Scary Easter Greeting from the White House

[Squatch]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/03/20050324-2.html

Great...Pat Robertson and the 700 Club are running our country.

[birdydem]

1. can't get much scary than that

[ktowntennesseedem]

6. Welcome, birdydem! Scary indeed.

I almost expected to see a link to a "non-offensive greeting for all you heathens out there on the internets."

But then this bunch isn't concerned at all about who they might offend.

[FreedomAngel82]

35. Sad

And this is a person who's supposed to care about other holiday traditions? Remember when he said he couldn't see BinLaden caring about Hanukah? :eyes: He doesn't either obviously. I told my mother about this and she said: "He's as Christian as Hitler was." LOL. And my mother is a republican (who voted Kerry).

[Theres-a]

19. Welcome to DU!

[atommom]

2. gratitude for our freedom, love for our neighbors, and hope for peace

...but apparently no sense of irony.

[Deja Q]

4. I'm grateful for my freedom. Wouldn't mind keeping it.

I love my neighbors. That's why I leave them be; because they've left me be. If they go after me I will respond in kind. (9/11 was a legit issue, but the bulk of that was caused by Saudis and incompetent security. And even then, were they sanctioned by the Saudi government?)

Hard to hope for peace when so much warring is going on.

[MrModerate]

3. Now wait a minute!

I'm a proud atheist, think religious holidays are all a little goofy, but acknowledge that otherwise-rational people see it differently.

The message I read was very standard fare, no surprises, nothing out of the mainstream.

Did I miss something? If you play it backwards does it say "Bill Clinton killed Terry Schaivo"?

**except for the hypocrisy part, which too -- sadly -- is nothing out of the mainstream**

[madrchsod]

8. standard boilerplate from a man and "wife"

that have less christian beliefs than you do. i think i said that right?? yes it does say that if you apply that wacky code crap. yes -bill clinton killed terry schaivo. i really think jesus would have liked the part about supporting our,no, bush`s troops,i mean jesus was really into killing the innocents-really he was,just ask bush.

[jdj]

32. there are hundreds of religions in this country.

does he quote the Torah on channukah?

or the I-Ching on the Chinese new year?

this is wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.

All the SOB had to say was Happy Easter and sorry for killing all your sons in Iraq.

[TexasSissy]

52. Yeah, it sounds standard to me. Easter is a Christian holiday, and

the Bushies are Christian. So it seems standard to me. I'm just surprised he didn't throw something in there about Terri Schiavo...but then the only reason he didn't, I'm guessing, is that he's seen the polls showing that the public is not with him and his brother on that.

[BlueJazz]

5. Don't be to hard on the White House site. I'm sure that they....

...have similar messages for all the other religions as they come up on the calender....and I'm the Easter Bunny.

[madrchsod]

9. you are?

really?
no kidding? wow! the easter bunny is a democrat.....

[Clark2008]

12. Of course the Easter Bunny is a Democrat - and so is Santa

Do you know any Republican who would give away free food, candy and gifts to little kids?

That said - I didn't see anything scary in the message. Looked like an Easter message to me. But, I'm sure blivet didn't write it.

[FreedomAngel82]

37. Do you have any chocolate bunnies and peeps?

Yum.

[katinmn]

7. This has to be some kind of first from the White House

I doubt any other president ever issued such an exclusionary statement at Easter.

[geekgrrl]

10. I'm sure this is nothing other presidents didn't do- but still scary!

Most people in the working world know that religous beliefs have no place at work. A retail manager wouldn't send an easter greating out to employees! We mostly understand that separation of private/personal from work. It should be the same with schools and governments. I don't want my kids in school putting on a christmas play and I don't want Bush sending out an easter greeting from the white house.

So, bear with me for a second- I know Bush is neither working, nor doing a good job when he is but I'm trying to make a point.

Bush is "doing a job", "hired" by people, and thus, the White House website is a business-type forum and personal religious beliefs have no place there. If he and Laura want to send personal easter cards to their friends then go for it, but an official religious greeting is not right- no matter what president does it. I firmly believe the separation of church and state should be just that and should follow work-place models.

Unless we wanted the president, and businesses and schools to mark ALL religious holidays- Jewish, Native American (Bush can't even comment on a school shooting), Muslim etc... I don't see that happening any time soon.

[FreedomAngel82]

40. With me I personally

think that if they put the message on the RNC site that'd be fine or through an Email list even. Do they have one? :shrug: But like someone else said the White House website is supposed to be a public forum and place to go to get information. If all he said was "Have a happy Easter and God Bless" that would've been fine.

[snippy]

11. Bush forgot to mention the part about Jesus calling for Medicaid cuts. n/t

[madison2000]

13. I'd be happy if he actually believed in Christianity

"In His teachings, the poor have heard hope, the proud have been challenged, and the weak and dying have found assurance"

Doesn't sound like the Bush belief system to me, though.

[sinkingfeeling]

14. No, it sounds like a message, in code, to his base. The poor have

heard hope, but I won't lift a finger: let them believe in God. The proud have been challenged, but we will go forward with our agenda as planned to destroy all that is good in the country. The weak and dying have found assurance, but I have paid back the RW religious kooks and y'all should just do whatever to keep the circus going.

[madison2000]

16. he applies the teachings to other people, not to himself

he's not only above the law, he actually believes he's above religion too...

[peacetalksforall]

15. This is a puker of sincerity and very inappropriate for a nation of

many faiths. He is NOT our preacher. There is no honor of office here. It is exclusive and an insult.

[lonestarnot]

17. Yes inappropriate for a nation of many faiths. Totally agree!

[FreedomAngel82]

41. Really

I didn't know Bush went to preaching school.

[Steel City Slim]

18. Inappropriate

Whatever happened to the idea of the separation of church and state. That would be appropriate as a private personal message, but not as an official news release.

[journalist3072]

20. So what's the problem with the Easter message?

I've read it, and I see nothing wrong with it.

[elcondor]

26. Post #15 sums it up for me

I don't appreciate any of his little holiday "messages." I consider myself a religious person (Jewish) but he's supposed to be the leader of ALL Americans ... I didn't see any "message" for the Vernal Equinox last year ...

[kliljedahl]

21. Kinda' leaves us athiests out in the cold

That's alright, I don't need his hypocritical "blessing" anyway.

Faux news just referred to Crawford Texass,"Compond W", as God's country. Excuse me while I go puke.


http://www.kliljedahl.net

[Sacajawea]

39. LOL!!! "Compound W" is a preparation used to treat WARTS!!!

You buy it over-the-counter. :7

[shadowknows69]

48. pagans too except

we know that easter traditions were based on fertilty rites even older than old JC. Sorry shrub.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FreedomAngel82]

44. Very true

I'm Christian and know it's very true what you said. The holiday's and all that especially. Like for example how we celerbate Easter with the bunnies, eggs, candy etc. It's supposed to be celebrating the week leading up to Jesus' death. But I never got what bunnies and jelly beans had to do with that. :shrug:

[shadowknows69]

49. rabbits

symbols of fertility. the re-birth of spring etc.

[Fountain79]

53. Syncratism

The easter bunny is the incorporation of a pagan festival. Just like the evergreen tree at Christmas, which I believe is from German traditions. It's a common practice to do so.

[leftofthedial]

23. you nailed it!

Haw! I crack me up.

[MissMarple]

24. What a mockery of true religious faith.

Puerile, sanctimonious, prideful idiots. That is an embarrassment to America.

[et in Arcadia ego...]

25. "For the GOP so hated the world, that they gave

their one and only Son, George Bush, that whoever believes in Him shall perish and not have eternal life."-the Dead GOP Scrolls, Chapter 11

[Desertrose]

27. sounds more like a preacher on the stump than a prez....

oh wait...he's not really the prez, but just playing one on TV.

This is so highly inappropriate it makes me wanna :puke: up my Easter candy....:evilgrin:

What about other faiths...oh right, they don't count according the bushwa.

..sigh......

[Clark2008]

28. Clinton's Easter Message, April 1999

(Found, oddly enough, on a cached brain injury website - cue the "Twilight Zone" theme)

Today Christians across America and around the world commemorate with great joy the central mystery of their faith: the Resurrection of Jesus. In this season, we celebrate Christ's victory over sin and death, and we rejoice in the new life that He won for us through His suffering, death, and rising from the dead.

That new life empowers us to overcome sin and to recognize our capacity for forgiveness and love. We have seen in our own communities and in other nations across the globe the violence and human tragedy spawned by hatred, intolerance, and fear born of ignorance. If we are to destroy the roots of hatred, we must examine our own hearts and actions and learn what we can and must do to build just communities united in understanding and mutual respect. May this sacred season of renewal, hope, and new beginnings inspire our efforts and light our way to a brighter, more

peaceful future.

Hillary joins me in extending best wishes for a blessed and joyous Easter celebration.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

http://www.bisociety.org/summer99.cfm

See - there isn't much difference.

[et in Arcadia ego...]

29. No bible quotes in Bill's version though. /eom

[Clark2008]

30. No, but the sentiment's the same.

Renewal of live, sacred season, etc.

Easter is, by its celebration alone, a Christian holiday.

Of course, the difference between Clinton and Bush is that Clinton actually went to church and actually included other faiths. ;)

[FreedomAngel82]

45. And he also wasn't a hypocrite about it

And he didn't flaunt it around and appeal to one base.

[Nashyra]

33. I was just going to post a link

Pick our battles

[shadowknows69]

50. I didn't agree with big Bill's message either.

I don't care what ratio of our population is christian I'm sick of it being the dominant deciding factor on when we celebrate as a country.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

31. I found the following quote to be totally hypocritical....

In His teachings, the poor have heard hope, the proud have been challenged, and the weak and dying have found assurance.

Meanwhile, the rightwing fundies led by Herr Busch are doing everything they can to destroy every single program designed to help the weak and the poor. The poor in this country no longer have ANY hope, and their ranks are growing with each passing day.

And yes, the proud have been challenged, but as is so often the case, pride goeth before the fall.

Jesus never taught what the rightwing fundies are doing to this country, and to so many countries around the world.

[FreedomAngel82]

34. Weird and scary

Does he honestly want me to believe HE wrote that? :crazy:

[Stop_the_War]

36. is this piece of shit going to be televised ?

i hope not

[yella_dawg]

38. Ah yes...

The Christian festival of human sacrifice.

Too weird.

[Fountain79]

42. I don't see it

Hello this is my fourth post here. I personally don't see the problem with the message. George Bush is a Christian and profeses that fact in his message. Now I'll admit there is serious argument as to whether or not he lives his life with a true Christian ethic but I am not sure I understand the problem with the profession of faith. I do understand the concern for the exclusion of other faiths(passover, etc) but I wouldn't start expecting government mandated church attendance just yet.

[AngryOldDem]

46. I agree with you

Easter is THE significant Christian season. As much as I detest Bush, I saw nothing in that particular pronouncement except the usual boilerplate. I treat it like I treat other such presidential announcements -- with a shrug, because I know it's nothing more than pandering lip service. And you're right -- he should also recognize the important holidays and traditions of other faiths as well.

[donheld]

43. Christian Taliban in the white house

Who needs to worry about Fundy Muslims, we have our own brand of fundimentalists to be very concerned about.

[SeveneightyWhoa]

47. I don't see anything wrong with it.

Like someone already demonstrated, Bill Clinton's Easter greetings were no different.

[fortyfeetunder]

51. What about Passover, it's March 29!

I went and saw his other messages and they are about the same.

The loaded question is -- the first day of Passover is on March 29, so will he have a message for American Jews?