Buddhism

Religious Intolerance at McCain Rally in Davenport, Iowa

Mark C. Eades — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:45:30 EDT

The voice of religious intolerance spoke loudly and clearly Saturday at a John McCain rally in Davenport, Iowa. During his invocation preceding the rally, Rev. Arnold Conrad told the crowd not only that they should pray for a McCain victory but also that alleged enemies of Christianity around the world were praying for Barack Obama to win the US presidential election (see video).

"There are millions of people around this world praying to their god - whether it's Hindu, Buddha, Allah - that [McCain's] opponent wins, for a variety of reasons...," Rev. Conrad said, "...And Lord, I pray that you will guard your own reputation, because they're going to think that their God is bigger than you, if that happens."

Now, if Rev. Conrad has an actual degree in theology or divinity from some reputable institution of higher learning (which I doubt), then his program obviously didn't include any studies in comparative religion as any such program should. If it had, then Rev. Conrad would know that "Hindu" is not the name of a god to whom one prays, but of a religion and the followers of that religion. "Buddha," the founder of Buddhism, was a man, not a god, despite his earned sacred status; and in any case, Buddhists don't "pray to Buddha" for things they want. "Allah," Rev. Conrad should also know, is simply the Arabic name for the same God worshipped by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Arabic-speaking Christians also call God "Allah." Most ridiculous in Conrad's remarks was the idea that Christians and non-Christians ought to be fighting over whose god is "bigger" - an assertion so childish and stupid that it hardly merits discussion at all.

What if, perchance to dream, there had happened to be some Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, or even atheist Republicans in the audience when Rev. Conrad gave his invocation? And what if these Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and even atheists considered themselves every bit as American as any Christian, indeed every bit as American as Rev. Conrad himself? This is why we have separation of church and state in this country, a fact of which Rev. Conrad seems wholly and blissfully unaware.

Rev. Conrad is obviously an ignorant bigot. His remarks not only fly in the face of the fact that Obama himself is a Christian, but also posit a world in which people of different faiths must always be at war with one another, and in which anyone who doesn't happen to be a particular type of Christian must be considered an enemy of Christianity. Rev. Conrad also seems dangerously disposed toward something strongly resembling an American evangelical religious state and state religion, in defiance of the First Amendment to the US Constitution. Rev. Conrad's is the same mindset that brought us the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Salem Witch Trials; and it has no place in the 21st Century.

Rev. Conrad's remarks came before McCain arrived at the rally, and the McCain campaign - anxious to salvage what little remains of its reputation following weeks of shameless hate-mongering at rallies such as this - quickly put out a statement distancing itself from the remarks, saying that they "distract from the real questions in this race about Barack Obama's judgment, policies and readiness to lead as commander in chief."

The McCain/Palin campaign's sudden change of heart on hate speech at rallies may be too little, too late, however: The hate-mongering of recent days at these events appears likely to have unalterably set the tone for the McCain/Palin campaign, which in its final weeks has come increasingly to look like a lynch mob, if not some ridiculous would-be holy war.

See also: CNN, AP, LA Times, WSJ, Iowa Independent.

Mark C. Eades
http://www.mceades.com

Call of the Wild

Vidya — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:36:40 EDT

A message from those of us who think that wolves have had enough of the short end of the stick. This is why I donate $40 per week, for this commercial, simply because if McCain thinks so highly of his VP nominee, than I have to question their integrity, judgment and ethics.

The republicans are so ascew, backwards and out of touch they don't come close to getting it.

The aerial killing of wolves is so disgusting it makes the political history of Chicago look honorable. Sure we may have our own way of doing things, but at least our hearts are in the right place and our souls are intact. They don't call this the heartland for nothin.

Hi,

Have you ever heard of aerial wolf hunting? It's a brutal practice. Wolves are shot from low-flying aircraft or chased to exhaustion, then shot and killed at point-blank range.

Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for Vice President, promotes this barbaric practice, exploiting a loophole in the Federal Airborne Hunting Act to allow private wolf killers to shoot down wolves using aircraft. We have to get the word out about this!

Please watch this powerful video by Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, and then share it with every wildlife lover and conservationist you know:

http://actionfund.defenders.org/palinvideo

Last nights disgrace

Tim (Woody) Wood — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:42:27 EDT

While waiting for the Palin speech, I watched the rest of the x-canidiates go up and bash the democrate party and Obama, but the one statement that stood out from the rest that made me sick to my stomach, was the statement made by Mike Huckabee, when he sarcastically said that "only in America" can Obama win the nomination, and possibaly become the next President.

I read into what he was saying and I took away that Mike was trying to say that Obama is not a member of the elitist group, the group of white haired men that think they own our country. That thier the only people allowed to govern us.
I've had a dream about running for office one day, but after last nights comment, it has been daminished. I live right now through Obama, I have been backing him since about 2 months after he announced his prusuit to be our president. He is the normal person that one passes while walking down your local sidewalk. He has dreams just like me or your neighbor. And the notion that 'your not one of us' that Mike Huckabee was purtraying last night sickened me to the core.

Did anyone else feel this comment was directed in this way, or am I getting it wrong.

Palin Agrees with our Current Republican Adminstration.

Vidya — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:47:30 EDT

On most everything....

Oil drilling in Alaska,

De-classifying polar bears as endangered,

Shooting wolves from the air in planes and helicopters,

Reducing gun restrictions,

Denying civil rights to GLBT,

Privatizing education,

and...of course....last but not least.....

Palin and the Bush administration are anti-pro choice.

Here is how our current anti pro-choice administration operates abroad.

It's worked wonders...

John McCain ... The Anti-Choice

Matt — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:19:59 EDT

OK so you want to vote and you have to vote democrat or republican. Why in god's name would you vote for John McCain?

Because he wants to be president?

He was tortured for 6 years at the Hanoi Hilton yet he advocates war and torture. Where was he when Caesar needed a successor. He could have spared us from Caligula and Nero ... or would he have been worse than Caligula and Nero.

The Roman Empire is dead and so are we if we continue to follow Bush doctrine.

A vote for Lassie would be better than a vote for mean McCain. Defense is one thing but bringing our anger to the rest of the world has resulted in Israeli, Russian, and Pakistani aggression. Because we are the only superpower everyone else thinks they can get away with their own "war on terrorism". Even if they are responsible for the hostilities.

Our troops in WWII helped bring peace to the world and we have forgotten our place and responsibilities. McCain will bring more hostility not less. And Bush doctrine has worked to destabilize the world in the pursuit of wealth. Democracy and capitalism are not the same.

Vote Obama.

A Party To be Proud Of.

Vidya — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:35:16 EDT

Obama makes us proud to be democrats.

The republicans are a long ways off from realizing equality, integrity, and compassion.

Knowing that, we are so far ahead of them.

Clearly the differences between our two parties are simple.

We are not only progressive, we have evolved far beyond the dismal days of bigotry, sexism, greed, and violence.

We are the party of evolution, of the future, and of the perseverance of mankind.

We are the democrats.

We overcome obstacles.

We work with problems to create solutions, not deny and sweep them under a rug.

We deal with problems, because we are capable and willing to deal with them.

What ever the problem, we can work through it and rise above it.

No matter how much the republicans have screwed things us, we can handle it, because we are the democrats.

What a night, what a party!

Good night.

Obama/Biden 08 !

Last Night

Someonewhocares — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:19:38 EDT

Last night I had the honor of watching the last of a dynasty that has shaped our country, our society, our history, our party.

News update about holding facility

Someonewhocares — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:03:20 EDT

Here is a look inside the "holding" facility here in denver during the Dem ConventionWatch the video after you go to the link

Whaaaaa

Vidya — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:15:38 EDT

I really miss Ben, and Shopman

It's really not fair, doesn't anyone care?

I miss all my others friends too.

They didn't do anything I wouldn't do.

It was just a funny joke about a bra.

Shopman's was a bit satire and drama

What's so bad about being silly and funny?

Or calling each other sweetie, dear and honey?

I even miss Jackie and Edison,.... from a distance.

I miss the challenges they posed in an instance.

It must be bad, it must feel sad,

To have your posts all gone, it seems so wrong

I am wishing all the bloggers be brought back in tact.

When will that be? When can we see?

Shopman and Ben again?

The blog is mightier than the pen.

I think we can all agree

Someonewhocares — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:44:42 EDT

This is very alarming. Reguardless of who you support or what you want. Anyone who has ever been involved in a civil rights demonstration sometimes you do not have to do anything wrong to be one of those who get hauled in with a group who was acting up. Correct me if I am wrong.... this has never happened before.
Here is the story those who are intrested in others thoughts please follow the link and read the comments below.

LMFAO OMG REALLY!?!?!?!

Someonewhocares — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:02:11 EDT

http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2008/0807/spray_on_condom_0731.jpg

Spray-On Condoms: Still a Hard Sell Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 By CALLIE LEFEVRE Spray-on condoms Tyne News / WENN Edison had his lightbulb, Ford had his Model T, and Jan Vinzenz Krause has his spray-on condom. Inspired by the mechanics of a drive-through car wash, the German sexual-health educator designed a custom-fitting male contraceptive using liquid latex and some materials from a hardware store. "I felt a little like MacGyver," he says of building the contraption.

List of what not to bring at convention

Someonewhocares — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:57:48 EDT

LMAO ok sorry but yeah some of this was duh a given!!
#6 seems odd to me but whatever

Green is good!

Someonewhocares — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:50:18 EDT

Oh yeah woohoo Finally green jobs will boom!!
Anyone know what exactly sort of field you need to have experiance in to get one of these jobs?

1 of the impacts the convention has on Denver

Someonewhocares — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:16:27 EDT

Saw this on the local news website thought I would share. If you follow the link and read the comments it is not going over well. This will cut thru the heart of Downtown. link

WARNING WARNING WILL ROBINSON!!!

Vidya — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:05:48 EDT

Here is the post of a disgruntled democrat that was just erased, from who I do not know, and I don't care, even if it is a repo agitator, it does not matter, it is not the point.

...I was in the process of commenting on Janes comment... who apparently agreed...with the poster... Jane, is a friend,..except she did not say she would vote for McCain so I wasn't sure where she stood...

Anyway this is what I wanted to say to her, but I never had the chance.

From me Kristine aka "Vidya"

"Well, perhaps he is less qualified than some, but I do think he has enough appropriate qualifications for the job, and surely you would prefer him to McCain, right?"

No, I did not have a chance to comment, or defend my choice. I no longer have the privilege to choose which post I comment on, that is now done for me.

No one is allowed say anything unfavorable about Obama on this site. I read this post, and yes she is mad, and frankly with the crap the is being pulled on this site lately so am I. I do believe I have had enough.

We are all adults here, we can decide for ourselves how to respond or not to at all. Stop the censorship, or more and more democrats will feel alienated, censorship of this sort is exactly the what is causing an uprising within the party. Censorship is wrong, and the scissor happy cutting of posts needs to stop, before it gets around, everyone heres about it and it damages the GE.

Here is the post as it was in it's entirety...I believe you have the right to read it, and it is wrong for the Democratic party, and/or this site to imply that you don't.

"Well I see that our Speaker has been flapping her gum again. I am a Calif and think I have the right to be insulted when she bashes Hillary supporter. I AM A HILLARY SUPPORTER and will say right up front . I WILL NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA, IN FACT I WILL VOT REP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE as I have talk to many others who feel the same way, so you are losing 2 vote per person. 1 for Rep and one taken away from Registered Dem. I am 82, have voted since FDR, still work in the public every day and pay my share of income tax, so have a right to complain and be highly insulted. WE HILLARY SUPPORTERS ARE NOT WHAT IS DESTROYING THIS DEM PARTY, but the lack of the Dem led Congress to do what we sent them there to do, the lack of the DNC to be neutral until a nominee was picked by the American People, by this I mean the people of Mich and Florida were left out .
Had the DNC, Speaker Pelosi put aside there differences and been fair about the choice of people in this country , then and only then could the Dem party been united. Hillary would have been a better choice to run the country, would have been fair to ALL THE PEOPLE, regardless of race , color, gender, age or creed.
I will say this much to the Democratic Party, don't come crying after this is over and either we have a REP Pres, or an inexperience, race , well educated driven man with no plan to save this country from another depression, another war, another separation from reality man, whose main goal is to make a history statement rather than lead a country and ALL THE PEOPLE in the right direction.

SO BASH HILLARY AND HER SUPPORTERS right into the hands of the REPUBLICANS"

Again this is what I wanted to be able to say to Jane, who agreed.

"Well, perhaps he is less qualified than some, but I do think he has enough appropriate qualifications for the job, and surely you would prefer him to McCain, right?"

If you're still out there Jane I'd like to discuss this further.

If, we can at least have that opportunity, that freedom.

Hope I do not get banned for this

Someonewhocares — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:19:15 EDT

Intresting articl I found.

Some Clinton backers won't go quietly at convention

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 6 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Still sore from an epic primary battle, some of Hillary Rodham Clinton's supporters aren't buying the unity theme planned for the Democratic National Convention.

REPOST (MOD PLEASE READ INCASE YOU MISSED)

Someonewhocares — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:46:42 EDT

Mr Ortega

I posted a blog earlier please read and respond

Link

Mr. Ortega

Someonewhocares — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:05:48 EDT

Ok I am wondering if you could lay out the rules of PB and what standards you must hit to be banned. In the past it has always been a question as to what are the rules and what will and will not get someone banned. Vague statments like "anything used by the gop will not be tolerated" is not good enough. One could argue anyone who does not agree with Obama and his stance on lets pick.... um energy and they say they do not agree then that leaves them open for someone to say that is a gop thing. So please can you lay out some rules???

Oh and another question and I mean no harm but only asking. How many pro Obama people have been banned for their insults? Also what of those dems who have worked hard to elect dems in other areas of goverment.... are they no longer needed here?
Why can people be banned for speaking about Obama but other dems can be slammed?

HEY SOUTH DAKOTA....

Vidya — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:45:02 EDT

Protect a woman's right to chose in America!

On that creepy/CRAZY "Focus on Family" website I saw this, and it made my blood curdle.

"COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. �" Pro-life initiative Measure 11 offers South Dakota voters an opportunity to stand in defense of preborn human life during the November election, and carries the endorsement of Focus on the Family Action in conjunction with the South Dakota Family Policy Council.

Both groups are urging South Dakota voters to vote “yes” on Measure 11, which would prohibit abortion except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life or health of the mother is endangered by the continued pregnancy.

“South Dakota continues to be a driving force in efforts to protect women and the preborn from abortion. Focus on the Family Action is pleased to lend its support to this important ballot effort that will result in saving the lives of preborn children,” said Tom Minnery, senior vice president of Government and Public Policy for the organization.

“South Dakotans know the value of human life and the deep threats against it,” South Dakota Family Policy Council President Chris Hupke said. “Our organization pledges to come alongside this historic effort and the state’s voters to help ensure a November victory for Measure 11.”

South Dakota, please say NO, to Pro-life initiative Measure 11!

Focus on the Family is one hellfire and brimstone of an organization, how can anyone worry about Obama, with nuts like that supporting McCain?

This is a great article.

Vidya — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:10:12 EDT

America - Death By Terminal
Madness And Stupidity

By Karl Schwarz

7-17-8