If you remember a previous post of mine, “A Boatload of Nonsense,” you’ll know that I’m not a huge fan of the movie, Evan Almighty. Back in 2007, Girl talked me into seeing it with her and, today, believe it or not, I gave in again. This time the movie was on television. A cool, rainy day; pillows and blankets aplenty; popcorn and drinks. How could I resist?
This time, the part of the movie that struck me most was when Evan, standing before Congress, confesses that it was “God” who told him to build an ark in preparation for a great flood… to which the leading congressman responds,
God? You talk to God?… And God is talking back?… Obviously, the stresses of this office have proven too much for you… Please have the congressman removed.
[sigh]
Wouldn’t that be a sight to see in real life: political points deducted – not added – when candidates talk about their private exchanges with God. In the latest GOP presidential debate (the “Thanksgiving Family Forum”), for instance, the Christian contenders even left their dog whistles at home. They didn’t need whistles; the candidates were astonishly candid about their intentions should they be elected. And, since the debate was not televised nor viewed online by many, I’m wondering if those who might have been critical of what was said may be unaware that there was even a debate this weekend.
Related past posts: “Cain: The Reluctant Leader“; “You can’t bridge a wall that doesn’t exist“
One little match and that whole place would have gone up in flames for all the strawmen bandied about. And the illogic and lies….the whole “those of faith and those of non-faith” and the mere 15% of this country that is non-faith, if we’re being very generous, runs the whole show?? Bullshit. The “my focus groups show that people of faith are happy”…um, Sweden? Norway? This was nothing but a giant evangelical circle jerk.
Of course, the only way for evangelicals to “take back” the show is to “change the storytelling in America” (Santorum, literally and metaphorically).
Did this debate get any media coverage whatsoever? Maybe I’ve been looking in the wrong places, but I am frustrated by what looks to me to be a lack of public interest in the radical beliefs of these candidates.
Michelle,
I’m so glad that you mentioned Frank Luntz because I know very little about him. Wikipedia says that, aside from being a FOX News contributor, Luntz runs his company, Luntz Global, LLC, which “specializes in message creation and image management for commercial and political clients.” The write-up at wikipedia is a little disturbing actually, especially the part under “Use of Language.” How horrifying that he’s hosting an event from which voters are getting their information about candidates and issues.
I also found this: Happy worshippers, unhappy believers which traces happiness not to supernatural intervention, but predictable social factors.
I first saw Luntz here: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/400559/october-24-2011/colbert-super-pac—-corporations-are-people—-frank-luntz
He oozed slime then and now.
I must have missed that Colbert episode. Wow. Another shameless sleezeball with lobbyist ties and motives, now heavily influencing the 2012 election. Just what we need.
Frank Luntz on SourceWatch