THE ENTERPRISE--SPECIAL EDITION—A Contrarian Perspective
Evening things up. This is the first of what became a heated exchange of email between myself and a reader who is almost diametrically opposed to my political views. But after some soul-searching, I concluded...this is America...where diversity of thought and opinion can be debated, and if done positively, can lead to better solutions than either side alone would arrive at.
My evidence is the past 6 years of Bush's where a single party was essentially in the controlling position...but not only didn't accomplish much, but managed to do some things so poorly that even many good incumbents were not re-elected. I don't agree with what this writer contends in many cases, and since our later emails got a bit nasty, I won't share those with readers. This one...is worth reading...whether you agree or disagree.
Perhaps I can practice some bi-partisanship to help set an example...and while I'm at it, set the record straight on Obama's religious affiliation. Who are we to question exactly whose faith got it so right that no one can believe in something else. Perhaps drawing the line at Islamic beliefs about killing the infidels (that's us) is where I feel more comfortable.
NOTE; THIS IS AN EDITED EXCERPT FROM A LONGER EMAIL
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John-
In your last enterprise blog you mentioned this (why do people fear this more than Obama's Muslim and Black Methodist religious roots??). Where did you pull this from? His father was a Black African who was a Muslim but left the family when Obama was 2 and didn't have contact with Obama after that except for one time when he was 10....His father had become an athiest before he met his Mother, before Obama was born. Obama was never Muslim nor did his father influence him. He attended both Catholic and Muslim schools while he lived in Indonesia but he never practiced either faith nor was he a member of the Catholic Church or the Muslim faith. He was 6 when he first went to a Muslim school and left that for a Catholic School at age 8. Why don't you say that he has Catholic roots? Interesting how you pick and choose......Obama's mother was a skeptic of organized religion and his Grandparents on his mother's side were a non-practicing Baptist and a non-practicing Methodist. Where do you get the Black Methodist roots? That's simply not true. There have been many inaccurate accounts about Obama and his faith on conservative Republican websites and blogs. Is that where you got your information? When Barack had his calling to faith he joined a United Church of Christ congregation on the South Side of Chicago. I am a white UCC member and have attended services there. It's an Afro-centric Church and I was warmly welcomed as a "brother". The minister and congregation expressed beliefs and ideas that I've grown up with in the UCC. With the congregation being about 98% black, the ministry speaks to the people they are ministering to. But they aren't exclusionary in any way. They don't care what color you are when you walk through their doors. If you're purple and want to worship at Trinity United Church of Christ, they will welcome you. But it IS a predominately black church on the South Side of Chicago.....they ARE going to address the issues that most of the people in the congregation face. With the UCC's long time commitment to Social Justice, it's not surprising that they address the issues of being black in America and the African Diaspora. I've felt completely comfortable at TUCC when I've attended. I'm more inclined to go to Black churches as there is a passion and physical element to the worship that gives me a fuller experience of the spirit. I find most predominately white churches very "dry" and "stiff". But that's my only worship preference. Anyway, why did you misrepresent Barack Obama's faith? I know you're a Republican but why stoop to Bill O'Reilly's methods of misinformation? Or maybe you just didn't know?? Whatever the case, it's always good to get it right when you talk about a Presidential Candidate's faith. For Obama, that's the United Church of Christ. Say what you will about the UCC, it's very liberal....you won't find many Republicans there. As it is a Christian organization, it is against killing and against War and did not support George W. Bush in 2000 or 2004. I'm a UCC member and grew up with that sense of morality and Social Justice. I admire that a great deal in Barack Obama. In watching him grow in Illinois state politics, I very much saw a leader of men. I've had the opportunity to speak with Barack on several occasions and he is a wonderful human being who embraces the struggle of being human. He's a good man.
You might want to read this article....written by Obama....that describes his journey to faith in much more detail than my account.
<http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1546298,00.html>http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1546298,00.html
As a Junior Senator, I've seen him respectfully defer to more experienced Senators unless he feels it imperative to lead on an issue. He's not afraid to learn. He's not afraid to admit when he's wrong....but also not afraid to take credit for his accomplishments. It's very early in the race and he's becoming more comfortable on the stage with more experienced folks running for the Democratic nomination. When it really matters, he will find his way in the debates and come off as "Presidential". One of the best things about him is you won't find skeletons in his closet. Whatever "skeletons" he had, he's let them out in public disclosures. Obama is a very good man and should be represented accurately. That includes his faith.....
That said.....Obama isn't my candidate. I think he will be in 8 years. I did donate $25 bucks to his campaign earlier....and that has come back to haunt me! Despite writing a letter to the campaign offices telling them not to send me letters or e-mails asking for donations.....I keep getting them!! Annoying as hell! My issue with Obama concerns health care, Israel and a few issues with some of his courting of Corporate America on certain things. I will not support anyone who does not have Universal Health Care on their platform. I don't like Obama's solution. I am a Democratic Socialist so I'm pretty far to the left when it comes to American politics. It makes me laugh when I hear someone describe Barack as "extremely liberal" or "very liberal", etc.....I think he's just a little bit left of center as a politician. That's my issue with him. I think he is personally much more liberal but knows that won't float in American Politics as a "newcomer". Al Gore might be the only one to get away with it right now. His liberal beliefs are well known and I like that he embraces being a Liberal with a capital L. I don't think Al will run in 2008. I think he knows he might be able to do more as an outsider than he could do within the system. I don't know. That's my impression right now, though. Maybe he'll run. If he does, I think he'll get the Democratic nomination.
It may not seem like it....but I like reading your blog. It provokes thought. I don't agree with your politics but that doesn't really matter. The monologue is interesting to follow.
Just get it right when it comes to Obama's history of faith!
Peace,
"TN" (Complete name Withheld (by me) in deference to the writer
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OK, there you go. Like it or not, it is how at least one (and perhaps many) Americans feel and believe. This land is a "melting pot," so let's hear all sides that are passionate, and when needed to set the record straight. Oh, by the way, please don't attack me for what the writer said...I just copied and pasted it. (As I said, I already got into a heated exchange with him.)
Best, John
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