Briefly, the Washington state Democratic party
was selling this magnetic Christian fish symbol on its
site, along with the ribbons that you
can still see there.
Somehow I don't think this particular fish was intended to honor Christians, given the "hypocrite" message and what I suppose are hellish flames.
This saddens but does not surprise me. Three years I wrote about the dislike many of the delegates to the 1992 Democratic convention felt toward those on the fundamentalists.
The secularists, especially in the [Democratic] leadership, have a hostility toward fundamentalists that comes close to bigotry, and may sometimes cross that line. Delegates to the 1992 Democratic convention gave fundamentalists an average score of 11 on a 0 to 100 warmth scale. (By contrast, conservatives got a 34 from the same delegates.) This was the coldest view toward any group by the delegates at either convention. More than half of the Democratic delegates gave Christian fundamentalists a 0 score, rating them, in effect, with Hitler and Stalin. (Well, perhaps not with Stalin. It is not a big secret that there are still people in the Democratic party with some warmth toward socialist experiments.) What makes these low ratings even more striking is that they come from political people, who one would think would be inclined to like, or pretend to like, every potential voter.
This intense dislike by many in the Democratic party for fundamentalists (or evangelicals, or the religious right) has helped the Republican party in some elections. But I think, as I said in this post where I compared the Democrats to the French Radical Socialists, that it has been bad for the nation. I hope that the state Democrats apologize for this. And I think they should show they are serious about the apology by firing the person responsible.
Cross posted at Jim Miller on Politics.
(Thanks to local blogger "DunnerMeister" for spotting this fish, and to World Net Daily for publicizing it. Like DunnerMeister, I wonder whether this story will get picked up by the local TV stations or the Seattle newspapers.
The fish isn't the only nasty thing for sale at the Democratic site, as you can see here. The state Republican site is more positive and less commercial.)
More: If you want more data on these questions, see this article by Bolce and De Maio.
Posted by Jim Miller at December 11, 2005 02:00 PM | Email ThisHa Ha Ha Ha Ho Ho Ho
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays. Celebrate the Diversity, not the elimination of!
Posted by: GS on December 11, 2005 02:09 PMAnti-Christianity is right up there with being anti-war, pro-gay, pro-abortion, anti-Bush, anti-military, anti- anything the libs don't like for the Democrats. Posted by: MES on December 11, 2005 02:24 PM
Recently John Carlson on his afternoon show commented about the Mainstream Republicans that the group was created to 'oppose the Religious Right'. In my assessment, there is little difference between these so-called Republicans and the Dems on this issue. And considering the fact that these so-called Republicans won't even own up to the fact that they feel the same way about 'fundamentalists' (Religious Right, Evangelicals, etc.) I would say that makes them even more insidious. While on one hand they oppose the group, on the other hand they try to trick these same people into voting with them. I don't consider that good politics, I consider it fiendish and vile.
It's also interesting to note that in the same breath John said that he usually agreed with them. As a long-time listener I have no doubt that he meant that he agrees with them in their fundamental philosophy: oppose the Religious Right.
Posted by: JB on December 11, 2005 02:28 PMI'm more interested in the fact that you apparently can see no difference between saying "I oppose your political agenda" and "You can burn in Hell."
Posted by: Kirk Parker on December 11, 2005 02:39 PMUh--not like this, they won't!
Posted by: Misty on December 11, 2005 02:49 PMthe next time you want diversity funding, "cultural" speakers (like the lady promoting 'post traumatic slavery syndrome' or whatever at your community college?)--or those school bonds to continue the same messages in K-12?
"GO FISH" as the kid's card game holds...tick enough people off and you get squat! It's not about funding--it's about insulting the majority of taxpayers and their values...get a clue...
Posted by: Jimmie-howya-doin on December 11, 2005 03:21 PMIndeed. After challenging several lefties on another blog to cite examples of the "Theocracy" Bush is supposedly trying to impose, I have come to conclusion that "theocrat" is just the new scare-word for those who oppose unlimited abortion and same-sex marriage. Same as "racist" meaning someone who disagrees with a liberal.
Posted by: V the K on December 11, 2005 03:56 PMfirst you harp about the religious right and that's what the WHOLE republican party is.so when moderate conservatives like myself take the fanatics to task, here you are trying to back peddle and say that the religious far right..."wasn't really that much of a problem...really...after-all"
so which is it?
or, as a far left loonie are you just suffering from the usual political bi-polar disorder so typical of your party? Posted by: christmasghost on December 11, 2005 04:29 PM
Because conservatives tend to be more a more "churchgoing" group as a whole, because we are more pro life, more traditional, they who are none of these things need to make them into a vulgarity.
Those who are none of these things, through arrongance or fear or whatever, need to make us the extreme to feed their own prejudices and especially their own insecurities.
I say we should pray for them! ;)
Posted by: Cheryl on December 11, 2005 05:10 PM
I can see plenty of difference. But do I need to spell out every detail of a comment so people like you don't read into it? It seems to be a problem in these comments. And just so you don't miss my point, I'll explain it. People here often reinterpret the comments of others and then argue against something that wasn't actually said.
And on the point of 'I oppose your political agenda', you're implying that those I referred to are upstanding and honorable in all that they do, which is hardly the case. They're backhanded, ham-handed double-talkers.
Posted by: JB on December 11, 2005 06:21 PMCheck with any of the several internet cache sites... it's still there
Posted by: Right Wing Wacko on December 11, 2005 06:45 PMHow do you pi$$ of the vast majority of Washington citizens on Paul Berendt’s bon voyage???!!!
You gotta love these CLOWNS!!
Oh wait……..I forgot.
OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWCH. OMYGOD!!!!!!! I AM SO OFFENDED!!!
THIS IS LIKE HITLER!!! I DEMAND AN APOLOGY!!!!!
Man, it’s impossible for me to get all scrunched up and offended like the CLOWNS on HorsesA$$….no matter how hard I try!
Who is running the insane asylum??? Howard Dean?
Just when you start to be a little concerned that the CLOWNS might gain a foothold, THEY SHOOT OFF THEIR F***ING FOOT!!!!
David CLOWNstein claims to be a Holocaust Victim....from PHILLY!!!!!—
How does CLOWNstein feel about the Washington State Democratic Party selling something as hateful and intolerant as this????
Keep up the bad work CLOWNS! In one swift move, you've ticked off virtually all Undecided Voters and about 1/2 of your own Party!! The only folks happy about the Christian-hating are the New Age Progressives and the hardcore "I hate EVERYTHING" Atheists. Posted by: Mr. Cynical on December 11, 2005 07:11 PM
Yes, very bad form... and incredibly stupid. The problem is is that you have no way of knowing, if it really were aimed merely at Christians in name only. If I saw it while driving down the road, I would take it as what it probably is, at slap at all Christians on any stripe. This is further proof that the Democratics are incrisingly being controlled by the MoveOn.org wing of the party and have lost touch with reality.
Posted by: Mike H on December 11, 2005 08:01 PMThe Moveon.org wing of the Democrat party is more hated than they might realize - but they who preach lies and hatred should get it back in their face. Welcome to the culture war !
Posted by: KS on December 11, 2005 09:00 PMThanks, Patrick! I needed a good laugh, even though I suspect that wasn't your intent.
Have a nice day!
Posted by: TB on December 11, 2005 09:23 PMCall Ron and Dean and just ask them if they saw it there.
If not, it must not have been there...
Damn, some of these people must clean the ears with Q tips and insert them a bit too far....
Posted by: GS on December 11, 2005 09:50 PMTo me, these are just more signs of frustration on the left. Frustration is what we emit when we are cornered, on the decline and lacking in hope.
Posted by: Jeff B. on December 11, 2005 10:27 PMHard to imagine why those who say 9/11 was God's revenge on a nation that tolerates fags, abortion and feminism (as fundamentalist leaders Falwell and Robertson did) might incite a bit of ire from more tolerant folks?
You give disingenuousness a bad name.
Posted by: bartelby on December 11, 2005 10:41 PMIt is simply Anti-Christian hate symbolism which says to any Christian in this state. Do not vote for us, we the Democtatic party of the state of Washington hate and despise you for your religion.
Posted by: TomasM on December 12, 2005 12:27 AMPosted by: Mikey B on December 12, 2005 06:24 AM
Inquiring minds would like to know. Posted by: Dude on December 12, 2005 06:24 AM
Did you actually hear the discussion on the Dori Monson Show??? What did Berendt have to say?
It would be interesting to get a copy of that segment for sure.
It's kind of like Paul Berendt giving a big middle-finger to Christians everywhere on his way out the door!
Typical of these CLOWNS! This is precisely why their agenda will never succeed....the LEFTIST PINHEADS are arrogant and mean!!! And dumb. Posted by: Mr. Cynical on December 12, 2005 06:28 AM
If they are Christians first and Democrats second (just as I'm a Christian first and a conservative second), it should at least give them pause as to how they can associate with people that despise people of faith.
Posted by: DunnerMeister on December 12, 2005 07:28 AMAs usual, in your own "holier than thou" mode I see. You continue to spout Democrat propaganda at every turn. This was a direct attack by WA Democratic party leadership, not an individual's stated opinion, about christians.
For it required the WA Democratic Party's support to design, fund, order and distrubute this symbol. Which shows far more of the Democratic parties true opinions of christian's. Than any commentary on any radio show about them.
Of course I know, JB does not see it this way. After all, he is reality challenged on most issues.
Posted by: Mike P on December 12, 2005 08:18 AMShe was stupid, and stupid can't be fixed. May God have mercy on her/their souls. They clearly "know not what they're doing."
Posted by: Danny on December 12, 2005 08:36 AMLater, Dori Monson brought it up on his show that he had phoned Paul Berandt and asked about it. According to Dori, Paul said he didn't know about it and would look into it. Shortly after that, it was removed from the dem site and only available from cached pages.
Paul was never on the air that I heard.
I have since seen this news on several more sites, so it is making the rounds. Nothing like advertising.
Posted by: SouthernRoots on December 12, 2005 08:37 AMAin't it ironic?
Posted by: starboardhelm on December 12, 2005 08:40 AMHypocrite.
Posted by: ERNurse on December 12, 2005 08:56 AMPainting with a broad brush, am I? Nope. I'm pointing out actions that speak for themselves.
Posted by: ERNurse on December 12, 2005 09:05 AMThey hold conservatives to a much higher standard of behavior than they hold fellow liberals or themselves, then are scathing when conservatives fail to clear the high bar, but back and fill, cover-up and deflect when one of their own ducks under the low bar they've set for them.
Hypocrites.
Posted by: starboardhelm on December 12, 2005 09:22 AMDo you have me confused with someone else? That would be the only way that I could see anyone coming up with something as off-the-wall as this. If you're looking for 'Democrat propaganda' you can find it from the 'Mainstream Republicans' (a misnomer on both counts). They're Democrats in disguise. Wolves in sheeps clothing, if I can borrow an analogy.
So for the moment, I'll assume you're talking about someone else and not return the personal attack.
Posted by: JB on December 12, 2005 11:00 AMI am also a very conservative, well-informed voter. I consider individual candidates in each race before I vote and then support the most qualified candidate who also supports my views. Not surprisingly, I almost always vote for Republican candidates.
Living in West Seattle and driving up and down I-5 on my work commute to and from the Boeing Everett site, I see many bumper stickers that have the potential to get me a bit excited. Sometimes I allow them to offend me, but other times I just tell myself, "Grace and mercy", and then I ask God to help me to extend to others the grace and mercy that that he freely extends to me.
Yes, bumper stickers get me riled up sometimes, but then I remember that loving and accepting others, just as they are, is more important.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Posted by: Gary on December 12, 2005 11:02 AMLovely blood red Star of David available with the words Oppressor, Hater or Jude inside.
Lovely yellow ribbons with the phrases "Support Our Baby Killers," "Support Our Contract Killers" or "Support Our Jack Booted Thugs" inside.
More to come.
Posted by: Rickvid on December 12, 2005 03:15 PMIf the LEFTIST PINHEADED CLOWNS really didn't think this magnet was wrong, why did they take it off of their website???
Why not continue to sell it and defend themselves?
This magnet is available on a website called Northern Sun (see www.northernsun.com)
"Northern Sun Products for Progressives, Independents, Democrats ...T-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons, posters, mugs, flags emblems & more with political, funny, social, spiritual, environmental, etc designs & statements."
My guess is some CLOWN bought them here and the Dems thought is was so cute, they resold it on their website.
I looked at the State Democratic Party PDC and couldn't find any payments to this vendor in a quick look. Maybe it's there though....or they bought them thru someone else???
Posted by: Mr. Cynical on December 12, 2005 04:18 PM
If you are not how I think you are, than I am truly sorry. But your writing style and continual derision of Republicans, who nothing to do with this topic, remind me of someone I know all to well. Still like him, you failed to address the topic at hand.
This was an organized effort to denigrate "all" christians. This fish symbol required forethought and has malice directed behind it. In fact, if it had a swastika for an eye. The FBI would be investigating "it" as a "hate" crime. All from the party of tolerance. Like I said before, this was not a single persons opinion but a "sanctioned" opinion from the WA Democratic Party leadership.
Do not drag other people into the fray, who have nothing to do with the issue at hand.
Posted by: Mike P on December 13, 2005 12:58 PMhttp://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=47836
and...
It was featured on the Best of the Web (Opinion Journal) yesterday:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110007670
Not a bad start on nation-wide coverage. Too bad the local press is totally mum on it.
Posted by: DunnerMeister on December 13, 2005 04:17 PMI am now thinking how history repeats itself. remember Adolf Hitler in the 1920's and 30's and how their political party was against the Jewish Faith(I am Catholic)? Are we seeing the emergence of another such movement? Remember, History tends to repeat itself unless we learn and act on the past.
Posted by: Rob Matthews on December 13, 2005 06:35 PMI am now thinking how history repeats itself. remember Adolf Hitler in the 1920's and 30's and how their political party was against the Jewish Faith(I am Catholic)? Are we seeing the emergence of another such movement? Remember, History tends to repeat itself unless we learn and act on the past.
Posted by: Rob Matthews on December 13, 2005 06:35 PM