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.
I’ll not hold my breath.
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.
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.
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
I don’t recall seeing any reference to religion at all on any Green Party website, except this from the latest platform:
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
And Cynthia McKinney actually said the A-word!
11:52 into her nomination acceptance speech
http://www2.runcynthiarun.org/
EdwinKagin
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.
“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
Shut your crap trap What or I’ll challenge you to a duel! Also, Ren, McCain has every right to be a warmonger.
Hey Opie…
What exactly did I hear incorrectly?
Obviously you’re not a trade person…you have no idea how this is playing in coal country…
How about ones which showcase serious mental illness like that of davidmabus0202 above?
Barack Obama is a conman.
This is golden!
and
But wait. There’s more.
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!
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.
If you feel you have been dissed by the Obama Camp or Obama himself because you are atheist, complain to watchdog@barackobama.com
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
And now Sarah thinks we are at war with Iran.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D9LofMCa8A
Did Ahmadinejad prank her as well?
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
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.
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.
quantum_flux,
And McCain is a warmonger. Your point?
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…
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…
HaHaHaHaHa…
The desperation is delicious. Didn’t you mean communist operative?
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.
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.
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.
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/
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…