After The Debate: The Case For Obama (the Marine Corps) and a Culture of Brotherhood

[Leo 9]

After The Debate: The Case For Obama (the Marine Corps) and a Culture of Brotherhood

Posted April 17, 2008 | 09:27 PM (EST)

by Frank Schaeffer

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Before my son John joined the Marines I would have laughed at the idea that I -- a life long Republican, white, middle aged "I Want!" kind of selfish guy -- would become a loyal Obama supporter. I would also have thought that Senator Clinton's attacks on Obama (in the PA debate), were just inevitable business as usual, not a gross exercise in immorality...

Before I became connected to my country in a new and deeper way through my son's service, I would have dismissed Senator Obama's eloquent call for us to grow beyond our Red State/Blue State divisions as "just words..."

Before my son proved me wrong I would have doubted that he would be susceptible to hearing a "higher call" and wanting to, "be part of something bigger than myself..." and I never would have predicted that Obama could move so many millions of "apathetic" young people my son's age to involve themselves in politics.

My journey from cynicism to the Obama camp had an unlikely beginning. It began in 1999, when a barrel-chested Marine recruiter showed up in dress blues and bedazzled my son. I did not stand in the way. John was headstrong, and he seemed to understand these stern, clean men with straight backs and flawless uniforms. I did not. I live on the Volvo-driving, higher education-worshipping North Shore of Boston. I write novels for a living. I have never served in the military.

snip

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/after-the-debate-the-case_b_97336.html

[Abacus]

1. k/r

[catnhatnh]

2. I am forced to disrecommend-it sounds cool....

But this Guy is wingnut crazy...

[Leo 9]

3. It shows Obama's ability to reach people where they are, and to bring them along.

Frank Schaeffer is a writer and author of "KEEPING FAITH-A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps" and, "CRAZY FOR GOD-How I Grew Up As One Of The Elect, Helped Found The Religious Right, And Lived To Take All (Or Almost All) Of It Back"

Frank Schaeffer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frank Schaeffer (born August 3, 1952) is an American author, film director, screenwriter and public speaker. He is the son of the late theologian Francis Schaeffer. He became a Hollywood film director and author, writing several internationally acclaimed novels depicting life in a strict, fundamentalist household including Portofino, Zermatt, and Saving Grandma.

In 2007 he published the autobiographical "Crazy For God", in which he goes into much more detail of what it was like to grow up in the Shaeffer family, and around L'Abri.

He is most recently the author of Baby Jack, a novel about a Marine killed in Iraq. He is also known for his best selling non-fiction books related to the United States Marine Corps, including Keeping Faith--A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps, co-written with his son John Schaeffer, and AWOL--The Unexcused Absence Of America's Upper Classes From Military Service and How It Hurts Our Country, co-authored with former Clinton presidential aide, Kathy Roth-Douquet.

Frank Schaeffer has distanced himself from many of his father's Calvinist views and has converted to the Greek Orthodox church in 1990 which he says "embraces paradox and mystery." In 2008, prompted by the controversy over remarks by the pastor of presidential candidate Barack Obama's church, he wrote: "hen my late father -- Religious Right leader Francis Schaeffer -- denounced America and even called for the violent overthrow of the US government, he was invited to lunch with presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush, Sr."<1>

snip

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Schaeffer

[grantcart]

4. No your wrong he has renounced his father's teachings and has

become a very moderate to liberal guy. Frankly as a former conservative he has a lot more impact than most die hard liberals. I have heard him on NPR and other places and you need to give this guy a fresh listen. He has changed. Read the comments from people on his blog


quote
Mr. Schaeffer: I am a johnny-come-lately to your recent writings. Your politics and mine diverged many years ago as I was disgusted with the way you upheld and propagated the narrow and divisive veiws of the religious right at every opportunity. I felt that they (and you) had nothing to do with being religious and your spin certainly contained no elements of being right. I simply had no respect for you, and, your very name was enough to insure that my interests were always elsewhere engaged.

In the last few weeks, however, I have been extremely surprised by your comments. At first, I was intrigued, but very distrustful. Your post today brought tears to my eyes-- I finally thought, "He really does get it. It's not a sham, an okie-doke to reel us in and then deliver the fatal blow. Omigosh. Who woulda thunk it???"

I admire your son and the many others who truly do demonstrate their love for our country by making the greatest sacrifices it is possible for humans to make. So often, the children really do lead.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I am sure that you take incoming fire (sniper flak?) from your conservative cohorts. However, you are making new friends who admire and respect your courage. Best of luck. God bless.
unquote



The title of one of his books should give a clue


"CRAZY FOR GOD-How I Grew Up As One Of The Elect, Helped Found The Religious Right, And Lived To Take All (Or Almost All) Of It Back"

[EFerrari]

7. He is absolutely not crazy. He wrote a great book

deconstructing that whole culture.

[MagickMuffin]

5. I'm glad some people are coming out of their comas.

:kick: & RRRR

Better late than never.

[EFerrari]

6. Is this "Crazy for God" Schaeffer? He's great. n/t