"Born in the USA"

Regular readers of this blog know that I wade into political waters reluctantly. Usually, if I do write about political matters, it's to make historical comparisons* or to discuss the politics, the strategy and mechanics, of politics.** But I am loathe to express my personal political convictions; because I'm a pastor, I don't want to claim that my convictions are God's convictions. The Bible doesn't lay out a political program and anyone who claims otherwise, whatever their political philosophy, dishonors God. Attempts by preachers and others to use the authority of God to prop up their own political preferences are either cynical or idolatrous, reducing the almighty God of the universe to self-chosen propositions which become objects of worship.

The only circumstances under which I deem it appropriate for pastors or church bodies to comment on the political or governmental processes is when justice or the love of neighbor, both commands of God, are clearly at issue.

In recent weeks, billionaire and showman Donald Trump has been creating a stir by intimating that he may run for president. Among the main "issues" he has been raising is whether the current President of the United States, Barack Obama, is, as required by the United States Constitution, a natural born citizen of the country.

This question first arose during the 2008 presidential campaign, when people were heard to say that the African-American senator from Illinois with the funny-sounding name wasn't "one of us."

But, as pointed out by conservative Republican Linda Chavez in a recent column, the facts of this "case" aren't even disputable: Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 4, 1961. (Contrary to what some have said, it should be pointed out that this was approximately two years after Hawaii was admitted as a state. But even had the President been born in Hawaii, a US territory, prior to the state's admission in 1959, he would still be considered a natural born citizen of the country.) For more detailed information, you can go to FactCheck.org, a non-partisan site, to confirm that the President was, indeed, born in the USA.

So, why am I writing about this matter?

It's simple. Donald Trump may be a demagogue and a racist, but I don't think he's stupid. He can't be ignorant of the fact that the President is a native-born US citizen. He appears to be striving to give life to what has already been shown to be a lie, appealing to a strain of racism in our country that refuses to believe that someone who doesn't look like any previous president and doesn't have a name like any previous president could be qualified or worthy of the office.

Trump has said that the President couldn't be intelligent enough to be admitted into an Ivy League law school. Trump has said that the President is incapable of having actually written two best-selling books, that he must have had ghost-writers.

The clear insinuation is that everything about the President, including the location of his birth, is a fraudulent hoax. The facts say otherwise. (If you're inclined to believe any of what Trump has said about the President, you might want to read The Bridge. The author isn't a spokesperson for Obama, but a straightforward biographer, who sometimes says less than complimentary things about the President.)

But if Trump was simply wrong on matters of fact, I wouldn't be writing this post. (I myself get my facts wrong, as I freely admit.)

Donald Trump is engaging in race-baiting. Whether he uses the words or not, he portrays the President as the unworthy beneficiary of affirmative action for getting admitted to a prestigious law school. He intimates that because the President is black, he couldn't possibly write two literate books. And because he's black, Trump believes, the President can't possibly be worthy of holding the highest office in the country.

Christians, commanded by God to love our neighbors as we love ourselves--even when the neighbor is the President of the United States--and to love justice--even when the victim of injustice occupies the White House, must speak up.

Donald Trump needs to be told that he is clearly and sinfully in the wrong. Whether he gets the message or cares about it or not, that's what I'm doing here.

What do you think?

*I'm a life-long student of history and majored in Social Studies Education, with a major concentration on History, at Ohio State, from which I graduated in 1975

**I used to be involved in politics.

Barack Obama...Protesters stalk President in San Francisco! Medical Marijuana demands!

 



One protester waved a placard with a cartoon-like image of Uncle Sam with "Liar" crudely scrawled on its face, the San Francisco Police Department scrambled to put up barriers between a mob that had gathered and a Presidential motorcade, and a Government helicopter circled overhead signalling that Barack Obama was on his way.

As protestors chanted slogans ("Safe Acess Now" & "DEA Go Away! ") frenzied newsmen from the major Networks jockeyed for position at the curb in a bold-faced effort to capture the rally as it unfolded on the street about fifty feet away from the entrance of the St. Regis Hotel where the President was expected any minute.

Motorists honked their horns in support as the rag-tag gang of citizens shouted out their slogans and angrily denounced President Obama for failing to honor a promise.

Shortly after Obama took office, he promised to end the persistent DEA para-military-style raids on pot dispensaries in California.

Readers at the Tattler may recall I posted a feature on the issue shortly after I received a press release from the White House.

Post: 10/19/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/10/medical-marijuanafederal-government.html

However, for some inexplicable reason, the President failed to follow through on his promise.

In spite of the fact the "Compassionate use of Medical Marijuana" was voted into law a few years ago, the DEA has continued to raid California pot dispensaries, at whim.

I previously attended protests at DEA headquarters and reported on the issues.

Post:  12/02/2010

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/02/marijuana-ballot-measure-to-legalize.html

Today, the President was undoubtedly aware of the greeting that awaited him at the St. Regis, judging by the show of force at the entrance of the Hotel, in the streets outside, and all-around a full city block.

In fact, when first strolled down the 3rd Street before the protest was underway, I stumbled on a couple of undercover cops whispering into walkie-talkies.

In one funny moment, a meter maid sped up to a parked car to issue a ticket - at which point - a gentleman darted out and informed her it was his vehicle and that he was with the Secret Service!
When the motorcade arrived, it was replete with a San Francisco Police Depatment escort, consisting of at least ten armed officers on motorcyles (with sirens sounding and lights flashing) and at least a dozen-or-so high-security vehicles (including a bomb squad!).

One reporter quizzed one of the protesters in jest.

"Do you think the President knows that you're here?  Do you think he cares?"

The spirited activist responded in the negative naturally.

It would have been a beautiful moment for the President - if he had only stopped by at the curb - and uttered up a few assurances.

Or, would the political mumble-jumble have amounted to more hollow promises? 

The same old same old!

For the protesters, it was a challenging day, to say the least.

A fierce wind blew down Market Street and icy temperatures chilled to the bone.

The Medical Marijuana activists drifted into a pre-arranged location at 3rd & Market Streets - where they worked out the details of their game plan - so the rally would be more impacting when it went down.

I thought it ironic that the starting point for the protest was in front of the  the AT & T building.

After all, the dedicated ativists wanted to reach out and touch at least one special person!

Needless to say, the brave upstarts got the cold shoulder from the President, and were kept at arm's length.

At one point, security spied a blue knapsack that appeared to be left unattended on the street.

Before pouncing on the mysterious bag, officers went through the crowds to determine if it belonged to any of the protesters, or a member of the press.

A few minutes later - when they were unable to determine who it belonged to - one officer (who had been quite respectful maintaining control of the protesters earlier) rifled through it to determine its contents.

The San Francisco Police Department should be commended for doing an exemplary job.

When I started towards an area where the protesters were forming, one officer quizzed me about my intentions, before letting me pass.

I pointed out that I was there to cover the protest, at which point, he noted that arrangements had been made to coral the activists at one location where they would be able to exercise their right to free speech.

Meanwhile, the blockade all around the hotel was causing a few headaches for commuters heading off to work.

Unfortunately, many were forced to detour around the Hotel to reach their destinations.

When they arrived late at the office, would their bosses believe their flimsy excuses?

A few tourists were literally confused!

But, all in all, it was a peaceful rally with good spirits all around.

Too bad the star of the event was a "no show" - in the street with the voting public - at least.

How will this impact his image - and his ratings in the polls - I wonder.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

 



Barack Obama...Medical Marijuana protesters to confront President tomorrow! St. Regis! San Francisco!

 

When President Obama slips out of a limo purring curbside to attend a "Breakfast with the President" soiree bright-and-early tomorrow in downtown San Francisco there will be a rag-tag gang of protesters from Americans For Safe Access (ASA) on hand to demand that the President fulfill a promise to guarantee all "Patient Rights" in respect to the compassionate use of Medical Marijuana.

In spite of Obama's insistence - that the DEA Military-style raids on pot dispensaries would cease - they have persisted in recent days!

Tattler readers may recall that I attended and reported on street protests in the past:

Post:  02/08/2010

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/02/marijuana-ballot-measure-to-legalize.html

At this point, the mantra should be:

We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore!

"It's time we held the President accountable for his broken promise," a spokesperson informed me earlier this afternoon in a hasty press notice that was fired off by e-mail from ASA Headquarters.

The vocal activists are going to turn-out tomorrow - in full force - in front of the St. Regis Hotel.

"This is the time to pull our community together, express our displeasure with Obama's lack of regard for our community, and demand that he live up to his promises."

RALLY FOR PATIENT RIGHTS

St. Regist Hotel
125 3rd Street
San Francisco, CA

TIME

7:30 a.m.

FLYERS

Supporters attening the rally are instructed to print and distribute fliers which may be downloaded from the Americans for Safe Access web site.

http://safeacceesnow.org

SAMPLE FLYERS

"We are Sick and Tired!"

"Protect Cannabis Patients' Rights!"

"Reschedule Cannabis Now!"

"Federal Protection Not Federal Prosecution!"

CARPOOLS

Protestors may contact ASA to arrange for car pools so that interested parties without transportation may attend the event in downtown San Francisco.

 action@safeaccessnow.org.

http://www.thetattler.biz

Sarah Palin..."Blind Allegiance" expose! Queen of Tea Party potboiler!

Between the scandal sheets!



Poor Sarah Palin!

The former John McCain running mate - who ran against Obama's ticket in the last Presidential race - was pretty adept at keeping her innermost scandalous secrets in the closet.

And, with a slick posse of handlers on hand along the campaign trail daily, it was pretty much a snap for the charismatic upstart to prevent damaging gossip from floating out onto the political terrain and spewing over the vicious blogosphere where nasty pundits were laying in wait hungry for the the dirt.

Notwithstanding, staunch strident supporters were always at-the-ready - quick-as-a-wink- to leap into action and extinguish fires when they flared up now and then.

But, with a tell-all expose about to be published (and released) on May 24th, it appears that Sarah's fifteen glorious minutes in the sun are about to be eclipsed by the dark musings of Frank Bailey and a pack of wolves howling at the moon.

Go, figure!

Bailey is a former aide, who lived it up with Palin, so he could write it all down for posterity.

Now, his detailed chilling side of things is about to be released under the auspices of "Howard Books".

Due out on May 24th, the potboiler titled - "Blind Allegiance" - is expected to toss a searing spotlight on the Queen of the Tea Party circuit - and ultimately - knock the folksey Alaskan flat on her Republican ass.

Curiously, Ken Morris (a published author) and a high-profile blogger (Jeannie Devon) collaborated with Bailey on the much-anticipated page-turner.

Not surprising, eh?

When there are skeletons in the closet, a ghost whisperer or two, to shake out the cobwebs of intrigue!

Just betch, it's on the bestseller list, first week out on the shelves!

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz



Tell-all no joke for Queen of Tea Party!

Barack Obama...jets into San Francisco! Horns of dilemma!

Once again, President Obama is jetting into the picturesque bay area to lock "horns" with the captains of Industry on the West Coast.

Actually, on the heels of a controversy over the President's reluctance to engage in a little show-and-tell by coughing up his elusive long-form birth certificate - stirred up by irascible White House hopeful Donald Trump - Obama has reiterated once again for the record that he doesn't have any horns!

"And, I became a man in Chicago," he quipped at the podium last week on the heels of the "birthing" issue which was recently resurrected - ironically - during the sacred Easter holiday season.

However, Governor Brewer nixed all that when she got cold feet and vetoed a bill to force the President's claw - er - hand.

Did Brewer back down for political reasons (with an eye to the future) or because she just doesn't have the balls anymore to fight with the big boys on the hill in Washington?

Meanwhile, the President will rub elbows with enterprising Facebook owner - Mark Zuckerberg  - and other technology leaders shortly after he touches down on the tarmac.

The spirited talks - mostly behind-closed-doors - are expected to put the spotlight on Government investments in research and development, education, and clean energy," according to Barack's handlers.

The president is slated to arrive Thursday evening, then fly out of San Francisco International Airport on Friday morning, on a precise no-nonesense time-table.

Will Barack dawdle a moment-or-two at SFO to take a gander at dazzling spanking-new Terminal 2, which was recently transformed into a jet-setter's hop-over paradise?

By the way, the President has invited fascinated voters to get involved virtually - on the Internet this intriguing time-around.

Barack is now utilizing the potent power of the world-wide-web (and its ubiquitous presence) to rustle up - a younger, hipper, more technologically-advanced demographic - which will undoubtedly help him land the election in 2012.

While the White House insists that the President is only trying to reach out to Americans who would not generally turn to traditional media sources for information, Facebook has been exploiting the situation in a sly bold-faced effort to play a major role in President Obama's political campaign next year.

It's good for business, after all.

The heck with the country, eh?

Do you suppose the hornless one owns stock in the popular social hub?

Only the Winklevoss twins - and Mark Zuckerberg - know for sure.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Big Brother gets technologically with-it!

2012 U.S. Elections...Mexicans may swing votes in Florida! Politicians to grovel?

United States of Mexicana

Sarah Palin scopes polling stations!

Americans across the country sat bolt upright in their armchairs this past week when a late-night news broadcast reported that in a scant few years - the Latino population in the United States - has tripled from 15 million to 50 million strong!

A smartly-dress political pundit proceeded to underscore that because of this immigrant trend, the chips may be stacked against potential candidates who don't kow-tow to the Mexican community's demands in Florida, for example, in the upcoming election in 2012.

Corrupt politicians - with connections in high places (think along the lines of  George W. Bush cronies) - aren't necessarily going to be able to snatch up the ticket without a tough fight in the final analysis.

If a politician wants to take the State (and bask in the glow of a victory) - whether Democrat or Republican - he (or she) is going to have to appeal to that sector of the community apparently.

Is President Obama above a little schmoozing, or does he also intend to reach out to the immigrants and an obvious force in the United States that is to reckon with now?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz



Get the vote out now!

 



Another Civil War on horizon in America?

President Obama...to meet with techies in San Francisco!



President Obama will be jetting into the Bay Area today to meet with techie execs in San Francisco.

Obama is expected to reveal his plans for his 3.7 Trillion-dollar budget.

Handlers have hinted that Obama's discussions will focus on the economy and job creation.

Obama has taken the position the his financial aid package - which includes funding for education and research - will help the U.S. remain competitive in the world marketplace if implemented.

Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), among others, is slated to sit in on the President's meeting which is a closed-door affair not open to the press.

I trust the Prez snatched up an overcoat and umbrella before he embarked on Air Force one since he'll have to brave torrential rains that have descended on San Francisco today.

Unless the Secret Service intend to shield him from unpredictable weather conditions, too.

Later!

http://www.thetattler.biz/



Romantic enclave on the Bay

West Hollywood...smoking ban @ outdoor cafes!



Butt out!

Well, all those trendy watering holes that cater to celebrities in WeHo may have to uproot - lock, stock, and barrel - if they want to hold on to a posse of their celebrity clientele come January (2012).

Uh-huh!

City Council has gone the way of a handful of communities across the Nation in recent days and has banned smoking alfresco (on patios at outdoor cafes and in bar stoops where patrons are inclined to sneak a quick toke) commencing in the near year!

A rag-tag band of locals are putting up a fight, though.

Meanwhile, for us "non" smokers, it is no big deal.

But, my heart goes out to those dudes (and dudettes), who like a puff now and then on city streets on the lone trek homeward bound or during happy hour.

By the way, in the event President Obama zooms into town - and descends on one of the classy WeHo "in" spots on Robertson Boulevard for a night-on-the-town - no problemo!

According to a news report this morning - Barack went cold-turkey - and hasn't had a ciggie-pooh in about a year or so.

Congrats, Mr. President!

The 1st Lady didn't fess up on how he managed to lick the dirty habit, though.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz



President Obama...State Dinner for President Hu! Barbra Streisand comment offensive to Chinese?

Handshakes across the water!

President Obama toasted Chinese President Hu, the 1st Lady looked stunning in a red silk organza gown with delicate black flourishes, and the tony elite nibbled on a five-course dinner (before saunering off for an evening of live entertainment) under a distinguished-looking three-quarter-length portrait of President Lincoln who stared down on the goings-on from a far wall.

The occasion?

Why - a State dinner at the White House in honor of Chinese President Hu who is currently visiting these shores - of course!

There was a lot of pomp and circumstance throughout the course of the heady evening, too!

President Obama saluted the people of both Nations on the auspicious occasion, for starters.

"May they (the Chinese & the Americans) grow together in friendship. May they prosper together in peace. And may they realize their dream of the future for themselves, for their children and for their grandchildren," he stressed with great poignancy.

The glittering affair was attended by the "Who's Who" of American Society.

Well, supporters of the Democrats, to be sure!

Former Presidents Clinton and Carter were spied mingling among a host of celebrated luminaries who dressed-to-the-nines for the dazzling don't-miss event.

Mainstays on the political scene - Henry Kissinger and Madelaine Albright, for instance - put in appearances, too.

Not to be outdone, the Hollywood red-carpet-crowd turned out in full force to get up-close-and-personal with power brokers on Washington Hill.

The guest list included - Barbra Streisand, Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, Cellist Yo-You Ma, film star Jackie Chan, Fashion Designer Vera Wang, and Walt Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger  - to name a few.

The rarefied uppercrust who attended supped on a menu featuring mouth-watering entrees such as Maine Lobster and dry-aged rib-eye.

"Typically American," according to White House officials.

In spite of growing controversy in recent years over China's use of dangerous lead in children's toy exports, the shameful shunning of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a tendency to use real animal fur in fashion offerings to the dismay of animal activists, and allegations of unfair competition by U.S. Lawmakers - most scrambled at the opportunity to sashay into the tony affair.

When Barbra Streisand was asked how she wangled an invite, she allegedly quipped to a reporter:

"I used to work at a Chinese restaurant."

Ooops!

I wonder how the Chinese feel about the stereo-type and being slighted by big-bucks-bab?

I expect there will also be an outcry later in the week when an investigative journalist turns in on a report on the cost of the Hu dinner during  these tough economic times.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz/



Wordies

Wordies present graphic pictures of written and/or spoken word. They can bring a person up short if it appears we're focusing less on what we intend in our communication. It's also intriguing to see what are the most prevalent words (and ideas) in public speeches.

Here's a Wordie for my sermon of last Sunday:

[Click to enlarge]

Kathy Gill presented Wordies of the recent speeches by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and President Barack Obama regarding the tragic events of last Saturday in Tucson. I had forgotten all about Wordies until I saw her post.

Go to the Wordies site and subject emails, songs, articles, or speeches to the Wordies treatment. It's enlightening.

Just My Opinion: Watch Out for the Beijing Regime

Charles Krauthammer is no fan of President Obama, but he had no use for the silly (and largely misinformed) carping over the cost of the president's recent trip to Asia. I agree with Krauthammer. It's important for Presidents of the United States to go abroad for these diplomatic missions. The president is America's diplomat-in-chief. When presidents take such trips, it is in everybody's interest that he be kept safe and protected.

More substantively, I emphatically agree with Krauthammer on the wisdom of Obama's special overtures to India. The US and India, along with the rest of the world really, has an abiding interest in these two countries having strong relations. That abiding interest is the Chinese government, an enemy to its own people's freedom and an enemy to the peace and stability of the world. A partnership between India and the US is essential for strengthening democracy, for checking China's growing military power, and for preventing the world from being sucked into China's economic vortex, with permanent trade imbalances and endemic loss of employment opportunities. (That's why the President was right to say that the greatest object of his diplomatic mission was "jobs." That's really at stake right now in this era of unscrupulous business, environmental, economic, and human rights practices on the part of the Chinese government, practices that, along with the West's undisciplined spending and use of credit, is slowly turning the world into a playground for the Butchers of Beijing.)

President Obama's endorsement of India's desire to become a member of the Security Council of the United Nations is sensible for both the US and India. The council is reserved for those nations that are deemed major powers. As Obama pointed out in India that with major power status comes major power responsibilities. (And I would say, major power expectations.) India was not a major power after World War II when the UN was established. But it is now. That needs to be acknowledged.

Krauthammer explains very well why Presdent Obama's trip to India was so important for the US and the world:

[China's] hegemony is the growing source of tension in Asia today. Modern China is the Germany of a century ago - a rising, expanding, have-not power seeking its place in the sun. The story of the first half of the 20th century was Europe's attempt to manage Germany's rise. We know how that turned out. The story of the next half-century will be how Asia accommodates and/or contains China's expansion.

Nor is this some far-off concern. China's aggressive territorial claims on resource-rich waters claimed by Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Japan are already roiling the neighborhood. Traditionally, Japan has been the major regional counterbalance. But an aging, shrinking Japan can no longer sustain that role. Symbolic of the dramatic shift in power balance between once-poor China and once-dominant Japan was the resolution of their recent maritime crisis. Japan had detained a Chinese captain in a territorial-waters dispute. China imposed a rare-earth mineral embargo. Japan capitulated.

That makes the traditional U.S. role as offshore balancer all the more important. China's neighbors from South Korea all the way around to India are in need of U.S. support of their own efforts at resisting Chinese dominion.

And of all these countries, India, which has fought a border war with China, is the most natural anchor for such a U.S. partnership. It's not just our inherent affinities - democratic, English-speaking, free-market, dedicated to the rule of law. It is also the coincidence of our strategic imperatives: We both face the common threat of radical Islam and the more long-term challenge of a rising China. 

Mind you, all of this is just my opinion (and Krauthammer's). I'm still just a preacher and I'm not foisting a social statement on anybody. These views haven't been brought from Mount Sinai. But I nonetheless think the world would do well to watch out for the regime in Beijing.