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stargal
Senior Member
since 2006-03-06
Posts 1352
OR USA

0 posted 2006-03-24 11:38 AM


Was Hillary Clinton right or wrong to use the name of Jesus in her ideas on immigration?

Qoute:
"It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scriptures," Clinton said, "because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself”

Comments?

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© Copyright 2006 stargal - All Rights Reserved
Mistletoe Angel
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Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
1 posted 2006-03-24 01:36 PM


I think using such comparisons without clarifying only perplexes everyone more than anything else.

Religion & politics have become widely interwoven in our political system for years now. The inaugural address every incoming President makes features an oath to God to defend the Constitution. Just about every inaugural address I've heard from every president holds to it some religious undertones. I remember Bush's second inaugural address was flooded with allusions to the Bible, for instance, such as these:

********************

George W. Bush: "This untamed fire will burn those who fight its progress."

Jeremiah 17:27: "I will kindle an unquenchable fire in the gates of Jerusalem."

Jeremiah 50:32: "I will kindle a fire in her towns that will consume all who are around her."

*

George W. Bush: "And we can feel that same unity and pride whenever America acts for good, and the victims of disaster are given hope, and the unjust encounter justice, and the captives are set free."

Ephesians: "He led the captives free."

*

George W. Bush: "...ideals of justice and conduct that are the same yesterday, today, and forever..."

Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

*

George W. Bush: "Freedom is the permanent hope of mankind, the hunger in dark places, the longing of the soul."

Psalm 107: "He satisfieth the longing soul and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness."

*

********************

Almost everyone in politics does this, and I believe since it happens so much, it seems as though it's widely accepted to use the names of God, Jesus and the Good Book in pushing political purposes.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other"

Mother Teresa

Alicat
Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094
Coastal Texas
2 posted 2006-03-24 05:39 PM


She was referring to the California Bishop who has spoken through his actions if not by words that he will not respect federal and state law, instead aiding, abetting and sheltering illegal immigrants who come to his diocese.  He will not notify nor turn over anyone to Border Patrol or other enforcement agencies.  Senator Clinton, a law maker, can't come right out and support him though, a law breaker, so she utilizes euphamisms.
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
3 posted 2006-03-24 05:51 PM


Everyone knows why she did it -- she wants the votes from those constituencies.  
stargal
Senior Member
since 2006-03-06
Posts 1352
OR USA
4 posted 2006-03-24 06:54 PM


Does she really want those votes? Won't she lose the far left votes for saying what she did?

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Mistletoe Angel
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5 posted 2006-03-24 07:05 PM


I think the far left was already set NOT to vote for her to begin with because of her support of the Iraq invasion.

Unless something dramatic happens to either party before early 2008 and a contender emerges and wins over either party, anyone who doesn't think it will be a Clinton-McCain election is kidding themselves. And, frankly, I'm not voting for either one of those candidates.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other"

Mother Teresa

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
6 posted 2006-03-24 07:31 PM


Noah, I agree with your thoughts all the way here.  
Local Rebel
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767
Southern Abstentia
7 posted 2006-03-24 08:46 PM


Having a little trouble putting my mouse on the exact data right now -- but something like 58% of the Bush constituency believe that the anti-christ is on the Earth right now -- given the popularity of the 'Left Behind' series of books (60 million copies sold -- by author Tim Lahae -- a former GOP operative) it's safe to assume these people believe the Bible to be literally true.

If Hilary wants to get something done in a world controlled by Republicans in the House, Senate, and White House (and Supreme Court) wouldn't it make sense for her to make a Biblical appeal to the people who can put the pressure on those (very nervous) Congressional Representatives and Senators?

I think John McCain, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle for the Republican nomination.  Getting elected would be the easy part for him -- first he has to get the nomination and the Theocratic right don't like him.


Mistletoe Angel
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8 posted 2006-03-24 11:04 PM


I believe regardless of how much of an effort Clinton makes to wear her faith out on her sleeve at fundraisers, it isn't going to sway 95% or more of Americans who lean more to the right, even if many of them are growing more disenchanted with the Republican Party. Most of them are the same crowd that are attached to the anti-Bill Clinton bandwagon, and I think they'll either vote for the GOP ticket or will simply just stay home and won't go to the polls.

Meanwhile, it's true that the far-right has a lukewarm view of McCain, and thinks of him as too liberal on some issues, but he has an incredibly diverse approval rating among most Republicans, moderates and many Democrats as well. Frist doesn't have a chance because there's no way the left is going to embrace him, he's too polarizing to the eyes of most Americans and even the far right has grown skeptical of him after his stem cell research move, despite general approval of him still. Giuliani will certainly be a favorite among moderates but I don't see any chance he'll get the nomination because of his pro-choice position and other stances. Condi Rice isn't running. And Romney lacks name recognition.

I can't see any big name challenging McCain for the GOP 2008 nomination right now. Of course we're still over two years away from that election season, but he's unquestionably the media's candidate. Meanwhile, if there's one name that can at all challenge Clinton, it'll be Mark Warner, but we don't even know if he'll run yet.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton


"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other"

Mother Teresa

Local Rebel
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767
Southern Abstentia
9 posted 2006-03-24 11:30 PM


No, she's not going to pull the far right over at the ballot box... but, she can tug at them on issues -- which is what this is about -- a single issue -- she'd like to have some feathers in her cap -- and she probably actually is passionate about the issue.  It's possible anyway.

Early frontrunners though, Noah, you'll find often don't make it through to nomination.  Gore and Fiengold are battling for the Deaniacs for a reason.

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