Ohio group's soul purpose is political

[Judi Lynn]

Article published Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Ohio group's soul purpose is political


If Russell Johnson has his way, it won't be your parents' Republican Party much longer.
"In their little political gatherings and cocktail meetings at the country club, they can't build that kind of loyalty . They can't spend millions to buy what our people will give for free," the Ohio pastor told the New York Times.

Thought Ohio's culture wars would settle down after November? Wrong.

In a fascinating story, the Times outlined a plan by the religious-right wing of the GOP to wrest control. First backing Ken Blackwell for governor, "the group hopes to build grassroots organizations in Ohio's 88 counties and take control of local Republican organizations."

The Times described "a blueprint calling for Patriot Pastors to register 500,000 new voters �œ.�œ. . then inform and energize them with voter guides, rallies, and so-called e-prayer networks."
(snip/...)

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050329/COLUMNIST03/503290357/-1/NEWS

[ck4829]

1. As a resident of Ohio...

I feel as though I am going to lose my State to a Fascist Empire.

[slor]

2. We can fight them...

and if we lose, time to move from Ohio.

[Mountainman]

8. I left Ohio in 1982 because I saw it coming then. Hamilton county was

really bad back then. They had the businessmen's anti pornography thing going. If you didn't support it, you were held out as a business that supports pornography.

[HughBeaumont]

16. GOING to?

[VegasWolf]

17. I was wrong, there is a Hell! n/t

[mtnester]

21. As a resident of Fairfield County, Ohio, where Russell Johnson's Church is

I can tell you these people are organized and dangerous as hell. And I hear they are going to back Blackwell. I have met Reverend Johnson, and their church pretty much controls who gets elected in this county. If you do not get his endorsement, you can kiss your ass goodbye. The county Sheriff, all elected county officials, all attend his church, and I believe our DC House member and Ohio statehouse rep attend his church as well. Reverend Johnson is VERY charismatic, and brings a very moderate following to his church as well.

One of the other members of this consortium, Rev. Rod Parsley, has one of the largest church followings in the United States. I went to school with him...no choirboy then. BUT, they have some serious might behind them. Reverend Rodney's church is World Harvest, and his TV evangelical show is Breakthrough. He is a rich rich rich person.

Looks like a Blackwell vs Coleman battle unless the more moderate Republicans can get strongly behind one candidate, either Petro or Montgomery, and unless they go for one of them 100%, Blackwell is the shoe in.

[salin]

3. One of my favorite senators in the eighties

was from Ohio - unabashedly liberal... Sen. Howard Metzembaum. I fear it is going to be awhile before we see such a leader emerging - statewide - from Ohio.... or at least that is the impression folks like these are trying to give.

At what point do other republicans get "revolted" by the takeover?

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. These organizations need to lose their tax exempt status

Reporting churches that preach politics to the IRS would be a good idea.

[Tyler Durden]

5. TAX THE BASTARDS!

"Patriot Pastors" cannot be political boosters AND tax free ministers.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

6. Absolutely

The ODP needs to organize a counter-effort to punish any church that steps out of line -- particularly those that are leading this effort.

[cmd]

7. That would be part of the answer

However, I think their plan is to tap dance around that possibility by never mentioning their politcal plan in the church itself, but setting up outside committees to do the deed.
It's going to take a gigantic media campaign on our part to get the message out about their plan. We must organize and frame our positions. Then it will be a door to door battle for the votes. The pubbies are way ahead of us in this game. We are going to have to unite as we have never done before to beat these reactionaries.

[roseBudd]

9. Registering new voters will be a problem...

"The Times described "a blueprint calling for Patriot Pastors to register 500,000 new voters . . . then inform and energize them with voter guides, rallies, and so-called e-prayer networks"

Ohio is tapped out from all the voter registration that went on in 04.

[hadrons]

10. and Ohio continues to lead the nation in job-loss

:crazy:

[HughBeaumont]

20. . . . and continues to do absolutely BUPKIS to remedy it . . .

[Mithras61]

11. Interesting headline...

I can't believe I'm the only one to notice this. Why is the headline "Ohio Group's soul purpose..." instead of "Ohio Group's sole purpose..."? Last time I checked, one referred to the spirit of a body, whereas the other refers to a solitary thing. Is there supposed to be a subtle message in this, or is the editor a moran?




Edited to correct typos...

[freedom_to_read]

12. I think it's supposed to be pun

but it's pretty lame.

[VegasWolf]

19. Yeah, that was my take too. n/t

[yellowcanine]

13. "Patriot Pastors"??? Sounds like idolatry to me. Are they pastors first

or are they patriots first? What if their congregation includes a non-citizen? Are they second class members?

[Biology]

14. tax exempt status

Any tax exempt religious organization that gets into politics clearly needs to have its tax exempt status revoked. However, this type of takeover is occurring nationwide right now, not just in Ohio. Moderate republicans are quickly being excised from the political process.

[mongo]

15. Ohio is ground zero in the culture war.

And we need all the help we can get.

Send lawyers, guns and money - quick!


Or at least some of you DU'ers will write me when I'm in prison for the heinous crime of selling a movie.

[Mari333]

18. Tax Them all. Turn them in to the IRS n/t