http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/01/gov-elect_robert_bentley_inten.html
"I was elected as a Republican candidate. But once I became governor ... I became the governor of all the people. I intend to live up to that. I am color blind," Bentley said in a short speech given about an hour after he took the oath of office as governor.
Then Bentley, who for years has been a deacon at First Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, gave what sounded like an altar call.
"There may be some people here today who do not have living within them the Holy Spirit," Bentley said. "But if you have been adopted in God's family like I have, and like you have if you're a Christian and if you're saved, and the Holy Spirit lives within you just like the Holy Spirit lives within me, then you know what that makes? It makes you and me brothers. And it makes you and me brother and sister."
Bentley added, "Now I will have to say that, if we don't have the same daddy, we're not brothers and sisters. So anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother."
Well. Do you think that sounds like a man who wants to be the Governor for all people? Yeah, me neither.
In fact, I'll go further. This doesn't sound like a politician at all, it sounds like a preacher. And the LAST thing we need is a preacher in the Governor's manse, using religion as his guiding principle.
I'll be honest with you, if I were NOT a Christian, this message from our new Governor would leave me a bit worried about how non-Christians could expect to be treated by our state government. In fact, I AM a Christian, and it STILL leaves me concerned that those not of my faith are being viewed as less than equal. And that's a problem, at least in THIS country.
What the Governor said was the religions equivalent of "I want to represent everybody, but I wish all you (your-favorite-ethnic-slur-here) would learn to speak better English."
I don't know if anybody else is concerned or upset by Bentley's comments, and frankly, I don't care. I've never been one to hold only opinions that are popular.
What I DO know is that Bentley's comments, coming as they did from the leader of Alabama's state government, were just plain wrong. If he wants to preach, he should go back to church. Using his office to proselytize and denigrate those of other religions, by suggesting they aren't the same as Christians, violates, at the very least, the spirit of the First Amendment.
Bentley is wrong, and he is wrong in a VERY big way... on his very first day as Governor. He needs to not only apologize, but also to get rid of the particular attitude that makes him think things like this are okay.
Shame on you, Mr. Bentley. Shame on you.
Frankly, there were various warning signals given back in May and June...during the primary period. Nobody knew much of anything on Bentley and the press was just pumping up the Republican candidate period...without consideration for Ron Sparks. It was the Tea Party blitz and everyone just said vote anti-Democrat.
ReplyDeleteWell....they did exactly that. The truth now? Ron Sparks would have been a better choice. What to do? Nothing....you've got four lousy years with this joker.
Someone needs to make a movie about our stupid tendencies on voting for governors in the state....that really embarrasses the entire state....ensuring that we never repeat this ever again.
In fairness to the Governor, it was a "prayer breakfast."
ReplyDeleteTal, I don't care if what Bentley said was a private conversation with a priest! If he said it AS GOVERNOR, which he DID at this prayer breakfast, then it was inappropriate and wrong.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, I just think people are blowing this a little out of proportion.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I haven't heard that many people discussing this. And for myself, I don't think I'm blowing it out of proportion. Are we not responsible for what we do and say? And if we make clear statements implying non-Christians are somehow inferior to Christians, is it not fair to judge our words on their own merits?
ReplyDeleteHis words betray an attitude that is quite regrettable, to say the least.
While his words are impolitic, the unpleasant truth is what he said is no different from what is said on Sunday or during tonight's Woden's Day services and dinner.
ReplyDeleteHowever, folks should save their powder for the upcoming budget wars.
It IS different, Bassel, because he said it in his persona as Governor. Having that attitude is fine, as long as he keeps it separate from his governance. If he cannot do that, then he needs to resign and let somebody else in there who CAN.
ReplyDeleteIf he'd just come out and say that Satan was ruining the economy...we'd probably all feel better for a Sunday or two. Same way for the housing crisis...that could be Satan's fault...as would the failing banks, global warming, gas prices, electrical cost increases, and even the health care law business. After a while, we'd all turn off C-SPAN, CNN and Fox....and tune into some gospel hour for our political updates instead of Ron Paul or that Beck guy.
ReplyDeleteMakes you wonder if anyone proof-read his speech ahead of time or if his wife typed it for him.
When a politician's act is described as impolitic, it's the same as calling a doctor's act (where did those scissors go?) as malpractice.
ReplyDeleteBreak out the 22oz hammer, whack him on the dangly bits and get ready for the next inning. Maybe he will learn and act better, time will tell. Using the five pound wrecking hammer now will tire you out too early when the big war (taxes, budget, etc) is still to come.
First, I read that Bentley said this at a gathering at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where MLK was once the pastor. I didn't read that it was at a prayer breakfast.
ReplyDeleteI believe one of Governor Doctor Doctor Bentley's campaign slogans was "Alabama needs a doctor".
Alabama's problems are more than skin deep so I don't think it needs a skin doctor. Neither does it need a Doctor of Divinity in the governor's office. We may have a Doctor of Dumbness.