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Obama Reply

As you may remember, Carl Silverman sent a report from a church rally where he said he heard an Obama aide make negative comments about atheists. This was posted on this blog and is just down the page.The Obama Camp has acknowledged that the comments were made, but insists they were made by the church people, not by the Obama Camp. There is still dispute over this, but everyone agrees that the Obama camp did not rebuke the comments, and really should have.Mr. Monteiro called me to make a statement:

?We talk about people of good will and good intent, and we strive to highlight the values that we share across lines ? values like accountability, responsibility, honesty and transparency. We?ve done over 200 Values Forums across the country, and at these forums we were talking to atheists and secular humanists as well as people of faith. Those conversations revealed that we can all agree, across faith lines, on these and other basic American values. These values are accessible to all people of good will. That?s what these forums are all about?I asked: ?Does your office include atheists???Being a grass roots movement, there are tons of volunteers across the country and many are people of faith or atheists or secular humanists. I think Senator Obama said it best when he said that ?religious people do not have a monopoly on morality?. Senator Obama is trying to navigate this contentious landscape to bring people of all faiths, including no faith, together to help address the common challenges all Americans are facing right now.??We have a clear desire to be as inclusive as possible, and to bring every American to the table. Senator Obama is serious about bringing people of all traditions into this effort, and we want to make sure that this message is made clear.? I asked: ?Is there anything else you?d like to say to the nonreligious population???We are asking for all people of good will to support Senator Obama. He is serious about bringing people of all traditions together to address the issues facing America.??

We at American Atheists don’t endorse candidates, nor do we favor them. If/when John McCain’s camp calls to solicit the nontheistic vote, I’ll post it here.

39 Responses to “Obama Reply”

  1.  Cynic says:

    I’ll not hold my breath. ;-)

  2.  teammarty says:

    The Democrats have been making it clear that their vision of America doesn’t include us. From Michelle Barton and Amy Sullivans call to exclude us from the party to FFRF’s (you know, those wacky liberals) Bob Tiernan literally being booted by the police for not praying at the convention to, KAy Hagen’s campaign turning into “I hate Atheists as much as my opponent”, to this bullshit from BOTH Don Miller an D Paul Montiero and even the lame attempt an condensation from the Obama camp which basically says “Shut up and vote for us and maybe we’ll consider you as part of our new America”, they’ve been telling us that we are not welcome.

    I’ll marry a tree before I vote for a Republicrat.

  3.  Tuen says:

    The journey of one thousand miles begins with one step. Obama knows he must be careful in a nation brimming with atheophobes. His mother was agnostic. He, at least, must be aware of the absurdity of the atheistic stereotype. McCain and Palin do not have a fucking clue. Albeit indirectly, Obama will take the first step towards fairness for all.

  4.  Ed Buckner says:

    I’d urge all our members to vote, if you haven’t already voted in early voting, and to give candidates at all levels your consideration. If you find candidates who’re acceptable on issues you care about and, especially, who’re significantly better about the rights of Atheists and church and state, give them your support. And the more of us who do that publicly, the better the chances that we’ll get what we will always and rightly demand–to be treated as first class citizens. And, of course, consider all the parties, not just the big two–but pass on marrying trees, OK?

    –Ed Buckner
    President, American Atheists

  5.  NotSoFast says:

    I don’t recall seeing any reference to religion at all on any Green Party website, except this from the latest platform:

    We believe it is important to value cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity, and to promote the development of respectful relationships across these lines.
    We believe that the many diverse elements of society should be reflected in our organizations and decision-making bodies, and we support the leadership of people who have been traditionally closed out of leadership roles.

  6.  phreedm says:

    Wow…here’s a great example of an NObama supporter….

    She won’t have to worry about gas or her mortgage…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=381gFG4Crr8

  7.  NotSoFast says:

    And Cynthia McKinney actually said the A-word!

    11:52 into her nomination acceptance speech

    http://www2.runcynthiarun.org/

  8.  NotSoFast says:

    EdwinKagin

    Vote for the least undesirable candidate who can win.

    It’s NOT about “winning” in every election. It’s about making your voice heard, standing up for your principles, serving notice on the politicians that you’re here and they’re going to have to acknowledge you.

  9.  CascadiaEventHorizon says:

    “Better to vote for someone you believe in and lose, then vote for someone you do not believe in and win, because that someone will surely betray you.”—Eugene Debs

  10.  quantum_flux says:

    Shut your crap trap What or I’ll challenge you to a duel! Also, Ren, McCain has every right to be a warmonger.

  11.  phreedm says:

    Hey Opie…

    What exactly did I hear incorrectly?

    “So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it’s just that it will bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted.”

    Obviously you’re not a trade person…you have no idea how this is playing in coal country…

  12.  castletonsnob says:

    Dissenting posts are welcomed, but preachy, vulgar, or hateful posts are deleted without apology.

    How about ones which showcase serious mental illness like that of davidmabus0202 above?

  13.  quantum_flux says:

    Barack Obama is a conman.

  14.  what says:

    This is golden!

    (Reuters) – U.S. vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin fell prey to a Canadian prankster on Saturday when he called her impersonating French President Nicolas Sarkozy and got her to accept an invitation to hunt baby seals.

    In an over-the-top French accent, a member of the Quebec comedy duo “The Masked Avengers,” famous for tricking celebrities and politicians including Sarkozy himself, asked if Palin would take him on a hunting trip by helicopter, and then in French said they could also go kill baby seals.

    An apparently oblivious Palin said she thought that would be fun. “We could have a lot of fun together as we’re getting work done. We could kill two birds with one stone that way.”

    and

    During the phone call, which was played for a Montreal radio program, Palin complimented the fake Sarkozy on his beautiful wife, Carla Bruni, and asked him to give her a “big hug” for her.

    “You added a lot of energy to your country with that beautiful family of yours,” Palin said.

    The prankster responded by complimenting Palin on a notorious Hustler porn film “Nailin’ Paylin,” which he said was a documentary of her life.

    “Oh good, thank you,” Palin said.

  15.  what says:

    (Editor and Publisher)-NEW YORK This seemed like a viral joke but since the Palin campaign has confirmed it, must be true: That Quebec radio team, the “Masked Avengers,” which specializes in prank calls to celebrities, somehow got Sarah Palin on the line and kept her there, one of them pretending to be Nicholas Sarkozy, for several minutes — even as “Sarkozy” told her he wanted to go hunting with her in a helicopter (without Cheney) to “kill animals” and that his wife, Carla Bruni, was “hot in bed.”

    He courteously asked if Joe the Plumber is her husband. Palin hardly batted an eye until told, at the end, that she had been “pranked.”

  16.  what says:

    But wait. There’s more.

    (The Press Association)-”I just love killing those animals. Mmm, mmm, take away life, that is so fun,” the fake Mr Sarkozy said.

    After he suggested they should go hunting together by helicopter, she replied: “Well, I think we could have a lot of fun together while we’re getting work done. We can kill two birds with one stone that way.”

    The comedian joked that they should not go with Mr Cheney.

    Playing off Mrs Palin’s much-mocked comment in an early television interview that she had insights into foreign policy because “you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska”, the comedian told her: “You know we have a lot in common also, because from my house I can see Belgium.”

  17.  what says:

    You can listen to the Canadian comedy team’s interview of Palin at:

    http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/
    2008/11/01/palin_pranked_by_sarkozy_imper.html

    Palin should have seen this coming. After all, she can see Canada from her backyard.

    O Canada!

  18.  DD Dropout says:

    The interview probably doubles the time she has spent talking to any foreigner.

    I’m assuming she doesn’t have a Hispanic maid, who might also have broadened her international exposure.

  19.  PeskyAtheist says:

    If you feel you have been dissed by the Obama Camp or Obama himself because you are atheist, complain to watchdog@barackobama.com

  20.  PeskyAtheist says:

    Dave Silverman wrote:

    “As you may remember, Carl Silverman sent a report from a church rally where he said he heard an Obama aide make negative comments about atheists. This was posted on this blog and is just down the page.”

    Where is it on this page? I can’t find it.

    I think I’ll keep these links handy:

    http://www.atheists.org/nogodblog/index.php/2008/10/30/obama_rep_calls_to_set_the_record_straig#comments

    http://www.atheists.org/nogodblog/index.php?s=obama&sentence=AND&submit=Search

    http://www.atheists.org/nogodblog/index.php/2008/11/01/obama_gate#comments

  21.  what says:

    And now Sarah thinks we are at war with Iran.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D9LofMCa8A

    Did Ahmadinejad prank her as well?

  22.  PeskyAtheist says:

    If we swallow Darron Monteiro’s vaque & mollifying statement that the Obama Campaign could consider atheist values part of “American Values”, we’re a bunch of dumbies. DM’s pesonal Obama Blog makes it clear I think that he personally considers Christian Values to be the fabric of “American Values”: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/darronmonteiro

  23.  PeskyAtheist says:

    I trust we will collectively observe closely for the next four years to see if what Obama himself says and what Obama himself does are not two different things. I now think that he intends to inject even more religion (his own brand) into government. In the end, my vote for Obama boiled down to the least destructive & most promising candidate. I voted early for Obama.

  24.  PeskyAtheist says:

    Go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/dashboard/public/gPQgS a look over Darron Monteiro’s Obama groups list and then let’s all invite him to join a the Atheists For Obama and other atheist groups just to see if he is willing to demonstrate his willingness to be transparent by associating with atheists. Let’s test this guy.

  25. Tim Ren says:

    quantum_flux,

    Barack Obama is a conman.

    And McCain is a warmonger. Your point?

  26.  phreedm says:

    There is no doubt that “What do I know” is a plant and democratic operative…

    Remember when he was crying in his milk last summer because Dave told him to grow up? He threatened to keep his $29.00 and go somewhere else…

    Well guess what…he’s still here. And he never discusses facts. His only purpose is to spread lies about the repubs…

    I’ll guarantee you he’ll be gone by the end of the year…

  27.  phreedm says:

    Ren…I war monger? Do your neighbors consider you and your wife war mongers because you chose to serve your country? Or is McCain a war monger because he supported the surge? Which by the way has been a huge success. Funny how the Iraq war is really no longer an election issuse…

    So tell me…how do you feel about your guy cutting the defense budget by 25%? That’s going to keep your wife safe, now isn’t it…

  28.  Obeah says:

    There is no doubt that “What do I know” is a plant and democratic operative.

    HaHaHaHaHa…
    The desperation is delicious. Didn’t you mean communist operative?

  29. Tim Ren says:

    Do your neighbors consider you and your wife war mongers because you chose to serve your country?

    NO. We are both adamantly (and vocally) against the war in Iraq, and have consistently been so since before it began. There is a difference between protecting and defending the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and invading countries preemptivly that had not attacked us or even threatened us.

    So tell me…how do you feel about your guy cutting the defense budget by 25%?

    Considering the (and I use the term loosely) ‘Defense Budget’ was just over $400 billion annually when shrub took office, and now sits over $600 billion, I would say that it should be cut by at least 33%. We could save $120 billion a year just by leaving Iraq.

    That’s going to keep your wife safe, now isn’t it.

    It will keep her safer than sending her back over to the Middle-East for an unjust, immoral and yes, illegal war.

    I understand that shrub is talking about increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan by twice the original number announced, totaling an additional 20,000 troops. I fully support this action, and would even support sending every soldier currently in Iraq, to Afghanistan.

    WASHINGTON ? The U.S. and its allies should rush more troops ?as quickly as possible? to Afghanistan, the top American commander in that country said Wednesday, warning that the fighting could worsen before it get better.

    Trying to meet Gen. David McKiernan?s urgent need for weapons and equipment, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has asked the military for additional surveillance drones and armored vehicles right now for Afghanistan, The Associated Press has learned. It is a short-term solution to a PERSISTENT SHORTFALL OF MILITERY ASSETS in a seven-year war often overshadowed by the larger U.S.-led conflict in Iraq.

    http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_afghanistan_100108/

    You remember Afghanistan, don’t you Phreddy? That’s where the SOBs that attacked us on 9-11 were receiving safe haven. I also support going into Waziristan and Baluchistan in order to get the Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters that are receiving safe haven there.

    Funny how Obama was mocked by McSame when he suggested we go after the enemy where they reside, when shrub has been doing that exact same thing with Hellfire Missle strikes in Pakistan, from Predator Drones.

    Suspected U.S. missile kills 1 in Pakistan

    http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_pakistan_101608/

    9 dead in suspected U.S. missile strike

    http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_pakistan_102308/

    Suspected U.S. missile strike kills up to 20

    http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_pakistan_102708/

  30.  phreedm says:

    So now NObama wants to bankrupt the coal industry…?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdi4onAQBWQ

    Exactly what moron would vote for someone who talks out of both sides of his mouth…

    Just imagine what he says about you whe you’re out of hearing distance…

  31.  Obeah says:

    Exactly what moron would vote for someone who talks out of both sides of his mouth.

    That would be someone voting for McCain.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioy90nF2anI

  32.  Obeah says:

    So now Obama wants to bankrupt the coal industry?

    Jesusfuckingchrist you’re stupid.
    you can’t read properly and you can’t hear properly.

    Guess I have to give you credit for putting a question mark after it. To answer your question: NO.

  33.  what says:

    Obeah

    Guess I have to give you credit for putting a question mark after it.

    LOA. Phreeky apparently thinks that some business have a right to survive. That’s right. He’s a commie!

  34.  phreedm says:

    Uhoh…

    COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov 03, 2008 /PRNewswire–USNewswire via COMTEX/ — Mike Carey, president of the Ohio Coal Association (OCA), today issued the following statement in response to just-released remarks from Senator Barack Obama about the nation’s coal industry.
    “Regardless of the timing or method of the release of these remarks, the message from the Democratic candidate for President could not be clearer: the Obama-Biden ticket spells disaster for America’s coal industry and the tens of thousands of Americans who work in it.
    “These undisputed, audio-taped remarks, which include comments from Senator Obama like ‘I haven’t been some coal booster’ and ‘if they want to build [coal plants], they can, but it will bankrupt them’ are extraordinarily misguided.
    “It’s evident that this campaign has been pandering in states like Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana and Pennsylvania to attempt to generate votes from coal supporters, while keeping his true agenda hidden from the state’s voters.

    http://tinyurl.com/6ccfe8

  35.  what says:

    LMAO

    Phreeky is now quoting public realations firms as though they are news sources. This from PRNewsWire’s “Services” page:

    We are a global company of industry experts offering complete, turnkey communications solutions, connecting organizations and communicators with their target audiences – the media, consumers, clients and investors – on a general or highly specific basis. We deliver these key messages through content production, news release distribution and online and broadcast media placement services.

    So just how stupid is Phreeky?

  36. Tim Ren says:

    quantum_flux,

    Ren, McCain has every right to be a warmonger.

    Seeing as how you are a conservative, that leads me to believe you are a strict constructionist when it comes to the Constitution. Please explain to me which article of the Constitution covers one’s right to be a warmonger. Perhaps it is in one of the amendments? I don’t know. I certainly can’t find it in MY copy.

  37.  mdetrano says:

    It has been said that McKinney has successfully “divorced religion from her politics”, and it certainly seems true. That is one reason she and Clemente got my vote. I can’t go with the libertarians because I do think govt. has a job to do (the markets, environment, labor, education, can’t just magically workout their problems, it takes some genuine hard work).

    Obama will do fine without my vote, and he’ll do better if he knows there is competition on the Progressive left to watch out for. Maybe that’ll keep his aids a little more secularly-inclined in the future.

  38. Anonymous says:

    It’s just a matter of time before there’s another crusade… and it’ll be to reclaim a new promise land – America. And then they’ll assimilate everyone under the new “Church of America” just like England.

    We need an Atheist president… but the only way that America will elect them is if they never bring the focus on religion until they get into office. Hm… that sounds like deceitful fun!

  39.  libby Hastings Woods says:

    Anonymous says:
    Anonymous says:
    December 15, 2008 at 5:23 am
    It’s just a matter of time before there’s another crusade… and it’ll be to reclaim a new promise land – America. And then they’ll assimilate everyone under the new “Church of America” just like England.

    We need an Atheist president… but the only way that America will elect them is if they never bring the focus on religion until they get into office. Hm… that sounds like deceitful fun!

    What are the promises of a better tomorrow the Atheist president would support.

    From Hastings Woods March, 2009
    Not to be too philosophical, but we as a people are concerned about the future, not for ourselves, but for the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that we leave behind. This conscious has caused retiring judges to question their previous judgments – incarceration of individuals for non violent crimes (and they should question those judgments, although its in their latter age (expensed the youth of many others). Oops, my bad, if Atheist, it doesn’t matter if you’ve wronged another.

    If Atheism is absolute truth and there is NO GOD, then, I don’t need laws – when I see wrong I will correct wrong in the ways that I deem necessary. If there is nothing past my life then why should I contain myself and not take corrective action as I see necessary. Our laws in our society are established around Christian beliefs. Christian beliefs cause me to recognize the differences of individuals, including Atheism, but Atheist beliefs, as known to society, can’t sustain society effectively.

    The Atheist belief in NO GOD, impress me, convince society that there is NO GOD – And maintain control of that society. (Underscore, ‘And maintain control of that society.’)

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