If readers have not already figured it out, I view Michele Bachmann as a dangerous lunatic motivated principally by (1) self-promotion and (2) out of the mainstream religious extremism. At a campaign stop, as reported by Politico, Bachmann made the following statement:
The Washington Post reports that Bachmann now says the comment was a "joke" to make a point. Based upon all I've read about Bachmann and her far right supporters, I suspect she meant the remark literally. There is a certain irony, however, to the remark. I'd conjecture that if God has a message, its to Bachmann and her fellow far right Christians - whom I prefer to refer to as Christianists - and the members of the GOP who prostitute themselves to such elements. A casual reading of the four Gospels of the Bible show one group more than anyone else drew Christ's wrath and criticism: the Pharisees applied religion in a legalistic, uncompassionate manner and looked down upon and despised pretty much everyone but themselves. And who does Bachmann and her fellow Christianists and Tea Party nutcases resemble in their social views and on public safety net issues? Why, the Pharisees, of course. They condemn others, want to cut social programs for the poor, the homeless, the unemployed, and generally wear their religion on their sleeves. For a group that claims to honor - even worship - the Bible, they might do well to read the four Gospels and stop acting like those most criticised by Christ. Here are highlights from Politico's comment on Bachmann's batshitery:
Not exactly the company one wants a presidential candidate to be compared to. Here are highlights from the Washington Post observations on the Bachmann campaign's efforts to backtrack:
"I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We've had an earthquake; we've had a hurricane. He said, 'Are you going to start listening to me here?' Listen to the American people, because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet, and we've got to rein in the spending."
The Washington Post reports that Bachmann now says the comment was a "joke" to make a point. Based upon all I've read about Bachmann and her far right supporters, I suspect she meant the remark literally. There is a certain irony, however, to the remark. I'd conjecture that if God has a message, its to Bachmann and her fellow far right Christians - whom I prefer to refer to as Christianists - and the members of the GOP who prostitute themselves to such elements. A casual reading of the four Gospels of the Bible show one group more than anyone else drew Christ's wrath and criticism: the Pharisees applied religion in a legalistic, uncompassionate manner and looked down upon and despised pretty much everyone but themselves. And who does Bachmann and her fellow Christianists and Tea Party nutcases resemble in their social views and on public safety net issues? Why, the Pharisees, of course. They condemn others, want to cut social programs for the poor, the homeless, the unemployed, and generally wear their religion on their sleeves. For a group that claims to honor - even worship - the Bible, they might do well to read the four Gospels and stop acting like those most criticised by Christ. Here are highlights from Politico's comment on Bachmann's batshitery:
Bachmann's not the first public figure to call a hurricane a message from the Almighty: John Hagee suggested that New Orleans might have triggered Hurricane Katrina with a gay pride parade, while Pat Robertson postulated a connection between Katrina and the debate over abortion. But it's not exactly a mainstream meteorological view.
Not exactly the company one wants a presidential candidate to be compared to. Here are highlights from the Washington Post observations on the Bachmann campaign's efforts to backtrack:
Republican presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.) told supporters God was sending a message to Washington politicians through the earthquake and hurricane that pummeled the East Coast this weekend, according to a report in the St. Petersburg Times. The hurricane killed more than 26 people, including at least two children.
Bachmann’s press secretary told reporters that she was “saying it in jest” to prove a point. The three-term congresswoman’s comments, joking or not, moved into ”risky territory,” writes Politico. This may be especially true for a candidate who, in the two months since she announced her candidacy, has faced many questions about her religious worldview.
Her husband’s Christian counseling center has also been criticized for advancing controversial “reparative therapies” for homosexuality.
1 comment:
Here here, the most important thing you've said is to stop referring to these people as Christians. My mother was one. Christianists- is too polite a word, but at least marks a difference between them and good people.
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