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Barack Obama

Praying for the Death of the President

Is it me, or are religious fanatics getting worse here in the US? We know things are bad in some parts of the world with religious extremists, but since when do religious “leaders” here in the states preach hate?

The Reverend Steven Anderson of the Faithful Word Baptist Church in AZ told his flock that he prays that Obama “dies and goes to hell.” WHAT! In an August 16th sermon Anderson said, “If you want to know how I’d like to see Obama die, I’d like him to die of natural causes. I don’t want him to be a martyr, we don’t need another holiday. I’d like to see him die, like Ted Kennedy, of brain cancer.”

Pastor Steve Anderson prays for Obama to die

I was honestly shocked listening to this guy. This is the type of rhetoric you might expect at a KKK meeting, not in a church. This guy is supposed to be a “christian” leader. Would a christian be teaching hate? I’m all for free speech, but this kind of talk should be considered a hate crime. A “hate crime” involves someone who targets a victim based on the victims social group, such as racial group, religion, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, or political affiliation. Does he think all liberal democrats should die and go to hell?

You might say this is just talk. And it is true that sticks and stones can break Obama’s bones, but words could never hurt him. I would also say thankfully that praying is about as effective as wishing on a star and even if there is a God, he sure would not be listening to this hateful person. But the problem is that Anderson’s “flock” does listen to him. Ignorant people can be easily manipulated toward hate and violence.

The day after this sermon took place and Obama arrived in Arizona, a member of his congregation showed up outside an Obama event carrying an AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle. This is scary stuff.

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Inauguration Invite

I got this official-looking invitation in the mail a couple of weeks ago from the “Presidential Inaugural Committee”.   I have no idea why I got this invitation.  Do they just send out a bunch of these randomly?  I did volunteer for Obama’s campaign, maybe all volunteers got one, I don’t know?   But it sure is nice and a neat keepsake of this historic day.  I only wish I could actually be there in person, but I’m sure Barack would understand that I’d need more than a couple of weeks notice in order to pull together a team to care for the boys while I’m gone;-)

I’m so excited that January 20th is finally here!  I’m also a bit nervous.  I hope all goes well today.  How on earth will the secret service be able to protect him in that huge crowd?  It sounds like a security nightmare to me.  The election of Barack Obama is a giant step forward toward equality for all, but sadly we are not there yet.  There are still some crazy bigots out there.  I don’t know how one person can hold up to all the stress and expectations that Barack is under now and for the next 8 years.

I can’t be there in person, but I plan to watch the events on TV and also do what Barack has asked us all to do, make an ongoing commitment to do what I can to serve my fellow citizens.  For me this is a renewed commitment to offer support and resources for families of children with special needs and do what I can to build a better world for children and adults with disabilities, a world in which people with disabilities are welcome members of society and given the supports they need to live a healthy and productive life.

Barack is such an extremely gifted person and his timing on the political stage could not be better.  We are lucky to have such a talented person willing to serve our country.  But he can not do this alone.  We all need to join him and do what we can to work toward peace, to save our planet, create universal health care, and support the civil rights of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, sexual preference, or disability.  Our country has been moving in the wrong direction for the past eight years.  With so much at stake, now it’s time for all of us to make a positive difference in our community, in our country and hopefully in our world as well.

Happy Inauguration Day!  Here’s to a new beginning!

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Here we go again…

The Republican National Committee is distributing a mail piece that says “Terrorists” on the front and opens to a big picture of Barack saying “Not Who You Think He Is.” Sound familiar? They are using the same old tricks to scare Americans into voting for John McCain. John McCain, who promised to run a respectful campaign, said that he was absolutely proud of this. He is desperate now and will lie, cheat and steel any vote he can.

Don’t be fooled again!

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