hmmm wrong thread but having a state funded church does not mean they impose religion on anyone, there is freedom of religion in those countries… and some would argue that tax exemption is a form of tax payer funding…
The district boundary got moved some, which put Stark at a disadvantage, but more important is that California now has a new primary system. Now the top two vote-getters in the primary advance to the general regardless of party. In this district the top two were both Democrats – Stark and a guy named Eric Swalwell. I live in this district and I have been waiting for the chance to vote for another Democrat to replace Stark,who’s gotten old and cantankerous. So here was my chance. It seems a lot of people thought the same.
Now, that is some actual politically correct claptrap, not just the phony stuff that many conservatives get their panties in a bunch over.
You really think our government would be improved by a significant number of Nazis, KKK members, or al Qaeda operatives? That would be a GOOD thing?
I agree, mostly. I can’t work up any excitement about us electing a Hindu. If she’s a good person whose politics I respect, then that’s wonderful. If she’s not, then it’s not. There are good and bad Hindus, just like there are good and bad Christians.
There are about 5,000 people in the various Klan groups today. There are over a million American Hindus. Not that anyone would say “there should be X number of elected officials of each faith”, but it’s somewhat gratifying to see one.
Were you at all excited that a black president got elected?
I’m not sure why that is supposed to make me rethink what you quoted. Was it? Because it doesn’t.
I was excited that a Obama was elected. Had he been a black person with political beliefs I thought were not good, then I would not have been excited in the least. So, I stand by what I said in the part of that post you didn’t quote:
I made some assumptions that were apparently unwarranted. If Herman Cain had been our first black POTUS, I would have been excited about that bit, if not about Herman Cain being POTUS.
Worse still, it could indicate that they appreciate the fact that the electorate could be so tolerant as to consider the candidates policies (horrible: they are concerned for the environment and volunteered to serve in the Middle East, showing very little self-interest) above their religious affiliation. The most important aspect of a person’s character is their Christianity.
I also presume they feel that a minority will pass more enlightened legislation as they are aware of how it feels to be dispossessed. We can only hope they’re wrong.
For all you know she was elected because she was the best person for the job and her personal faith was irrelevant. Wouldn’t that be a nice change for pace.
You know what would be a nice change of pace? Congressional reps not freaking out when someone other than a Christian minister says their opening prayer. That would be nice.
I was going to suggest a Satanist, but I don’t think we’d be able to tell the difference between that and an extreme dyed in the wool liberal Democrat kook*.
*Wait till Tammy Baldwin shows up, you’ll know what I mean.
Also, the first U.S. Senator born in Japan, I think.
I believe in CA, it’s now set up with a common primary and the two top vote-getters face each other in the general election regardless of party.
Yep. Also redistricting. Emphasis added: Stark, D-Fremont, issued a statement Wednesday saying he’s honored to have served the East Bay for 40 years; he cited successes such as writing the COBRA health insurance portability law in 1985, "bringing the first computers to schools and crafting President Obama’s groundbreaking health care law.
“I went to Washington by running against an unpopular war and for women’s rights, opportunity for children and dignity for seniors. I leave knowing that the landscape has changed, but the needs of my constituents remain,” he said, congratulating Swalwell on his victory. “I am happy to be of assistance in the future.”
Campaign staffers said Stark was on an airplane Wednesday, unavailable for further comment.
For Stark, what went around came around: In 1972 he unseated an octogenarian incumbent Democrat whom he portrayed as out of touch with constituents and modern priorities, particularly regarding Vietnam. This year, Swalwell, 31, accused Stark, 80, of spending too much time at his Maryland home, missing too many votes and losing touch with the newly drawn 15th District’s constituents.
The district was redrawn to be extend somewhat less north-south, and somewhat more east-west. This has the effect of bringing in an area that is slightly more conservative, but still heavily Democratic. (E.g. less of Oakland and more of Dublin, for those who know the area.)
It looks like Ami Bera might win for Congress, leading by a small margin for California’s 7th Congressional district. He was apparently raised Hindu but is now Unitarian Universalist, according to this article.
Ms. Gabbard will take her oath of office over the Bhagavad Gita.
Wikipedia says she’s a Vishnaivist. Similar maybe, but not quite the same group?
When we get a Shaivist in Congress, maybe? I think crazy Shaivists are a subcontinental thing.
Yeah, you’ve been ignoring Harper’s religion for years!
I thought this sentence was going to end differently. Then I looked back at the poster’s name.
We love you anyway, Victoria.
Actually, I believe Anton Szandor LaVey called Satanism “Objectivism with mysticism added.” So, nearer to Libertarians than Dems.
Much nearer.
How bizarre.