Barack Obama Says Something or Other at National Prayer Breakfast
President Obama sure does like giving speeches, doesn't he?
In an appearance today at the National Prayer Breakfast, Mr. Obama conceded that policy differences would often separate the political parties. But he challenged lawmakers and religious leaders to step beyond their comfort zones and unify on at least some daily challenges, not only when a calamity like the Haiti earthquake strikes.
"Too often that spirit is missing without the spectacular tragedy," Mr. Obama said. "We become numb to the day-to-day crises. We become absorbed with our abstract arguments, our ideological disputes, our contests for power. And in this tower of babble, we lose the sound of God's voice."
You know, I read that far down into this article and had to pause. Because it really got me thinking… What the fuck is Barack Obama doing speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast?
The National Prayer Breakfast, which has been held for the last half-century in Washington, drew criticism by some liberal groups this year because the sponsor of the event, an evangelical Christian network called The Fellowship [or The Family], is allegedly tied to legislation in Uganda that calls for the imprisonment and execution of homosexuals…
"We may disagree about gay marriage," Mr. Obama said…
Fun fact: They actually totally agree about denying gay people the right to get married. Yeah, it's funny.
…"but surely we can agree that it is unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are, whether it is right here in the United States or as Hillary mentioned more extremely in odious laws that are being proposed most recently in Uganda." He added, "Surely we can agree to find common ground when possible, parting ways when necessary, but in doing so, let us be guided by our faith and by prayer."
And that is why I am sitting down to a meal with you and giving credence to your organizations' anti-First Amendment, anti-social liberties agenda. To talk about why we should all pray more often?
How inspirational and bipartisan! I love having a president who's willing to spout ethereal rhetoric while being honored by thinly-veiled hate groups. I can't wait to see what he has to say at the National Pedophile and Basement Torturer Association's annual BBQ.
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LK, I can certainly see what you're talking about, and I'll acknowledge that I decided to focus on the fact the he's speaking there instead of what he said. I'll also acknowledge that I may have push the bile up beyond a level that was called for. I get in bad moods from time to time and it colors my posts. Plus, I'm kind of an asshole to begin with.
That said, let me just ask this in my pseudo-defense: How many more times will we have to watch Obama meet conservatives half-way only to watch them back-up an equal distance? How far into their territory will he follow them before they respond in kind and give up anything, make any compromise? I cannot be the only person who is getting sick of this. And, if there's a line to draw, shouldn't it be somewhere in front of fraternizing with a group that's petitioning to have gay people jailed and killed?
p.s. Thank you.
Dennis, I think a decent percentage of your work, including this post, has a great deal of the funny as WELL as political commentary. Me likey. That said, I think there's an aspect to Obama speaking at the prayer breakfast that you didn't focus on.
Just like Obama confronted the Republicans at their luncheon with (GASP!) logic, facts, and patience, Obama confronted the hate and biases of the evangelicals and C-streeters with examples of what is REALLY Christian (e.g. not persecuting and hating people who are different than yourself). It's not JUST "let's pray together," it's confronting the Dragon and not ignoring it. Personally, I thought he did a fine job– fight fire with water instead of more fire! I'm pretty proud of my president over these past weeks!
Note taken. I promise to try to be less not-funny in the future.
Dennis,
Two disappeared. They were my own lame attempts at humor, so no big deal.
No, I do not support the persecution of gays. I don't know much about the group except for what I've read. I'll trust the people at the top to determine who is worth talking to and who isn't. If you've lost trust in Obama, then that's sad. He is a good person and I admire him for trying to make a difference.
I visit this site regularly because of the funny. Not because I want to get pissed off or depressed. I understand it is a great way to vent, and you can write something that's your own opinion, but if you work for a comedy site, it should probably be an attempt at humor.
All that said, I suppose I should take the note, and try to be more funny.
I'll try to be more funny.
Hilo,
Has anybody ever deleted a comment of yours before? If so, it certainly wasn't me. Please let me know, and I'll make certain it never happens again.
Okay, so does everybody at Comedy Central feel the same as I do about religion? Probably not. Actually, I'd say almost certainly not. And that's one of the reasons why the posts I write are attributed to me, and not to "All of Comedy Central."
As for my problems with Obama speaking at the prayer breakfast of an organization that is enabling the murder of homosexuals in a foreign country, I'm sorry, but I feel like that's a little bit wrong. I'd have equally strong feelings if I'd learned that he'd allowed himself to be the guest of honor at a Taliban or KKK meeting. Hate groups are hate groups. It doesn't matter if they like to dress it up in religious rhetoric.
Can I ask you a question, Hilo? Do you support what The Family stands for? Are you proud that your president is sitting down to eat with those people?
Does everyone at Comedy Central feel the same as you do about religion? I hope not. You're really good at preaching self-destructing the Democratic party. Whatever happened the the funny, Dennis? You'll probably delete this post as well as the other two, which is OK. I love you, man. I don't hate gays and neither does Obama. Diplomacy is a tricky thing. Sometimes you have to talk to people to get your point accross, whether they agree with you or not. I really hope you get some funnier writers, because this stuff sucks.