Visit Our Store!
Beginnings of an Assassination
Believe It Or Not, This Isn't A Joke
Last Friday night, Pops and I reclined in a couple leather chairs in the basement, cracked a pair of Heinekens and began to have a conversation about where I was in my life. My frustrations with work, the economic difficulties preventing me from advancing, my overactive ambition and, of course, women were all discussed. Two shots of Absolut calmness later, we, well I, began to ease up about it all. Then he asked how my award-winning blog was doing. With a bit of hesitation and pride I recapped, what was at the time, the most recent entry. I relayed how I chewed into folks who thought Kanye was the figurehead for all Black people. He chuckled, sat back in the abyss of his black leather chair, no doubt thinking about the frivolity of the post, looked me square in the eyes and kindly said, you should write about that Pastor in Arizona that prayed for President Obama’s death.
My eyebrows perked up and my eyes got wider than a full moon, all confirming to him that I hadn’t heard of this before. And that was the start of the usual Father/Son, intellectual conversation that usually occurs in the [Washington] household after hours.
Somehow in the midst of worldwide media explosions about the “facts” with Healthcare, Joe Wilson’s outburst and Kanye’s interruption of Taylor Swift’s VMA acceptance speech, the news media somehow missed that a White pastor in the South(west) called for the death of our president. Some would dismiss this man as just a heretic, a backwoods religious conservative. My father; however, thought this call to action, as well as many other recent events, were all too reminiscent of the times before both John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy were assassinated.
Pops was very young when both happened, but he does recall from talking with his siblings that the angst and public outrage from conservatives was similar to now. One thing he did call out was the conservative American’s need to bring firearms to public demonstrations. Simply put, what activist brings firearms to what is supposed to be a “peaceful” event? From what I remember in history, whenever a gun is brought out it in public meetings it doesn’t lead to good things.
Then you have the aggressiveness in which these people are conveying their beliefs. They yell at their own Senators, picket while displaying signs that make President Obama look like Hitler and rally behind the thought of patriotism. They imply their racial disgust with the current administration by using terms like “the America of old”, saying that “Obama is not [their] President” or that their “government isn’t like how it used to be.” It makes you wonder if their fury comes from the fact that the government is trying to do an overhaul to a decrepit system or if it’s because a Black man is at the forefront of it all.
Yes, in case you forgot in this post-racial society our President is Black. I don’t need to rattle off all the times a prominent Black figure was assassinated. It’s embedded in all of us. All those assassinations were playing in the back of Black people’s minds everywhere like a Spike Lee movie as soon as it was seen that now President Obama had a shot to be the Democrative representative.
Now couple all that with a Pastor in Arizona calling for his flock to pray for the death of President Obama. I figure most, if not all, of the readers here called for a recount, removal and eventual impeachment of President Bush, but I know I didn’t ask for him to be killed. I knew if I did, I would probably be sending Slim and Miss Jenkins my posts via carrier pigeon from the new Guantanamo that you haven’t heard about yet. Also, it was just uncalled for. Bush was still the President of my country even if I didn’t vote for him, thought he was an idiot and I always imagined starting my own beach-side business in Jamaica just to escape.
This pastor is far from alone. He and his flock are undoubtedly not the only ones who think President Obama need to be killed. Comments like that are like roaches. Once you blatantly see one, you know there are millions more crawling below the surface. I’m sure there are plenty of the stereotypical gun toting, blue collar conservative Americans who think the same thing. And they’re not just relegated to middle America. A drive through upstate New York, middle to northern Connecticut and western Massachusetts will illustrate that for you pretty quickly. With that said, there are plenty more conservatives with racial thoughs about the President in your offices working alongside you. Not everyone in the big city is as liberal as you think.
For the first time in awhile, I hope my father is wrong. I hope I’m wrong. I never hope for that. Towards the end of our conversation, I briefly contemplated what would happen if President Obama was assassinated. Imagine riots ravaging neighborhoods that are just starting to recover from what happened in the 1960s. Civil unrest would be at an all time high. Racial suspicions between people of all colors wouldn’t be able to be disguised anymore. All momentum gained by President Obama’s election would be dragged back to place I confidently can say we don’t want to go. And worst of all, the country would be led by Joe Biden. Yes, I said it.
What do you think? Are my father and I just a bunch of cynical New Yorkers? Or are we reading the signs laid out before all of us? As they say, those that don’t familiarize themselves with the past are doomed to repeat it.
Seattle – This is Probably Going to Put Me on the FBI Watch List – Washington
*In case I wasn’t explicitly clear in the post, my father and I aren’t calling for the assassination of anyone. We were just pointing out the similarities between the times before other high profile politicians and activists were killed and now.*
84 Responses to “Beginnings of an Assassination”
Comments
Read below or add a comment...
Leave A Comment...
RSS & Twitter
-
here’s what i don’t understand. i’m at least partially racist and i couldn’t stand bush. never in a million years would i have wished for him to be assinated. i even felt some type of way when he got some penny loafers tossed at him.
people who wish harm towards obama are really on some other type stuff. what kind of hatred do you really have to have in your heart to feel like that.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Think someone said it in Sowhatiff’s post… I couldn’t stand that Bush was the president, but he was still the president. The major reason I was so disgusted with him as a president was because he represented the whole country. If he looked like an idiot, I looked like an idiot to the rest of the world.
Which is probably why these conservatives don’t want Obama as the POTFUS. They don’t want the globe seeing America represented by a Black man…
Reply
Streetztalk Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
COSIGN!!!
I think I said that last time. Its so true. Its the same when you have a chapter and they vote on things like programs,
intake chairPresident, and other positions. You may not like the decision but you have to roll with the will of the majority.Reply
On the one hand, I’m always happy to see racists show their true stripes, closet racists are the most dangerous. On the other hand, when more than a few of ‘em start feeling threatened like maybe (gasp!) this country is not theirs to do with what they will… they lose their freakin’ minds and things start getting scary. We are two tea bag parties away from all hell breaking loose.
I hated me some GWBush but I had no desire to see him dead. That’s the difference between impassioned and nutso. These folks act like Obama’s death or dethroning would be cause for celebration. What saddens and amuses me is how these same “true Americans” recoiled in disgust when those Al Qaida folks danced in the streets after 9/11. They see no parallel to the aggressive way they are acting now and how those terrorists acted then.
No you’re not crazy and cynical, you are seeing the signs pointing in one direction that is all too familiar and not very good. Let’s just pray for the President’s continued safety and for peace.
Reply
Nah man, you’re not being cynical at all. It’s crazy to me. I really do feel like the political and racial climate in this country is bordering on chaos, but rather than responsibly addressing this and scaling back the rhetoric, our leaders (mainly conservatives) are making it worse.
This country is ripe with xenophobic maniacs whose fears are being reinforced and manipulated by people using them to undermine Obama’s agenda and in turn regain power. It’s all fun and games until an attempt is made on the man’s life. If that happens, I know who my finger will be pointed at.
These clowns are intentionally undermining the president so he can fail, and in the process they’re scaring already nervous people into thinking that the black man is running their country into the ground.
I hope nothing happens to Obama, for real.
Reply
ASmith Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 8:58 am
It’s all fun and games until an attempt is made on the man’s life. If that happens, I know who my finger will be pointed at.
Exactly. These people better slow their roll, because they do not want the President to be hurt in anyway. All the walls will come tumbling down and it won’t be pretty.
Then again, let me not put too much faith in our system with that regard. ::eye roll::
Reply
It’s actually been around for a while- before the whole outburst and interuption. I think something should be done about it. Then again, I’m sure God doesn’t answer prayers like that. They are more or less hoping someone will take it upon themself to do the killing.
I hope nothing happens to Obama, cos if it does…………..what will happen? Probably nothing!!??
Nice post- i like!
Reply
Nicki Sunshine Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 7:36 am
I think something should be done about it also… it seems like a direct threat.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Nah, I think something will go down. That may be the catalyst for a lot of pent up anger within various communities. Not to mention, Obama doesn’t just represent us as Black folks, he represents a large and diverse group.
And, thanks! First time I’ve seen you at 3 Ways, welcome!
Reply
I don’t understand how a person can call themselves a Christian and yet, pray for someone to die.
Reply
Reecie Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 9:24 am
This.
this whole thing makes me smh. I don’t know if you all heard about the Secret Service investigating the creators of a facebook quiz that went up over the weekend called “should Obama be killed? “I swear these people…
Reply
Nicki Sunshine Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 9:31 am
WOW.. I’d never heard that… People are so dayum stupid… and all bc our president is black.
Reply
Brookland's OWn Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:03 am
From E-mail I received:
The Secret Service is investigating a Facebook Poll asking people if they would like to kill President Obama.
“We are aware of it and we will take the appropriate investigative steps,” said Darrin Blackford, a Secret Service spokesman. “We take of these things seriously.”
The poll asked Facebook Users “Should Obama be killed?” The choices: No, Maybe, Yes, and Yes if he cuts my health care.
Facebook has made it clear that they did not create the poll, and that it was created in an application used by a third party.
“The third-party application that enabled an individual user to create the offensive poll was brought to our attention this morning,” said Barry Schnitt, Facebook’s spokesman for policy.
“We’re working with the U.S. Secret Service, but they’ll need to provide any details of their investigation,” Schnitt said.
Reply
Nicki Sunshine Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Facebook needs to stop letting any and everybody make up applications to solicit on their site… they need to be more responsible.
Reply
Rox Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
not to mention that it’s doubtful that they don’t have the capabilities to unveil EXACTLY “who” created that poll.
YouTube users need to be taken down too
Reply
Anger Management Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
“We’re working with the U.S. Secret Service, but they’ll need to provide any details of their investigation,” Schnitt said.
Why does the Secret Service need to provide the details?? Its YOUR website!!
Reply
Peyso Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
This makes sense. They dont want to tip off potential suspects or anything. They’re doing the right thing
Reply
You are definitely not cynical, because hatred is very real. I heard about this pastor, and I said the same thing Nikki said…How could a Christian and leader of a church call for the death of anyone. This is why people turn from the chruch.
When I hear stuff like this, it makes me tired. I can’t wrap my head about this kind of hatred and ugliness. If you are a praying person, pray for Pres. Obama and the other leaders of this country. And we can’t forget, there are lots of brown people in his cabinet too…none of them are exempt from the hatred (and death threats too).
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:28 am
I’ll be here all day… so I won’t jump into the whole question of public speech.
However, the Pastor said he could justify his position with specific bible verses. According to that preacher he is doing the “work of god” just as you ‘christians’ here on threeways. CAN WE NOT JUMPOVER THE CHRISTIAN ASPECT OF THIS STORY. Conservatives try to pull the same stunt: “So what they are radical fringe of our party wants to assassinate a man. We are a decent people”.
The same book people are trying to tell me brings peace and love is being used to justify the killing of the first black president. You don’t here any atheist plotting to kill Obama. B/c we are sound reasonable people.
“I cant’ believe a Man of the cloth would pray for such a horrible thing” WELL I CAN! I see it everyday the way people through around the word of Christ as a justification for poor actions. Why would y’all stop when it comes to violence? People are sick and having faith in a fairy tale doesn’t help solve the divisions that divide society. God is more likely to be the cause of our destruction than save us b/c y’all take that word TOO seriously.
Reply
Peyso Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I want to point out how dangerous your logic is. Part to whole fallacy. Imagine it applied to everything else in life. Some black ppl rob so all black ppl steal. Some white ppl are racists so all white people are racists. Yes some sick sh!t was done “in the name of Christ” but some sick sh!t was done by Atheist. Should i point out Germany and Russia in the mid 20th century?
Reply
ASmith Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I co-sign Peyso…
Some people who claim to be Christians pray for Obama to die.
Meanwhile, other Christians don’t.
Some people who claim to be Muslim fly planes into buildings.
Meanwhile, other Muslims don’t.
C’mon, we know better than this.
Reply
N.I.A. see's the writing on the wall.... Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:55 am
I co-sign Peyso & ASmith
Generalizing and entire group based on the actions of a few is very dangerous. All Christians are not hate mongers from the pulpit, anymore than all black men are angry and violent, or all black women are angry black b*tches. The actions of a few are not representative of the whole. I think there was a blog written about something similar regarding race.
http://www.threewaystotakeit.com/set-us-back/
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Love to see the readers giving shameless plugs about our previous posts. Man, it warms the heart on a cold fall day.
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Hold on homey.
Hitler wasn’t an atheist. He claimed he would protect Christianity. He only spoke poorly of christianity in private (allegedly) b/c he felt it took away from the national consciousness.
Russia actually had the correct idea by making aethist the offical national religion. However, it was ruined by Christians in the KGB abusing their positions.
The language I use shouldn’t be classified as dangerious b/c unlike the religious, I words and opinions don’t come to a fake promise of an ever lasting life. I don’t claim humanity or your soul in endangered by not listening to me. I’m just being a ninja.
Smith, Peyso, Nia…
I’m not claiming that all Christians are bad people. I am only claiming that the idea that your belief is absolute is dangerous. You could justify ANYTHING with that book. Its huge and vague and has been translated a million different ways. Despite the fact that this preacher is still reading the bible the wrong way… he still is pushed toward the bible being THE WAY. Encouraging the sheep mentality.
Reply
Peyso Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
And what im saying is that the phenomenon that you speak of is not limited to religion and has been used in the past in other mediums.
When I spoke of Russia, I was talking about how they were killing off elderly and mentally disabled. This wasnt the work of the KGB
Reply
N.I.A. see's the writing on the wall.... Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
another co-sign, Peyso….
Reply
ASmith Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I co-sign Peyso, and add…
It’s not the promise of everlasting life.
It’s the brainwashing that has next to nothing to do with what the Bible actually says. Can people who know how to read be blamed for people who’d rather take what they hear to be truth rather than checking for self?
There’s a lot of things people SAY the Bible says, that it actually doesn’t. Feel good things, even, like “God will never give you more than you can bear…” doesn’t say it anywhere.
Believe what you believe (you = people in general) and believe it to be absolute. That is not dangerous. What is dangerous is thinking that anyone who doesn’t believe what you believe, the way you believe it has to die or otherwise be punished and that you somehow need to play a part in that. That ideology doesn’t exist in the Bible or in Christianity.
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
o man… you aren’t thinking like a sicko. The words they need are in the bible.. you just have to read it wrong.
“consume all the people which the Lord thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity on them.” Deuteronomy 7:16
“And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man’s sword shall be against his brother.” Ezekiel 38:21
I’m sure you take these sentences are something totally different from those wacky racist.. but just like those wacky racist don’t need Rush and Beck egging them on, they don’t need these verses.
“Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.” Micah 5:9
Reply
Rox Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Who says atheists can’t be racist hate mongers too?
Reply
Rox Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
& the folks above me kindly made my point already.
But it doesn’t matter who you are or what u claim… ppl who make threats of any nature need to be taken VERY seriously. Haven’t we learned from every h.s. shooting over the past 2 decades? Kids etching bomb threats in bathroom stalls have vacated schools for days as it should. These things cannot be ignored or given excuse.
Acknowledging & fighting this hate & racism is very important. & like Miss Jenkins said, prayin ppl need to get to prayin for our leaders. We don’t have to just sit by the wayside.
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
“prayin ppl need to get to prayin for our leaders. ”
What about if the rednecks pray harder than you… will your god kill our Obama?
Reply
Peyso Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
nobody knows. the bottomline is does it hurt to pray for the man?
very interesting that you’re using this venue as your personal attack on religion, christianity specific.
Reply
Streetztalk Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Atheist logic always tickles me. So you believe the Bible is a fairytale? Thats your opinion and I respect it, however to call religion dangerous when some see it as a way to pacify the masses boggles my mind.
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
“very interesting that you’re using this venue as your personal attack on religion, christianity specific”
Come’on Son. Don’t do me like that. Its not like I went off on a anti-christ rant during the Trains post. Its a pastor using religion to spread evil. I think its an proper time to talk about the negativity that comes from man assuming divine inspiration.
“Atheist logic always tickles me.”
Ironic b/c when my dissenting opinion in the past differed from Christianity my punishment was alot more than tickling. It may pacify you.. But it has killed and continued to kill many many more. Not to mention destroyed countless cultures, ethnic groups and civilizations.
Reply
Streetztalk Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Religions dont kill. Ignorance does.
Game.Set.Match
ASmith Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
CheekZ, if someone were to take the things you’ve said out of context on this site and proclaim to all that the best way to live is to mindlessly and without regard have sex with everyone they can find, and in doing so gets infected with HIV… are we to blame you for that?
Christianity has not killed anyone. People claiming to be Christians, claiming to be working for God have killed people. People who want some justification for the ridiculous things they think and feel. It’s their mindless inability to read for themselves and truly understand what Christianity is that has caused the death of others.
That doesn’t make Christianity bad, that makes those who use it as a weapon bad.
CHeeKZ Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
1) There are no sheep in CHeeKZism.
2)We can’t determine who is a christian and who isn’t based off of popular opinion. The evil people have just as strong of a claim as you do ASmith and other than the fact that I think you are hot and you make more sense than they do, there is no moral way to tell you apart once you invoke god’s name.
The NRA uses the same logic as you and Streetz. Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. Word homey… I’m just trying to make it harder for those people to get their gun.
They just took a poll down of Facebook about whether or not President Obama should be killed…smdh. People were getting all het up about someone throwing a shoe at Bush but where is the concern, where is the hype, where is the investigation about this? President Obama has barely been in office a good 9 months, he can’t even get a good foot in the door! Bush gave us 8 years us miffed up politics yet we still talk about respect due to him despite all because he was the president…where’s is President Obama’s respect?
Reply
Rox Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
CO-SIGN. Can we apply this whole post to “Biting the bullet” & several of the other “racial” posts we’ve had? It’d also be interesting to compare & contrast some of the comments therein too…
Reply
If more people saw it the way youa nd your Pops do, Seattle, maybe more of these jerk offs (pause) would be in prison instead of walking around free.
People don’t seem to understand the difference between disagreement and crazy (and there’s a huge difference). I want to understand why it’s EVER ok to discuss killing someone, let ALONE the POTUS.
I hope that when the SS says “we’re taking this seriously” they mean this man is off up in some Guantanamo Bay esque interrogation room, just for being stupid. Don’t people know that it is ILLEGAL to threaten the POTUS. HELLO.
See, this goes back to what I was saying when we discussed Biting the Bullet. There is NO respect for the office that President Obama holds. It’s gone and it won’t be until he’s harmed that people go “oh, I guess those crazy right wing nut jobs were serious…”
Ignoring these people does not make them go away. Seriously.
Meanwhile, these pastorS (because it’s not just one) are the ones scaring me. Sir, are you really praying that President Obama goes to hell? Does that make sense? I guess so, since Jesus prayed for people to go to hell… oh…no…WAIT… he didn’t. UGH.
Reply
CNN did a brief segment about this pastor. And, do you all remember that black guy who brought the gun to the POTUS townhall in Arizona? Yeah, he attends that church, and was in the congregation the day that pastor gave his hate-filled sermon. Here’s the link… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVwfdaYuy1k&feature=player_embedded
No, Mr. Washington, you are not cynical. Both you and your father see the writing on the wall. It disgusts me that these people call themselves Christians while spewing such hatred from the pulpit, the street corner, the protest rally, wherever. And their is a basic disrespect for the President all over the US, not just among the hatemongers.
Reply
First, Arizona is not the South.
Second, I didn’t know about this. I mean, I’m sure it exists, but I didn’t know specifically. Good look, Pops.
Third, this Steve Anderson guy looks like a real homo…sapien. His wife looks like she could be his sister. I’m just sayin.
Lastly, people like this should be put in prison. Or at least pastors should rally to have him removed as an ordained minister. This is the complete opposite of what the Bible teaches, and its ppl like this that turn others away from religion. The Bible says to bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. This guy is saying he wants the President to die of brain cancer. My aunt died of brain cancer, and the pain she went through was so much worse than a bullet to the head. So him recanting to say “natural causes” is even worse if you ask me. I’m gonna pray for him, cuz that’s what Christians are supposed to be doing.
Spleh. =/
:::slaps self, hard:::
Reply
The Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, Pass di Kushempeng Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:19 am
“Lastly, people like this should be put in prison. Or at least pastors should rally to have him removed as an ordained minister.”
So do you want to repeal the entire Bill of Rights now, or you wanna do it one amendment at a time?
Reply
Peyso Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:21 am
there are laws about inciting criminal acts and thats what he would potentially be brought up on
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:25 am
he was careful.
Praying for an assassination would be a strech in itself. Praying for natural death… you would have no case against him.
Reply
The Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, Thinks Beanie Siegel should be Obama's personal bodyguard Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Yea he was. He walked a very fine line. And that’s the gift and the curse of the constitution. Yea, that dude showed up to the town hall w/ an AR-15 after being at the sermon, but a good lawyer can argue the pastor did not say certain things that would make him liable. That’s makes the debate over the constitution as a living document so crazy. Keep in mind that while we think this type of speech against the president is crazy, that’s actually why those Puritans hopped their asses on that ship, so they can do this type of bs.
On another note, I will be convening the League of Cocksmen along with the Cocksman Intelligence Agency and the Ni99a police to have that black dude’s hood pass revoked and harsh sanctions imposed.
Reply
Rox Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
well he didn’t say that
Reply
I think there’s something serious with this country today.
This pastor in Arizona prays for Obama to die and then someone puts a quiz up on FB saying “Do you think President Obama should die?” The options were like yes, no, maybe, yes, if he messes with my health care…WTH?
There’s no sense of respect with some of these people at all…and honestly I think if something were to happen to Obama (in such a manner) the United States would be on the world stage looking like a bunch of ignorant ne’er do wells because some people don’t know a good thing when they got it…
For all the people subscribing to this foolishness o_O…they are probably the ones who need health care and every other aid that the government gives.
That…that fact right there makes it 100 times sadder.
Reply
Rox Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
“For all the people subscribing to this foolishness o_O…they are probably the ones who need health care and every other aid that the government gives.”
co-sign
Reply
America’s playing with fire right now. As you said I hope we don’t have to deal with a this future possibility but as I asked many people prior to the election if this happened (again) just what would we do? Would it be the final straw or just another period of outrage then return to the status quo?
Reply
I don’t think your jaded, I think people hoped that some of this hate speech would remain underground. This goes beyond having an opinion about his presidency, this could possible mean his life which is nothing to joke about.
I think America really needs to start to it seriously. I’m not saying obsess about it but making an attempt on the President’s life isn’t something to joke when think about how’s he tried to open up the White House to peope. It’s actually kind of scary.
Reply
I want to say that this pastor needs Jesus but uhhh……
I have a close friend (not so close anymore) that is a republican..A canadian republican..yea.i.know.wtf (few summers spent playing baseball in the south and you’re an honorary american?)
and he is hell bent on the idea that Obama is the anti-christ..it has come to a point that we dont talk anymore because I dont understand his ideals and reasoning…the example of the pastor in the article and my friend go way beyond common rebellion, its sickening and will only aid in tearing apart a country that is supposed to be a super power…you dont have to agree with a leader’s policies, i even question a few of Obama’s policies myself, but go suck yourself (im trademarking that ish) if you proclaim to love God, read the bible all the while marking a man for dead….
In other countries you get shot on the spot for opposition….this secret service team better be packing.
Great Post!
Reply
The number one disease is not obesity, it is stupidity. I am a firm believer of that. How can you claim to be a patriot yet want to kill the president or want him to fail? The sh!t is just a$$ backwards. This proves how much we need to improve our education system. I dont have a problem with racists. You dont like me or my people fine, (as long as you dont rob me of any opportunities) leave us alone. However, when you begin to hold un-American ideas under the guise of being a patriot I call BS on thee. When you start trying to kill ppl, I call BS on thee.
Unlike police officers, Secret Service draw their guns and hit the safety in one motion. We might need those extra moments.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I agree with your comment, in particular the way folks disguise their hatred as being a patriot. You can see right through the b.s. commentary.
Reply
Cheekie Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:25 am
“How can you claim to be a patriot yet want to kill the president or want him to fail? ”
Exactly. And these same folks were chastizing those against the war, those who wanted the troops home. Interestingly enough, to them, people who wanted their fellow Americans HOME AND ALIVE weren’t patriotic, yet threatening your president VIA PUBLIC MEDIA just because you want your country “back”* is honorable? GTFOHWTBS.
*And yeah, I loathe the phrase they’re throwing around “we want America back” (or in so many words)…they’re conveniently forgetting that you can’t take back what was never really yours.
Reply
ASmith Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:28 am
When they say that, I always want to ask “Where did it go? Who has it?”
Reply
Cheekie Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
LMFAO. Right, like there’s an Amber Alert out for America. SADDOWN.
Reply
The Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, Thinks Beanie Siegel should be Obama's personal bodyguard Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
The thing is they think expressing certain views is patriotic.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Good point.
Reply
Yea, I remember reading about and watching the video on this pastor. He had no remorse. What I found, though, was that much of his congregation was not in agreement with his stance and were highly upset that he used the pulpit and his degree of influence to convey nonbiblical ideals and personal political bias to his members—not a good look.
Only in America is the disrespect of our leader deemed acceptable, under the guise of “free speech.” It’s truly disparaging.
Reply
Rox Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
“Only in America is the disrespect of our leader deemed acceptable, under the guise of “free speech.””
preach
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Bill O’Reilly said the same thing 2 &1/2 years ago.
Reply
The one thing that Obama has going for him (in terms of staying alive) is much the right has learned from the 1960s. As the pastor said in the interview, they don’t want to make another hero. Its a huge disservice to their cause for him to be killed (i.e. they killed Kennedy and LBJ easily passed the Civil Rights Act of ’64. They Killed Lincoln and Andrew Johnson was impeached. They killed MLK and now they have to teach their kids about how he was a great man every Jan).
I hate to say this… but I kinda wish they would try. Not that I want them to be successful. But like Regan (who was shot my a lunatic, not a liberal) Obama could take one in the shoulder easy. The Dems would take 2010 elections easy. And that is what is important… these people will have to live with themselves.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Well if the Feds weren’t watching before, they are now…
You’re right though Cheekz. I honestly think that’s why there weren’t any physical attacks on President Obama. They don’t want to make him into a martyr or an even bigger idol for America.
Instead they attack him on a political level, undermining his policies and seeding doubt into Middle Americans about his origins and intentions. Straight guerilla tactics.
Reply
I heard about the Pastor’s comment but only on an offchance of clicking the link of a blog that linked to somewhere else. It was totally random, if I recall correctly. So yeah, it was in the media, but it was overshadowed by the Kanye & Taylor Swift love story.
I’m hesitant to even make a real comment on this because anytime I even make an indirect comment about it, I get the chills. I do NOT want to know a non-Barack Obama world. And this right here scared the bejeebus outta me:
“Pops was very young when both happened, but he does recall from talking with his siblings that the angst and public outrage from conservatives was similar to now. ”
…
Reply
Maybe because I was raised below the Mason/Dixon, I find your post far from cynical. It’s realistic. Ignorance is FAR more contagious than common sense, and we, nowadays, seem to slip further & further away from individualism. And I must say that religion has aided this. You’re taught to believe and not question. You’re taught to follow for you will never lead. And the person that dares to question becomes a heretic. (Shouts to Martin Luther) Combine this sheep mentality with a 24 hour news station that exacerbates & triggers fools, and you end up with 9/12 being a US holiday.
Religion is blindly followed by many similarly to the same ways these tea baggers are following what gets defined as patriotism today. I disliked Bush but I found it disrespectful and as an affront when a shoe was tossed at him. He was still my President. Today, it’s patriotic to hope for Obama’s defeat/demise/death.
Religion & patriotism have lead people to do far worse things than create a Facebook poll. So it’s not a question of if it will be taken too far but when?
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:45 am
CO-SIGN!
Religion’s appeal is in absolute explanations. Once you misinterprete the word… the rest of us are screwed b/c we have to deal with this person you believes he is being inspired by God not fear.
Reply
Starbucks,
Try to revisit the Carmen Sandiego map for the U.S. because Arizona is not in the South. It’s classified as the Southwest, chief!
Crazy thing about this is :
1.) He is preaching for the death of a president which in most cases would be illegal and a criminal act.
2.) The interesting part is that he might be protected by the U.S. constitution regarding the separation of church & state. Which might protect him and have him continue to preach such a foul message….FAIL
I think everyone here can a agree that there were some of us who despised G Dubbs and his manuevuers as the leader of the free world but I don’t think anyone wanted the man dead. To strongly disagree with someone is one thing but to wish/praying for someone’s death is beyond crossing the line. In moments, like this I PRAY that GOD will work on improving the thoughts & ideals of this individual.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:46 am
:- & that’s why there’s edit buttons on WordPress. Read too many articles about the “Southern pastor” Southwestern pastor just isn’t as catchy …Editing…
Reply
The Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, Thinks Beanie Siegel should be Obama's personal bodyguard Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
It’s in the Southern half of the US, so technically Portland here is accurate. But hey, I’ll let you two doves peck this one out.
Reply
BLaCk Bruce WaYnE Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Rightcoast,
Not to be a killjoy but he isn’t right because we are in the United States of America and that part of the US is referred to as the southWEST. In addition, I don’t think you count as a reliable source because you’re from a U.S. Territory.
I know winning an award can make anyone think they can bend and alter normal facts but not in the case of geography chief. Nothing personal, just stating the facts, boss….
Reply
The Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, Thinks Beanie Siegel should be Obama's personal bodyguard Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
“In addition, I don’t think you count as a reliable source because you’re from a U.S. Territory. ”
Which, I may point out is technically in the South as well. I mean shoot, if you ask a mexican, AZ is in the North. Now….this is a stretch but follow me….Seattle, Washington is the Northwest, AZ is in the SOUTHwest. If you live over that way, one could argue that folks over there relate to each other in just North/South perspectives.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
The man’s got a point.
Reply
BLaCk Bruce WaYnE Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
WOW, well then I see where the loyality lies after winning a few awards…
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Coke and a smile?
Reply
This outrage is because Obama is taking the fall for Bush’s failures. The summation of the last 8 years has come to the light in the last 9 months, not even a full year into his presidency and we are at such a critical crux in our nations history.
THEY DO NOT WANT HIM TO SUCCEED, Seattle you are right, straight guerilla tactics. This way they can say its not his race, he is not qualified.
But this pastor don’t know nothing, because the X factor in this situation is MICHELLE OBAMA. You think she will ideally stand by and let these men take her man…please Michelle is from SOUTHSIDE CHICAGO! She is my superhero and she is also Barry’s.
Another reason why G.Bush was not assassinated besides the fact that killing is wrong. Is no one wanted to have Dick Cheney for president. Seriously Seattle I’d take Joe Biden over Dick Cheney ANY DAY!
We do not live in a post-racial society…no, we do not have to center everything around race, but least us not be ignorant to the pervasiveness of the framework that it serves in our everyday lives.
Reply
Peyso Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 11:57 am
if u change post racial to post racist, i agree with this statement
Reply
had to say Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
lol…why not post-racial?
Reply
Peyso Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
post racial implys that race is no longer a factor in many folks day to day decisions. Race doesnt incite any particular feelings. In a post racial society “playing to race” is not an option.
We are in a post racist society b/c everything isnt centered around race, ppl arent lynched in the streets etc.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
We basically had Dick Cheney for president for the past eight years. Bush was nothing but a live puppet. I think that’s why Cheney’s been vocal about Obama’s term thus far and G Dubya has been M.I.A.
On the other hand, Bush knows he messed up and wants to make sure no one can’t point the finger at him. Out of sight, out of mind.
Reply
had to say Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Seattle-
In reference to Cheney, I would argue that it was not as bad as it could have been. Word on 1600 Pennsylvania is that GDubs and Cheney did have some stark differences and GDubs pulled rank…
it could have been worse…though I do not know how and I am glad my imagination doesnt reach out that far!
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Word?! Not as bad as it could’ve been? Wow. Well in that case, I agree with you. With that knowledge, Biden isn’t 1/2 as bad as Cheney was, is or will be.
Reply
“My father; however, thought this call to action, as well as many other recent events, were all too reminiscent of the times before both John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy were assassinated.”
Does it take our middle-aged parents to say it before we’ll believe it? The extent of the idealism of our generation is almost to a fault. “I’m scared for Obama,” says my mother EVERY single time we have a chat. Word on the street is that secret service is being spread hella thin trying to balance threats on Obama’s life & National Security – this is the real deal ppl. For those who continue to believe recent rhetoric & behavior isn’t at least partially fueled by racism, the 2520s got u.
“there are plenty more conservatives with racial thoughs about the President in your offices working alongside you. Not everyone in the big city is as liberal as you think.”
Duh – & in congress too.
This junk is real folks… it won’t keep me from staying positive, pursuing my dreams, giving back to the community, & keepin the peace – but I’m not gonna ignore it.
I just pray that “that” day will never come. I don’t even think my wildest imagination could predict what would happen if it does.
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
well I guess they got me ….
b/c as sure as I am that the preacher is a racist, I’m also wise enough to see that he didn’t pull the race card. So I’m not going to pull the race card first b/c than I am giving him a scapegoat.
They made it clear Rox, they want him to die b/c they feel his policies violate the bill of rights and his idolization is ruining america. All their points are faulty and they are so ignorant we will never be able to properly argue with them. But just pulling the race card doesn’t help, b/c its pulled too much.
Let me repeat this: I believe the preacher is racist. But I don’t have the evidence.
Reply