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LIBERAL BLOGGER CRITICIZES EDWARDS FOR STANDING UP AGAINST ANTI-CATHOLIC BIGOTRY
By Michael B. Brodkorb | February 7, 2007
In a stunning display that may show his true colors, Jeff Fecke at Moderate Left/Minnesota Monitor is actually critical of Senator John Edwards for reportedly firing a couple of anti-Catholic bigots who he had on staff as campaign bloggers. Fecke writes that if indeed Edwards fired the anti-Catholic bigots, then he cannot support Edwards and would be supporting Barrack Obama for President. This begs two questions:
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Does Mr. Fecke actually think it is inappropriate to fire a staff member who is an anti-Catholic bigot?
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What does Mr. Fecke know about Senator Obama which would make him assume that the Obama campaign would keep anti-Catholic bigots on staff?
Here at Minnesota Democrats Exposed, I am opposed to bigotry of any kind, and I commend the Edwards campaign for reportedly not standing by their bigoted staff. But for the life of me, I cannot understand why Minnesota's liberal bloggers would prefer their counterparts be anti-Catholic?
UPDATE: Mark Gisleson of Norwegianity is also outraged that Edwards has reportedly fired anti-Catholic bigot bloggers. Gisleson even writes:
"Wes Clark is still my first choice and I hope he runs. My reasoning is now more compelling than ever: General Clark won't back down when assclowns attack." Source: Norwegianity, February 7, 2007
Since Gisleson blocks vistors from Minnesota Democrats Exposed, you have may have trouble with the link to his blog.
Topics: Uncategorized |
February 7th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
They don’t call him “Feckless Jeff” for nothing.
February 7th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Wow. I am a huge Edwards supporter and I fully believe that Edwards, if he has fired the bloggers, did the right thing. I am dissapointed in my fellow democrats that think that keeping them on staff would be a good thing. It wouldn’t show “guts,” it would show stupidity. And who’s to say why they were fired? I would be willing to bet that they were fired because Edwards doesn’t want a biggoted staff, not because he was afraid of conservative complaints.
February 7th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Devon, I’m not an Edwards supporter and have to say he did the right thing. It looks like he didn’t do a thorough background check on this lady.
For those of you not familiar with the case, read the things she has written. It’s pretty nasty.
February 7th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
As a Catholic, I find this whole thing very interesting.
I’ve been surfing around the Left-wing Blogs, and they are adamant that firing these anti Catholics was a bad thing. The Left has long had problems with hatred of Catholics, particularly as it relates to their social views, and their support for helping desperate minority children escape failing inner city schools.
But to say you can’t support a campaign because the candidate isn’t anti Catholic enough is a truly different frontier.
Jeff Fecke, Mark Gisleson and the national anti Catholic Liberals have a lot of explaining to do.
February 7th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
“MODERATE LEFT”? Hmmmm… HEY JEFF FECKE, the next time you want to see what a TOTAL BIGOT looks like just LOOK IN THE MIRROR !
February 7th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
The Left has long had problems with hatred of Catholics
uh, what?
nice stereotype
February 7th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
oh, and Fecke is a tard (like most political bloggers, who think what they type actually means jack squat) anyhow
February 7th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
It’s a prime example of why free speech is a great thing. Bigots are exposed for what they are.
I read the blogs in question. Pandagon in particular is unhinged. It’s fine that she disagrees with Catholic teachings. But she’s taken it to a unique level of hatred.
The question would need to be: Does John Edwards condone or share this person’s beliefs? If not, he needs to disassociate himself from them.
While some in the DFL are scratching their heads how they can speak to Christian values, maybe they should look to their ranks and thin them of those who hate Christians.
This also underscores the bitch with freedom of speech… sometimes there are consequences. Another concept that liberals are inept to understand.
February 7th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Steph
The DFL party and MoveOn.org has shared a fundraising table across the street from the St Paul Farmers Market in Lowertown.
If I get time, I’ll try to find documentation/links to the Catholic bashing that MoveOn.org has done.
I know we like to attack each other here, some of it not always justified, but the Democratic party really needs to pull a Humphrey and get rid of the wackos and bigots.
February 7th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Jeff, how do you explain the Catholic bashing play the taxpayer funded UofM put on this winter? Jeff, the left hates the Catholic church.
February 7th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Some links to the Democrats MoveOn.org vs the Catholic Church
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=18212
http://www.stentorian.com/MoveOn/catholic.html
http://www.catholicleague.org/04press_releases/quarter3/040928_moveon.htm
February 7th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
“Nobody hates like a liberal”
- Robert Kennedy
Jeff — The DFL agenda isn’t very faith friendly generally. And it is particularly unfriendly to Christians. The DFL base of activists is extremely anti-Christian. Their positions, their actions and their words of hatred toward Christians speak this very, very clearly.
These bloggers are NOT outliers.
It’s not a generality. It’s a fact.
February 7th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
It is sad to see just how anti-Catholic many on the Left have become.
Coming from a Catholic, “Reagan Democrat” family, this is the reason why people like my parents started voting for Republicans.
It is funny that rather than trying to get us back, the Left now makes hatred of Catholics a litmus test in their nominating process.
I think Edwards is wrong on way too many issues to vote for, but it is refreshing to see one Liberal stand up against hatred of Catholics.
February 7th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
It seems odd that you right wingers are screaming about the left being anti-Catholic. I see a lot of anti-Catholism around, but it seems to have no party. For instance, look at the Doctrinal Statements of the WELS church that Michele Bachmann belongs to, the majority of these congregants are conservative. Here’s the last paragraph of the Doctrinal Statement on the Anti-Christ:
“We reject the idea that the teaching that the Papacy is the Antichrist rests on a merely human interpretation of history or is an open question. We hold rather that this teaching rests on the revelation of God in Scripture which finds its fulfillment in history. The Holy Spirit reveals this fulfillment to the eyes of faith (cf. The Abiding Word, Vol. 2, p. 764). Since Scripture teaches that the Antichrist would be revealed and gives the marks by which the Antichrist is to be recognized (2 Th 2:6,8), and since this prophecy has been clearly fulfilled in the history and development of the Roman Papacy, it is Scripture which reveals that the Papacy is the Antichrist.”
You can check this at their website http//www.wels.net under Faith>Beliefs>Doctrinal Statements>Statements of the AntiChrist
February 7th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Jeff, am I wrong?
We constantly see extremists on the Left (not you, perhaps) spewing hatred of Catholics (and Jews).
Now we see the Liberal blogosphere uniting around criticizing a candidate for standing up against anti-Catholic bigotry and in fact making hating Catholics a litmus test.
Jeff, you might be an exception. If you don’t hate Catholics, thanks. But many of your friend really hate us.
February 7th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
“For instance, look at the Doctrinal Statements of the WELS church that Michele Bachmann belongs to, the majority of these congregants are conservative.”
Can you give me an example of a member of this Lutheran church attacking Catholics? No one I know who belongs to this denomination are anti-Catholic. Who do know who is?
And western Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind..a HUGE Democrat (as in he supports partial birth abortion) belongs to this church.
Lefse Dem, are you calling liberal Democratic Congressman from La Crosse Wisc an anti-Catholic bigot? Please answer yes or no. He represnts Hudson and much of the Twin Cities metro area. Wondering if you are calling for his removal because this Democratic congressman is an anti-Catholic bigot.
February 7th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Michael… This whole so-called controversy is contrived. Bill Donahue - who was raising the “anti-catholic” canard against these bloggers is known for making over the top statements of his own.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200702070005
* “We’ve already won. Who really cares what Hollywood thinks? All these hacks come out there. Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. It’s not a secret, OK? And I’m not afraid to say it. … Hollywood likes anal sex. They like to see the public square without nativity scenes. I like families. I like children. They like abortions. I believe in traditional values and restraint. They believe in libertinism. We have nothing in common. But you know what? The culture war has been ongoing for a long time. Their side has lost.” [MSNBC's Scarborough Country, 12/8/04]
* “Well, look, there are people in Hollywood, not all of them, but there are some people who are nothing more than harlots. They will do anything for the buck. They wouldn’t care. If you asked them to sodomize their own mother in a movie, they would do so, and they would do it with a smile on their face.” [MSNBC's Scarborough Country, 2/9/06]
EY: This was the same Bill Donahue who freaked out when President Bush sent out a Christmas card saying “Happy Holidays”. The Edwards campaign blew it by responding to Donahue - in the same way that the Romney campaign blew it by responding to Brian Camenker.
February 7th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
[...] Brodkorb is questioning Fecke and the Wege for their decisions to change course on supporting Edwards over this very decision. [...]
February 8th, 2007 at 7:11 am
Eva, read the blogs in question. Donahue may not be an idea spokesperson. But the anti-Christian/anti-Catholic sentiment on those sites is sickening.
Edwards was right to fire them. It’s only sad that now he’s back peddling.
February 8th, 2007 at 9:29 am
As I said before, I have spoken with plenty of people (both Republican and Democrat, both liberal and conservative) who have strong negative feelings about the Catholic Church. Anti-Catholicism has nothing to do with party, and largely has little to do with disliking Catholics, it seems to be rooted in dislike of the Catholic Church Structure itself. It does not seem to be a party issue.
To say the left and the Democrats are all anti-Christian and anti-Catholic is ridiculous. There are always some fringe people making stupid statements, but there are many believing, Christian people who are Democrats, and many Catholics who are Democrats. They tend to be Democrats because they believe in feeding the poor, in peace, and in social justice and feel that these are teachings of Christ. They are upset by the war, by corporate greed and by what can be seen lack of social/societal responsibility for those without a voice: the homeless, the young, the poor and the marginalized people’s needs. They do not necessarily agree with every tenet of their churches, but they vote based on the ones that they feel are most important, as do most Republicans, many of whom are believing Christians.
These Democrats often think religious freedom is important, and don’t want other groups prayers forced upon them, preferring to practice their religion without impinging on others, as a deeply held, personal relationship with God rather than a relationship to be flaunted about as a political tool (which seems directly in opposition to Christ’s teachings.)
I believe when you join a church you should pay attention to the basic tenets and Doctrinal Statements of the church. Not all people do, and many join churches because their parents went there, or they have friends there. You will probably not believe all the tenets, but you should be aware of them. If you are not thinking enough to be aware of the tenets of your church then what does it say about about the depth of your religious belief? “Going to Church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than going to your garage makes you a car.”(sorry can’t remember offhand who said it)
One part of the Republican party tends to overlook the tending to the worst in society, deciding that it is all the poor people’s fault and tends to overlook the “being humble” part of Christianity as they decide they did it all on their own with no help because they are such hard workers (those people in need are all lazy freeloaders.) There are Republicans who want to “do the right thing” but they seem to want to make sure that it is a personal choice and not forced upon people or business as a tax that needs to be paid. The only problem with this is that in general people are fairly self serving and most rationalize why their needs triumph society’s needs–so if we just rely on people willingly giving charity we go back in time to starving poor people, and a large underclass of the uneducated.
There needs to be balance. Business and people can’t be taxed out of profitibility, but they also must help out. Government needs to help fill societal gaps, but programs must be efficient and effective and held accountable. The Republicans who aren’t rabidly anti-government understand this. The Democrats who aren’t the fringe anti-business group understand this. Most people on this blog seem to just want to distort, exaggerate, and polarize; and do not seem to understand this.
February 8th, 2007 at 10:01 am
“To say the left and the Democrats are all anti-Christian and anti-Catholic is ridiculous.”
Not saying that, just that they tolerate it in their party.
And many of us do pay attention to our churches. I left a very large Lutheran church because I believe it’s leaders are anti-Semitic.
February 8th, 2007 at 10:21 am
God bless all of you for your thoughtful comments!
As a Catholic, a sinner, and a bona fide hypocrite I don’t take any umbridge at any of this so-called anti-Catholic hate speech. Our outfit is pretty specific that we will surely be persecuted for our beliefs. So what’s the big deal?
What would the world be saying if instead of “Catholic” you substitute “Muslim”? Would the outrage have the same flavor?
John Edwards remains a front-runner because he has good hair.
February 8th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Lefse Dem — Anti-Christian bias is a main-stream liberal sentiment. There’s nothing fringe about the bigotry on display up and down the ranks of Democrats.
You list some Catholic teachings that certainly resonate will with liberals. They also resonate solidly with conservatives — caring for the poor, social justice, peace… The difference is that Conservatives fight to ensure access and opportunity. Liberals fight to take from one group and give handouts to another (while shackling them to dependence).
It’s quite fine that some Catholics and Christians disagree with some teachings. Or how the church is structured. Or with how others live their lives.
It’s another (as in this case) for angry, liberal hate-mongers to attack a church they neither believe in nor understand.
These democrats could care less about religious freedom, and care only about freedom from religion. And if that means restricting the rights of others to pray and practice their faith, and ridiculing them for it, so be it.
In general, conservatives are very much about ensuring access and opportunity. Not focused on handouts for anyone. We believe that society benefits when everyone has a stake in it. When 45 percent of Americans don’t pay any taxes (as currently is true), 45 percent have no legitimate voice or stake.
If taxes are too high for them, then taxes are too high for all.
I’m fine with what liberals describe as society’s obligation to help the needy. Up until the point where the steal the money from individuals and then also use it to kill the unborn and to undermine their values.
Lewis King at Summit Academy — a non-profit that provides job skills and education to minorities and drop outs says it best: “The best social welfare program is a job.”
Democrats too often stand in the way of that end. Preferring power grabs instead.
The rest of what you say, I am in pretty strong agreement with.
February 8th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
It is undeniably true that many moonbats hate Christianity with a passion, mostly because the Christian faith frowns on the unrestrained hedonism and debauchery that keeps the “reality based” community amused between protests.
This is true with “Da Wedge” for instance..
But in the case of Feckless Jeff it is utter stupidity, rather than hate that put’s his mouth in gear. See, he lacks the primary ingredient to foment genuine hatred, namely a marginally functional brain.
February 11th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
What’s wrong with being anti-Catholic? I’m glad they’re being honest. We have one party that’s pro-religion and one that isn’t.
http://www.nelsonguirado.com/index.php/religion/2007/02/11/edwards_staffers_are_they_bigots