gdp's Comments

God's Own Party? : Room 219 ~ Congressional Spiritual Prayer Warfare "Chapel"

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:40:26 +0000

Why do these people shun the critical thinking skills their god gave them? I think their god wants them to use their brains to figure out public policy problems. We are all in a boatload of trouble with these folks as "leaders".

God's Own Party? : A Walkaway's Account ~ Escape from Joel's Army Sunday Schools

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:25:19 +0000

Many thanks to Alex for sharing her story with us. I see some other commenters have jumped in to clarify some of the more obscure references. I highly recommend the http://www.talk2action.org/ website which Leah has listed on her sidebar to anyone interested in learning more in depth about this movement. I find it so horrifying that we have this whole subculture within us ( do we have any idea of the numbers involved?) that is so contrary to the liberal ideals that founded our country. This kind of coercive and abusive behavior should not be protected. I agree with Leah that we must shine a light on these people and their activities. One of the most interesting reflections that Alex makes is how much worse her situation would have been if she had grown up a few years later when the homeschooling movement had taken hold amongst these people. That is one of the most worrisome elements of this entire culture - the complete isolation and indoctrination separate from the rest of society. The right-wingers are ranting day in and day out about Communists and Maoists as well as radical Muslims out to take us over and do us harm, and meanwhile we have this home-grown culture among us that is just as at odds with our free and open modern society.

God's Own Party? : For Me? Mrs. Palin, You Shouldn't Have...and On My Birthday No Less!

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:11:28 +0000

Thanks, Leah! I have been looking forward to your take on the book. I just got through the Oprah interview - yuck. Now I'm leaving all Palin behind to watch Dancing With The Stars. I hope you are doing something enjoyable! I'm going to enjoy a piece of chocolate angel food cake from Whole Foods in your honor - Happy Birthday!!!

God's Own Party? : A Symbol of Global Importance - Religious Freedom DOES Matter!

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:09:26 +0000

Leah - I waited until today to read this when I could give it my full attention. What a wonderful affirmation of Mr. Weinstein's work - and yours!

God's Own Party? : Imprecatory Prayer IS a Weapon - and Mikey DOESN"T Like it!

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 14:14:23 +0000

Good going Leah for being involved in this and super duper good going for Mr. Weinstein taking this to court! We must push back against this behavior and call it out for what it is. There is no freedom to incite violence. That number you shared of the number of evangelicals in the military is beyond frightening - that's really the most frightening thing I have read in a long time.

God's Own Party? : "DV Not 'R' Problem, it's a Pre-Existing Condition & They Will Just Get Hurt Again"

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 17:56:29 +0000

Discriminating against women who suffered domestic violence is beyond my ability to comprehend, but thank you Leah for your work and vigilance on these issues. And karmageddon is my new favorite word - thanks nswfm CA! This is slightly O/T, but not to your blog - your entertainment of the day - and be sure to scroll your cursor around: http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/artwork/view_zoom/?a...

God's Own Party? : "Onward Christian Athletes" by Tom Krattenmaker...

Sun, 4 Oct 2009 20:33:38 +0000

Wow - this does look fascinating, Leah. In a horrifying, train-wreck sort of way. And the more the merrier in exposing all facets of this infiltration of our society. I'm adding this to my TBR list!

God's Own Party? : Rare Sighting Alert! A Politician with a Spine! Kudos Rep Grayson...

Sun, 4 Oct 2009 17:30:04 +0000

Here's the I Heart Grayson Facebook page - anyone on FB can show him some love!: http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Heart-Grayson/157... And major congrats on that New Yorker quote! Go Leah!

God's Own Party? : Rare Sighting Alert! A Politician with a Spine! Kudos Rep Grayson...

Sat, 3 Oct 2009 02:01:07 +0000

Yes, he is awesome isn't he, Leah? He has also stood out in some hearings in the financial services committee. He is a freshman congressman, and he is really making a mark. I also find it interesting that he is representing a pretty conservative and long-time Republican district - his seat used to be held by Bill McCollum whom you might remember for being a a prominent hard-right Republican.

God's Own Party? : Bachman-Style Census Paranoia According to 1 Chronicles...

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:27:23 +0000

As someone who enjoys doing genealogical research on my family, I love census forms! And this attack on the census is so horrible. As you say, words have power. And this is so misplaced. I remember the form I received for the 2000 census - it was quite lengthy and elaborate and asked all kinds of things - where was the paranoia then? I see where M. Bachman was out spreading her ignorance and fear again this weekend - these nuts sure do enjoy their festivals: http://tinyurl.com/y8pu6j7 - Can't help but be outraged by the topic How To Recognize Living Under Nazis & Communists - what an outrage to people that actually do/did live under those regimes!

God's Own Party? : Americans United for Separation of Church & State...Doing God's Work!

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:09:25 +0000

Thanks for sharing this review of the VV Summit - I think that Rob Boston would be an excellent companion if one were forced to endure that event. And you Leah!! I think it would peals of laughter punctuated with horror. Or the reverse. As I tell my husband all the time - this is not a joke and it's not funny. But it is so hard not to mock these people, and mocking is what they deserve. And I'm going to go track down those cape dudes - that's some crazy! I love your bloggers against theocracy badge!

God's Own Party? : "Values Voters"...a Raw Mix of Hatriot Teabaggers & Evangelical 'c'hristians

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:30:17 +0000

OMG Leah - this photo gallery from the VV Summit is quite entertaining - really conveys the flavor of the event! http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/gallery/2009/09/...

God's Own Party? : "Values Voters"...a Raw Mix of Hatriot Teabaggers & Evangelical 'c'hristians

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:26:03 +0000

Ugh, Leah, I'm so glad you watched this stuff so I didn't have to! No, I don't mean that - that would be cruel and unusual punishment - and I did watch bits here and there and I share your pain. All I can say it yuck, yuck, and yuckety-yuck. If these people just shared this stuff within the privacy of their own homes and churches and kept their homeschooled kids inside then fine, but they want to "save" the USA by forcing the rest of us to live according to their demented vision of our country. I understand the commenter who wishes they would not get so much attention as it makes them more important, but I really think we need to direct as much as light as possible on these people. They are out there proudly proclaiming their intentions and working assiduously to bring them to fruition. I think the more people see and hear them talk about what they are up to the better.

God's Own Party? : Mrs. Wilson...pulease...

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:51:09 +0000

Teenage Republican camp? In 1966? Were these the people that burned the Beatles records?

God's Own Party? : Does Jesus REALLY Care About Football?

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:25:08 +0000

Ugh, so annoying. I agree, with these overt displays I cannot imagine how strong the coercion is for the athletes on these times. And as an example for all their young fans . . . This reminds of this story from last week: http://tinyurl.com/o7aytg I know I don't have to explain how coercive such events are to high school athletes.

God's Own Party? : Ignorance EmbarrASSes America Once Again!

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 12:31:23 +0000

I hope you caught this Republican stooge who tried to argue that President Obama is too charismatic to be allowed to speak to school children - I guess he has so much persuasive power he must be treated like a controlled substance. He is so persuasive in his admonition to work hard in school that parents wouldn't be able to convince their kids of their contradictory opinion - to not do well in school? Now that makes my head hurt: http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/joe-watkins-... We need a judge like this one - unfortunately it is from Canada: http://www.democraticunderground.org/discuss/dubo... I can just imagine that if there were a ruling like that here in the USA we would soon have teabaggers carrying signs demanding their right to ignorance. And more for your ginormous wall of shame : This guy: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/9/779065/-Ho... And I've been following the story of the evangelical, homeschooling Chairman of the SC Board of Ed who is also a writer of hardcore erotic fiction - apparently she has fled to Canada: http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/08/31/sex-education/ I'm enjoying your new site Leah!

theopalinism : Leaving the Palin Lolly-Pop Ship Behind...

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:54:11 +0000

Leah, I'm sure you are aware of this by now - Sarah Palin is supposed to make an appearance at an event at that ChangePoint Church in Anchorage on Thursday - all my warning bells went off! I hope somebody makes gets it on videotape! http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL09H06&f=RF07B0... I'm looking forward to your new site!

theopalinism : Seattle Forum Follow-up; What is it Going to Take?

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:31:32 +0000

Leah, I feel your frustration. A lot of people dismiss Palin as just not mattering any more because she quit, or is too fringy, or she's just a nice innocuous lady. Most people have no clue that she is part of this larger movement that explicitly wants to christianize our country. And I would be eager to dismiss her too if I didn't know about the ferver of her followers and her magnetic media personality. Apparently New Gingrich made the same comment about death panels and children with Down Syndrome a few days before Palin did, but no one paid attention. Palin wrote it on Facebook, and it was the political talk of the weekend and got addressed by Obama today on live television. And I know you know the fanaticism of her followers who speak of her as their Queen Esther and use lots of other warrior imagery. And I agree that you need to finish your book - no pressure! I have been pleased by how much attention The Family and Jeff Sharlet have gotten recently - I think Sanford and Ensign helped a lot! But the more we can drive home to people just how many of our elected officials are caught up in this the more attention it will get. I don't have the link handy, but I hope you saw the whole week of strips of Doonesbury about the C Street House. It shows that people are interested in the involvement of these religious extremists in our government, and you are a wonderful voice for explaining the extent of it. And thank you for sharing the Frank Schaeffer items - I find it so reassuring that other people see the same things happening as I do! I really do have to read his book soon :) I am so pleased to hear that you have more interviews coming up. I think after the last election so many people wanted all this rightwing stuff to go away and not have to hear about it any more. I wish! But I agree with the commenter above that all this madness going around around the health care debate is going to shake people into paying attention to what's going on.

theopalinism : Palin/Bachman - Now They Are Just SCARING ME!!!

Sat, 8 Aug 2009 11:00:02 +0000

Yes, Palin needs to use some of that book advance and buy a clue - there already is a "death panel" or a "low-paid death clerk" at your profit-motivated private insurance company that decides what you get and what you don't get or if they'll drop you altogether accountable to absolutely no one beyond the bottom line. One of the long-standing scare tactics against health insurance reform and any sort of government insurance (although the white-haired people shouting at those Town Halls don't seem to be throwing back their Medicare!) is that there WILL BE rationing under a government system. There already IS rationing now by the insurance companies. A public system (a la Medicare!) would shift that rationing from profit-motivated to non-profit. I cannot fathom how Palin thinks it is a good idea for her to jump aboard Michelle Bachmann's ship! But I'm sure this will provide lots of fodder for discussion at your event today - enjoy!

theopalinism : A Republican's Appeal to His Own Party...'STOP it Already!'

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 23:13:57 +0000

My comment relates to both of your posts today. I made the mistake of watching some of the YouTube videos of the people ranting and raving at the Town Hall meetings over the health care debate. I get really frustrated with this whole mess because we just had an extremely long, extensively debated campaign season in which the number one issue discussed was health care. And now the losing side in that election is screaming their heads off because they lost. Anyway, as I watched some woman yelling about how she wanted her country back and how for the first time in her life she was sooooooo skeeeered about what was happening to her country (yes, over her country trying to help the less fortunate get better health care and improve the health care access for all, that is the evil that has her so bent out of shape - I mean one can disagree over the particulars of how one goes about that but I wish these people could at least acknowledge that the goal is an unequivocal good - but no, there they are screaming about how it is unamerican and evil, so they lose me from the get-go), all I could think about was how none of these people batted an eye over Bush's war needlessly killing hundreds of thousands of people and costing us a trillion dollars. That wasn't worth leaving their homes and screaming in public. And in my most pessimistic moments I wonder if it was hammered home to these people that Bush actually believed he was on a mission from god, would that even concern them, or would they just think Heck Yeah? Anyway, more to your point here, I actually believe that listening to the hate radio and tv is seriously damaging to people. I had a recent discussion about how if these people just took a break from that daily dose of hate and dementia an awful lot of this would die out. Not that they need to listen to the liberal side, just step away and live in their own reality. And yes, I need to stay away from the YouTube :)