Pastor Does Crystal Meth and Gay Prostitutes and Preaches Against Gay Marriage- Page 5

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 10:05pm

You keep implying that I have some affliation to the "right wing" and their agenda. I am as repulsed by the right wing, as I am by the left. I hate extremists agendas, of any kind, which is why you and I are always at odds. You don't get to "hear" my confusion with the right agenda, because it is not represented on this Board, with any kind of regularity. I never heard of this guy, until this story broke. He and his agenda are meaningless to me. But, you were unable to answer my question. You claim you all "get it", but you don't explain what "it" is. I said I understood why it was newsworthy, just not why it was lead newsworthy. I still don't get it. In my circle of corporate America and suburban living, no one even mentioned this news item, yet, it was the lead story.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 10:11pm

I put it in capsule version, let me give the more detailed version.

There is an alarming amount of hypocrisy among people with extraordinary wealth and power who make their way in the world by telling other people what is right and wrong and how to live their lives, while behaving entirely differently and getting away with it BECAUSE of their extraordinary wealth and power.

You may THINK that a man who is the pastor of a megachurch with thousands and thousands of parishoners who spoke to the current president on a weekly basis has no impact on your life. But speaking for myself, I find that horrendously hypocritical and it's become such an important part of the news cycle because it is by now clear that this is NOT atypical. Remember, the president, even at this late date in the election cycle is still invoking "gay marriage" as one of the major problems facing this country, bolstered by charismatic religious leaders capable of delivering millions of dollars to campaign coffers all the while taking part in the "sordid" lives they condemn.

Updated On: 11/4/06 at 10:11 PM

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 10:40pm

I do get all that; and, I really don't want to belabor it, but I still feel the lead, breaking news, hot item, top story approach, was a bit unqualified, sensational and forced. As I said, that it is newsworthy, is without question. But, anyway, while I found your capsule explanation to be extremely insensitive and rude, I appreciate the detailed response.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 11:20pm

It was a paraphrase.

As for the sensational coverage, it IS November sweeps.

"It's the economy, stupid."

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 11:30pm

JB, I watch the Today Show most mornings. It is a tabloid news show, and this type of story is common. The Chicago Tribune buried the Haggard story and also the Kerry story.

This is not a story about sex, it is about moral authority.

This man has counseled thousands on issue of marriage and morality while his own personal life is a lie. As my wife said, he is a friend of Bush, not for religious advice, but for CASH. That is why I think it is a major story!
Updated On: 11/4/06 at 11:30 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 11:48pm

He talked to Bush every Monday.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 11:52pm

This story really brings the issue of "marriage" to the forefront. A rep from Focus on the Family was asked today why there is not a ballot initiative addressing the issue of divorce. I thought it was hilarious!

[BroadwayBulldog]

Posted: 11/5/06 at 3:52pm

Yes.

[Flippancy]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 9:43am

After reading the news stories, and watching the videos, of Haggard's mea culpa to his flock, I was full of smart remarks and caustic comments (still am, as a matter of fact).

However, to take a mature stance on all this, all I've got to say is: Welcome to the wonderful world of self-hate, Ted. You're going to destroy yourself.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 10:24am

Yes, flippancy, as per the other thread on this ...

I strongly agree with Namo that this is a major, major story, no matter when it emerges. As soon as NJ ruled on same-sex unions, Bush hit the road to denounce the results and use it to further divide the nation. That's what he does: divide, with the aim to conquor. His use of homophobia -- while his own VP has a gay child -- is reprehensible. He doesn't care, he's on a Rovian mission to use anything and everything, morality be damned.

So now we have one of his advisors or pastoral consiglieri revealed as a gay Elmer Gantry. We will no doubt hear Mr. Snow distance this regime from this self-hater, or perhaps even worse, tell us the President is praying for Reverend Ted. In a sick way, Ted's fall plays right into the mythology of gay people as the fallen.

Anita Bryant always played the "I'm praying for gays" as she worked tirelesslsy to undermine rights to employment, housing, and hate crime. Bush is Bryant with the definitive executive power. I say, out everyone, sooner rather than later, and show how deep the closet is, and how right wing.

[Flippancy]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 11:26am

I wouldn't be surprised if we woke up to a headline that Pastor Ted had offed himself.

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 12:06pm

JohnBoy, when DOES the lead news story affect you? I watch the news with regularity and rarely do I find the lead story to be of personal interest. It's news, it's not "This Is Your Life." You know the old saying, "If it bleeds, it leads"? It's the same thing here--TV news isn't exactly a ratings blockbuster, so the networks feel a need to trumpet the salacious and violent. Nothing new there.

And if you are disappointed with the lack of support for your confusion with the right's agenda, then perhaps you should try looking at another site.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/6/06 at 3:01pm

JohnBoy - I'm sure there are many people who see a news item announcing that yet another state has amended their constitution to ban gay marriage and any form thereof and say, "So what? It has no effect on my life". That doesn't mean it doesn't effect the lives of thousands of others or make the story less important to the country as a whole. Haggard may not seem like a lead story to you, but it sure does to me.

Personally, I never found the love lives of celebrities as lead stories as they are typically addressed, but if the plethora of Hollywood divorces were held up against Bush's defense of the "sanctity of marriage", then I might understand why they might be considered newsworthy. But alas, this does not happen. My point being that the Haggard story is directly relevant to the current political climate. Especially this close to election day. I honestly don't understand how you could not see that as a lead story. And if you research the progress of the Christian Coalition and its tactics, it's painfully obvious why this story is so important.