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Loading ...Dems embarrassed by Gustav remark
09.02.2008 8:10am EDT
(Raleigh, North Carolina) A former Democratic National Committee chairman has apologized for suggesting that Hurricane Gustav’s arrival as Republicans prepared to open their national convention was a sign that God favors Democrats.
During a flight from Denver to South Carolina last Friday, Don Fowler – who was DNC chair in 1995 and 1996 – was recorded telling a fellow passenger that it appears Gustav will make landfall on Monday.He said that just demonstrates that God is on the side of Democrats.
The person whom Fowler was talking to is not visible in the video, but was identified on the conservative Web site www.redstate.com as Representative John Spratt, a South Carolina Democrat.
Fowler told The Associated Press that he was making fun of comments made by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.
Falwell said after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that the attacks were God’s punishment for abortion, homosexuality and other sins.
“This is a point of national concern. I think everybody of good will has great empathy and sympathy for people in New Orleans,” Fowler said Sunday.
“Most religious people are praying for people in New Orleans. There is no political connotation to this whatsoever. This was just poking fun at Jerry Falwell and the nonsensical thing he had said several years ago.”
Fowler said if anyone was offended, he apologized.
“I don’t believe in a God that’s vengeful. I believe in a God that’s compassionate,” he said.
South Carolina Republican party chairman Katon Dawson called Fowler’s comments “disappointing and despicable.”
“A storm is not a partisan event and that is what they’ve done. I am outraged,” Dawson said.
Well he should apologize. Everybody knows that it is Hurricane Hannah that is bearing down with God’s wrath; not poor old Gustav. I mean…really!
Funny about the whole Katrina thing being blamed on the GLBTI crowd. The least damaged part of New Orleans was the Gay section of town. Also after Kathleen Harris gave the vote to the shrub in 2004 Fla. was hit with 4 hurricanes the next year and has had at least one every year since.
Now thats what I call divine retribution! Leave God’s children alone, all of us.
You know this country has gone too far to the politically correct side of life when someone makes a comment and right away, everybody and their brother jump on them for saying it. It’s too bad this country no longer really has freedom of speech. A show like All In The Family would never get on the air in today’s climate. But it was that show that was so groundbreaking because they said what they felt. Sad. Just sad.
Hey MikeInSanJose, Hate Much?
And, of course, fat reverend Hagee said (in a SERMON) that Katrina was retribution for Southern Decadence in 2005.
Funny how repugs think that’s fine, but a private conversation between democrats that gets media attention is “disappointing and despicable” when it pretty much says the same thing…
“Some stupid mythological imaginary being is on our side and this storm proves it!”
OH! How despicable!
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Someone quite consciously making a satirical comment, and Jerry Falwell and Focus on the Family really meaning what they said, are basically at opposite ends of a moral continuum: The latter = bullsh*t; the former = someone calling Falwell and Focus on their bullsh*t.
It’s the difference between people being evil, and productive, useful, pro-social satire of people being evil.
Two Wrongs Do Not A Right Make.
I’m stunned when people make such insensitive comments. If they would actually step back and think that as a result of these storms, people lose their homes and sometimes lives.
It’s very sad but not very surprising.
We get all up in arms when people diss the GLBT community but it’s ok for some nut to say comments like God’s on the Dems side for devistation from a hurricane? It was political. C’mon people. It was wrong to say it; Period. Treat others as you want to be treated. If the GLBT supports such rhetoric, we’ll NEVER get any respect. SET THE EXAMPLE; not play the game!
Yes, folks because what some RELIGIOUS leader said is so much more outrageous than what a POLITICIAN said.
I don’t dispute that such talk is reprehensible, regardless of whence it originates, but there is a vast difference between the sources in these cases.
As to the private nature, Jack, ask Barack Obama how much of a difference “private” makes. Remember he made his famous “bitter, clinging” comment in front of a private group. As has been stated before, I’d rather deal with an open bigot than one who makes hateful (and hate-filled) comments behind my back. At least with the open bigot, I know what to expect. With the closeted (no pun intended) bigot, I don’t.
I cannot believe he apologized for this. Firstly, he was joking. People need to lighten the hell up. Secondly, did anyone apologize the the citizens of New Orleans or the gay community when Pastor John Hagee said that hurricane Katrina was the fault of the gays and the “homosexual parade” that was planned? I don’t remember hearing any such apology.
I am tired of Democrats and minority groups being made to feel bad and apologizing for doing exactly what the hateful, arrogant conservatives do without a second thought.
Yes, in addtion to the Let’s Focus On SOME Families’ “prayer” that torrential rain might disrupt the Democratic convention, never forget that Jerry Falsewell blamed Katrina (not to mention 9/11) on gays. It is well beyond high time that the GOP’s mean-spiritedness be brought to people’s attentions.
He should never have appologized, they (Republican) and bible thumpers alike use there GOD in everything to surpress everything they dont like. it just goes to show you the HYPROCRYTS OF the republican party dont like it when its flung in there faces. Gloves need to come off and attach them high and low and use there own verbage against them. because this “were taking the high road” hasnt gottom us any were in the last 8 years as Independant free thinkers
One person says something to another, in what should have been a private environment, and it makes the news. Does anyone remember Stuart Shepard of Focus on the Family making a video asking people to PRAY FOR RAIN on the Democratic National Convention? One might say their prayers backfired, if one were the type to see “signs” in every act of nature. They’ll take credit for the “miracles” but not mention the times when the “signs” would say obviously that they’re playing (praying?) for the wrong team.
Agreed
Turn about is fair play isn’t it? Too many times the right wing fundies tell us the same thing about storms and such hitting glbt and liberal spots. When called on those things they say oh we really didn’t mean it that way. But then the radical right never could take any critisism and are blind to the harm that they are causing