Not integrally Christian or helpful, says Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry:
What do I do with this thing?[photo by Brendan Smialowski, AFP, Washington, DC, 2020.06.01]This evening, the President of the United States stood in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, lifted up a bible, and had pictures of himself taken. In so doing, he used a church building and the Holy Bible for partisan political purposes. This was done in a time of deep hurt and pain in our country, and his action did nothing to help us or to heal us.
The bible teaches us that “God is love.” Jesus of Nazareth taught, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The prophet Micah taught that the Lord requires us to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.”
The bible the President held up and the church that he stood in front of represent the values of love, of justice, of compassion, and of a way to heal our hurts.
We need our President, and all who hold office, to be moral leaders who help us to be a people and nation living these values. For the sake of George Floyd, for all who have wrongly suffered, and for the sake of us all, we need leaders to help us to be “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all” [Bishop Michael Curry, statement, Episcopal News Service, 2020.06.01].
Outrage, says Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C.:
“Let me be clear: The President just used a Bible, the most sacred text of the Judeo-Christian tradition, and one of the churches of my diocese, without permission, as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus,” she said.
…”I am outraged. The President did not pray when he came to St. John’s, nor as you just articulated, did he acknowledge the agony of our country right now,” Budde told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on “AC360.”
“And in particular, that of the people of color in our nation, who wonder if anyone ever — anyone in public power will ever acknowledge their sacred words. And who are rightfully demanding an end to 400 years of systemic racism and white supremacy in our country. And I just want the world to know, that we in the diocese of Washington, following Jesus and his way of love … we distance ourselves from the incendiary language of this President. We follow someone who lived a life of nonviolence and sacrificial love.”
The Trump Administration now literally invokes the last tropes of the Republican Party: wave guns and the Bible to make people overlook their complete lack of leadership, morals, and practical problem-solving capability.
Great photo op. I’m surprised Thune missed it. That is HIS forte.
Debbo
2020-06-02 14:31
Bishop Marion Edgar Budde is equally sickened.
National Memo is.gd/vIzWAf
Former Wisconsin governor Snot Wanker thought it showed “courage” for Cadet Bone Spurs to exit his bunker after cops had gassed peaceful protesters, never asked the church for permission, and cleared out everyone for #BunkerBoy’s little walk, photo op and return to the bunker.
Satanic Sinner has desecrated another church’s space, this time Roman Catholic. He dragged Melancholy inside with him and they knelt at the altar. Oh yeah. No doubt he was contritely praying. 🤢🤢
is.gd/oFEz33
jerry
2020-06-02 21:07
Debbo, dude and his moll, went in to steal the collections. trump had heard that the Catholics had been doing pretty good recently at the plate, so here he was, hoping the Mrs would distract enough so he could get his grubby little hands on a few more farthings.
jerry
2020-06-02 21:15
Paul Kurgman has a super good article up on the New York Times, regrettably, it’s pay walled, but here is a taste.
By Paul Krugman
These are times of grief for those of us who love America and its promise; I know people who have been spontaneously breaking into tears, and the rest of us are walking around in a kind of stupor.
Every day, it seems, brings another indicator of our decline: the can-do nation has become a land that can’t deal with a pandemic, the leader of the free world has become a destroyer of international institutions, the birthplace of modern democracy is ruled by would-be authoritarians. How can everything be going so wrong, so fast?
Well, we know the answer. As Joe Biden put it, “the original sin of slavery stains our country today.””
Clear to see that the reason we don’t have healthcare and the reason we don’t have an educational system that is even close to bringing our young folks into the world of advancement is racism.
grudznick
2020-06-02 21:35
grudznick has declared Mr. Biden the winner over that insaner Bernie fellow in South Dakota.
jerry
2020-06-02 21:55
James Miller’s letter to Esper. Where are the letters and actions from our two senators? No letters mean they not only support the killing of the Constitution, they condone it’s death. Washington Post, public letter
June 2, 2020
Hon. Mark T. Esper
Secretary of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C., 20301
Dear Secretary Esper,
I resign from the Defense Science Board, effective immediately.
When I joined the Board in early 2014, after leaving government service as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, I again swore an oath of office, one familiar to you, that includes the commitment to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States . . . and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
You recited that same oath on July 23, 2019, when you were sworn in as Secretary of Defense. On Monday, June 1, 2020, I believe that you violated that oath. Law-abiding protesters just outside the White House were dispersed using tear gas and rubber bullets — not for the sake of safety, but to clear a path for a presidential photo op. You then accompanied President Trump in walking from the White House to St. John’s Episcopal Church for that photo.
President Trump’s actions Monday night violated his oath to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed,” as well as the First Amendment “right of the people peaceably to assemble.” You may not have been able to stop President Trump from directing this appalling use of force, but you could have chosen to oppose it. Instead, you visibly supported it.
Anyone who takes the oath of office must decide where he or she will draw the line: What are the things that they will refuse to do? Secretary Esper, you have served honorably for many years, in active and reserve military duty, as Secretary of the Army, and now as Secretary of Defense. You must have thought long and hard about where that line should be drawn. I must now ask: If last night’s blatant violations do not cross the line for you, what will?
Unfortunately, it appears there may be few if any lines that President Trump is not willing to cross, so you will probably be faced with this terrible question again in the coming days. You may be asked to take, or to direct the men and women serving in the U.S. military to take, actions that further undermine the Constitution and harm Americans.
As a concerned citizen, and as a former senior defense official who cares deeply about the military, I urge you to consider closely both your future actions and your future words. For example, some could interpret literally your suggestion to the nation’s governors Monday that they need to “dominate the battlespace.” I cannot believe that you see the United States as a “battlespace,” or that you believe our citizens must be “dominated.” Such language sends an extremely dangerous signal.
You have made life-and-death decisions in combat overseas; soon you may be asked to make life-and-death decisions about using the military on American streets and against Americans. Where will you draw the line, and when will you draw it?
I hope this letter of resignation will encourage you to again contemplate the obligations you undertook in your oath of office, as well as your obligations to the men and women in our military and other Americans whose lives may be at stake. In the event that at least some other senior officials may be inclined to ask these questions after reading this letter, I am making it public.
I wish you the best, in very difficult times. The sanctity of the U.S. Constitution, and the lives of Americans, may depend on your choices.
Sincerely,
James N. Miller
James N. Miller served as under secretary of defense for policy from 2012 to 2014. He provided The Post with a copy of his resignation letter, which he submitted to Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper on Tuesday evening.
Debbo
2020-06-02 23:54
Great comments Jerry. Thanks.
As to Paul Krugman’s description of Americans in this wilderness, I have burst into tears in addition to feeling on the verge of tears for long stretches of time.
James N. Miller’s letter shows leadership, loyalty, ethics and courage. I don’t think anyone in the current deministration has any of those qualities.
Debbo
2020-06-03 00:19
There’s a photo of Melancholy kneeling in the Roman Catholic church next to Idiot Infidel. I wonder how many times per day she thinks, “I am not getting paid nearly enough for this.”
Notice how nobody, not even his most rabid followers, ever talk about his “loving marriage?” Everyone knows it’s a farce. How bizarre is that?
In addition to everything else that is slimy and repugnant about him, he has no genuine relationships. Zero friendships. He has sycophants, enemies and children who are similarly emotionally stunted. There’s still hope for Barron. Technically there’s still hope for all the children because hope always exists. Technically. 🙄
Debbo
2020-06-03 00:37
This is how tough #BunkerBoy is. He wanted states neighboring DC to send some of their National Guard troops to protect him. They all said No. 🤣🤣🤣
AG disBarr would have commanded any troops. Can you imagine?!? He and #BunkerBoy would have turned DC into a war zone and felt very macho.
is.gd/5TSzWn
Debbo
2020-06-03 01:20
GWB has written a public letter and #BunkerBoy has his undies in a wad. GWB actually did quite well. Here’s a bit of it:
“Many doubt the justice of our country, and with good reason. Black people see the repeated violation of their rights without an urgent and adequate response from American institutions. We know that lasting justice will only come by peaceful means. Looting is not liberation, and destruction is not progress. But we also know that lasting peace in our communities requires truly equal justice. The rule of law ultimately depends on the fairness and legitimacy of the legal system. And achieving justice for all is the duty of all.”
is.gd/OlUGzM
scott
2020-06-03 15:22
Amen !
mike from iowa
2020-06-04 16:49
George Will draws and quarters, eviscerates, guts, plucks and spanks drumpf and all wingnuts in congress in editorial.
Good photo-op:
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9rB25Y_GJYs/XtY7WFGu-7I/AAAAAAAAKhU/02Z2C9juGE40Ea0jtgnStPVOfwQDdRmYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Trump%2Bat%2Bchurch.jpg
Great photo op. I’m surprised Thune missed it. That is HIS forte.
Bishop Marion Edgar Budde is equally sickened.
National Memo is.gd/vIzWAf
Former Wisconsin governor Snot Wanker thought it showed “courage” for Cadet Bone Spurs to exit his bunker after cops had gassed peaceful protesters, never asked the church for permission, and cleared out everyone for #BunkerBoy’s little walk, photo op and return to the bunker.
Yet another photo-op from the two corinthians (or something)
https://mockpaperscissors.com/2020/06/02/from-the-book-of-trump-chapter-verse/
Good find, Bucko. So true.
Satanic Sinner has desecrated another church’s space, this time Roman Catholic. He dragged Melancholy inside with him and they knelt at the altar. Oh yeah. No doubt he was contritely praying. 🤢🤢
is.gd/oFEz33
Debbo, dude and his moll, went in to steal the collections. trump had heard that the Catholics had been doing pretty good recently at the plate, so here he was, hoping the Mrs would distract enough so he could get his grubby little hands on a few more farthings.
Paul Kurgman has a super good article up on the New York Times, regrettably, it’s pay walled, but here is a taste.
By Paul Krugman
These are times of grief for those of us who love America and its promise; I know people who have been spontaneously breaking into tears, and the rest of us are walking around in a kind of stupor.
Every day, it seems, brings another indicator of our decline: the can-do nation has become a land that can’t deal with a pandemic, the leader of the free world has become a destroyer of international institutions, the birthplace of modern democracy is ruled by would-be authoritarians. How can everything be going so wrong, so fast?
Well, we know the answer. As Joe Biden put it, “the original sin of slavery stains our country today.””
Clear to see that the reason we don’t have healthcare and the reason we don’t have an educational system that is even close to bringing our young folks into the world of advancement is racism.
grudznick has declared Mr. Biden the winner over that insaner Bernie fellow in South Dakota.
James Miller’s letter to Esper. Where are the letters and actions from our two senators? No letters mean they not only support the killing of the Constitution, they condone it’s death. Washington Post, public letter
June 2, 2020
Hon. Mark T. Esper
Secretary of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C., 20301
Dear Secretary Esper,
I resign from the Defense Science Board, effective immediately.
When I joined the Board in early 2014, after leaving government service as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, I again swore an oath of office, one familiar to you, that includes the commitment to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States . . . and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
You recited that same oath on July 23, 2019, when you were sworn in as Secretary of Defense. On Monday, June 1, 2020, I believe that you violated that oath. Law-abiding protesters just outside the White House were dispersed using tear gas and rubber bullets — not for the sake of safety, but to clear a path for a presidential photo op. You then accompanied President Trump in walking from the White House to St. John’s Episcopal Church for that photo.
President Trump’s actions Monday night violated his oath to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed,” as well as the First Amendment “right of the people peaceably to assemble.” You may not have been able to stop President Trump from directing this appalling use of force, but you could have chosen to oppose it. Instead, you visibly supported it.
Anyone who takes the oath of office must decide where he or she will draw the line: What are the things that they will refuse to do? Secretary Esper, you have served honorably for many years, in active and reserve military duty, as Secretary of the Army, and now as Secretary of Defense. You must have thought long and hard about where that line should be drawn. I must now ask: If last night’s blatant violations do not cross the line for you, what will?
Unfortunately, it appears there may be few if any lines that President Trump is not willing to cross, so you will probably be faced with this terrible question again in the coming days. You may be asked to take, or to direct the men and women serving in the U.S. military to take, actions that further undermine the Constitution and harm Americans.
As a concerned citizen, and as a former senior defense official who cares deeply about the military, I urge you to consider closely both your future actions and your future words. For example, some could interpret literally your suggestion to the nation’s governors Monday that they need to “dominate the battlespace.” I cannot believe that you see the United States as a “battlespace,” or that you believe our citizens must be “dominated.” Such language sends an extremely dangerous signal.
You have made life-and-death decisions in combat overseas; soon you may be asked to make life-and-death decisions about using the military on American streets and against Americans. Where will you draw the line, and when will you draw it?
I hope this letter of resignation will encourage you to again contemplate the obligations you undertook in your oath of office, as well as your obligations to the men and women in our military and other Americans whose lives may be at stake. In the event that at least some other senior officials may be inclined to ask these questions after reading this letter, I am making it public.
I wish you the best, in very difficult times. The sanctity of the U.S. Constitution, and the lives of Americans, may depend on your choices.
Sincerely,
James N. Miller
James N. Miller served as under secretary of defense for policy from 2012 to 2014. He provided The Post with a copy of his resignation letter, which he submitted to Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper on Tuesday evening.
Great comments Jerry. Thanks.
As to Paul Krugman’s description of Americans in this wilderness, I have burst into tears in addition to feeling on the verge of tears for long stretches of time.
James N. Miller’s letter shows leadership, loyalty, ethics and courage. I don’t think anyone in the current deministration has any of those qualities.
There’s a photo of Melancholy kneeling in the Roman Catholic church next to Idiot Infidel. I wonder how many times per day she thinks, “I am not getting paid nearly enough for this.”
Notice how nobody, not even his most rabid followers, ever talk about his “loving marriage?” Everyone knows it’s a farce. How bizarre is that?
In addition to everything else that is slimy and repugnant about him, he has no genuine relationships. Zero friendships. He has sycophants, enemies and children who are similarly emotionally stunted. There’s still hope for Barron. Technically there’s still hope for all the children because hope always exists. Technically. 🙄
This is how tough #BunkerBoy is. He wanted states neighboring DC to send some of their National Guard troops to protect him. They all said No. 🤣🤣🤣
AG disBarr would have commanded any troops. Can you imagine?!? He and #BunkerBoy would have turned DC into a war zone and felt very macho.
is.gd/5TSzWn
GWB has written a public letter and #BunkerBoy has his undies in a wad. GWB actually did quite well. Here’s a bit of it:
“Many doubt the justice of our country, and with good reason. Black people see the repeated violation of their rights without an urgent and adequate response from American institutions. We know that lasting justice will only come by peaceful means. Looting is not liberation, and destruction is not progress. But we also know that lasting peace in our communities requires truly equal justice. The rule of law ultimately depends on the fairness and legitimacy of the legal system. And achieving justice for all is the duty of all.”
is.gd/OlUGzM
Amen !
George Will draws and quarters, eviscerates, guts, plucks and spanks drumpf and all wingnuts in congress in editorial.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/politics/george-will-donald-trump/index.html
First time I have ever found something Will wrote that I can understand and agree with.
Wonders never cease!