Sounds Like Bin Laden's Dead

Paedantic Basterd · 05-02-2011, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuna

He's right, it is viewed by some of the more hardcore Christians as a religious war. And that's what makes Obama's uses of "God" more inappropriate in this speech than usual, because it's misleading and empowering to the idiots who think it's a religious war.

Nevermind that the man did say that this was "Not a war against Islam, but a war against terrorism" in the same few minutes of speech?

crash_override · 05-02-2011, 12:44 AM

On a lighter note, I've heard that Toby Keith is already writing a song about it. So that should be good, as usual.

midnight rain · 05-02-2011, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

Nevermind that the man did say that this was "Not a war against Islam, but a war against terrorism" in the same few minutes of speech?

Yeah, which just makes his speech rather contradictory. Why would you say that and then start throwing out blessings from God as if he helped us win this war?

Mr November · 05-02-2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captaincaptain

Most hardcore Christians believe Obama is a Muslim though.

Why would this even be a poll question?

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans Thinks Obama Is Muslim, Survey Shows - FoxNews.com

There's a whole spectrum of beliefs. The fact is that Obama puts these religious slogans in to appease people who are either looking for some kind of religious confirmation (not in the catholic sense), or some kind of tradition that they associate with and expect from the President. On the whole it obviously helps Obama out, because they probably already know the atheists (and other people who would be offended by religious slogans as I am) wont vote for the Republicans...

Though I can't vote because I'm Canadian...

crash_override · 05-02-2011, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuna

Yeah, which just makes his speech rather contradictory. Why would you say that and then start throwing out blessings from God as if he helped us win this war?

I have to agree with Big3 on this one... why would he NOT say it? They ALWAYS say "God bless 'merica". Can you imagine the fallout there would be if he just completely disregarded that? Talk about a PR nightmare, the conservatives would tear him apart all the way up until election time. There are other agendas at work here other than religious ones, like how is Obama going to save his chances of being re-elected.

edit:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian E Coleman

Someone said earlier that the speech was probably "cobbled together" for him earlier.

That's why we get these contradictions. Speech writers are just trying to play both sides of the coin. They know people want to hear that it isn't a religious war, and they know that people want to hear that it is... So in their own way, they seem to do both.

Exactly, you're speaking to so many people about a subject they all have a different thought on. The same people who hold your career in their hands. He has to try to please everyone with every speech.

**Janszoon** · 05-02-2011, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captaincaptain

If you were talking about the speech then how would you know how god was capitalized.

Because I am aware of how the word in used in political speeches in the country I live in. And, what do you know, the transcript of his speech confirms my assessment:

Quote:

Originally Posted by www.whitehouse.gov

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

captaincaptain · 05-02-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian E Coleman

There's a whole spectrum of beliefs. The fact is that Obama puts these religious slogans in to appease people who are either looking for some kind of religious confirmation (not in the catholic sense), or some kind of tradition that they associate with and expect from the President. On the whole it obviously helps Obama out, because they probably already know the atheists (and other people who would be offended by religious slogans as I am) wont vote for the Republicans...

Though I can't vote because I'm Canadian...

The whole "God Bless America" saying nowadays is just that a saying. It wasn't even said at the end of political speeches until Nixon did it 38 years ago (at least in the States). Unless it's the song "God Bless America", I don't see it being religious or patriotic, more like kissing the baby at political rallies, it's for show.

Also, atheism has nothing to do with political affiliation.

Understanding Republican Atheists

Mr November · 05-02-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash_override

I have to agree with Big3 on this one... why would he NOT say it? They ALWAYS say "God bless 'merica". Can you imagine the fallout there would be if he just completely disregarded that? Talk about a PR nightmare, the conservatives would tear him apart all the way up until election time. There are other agendas at work here other than religious ones, like how is Obama going to save his chances of being re-elected.

^ What I've been saying all along. Also not an excuse.

RVCA · 05-02-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash_override

I have to agree with Big3 on this one... why would he NOT say it? They ALWAYS say "God bless 'merica". Can you imagine the fallout there would be if he just completely disregarded that? Talk about a PR nightmare, the conservatives would tear him apart all the way up until election time. There are other agendas at work here other than religious ones, like how is Obama going to save his chances of being re-elected.

And I think that's really what it boils down to. Around 85% of the United States believes in "God" and follows a church. Obama has a constituency to appeal to, and he isn't going to do that by singing the praises of secularism.

As a nation, we aren't ready for that yet, but I really hope that some day we will be.

captaincaptain · 05-02-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Because I am aware of how the word in used in political speeches in the country I live in. And, what do you know, the transcript of his speech confirms my assessment:

Thank you, sir.