We don't know who set fire to Sarah Palin's church in Wasilla, Alaska. But is the apparent arson all that of a surprise, after the mainstream media so demonized her in the presidential campaign?
Likewise, the left and their compliant media are whipping up anger toward the Rev. Rick Warren, the good and gentle pastor of Saddleback Church, merely because his friend Barack Obama asked him to give an invocation at his inauguration in January.
Meanwhile, in California and elsewhere, militants opposed to that state's constitutional amendment defining marriage have been targeting churches and people who voted for it.
It's open season on conservatives and people of faith.
Perhaps it has been ever thus. But recriminations have been sharpened into saws these days.
Attacks on Palin and Warren are particularly misguided.
Certainly one is free to disagree with Palin's politics. But the media whipped some voters into a frenzy over her. Surveys of Obama voters, for example, showed quite clearly that voters had been brainwashed into believing the worst about her -- that errant quotes, for instance, were made by her when, in fact, some came from Obama himself.
Attacks on Warren are especially pointless and off the mark. Anyone who has seen him work or read his book A Purpose-Driven Life , can tell he's a man of great faith and love for all people. Obama knows this, and wants him to be a part of the inauguration.
But militants on the left, including U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, have done nothing but demonize Pastor Warren. In Frank's world, someone who has offended him -- even with their faith -- shouldn't be allowed a seat at the table.
How does the Rev. Warren react to the bile? Like a Christian. "You don't have to see eye to eye to walk hand in hand," he says.
It's time to stop demonizing those with whom we disagree. As the man says, we don't have to see eye to eye to walk hand in hand.
"During the course of the entire inaugural festivities, there are going to be a wide range of viewpoints that are presented," Obama says. "And that's how it should be, because that's what America's about. That's part of the magic of this country ... we are diverse and noisy and opinionated."
True. But if we listen to each other more, we just might learn something.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Excellent Editorial. Many who are demanding tollerance are the least tollerant of all. How can you argue that anyone who supports marriage is between a man and a woman only should not have the right to their views as they are demonic? Marriage has been this way since most everyone here has been alive and while some may wish to change it they certainly shouldn't criticize those who don't agree with them and wish to keep it the way it is and should be. The definition of marriage has alwasy been between a man and a woman of a specific age, etc. and we don't need it changed to a man with 2 women or a man with a man or a woman with a child or anything else. If the public in certain states wishes to allow other terms for others that do not fit into the marriage category than do so by laws such as unions, etc. but don't redefine what marriage has been for as long as anyone can remember just to please a few individuals.
Chronicle very very well stated...Merry Christmas Augusta Chronicle...
1st let's make it clear that "conservatives" & "people of faith" are not synonymous terms nor are the two always partnered. Conservatives do not have exclusive claim on morality or ethics. The opposite can be persuasively argued. Many conservatives condone the use to torture. Other conservatives support an unjust & unjustified war in Iraq. Where does The Augusta Chronicle editorial staff (ACES) get off with implying that TV coverage of Sarah Palin encouraged someone to set fire to her church? There was a brutal gang rape of a 28 year old lesbian woman in San Francisco. Is right wing radicalism responsible for stirring up hatred toward gays, bisexuals, lesbians & transvestites? Does ACES insinuate the radical right is to blame? No! There is no war on conservatives or on people of faith. I am a liberal. I give credit to evangelicals who have come to understand that taking care of the environment is part of Christian stewardship. People of faith have long been involved in the abortionist, anti-war & civil rights movements. The late William Sloan Coffin of Riverside Church comes to mind. Bishop Desmond Tutu is another Christian shepherd. So is Jimmy Carter. Listen to them. Peace & Love
Dozens of black churches have been burned across the south and the rest of the nation. How does the "left wing mediia" fit into that? A nut is a nut. Palin wasn't demonized by the media. She showed what she was made of during unscripted interviews. She was then locked away by the Reps and only did scripted speeches where she did nothing but demonize Obama. She lied about not supporting the "bridge to nowhere", she lied about selling the state plane on E-bay, she imposed a windfall profits tax on oil companies then somehow said it was a bad plan for Obama to do it,she billed Alaska a per diem when she was spending the night at her house,etc. Her church was a fringe church that practiced some wierd beliefs (ie. casting out witches) but that doesn't mean that some nut should burn it. Like I said, a nut is a nut. Don't try blame it on her coverage during the campaign. Ah, the hypocisy of the right. They spent years attacking the Clintons and Obama, but can't stand a little criticism of their own.
The editorial hit the nail on the head. Nothing else to add. Merry Christmas to Christian 134 and the Augusta Chronicle and the others here too.
Thank you, JHRC and TechLover. I couldn't believe the line, "It's time to stop demonizing those with whom we disagree." Puh-leez! The constant commenters on this board have demonized Barack Obama (socialist, fascist, communist, anti-Christ, etc., etc. ad nauseum) because they don't agree with him. As you say, TechLover, the hypocrisy is staggering. And to link a church burning to the left is ludicrous, baseless, and incendiary (pun intended).
Tech, most of the churches burned in the south and around the country are burned by young, future Dems. Entitlement people practicing stealing and trying to hide their crime or just vandalizing because they can. Same with the Palin church. Irresponsibility and intolerance and entitlement define the left and easily led, while the left wing media feeds them false and misconstrued information so to "justify" their actions. Who's surprised? Even JRHC claims affiliation and support for the ex-president who never met a socialist dictatorship he didn't support over America. It's what ya'll do. Where's the common ground for responsible, good conservatives to contend with you people?
It is heartening to read a Chronicle editorial that states: "It's time to stop demonizing those with whom we disagree." And "...if we listen to each other more, we just might learn something." It is my hope that the staff will take their own words to heart, and, keeping these tenents ever in mind, phrase all their future opinions accordingly. The Chronicle might then be that beacon from the "shining city on the hill," elevating public discourse, encouraging statesmanship rather than partisanship, and fostering solutions that are truly for the public and common good. Pacem meam do vobis. ei hgapate me ecarhte.
WOW! A moral commentary from Cain....the "man" who thinks it's healthy for TEENS to have an active sex life. From a man who thinks it morally ok to flee the country should he have been drafted. I guess we should just consider the source.
Hey John, Merry Christmas and who really cares what you think!
You pervert everything SisterAbdullahX & never address the subject at hand. I wrote that teenagers have the right to a sex life & SHOULD THEY CHOOSE to be sexually active it is preferable for them to have a safe & healthy sex life. That is what I maintain, not what you wrote. As far as the U.S. war in Vietnam goes, the overwhelming consensus among historians is that the war was unnecessary & a mistake. I went to college in 1966 on a student deferment & then drew a high number in the first draft lottery in 1970. I do support those conscientious objectors & war resisters who chose to go to Canada instead of fighting Uncle Sam's neocolonial war in Vietnam. President Jimmy Carter granted them amnesty. That was wise & should have been a unifying decision. Too bad Americans did not learn the lesson of Vietnam. United States now finds itself in a quagmire in Iraq. We cannot leave Iraq & expect it to remain a "democracy" that can "defend itself, govern itself, sustain itself & be an ally in the war on terror". Meanwhile Afghanistan goes from bad to worse. This is a teeter totter with U.S. troops at the fulcrum. Humans must move beyond war if humanity is to survive. Our hearts are hardened.
Well for starters....your rewording of what I said, says the exact same thing....so thanks for clearing that up for everyone. Second....you sure love to throw around that word "consensus." To you that means that it is the consensus of historians that YOU choose to pay attention to. Just like your "consensus" of scientists that think global warming is man made. You continue to ignore any and all evidence that contradicts what you hold to be true. Every time you post here, you prove to the world that you are a traitor, a coward, and completely lack in morals. Keep up the good work.
All wars are quagmires and all wars are bad and even if we're attacked we shouldn't defend ourselves. Yeah, right. What's this got to do with Dems burning Palin's church?
Gays comprise less than 20% of the population. Blacks comprise less than 20% of the population. Women comprise over 50% of the population. Non-Christians comprise less than 20% of the population. Yet all the above groups are protected under law against discrimination. I am 100% in favor of equal treatment for all regardless of race, sex, religion, or sexual preference. Unfortunately, equality is not these groups objective but supremacy. Forcing the majority to accept laws to protect the minority is wrong. Democracy = majority rule. Any questions?
Blaming the media for the criminal actions of a one or a few. That's rich. While I think religion should be left out of this and all government ceremonies, I support Obama's attempt at diversity. However, I'm not certain "good and gentle" are terms I would use to describe someone who excludes a entire group of people.
JRHC, you never served. What a surprise! Why don't we all join hands for a "love in, man?" In case you missed it, the 60's are over, but the dangers this country faces are not. I volunteered to served and am proud of it. The young men and women serving today do so at their choosing, not as a result of being drafted as was many of the cases in the Vietnam War that Kennedy and Johnson got us into. I see no dishonor in serving a nation that affords us the freedoms and standard of living that is the envy of most of the world as the US has provided. But, if you think the USA is so bad, there are planes and ships leaving everyday. Bon voyage!
All true tall2. I'm so glad we don't live under a democracy. A democratic republic makes so much more sense. Our founding fathers were on top of their game, but I don't think they were able to imagine the depths some groups would strive for.
The last time America was attacked by a country was on Dec 7, 1941 by Japan. The last time we were simply attacked it was not by a specific country but by a collection of terrorists from different countries. And we went after the ones who claimed responsibility for these attacks. The Vietnam conflict (never offically declared war) only served to kill soldiers and civilians. I challenge any one to cite a credible reference that states that the Vietnam conflict was a success
Did I get just a little hint of the A.C. DEMONIZING democrats in this article or was I just dreaming. Eleminating finger pointing should be applied to everyone including the people who wrote this article. BTW I noted they AC wrote about palins church, but I haven't seen any articles about her sons mother-in-law being arrested for drug dealing? I wonder why?
grouse, all groups are not compatible or even acceptable to all other groups. The left wing press never supports the groups of honor or high moral values. They're not responsible for the criminal actions of the fringe, but they are enablers.
This is gonna hurt: I agree with Cain's statement "I wrote that teenagers have the right to a sex life & SHOULD THEY CHOOSE to be sexually active it is preferable for them to have a safe & healthy sex life. " No one is going to stop anyone else from having sex. Children should be taught safe sex practices early. I believe that sex education should be from their parents, as it's a highly personal subject. Further: I do NOT believe "welfare mom's" have sex just to "get a bigger check". Sex is free entertainment. Don't condemn them just for wanting to have the only fun/entertainment they can afford. Help to prevent unwanted pregnancy thru contraceptives.
you're right dissman. I also haven't read about her downs baby being arrested for tax evasion.
tall2, contraceptives require responsible action and decision making. Unfortunately, irresponsibility is also free fun/entertainment....for the irresponsible.
PT: Just like anything else, use of contraceptives is trained behaviour. Teach your children young to always use protection, it becomes second nature. I simply cannot believe or agree that ANYONE enjoys being poor, enjoys having too many children, enjoys the low self-esteem that comes from being on assistance. Everyone has the right to the pursuit of happiness. It's their own responsibility as to how they pursue it. You cannot force education upon anyone, there must be desire. Desire for education is instilled by parents and no one else.
People that burn churches are criminals, and political parties have nothing to do with it, nor should it be construed as an attack on conservative religious people. It is a senseless crime committed by evil people. As for Cain's statement "President Jimmy Carter granted them amnesty. That was wise"- a whole lot of people, including myself, do not feel that way.
Tall, I'd agree with your statement except for one fact, we've had sex education in our schools for over 30 years now, and the teenage pregnancy rate keeps climbing. Kids are hearing the message, they just aren't paying attention to it. Maybe if Uncle Sam weren't so eager to take care of their illegitimate children they'd be more careful not to create them. And, please tell me what exactly this has to do with someone burning Sarah Palin's church?
PT:You are just plain out feakin' nuts. I'm sure all the black churches were burned by future Dems. Yeah right. You've got to be kidding! I'm sure they were burned by good old "Christian" boys who will become the beer swilling, card carrying members of the Klan or some group like them that will be the future base of the Reps. Since all yours buzz words seem to come from the likes of Rush, Boortz, Hannity, etc. it seems those of the right wing media are the ones who do the demonizing, hate, and preach intolerance. You seem to forget it was GHWB and his buddies (most of whom worked with W) who buddied up to Saddam and sold him his arsenal of WMDs. Go back into your little world of denial and see if you can come up with something intelligent to post for a change.
CH: It's not the schools job. The job of teaching children ethics, morals, & sexual education belongs to the parents. My post was responding to other posts. The subject of the editorial was not a church fire, it was an appeal for the left wing/right wing to work together.
Tech: Neither the rightwing nor the leftwing have the demonizing, hate, intolerance market exclusively. Both are horrendous.
Recently published research (widely reported in the media, just not the AC, surprise surprise) shows that there are more illegitimate births and more teen sexual activity among Southern evangelicals than among non-evangelical teens in the rest of the country. Abstinence "education" does not work. Furthermore (and I'm sure some of you are going to LOVE this), I would be disappointed in my daughters (15 and 19, both virgins) if they remained virgins until their wedding days. It's downright irrational to marry someone you haven't had sex with, and marriage is too important to take that sort of chance. I'd also feel as if I stunted them in some way psychologically...which is pretty much what I think of kids who "save themselves" (gag me) for marriage.