Hear that sound whooshing by? Neither do I. It should be the sound of Barack Obama furiously backpedaling from his affiliation with Donnie Mcclurkin. But he isn't.
If you don't know Mcclurkin, he is a very popular gospel singer, multiple grammy award winner, Obama supporter and (as he claims) formerly gay. He claims that Jesus saved him from homosexuality and his "sinful urges" as he calls them.
Senator Obama is overtly pandering to the Southern religious left wing of the party. How can he be the "agent of change" that he wants to be if he can't distance himself unequivocally from this bigotry?
It is simple bigotry to consider all homosexuals immoral and second-class. Or to think they need "curing from their urges." In my opinion, homosexuality is not a choice just as heterosexuality is not a choice. I did not wake up one day and think, "I like girls..." It just was so...and it is the same for homosexuals...It is what it is...
So, as a Jew, one with first hand knowledge of persecution and prejudice, I ask this: How can a black man, born black by no choice of his own, encourage prejudice towards homosexuals who similarly did not choose this fate?
This kind of social issue stance stinks of hypocrisy and makes me extremely leery of his ability to effectuate any real change in this country.
Senator Obama...You had me at hello...but you lost me at homo...
What a disappointment...that Senator Obama has prospered from the long overdue civil rights movement of the 1960's and 1970's and yet he is using his position of power to help spread a message of hatred and prejudice. This drips with irony...but mostly...it is just sad.
The religious left is just as annoying, dangerous, and obnoxious as the religious right...and has no place in our political system.
This is not a theocracy. We should not be governing by what "Jesus would do," although I must say that Jesus would probably be much kinder to homosexuals and would certainly support health care for poor children.
I'm just sayin'...
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Obama Drama...
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37 Birdies Chirping in the Nest:
Jesus would have chatted with the people who didn't have any money too ...
Mcclurkin sounds like the same of a blog reader who never comments....
Wow that was some soap box! Good for you!! I don't think I have the guts to be so bold.
Funny you mention health care. This evening, in a class i am taking, we talked about the option of universal health care and how it would be beneficial for the U.S. to adopt. So we discussed the pros and cons, and we all had our various opinions. I'm not sure I came up with my own conclusion, or not, but I did concur with the class that something needs to change. I just wonder what it will take for that to happen?!
We are all guilty of prejudice. It is human to have such reactions to things we don't know and understand. HOWEVER, (Hopefully before you all stone me!!!) it is our responsibility to reach out and learn all we can about people who are different from ourselves so that we can develop empathy.
While we can't possibly like everyone we know, let alone everyone in the world, we can learn to soften our inclination to back away. Some of the best people I've ever met are people I've had to overcome my own junk so I could know who they really are.
Until we can quit drawing lines in the sand, our feet will continue to sink in that sand. So sad. Every major religion encourages kindness, forgiving and understanding. Why do we make it so hard?
Good post, Bradley.
I don't like the Homophobe McClurkin either, but just wait. This story isn't over yet.
And you can't think Obama agrees with him. You know this, though.
The whole thing reminds me of Bill Clintons brother.
Guilty by association? No. It's not good, and I know I'd attack Hillary with fervor if this was happening to HER, but.
THIS isn't Barack. I expect him to make that known. If not soon, before the primaries.
Not sure why this guy is still on the tour. He's an ass. Surely Obama has his reasons... I sure as crap don't know what they are.
- Six!
I wake up every morning thinking of girls! Hubba hubba!!
But seriously it always amazes me some of the stuff people involved in politics get away with saying in the US. We certainly have our bigots here in the UK too, but they are generally more guarded in their comments.
"Jesus would probably be much kinder to homosexuals and would certainly support health care for poor children." So well said and 100% on the mark.
I am not an Obama supporter; to me he is too inexperienced and a little too...something (just to clarify, it has nothing to do with him being African American, either).
Honestly, I am a more than a little disillusioned by all of the candidates, Hillary included.
BRAVO Bradley! Well said.
ok, I never try to talk poilics on my blog as I dont like offending anyone and most poeple on here are dreaded Republicans..*gasp*
But I totally think that NUMBER one, there is no way Jesus or anyone for that matter is going to cure your homo-ness...As it is something your born with, kinda like being born with red hair, or born with diabetes...its something u dont control. Gay people , if they could, would not choose to be gay as they are treated like Nazi war criminals..
For Him to say that makes me angry, and I was NEVER a supporter of him..EVER and I will continue to widdle thru the candites to see who wont F*ck up the country even more then it is.
The Repulicans dont care about poor people or shoot, any people but big business..the ones who give THEM money..
Haveing a Repuilcan for presdient and thinking they have our best intrest at hand is like letting a homocidal maniac drive u to the mall and NOT expect him to put u in the back of his trunk...
ok, I am done..
haha
I've been on the fence...wavering between Obama and Hillary. The Republican candidates are all...well, creepy. I've been following this and it is making me lean a little more towards Hillary. Right now, IMO she is the lesser of all of the evils.
Wow, I wouldn't have known about this unless you wrote about it. I don't know that it changes how I feel about Obama, I'm still a supporter. But it was interesting!
I guess I'd like to see any of the candidates reaction had this same thing happened to them. I think it's kind of one of those lose/lose things.
Thanks for sharing!
Bradley- Thanks for another insightful post...I have much to say, I'll have to come back a little later...
-HH
How much you want to bet Mr. McClurkin is still a homosexual - just closeted behind a WWJD? sticker for the sake of his career etc.
I agree with you that gender preference is an inborn thing.
(I also think Jesus lost his voice a long time ago trying to shout down from the heavens "NO you Numb Nutz!!! you're messing it all up!"
as for universal health care (shrug) - I dont' have a problem with privatized insurance, but there definitely has to be a reform in there, torte and otherwise. But i DO agree with the s-chip program whole heartedly.
Lastly - candidates: I don't care of Hillary *OR* Barack as candidate choices. Hillary is too polarizing, and BOTH of them are minorities that while I would love to see that in the white house, I think could cost the election simply for what they are. Sad as it is to say, I don't think this country is ready for a black or female president and I think that if the Dems were smart, they'd ease the country into it, by getting them in as VP first . . .
Anyways - on a brighter topic, I posted some of my own cuteness today. :)
Hello Egel Nesters!
I am not going to respond to everyone today as it would take many moons...and also because this was just for information purposes :)
It is a very polarizing issue...I understand this...so I just wanted to put it out there with my opinion and let people go with it...
Which you all did very interestingly!
I just wish for all people to be treated kindly...and fairly...
*sigh*
Thanks for visiting the nest and all the wonderful and insightful comments!
Bradley
The Egel Nest
"Senator Obama...You had me at hello...but you lost me at homo..."
Bradley Egel, I think I love you!
I think someone with less experience in DC would be a good change!
Applaud..applaud...well said, my friend!
You all on the comment stream are acting like Obama punched a gay guy in the face and screamed "fag."
Does ANYONE have any quotes FROM THE SENATOR that make him out to be a "homophobe?"
Other than this very unfortunate link, one that I'm disappointed in, what makes you all think Obama hates gay people, because this is the conclusion I'm coming to right now, based on reading all your comments?
What an absolutely fascinating discussion...
Allow me to clarify...I don't think that Senator Obama hates gay people. Or that he even agrees with this person who said these things.
Remember, I am a Chicagoan and therefore he is one of my 2 homestate senators. I watched him come up the ranks through the Illinois State legislature...I harbor no ill will towards him.
But I do think he needs to renounce this man from his campaign and take a stand against religious fundamentalism of all kinds...
It is easy right now to speak out against Islamo-fascism...but what about church sanctioned Christiano-fascism.
I just want Senator Obama, as one of my two state senators and a presidential hopeful to speak out against intolerance and bigotry everywhere. Removing this Mcclurklin man from his southern campaign circuit is a good first step, which has yet to happen.
This was not meant to pick only on Obama...there are plenty of intolerant and bigoted politicians in both parties to go around. I just had higher hopes for the distinguished Senator from my home state.
Did someone already comment that Mc-Lurkin sounds like a fast food sandwich that reads but does no comment on blogs...I think so...funny :)
Great discussion...very interesting :)
Bradley
The Egel Nest
No one is saying that Obama is a bigot. But he is NOT distancing himself from those who are, and isn't taking a strong stance against those attitudes.
Those of us who care about this sort of issue want to follow a candidate who is strong in his convictions.....and Obama is not showing strength in this direction.
I think he is basically a good guy...but being a presidential candidate is tough, and he will have to learn to surround himself with those who present themselves well.
I'm just sayin' too!
:)
Love,
Mom
Also Egel Nesters...there is a Democratic debate tonight. (MSNBC 9 EST I think)
I wonder if this issue will be brought to Senator Obama's attention and how he will handle it.
If he renounces these comments and distances himself from this person going forward I will be very pleased.
Bradley
The Egel Nest
This is the 3rd blog I've read this week stating this same sentiment.
This is why politics is what it is these days. CRAP with 2 dashes of hypocrisy on top.
*le sigh*
just sayin....and sayin it well! good read today! thanks!
Well said, Bradley. I have known Obama since the begining. I knew him when he was a no one in Illinois politics for eight years. He has let all of his fame go to his head and cloud his judgement. We have lost the man he was. I can not believe he has this homophobe on his team. I am not only shocked, but extremely dissapointed. I thought he was different than the rest. It turns out, he's just another McCandidate...It just makes me sad.
Jesus Christ....."He no help with curve ball!!"
Phil
Brother Phil -
Leave it to you to Quote "Major League..."
I wonder how many Egel Nesters could have come up with that movie from your quote... :)
Bradley
The Egel Nest
I'm Canadian so I don't know too much about the run for US president, but it sound to me that this guy isn't going to win with views like that. I think it's wonderful when people speak their mind against prejudice. If we don't who will. Wonderful Bradley!
"The religious left is just as annoying, dangerous, and obnoxious as the religious right...and has no place in our political system." - this says it all. Well said - good post. See ya.
Amen to that (what you said in the last para - Jesus would be kinder to gays and being for healthcare for poor).
Thanks for your comments on my blog.
I liked your witty comments on David's blog.
Bradley you are one of my favorite people and this was wonderfully written and presented; however, at the risk of a little backlash, I'd have to say I disagree. (Yes, I'm being vague on purpose.)
Actually that's all I'm going to say because I don't want to start a debate. Looks like I may be outnumbered anyway! BUT I do like the way you present your point of view! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! (as usual)
Thank you so much for talking about this. I, too, have been infuriated by the affiliation between Obama and this man (who shall not be named). It is so misguided, I can't believe it. Well said!
PS - It IS a small world. Jessica Yanow is my bestest friend, and has been so since 2nd grade. It is so funny that you know her!!
As a Jewish woman, I get really sick and tired of hearing all this lip service being paid to "What Would Jesus Do?" when no one is actually doing what Jesus would (most likely) do.
The man, according to their testament, hung out withthe outcasts, the lepers, the have nots! But it seems the religious fundamentalists on both sides of the teeter totter are only worried about what Jesus would do, only if it coincides with their political agenda!
Politics and religion make for very bad bedfellows! I'm just saying ...
Amen! I agree 100%. Obama better be consistent in his support for civil rights for all if he's going to get my support. I'd love to see a Clinton/Obama ticket and have them win the election...that would make me proud to be an American again...but they both need to acknowledge and support GLBT Americans, too.
I will never vote for a repub again after the Bush years. The damage that's been done to our country will be felt for years and years. I will never vote for a religious fanatic no matter what religion. Now the problem is who to vote for? Certainly not Obama for reasons you mentioned and others; Hillary is a possibility but she's not my favorite candidate either; I'd love to have a good solid, "keep your religion off your sleeve" type of candidate who would embrace the whole country and understand it is part of the world, a very small world now. Unfortunately, it looks like I'll die before we have a balanced supreme court. Bush's idiocy will outlive him too.
I've been depressed for the past 6 years because of the abuse our country and its citizens have taken under shrubbo and his gang. Now he's bucking for WWIII before he leaves office. What a horrid little man. Jeesh, this is not what I intended to write but it spilled out...sorry. JM not so HO
The one thing the Bush administration seems to have brought out in our citizens is strong feelings. Everyone seems to either love him or hate him! Not too many feel wishy-washy about it!
And sometimes it surprises me, who likes him and who doesn't!
Ahhhhhh politics.....gets the blood surging through ones veins!!
Love,
Mom
Bradley Egel, you are my hero.
I <3 you totally.
you lost me at ...lol rolling on floor sk
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