fundamentalism run amok - rant

[varwoche]

I find Tom DeLay to be a uniquely noxious and dangerous individual. There are many ripe avenues of exploration here, but none so alarming as his rabid fundamentalism as it relates to US foriegn policy. The man is unabashed.

That's right, the majority leader, one of the most powerful people in the country, determines US foriegn policy based on belief in armageddon.
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NY Times

"An evangelical Christian, Mr. DeLay is a leader in Washington of the Christian Zionist movement, a bloc of conservative Republicans whose strong support for the Jewish state is based on their interpretation of the Bible."
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Then of course is talk-in-tongues Ashcroft.

It is left to the imagination the extent that Bush is of like mind.

For a skeptic to vote for Bush, regardless of political stripe, regardless of viewpoint on the mid-east, must require a supreme nose-holding effort.

 

[varwoche]

More DeLay...
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Jerusalem News

quoting:
Addressing an annual award event of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), DeLay told of how, when he recently stood on the Golan Heights and looked across the region, "I didn't see any occupied territory, I only saw Israel.
A self-professed Christian Zionist, DeLay holds a position on Israel shared by millions of evangelical Christians across the globe, but which the world at large regards as fanatical fundamentalism.

According to evangelical belief, the deity known in the Bible as the Lord God of Israel gave the land of Israel, central to which are the "occupied territories" or West Bank," to the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob as their inheritance forever.

DeLay, who has visited Israel on numerous occasions, has openly declared his support for the Jewish state and its right to the disputed land, undaunted by the hostile coverage given such sentiments by the largely anti-Christian and anti-Israel international press.
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[Zep]

I would suspect that the Israeli moderates would run with pegs on their noses AWAY from this guy just as fast as anyone. It would seem he would contribute nothing positive at all to any peaceful resolution in the ME. Anyway, no-one sensible likes to associate with flagrant loonies.

 

[Some Friggin Guy]

I would suspect that the Israeli moderates would run with pegs on their noses AWAY from this guy just as fast as anyone. It would seem he would contribute nothing positive at all to any peaceful resolution in the ME. Anyway, no-one sensible likes to associate with flagrant loonies.

Hmmm...as a flagrant loony, I think I should be offended.

Or maybe I'll bathe in mayonaise, instead.

Granted, there are flagrant loonies, and there are DANGEROUS flagrant loonies.

 

[hammegk]

Do you assert Delay's fundamentalism to be more dangerous to mankind than the fundamentalism employed by China today, or by Stalin or Pol Pot et al in the past? I do agree that radical Islam currently poses a major threat to all of us.

Does Delay threaten the world, or just the irreligious who reside in the USA? How will his comments affect the EU, the Aussies, etc?

 

[The Don]

Radical Islamicists who carry out terrorist attacks DO present a threat now in the same way that if there was a group of fundamentalist Atheists who intended to implement their "laws" though terrorist means would also present a danger. The dangerous bit is the "terrorist" part not the "Islamic" part.

If Delay has any influence on U.S. foreign policy, U.S. Trade policy, U.S. Economic Policy or in fact any policy other than the choice of paper towels in a school district then yes, hsi view will have an impact on the rest of the world (on reflection even the paper towel choice could have an impact).

Whether Delay's fundamentalism presents a threat is very much dependent on your point of view. It is likely that, because of its position as the only superpower, the U.S. will increasingly influence opinion throughout the world. U.S. views and values will become (even) more pre-eminent. If your value system is such that this present a threat then yes, Delay's fundamentalism does present a threat.

 

[Some Friggin Guy]

Radical Islamicists who carry out terrorist attacks DO present a threat now in the same way that if there was a group of fundamentalist Atheists who intended to implement their "laws" though terrorist means would also present a danger. The dangerous bit is the "terrorist" part not the "Islamic" part.

If Delay has any influence on U.S. foreign policy, U.S. Trade policy, U.S. Economic Policy or in fact any policy other than the choice of paper towels in a school district then yes, hsi view will have an impact on the rest of the world (on reflection even the paper towel choice could have an impact).

Whether Delay's fundamentalism presents a threat is very much dependent on your point of view. It is likely that, because of its position as the only superpower, the U.S. will increasingly influence opinion throughout the world. U.S. views and values will become (even) more pre-eminent. If your value system is such that this present a threat then yes, Delay's fundamentalism does present a threat.

I agree with The Don on this, though I think Bush's and Rumsfeld's fundamentalism is a greater threat.

 

[hammegk]

I agree with The Don on this, though I think Bush's and Rumsfeld's fundamentalism is a greater threat.

To whom? You & me? All US citizens? Hemispheric stability? World stability?

Anywhere in there are they more a threat than Islam fundies? Or appeasers to terrorists?


And somehow I suspect the actual USA/G.Brit. War on Terror is 99% covert. Iraq & Afghanistan were just supply depots.

 

[Brown]

I find Tom DeLay to be a uniquely noxious and dangerous individual. There are many ripe avenues of exploration here, but none so alarming as his rabid fundamentalism as it relates to US foriegn policy. The man is unabashed.

That's right, the majority leader, one of the most powerful people in the country, determines US foriegn policy based on belief in armageddon.

Two years ago, I heard a story on National Public Radio about fundamentalist Christian support of Israel. Fascinating stuff.

The fundamentalists support Israel with the goal of converting the Jews to Christianity. The Israelis say, "Thanks for the support, but we don't need converting," and the fundamentalists say, "Whether you think so or not, the Bible says you will need to be converted very soon; otherwise, it's off to Hell with you."

In other words, the support for Israel is underscored by a basic religious disagreement. One wonders whether a long-lasting relation of friendship can be premised upon such a disagreement.

 

[varwoche]

Do you assert Delay's fundamentalism to be more dangerous to mankind than the fundamentalism employed by China today, or by Stalin or Pol Pot et al in the past? I do agree that radical Islam currently poses a major threat to all of us.

Does Delay threaten the world, or just the irreligious who reside in the USA? How will his comments affect the EU, the Aussies, etc?

Does he threaten the world? Yes, to the extent he influences US foriegn policy. It is dangerous for delusional people to be in a position of power. It doesn't help matters that the delusion includes belief in second coming / end of days.

Needless to say, we're talking a different league entirely than Stalin and Pol Pot (assuming for a moment that was a sincere question), who's danger to the world has been realized.

What is the fundamentalism in China you refer to?

 

[varwoche]

Re: Re: fundamentalism run amok - rant

The fundamentalists support Israel with the goal of converting the Jews to Christianity. The Israelis say, "Thanks for the support, but we don't need converting," and the fundamentalists say, "Whether you think so or not, the Bible says you will need to be converted very soon; otherwise, it's off to Hell with you."

In other words, the support for Israel is underscored by a basic religious disagreement. One wonders whether a long-lasting relation of friendship can be premised upon such a disagreement.

Yes, it's bizarre. The fundamentalists need "greater Israel" to be peopled by jews so that they can be converted or else smitten, per biblical prophecy.

I take a small degree of (twisted) solace in the rigidity of fundamentalism, a hope that denominational infighting will ultimately hinder the shared political objectives.

 

[bignickel]

I think you're missing the eschatology that is foremost in the fundamentalist mind.

For the Rapture to occur, the Jews have to be in Israel, according to fundy Xtian prophecy.

Therefore, the fundies are supporting the Israelis wholeheartedly: they expect that as long as they possess the land, the Rapture can occur (end of the world, lakes of fire and ash, horrible monsters, apocolypse, etc).

Many of them believe that the Rapture is coming soon because of this. Anything that might threaten the Israelis possession of the land postphones the arrival of the apololypse: therefore, they make sure that the US supports Israel whenever possible, not to work for a peaceful solution to strife, but to keep Israel in control of all the land in the area. This will, they believe, lead to the ultimate war to end everything. Which they're praying and hoping for.

That's why our military is over there, and has been for quite awhile. Not to quiet a hornet's nest, but to stir it up. That's what you get when you put apocolyptic fundies in charge.

 

[varwoche]

DeLay on guns / evolution

"Guns have little or nothing to do with juvenile violence. The causes of youth violence are daycare, the teaching of evolution and working mothers who take birth control pills."

- Tom DeLay

article

 

[Loon]

Re: DeLay on guns / evolution

"Guns have little or nothing to do with juvenile violence. The causes of youth violence are daycare, the teaching of evolution and working mothers who take birth control pills."

- Tom DeLay
[/URL]

Checked that quote via Google. The only place to have the second sentence is the source site, which claims to be nonpartisan but seems to have no criticism of any Democrats.

OTOH, there was a Time article referencing the quote. Still not sure if this is real, manufactured, or urban legend.

 

[varwoche]

An update on my fave nutjob:
WA Post (subscription)

The House ethics committee admonished Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) last night for offering a political favor to a Michigan lawmaker in exchange for the member's vote on last year's hard-fought Medicare prescription drug bill.

After a six-month investigation, the committee concluded that DeLay had told Rep. Nick Smith (R-Mich.) he would endorse the congressional bid of Smith's son if the congressman gave GOP leaders a much-needed vote in a contentious pre-dawn roll call on Nov. 22.

Remember, this is a GOP controlled house and an evenly divided committee.

 

[Tony]

As someone who has to deal with Delay on the local level, I can confirm the man is a piece of sh!t. He's one of the many politicians who deserve the Mussolini treatment.

 

[Mike B.]

That's why our military is over there, and has been for quite awhile. Not to quiet a hornet's nest, but to stir it up. That's what you get when you put apocolyptic fundies in charge.

Your right about Rapture Ready people.

However, that is quite a statement.

Wolfowitz one of the major forces behind the Iraq war is Jewish. Do you think he really wishes to induce the "second coming?"

Is there any proof Bush is a rapture believer?

He has met with Xian fundies it is true. He has also met with Muslims, Jews, etc.

I think your statement, "That's why our military is over there, and has been for quite awhile." is not borne out by the facts.

 

[varwoche]

More wrist slaps for nutjob extraordinaire Tom DeLay...

One of Wednesday's admonishments stemmed from a fund-raiser DeLay hosted for energy company officials while Congress was considering major energy legislation. The other concerned contacts his office had with the Federal Aviation Administration during a partisan fight over redistricting in Texas.

The committee deferred action on a third count in the complaint -- alleging fund-raising irregularities in DeLay's political action committee back in Texas -- because of an ongoing state criminal investigation.

article

 

[Mr Manifesto]

Re: Re: fundamentalism run amok - rant

Two years ago, I heard a story on National Public Radio about fundamentalist Christian support of Israel. Fascinating stuff.

The fundamentalists support Israel with the goal of converting the Jews to Christianity. The Israelis say, "Thanks for the support, but we don't need converting," and the fundamentalists say, "Whether you think so or not, the Bible says you will need to be converted very soon; otherwise, it's off to Hell with you."

In other words, the support for Israel is underscored by a basic religious disagreement. One wonders whether a long-lasting relation of friendship can be premised upon such a disagreement.

Ah, but I read the 'left behind' series (all six thousand of the f***ers), and apparently the Jews will be left behind until they figure out which is the 'right' God to worship. Then they'll get their act together- after committing myriad acts of righteous heroism.

So it'll all work out in the end.

 

[Charlie Monoxide]

I find Tom DeLay to be a uniquely noxious and dangerous individual. There are many ripe avenues of exploration here, but none so alarming as his rabid fundamentalism as it relates to US foriegn policy. The man is unabashed.
....

He's also somewhat "ethically" challenged. In the SF Chron today, there is an article whose headline is "House GOP Leader rebuked for 2nd time by ethics panel"

I guess being an ethical politician is NOT a requirement to be considered religeous.

Charlie (more GOP evil) Monoxide