, and then not expect those same people to fight back shows the Mormon Leadership are not just bigots, but idiots as well.
The great irony of this is how for the Mormon Church it really wasn't even about same sex marriage. It was about proving to the American conservative religous right that the Mormons are "one of them". This was about getting James Dobson and his ilk to not openly oppose a Mitt Romney candidacy in 2012.
If we weren't talking about millions of Americans having their civil rights elminated , I would have to laugh. Because the joke is on the Mormon Church, which could very well lose it's tax exempt status as as result of their direct involvement in political activity while claiming to be a church.
But even funnier still, is the fact that the Christian Right will NEVER welcome the Mormons into the club. While conservative evangelicals may approve of what they did with Prop 8, in the eyes of Dobson, Robertson, Reed and company, the Mormons will always be that goofy non-christian cult from Utah that claims being born black is a punishment from god.
Oh yeah, one more thing ... Prop 8 will likely get tossed out by the California Supreme Court. So I have to ask the Mormon Leadership, when all is said and done, and your millions of dollars spent, in the words of Dr. Phil...
How'd that all work out for you?
Actutally, no.. they were not just practicing their religous beliefs.
Seattle columnist Dan Savage and Americablog's John Aravosis state the truth better that I can:
"Millions of Californians definitely lost their civil rights," says John Aravosis. "But I'm not hearing a lot of concern about any of those victims, only sympathy for their attacker. When you use the power of the state to rip away my civil rights, and force me to live by your 'values,' you are no longer practicing your religion. You're practicing politics."
In the wake of Prop 8 millions of gays and lesbians all over the country have decided that we're no longer going to play by the old rules. We're not going to let people kick our teeth down our throats and then run and hide behind "Nothing personal—just my private religious beliefs!" That game's over."
The Mormon Church chose to expend millions of dollars of church resources in an effort to create public policy. That is not religous practice, that is being a poltical action committee. For the Mormons to engage in political activity that strips away the civil rights of millions of people, and then not expect those same people to fight back shows the Mormon Leadership are not just bigots, but idiots as well.
The great irony of this is how for the Mormon Church it really wasn't even about same sex marriage. It was about proving to the American conservative religous right that the Mormons are "one of them". This was about getting James Dobson and his ilk to not openly oppose a Mitt Romney candidacy in 2012.
If we weren't talking about millions of Americans having their civil rights elminated , I would have to laugh. Because the joke is on the Mormon Church, which could very well lose it's tax exempt status as as result of their direct involvement in political activity while claiming to be a church.
But even funnier still, is the fact that the Christian Right will NEVER welcome the Mormons into the club. While conservative evangelicals may approve of what they did with Prop 8, in the eyes of Dobson, Robertson, Reed and company, the Mormons will always be that goofy non-christian cult from Utah that claims being born black is a punishment from god.
Oh yeah, one more thing ... Prop 8 will likely get tossed out by the California Supreme Court. So I have to ask the Mormon Leadership, when all is said and done, and your millions of dollars spent, in the words of Dr. Phil...
How'd that all work out for you?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Questions of Faith and Law
.
In April of 1521,Martin Luther was brought before a tribunal where the Catholic Church demanded he recant his teachings and writings that challenged the doctrine of the day. His response was brief, yet powerful;
"Since your majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason--I do not accept the authority of popes and councils for they have contradicted each other--my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise, God help me. Amen."
I remember in the Winter of 2005, I sat and read the “final report” of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) task force on sexuality. I remember being so disappointed, but also wanting to believe that there was some good to be found there.
I really did want to belive that even though there were no real steps forward, just even having the discussion was a very positive step. At least it could be said that there were no real steps backwards.
That isn't the case in 2008. The passage of Proposition 8 here in California marks the first time the tyranny of a razor thin majority was allowed to strip away civil rights from a targeted minority. And like with the ELCA statement in 2005, once again the issue of LGBT equality reveals the ELCA to be a divided church desperate to avoid taking a stand at all costs.
With that 2005 statment the ELCA, in an attempt to avoid division, opted to remain a divided church. Congregations like St. Mark’s here in San Francisco or Holy Trinity Lutheran in Chicago were told they could continue to proclaim the good news to ALL people, but with slightly LESS fear of being punished for doing so. Yet elsewhere in the very same ELCA, it would be perfectly acceptable to tell a gay or lesbian teenager, from the pulpit, that they are sick and could be cured if they just prayed hard enough.
Now with Prop 8 we find the ELCA has in fear, boxed itself into the same corner once again. Where the Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod can, as an individual, join other clergy on the steps of San Francisco City Hall to denounce prop 8. Yet the church that elected him as a Bishop remains, for all intent and purposes silent on the issue of discrimination and turning religous bigotry into civil law.
In the offical ballot recomendations from the Lutheran Office of Public Policy, the ELCA urged us to vote YES on expanding rights for farm animals, (Prop 2) but couldn't muster the courage to say Lutherans should vote NO on taking away rights from human beings. (Prop 8)
So much for "Here I Stand".
The sheer cowardice of the ELCA is mind boggling. My church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was so scared to anger people who hate me that it couldnt bring itself to say that taking away my civil rights was wrong. The ELCA has made it clear it is unable, and/or unwilling to say loudly and clearly, that I am as much a human being as anyone else. Equal in the eyes of God, and therefore equal under the laws of Man. The leadership of the ELCA will (very quietly) assure me they believe that. I just need "to be patient" because the church can't say things like that publicly yet.
For once I find myself in agreement with the Neo-Conservative religous right. They have said for years that if you are not clearly against evil, your silence may as well be outright support of it.
I love my congregation of St.Mark's Lutheran here in San Francisco. It is a vibrant diverse thriving community of faith that shouts God's unconditional love for all loudly and proudly each and every Sunday. Yet St. Mark's is an ELCA congregation. I must confess, that I am struggling with that. I find myself wondering if my continued membership isn't just part of what helps preserve the current double standard in the ELCA . Where as a church, we will say one thing in San Francisco, but do quite the opposite elsewhere.
I find myself wondering if a Lutheran denomination that doesn't believe I am 2nd class citizen, but is too scared to say so, and tell those who do believe it, they are wrong, might as well be a Mormon or Catholic Church that donates millions of dollars to try to make me a 2nd class citizen.
In April of 1521,Martin Luther was brought before a tribunal where the Catholic Church demanded he recant his teachings and writings that challenged the doctrine of the day. His response was brief, yet powerful;
"Since your majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason--I do not accept the authority of popes and councils for they have contradicted each other--my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise, God help me. Amen."
I remember in the Winter of 2005, I sat and read the “final report” of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) task force on sexuality. I remember being so disappointed, but also wanting to believe that there was some good to be found there.
I really did want to belive that even though there were no real steps forward, just even having the discussion was a very positive step. At least it could be said that there were no real steps backwards.
That isn't the case in 2008. The passage of Proposition 8 here in California marks the first time the tyranny of a razor thin majority was allowed to strip away civil rights from a targeted minority. And like with the ELCA statement in 2005, once again the issue of LGBT equality reveals the ELCA to be a divided church desperate to avoid taking a stand at all costs.
With that 2005 statment the ELCA, in an attempt to avoid division, opted to remain a divided church. Congregations like St. Mark’s here in San Francisco or Holy Trinity Lutheran in Chicago were told they could continue to proclaim the good news to ALL people, but with slightly LESS fear of being punished for doing so. Yet elsewhere in the very same ELCA, it would be perfectly acceptable to tell a gay or lesbian teenager, from the pulpit, that they are sick and could be cured if they just prayed hard enough.
Now with Prop 8 we find the ELCA has in fear, boxed itself into the same corner once again. Where the Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod can, as an individual, join other clergy on the steps of San Francisco City Hall to denounce prop 8. Yet the church that elected him as a Bishop remains, for all intent and purposes silent on the issue of discrimination and turning religous bigotry into civil law.
In the offical ballot recomendations from the Lutheran Office of Public Policy, the ELCA urged us to vote YES on expanding rights for farm animals, (Prop 2) but couldn't muster the courage to say Lutherans should vote NO on taking away rights from human beings. (Prop 8)
So much for "Here I Stand".
The sheer cowardice of the ELCA is mind boggling. My church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was so scared to anger people who hate me that it couldnt bring itself to say that taking away my civil rights was wrong. The ELCA has made it clear it is unable, and/or unwilling to say loudly and clearly, that I am as much a human being as anyone else. Equal in the eyes of God, and therefore equal under the laws of Man. The leadership of the ELCA will (very quietly) assure me they believe that. I just need "to be patient" because the church can't say things like that publicly yet.
For once I find myself in agreement with the Neo-Conservative religous right. They have said for years that if you are not clearly against evil, your silence may as well be outright support of it.
I love my congregation of St.Mark's Lutheran here in San Francisco. It is a vibrant diverse thriving community of faith that shouts God's unconditional love for all loudly and proudly each and every Sunday. Yet St. Mark's is an ELCA congregation. I must confess, that I am struggling with that. I find myself wondering if my continued membership isn't just part of what helps preserve the current double standard in the ELCA . Where as a church, we will say one thing in San Francisco, but do quite the opposite elsewhere.
I find myself wondering if a Lutheran denomination that doesn't believe I am 2nd class citizen, but is too scared to say so, and tell those who do believe it, they are wrong, might as well be a Mormon or Catholic Church that donates millions of dollars to try to make me a 2nd class citizen.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
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