The Audacity of Hope

[thoreau]

I spent this evening reading the chapter "Faith" in Barack Obama's book "The Audacity of Faith" - this chapter alone is worth the cost of purchasing the book. I'd almost purchase the audiobook online to hear him read/say this in his own words. A few of my friends had real issues with him announcing support of faith based initiatives last week giving him the same brush as the born-again shrub that is currently in the white house.

I really encourage people to read this book - not neccesarily for the chapter on FAITH - but because this man's words and ideas feel like nothing I've ever heard from a politician in my lifetime.

Comments

[gorkabear.livejournal.com]

Obama looks promising but, as I have discussed with Dave (yes, the one you introduced to me), I'm afraid of the big disappointment this man can bring. I can't believe he's going to be able to change things noticeabily for normal US citizens, let alone for the rest of the world. Because we're all affected by your election (oil prices anyone?).

Just keeping my fingers crossed, because I want him to win, and I want him to change your country for better and improve your lives. Strong and happy US is what the world needs.

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

I think it would be political suicide for a politician of any color not to profess some faith in the Judeo-Christian God - regardless of their PERSONAL beliefs.

I think it would be political suicide for a politician of color not to attend a church popular with their perceived ethnic background - regardless of their PERSONAL beliefs.

Add to that the number of "whisperers" who are saying that Obama is secretly a "radical Islamic fundamentalist", who is BFF with Usama bin Laden.

Meaning that an interracial candidate, such as Obama, HAS TO be seen attending a black church, but, not a black church so outside "mainstream Protestantism", that it makes "white folks" uncomfortable.

Church attendance isn't only about religion or faith. It's about being a part of "the greater community".

I would tend to believe that Obama is more of a "humanist", than anything, but, that probably wouldn't sell in Peoria.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

actually - that is basically what he says in his book. that he believes in the power and the strength of us as a people and to ignore that a majority of americans seek strength from their faith is a naive viewpoint. He talks about how faith based initiatives in drug and alcohol counseling are far more successful and how he differs in his view of faith and government than the "compassionate conservatism" Bush claimed to hold so dear.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I think Obama would be a radical departure to the lack of leadership the U.S. has endured under Bush. Do I think that in four years - he can undo eight years of GWB; and to some degree 8 years of Reagan and 4 years of GHWB? no. That's a pretty tall bill.

What I do think President Obama would do - would be to rebuild our credibility overseas (for instance (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/2277298/President-George-Bush-%27Goodbye-from-the-world%27s-biggest-polluter%27.html?funny=not)).

We need President Obama in the White House to keep the Supreme Court (who has more power in the long term than ANY president or congress) from going any farther to the right than it already has.

I guess the key here is to keep expectations reasonable. No - the world's economy will not explode in profit and lack of deficit overnight. Will America continue to pay (for probably three more presidential cycles) for the disaster of electing(?) Bush Co. into power twice - absolutely.

But Obama is the most realistic, honest politician (and of course, all politics requires compromise) I've heard since I started voting for them.

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

While I'm all in favor of the separation of church and state, I think you need the help of faith-based initiatives to advance the progressive social agenda.

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

I think the advantage that Obama has is that he's a "whole new flavor". With the current Democratic AND Republican leadership, you're getting a reprise of the "same ol' same ol'".

Any new Clinton administration would be carrying the baggage of old unresolved political battles. I don't the the Conservatives or the NeoCons would ever let us forget their past differences.

With Obama, you have a fresh voice - at least for the first one hundred days. I think he has the best chance at rallying Americans to do something different.

[gorkabear.livejournal.com]

I really really really want this to happen. You need a change and I hope that he can bring it to the US.

The economical figures can be altered noticeabily with a change in politics, besides what economic liberals tell us. There is no thing as free market (it's always tuned by the powerful to adapt to their benefits).

I'm keeping my finger crossed for November

[gorkabear.livejournal.com]

Let's hope it works. I'm quite afraid that the elections can be altered so he can't be elected (Florida anyone?) but if he makes it, it's your best bet in the last 25 years to have a modern goverment

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

Dude. I came from South Florida.

Sadly, my big sister has partaken mightily of the red (state) Kool-Aid, and regularly forwards me excerpts from "The Collected Good Works of St. Cindy (McCain)" as well as further "proof" that Barack Obama and Usama bin Laben are BFF because their respective surnames and first names rhyme.

I, counter, by sending her hyerlinks to articles about John McCain's affair with Cindy Helmsley; his desertion of first wife, Carol; and any oter documentation I can find that suggests he's an out-of-touch rightwing nutjob.

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

I think that the mere fact that Obama wasn't raised entirely in the US would do great things for our image abroad, because it gives him a "world view" that's been lacking in the current admin.

[moofedma.livejournal.com]

Yep. There's a lot of bad stigma around faith-based initiatives, but we need to keep in mind the good that can come from them, too. No system is perfect and we he hold off until the "right ones" come along, it'll be a very, very long wait.

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

You'd hate to find out that the money the government is granting is going to Pat Robertson's secret diamond mines.

But, does the secular community have the kind of support organizations that the faith-based organizations do?

[moofedma.livejournal.com]

Good point on Clinton-era baggage. And you're right that there's a tall order to fill with all the republican actions that happened in the past...

[gorkabear.livejournal.com]

But some political views are even more stubborn than religious beliefs. I'd even dare to say that they're wired in the same region of the brain :)