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As Charlie Pierce so clearly notes, the modern GOP is a cesspool, and not a single one of the jokers who fancy themselves the next leader of both the Republican Party and the nation has gone on record denouncing this ugly feature of the right.
This has nothing to do with liking or disliking Obama. It has nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing with Obama's policies or his actions as president. It is ugly racism, nothing more and surely nothing less.
T*E*B*O*W! Parent
The Republican Party has built its electoral strategy around the care and feeding of that racism, that hatred and fear, since the '60s. While that strategy is sometimes good for the GOP, it is always bad for the country. It is evil. Parent
My only objection is the pointing to the sky after a touchtown toss mechanics.
Ruthlessberger also is afflicted with this problem apparently.
Now on to New England. Anyone know if Brady has that same irresistible impulse to point to an imaginary celestial being? Seems to be catching on in the league. That and the Superman's Cape routine after scoring.
Such an odd thing to take objection to. Parent
no apologies. Parent
My only question is did you happen to know that there are also "money-grubbing" atheists and agnostics out there as well?
Man, I've been thinking it is about that time of year to take a little sojourn in that paradise you live in.
:) Parent
Compared to 20 years ago I would say it's triple which is very odd, did they not believe in god back then, were more secure in their religion, or is their something going on behind the scenes.
Go back to the 60's and I doubt you see any. Parent
Maybe this is a new way of evangelizing or maybe they feel threatened by what they see as more and more people not believing, or whatever.
I prefer that people should keep their religious beliefs to themselves unless asked about them and it's a far better way of showing how good a Christian / Jew / Muslim / Buddhist /Hindu /whatever you are by living up to the teachings of your particular faith. The Golden Rule comes to mind as one that, while called diffrent names, seems to stretch across all faiths. That might be a good place to start. Parent
The 60s -- probably the last period mostly free of big play personal attention seeking displays. The 70s saw the slamming of the ball in the end zone. The 80s was the end zone dance. The 90s featured more varied garish displays of self congratulation, including some copying Sanders. God began to be thanked far more frequently last decade and the practice seems to have become routine in the past few years.
Probably just a phase that will eventually get displaced by some other silly gesture that players will imitate and spread around the league until they tire of it. An unfortunate phase however in my view as a Jeffersonian believer in strict separation of church and gridiron. Parent
I remember players openly praying as far back as the early 80's and bring jesus into the pregame huddle, which I don't see anymore, well except in Denver.
I could care less, I got my issues with Tebow, namely that he is the luckiest man in the NFL and he plays for the lamest team in the NFL, but showboating religion isn't one of them. I do think it's odd that people keep acting like he is some sort of pioneer, when in fact, he's just another clown that has to let fans know that jesus loves them just a little bit more than their opponents and that's why they are in the end zone. Parent
just my 2 cents. Parent
The league already acted, iirc, to prohibit any messaging in the eye blacking, as Tebow had done with impunity in college with his bible verses. Presumably it could act further to prohibit all outward on field expressions of speech that it deems detrimental to the league, including pointing to the sky after a big play. (they've already eliminated one form of finger pointing, that of one player pointing at an opponent he's just beat on a play)
I would seriously doubt they'd go that far but my understanding is they could legally do it Parent
I would prefer my sports watching experience be totally free of both actually, but I don't consider it being intolerant of more overtly patriotic types merely to express my preference not to see such displays. Parent
Meanwhile Ruthlessberger had all the mobility of a cigar store Indian.
Denver played better and deserved to win . Great defense too.
But they will get thumped by the Patriots. Parent
That Ben stood in there like he did earns him even more respect in my eyes. That the Broncos had to go to overtime to win against the Steelers' second string tells the relative merit of the two teams. Parent
Elway had "The Drive!"
Tebow has "The Strike!" Parent
Denver outplayed and outcoached them, they were extremely lucky to get several calls that allowed them to tie it up, they should have lost by 14 or more.
I hate Denver, but this was a well earned and well deserved win. Parent
ANyway the winner of that game was going to get destroyed in NE anyway.
Timmy can watch Brady and learn proper throwing mechanics hopefully. Parent
He's playing on an injured ankle. Parent
As far as I'm concerned, any day the Steelers are sent packing is a good day; that this took them out of the playoffs? Even better!
Ravens will face what looks like a dangerous Texans team, but I think home field will be huge.
Should be some good games next weekend!
The Steelers are my team. Granted, this was not the year for them and they played badly ....most of the time and in many games.
However, don't think Tebow will last, but he did a great job tonight and should be congratulated. Parent
I think the Giants have the best chance of knocking off the Packers of anyone.
Defense and power running back....
I really dislike the Giants, so I have no reason to unfairly boost them.
wonder how arowana tastes. just kidding.
John 3:16.
He threw for 316 yards. Parent
So you may as well squash the BS in the bud. Parent
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
TimTebow Tim Tebow Hebrews 12:1-2 GB² 8 Jan Parent
As much as I hate Denver/Tebow, yesterday was not luck or circumstance, they outplayed the Steelers.
But, first, I had no idea Ben Roethlisberger was an evangelical Christian - and I bet I'm not the only one.
But lost amid this season's Tebow obsession has been an even more compelling tale: the deepening evangelical faith of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The last time Roethlisberger's off-field actions and attitude came under scrutiny was in early 2010, when sexual assault allegations surfaced in Georgia around the two-time Super Bowl winner. Although no charges were filed, he was suspended for four games under the NFL's personal conduct policy. [snip] Quietly, and outside the media's eyes, Roethlisberger began changing. In his only public comments after the rape allegations, and in an echo of his 2005 Super Bowl interview, he said he understood that his words were meaningless. He would have to prove that he had changed. He would have to restore his name and reputation with a new life of right action. By the middle of 2010, he began returning to the evangelical culture of his youth -- listening again to Christian artists he liked as a kid, reaching out to leaders for spiritual guidance. He joined Christ Church at Grove Farm, an evangelical church in suburban Pittsburgh. He mingled with parishioners. He dumped his entourage. His family moved in from Ohio and held him accountable for his surname. Last summer, he quietly married Ashley Harlan, who comes from a Pittsburgh family that a local pastor declared to be "one of the finest Christian families I've ever met in my life."
[snip]
Quietly, and outside the media's eyes, Roethlisberger began changing. In his only public comments after the rape allegations, and in an echo of his 2005 Super Bowl interview, he said he understood that his words were meaningless. He would have to prove that he had changed. He would have to restore his name and reputation with a new life of right action.
By the middle of 2010, he began returning to the evangelical culture of his youth -- listening again to Christian artists he liked as a kid, reaching out to leaders for spiritual guidance. He joined Christ Church at Grove Farm, an evangelical church in suburban Pittsburgh. He mingled with parishioners. He dumped his entourage. His family moved in from Ohio and held him accountable for his surname. Last summer, he quietly married Ashley Harlan, who comes from a Pittsburgh family that a local pastor declared to be "one of the finest Christian families I've ever met in my life."
The article ends with:
Tebow is a missionary. Roethlisberger is a prodigal son come home. Both men have found ways of living their faith -- of being Christian pilgrims -- that reveal more about evangelicalism than whatever can be gleaned from Iowa exit polls. As they take the field Sunday, anyone wanting to know what makes evangelicals tick would be wise to pay attention. After all, evangelical voters may identify with a politician for a short season, but this is fleeting. Their loyalty is not to politics or party, but to their faith.
After all, evangelical voters may identify with a politician for a short season, but this is fleeting. Their loyalty is not to politics or party, but to their faith.
And, if the same is true of the politicians, therein lies the rub - for me, anyway.
And the entourage and predatory behavior goes way back with Roethlisberger, to his college days in Miami Ohio.
Pittsburgh's a small town and everyone knows somebody who's seen Ben in action - he's really just disgusting as a person if the stories I have heard are true. And the Rooneys were as disgusted with him as anyone - but showed themselves to be businessmen first when they decided not to release him. Bad move IMO.
I wouldn't be surprised in the least if this change of behavior was a) mandated by the ROoneys and b) not genuine.
But time will tell. Parent
As a Ravens fan, I am predisposed to have an intense aversion to all-things-Steelers, but that being said, I do believe people can turn their lives around, can make amends, can learn from their mistakes. Has Ben done that? According to the article, he's at least trying - and that's a good thing for him; it really has no bearing on me, and it won't make me a Steelers fan.
Is it genuine? Who knows? Maybe it's a case of Fake It Til You Make It, but whether it's genuine or not, if he's not out living the life he had before, that's probably a good thing, no?
Whatever it is people think he deserves because of his prior actions, seeing him and the rest of the Steelers lose is always satisfying, and that last night's loss was their exit from the post-season made it even better. Parent
Me I'm old school LOL! Bleier #20 jerey. With the old block numbers not the pansy curvy Nike ones.
I guess I hope Ben has truly turned it around. I do not believe he's been seen much around town, so who knows.
As for the Ravens - since the choice will likely be between them and the Pats - I guess I may root for them, for one game anyway! Parent
Plus that piece was an opinion piece, who knows if any of it is even true.
Speaking from experience, I had a little religious turnaround, if going to church and being dropped into a religious girl's family is to be considered a turnaround, which the author is suggesting. For me it was appeasement, I didn't buy any of it, but love is a funny character, especially when you are young.
I'd like to think Ben and the Steelers organization is experiencing grade A karma. My friend before the SuperBowl told me not to worry, Pitt can't win, karma will not allow it. Parent
Federal officials said a confidential source told them in Sept. 2011 that Osmakac wanted Al Qaeda flags. ... The U.S. Department of Justice said Sami Osmakac, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in the former Yugoslavia, was arrested Saturday night. Osmakac, from Pinellas County, allegedly told an undercover agent that "We all have to die, so why not die the Islamic way?'" according to a federal complaint.
...
The U.S. Department of Justice said Sami Osmakac, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in the former Yugoslavia, was arrested Saturday night.
Osmakac, from Pinellas County, allegedly told an undercover agent that "We all have to die, so why not die the Islamic way?'" according to a federal complaint.
actually what I meant is that I have know some sane Muslims and from their point of view it is a very peaceful religion. which IMO is no more of a paradox that the contrast of how different christians interpret their faith. Parent
M or F? Parent
Jews can't eat porn either, and booze/drugs are a no/no in almost all religions, but the flocks do have their limits.
In only Jews and Muslims could come together in their hatred of pork...
I think the disgust with the US drives these people, along with chemical imbalances, more than any religion. Parent
Jews can't eat porn either
I know what you meant but still funny Parent
This line of attack puts Gingrich in an unusual place -- aligned with Democrats.
I think it also shows that Newt is not really all that interested in winning, making such a completely unrepublican case, and this pure kamikazi/suicide bomber stuff.
when this "film' hits it will be the news and will saturate the airwaves.
what does that mean down the road? shrug. does his dad have enough money to finance him to keep going? shrug.
Obama has brought the party membership down to a low of 31% that ties with what the party numbers were in 2002-2004.
As far as voting is concerned I'm now freed from being a yellow dog Dem. Now I'll vote for whom I want regardless of "electibility". And I'll never again vote against my own values. If that means an empty slot, well... Parent