Bageant: A front-porch redneck radical

I very much like the concept of "leftnecks". I know some, myself. I guess that, for me (and probably for a lot of others), is the problem I have with Palin and the over-the-top adulation of her by the GOP, especially when they are saying "she's one of US". No, she's not, not necessarily. I am from Appalachia originally, I still live in a different part of the same "red" state, I happen to own two rifles, a shotgun, and three pistols, and many of my family and friends are from blue-collar backgrounds. However, I absolutely oppose Bush, the GOP, and what they have done in the last seven and a half years. I don't like to be told by the media that Palin somehow represents everyone from rural, working-class, "redneck", if you will, backgrounds.

By the way, this is a tangent, but when are we going to have a conversation on the statements of Sarah Palin's pastor, and his theories on damnation-by-vote-casting and Jesus being on a "war footing"? Or are the criteria different here than they were with Obama and Wright?

Rod, if you read 'Deer Hunting with Jesus,' I'll be interested to hear your take on it.

>> "the losing side of the American economic, cultural and political scene"

The very folks Fred Thompson last night asked to forego a tax break for the benefit of the economic elite.

Is it 'Country First', or 'Investor Class First'?

Watcher: When [will there be discussion about the conroversial statements of Sarah Palin's pastor?]? Never.

Unfortunately, you're probably right on that one. What was good for Obama's goose doesn't seem to be for Palin's gander, so to speak.

why? Not even faintly similar. Wright was calling the damnation of God upon the country and white people for his own adulation.

Palin's pastor was saying in regard to people who voted a certain way, or who criticized the Bush Administration, that he would "question their salvation" or that they were risking Hell. "Calling" for damnation of people whose politics or votes differ from yours is no different from "calling" for the damnation of whites or of America, whether one is seeking one's own adulation or not. I'm sure that Pastor Kalnins is quite sincere in his beliefs, and is not seeking "adulation", but that doesn't make it right.

What sayest thou, Rod?

Watcher writes about Wright-"Pastors often get a bit carried away and forget that their plans or what they want is often not God's plans."

If I may point out, Sarah Palin can get carried away, too, which is what the Huffington Post article mentioned yesterday was trying to point out.

Praying that a preemptive war and a gas pipeline are God's plan!?!

Watcher: So, Turmarion... where's your gun? You firing at them too?

I don't even know who you're talking about.

In the spirit of "judge not, lest ye be judged,", I make no claim as to the state before God of Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, Pastor Kalnins, Jeremiah Wright, any poster here, or anyone else. I don't think a person's religion or denomination or pastor has any direct relevance as to their suitability for office.

I do, however, believe that there is indirect relvance in this sense: If Wright preaches a message of virulent black nationalism, then is fair to ask if Obama, as a congregant, shares such views. It seems he has made it clear he does not. If Kalnins preaches that people may be damned because of their political affilition or activism, it is fair to ask if Palin, as a congregant, shares such views. Whether she does or not is not yet clear. I do not think that a person who shares either of these sets of views is fit for the office of President or Vice President.

My main point was that whereas Rod made many posts regarding Wright, he has made none to date regarding Kalnins, which seems to me inconsistent.

I agree with you that anyone who, in your words, "proudly insists that not only has he the right to condemn a person's soul for their politics, but to judge a soul by the politics of the person," is in the wrong and reprehensible; but once again, I have no idea whom you're talking about.

To conclude, I think that critcism of or disagreement with others whose views we oppose should never be a cause for hatred or nastiness. I am in complete agreement with the thread about a week ago in which Rod brought up that point. My assumption is that most posters here are of goodwill, and it is not my place to judge them in their personal lives or before God. Disagree with or charitably criticize, yes; judge or condemn, no. To the extent that I fail in that, I ask forgiveness from any offended individuals, as well as from God for my manifold sins and imperfections.

Having said this, I'm going to leave it at that on this thread. I neither desire nor intend to get into flamewar here.

Here's the link to the full story on it.

The quote (from above article): During the 2004 election season, [Kalnins] praised President Bush's performance during a debate with Sen. John Kerry, then offered a not-so-subtle message about his personal candidate preferences. "I'm not going tell you who to vote for, but if you vote for this particular person, I question your salvation. I'm sorry." Kalnins added: "If every Christian will vote righteously, it would be a landslide every time."

More: Months after hinting at possible damnation for Kerry supporters, Kalnins bristled at the treatment President Bush was receiving over the federal government's handling of Hurricane Katrina. "I hate criticisms towards the President," he said, "because it's like criticisms towards the pastor -- it's almost like, it's not going to get you anywhere, you know, except for hell. That's what it'll get you."

He doesn't seem to be stipulating "blatently uncharitable" things which "obviously and blatantly violate basic Christian behavior".

I've read "Deer Hunting with Jesus," and the first quote from "the anonymous political consultant" doesn't sound like Bageant. In the book bageant makes no bones about excoriating latte drinking Democrats. But he he also says that the Republicans are chillingly good at chumming up to the very rednecks that they're screwing horribly and repeatedly. Bageant's no conservative. He despises many present day Democrats because they can't get past appearances and recognize that most of those white rednecks would support them if they would only not be aloof and condescending. Crying shame, because as he points out, the Republicans are happy to be their best friends even as they sell them down the river.