Salazar lets fly: Focus on Family aims to create theocracy in U.S,

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

Senator says.

Finally, our freshman Dem Senator is showing some moxie!


snip>
Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., intensified his war of words with Focus on the Family on Thursday, accusing its evangelical Christian leaders of trying to turn the United States into a theocracy.

"I think that the way Focus on the Family and the conservative right wing is attempting to take the country will threaten the basic cornerstone of our freedom," Salazar said in an interview

snip>

Salazar, a Democrat and lifelong Catholic, blasted the ads on Wednesday, saying Focus on the Family was "hijacking" Christianity and becoming an appendage of the Republican Party. The ministry reaches millions of evangelical Christians through the leadership of its founder, James Dobson.

"I think the kind of attack that is being used against (Democratic senators) and against me has the potential of moving our country to abandoning the freedom of worship which we enjoy in this country, and moving toward the creation of a theocracy," Salazar said.

>
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state/article/0,1299,DRMN_21_3720500,00.html

MKJ

edited for clarity

[GOPBasher]

1. Yes!!! It's about time someone stands up and says that truth!

Go Salazar! :applause:

[Turn CO Blue]

27. It's about time that Kenny said something period,

that speaks to his own party interests rather than those of the Repubs.

But, I'll step up and say that he rocks for speaking up on this one!
:banghead:

[radfringe]

39. ok - once again with feeling

family values, moral values, american values are all warm fuzzies that tug at the emotions

repugs have been slinging this crappola around since Reagan - and it's worked for them

HOWEVER - they have not defined their terms nor has anyone called on them to define their terms

what do they mean by values - what are these values - how does their actions in the legislature support values

ask a group of people to list their values - what are your values, what does it mean to you - I'd bet a dozen donuts that each list would be different

DEFINE THE TERMS!

[barbaraann]

2. I never dreamed that in 2005 we would be fighting theocracy,

but we are.

[niceypoo]

40. "Focus on the family" has no real power

Just another right wing nutjob power grab like many before. Moral Majority......Family Research Council. Blahh

[GOPBasher]

43. I hope you're right, but I don't think so.

All those organizations seem to have plenty of power, since the GOP wins by courting their voters and then panders to them while in office. THEY are the ones controlling the country right now. Not the groups themselves, but the people behind the groups.

[Terran]

3. That's the way to do it.

Ordinary Americans have to hear the truth about these freaks. Words like "theocracy" scare the shit out of most Americans because they associate that idea with places like Iran. The idea of a theocratic America? There might be a loony fringe 4-5% who like the idea, but most will recoil in horror.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

7. Even my libertarian leaning husband pooh poohed the idea that we were

seeing a theocratic agenda being advanced in the WH...not anymore.
MKJ

[donco6]

41. Maybe not by the WH

I don't think Bush is a true believer anyway. But I'm not sure Bush is really in control of this train.

[formerrepuke]

4. ...and here's hoping that he doesn't remain the lone voice of reason...

and others join him in speaking out-

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

5. Here's a snippet from the letter Salazar wrote to Dobson

You can access the full text at the link with story...

snip>

My faith is the cornerstone of my values, as I am sure it is with you as well. I call on you to repudiate Dr. Mohler's comments and hope you distance yourself from those who serve to divide the world's Christian churches against one another.

I would further encourage you to cease your unfounded attacks on the faith of my Democratic colleagues. The Senate controversy over judges is simply about whether the rules should be broken in the pursuit of power. The controversy has nothing to do with the faith of any Democratic U.S. Senator. Indeed, I would ask for your prayers that the United States Senate transcend the abuse of power at the root of this controversy, and move forward in a spirit of bipartisanship on the issue of judges, as well as the monumental challenges facing our Nation such as health care, transportation, energy, education and care for our elders. I am committed to helping find a solution to these challenges that confront us.

Sincerely,

Ken Salazar
United States Senator

>snip

[ClintonTyree]

6. He's persecuting Christians!

Christian bashing, pure and simple. He wants to take the "God" out of "In God We Trust". God made this country what it is today. He's given us dominion over the rest of the world and given us the greatest weapons systems available. God WANTS the United States to bomb and kill everyone that doesn't agree with us, and has given us george bush to complete that task. :sarcasm:
This Christian bashing has to stop. What about the children? :cry:

[bperci108]

13. Wait....

You forgot the classic:

"Why do you hate our freedom/country/president?"

:rofl:

[Hobarticus]

18. Poor white Christian hetero males...

How will they survive?

There needs to be some kind of Adopt-A-Fundie program to help those suffering at the hands of a secular government..

[saltpoint]

8. A brainy, ballsy move by Sen. Salazar. Hurray!

I am glad he's iin the Senate, I'm grateful for the DUers who worked on his campaign against Pete Coors, and I LOVE what he's said here about Focus on the Family.

I have written to him earlier this morning to say thanks for his principled stand against Dobson's hate-fueled doings.

[acmejack]

20. He is attempting to atone for introducing Martinez

at his confirmation hearing. I have had a dark view of him for that, but this letter goes a long way toward countering that nice intro he gave the "Torture is OK" Attorney.

[saltpoint]

34. I hear you on Abu Gonzales. And i agree that this --

-- stance he's taking on Focus on the Family is a lift.

Maybe it's worth it for us to encourage others to write an email letter to him to encourage him to stand on his own two feet like this more often. In the long run, it's so much better for everybody if Jim Dobson's role comes under more scrutiny.

[CO Liberal]

9. Way 2 Go, KEN!!!!!

:kick:

More Dems need to speak out about the evil that is FoKKKus On The Family.

[calimary]

16. And more of us need to speak out - and up - and THANK Salazar

and others like him who tell the truth about "Focus on the Pharisees."

[DinahMoeHum]

10. Bumpersticker: If You Want A Country Run By Religiion, Move To Iran.

n/t

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

12. I may have to replace my "Pro-Get a-Life" bumpersticker with that one

MKJ

[yurbud]

22. Iran is getting sick of it too--if we leave them to fix it themselves.

[Kelvin Mace]

11. Very Good, Kenny

Next, Rick Santorum and a proctoligist will help you find your ass.

[HuckleB]

14. Well, at least that's one time he's done his job.

[UCLA Dem]

15. Very cool!! Co elected a great senator!!

[ernstbass]

17. What a pleasant surprise

a Senator with a spine!

[blue agave]

19. Finally, the "T" word gets out.

I hope other Dems run with this and force some media discussion.

[yurbud]

21. Did you see the poll on the same page? 83.9% AGREE with him

That's impressive given the number of evangelical groups headquartered in Colorado.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

32. The poll now has 80.7 % agreeing...the comments are fun to read

I love my fellow Coloradans...and do I see a couple of DU'ers comments in there, as well? MKJ

[mountainvue]

23. Okay, that's why I voted for you Ken.

Not so you could stand behind people like Alberto Gonzales.

[against all enemies]

42. How powerful is the christian movement in Colorado? Does the

majority of the state think they are overstepping their bounds?

[katty]

24. Don't they get it yet??!! Christian rabidright are FASCISTS

they might as well take their cues from the Taliban playbook.

[DearAbby]

25. THAT IS WHY I VOTED FOR THIS MAN!

:applause::applause::applause::applause:

[Ysolde]

26. I wish I could've voted for him...

instead of the crappy choices I had! I voted and all I ended up with was Tom Coburn! AAAGGGHHHH!

I was worried after he fell all over himself in support of Alberto "Torturer" Gonzales, but maybe he does have a spine and isn't just a mindless supporter of someone based on their race?

I hope. I hope. Now, the rest of the Dems need to start repeating that word, THEOCRACY, over and over and over.

[Hand]

28. He just needs to sharpen his rhetoric a bit.

Compare and contrast:

"I think that the way Focus on the Family and the conservative right wing is attempting to take the country will threaten the basic cornerstone of our freedom."

"Focus on the Family and the conservative right wing threaten the basic cornerstone of our freedom."

Or:

"I think the kind of attack that is being used against (Democratic senators) and against me has the potential of moving our country to abandoning the freedom of worship which we enjoy in this country, and moving toward the creation of a theocracy," Salazar said.

"The kind of attacks they're using against (Democratic senators) and against me are squarely aimed at destroying our freedom of worship and turning our nation into a theocracy," Salazar said.

See my point? KISS (Keep it simple, Senator). Salazar needs to study how Howard Dean makes his points. He does it like this: and the message gets across!

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

30. I like this statement, though...it cuts to the heart of the matter

>snip
I call on you to repudiate Dr. Mohler's comments and hope you distance yourself from those who serve to divide the world's Christian churches against one another.
>snip

This is a powerful image; that of Christian churches polarizing against each other. This may resonate with the faithful as much as the idea of theocratic rule. MKJ

[fishwax]

29. he's dead on, and it's about time someone said it

there ought to be more of our leaders who speak up to agree with him.

[davidinalameda]

31. guess he won't win Colorado Springs next time around

impressive though

didn't think he had it in him--now the rest of the Democrats need to stand behind him and start reminding the few moderate Repukes about this as well

[The_Casual_Observer]

33. Just wait for the attacks from fox!

They will try to wipe this guy out.

[LatePeriduct]

35. Wow he's done it!

This guy is bold as hell.

[wordslikelead]

36. ugh...

I hate Focus on the Family so much. I'm surrounded by Xtians in my everyday life, and they eat that garbage up constantly. I'm glad to see someone taking it to them.

[OETKB]

37. Time to unite

It is too clear that the push to bring right wing religious zealotry into our government is part of a grand stategy to get us to scatter all over the lot. There are so many holes in the dike of our representative government it is hard to know where to begin. For me there is only one issue. The wrong people are in charge. We need to win the 2006 elections in convincing fashion so we can IMPEACH THIS ENTIRE ADMINISTRATION.

There are just too many fights to fight. Some have called a social movement to end the war. Others want to protect civil rights. We need fair tax policy. We need effective and humane and efficient health care. We need to support the UN and promote true economic prosperity in the world. We need to protect the environment, land, water, air and reverse global warming. We need to repair and expand our infrastructure to aid our businesses. We need to ensure a living wage for our citizens. We need to understand the necessity of supporting education and assure all our citizens have access to it. We must secure our homeland against any widespread damage from those who would seek to harm us. We need to support American no-how and restore our manufacturing base. We must protect our workers from harm and ensure their chance to enjoy the fruits of a just society. We need voting and campaign reforms. We need meaningful diplomacy that seeks cooperation and progress for all the world's people. We need foreign policy that produces healthy bilateral relationships in terms of societal exchange and commerce on equal footing. In short we need to work for the survival of our species through the effective use of reason.

The problem we are having is a leadership gap. What unites the other side is their view of what that leadership looks like. We have to agree we do not accept this and do our best to put it back in some dark closet before it destroys us all. This is an ancient argument and was outlined at the dawn of this country.

Benjamin Franklin's responded to a woman on the street on what the constitutional convention was up to: "Making a Republic, if you can keep it."

Further this is Jefferson's response to Adams(an elitist) on who should be the leaders of this country:

"For I agree with you that there is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents. Formerly bodily powers gave place among the aristoi. But since the invention of gunpowder has armed the weak as well as the strong with missile death, bodily strength, like beauty, good humor, politeness and other accomplishments, has become but an auxiliary ground of distinction. There is also an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents; for with these it would belong to the first class. The natural aristocracy I consider as the most precious gift of nature for the instruction, the trusts, and government of society. And indeed it would have been inconsistent in creation to have formed man for the social state, and not to have provided virtue and wisdom enough to manage the concerns of the society. May we not even say that that form of government is the best which provides the most effectually for a pure selection of these natural aristoi into the offices of government? The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government, and provision should be made to prevent it's ascendancy."

<http://www.bigeye.com/aristocracy.htm>

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

38. the "artificial aristocracy". Jefferson was prophetic in his insights n/t

MKJ