Obama a man of faith? Friday, 3 July 2009
Posted by R Garfield in Drifting, Political, The Left Side, Views On News.add a comment
President Obama draws fire from evangelicals because he does not support ultra-right-wing agendas. However, recent news articles have identified Obama as more overtly displaying his faith than most presidents in recent memory, including George W. Bush.
“This administration has used faith more overtly than any other in its first hundred days,” says Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. “That includes Bush.”
The news stories go on to say that his overt faith-based initiatives could cost him the support of the Democratic base.
Drawing Fire
Of course, the news reports drew immediate fire themselves. Most of it was based on ‘if you do not believe as a I believe, you don’t believe at all.’ People on the right whose faith is central to their public lives are quick to state that Obama’s faith is a sham, designed to ‘deceive the very elect’ and lead the USA into godlessness and the abandonment of Christian principles.
Full disclosure: there are a number of areas where I disagree with the President concerning statements he has made concerning Christianity. But I consider most members of the far right to be hypocrites who ‘deceive’ and garner followers among evangelicals by paying lip service only Christian principles. Can anyone say ‘Sanford?’
Someone close to me has said she prefers the far-right-sided liars. I don’t. I prefer to know when someone disagrees with me from the get-go, rather finding out about their ‘indiscretions’ in news reports.
Principles vs. Beliefs
If i were enumerating Christian principles, I would include those of honor and integrity. I would also include communicating with others, rather than preaching down to them. St. Francis is credited with saying, “preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” Matthew 5:16 (KJV) says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
I think Obama’s definition of Christianity is different than mine. But I don’t believe for a minute he is shamming his faith. His is holding true to the vision of his faith despite its unpopularity with both the right and the left.
Does the fact that the President’s faith differs from yours really mean he is faithless? He is being true to his princples, and his beliefs. That’s far more than I credit many of his followers with doing.
A Quarter Century Milestone Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Posted by R Garfield in Local, People, Political.add a comment
Willie Mae Kilgore, mother of state delegate Terry Kilgore and former Virginia Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Jerry Kilgore, has formally announced her retirement as Registrar of Scott County, Virginia effective December 2008.
The letter tendered to the Scott County Electoral Board cites a desire to spend more time with her family.
Ms. Kilgore has served in this capacity for 25 years.
In addition to sons Terry and Jerry, many of Ms. Kilgore’s family is engaged in some form of public service; her husband has served numerous terms as chair of the Scott County Republican Party. Her third son, John Junior, served on the board of the Economic Development Authority, before becoming director of that body.
What I am is … Friday, 2 March 2007
Posted by R Garfield in Bemused, Political.add a comment
According to OnTheIssues.org, I am a “Moderate Liberal Populist.”
Jim Webb is considered a populist; I can go with that.
Apparently Hillary Clinton is considered a moderate liberal populist, as is Dennis Kunich (sp?).
Since my opinion on Ms. Clinton is decidely undecided, I don’t know how happy I am with this designation.
Ah, well … I’m happy enough with Wikipedia’s overview of ‘populist,’ as long as you leave the White Supremacists out of the equation.
(Hopefully, very far out…)
Richmond Sunlight Wednesday, 24 January 2007
Posted by R Garfield in Political, State of Virginia, Technology.2 comments
I’m late on the bandwagon on this one – but head on over to Richmond Sunlight, an awesome site for keeping sight of what’s happening in our state government. Shaun Kenny, Brian Patton, and my old buddy Tabitha Peace are all raving about this site, I agree with all three:
- It’s much easier to use than the Legislative Information Services site
- Tag Clouds. But beyond that, it’s easy to add relevant tags
- Up-to-date progress on the bills
- An easy-to-read mark up of changes (to existing legislation)
- A clean, simple interface (hey, it’s Waldo Jacquith creation, so that’s only natural, right?
I use DLS/LIS sites a lot, and sometimes finding what I need there is an incredibly slow and annoying process. Richmond Sunlight makes finding the same information a snap, click, smile experience. This is a definitive ‘keeper.’
I’m off to spam eMail this site to the mayor, tc, and my commission and committee buddies now 😉
Young Democrat Blogger of the Year Awards Thursday, 18 January 2007
Posted by R Garfield in Political, Young Democrats.add a comment
Virginia Young Democrats are taking nominations for the first-ever Young Democrat Blogger of the Year Awards now through February 11.
The three divisions for entries are:
- VAYD Teen Blogger of the Year (ages 13-18)
- Kenton Ngo
- VAYD College Blogger of the Year (in college)
- Neal2028 [I think … ]
- VAYD Young Adult Blogger of the Year (younger than 36 and not in college)
- Brian K. Patton, Waldo Jacquith
Hat tip: Bryan J. Scrafford
R Garfield 