Barack Obama: Redeemer-in-chief?
Posted 39 weeks 4 days ago byBarack Obama wants to change America. But can he change Americans' souls? Michelle Obama thinks so. "Before we can work on the problems, we have to fix our souls. Our souls are broken in this nation," she told an enthusiastic crowd at UCLA earlier this month. "We have lost our way, and it begins with inspiration, it begins with leadership... I am here right now because I am married to the only person in this race who has a chance to heal this nation." (Hugh Hewitt has audio.)
Think about that for a moment. Perhaps there is something to this business about an Obama cult after all.
Talk about soul-saving, or fixing, or whatever synonym you like is troubling coming from a serious presidential campaign. It's troubling when certain Republicans talk about it, too. A few weeks ago, Joel drew the distinction between Obama and Mike Huckabee. "Barack Obama isn't Mike Huckabee," Joel wrote. "Obama didn't -- like Huckabee -- promise to bring the U.S. Constitution in line with 'God's law.'" No, if you believe Michelle Obama, his ambitions are a bit more lofty. And unlike Huckabee, Obama could actually win.
Mrs. Obama's remarks remind me of Bill Clinton, who, upon taking office in 1993, spoke of "forcing the spring." The metaphor is telling. And the idea of thrusting mankind into the future or establishing heaven on earth is a common theme in modern American liberalism. It's a theme that runs afoul of nature and history. But some people can never stop dreaming. Nothing ever changes, I suppose.
I don't want Barack Obama, or any president, trying to "fix" my soul. My soul isn't the president's concern. As we've seen, preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States is difficult enough.
Thoughts
Pat says, "That same speech
Submitted on February 20th, 2008 by KansasGirlPat says,
"That same speech she gave, left me with an uncomfortable feeling. I squirmed at the thought of still bearing the cross of slavery...over 100 years ago.
Didn't Obama recently attack McCain for saying we were going to be in Iraq for 100 years?"
I'm hard-pressed to see how remembering atrocities done to your ancestors for 100 years and fighting a war for 100 years have anything in common... except maybe the words "100 years."
Christians
Submitted on February 20th, 2008 by PatAs someone that does not belong to a church (at this moment)
nor do I profess a religion, I've been Baptist and Catholic,
I consider myself a person of deep faith in Christ and God...
without the branding iron of names. I talk to God on a regular basis, and I'm sure 98% of humans do...in their own way.
Sometimes, I know I am judged for not belonging to a church.
But in my child heart...I remember my Dad being pursued and pushed into joining a church. This man was a saint, a dear hearted soul.
I asked him one day while in the woods hunting, "Dad, do you believe in God?" He gave me a reply that set my life with security forever. " Yes, I do. I can stand on top of this mountain and talk with him freely...and he hears me."
What does this have to do with politics? The man we elect holds all of us in his hands. Not with promises...but with knowledge.
Knowledge, I hope, that comes from God. If you believe in God...then you know he is wonderful and loving. No...we don't all believe in wars, but I do believe in caring for other humans...no matter where they are. There is evil here and we can't let people be slaughtered. Or should we? I guess that is where the Bible comes in. Welfare, Insurance, housing, ...how much should the Government take over? Even God said work is good for the soul.
We've got people saying God thinks you'r owed...so stay home and they'll take care of you. Okay...this country didn't mind...but for how long do we have to do it? There are jobs here...we've been invaded for them.
There should be nothing to fear when people profess their faiths.
They are all built on human greatness and kindness to one another...or they should be. It is when people abuse religion that we as a nation fall.
As a Christian and a person that considers the Bible relevant,
I don't enjoy seeing the media push Obama as our Savior. His speech taken from Governor Patrick spoke about proven heros of this country. Google Governor Patrick and ask if this profile fits the speech. God willing...and with more time to go, we won't be fooled either way. I just hope we are allowed the truth about Obama.
The Media
Submitted on February 20th, 2008 by PatI question "who" pushed Obama to the front? I'm not a Hillary fan, but the Democrats did have greater choices than what they offered the people. So why Obama? Where in the world did he come from? As with all new movie stars, there must be an "agent".
Michelle Obama, at the UCLA event, said she had been told to wait her turn when trying to enter college.
Really? Was she told "no" because her grades were too low? She said it...not me.
That same speech she gave, left me with an uncomfortable feeling. I squirmed at the thought of still bearing the cross of slavery...over 100 years ago.
Didn't Obama recently attack McCain for saying we were going to be in Iraq for 100 years?
The media has planted an evil seed and it is growing. We the people, should know the policies...not the promises of our leaders. But as Hillary and Bill have found out, Obama is now off limits. He recently threatened a 'back lash' if he were not nominated. I can only imagine.
OBAMA'S LEGACY??
Submitted on February 18th, 2008 by sunshine308Los Angeles Times 1/24/08
CAMPAIGN ‘08
Obama said oops on 6 state Senate votes
Barack Obama angered fellow Democrats in the Illinois Senate when he voted to strip millions of dollars from a child welfare office on Chicago’s West Side. But Obama had a ready explanation: He goofed.
“I was not aware that I had voted no,” he said that day in June 2002, asking that the record be changed to reflect that he “intended to vote yes.”
On March 19, 1997, he announced he had fumbled an election-reform vote, “I was trying to vote yes on this, and I was recorded as a no,” he said. The next day, he acknowledged voting “present” on a key telecommunications vote.
He stood on March 11, 1999, to take back his vote against legislation to end good-behavior credits for certain felons in county jails. “I pressed the wrong button on that,” he said.
Obama was the lone dissenter on Feb. 24, 2000, against 57 yeas for a ban on human cloning. “I pressed the wrong button by accident,” he said.
On Nov. 14, 1997, he backed legislation to permit riverboat casinos to operate even when the boats were dockside. The measure, pushed by the gambling industry and fought by church groups whose support Obama was seeking, passed with two “yeas” to spare — including Obama’s. Afterwards, he rose to say, “I’d like to be recorded as a no vote,” explaining that he had mistakenly voted for it. Obama would later develop a reputation as a critic of the gambling industry
On June 11, 2002, Obama’s vote sparked a confrontation after he joined Republicans to block Democrats trying to override a veto by GOP Gov. George Ryan of a $2-million allotment for the west Chicago child welfare office.
Afterward, Obama chastised Republicans for their “sanctimony” in claiming that only they had the mettle to make tough choices. A fellow Democrat suddenly seethed with anger. “You got a lot of nerve to talk about being responsible,” said Sen. Rickey Hendon, accusing Obama of voting to close the child welfare office.
Obama replied right away. “I understand Sen. Hendon’s anger. . . . I was not aware that I had voted no on that last — last piece of legislation,” he said.
IS THIS WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THE FUTURE:
Feb 15, 2010-Associated Press Release.
"Asked why he neglected to give fair warning to heads of Europe before declaring war, President Barack Obama stuttered, "I thought it was a coffee machine. I had no idea that button deployed nuclear missiles."
revelations
Submitted on February 17th, 2008 by GeorgeI cant help but wonder when I see all of this blind adulation and acceptance of a man that has no credentials to be this nations leader.
Has anyone ever read revelations?
I can't help but wonder when I hear words like saviour and messiah associated with this man. Has anyone ever read revelations?
I have never been a religeous man and I'm not even sure if the things in revelations can happen but I sure don't think it's worth taking a chance to elect a man who is at best a very good orator and at worst Well we just don/t know what at worst might be. Or do we?
George in Florida
To clarify
Submitted on February 16th, 2008 by KansasGirlNo, Ben, you didn't mention "Christian fascism" - but let me clarify what I meant when I did. I don't think there's any need to define "Christian," though I could easily add the word "fundamental." "Fascism" is defined as "oppressive, dictatorial control" by the American Heritage Dictionary. And you quoted Joel saying that Obama was different from Huckabee, who wanted to:
"bring the U.S. Constitution in line with 'God's law.'"
That's what I call Christian fascism, the desire to rule a country, whose very basis lies in religious freedom by the way, according the rules of a single religious doctrine. As interpreted by whomever is in charge, of course. To say, as you did, that Obama's intentions as reported by his wife are even loftier - that is a misinterpretation of Michelle Obama's statement, and an unfair one. There's one point on which I wholly agree with you:
"As we've seen, preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States is difficult enough."
When it comes to something so basic as religious freedom, I just think we should be focusing on people who are actually intending to deny it - not those who happen to talk in a style we're not used to hearing in a presidential contest. As a Christian myself, I don't want my government in my religion anymore than I want my religion in my government.
Care to elaborate on Christian fascist, KansasGirl?
Submitted on February 16th, 2008 by Ben"The fact that use of the word 'soul' automatically brings to mind a Christian fascist mindset - that's pretty telling, in and of itself."
I don't think I understand what you're getting at. Who said anything about Christian fascism? Not me. A casual reader might be tempted to say that linking the words "Christian" and "fascism" is telling, too. But that would be careless, uncharitable and unfair. Wouldn't you agree?
"It seems appropriate that we start talking about getting back to a place where we're guided by some sort of virtue. It has nothing to do with 'saving' you, me, or the dog."
Well, you may be right. But that wasn't quite what Michelle Obama said.
obama's voting record?
Submitted on February 15th, 2008 by AnonymousLos Angeles Times 1/24/08
CAMPAIGN ‘08
Obama said oops on 6 state Senate votes
Barack Obama angered fellow Democrats in the Illinois Senate when he voted to strip millions of dollars from a child welfare office on Chicago’s West Side. But Obama had a ready explanation: He goofed.
“I was not aware that I had voted no,” he said that day in June 2002, asking that the record be changed to reflect that he “intended to vote yes.”
On March 19, 1997, he announced he had fumbled an election-reform vote, “I was trying to vote yes on this, and I was recorded as a no,” he said. The next day, he acknowledged voting “present” on a key telecommunications vote.
He stood on March 11, 1999, to take back his vote against legislation to end good-behavior credits for certain felons in county jails. “I pressed the wrong button on that,” he said.
Obama was the lone dissenter on Feb. 24, 2000, against 57 yeas for a ban on human cloning. “I pressed the wrong button by accident,” he said.
On Nov. 14, 1997, he backed legislation to permit riverboat casinos to operate even when the boats were dockside. The measure, pushed by the gambling industry and fought by church groups whose support Obama was seeking, passed with two “yeas” to spare — including Obama’s. Afterwards, he rose to say, “I’d like to be recorded as a no vote,” explaining that he had mistakenly voted for it. Obama would later develop a reputation as a critic of the gambling industry
On June 11, 2002, Obama’s vote sparked a confrontation after he joined Republicans to block Democrats trying to override a veto by GOP Gov. George Ryan of a $2-million allotment for the west Chicago child welfare office.
Afterward, Obama chastised Republicans for their “sanctimony” in claiming that only they had the mettle to make tough choices. A fellow Democrat suddenly seethed with anger. “You got a lot of nerve to talk about being responsible,” said Sen. Rickey Hendon, accusing Obama of voting to close the child welfare office.
Obama replied right away. “I understand Sen. Hendon’s anger. . . . I was not aware that I had voted no on that last — last piece of legislation,” he said.
IS THIS WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THE FUTURE:
Feb 15, 2010-Associated Press Release.
"Asked why he neglected to give fair warning to heads of Europe before declaring war, President Barack Obama stuttered, "I thought it was a coffee machine. I had no idea that button deployed nuclear missiles."
The "Soul" of a Nation
Submitted on February 15th, 2008 by KansasGirlThe argument that Michelle Obama's words are tantamount to other politicians' vows to use Christianity (or any religion, you pick) as the basis for a nation's law and identity is a little troubling to me. The fact that use of the word "soul" automatically brings to mind a Christian fascist mindset - that's pretty telling, in and of itself. It just goes to show you that we've had too many 'Mike Huckabees' in this nation lately - we can't imagine a politician with any other kind of "soul."
Spirituality, morality, and virtue. . . that's what I associate with "soul." In the midst of a world where we've lost moral credibility, where we've become the aggressor in wars of choice, where politics as usual has destroyed our legislative system, it seems appropriate that we start talking about getting back to a place where we're guided by some sort of virtue. It has nothing to do with "saving" you, me, or the dog. It's all about living up to the incredible dream of the founding fathers. And being able to look in the mirror as a nation and be proud of what we see.