Glenn Beck: Interview With Atheist Tornado Survivor Was a Setup by “Forces of Spiritual Darkness”

Why so crazy?
Wingnuts • Views: 30,450

A memorable moment in CNN’s coverage of the Oklahoma tornado disaster was Wolf Blitzer’s interview with a woman who, after Blitzer asked her several times whether she “thanked the Lord” for surviving, turned out to be an atheist. Oops, Wolf.

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When the full import of this diabolical “interview” slammed into the fevered brain of Glenn Beck, bless his little stunted raving freakazoid wingnut soul, it triggered a rant about plots and the forces of darkness. SINISTER HIDDEN REASONS that only Glenn can see.

YouTube

“We are not fighting against flesh and bone,” Beck said. “We are fighting the forces of spiritual darkness and it doesn’t matter what people’s intent are, but I will tell you that that was there for a reason.”

Via: Beck: CNN Interview With Atheist Tornado Survivor Was a Set-Up | Right Wing Watch

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153 comments
1 Targetpractice  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:33:39pm

This man is simply not playing with a full deck anymore.

2 Kragar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:33:51pm

I mean, how else it could it have happened? Its really the only logical conclusion.
/

3 darthstar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:35:19pm

Oh, Glenn…you fucking idiot. Thank you for being you.

4 Kragar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:35:47pm

re: #1 Targetpractice

This man is simply not playing with a full deck anymore.

Playing solitaire till dawn with a deck of 51…

5 Skip Intro  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:37:25pm

Let me just add that Wolf Blitzer is an idiot who ought to be working for the 700 Club.

6 darthstar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:37:53pm

re: #4 Kragar

Playing solitaire till dawn with a deck of 51…

Glenn Beck is the ace of spayed.

7 Skip Intro  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:38:38pm

re: #1 Targetpractice

This man is simply not playing with a full deck anymore.

It’s not easy staying King of Crazy Mountain.

8 Targetpractice  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:38:39pm

re: #5 Skip Intro

Let me just add that Wolf Blitzer is an idiot who ought to be working for the 700 Club.

Man’s past his “Best By” date. At this point, he seems less interested in reporting the news and more on being the center of it.

9 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:39:07pm

After all, it’s not like they interviewed dozens of OTHER people who all thanked their god.

Oh, wait.

10 Charles Johnson  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:39:24pm

re: #5 Skip Intro

Let me just add that Wolf Blitzer is an idiot who ought to be working for the 700 Club.

“You DO thank the Lord, don’t you? Don’t you?”

11 Kragar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:39:46pm

re: #8 Targetpractice

Man’s past his “Best By” date. At this point, he seems less interested in reporting the news and more on being the center of it.

He should be reporting about lemonade stands and kittens in trees somewhere.

12 Charles Johnson  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:39:54pm

He really wanted her to say she thanked the Lord. Good for her for not giving in to the pressure.

13 Kragar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:40:32pm

re: #10 Charles Johnson

“You DO thank the Lord, don’t you? Don’t you?”

“For what? Dropping a fucking tornado on my town?”

14 NJDhockeyfan  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:40:56pm

re: #1 Targetpractice

This man is simply not playing with a full deck anymore.

His elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top.

15 EPR-radar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:40:59pm

re: #11 Kragar

He should be reporting about lemonade stands and kittens in trees somewhere.

Or playing with blocks and brightly colored bits of string.

Sadly, this fine phrase is not my invention.

16 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:41:22pm

re: #7 Skip Intro

It’s not easy staying King of Crazy Mountain.

Indeed. Having to contend with the likes of Pam Geller and Michelle Malkin has reduced Ann Coulter to publishing the same book over and over, with increasingly desperate one-word titles.

17 Skip Intro  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:41:33pm

re: #10 Charles Johnson

“You DO thank the Lord, don’t you? Don’t you?”

“Yes, Wolf, I thank the Lord for killing all of those other people and destroying all that property just so He could save me”.

18 calochortus  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:41:38pm

It’s a good feeling to be part of the forces of spiritual darkness.

19 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:42:02pm

re: #14 NJDhockeyfan

His elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top.

Crazier than a shit house rat.

20 NJDhockeyfan  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:42:14pm

re: #11 Kragar

He should be reporting about lemonade stands and kittens in trees somewhere.

He can try to guess what accent the little kitties have.

21 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:42:43pm

re: #18 calochortus

It’s a good feeling to be part of the forces of spiritual darkness.

Do we get discounts on Forces of Spiritual Darkness swag?

22 Dr Lizardo  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:42:51pm

re: #19 GeneJockey

Crazier than a shit house rat.

Loony as a bedbug.

23 NJDhockeyfan  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:43:43pm

re: #19 GeneJockey

Crazier than a shit house rat.

About as sharp as a marble.

24 EPR-radar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:43:47pm

re: #21 GeneJockey

Do we get discounts on Forces of Spiritual Darkness swag?

Demon King merchandise. Maybe that will be Limbaugh’s next gig.

25 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:44:05pm

re: #22 Dr Lizardo

Loony as a bedbug.

20 lbs of crazy in a 5 lb bag.

EDIT: More like 400 lbs of crazy in a 200 lb bag.

26 Gus  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:44:25pm

So what was Ayn Rand?

27 NJDhockeyfan  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:44:54pm

re: #25 GeneJockey

20 lbs of crazy in a 5 lb bag.

The gates are down and the lights are flashing, but the train isn’t coming.

28 EPR-radar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:45:13pm

re: #23 NJDhockeyfan

About as sharp as a marble.

‘Glenn Beck’. We’ve reached the point where the best definition of ‘pants on head stupidity’ is simply a picture of Beck along with a selection of his greatest hits.

29 Lidane  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:45:14pm

re: #26 Gus

So what was Ayn Rand?

The high priestess for Republican Jesus, of course.

30 Dr Lizardo  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:45:53pm

re: #21 GeneJockey

Do we get discounts on Forces of Spiritual Darkness swag?

I have this. Taweez. With a verse from the Qur’an inside.

173.199.182.172

31 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:45:53pm

re: #29 Lidane

The high priestess for Republican Jesus, of course.

The great thing is, that title would really piss her off.

32 Lidane  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:47:19pm

re: #31 GeneJockey

The great thing is, that title would really piss her off.

If she was alive today, her smackdowns of the GOP and all the RWNJ morons who quote her while calling themselves Christians would be hilarious.

33 Dr Lizardo  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:47:27pm

re: #25 GeneJockey

20 lbs of crazy in a 5 lb bag.

EDIT: More like 400 lbs of crazy in a 200 lb bag.

I sometimes don’t know whether to consider Beck as possibly genuinely insane, or some masterful performance art. Sort of a wingnut Andy Kaufman, if you will.

34 EPR-radar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:47:52pm

re: #31 GeneJockey

The great thing is, that title would really piss her off.

Not really, if Republican Jesus is identified as a prosperity gospel icon with no religious significance.

35 Gus  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:48:18pm

re: #13 Kragar

“For what? Dropping a fucking tornado on my town?”

It was a test! //

36 wrenchwench  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:48:27pm

What really bugs Glenn is the woman is happy. And she has reproduced, and will likely raise that kid as an atheist. And the kid is happy. Atheists are supposed to be miserable losers skulking around in alleys.

37 darthstar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:48:27pm

One can only hope, Joe.

38 NJDhockeyfan  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:49:20pm

re: #33 Dr Lizardo

I sometimes don’t know whether to consider Beck as possibly genuinely insane, or some masterful performance art. Sort of a wingnut Andy Kaufman, if you will.

An intellect rivaled only by garden tools.

39 Gus  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:49:30pm

re: #36 wrenchwench

What really bugs Glenn is the woman is happy. And she has reproduced, and will likely raise that kid as an atheist. And the kid is happy. Atheists are supposed to be miserable losers skulking around in alleys.

And she said it was OK for people to thank the lord at the end.

40 Targetpractice  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:50:24pm

re: #37 darthstar

One can only hope, Joe.

Well, there is historical precedent hanging over Tail Gunner Ted.

41 A Mom Anon  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:50:25pm

I really hope no crazy asshat gives this lady a hard time or harasses her. I think she’s got enough to contend with to last her for awhile.

42 Lidane  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:50:44pm

*ahem*

43 Stanghazi  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:50:56pm
44 calochortus  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:51:46pm

re: #21 GeneJockey

Do we get discounts on Forces of Spiritual Darkness swag?

We should at the very least get discounts!

45 EPR-radar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:52:09pm

re: #36 wrenchwench

What really bugs Glenn is the woman is happy. And she has reproduced, and will likely raise that kid as an atheist. And the kid is happy. Atheists are supposed to be miserable losers skulking around in alleys.

Kind of like gays in the good old days.

Some time ago I saw an old movie which had a bit part for ‘the fairy’. This character was eventually murdered as a small part of the plot of the movie, and remained nameless throughout.

That is really what the wingnuts want for all non-straight people —- to be marginalized, nameless, and ultimately disposable.

46 NJDhockeyfan  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:52:56pm
47 A Mom Anon  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:53:33pm

re: #42 Lidane

I hope the nutbars do leave scouting, maybe some sane people can take the helm now. They’ve got plenty of church infrastructure to house their new Republican Jesus Scouts, let ‘em have at it and don’t let the door hit ‘em where the good Lord split ‘em. Buh Bye.

And with that, I am off to eat some homemade ice cream.

48 goddamnedfrank  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:53:37pm

It was such a weird question too. I don’t recall Wolf or any other reporter putting such a question to any of the Hurricane Sandy survivors. There was kind of an elitist shittiness about the whole thing, I very much doubt that he’s a devout Christian himself, since he’s never done this before, so the whole point seems to have been showing the rest of America that this really is Jesusland, where the god bothering yokels live.

49 lawhawk  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:53:49pm

You know what would have really baked Wolf’s noodle is if the interviewee had responded - “Which God?? Crom? Cthulhu? Because there’s no way that anyone should thank god for having a tornado drop down and obliterate my town (but I managed to survive out of combination of preparedness and sheer will)”

50 Kragar  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:54:25pm

re: #45 EPR-radar

Nothing pisses off conservatives more than people they disagree with living happy productive lives.

51 Targetpractice  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:54:31pm

re: #46 NJDhockeyfan

Which means she’s pretty much made it inevitable that she’ll ultimately be fired.

52 NJDhockeyfan  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:57:39pm

re: #51 Targetpractice

Which means she’s pretty much made it inevitable that she’ll ultimately be fired.

Probably. Who can fire her?

53 Minor_L  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:57:57pm

re: #12 Charles Johnson

Speaking as someone who had a guy break up with me because I told him I was an atheist, I really applaud her for being up front about it.

54 kirkspencer  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:59:18pm

re: #51 Targetpractice

Which means she’s pretty much made it inevitable that she’ll ultimately be fired.

Not necessarily. There are a number of protections working in her behalf that are intended to prevent scapegoats and unpopular position holders from being arbitrarily removed.

To fire her they have to show at least repetitive misfeasance if not malfeasance.

Now they can make it hard on her. They can transfer her to an unpopular (though equal pay/rank) position in Lesser Armpit, (state of choice). But it’s hard to fire someone in the IRS, and the reason it’s hard is because nobody likes the IRS and Congress decided to protect the people who work there from arbitrary retribution.

55 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 4:59:24pm

re: #34 EPR-radar

Not really, if Republican Jesus is identified as a prosperity gospel icon with no religious significance.

But Republican Jesus fairly OOZES with religious significance! He’s the symbol of God’s Love for the rich and powerful, which they’ve earned through their hard work and whiteness, and which they don’t have to share with anyone. It’s who they use to justify hating all the right people, and being in charge of everything.

56 EPR-radar  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:00:44pm

re: #55 GeneJockey

But Republican Jesus fairly OOZES with religious significance! He’s the symbol of God’s Love for the rich and powerful, which they’ve earned through their hard work and whiteness, and which they don’t have to share with anyone. It’s who they use to justify hating all the right people, and being in charge of everything.

Point taken. Republican Jesus is very significant in the cult of Mammon.

Its relevance to Christianity is lacking.

57 Targetpractice  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:02:04pm

re: #54 kirkspencer

Not necessarily. There are a number of protections working in her behalf that are intended to prevent scapegoats and unpopular position holders from being arbitrarily removed.

To fire her they have to show at least repetitive misfeasance if not malfeasance.

Now they can make it hard on her. They can transfer her to an unpopular (though equal pay/rank) position in Lesser Armpit, (state of choice). But it’s hard to fire someone in the IRS, and the reason it’s hard is because nobody likes the IRS and Congress decided to protect the people who work there from arbitrary retribution.

Indeed, which is why the request was for a resignation, because the only other choice left to them at this time is to put her somewhere where she can’t do any more damage. If that means assigning her to a broom closet, then that’s the only option left to them unless further investigation turns up grounds to can her ass.

58 Lidane  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:02:17pm

re: #53 Minor_L

Speaking as someone who had a guy break up with me because I told him I was an atheist, I really applaud her for being up front about it.

I’m upfront about being an atheist, and about the fact that I haven’t set foot in a church except for weddings and funerals or the occasional Mass with my mother since I was 18.

My more religious relatives think it’s a phase and that I just haven’t found the right church yet. Never mind that I’ve been atheist longer than I ever believed in anything. Apparently, it’s just a phase. *eyeroll*

59 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:02:31pm

re: #56 EPR-radar

Point taken. Republican Jesus is very significant in the cult of Mammon.

Its relevance to Christianity is lacking.

Having been raised by Christians who take things like tolerance, love, and pacifism seriously, I’m inclined to agree.

60 wrenchwench  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:02:43pm

re: #45 EPR-radar

Kind of like gays in the good old days.

Some time ago I saw an old movie which has a bit part for ‘the fairy’. This character was eventually murdered as a small part of the plot of the movie, and remained nameless throughout.

That is really what the wingnuts want for all non-straight people —- to be marginalized, nameless, and ultimately disposable.

Yep. It’s the same reason they hate Ellen DeGeneres. Happy, beautiful, beautiful spouse, and very, very successful.

61 Gus  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:05:58pm

Senator Thomas Gore (D - Oklahoma)

In office December 11, 1907 - March 4, 1921

Atheist

62 Lidane  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:07:54pm
63 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:08:17pm

re: #45 EPR-radar

That is really what the wingnuts want for all non-straight people —- to be marginalized, nameless, and ultimately disposable.

Wingnuts trying to feign tolerance often say they don’t care what people do in their own homes, but “why do they have to shove it down out throats?”

After poking fun at their homoerotic imagery, I point out that the reason for gay pride, gay identification, etc. is because SOCIETY singled them out for denigration and abuse based on their sexuality. WE are the ones who defined THEM by their sexuality, so we should not be surprised when they make it not a point of shame, but a point of pride.

But it’s like talking to a wall.

64 Minor_L  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:08:38pm

re: #58 Lidane

Religious people I have talked to have found the fact that I am an atheist offensive. It like I am personally attacking them by refusing to believe in what they believe. It’s obnoxious. If they’re so secure in their faith, a few atheists shouldn’t bother them. But, they seem to need the reassurance that everyone is just like them.

(Note that I’m discussing people I’ve met/talked to, not religious persons in general.)

65 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:12:54pm

re: #64 Minor_L

Religious people I have talked to have found the fact that I am an atheist offensive. It like I am personally attacking them by refusing to believe in what they believe. It’s obnoxious. If they’re so secure in their faith, a few atheists shouldn’t bother them. But, they seem to need the reassurance that everyone is just like them.

Then there’s the ones who tell you that they were once just like you, with a big hole in their lives. They understand the aching want you feel, but it would all be better if you just let God in!

Nope. No aching want, no big hole in my life. I’m really doing fine, and quite happy and content, thank you for asking.

66 Ace-o-aces  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:14:14pm

Yes Glen, how DARE those atheists….exist.

67 122 Year Old Obama  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:14:54pm

Huh. Didn’t realize I was a Force of Spiritual Darkness.
Cool.

68 engineer cat  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:16:04pm

re: #56 EPR-radar

Point taken. Republican Jesus is very significant in the cult of Mammon.

Its relevance to Christianity is lacking.

i always say, the republican ‘god’ resembles zeus more than jehova

69 Minor_L  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:17:13pm

re: #65 GeneJockey

So patronizing.

My best friend recently got really into going to a mega church. I knew I would lose her for a bit, but it only took about six months until she realized that she didn’t need it in order to be happy. Oh, and that they were a bunch of judgmental bigots.

70 Skip Intro  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:18:26pm

re: #65 GeneJockey

Then there’s the ones who tell you that they were once just like you, with a big hole in their lives. They understand the aching want your feel, but it would all be better if you just let God in!

Nope. No aching want, no big hole in my life. I’m really doing fine, and quite happy and content, thank you for asking.

It was going to church that turned me into an atheist. The people there were nice, but seemed delusional to me, always talking about how they were saved, but those heathen Catholics, Methodists, and every other Christian sect were bound to go straight to hell. They were also adamant that the “saved” shouldn’t associate with non-believers, because they would lead them away from The Word.

71 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:18:26pm

re: #68 engineer cat

i always say, the republican ‘god’ resembles zeus more than jehova

That’s funny, because I’ve always thought the Right viewed rich people the way that the ancient Greeks viewed their gods - powerful, vain, capricious beings who must be constantly flattered and appeased, lest they turn on us.

72 engineer cat  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:20:40pm

these republican ‘christians’ are predestinarians who believe they’ve been allowed to peek behind the curtain and discover that they are the leaders of the elect

73 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:22:54pm

re: #70 Skip Intro

Funny thing is, I went to a really great, community-minded, tolerant church. Great folks, very much into spiritual exploration and very supportive. My parents were very involved in the church, too - chairman of the congregation, head of the ministerial committee. I know I got a lot of my values there.

But nothing about divinity and an omnipotent being in charge of everything ever made any sense to me. It never resonated with my experience. And every god I ever heard of seemed to be made in the image of the person speaking, not the other way ‘round.

74 bratwurst  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:23:25pm

Between Beck and the outrage over the Boy Scouts decision today, I think the anti-Islam culture warriors currently filling up the bottom comments section are looking REALLY smart. /

75 EPR-radar  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:25:12pm

re: #70 Skip Intro

It was going to church that turned me into an atheist. The people there were nice, but seemed delusional to me, always talking about how they were saved, but those heathen Catholics, Methodists, and every other Christian sect were bound to go straight to hell. They were also adamant that the “saved” shouldn’t associate with non-believers, because they would lead them away from The Word.

Eternal damnation for getting points of theology wrong (i.e., belief crime) is a strong contender for the all time stupidest idea in human history.

76 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:25:49pm

re: #75 EPR-radar

Eternal damnation for getting points of theology wrong (i.e., belief crime) is a strong contender for the all time stupidest idea in human history.

But it’s a GREAT advertizing gimmick!

77 Charles Johnson  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:25:56pm

re: #36 wrenchwench

If you have a second could you check the latest LGF Pages bookmarklet on your system with Firefox? I think I’ve solved the problem now in a better way, and it’s working for me now in the Windows XP version of Firefox.

78 AlexRogan  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:27:17pm

re: #71 GeneJockey

That’s funny, because I’ve always thought the Right viewed rich people the way that the ancient Greeks viewed their gods - powerful, vain, capricious beings who must be constantly flattered and appeased, lest they turn on us.

The vaunted Job Creators, who must never, never be displeased.

79 Lidane  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:28:23pm
80 wrenchwench  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:30:52pm

re: #77 Charles Johnson

If you have a second could you check the latest LGF Pages bookmarklet on your system with Firefox? I think I’ve solved the problem now in a better way, and it’s working for me now in the Windows XP version of Firefox.

Nothing happened. Let me try once more.

81 Charles Johnson  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:32:19pm

re: #80 wrenchwench

Nothing happened. Let me try once more.

Remember - you have to allow popup windows in the Settings.

82 wrenchwench  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:32:27pm

Nope. Nothin’.

83 AlexRogan  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:33:18pm

re: #79 Lidane

The people most against broad executive power also seem to think the president can unilaterally close Guantanamo Bay fb.me/22ZtakZCX

— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) May 24, 2013

No, that’s the thing,

“Conservatives” aren’t against broad executive power, they’re just against it when they aren’t the ones wielding it.

84 Minor_L  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:34:27pm

re: #73 GeneJockey

I was raised Episcopalian (which is one of the better denominations, in that it allows female and gay priests and acolytes, and does not have the celibacy vow), but I am far too pragmatic. If I can’t see it, then it probably doesn’t exist.

85 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:35:06pm

re: #83 AlexRogan

No, that’s the thing,

“Conservatives” aren’t against broad executive power, they’re just against it when they aren’t the ones wielding it.

DINGDINGDINGDINGDING! That’s the correct answer!

The same is true of government power, and government spending.

86 austin_blue  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:35:18pm

re: #45 EPR-radar

Kind of like gays in the good old days.

Some time ago I saw an old movie which had a bit part for ‘the fairy’. This character was eventually murdered as a small part of the plot of the movie, and remained nameless throughout.

That is really what the wingnuts want for all non-straight people —- to be marginalized, nameless, and ultimately disposable.

Oh, yeah, no shit, it’s never about black, brown, or Asian folk. Or about scientists, Atheists, or foreigners. Or about Hindoos, Muzlims, Juice, Wiccans, or Papist Mary Worshipping Mackerel Snappers. It’s all about teh gay.

Sometimes, a broad brush is absolutely necessary when describing wingnut hate.

87 dragonath  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:35:21pm

re: #73 GeneJockey

My experience with churches were extremely variable. Some people and places were extremely tolerant, but even these bright spots were getting edged into the modern evangelical movement.

I don’t know what it’s like now, but I’d think the well funded Christian mass revival scene is so rampantly assholic on its face that more moderate churches have shied away.

88 Lidane  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:35:35pm

Is he Mavericky McMaverick again or just trolling the nutters? Since when does a GOP Senator link to HuffPo?

89 Minor_L  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:35:58pm

re: #83 AlexRogan

That also might apply to Medea Benjamin, who said (or at least implied) that the President is the Commander in Chief, so he should close Gitmo on his own. All of a sudden, no need to go to Congress — executive power all the way!

90 bratwurst  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:36:13pm
91 Targetpractice  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:36:22pm

re: #88 Lidane

Is he Macvericky McMaverick again or just trolling the nutters? Since when does a GOP Senator link to HuffPo?

Nothing quite like watching the party at war with itself.

92 JeffFX  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:36:38pm

re: #64 Minor_L

I think that calling yourself an atheist is defining yourself from the conceptual framework of religious people. I prefer to say that I understand that the supernatural is imaginary, rather than being defined on their terms. Understanding that gods are imaginary is just one small part of realizing that the supernatural is a null set.

93 Kragar  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:37:41pm

re: #83 AlexRogan

No, that’s the thing,

“Conservatives” aren’t against broad executive power, they’re just against it when they aren’t the ones wielding it.

Just like they are pro-States rights, unless the state wants to legalize gay marriage, decriminalize drug use or allow more access to birth control, in which case you need a strong Federal government to step in and stop them.

94 dragonath  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:38:20pm

A lot of the well funded marketing gurus have found out it’s easier to attract a crowd with all the stylings rather than treating people to a pair of old hippies who can’t really sing well. Although it can be kind of charming.

Christian rock is ironically soulless.

95 Stinky Beaumont  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:38:21pm

re: #82 wrenchwench

Nope. Nothin’.

Did you go to Tools->Options->Content and turn off “Block Pop-up Windows?”

96 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:38:30pm

re: #73 GeneJockey

Funny thing is, I went to a really great, community-minded, tolerant church. Great folks, very much into spiritual exploration and very supportive. My parents were very involved in the church, too - chairman of the congregation, head of the ministerial committee. I know I got a lot of my values there.

But nothing about divinity and an omnipotent being in charge of everything ever made any sense to me. It never resonated with my experience. And every god I ever heard of seemed to be made in the image of the person speaking, not the other way ‘round.

Mine was starting into my mother’s copy of _Challenge of a Liberal Faith_. Very early on it said the first question in selecting a faith or religion was not which one to choose, but whether or not you needed one.

I didn’t get much farther since I felt happy and well adjusted with my non practicing agnosticism/atheism/apatheism.

Though I do remember the book talking about how the decision not just selecting a particular deity and method/ritual for worshiping said deity - but also how the selection was choosing a social group and community that one was going to immerse oneself in - and that was something that needed to be taken into account.

97 The Mountain That Blogs  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:40:14pm
98 wrenchwench  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:41:16pm

re: #95 Stinky Beaumont

Did you go to Tools->Options->Content and turn off “Block Pop-up Windows?”

Yep, then restarted Firefox, grabbed a fresh bookmarklet, and still nuthin’.

And now I gotta run. When (if) I return this evening, it will not be with XP.

Later, lizards.

99 dragonath  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:41:23pm

re: #97 The Mountain That Blogs

The modern emo Christ is a fiction. Christ could throw a punch.

Turn the other cheek AND BLOW THEM ALL TO HELL

100 Awea  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:41:34pm

re: #18 calochortus

It’s a good feeling to be part of the forces of spiritual darkness.

Is this the beginning of what Chuck Norris warned us about?

Youtube Video
101 Stanghazi  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:42:39pm

re: #98 wrenchwench

Yep, then restarted Firefox, grabbed a fresh bookmarklet, and still nuthin’.

And now I gotta run. When (if) I return this evening, it will not be with XP.

Later, lizards.

WHAT?! No funny “later”

crushed.

102 dragonath  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:42:54pm

What’s Erickson going on about anyway? Doesn’t he think the tornadoes knocked off enough people or something?

103 Skip Intro  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:43:38pm

re: #75 EPR-radar

Eternal damnation for getting points of theology wrong (i.e., belief crime) is a strong contender for the all time stupidest idea in human history.

Eternal damnation was the assumed fate of pretty much everyone when I first attended church as a wee lad. The idea that you could tell God what He was going to do with your sole was blasphemy.

When I decided to dip my toe in the water a second time decades later, I discovered that God had given everyone a Get-Out-Of-Hell-Free card. What confused me then was if they were going straight to heaven - an assurance I’ve never been able to find mentioned in the bible - then what were they waiting for?

I was talking with one nice man from the church who told me about his heart operation, and how he wasn’t afraid because no matter what happened, he’d win. In real life I’m not the wise ass prick I am here, so I failed to ask him why have the operation at all, since the ultimate outcome was good either way.

104 The Mountain That Blogs  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:43:42pm

re: #102 dragonath

What’s Erickson going on about anyway? Doesn’t he think the tornadoes knocked off enough people or something?

90% sure he’s talking about the Boy Scouts there.

105 Gus  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:44:29pm

re: #102 dragonath

What’s Erickson going on about anyway? Doesn’t he think the tornadoes knocked off enough people or something?

Teh ghey. Looking at his timeline.

106 Targetpractice  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:44:53pm

re: #97 The Mountain That Blogs

Christ, that guy who called on those who had not sinned to cast the first stone? Who threw the money changers out of the temple? Who ordered his disciples to love others as he loved them and not to pass judgement on them? That guy?

107 wrenchwench  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:45:02pm

re: #101 Stanghazi

WHAT?! No funny “later”

crushed.

It shopping night! I gotta go!

108 Charles Johnson  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:45:14pm

re: #98 wrenchwench

Yep, then restarted Firefox, grabbed a fresh bookmarklet, and still nuthin’.

And now I gotta run. When (if) I return this evening, it will not be with XP.

Later, lizards.

Puzzling. Can’t see why it works on my test system but not for you. I’ll figure it out, but in the meantime I reverted the bookmarklet back to the version that works in Firefox - so if you reinstall it should be cool again.

109 bratwurst  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:45:42pm

re: #97 The Mountain That Blogs

There is no God but God…and Erick FUCKING Erickson is his prophet.

110 Kragar  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:45:50pm

re: #97 The Mountain That Blogs

Who you going to trust? Erick, son of Erick or the Pope?

111 Skip Intro  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:46:17pm

re: #102 dragonath

What’s Erickson going on about anyway? Doesn’t he think the tornadoes knocked off enough people or something?

Maybe he’s planning on setting himself up as Pastor Eric. You get some nice tax advantages by doing that.

112 Charles Johnson  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:46:23pm

One possibility, though, is that you’re not using the latest Firefox - I see you’re on version 20. There’s an update now.

113 Lidane  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:46:30pm

re: #102 dragonath

What’s Erickson going on about anyway? Doesn’t he think the tornadoes knocked off enough people or something?

The Boy Scouts. And Erick, Son of Erick even throws in a bit of anti-Semitism while he’s at it:

114 dragonath  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:46:57pm

re: #105 Gus

Teh ghey. Looking at his timeline.

Oh yes, Jesus was most definitely a hetero alpha male. That’s why all his children are rich white males.

oh wait.

Jesus fails the NRO test

115 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:47:39pm

re: #92 JeffFX

The thing about humans is that we seem to need to categorize things, so we draw dividing lines where none exist, in order to know what bin to put things in.

I used to define myself as agnostic, but more recently as atheist. My beliefs haven’t changed: I believe there is no god or gods. I see no evidence of any, nor any reason why one should exist. Still, I cannot absolutely rule out the possibility.

For years, I went with ‘agnostic’ because it was less confrontational. Lately, I’ve stopped giving a shit about confrontational. My friends and family know who I am and what I believe, no matter what I call it.

116 Charles Johnson  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:47:49pm

re: #97 The Mountain That Blogs

Erick Erickson ✔
@EWErickson

Yes, Christ is love, but he is also wrath, vengeance, and redemption. The modern emo Christ is a fiction. Christ could throw a punch.

Wrath, vengeance, and redemption. A day in the life of Erick Erickson and his manly man’s Jesus.

What a sick fuck.

117 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:48:19pm

re: #97 The Mountain That Blogs

Oh, FFS.

118 Skip Intro  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:48:35pm

re: #113 Lidane

The Boy Scouts. And Erick, Son of Erick even throws in a bit of anti-Semitism while he’s at it:

So we’ll just throw out that bothersome Old Testament. That’s going to be a problem, because some of the Right Wing’s best threats come from there.

119 Gus  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:48:40pm

re: #113 Lidane

The Boy Scouts. And Erick, Son of Erick even throws in a bit of anti-Semitism while he’s at it:

OK. EricKKK EricKKKson.

120 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:48:40pm

re: #113 Lidane

The Boy Scouts. And Erick, Son of Erick even throws in a bit of anti-Semitism while he’s at it:

Wow. Wow! Wow. The damned, eh? And shibboleths really seals it as antisemitic. Damn. That’s freaky.

121 Kragar  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:49:09pm

re: #113 Lidane

The Boy Scouts. And Erick, Son of Erick even throws in a bit of anti-Semitism while he’s at it:

Erick, son of Erick, interpreter of which passages of biblical scripture do and do not apply in the world today.

122 Charles Johnson  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:49:22pm

“Wrath, Vengeance, and Redemption” — wasn’t that the title of the last Whitesnake album?

123 Gus  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:49:55pm

Need. Brain. Bleach.

124 Kragar  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:49:58pm

re: #122 Charles Johnson

“Wrath, Vengeance, and Redemption” — wasn’t that the title of the last Whitesnake album?

Too Christian rocky sounding

125 EPR-radar  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:51:35pm

re: #115 GeneJockey

The thing about humans is that we seem to need to categorize things, so we draw dividing lines where none exist, in order to know what bin to put things in.

I used to define myself as agnostic, but more recently as atheist. My beliefs haven’t changed: I believe there is no god or gods. I see no evidence of any, nor any reason why one should exist. Still, I cannot absolutely rule out the possibility.

For years, I went with ‘agnostic’ because it was less confrontational. Lately, I’ve stopped giving a shit about confrontational. My friends and family know who I am and what I believe, no matter what I call it.

This is pretty much the way I went as well. Looking back, it really doesn’t seem that ‘agnostic’ makes much sense as a category. None of this stuff is knowable for any definition of knowledge that requires the ability to persuade others by reference to evidence, so from that POV, everyone’s agnostic.

That leaves believer and atheist as the only two games in town.

126 dragonath  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:51:58pm

re: #75 EPR-radar

Eternal damnation for getting points of theology wrong (i.e., belief crime) is a strong contender for the all time stupidest idea in human history.

The funny thing about this is how I remember some of the leaders at my old church trying to trojan horse this stuff through the youth groups. It’s extra stupid when you mix it with Calvinism where everybody is theoretically predestined according to God’s arbitrary will.

127 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:54:24pm

re: #125 EPR-radar

This is pretty much the way I went as well. Looking back, it really doesn’t seem that ‘agnostic’ makes much sense as a category. None of this stuff is knowable for any definition of knowledge that requires the ability to persuade others by reference to evidence, so from that POV, everyone’s agnostic.

That leaves believer and atheist as the only two games in town.

I think I went with ‘Atheist’ after concluding most people see ‘Agnostic’ as saying ‘I don’t know’. “Well,” I thought, “NOBODY fucking knows, do they? Do you believe there is, or is not a god? No god? Then you’re an atheist”.

128 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:55:19pm

re: #124 Kragar

Too Christian rocky sounding

“Christian Rocky” - worst Jay Ward cartoon, ever.

129 EPR-radar  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:55:36pm

re: #126 dragonath

The funny thing about this is how I remember some of the leaders at my old church trying to trojan horse this stuff through the youth groups. It’s extra stupid when you mix it with Calvinism where everybody is theoretically predestined according to God’s arbitrary will.

Predestination is also a contender for the most effed up idea of all time.

130 BongCrodny  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:57:02pm

re: #113 Lidane

The Boy Scouts. And Erick, Son of Erick even throws in a bit of anti-Semitism while he’s at it:

Tell you what, Erick — you take Heaven, and Jerry Falwell, and Pat Robertson, and all those other nutball preachers, and I’ll take Hell and all the fun people.

We’ll see who has a better eternity.

131 Decatur Deb  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:57:58pm

re: #129 EPR-radar

Predestination is also a contender for the most effed up idea of all time.

But hard to avoid if you’re maintaining an extra-temporal plane where everything happens simultaneously.

132 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 5:59:04pm

re: #129 EPR-radar

Predestination is also a contender for the most effed up idea of all time.

Yeah. I asked a Calvinist friend of mine just why he thought a god who created billions of people just to torture them eternally after holding out the false hope of salvation would be worthy of anything but contempt.

I like him, because he’s still my friend after that.

133 ProTARDISLiberal  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:00:53pm

re: #120 Bert’s House of Beef and Obdicuts

That whole thing was just toxic. Wow.

Where’s Lawhawk?

134 EPR-radar  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:01:24pm

re: #131 Decatur Deb

But hard to avoid if you’re maintaining an extra-temporal plane where everything happens simultaneously.

There’s no reason to take any logical absurdity derivable from the traditional properties of God (omnipotent, all knowing and only good) more seriously than “can God make a rock so big he can’t lift it?”. Especially if it leads to a conclusion as repellent as predestination.

135 Mattand  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:02:23pm

re: #13 Kragar

“For what? Dropping a fucking tornado on my town?”

Word.

136 jaunte  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:02:43pm

Trolling for Jesus.

137 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:02:50pm

re: #134 EPR-radar

There’s no reason to take any logical absurdity derivable from the traditional properties of God (omnipotent, all knowing and only good) more seriously than “can God make a rock so big he can’t lift it?”. Especially if it leads to a conclusion as repellent as predestination.

Can god make a chile so hot he himself can’t eat it?

138 Vicious Babushka  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:02:51pm

re: #97 The Mountain That Blogs

Who Would Jesus Punch?

I think he’d punch Erick Erickson, then he’d beat the living shit out of Bryan Fischer.

139 jaunte  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:03:53pm

re: #137 GeneJockey

Scoville units: 666

140 Mattand  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:06:30pm

re: #127 GeneJockey

I think I went with ‘Atheist’ after concluding most people see ‘Agnostic’ as saying ‘I don’t know’. “Well,” I thought, “NOBODY fucking knows, do they? Do you believe there is, or is not a god? No god? Then you’re an atheist”.

Same here. The only issues I’ve run into since then are minor things, like people automatically assuming I’m a amoral monster, or telling me I’m not a good American.

141 GeneJockey  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:08:41pm

re: #140 Mattand

Same here. The only issues I’ve run into since then are minor things, like people automatically assuming I an amoral monster, or telling me I’m not a good American.

My response to the amoral thing is to tell them that morals are how we act when nobody’s watching, and if you’re a believer, there’s never nobody watching. Behaving well because of threat of punishment makes you no more moral than a toddler.

A well-behaved toddler, not the ones you see in grocery stores.

142 stabby  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:17:21pm

re: #127 GeneJockey

I think I went with ‘Atheist’ after concluding most people see ‘Agnostic’ as saying ‘I don’t know’. “Well,” I thought, “NOBODY fucking knows, do they? Do you believe there is, or is not a god? No god? Then you’re an atheist”.

I go with Agnostic because it’s a statement about OTHER PEOPLE not about the universe.

I don’t know how the universe works, but I am 100% sure that other people are full of shit. I’m 100% certain that people brag that they know stuff that they can’t know. I’m 100% certain that I know how religions are created and then propagated and those processes do not involve a single word of those religions being anything more than bullshit.

143 RealityBasedSteve  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:25:56pm

And don’t forget folks, when you live in “Beckstonia” you don’t have to PROVE the claims you make, after all, it’s totally on the other side to disprove them. If that’s not enough to get you to move right now, I’ll give a very special deal on numismatic gold coins, don’t be a sheeple and get that stuff like k-rands, I’ve got some extra rare collectible ones. If you act in the next 10 minutes I’ll include a free whiteboard and my exclusive video “How to cry on demand”.

What a turd-bag he is.

RBS

144 aagcobb  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:28:17pm

re: #129 EPR-radar

Predestination is also a contender for the most effed up idea of all time.

Well, if God is omni, then he has to have always known everyone’s destiny. If he didn’t then he is neither all-knowing or all-powerful.

145 EPR-radar  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:34:49pm

re: #144 aagcobb

Well, if God is omni, then he has to have always known everyone’s destiny. If he didn’t then he is neither all-knowing or all-powerful.

I think that Calvinism adds the truly special touch of explicitly denying human free will. In other words, since the beginning of time, the guest list for Hell has been divinely ordained, and nothing one does in life can alter one’s eternal fate.

God knowing what will happen as a result of human free will by omniscience is supposedly different, somehow.

146 RealityBasedSteve  Thu, May 23, 2013 6:45:55pm

re: #145 EPR-radar

I think that Calvinism adds the truly special touch of explicitly denying human free will. In other words, since the beginning of time, the guest list for Hell has been divinely ordained, and nothing one does in life can alter one’s eternal fate.

God knowing what will happen as a result of human free will by omniscience is supposedly different, somehow.

And it never ceases to amaze me that all the Calvinists KNOW they are among the elect. :)

RBS

147 chadu  Thu, May 23, 2013 8:17:46pm

re: #53 Minor_L

Speaking as someone who had a guy break up with me because I told him I was an atheist, I really applaud her for being up front about it.

As essentially an agnostic (more complicated than that; tl, dr; Panentheist), and a believer that one’s relationship with the “divine” (or no) is one’s own business — I’d say you’re better off.

148 chadu  Thu, May 23, 2013 8:23:03pm

re: #70 Skip Intro

It was going to church that turned me into an atheist. The people there were nice, but seemed delusional to me, always talking about how they were saved, but those heathen Catholics, Methodists, and every other Christian sect were bound to go straight to hell. They were also adamant that the “saved” shouldn’t associate with non-believers, because they would lead them away from The Word.

It was being raised Catholic that turned me into an agnostic.

Post Vatican 2: Electric Boogaloo, when questioning dogma was allowed and even entertained…

Well, I dood dat.

Heady stuff.

I still enjoy the rituals — I go to Mass maybe once every 18 months — and the progressive bits of the Church’s history.

ALSO: Catholic Bibles are more rigorously footnoted wrt historical fact. IMAO.

ALSO, TOO: Pope Francis looks like he’s gonna be a notable Pontiff. I am about 75% digging him.

149 chadu  Thu, May 23, 2013 8:25:57pm

re: #97 The Mountain That Blogs

Which he did once, in 33 years. And cursed a mustard plant.

Sheesh.

150 chadu  Thu, May 23, 2013 8:27:52pm

re: #113 Lidane

(inarticulate with rage)

151 chadu  Thu, May 23, 2013 8:30:56pm

re: #115 GeneJockey

I used to define myself as agnostic, but more recently as atheist. My beliefs haven’t changed: I believe there is no god or gods. I see no evidence of any, nor any reason why one should exist. Still, I cannot absolutely rule out the possibility.

I define myself as essentially “agnostic” — my evidence for the existence of the divine is personal and anecdotal, and it could all be brain chemicals. But yet…

152 wrenchwench  Fri, May 24, 2013 8:39:13am

re: #112 Charles Johnson

One possibility, though, is that you’re not using the latest Firefox - I see you’re on version 20. There’s an update now.

I updated Firefox this morning. The bookmarklet that didn’t work last night now works.

153 roshan  Fri, May 24, 2013 10:32:29am

Why is Blitzer pestering people about “thanking the lord for surviving”? Who the fuck he thinks he is? The Pope? Also, why the fuck is the “lord” allowing any such thing happening in the first place? Is the “lord” not omnipotent?


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