2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumHe Called Me “The Most Anti-Christian Congressman in History”
On Wednesday, the Huffington Post reported on a video in which my Republican opponent Todd Long called me "the most anti-Christian Congressman that we've ever had in our history." He added, for good measure, that I don't "believe in any of the biblical values," and that voters are going to vote for him because of his "Christian values."
There were more than 1,000 posted comments on the report. Here are some of them:
"I have never heard Grayson say anything that wasn't in the spirit of Christianity . . . to help his fellow man." - MarcDel
"Alan Grayson's heritage may be Jewish but he has displayed more 'Christian values' than his opponent and all the Tea Baggers combined. His advocacy for health care for the [poor] and to save programs that serve as a lifeline to neediest among us sounds like something Jesus would do. What God do you people serve, what Bible do you read? Jesus said that those who feed and clothe [the] poor and needy also feed him." - Kamardb7112
"Alan Grayson may not be a religious person but he certainly spoke like one during the health care debate. When he confronted the right wing for cutting health programs that gave children and families better [and] more affordable care, he sounded like Christ himself on the Sermon on the Mount. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." - RightBrainedLeftWinged.
"It's the sanctimonious self-important types [who] think they somehow are closer to God because they shout out their Christian beliefs. And they criticize others they feel are not as God-like as they are. Well, if there is a God, she, he [or] it would not be shouting to the rooftops just how 'Christian' they are. I think Alan Grayson is one of our most honest politicians. He's not afraid to say what he thinks or protect the rights of the middle class. He believes in equal rights for women and that includes over the right to makes choices about their own bodies. Bravo to you Alan Grayson. You are one of my heroes in politics, when there aren't very many who actually know that they are elected to protect all Americans and are in public service!" - Loodis
"Grayson's policies towards the poor and marginalized are much more in line with the teachings of Christ than ANY teabagger running for office." - CatByte
"The [Tea]Baggers despise Grayson because Grayson has a gift for pointing out duplicity [and] hypocrisy, and addressing how un-Christian many of these so-called Christians conduct themselves in public life. When you thump a guy intellectually for some action or inaction, and the 'thumpee' has no rational or sensible response, they start acting like 7th graders in their rhetoric - like Todd Long. The point is that Grayson, who is Jewish, is more Christian in his humanity and treatment of average, everyday people than most Christians." - Billa88205
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/beatthebigot
I have to point out that this is not the first time that bigotry and prejudice have raised their ugly heads against me in this campaign. That's why we've had to establish a special "Beat the Bigot" contribution page, and why almost a thousand of our supporters already have contributed to it. If you haven't, then it's your turn now. Because whatever you think of me, we can't allow anyone as twisted and warped as Todd Long to be making the laws that we all have to follow.
Courage,
Alan Grayson
Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)Really? That's where we are in 2012????
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)Lewis is my favorite comedian. Wonderful man....and left wing.
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)The worthy successor to George Carlin.
Suji to Seoul
(2,035 posts)UnrepentantLiberal
(11,700 posts)Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)Raksha
(7,167 posts)They are/were both Jews...which may help to explain Mr. Grayson's allegedly "Christian" values.
Just sayin'
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)"I have never heard Grayson say anything that wasn't in the spirit of Christianity . . . to help his fellow man." - MarcDel
I think that's the old Christianity.
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)kind of things Rep. Grayson espouses, and the quote is accurate. Christ would throw those attacking Grayson out of the 'temple'. They use the word but have zero understanding of the man whose name they are using to promote the exact opposite principles he preached about.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)SpankMe
(2,966 posts)...so I can be just like him. Awesome, unafraid, progressive chutzpah. We need a whole lot more of this in the Dem party. Dude's got more spine that a porcupine.
panader0
(25,816 posts)Please win.
Broderick
(4,578 posts)Iliyah
(25,111 posts)These goppers truly think they have a cap on Christianity, and their Christianity ain't nothing like the actual true belief. I call them pure evil.
Skittles
(153,193 posts)coming from a republican!
virgdem
(2,126 posts)who deserves to be defeated. I only hope that there are enough people in your district who feel the same way as those that you quoted. As one of the tribe, I find this comment beyond despicable, but I'm not surprised that he stooped that low. I intend to contribute to your campaign and I hope that you succeed in winning back your seat.
colorado_ufo
(5,737 posts)in one scripture Jesus says, "Not everyone who says unto me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)the sexual acts of homos, guns, no taxes, and chicken. I imagine they think Jews are the same as Negroes.
Kick Todd's ass, Alan.
Diclotican
(5,095 posts)Alan Grayson
When you believe them (Republicans) to not go lower, they surprise everyone, with going far worse than we ever expected them to do.. As a foreigner, and living abroad, i sometimes wonder what become of the great republic of the united States of america...
I doubt many of them who claim you to be the last christian really know what christianity is all about.... The little I know about the man Alan Grayson in the US Congress, is a decent, man who try to do the best for his fellow man, instead of being for himself alone..
Diclotican
freshwest
(53,661 posts)yardwork
(61,712 posts)daleray95
(1 post)Joe Bacon
(5,165 posts)What is so sad is to see so much hate from phony Christians who talk the Jesus talk but walk the Ayn Rand walk.
jerseygal
(67 posts)Ironically, Ayn Rand was one of the tribe.
Rand was born Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum (Russian: Алиса Зиновьевна Розенбаум on February 2, 1905, to a bourgeois family living in Saint Petersburg. She was the eldest of the three daughters of Zinovy Zakharovich Rosenbaum and Anna Borisovna Rosenbaum, largely non-observant Jews. (from Wikipedia)
Tom Ripley
(4,945 posts)and how it was expressed in her "philosophy" and "literature"
BTW: King considered Rand to be both a horrible person and writer.
jerseygal
(67 posts)No wonder that John Gault was a blonde Aryan.
Raksha
(7,167 posts)Ayn Rand is one of those people who makes me inclined to believe there might be something to the myth of the self-hating Jew after all. Mostly it's a smear thrown at Jewish liberals (me included) by right-wing Zionists, so I tend to ignore it.
Tom Ripley
(4,945 posts)Jessy169
(602 posts)I just don't have the cyrillic keyboard.
DFW
(54,443 posts)конечно у тебя естъ это--you just don't know it.
go to your "start" menu.
Go to "All Programs"
Click on "Accessories," then "system tools," then "Character map." Select what you want, then hit "copy" when you have what you want. Then paste it (control+V) where you want.
Note--it won't work in the title strip on DU, but it will work in the body of your message.
понятно?
freshwest
(53,661 posts)DFW
(54,443 posts)Well, nine and a half if you include Schwyzerdüütsch (Swiss German, which is a generic term for about 12 different versions of the versions spoken throughout the Germanic Swiss Kantonen)
freshwest
(53,661 posts)I was wondering if it is a form of French and Spanish combines, which I can't imagine how it would sound. The picture has their language in the inscription. It doesn't look like Spanish. I know people with friends in Andorra and it seems to be a uniquely prosperous and healthy place to live. With less than 90,000 people and less than 200 square miles, his description was remarkable. The family he stayed with lived in the main city and their home was 8 stories tall, bedrooms, bath, kitchen, living rooms on different floors, with a small footprint, reminded me of those of some friends who lived in the city of San Francisco. They had a 1st floor garage, living room above, bedrooms next and the kitchen and bath on the 4th floor.
That's the Andorran Parliament, but even with the trappings of democratic process, and a monarchy, Andorra is run by what we would call the oligarchy. We see this as a bad thing, but they seem happy. It's possible everyone living there is related, going back for generations or centuries, which would make for a united nation.
So different than most Americans. I think we are so focused on certain things, because we are not as firmly rooted and feel insecure. What do you think?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andorra
P. S. Your brain is remarkable for being able to know so many languages and keep them separate. I was once able to read and speak High German (badly with a Texas accent: Vee Gate-ez Ee-nan?) then spent more time with Spanish, or at least Español Mexicano. Which I have since been corrected by some people outside of the southwestern states, is an incorrect version of Spanish, as it is not Castilian Spanish. Although, with over 100 million speakers, I argued, they still manage to stumble along well enough.
My problem in speaking was, my brain substituted words of either language as I sought unknown words, so I decided it would be more mercifulto give up trying to converse in either, LOL.
DFW
(54,443 posts)The inscription doesn't look like Spanish OR Catalan, because it's in Latin! LOL
Yes, I speak Catalan. I used to live with a Catalan family in Barcelona for a while, and have been to Andorra. Andorra is technically a principality governed jointly by two "co-princes:" the President of France and the Bishop of La Seu d'Urgell in Spain. Weird, but it is not exactly a major player on the world political scene. It is known as a tax haven, but only accessible by difficult roads through the Pyrenees. At least, it was that way when I was there (1969). Just a few dozen thousand inhabitants, no army (what for?). Lots of goats.
The Catalan language is a Romance language, grammatically close to medieval southwestern French (Langue d'Oc). It lacks the influence of Arabic, which so influenced the vulgar Latin of the central Iberian peninsula for 700 years. It is due to the Arab influence that most of the Iberian peninsula isn't linguistically divided between Catalan in the east and Portuguese in the west. Out of the Arab influence on the center of the peninsula grew the language of Castilla, "Castellano," or, what is called "Spanish" today.
Catalan has much of the staccato of Castillian, but with quite a different rhythm. The grammar and vocabulary are far more similar to French and Italian than to "Spanish." When I lived in Spain, I even unconsciously acquired a Catalan accent in my Castillian, because in Madrid and Sevilla, I was told I had a Catalan accent. When speaking Catalan, I'm told I have a Mallorcan accent. Go figure.
Back in the 1960s, Franco's Fascists used to repress Catalan and its culture. At a folk festival, a folkie from Valencia wanted to sing a song in "Valencian." The fascist censors followed the regime's propaganda saying that Catalonia (Catalunya) did not extend as far south as Valencia (it does) and therefore Valencian could not be Catalan (it is), so they allowed the song. The guy's song (Diguem No--"let's say no" became the Catalan song of resistance overnight, much to the chagrin of the official censors.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)With the root words for these languages. I was fooling around on Wikipedia and found the Germanic language tree and you hit the mother load by focusing your life there in Germany. It was in 1969 that my plans to go the youth hostel route in Europe were interrupted, so I have an unrequited desire to visit.
Although my intentions at the time were to visit most Germany and the UK, where my folk left their mark. Amsterdam was high on my list, as my people moved from London to there before embarking for the Americas.
In more recent years I have online friends I've talked to many years in Norway, Yorkshire, Sussex, Wales and elsewhere who still ask me to come and stay with them, but life has a way of keeping one tied down in one place.
Or as in your case, traveling all the time. I'm not sure which is better, but if my life was exactly as I wanted, I'd probably never grace the same zip code many times in a row. Alas, I have only visited Canada a few times, which I really love.
Thanks for the further history of Andorra and Spain. I'm hoping with Obama's re-election, we might enjoy some of the same equalities in many things as most Europeans do. Talk to you later!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_German_languages
AzDar
(14,023 posts)Maineman
(854 posts)Think what the world would be like without those two dynamics. What if people tried to be ethical, moral and cooperative rather than judgmental and hypocritical, and greedy.
cecilfirefox
(784 posts)in their pompous asses.
Best of luck!
chknltl
(10,558 posts)...aspires to be a Gold Medal liar. We wish him all the best with that on the day he eventually meets his maker.
Bluzmann57
(12,336 posts)Would someone please explain to me why it so important to be a so called "good christian", and secondly, why a person's faith matters. Aren't actions louder than words?
I mean just because romney is a mormon is no reason to vote against him; no the fact that he is a clueless liar is why we should vote against him. And Mr. Grayson here is of Jewish faith, who cares? As pointed out, he (you) are doing good works and that transcends any religious belief.
harun
(11,348 posts)Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)What's up with Taliban Dan? Not running again? Why not?
NeeDeep
(120 posts)and their election. Last I checked a conservative 'conserves what works in society and goverment", not whats happening today. They are busy handing out slurs and deceptive conclusions like candy to people that have no means to verification, not in todays corporate media.
hlthe2b
(102,378 posts)rgbecker
(4,834 posts)The second coming?
The Wizard
(12,549 posts)Todd Long belongs to the Konservative Kristian Kouncil.
Mr. Long's cognitive dissonance is indicative of Teabagger thought disorders and loose associations.
Perhaps Mr. Long would benefit from one of the wonderful Fleet products.
Brewinblue
(392 posts)He would make such an awesome POTUS. 2016?
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)Faygo Kid
(21,478 posts)They are too busy finding an obscure quote in Leviticus to acknowledge the heart and soul of Christianity.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
classof56
(5,376 posts)Thanks and blessings to Alan. He's got my support and if I lived in his district, the hounds of hell could not keep me from voting for him!!
FlaGranny
(8,361 posts)they think the sermon on the mount is speaking to them - they believe they are the blessed. They can't see themselves as they really are. That sermon speaks to them - not "others." They really don't understand their own beliefs.
Faygo Kid
(21,478 posts)They live and die in profound ignorance, valuing an obscure passage in Leviticus over what is the heart and soul of the New Testament. Extraordinary.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Flatpicker
(894 posts)Christians start acting like Christ, I'll start listening to them.
Makes me miss that show GCB, that hit the nail right on it's hypocritical head.
DFW
(54,443 posts)I have been a proud contributor before, and am glad to be one again here.
We have a mutual friend (HBD) in Burlington, as a matter of fact. He speaks highly of you,
as if I needed a further reason to support you.
So, come from behind. Kick ass. Once again, lead by example. We need the Congressman with Guts back
on the floor, whether it's as a fly in Speaker Pelosi's ointment or confronting Speaker Bonehead's teabaggers.
Smilo
(1,944 posts)attack your enemy with lies, false information and innuendos - it plays to be their base, but not so much to the thinking folk around the country.
AsahinaKimi
(20,776 posts)form of Politics.. don't stop!! Hugs!
[font color="blue" size="8" face="face"]GANBATTE NE!![/font]
[font color="red" size="4 face="face"]"do your best!"[/font]
Stooge
(6 posts)Church and state??
raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)With Conservative Christians it seems like they are always on the wrong side of issues. At least, as far as the New Testament goes.
I really think they only like the Old Testament. I mean, if your calling yourself a Christian I assume that means you follow Christ. Who plain as day released his followers from the old laws. They don't have to stone people who wear two types of fabric anymore.
The very thought of them not being able to judge people must be so out of their element they just block it out if they happen to accidentally read it. If doing for the least is doing for Christ. I wonder just who they think they are doing it for when they fight helping the poorest at every opportunity?
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)Christians ignore the hateful Jesus. However, there is no historical record of Jesus existing, so it doesn't matter.
Jesus strongly approves of the law and the prophets. He hasn't the slightest objection to the cruelties of the Old Testament.
Matthew 5:17
.Jesus condemns the whole world, saying "Woe unto the world because of offenses." Matthew 18: 7
.Jesus criticizes the Jews for not killing their disobedient children as required by Old Testament law. (See Ex.21:15, Lev.20: 9, Dt.21:18-21) Mark 7: 9-10
Wounded Bear
(58,717 posts)You know, that "no religious test" clause in Article Six.
Much like their biblical knowledge, their constitutional knowledge is highly suspect, at best.
ElboRuum
(4,717 posts)I find myself wondering why the "is this the sort of thing Jesus would be for, Mr./Ms. Christian?" isn't more effective a tool in getting Teabagger types to see just how far separated their values and actions are from their purported religious principles.
As an atheist (in the interest of full disclosure), I've always believed that God did NOT create man in his own image. Rather, Man creates god(s) in his Own image.
It is the only rational explanation for this disparity. On some level people the Teabaggers must think their Creator is just like them. If you think Darwinism is a hoax perpetrated by pointy-headed intellectual elites, well, Jesus must as well. If you think that certain people deserve some punishment for offending your sensibilities, well, Jesus does too. If you are intolerant, so Jesus must be.
There have been and probably always will be people who pervert their quasireligious narcissism into political capital with people of similar mindset. The only thing we can (and must) do is prevent them from achieving position to wield authority and influence over the rest of us.
I hope you trounce this knucklehead in the election.
mwooldri
(10,303 posts)This is a clip from the BBC TV programme called "Songs of Praise" - a religious program (Christian). This was when St. Martin-in-the-fields was featured in a show back in 2011. Yes, it is an Anglican church (Church of England) and is listed as a "Welcoming and Open Congregation" per changingattitude.org.uk
This is a demonstration of Christian values in progress... has been that way for many years and will be this way (God permitting) for a long time to come.
I don't know you Mr. Grayson, but from what I read about you, you demonstrate the values that the hymn in the 2nd half of the clip. I'm trying to think of a Bible verse that fits this situation and you: closest I get is Mark 9:38-41. You may not be "one of us" but you are certainly "driving out demons", I think in the name of God - but that doesn't really matter whose name you're doing it in.
Here below is the clip Mr. Long should watch. Is he adhering to Christian principles? I'm not a judge and I shouldn't.
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)TomClash
(11,344 posts)And would like to remind everyone that he was a rabbi who was well versed in the Torah and Talmud.
Compared to most people Alan Grayson is "on the Road to Damascus."
Douglas Carpenter
(20,226 posts)Odin2005
(53,521 posts)This Atheist is more Christian than these assholes.
ProfessionalLeftist
(4,982 posts)don't recognize real ones who actually walk the walk their alleged Jesus said to.
Tells me all I need to know. You're a wise, spirited, and decent man, Mr. Grayson and yes we need you back in Congress and more like you, too!