Comments on: Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson also said America’s bad behavior led to 9-11 attacks http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/ The Sweeny Report takes you into the murky world of local, state and national politics. Political Editor Chuck Sweeny will try to de-mystify things for you -- once he figures it out himself, that is. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:36:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.4 By: John Biltmore http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-357 John Biltmore Mon, 05 May 2008 13:31:54 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-357 Sounds like a fair question. But it's still a bit of a "two wrongs make a right" kind of argument. Sounds like a fair question. But it’s still a bit of a “two wrongs make a right” kind of argument.

]]> By: Chuck Sweeny http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-353 Chuck Sweeny Sun, 04 May 2008 05:37:10 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-353 I wonder why Sen. John McCain has not repudiated the support of evangelical pastor John Hagee, a champion of the "Whore of Babylon" school of thought regarding the Roman Catholic Church. It'd be a good question for Hillary Stephanopolous to ask him, eh? I wonder why Sen. John McCain has not repudiated the support of evangelical pastor John Hagee, a champion of the “Whore of Babylon” school of thought regarding the Roman Catholic Church. It’d be a good question for Hillary Stephanopolous to ask him, eh?

]]> By: John Biltmore http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-344 John Biltmore Thu, 01 May 2008 16:02:58 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-344 I think you misunderstand me. Viewed in context, your invoking of Falwell and Robertson seems another attempt to quote - get Obama off the hook - unquote. The truth is, while Obama has properly distanced himself, we do not really yet know how much Rev. Wright's thinking has influenced the Senator over the years. I am more than a tad skeptical that in the time between Obama's announcement of his candidacy (when they prayed together in the basement) and today, that Rev. Wright suddenly morphed into this fire-breathing radical. My other point is, if I am in Obama's camp, I'm not sure that "my pastor is as bad as the whackos on the right" is the message I want out. I think you misunderstand me. Viewed in context, your invoking of Falwell and Robertson seems another attempt to quote - get Obama off the hook - unquote. The truth is, while Obama has properly distanced himself, we do not really yet know how much Rev. Wright’s thinking has influenced the Senator over the years. I am more than a tad skeptical that in the time between Obama’s announcement of his candidacy (when they prayed together in the basement) and today, that Rev. Wright suddenly morphed into this fire-breathing radical. My other point is, if I am in Obama’s camp, I’m not sure that “my pastor is as bad as the whackos on the right” is the message I want out.

]]> By: Chuck Sweeny http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-343 Chuck Sweeny Thu, 01 May 2008 15:31:45 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-343 The Rev. Wright issue became red hot because Wright himself went on a three day media extravaganza tour, that's why. He decided to make himself more of an issue than he had been previously. I watched his complete interview with Bill Moyers, his speech to the NAACP and his remarks to the National Press Club, He seemed to want to bring Obama down. The Rev. Wright issue became red hot because Wright himself went on a three day media extravaganza tour, that’s why. He decided to make himself more of an issue than he had been previously. I watched his complete interview with Bill Moyers, his speech to the NAACP and his remarks to the National Press Club, He seemed to want to bring Obama down.

]]> By: John Biltmore http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-340 John Biltmore Thu, 01 May 2008 15:10:50 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-340 Well, I would draw that conclusion in light of the context in which it's presented and in light of other opinions you've expressed (before this week.) Previously you have argued ---- ostensibly in defense of Sen. Obama ---- that the Rev. Wright controversy is not relevant in evaluating this candidate. Your post seemed to be another way to "explain away" or "minimize" the association between Obama and Wright ---- i.e. that because Wright "wasn't the only guy" to espouse such trash, then why get so worked up this time? Well, I would draw that conclusion in light of the context in which it’s presented and in light of other opinions you’ve expressed (before this week.) Previously you have argued —- ostensibly in defense of Sen. Obama —- that the Rev. Wright controversy is not relevant in evaluating this candidate. Your post seemed to be another way to “explain away” or “minimize” the association between Obama and Wright —- i.e. that because Wright “wasn’t the only guy” to espouse such trash, then why get so worked up this time?

]]> By: Chuck Sweeny http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-338 Chuck Sweeny Thu, 01 May 2008 14:26:34 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-338 Well of course not. Why would you draw that conclusion, John? IT makes no sense. The point is, Wright wasn't the only guy to try to explain 9-11 in the context that it somehow was our fault -- the chickens coming home to roost argument. It was a pretty standard argument, on the left and the right ends of the spectrum. What really happened is that bad guys from Saudi Arabia -- our FRIENDS in the middle east, remember -- came here, took courses in flight schools, hijacked planes and flew them into buildings. All while we were not paying attention. That's the real scandal. Well of course not. Why would you draw that conclusion, John? IT makes no sense. The point is, Wright wasn’t the only guy to try to explain 9-11 in the context that it somehow was our fault — the chickens coming home to roost argument. It was a pretty standard argument, on the left and the right ends of the spectrum.

What really happened is that bad guys from Saudi Arabia — our FRIENDS in the middle east, remember — came here, took courses in flight schools, hijacked planes and flew them into buildings. All while we were not paying attention. That’s the real scandal.

]]> By: John Biltmore http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-337 John Biltmore Thu, 01 May 2008 12:58:29 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-337 Chuck, I just have a question for you about your post. Not exactly sure what point you are trying to make. Is it that since Barack Obama's pastor is apparently as extreme -- if not more so -- than Falwell and Robertson, we should all feel OK about it? Whew, I'm relieved to hear this! Thank the heavens that the pastor of Barack Obama is only as whacky as Falwell and Robertson! Chuck,
I just have a question for you about your post. Not exactly sure what point you are trying to make. Is it that since Barack Obama’s pastor is apparently as extreme — if not more so — than Falwell and Robertson, we should all feel OK about it? Whew, I’m relieved to hear this! Thank the heavens that the pastor of Barack Obama is only as whacky as Falwell and Robertson!

]]> By: Chuck Sweeny http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-336 Chuck Sweeny Thu, 01 May 2008 12:46:11 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-336 Already answered the first part of your comment, Mr. Anonymous. As to the second part, the Voting Rights Act was signed in 1965, the Civil Rights Act in 1964, so I'm not sure why you would want me to ask LBJ about that in 1967, when the Vietnam War was dragging him down. Besides, LBJ isn't taking questions these days. Already answered the first part of your comment, Mr. Anonymous.

As to the second part, the Voting Rights Act was signed in 1965, the Civil Rights Act in 1964, so I’m not sure why you would want me to ask LBJ about that in 1967, when the Vietnam War was dragging him down.
Besides, LBJ isn’t taking questions these days.

]]> By: Sense of Five http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-335 Sense of Five Thu, 01 May 2008 04:19:23 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-335 "Is MLK also a “nut job”?" Ask that of LBJ in 1967. Oh, and he actually got the Civil and Voting Rights Acts through, too. “Is MLK also a “nut job”?”

Ask that of LBJ in 1967. Oh, and he actually got the Civil and Voting Rights Acts through, too.

]]> By: Chuck Sweeny http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-334 Chuck Sweeny Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:35:04 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/sweenyreport/2008/04/30/jerry-falwell-and-pat-robertson-also-said-americas-bad-behavior-led-to-9-11-attacks/#comment-334 Two comments: First, there's no comparison between King and Wright. King spoke truth to power in a dignified manner, always moving Americans toward becoming a society that lived up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Wright is a trash-talking egomaniac who is stuck in the past. Shame on him. Second: I really don't think God had anything to do with 9-11, or Hurricane Katrina or earthquakes, mudslides and the Rockford Labor Day flood. But, let's say God actually was disgusted with our immorality in 2001, and he decided to remove his protective hand from the U.S. to allow the terrorist attack so that we'd learn a thing or two and change our evil ways. . Using the same logic, what the heck were we doing that was so evil on Dec. 7, 1941? Or on Sept. 17, 1862, the bloodiest day in American history, when 23,000 people died. (Look it up, it'll give you something to do.) God gives us free will. We choose the narrow path of goodness, or the freeway of evil. Two comments:
First, there’s no comparison between King and Wright. King spoke truth to power in a dignified manner, always moving Americans toward becoming a society that lived up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.

Wright is a trash-talking egomaniac who is stuck in the past. Shame on him.

Second: I really don’t think God had anything to do with 9-11, or Hurricane Katrina or earthquakes, mudslides and the Rockford Labor Day flood.

But, let’s say God actually was disgusted with our immorality in 2001, and he decided to remove his protective hand from the U.S. to allow the terrorist attack so that we’d learn a thing or two and change our evil ways.
.
Using the same logic, what the heck were we doing that was so evil on Dec. 7, 1941?

Or on Sept. 17, 1862, the bloodiest day in American history, when 23,000 people died. (Look it up, it’ll give you something to do.)

God gives us free will. We choose the narrow path of goodness, or the freeway of evil.

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