Posted on 01/16/2006 2:16:35 PM PST by Neville72
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mayor Ray Nagin suggested that recent destruction from hurricanes Katrina, Rita and other natural disasters is a sign that "God is mad at America," and also mad at black communities for tearing themselves apart with violence and divisive politics.
"Surely God is mad at America. He sent us hurricane after hurricane after hurricane, and it's destroyed and put stress on this country," Nagin said as he and other city leaders commemorated Martin Luther King Day. "Surely he doesn't approve of us being in Iraq under false pretenses. But surely he is upset at black America also. We're not taking care of ourselves."
Joking that he may appear to have "post-Katrina stress disorder," Nagin, who is black, talked of an imaginary conversation with the late civil rights leader. They "talked," he said, while he was thinking Monday about what to say at the ceremony outside City Hall to kick off a walking parade in King's honor.
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
I'm afraid I know who they all are and even remember when they were all newcomers to TV.
Don't ask me much about what's on TV now,though,I'm out of the loop.
As if God is really happy with Nagin.
You are as in you're an idiot. Not 'your an idiot.'
Anyway, he's a Texan now, ain't he? How is he still Gov of LA?
I don't believe God gets mad at us, I think it's just what's supposed to happen.
No, Ray. You were an idiot before Katrina, as well...
Right. Blame it on God.
His mistake here is that Republicans are too gutless to get even. You can't say that about God.
I was just teasing Nagin. However, I do imagine that God gets disappointed in us when we don't listen to him and, alternatively, pleased when we do.
But as CS Lewis said (to paraphrase), "we (humans) live in enemy territory." So I wouldn't blame anything on God but instead on the Fallen Angel and ourselves for following him.
Hey, everybody, how many of you read the story, instead of just the posted excerpt? Looks like he spent most of his time talking about the black community, not about whites and the government. What do you find in the following that you disagree with?
"I said, 'What is it going to take for us to move on and live your dream and make it a reality?' He said, 'I don't think that we need to pay attention any more as much about other folks and racists on the other side.' He said, 'The thing we need to focus on as a community — black folks I'm talking about — is ourselves.'"
Nagin told the crowd that he also asked, "Why is black-on-black crime such an issue? Why do our young men hate each other so much that they look their brother in the face and they will take a gun and kill him in cold blood?"
The reply, he said, was, "We as a people need to fix ourselves first."
A day earlier, gunfire had erupted at a traditional second-line walking parade to commemorate King's birthday. Three people were wounded in the shooting in broad daylight amid a throng of mostly black spectators, but police at the scene said there were no immediate suspects or even witnesses.
Nagin said King would not have worried less about those committing crimes than about the good people who knew what was right but lacked the courage to do it.
"It's time for all of us good folk to stand up and say we're tired of the violence. We're tired of black folks killing each other," Nagin said.
...
But Nagin also said King would have been dismayed with black leaders who are "most of the time tearing each other down publicly for the delight of many."
"Dr. King, if he was here today, he would be talking to us about this problem. The problem we have among ourselves," Nagin said.
I heard a good portion of his speech last night and he hit the nail on the head. Finally a black leader had the guts to say what needed to be said.
70% of births in the black community are to SINGLE MOTHERS. I couldn't believe he said that! Maybe he will emerge as a true LEADER when all is said and done.
The blame it on God part was in answer to the Black Community being displeasing in the eyes of God.
We obviously believe differently.
That isn't a strongly held belief of mine. I certainly agree that things just happen (I think). Tell me where I can correct my thinking if I am going astray.
I do believe strongly in the part about not blaming God, however. Everything He has done in my life has certainly been for my betterment.
"How long can you tread water?"
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