As a Roman Catholic it surprises me that a lot more of this kind of stuff has not surfaced. Perhaps you forget that most of the priests who started seminary in the late 60’s and 70’s are deeply invested in the notion of social justice and social activism. Remember this guy was arrested for climbing up on a billboard and defacing tobacco advertising. It is a theology driven by anger. A deep desire to change the social and political structures that enable perceived injustice against those who are most vulnerable in society. Of course, the greatest injustice for this group is abortion. The unborn are the most vulnerable. They believe the rights of the unborn have become the victim of broad social and political manipulation.
Every time something like this happens (Pfleger, Wright, Hagee) people predict politicians will pay a political price because of their association. I believe the exact opposite. For example, it appears to me that Obama has tapped into a deep reservoir of public anger towards politicians and the political media. It is the anger that gives him his teflon powers. I may be wrong, but in the next few weeks all that anger will be concentrated on John McCain and he will be devastated by a press seeking their own redemption. People are making a huge mistake in underestimating the skill and toughness of Obama the politician. People forget he is being attacked on both sides by Hillary and McCain but he appears to be drawing strength from the minor wounds he suffers. People make a mistake if they think that Obama is just an old stye politician saying “whaever” if it gets him elected. He believes what he is saying.
As the general election unfolds Obama will begin to speak about the social injustice that is the root cause of abortion. He will appeal for a better approach (an understanding) by society of our need to respond to the call of the unborn. He will defend a woman’s right to choose but be critical of those who promote abortion other than as the option of last resort. If he goes this route, he will be entirely consistent with his own writing on the meaning of life. He will draw huge support from the Catholic community and hierarchy and not lose a single liberal vote. Do not underestimate this guy.
I think there’s a lot of truth to what you’re saying. Obama will really test the public’s powers of discernment. The left is a formidable adversary because for the most part it is sincere in its moral passions, and people respond to sincerity.
Leave Pastor Hagee out of this discussion. Obama’s yeahoos aren’t even in the ball park. John Hagee is attacked now because he’s become rich, powerful, supports Israel, and is a whale of a good preacher. Watch him some time. Old-fashioned gitemup inthe mornin’ God-loving preaching the Word of God. I sure wish he were closer to us up here in flyover country.
That’s ridiculous. Wasn’t Obama the one who made the comment about a baby being a “punishment”? He can’t spin that.
In Illinois, Obama voted "present" twice on bills that would allow doctors to resuscitate infants who survived partial birth abortions. He will make no statements about guarding the life of the unborn. That assertion would simply be silly.
I wouldn’t put Hagee in the same category.
I agree with you. I think we have already had some stunning examples of how crafty and ruthless he is.
As for his believing what he is saying, I think it depends on what he is saying to what audience. What he really believes is radical left-wing insanity, racially driven, and probably with a serious tinge of Islam that he doesn't dare be open about (associating with NOI types is about as far as he dares to go). But what he really, really believes, more than anything else, is that he deserves power. He is completely driven by the desire for power.
And that is something to be underestimated at our own peril.
I’m not a Catholic, but I also heard called for the killing of a gunshop owner. That “priest” is as dangerous as the other disaster pastor, the “rev” wrong.