Al Sharpton on CNN 360, talking about Religion and Politics

[Kanary]

As always, he was interesting and made good points in a compelling way.

It was hard to actually watch, though, as he was paired with Falwell.

Don't have his word-for-word (naturally), but he was making the point that Dems need to make a clear distinction between having beliefs, and making laws demanding that others obey those beliefs.

He said he feels that he's a strong enough preacher to be able to sway others to his viewpoint about beliefs, and doesn't have the need to be backed up by laws *demanding* that others follow his viewpoint.

Now, why *can't* the Dems actually make this a strong plank in the platform, and get it across? Is it just too rational for the population as a whole? I don't really think so..... I think it hasn't been stressed clearly.

But, I'm getting more and more discouraged about what the people of this country are *really* about so I could be wrong on this one.

I'll let someone else describe Falwell's bs. (where's that gagging emoticon......)

Kanary

[jeff30997]

1. Al Sharpton and Politics?

Talking about Religion ??? I don't get it...

[Slickriddles]

2. 1st Ammendement Freedom of and from Religion

Kanary, there it is in the first ammendment. Congress shall make NO law regarding the establishment of religion. Seems pretty clear to me. Sharpton is right, it's a piss-poor preacher that needs the state to back him up. What needs to be gotten across however is that many Christian demnominations don't agree in many fine points and some don't regard Catholics as Christians. I don't see how they keep united.

[Kanary]

3. Uh, yeah......... but I think it's been shown in study after study that

*many* (maybe most, the goddess help us) don't have a clue what's actually in the Bill Of Rights.

If we as Dems want to actually *win* (rather than continue to concede), we're going to have to make it clear what is *really* at stake, rather than continuuing to defend, defend, defend.

And, actually, Al wasn't talking about making a law establishing a religion -- he was talking about all the policies stemming from the religious right.

Kanary

[Slickriddles]

7. Couldn't agree more

I teach history at a Community College and you're right, there's tremendous confusion over the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. I'm trying to formulate an article on these topics because I think it is a key issue. Have you seen the Texas GOP's Party Platform -- it's nutty!!!
A really big part of the problem is that very few people have any historical perpective on these things. I'm reading "Lies My Teacher Told Me" and it's rather disheartening.
Not to mention a thread here on Old Left -- New Left that demonstrated many DUers are anti-history. I'd put in the URL here but I'm too old school to know how to do it.

[Kanary]

8. That must be *very* discouraging.....

My hats off to teachers........ you must have the patience of a saint to deal with all that you deal with.

That book........, I mean, I'm glad it was written and published (!), and I'm glad you're reading it........ but, isn't it just colossally sad that we're actually *in* that situation?

I really thank you for posting this........ I wasn't even going to look at this thread anymore..... I thought was Sharpton said was *very* important, and something the DEMs badly need to address, yet I was shot down. I guess it's no longer possible to evern discuss these issues among Dems. That is more discouraging to me than even the ignorance and willing antagonism by the RW.

I'd *really* like to see that url........ don't worry about how to post it. Just copy and paste it in here, and if it doesn't show up clickable, I can still copy and past the url..... Really, I'd like to see it, and I concur completely with your assessment>

Thanks for taking the time to post....... you lifted my spirits.

Kanary

[Slickriddles]

11. Comrade!! the Future is Bright do not be discouraged

Kanary the thread was on June 18th 10:45pm rumguy.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1816572 Wow!! look at that Old School Gets it done. I don't get discouraged I know I'm raising consciousness. My Motto - I don't teach, I arm people for self discovery.

[Kanary]

12. With all due respect, *MY* future is..... not bright, and maybe Zero

I'm not middleclass..... I don't have the resources most here have.

Many of us poor folk will be wiped out, and it may not even be that far off in the future...... It's scary, and hard to live iwth. That is *not* an invitation for a pep tallk....... it's a piece of info about what some of us are living with.... if you could even call it living.

I certainly won't be the only one....... thousands and thousands died because of the cutbacks under Reagan, and bushwa is working on the same things. When the housing cuts go into effect next year, there will inevitably be lots of deaths. And, you can be sure it won't be reported. Discouraged? Yeah, death isn't encouraging. Saying all is fine doesn't make it so.

Thanks for the link........ I"ll check it out!

And, glad it worked for you...... see, now you can post links. :) :hi: :)

Kanary

[jeff30997]

4. Seems pretty clear to me too.

I'm a Catholic...So... I'm not a Christian,right?:)

[filterfish]

5. sharpton can communicate better than most dems

wish kerrey would pick him as veep

[Dob Bole]

6. Kerry's a wuss, he won't do it...

But in his defense, there probably is a good reason he won't do it...

[Kanary]

9. Agree with you on both counts

But, Al Sharpton has been a huge gift to the DEM party, and we owe him a lot for what he has gone through in order to bring his needed message to the public.

I really wasn't expecting much from him, and, to be honest, thought his was a "vanity" campaign. But, I will admit that I see him much differently now, and see his run as a personal sacrifice undertaken out of love of country.

Kudos to ya, Al. We owe ya.

Kanary

[JI7]

10. yeah, anyone who wont make sharpton a vp is a wuss