I'm just back from the National Cathedral

[teenagebambam]

...where I sang for the gang. I'm trying to think of something to be catty and bitchy about, but I'm having trouble. It was really a very nice service.

Okay, I'll be catty - I sang a solo, and while I was singing, the only person in the Presidential party (George and Pickles, Dick and Lynn, Condi, Rummy and Gonzo) that looked like he was enjoying himself was RUMMY. Chimp looked up and smirked, I'm not sure if that meant he liked what he heard or not. Condi, throughout, looked like she was absorbing everything for later regurgitation on an exam. Dick, as always, looked like he crapped his pants and has been sitting in it for about an hour. Laura has fresh blond highlights, and looks like she's had her face pulled back and stapled from behind.

Anyway, I digress...

As has already been posted elsewhere, Bush spoke and sounded almost like a Democrat. One memorable line: "As we clear away the debris of a hurricane, let us also clear away the legacy of inequality." This, after a sermon (I can't remember the guy's name, but certainly he must have been hand-picked by Bush) that dealt with the story of the Good Samaritan, and spent a long time talking about how we, as Americans, must reach out to those less advantaged and raise them up to a level where they have a fighting chance.

I was seated behind Bush during his remarks, so I couldn't see him, but I was rather suprised that his delivery sounded quite natural and un-stilted...he didn't stammer, and only once did he say "drowned" when he meant "drown".

If I believed that his policies would be in accordance with the words he spoke today (I don't), I would ALMOST be tempted to vote for him.

Geez, I feel dirty for saying that.

[fooj]

1. At least we can maintain a sense of humor through all of this, right?

the only person in the Presidential party (George and Pickles, Dick and Lynn, Condi, Rummy and Gonzo) that looked like he was enjoying himself was RUMMY. Chimp looked up and smirked, I'm not sure if that meant he liked what he heard or not. Condi, throughout, looked like she was absorbing everything for later regurgitation on an exam. Dick, as always, looked like he crapped his pants and has been sitting in it for about an hour. Laura has fresh blond highlights, and looks like she's had her face pulled back and stapled from behind.

peace.

[ret5hd]

2. regardless of who you were singing TO...

that is quite an honor.

If you are truly a teenager (as your name implys), i wish you much joy during the greatest years of your life. you must have real talent.

[teenagebambam]

4. I'm not REALLY a teenager...

...but am old enough to HAVE one! I work at the cathedral, singing with the men's choir, so this was really just part of my regular duties. But yeah, it was nice to sing a solo, no matter who to!

[demnan]

3. I hope

Cheney did crap his pants and has been sitting in it for an hour.

[MuseRider]

5. That might account

for Rummy's smile and the others looks, especially Laura's.

[bluedawg12]

6. His words are always the opposite of what they will do.

For ex: Tax relief is for the corporations not the average person.

Republicans Love Welfare-Corporate Style.

The issue of taxation has been used by Republicans against Democrats often as the opposite side of the greed coin- which is social safety net welfare programs. But watch they do, thy give the top 1% the real breaks.

This has been and may be an important element in the mid term elections and ultimately the 2008 “big one.” So, I thought a brief glance at the topic would be useful.

http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&b=45747

April 15, 2004

“President Bush's tax cuts saved him $31, 000 in federal taxes for 2003. Vice President Cheney was spared $11,000. The top 1 percent of earners will reap an average $52,000 tax break this year. And for the majority of taxpayers? A whopping $850 – an amount quickly offset by the increase in state and local taxes and rising costs for housing, education, and medical care. On top of these disparities, nearly 20 million children from working families, and 260,000 children of active servicemen and women, are left out of the full child tax credit for this year...

The majority of taxpayers will receive $850 and 80 percent of all taxpayers will save less than $1500 in federal taxes. The "average tax cut" is so skewed because the top 1 percent of earners pulled in an average $52,000 in tax breaks for 2003. “
..............
http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/about_hal/taxhaven.html

Halliburton's Tax Haven Explained

For decades, the U.S. tax code has encouraged companies like Halliburton to transfer the location of its subsidiaries from the United States to foreign countries. This is one reason why only thirty-six of Halliburton's 143 subsidiaries are incorporated in the United States and 107 subsidiaries (or 75 percent) are incorporated in 30 different countries.

There are two methods by which Halliburton lowers its tax liability on foreign income: (1) By establishing a "controlled foreign corporation" and (2) By establishing a subsidiary inside a low tax, or no tax, country known as a "tax haven."

[MissMarple]

7. It's all part of the window dressing, nice words, no substance.

But the true believers will latch on to that like the drowning clutch at straws. Some folks just need to believe.

In "Running On Empty" Pete Peterson says Bush has stated his political philosophy is " you can fool some of the people all of the time, and I'm going to focus on them." He is a cynical, political degenerate.

[GayCanuck]

8. I never understood

why you guys have a "National Cathedral"......church and state separation?

[freestyle]

10. That's just the name. It gets no government funds.

The formal name of the Washington National Cathedral is The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul and it is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Although it is an Episcopal church, it aims to follow the biblical injunction to be a house of prayer for all people. Each Sunday a U.S. state or territory is recognized. It is a stunningly beautiful place, especially when the sun is setting and the light streams through the rose window.

[GayCanuck]

11. Thank you

for clearing that up for me.

[grasswire]

9. be careful...

...because there's almost enough info in your post for freepers to be able to ID you. And sometimes they make trouble with employers for people they know to be DU-ers. Dirty tricks.

[teenagebambam]

16. I'm not worried

The Cathedral is one of the most progressive, liberal churches I have ever worked for, and I have worked for a LOT of churches. It is liberal even by Episcopal standards. I don't imagine anyone could take me down without a fight on their hands.

[cyn2]

12. My observations on the service...

What I saw was quite nice, and congrats to you for your solo performance (I did not see that part).

However, I kept looking for the New Orleans flavor. After it was over, I thought it seemed overtly "waspy"! Reminded me of my childhood church in Main Line Philadelphia.

[MintOreoCookie]

13. What do you do for a living?

If I may ask...

[teenagebambam]

15. Me?

Oh, this n' that. Have a day job in an office, sing at the cathedral, teach voice, perform here and there.

[MintOreoCookie]

17. Yes you. Do you sing solely for the Cathedral? Are those volunteer jobs?

[teenagebambam]

18. Well, without trying to sound bitchy and jaded...

....I do nothing for free anymore. The cathedral choir has twelve adult men on the regular payroll, with three more men that generally come in for special occasions. The soprano parts are handled alternately by boys or girls who are students at the Cathedral schools - or, in the case of today's service and other special occasions, boys AND girls.

[teenagebambam]

19. Oh, and....

....I sing for one other professional choir in town. The other singing jobs I do are freelandce things that I pick up when I can.

[MintOreoCookie]

20. Thanks for answering my questions. That sounds very interesting.

Did you sing at Reagan's funeral?

[teenagebambam]

22. No...

....I was hired RIGHT after that.

[MintOreoCookie]

26. That's kind of funny.

[Marymarg]

14. Reminder

Molly Ivins said to watch what he DOES not what he SAYS.

He will say anything. He has proved himself to be a pathological liar. Follow-through is what he has no intention of doing.

[elperromagico]

21. Good Lord... they let a Democrat into a church?

I didn't know we were allowed. God's a Republican, after all. :eyes:

[teenagebambam]

23. I'm not kidding...

....the Cathedral is SUPER-progressive. Every week's sermon is either anti-war or pro-gay. It shocks the tourists from the flyover states, to be sure!

[elperromagico]

24. Judging from your original post, it seems the church's liberalism

even had an impact on Bush.

When he leaves the church is another matter altogether.

[teenagebambam]

25. Well, yeah, there's THAT

[kath]

27. heh - good one, that it shocks the right wing tourists!

Have you ever overheard any comments from surprised tourists??

[teenagebambam]

28. They don't stick around for comments....

....they usually walk out, fat children in tow, when a sermon starts challenging their "Christian" talking points.

[sadiesworld]

29. Do the sermons ever challenge those who discriminate

against "fat" people? Or is that not a "progressive" value? There were a lot of heavy people stranded in NOLA. What's worse than being poor and black in the US? My guess is that it is being poor, black, and obese.

[teenagebambam]

30. Sorry,

I certainly meant nothing against fat people, since I'm pushing 300 lbs. myself. I meant 'fat' in the more general 'fundie, boorish and overfed' sense.

[Clarkie1]

31. They are trying to move towards the center for 06', 08'.

At the very least in their words. And of course Bush wants his legacy, for America and for the Republican Party. He does want to be known as the president that wrecked the country or his party.