This is long, but I've got to say it before I explode.

[FLyellowdog]

I've been trolling over at the freeper weepers (I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself) and they've got a thread on there about Esther from the Bible being just like Palin. They're talking about Palin being "The Anointed One" and how God is on her side and people weep when they hear about her religious upbringing and values and such. They're praying for her continued influence in this election and are grateful that McCain listened when God spoke to him about choosing her as his running mate.

Now I'm not a complete atheist, but this kind of crap really scares the snot out of me. These people are on the edge of insanity, and fanatic doesn't even come close to describing them. How can they espouse the teachings of their Bible and then justify the hatred and bigotry that they're encouraging through their vicious and mean-spirited lies?

The McCain/Palin ticket has divided this country on so many more levels than Bush/Cheney ever even thought about. I know that the economic crisis, wars overseas, ecological concerns, terrorism, and health care issues are the most important problems we face today. But having said that, I'm afraid that the moral fiber of this country is being so destroyed by what the right winged conservatives are doing and saying, we may be pushed back decades and decades in our intellectual abilities to solve these problems.

The divisiveness is getting out of hand and right now the Republican party is the only group that can stem the flow of venomous bile coming from their constituents.Why are they not standing up and saying, enough is enough? Do they not remember what this country was like when intolerance and bigotry were the standard? The entire Republican ticket has taken us back to a time when people trusted only Caucasians, when women were valued solely because of their looks, and when the only moral way was the scriptural way of the King James Bible. I'm appalled and I'm ashamed, but most of all I'm frightened.

I grew up in the 60's and I remember the Freedom Riders, and Civil Rights issues, and the assassinations of three great men. Have we so lost our moral compass today that we can't see how far we've come and what a greater nation we are because of a more progressive way of thinking?

If Barack Obama doesn't win this election, I believe the country is in far more trouble than that of just running out of money. I think we will have run out of the very principles our country was founded on. I don't care whether I get another loan or not...if my grandchildren can't grow up in a nation that believes and practices the premise that all men are created equal, then our nation will be lost. All the money in the world can't secure our democracy or protect our freedoms if the supporters of the Republican Right are allowed to steal those very things from us.

I don't think that's what McCain and Palin started out to do...but in their frenzied efforts to get to the White House, they have sold their souls to the devil and they will ultimately drag us all to hell with them if need be.

This is not a pretty sight and this is not our finest moment. However, I do have hope that enough Americans, both Democrat and Republican, will see the dangers that confront us during these last three weeks before the election and that they will see how important it is to think carefully about what is thrown at us from McCain's campaign.

This country's ideals and promises for the future won't survive a McCain presidency...He is too dangerous. He is too deceitful. And he is too destructive.

Yes, I do have hope...and it's name is Barack Obama.

[applexcore]

1. I concur, but please...

add some paragraph breaks in there so its easier to read for everyone.

[FLyellowdog]

11. Thanks for the reminder. Fixed it.

I was getting a little out of control, if I do say so myself!!!

[eshfemme]

2. I'm scared too.

I am also enraged by the fact that they mock Obama for being "The One" and yet here they are doing the very thing that they claim that we have been doing. If you want to be Biblical about it, they are breaking the second Commandment and that is worshiping false idols.

I am increasingly worried for Obama and for America because of people like these. This almost makes me want to pray when I really have to trust that the universe has an innate need for balance and this time the pendulum is swinging towards Obama's favor.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I understand what you're saying...

And where you're coming from.

But I do think you're overestimating the influence of those crazy people. There have always been some of those in our society, and there always will be.

But their numbers aren't great, not by a long shot. Most people are decent, law-abiding sorts.

And McCain didn't choose Palin...she was chosen for him, against his wishes.

Don't let them get to you!

It's going to be OK...

I really believe it.

[Indiana_Dem]

4. My husband said something similar....he couldn't believe

what Palin is doing to the crowds that come and see her. He said she is committing to a very dangerous road. He says also he thinks she is absolutely ruining her career and she is inciting others to possibly do something dangerous.

[Laelth]

5. The GOP is a threat to the Constitution.

I am not worried "that the moral fiber of this country is being so destroyed by what the right winged conservatives are doing and saying." What worries me is the absolute disdain these people espouse for the Constitution. This is supposed to be a tolerant country of equals that embraces people of all religious creeds. The religious nuts in the GOP want a Christian theocracy where they get to define what it means to be a Christian. That is antithetical to my political values and the political values enshrined in the Constitution.

:dem:

-Laelth

[SoCalDemGrrl]

6. Well said - thank you

[The Wielding Truth]

7. They are proving in so many ways how bad they are for our

country. How can they justify what they are doing? By attacking a good man they are pushing the decency out of our culture.

[NYC_SKP]

8. consistent with this video, I reckon. Palin is dangerous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sixDDLSN46s

[Jennicut]

9. Shrub only used the religious right to get elected. Phalin actually believes in the crap

they spew forth. She is nuts and the people in love with her are equally nuts.

[progressivebydesign]

10. Was Esther an adulterer as well? Or did she cheat on her taxes?

Just wondering.. cuz it doesn't seem to be too high of a bar for those freepers. Remember when they used to think that GEORGE W. BUSH was God's anointed one?? OMG, they REALLY did believe that Bush was "the one"

[Beregond2]

12. Esther, huh?

Martin Luther was so horrified by the Book of Esther, he wanted it removed from the Bible. An odd choice...

[Rocknrule]

13. And they say WE'RE the ones deifying our leaders?

They treated Bush like the 2nd Son of God

[AndyTiedye]

14. It Would Not Be Taking us Back Decades, but About a Millenium

The last time their ilk held sway was the Dark Ages.

[Eurobabe]

15. Everytime I hear this, I feel less homesick

thanks for reminding me of why I left. :hi:

[FlyingSquirrel]

17. You are so unfair.

And if we lose this election, be sure to look me up in Canada.

:)

[FlyingSquirrel]

16. Well said.

:hug:

[Captiosus]

18. To be honest, historically speaking, I haven't seen this level of

religious fundamentalism since the build up to the Civil War.

The attitude of the modern, right wing, republican party - which, coincidentally, seems to be the version of the party they want to be because there are stories everywhere about how moderate, centrist republicans are being shoved out of the party rank and file - is way too similar to the attitude of the antebellum south. Racism, bigotry, highly interpreted "religion", a firm belief that their "America" is the only America, send the poor and destitute to fight a war, et cetera. (Aside: My great great grandfather served under Lee. He was duped into the war because of his financial station and thought he was doing his patriotic duty so I only feel it right to honor him by remembering him.)

The modern republican party has a bunch of racists and bigots who are proud to be racist and bigots. It's absolutely appalling. And the worst part is these folks make up their "base" and the GOP is trying to return solely to its "base". The party of Lincoln isn't anymore.

The way they're going, I'm going to predict their 2012 ticket:
Sarah Palin/Jefferson Davis 2012

[TheKentuckian]

19. There is a small but real chance of swinging into another

dark age. We can't get trapped into the crazy culture war shit. I think resource wise that we're maybe cooked on a comeback because we've used all the low hanging fruit. The prideful culture of willful ignorance is very dangerous, we need thinkers of all stripes in all fields.

It is terrible how fast we gone from passing on a better world to fighting tooth and nail to save the one we have or in many minds, just to hold on to some leftover fragments of a dream.

[Undercurrent]

20. Glad to recommend your insightful,

and well written post, FLyellowdog.

I too am worried about the crumbling of our foundation as a society. Our country has always been a little ragged around the edges, because we are such a disparate group to begin with. What holds us together -- our American principles expressed in our Constitution -- is in danger of disintegrating completely.

It scares more than anything else.