When Atheists Attack

Thank you Mr. Harris for a wonderfully written, and thoughtfully reasoned article on why we must not ignore one of this country's most important founding principles: the separation of church and state.

Counterintuitively, half this country insists on picking the dumbest person in the room to lead them out of a burning building.

They've done it twice in the last eight years, and look where that's gotten them. And us.

The long view of history describes an arc towards enlightened progressivism.
Here's hoping that we're in a small, and temporary trough.

I agree with Floridave on one issue- the abortion topic is just fluff to take our minds off the real issues at hand. But, seriously, you right-wing conservative pro-lifers need to wake up and smarten up. Pro-life means PRO-LIFE- yet, most of you support the death penalty? And just because a person is Pro-Choice, it does not, by any intention, stand for PRO-DEATH, or PRO-ABORTION. Stick to the real topics at hand! This woman is ignorant. She knows nothing but small town politics, forgetting that this country was founded by big cities, i.e. New York, Boston, Philadelphia. This raging religious fanatic believes in the Rapture! And she will have the nuclear codes!!! She's was the mayor of town that had 1 million people less than the neighborhood of Philadelphia where I reside. In my opinion, and I'm not speaking for anyone else, but it is something some should really consider- Palin's hard-core religious beliefs are comparable to those of the people we are at war with. The Iraqis have such strong religious beliefs, they dislike anyone who believes differently than they do. The same holds true for Pentecostals, Born-Agains, Evangelicals, etc. I know this for fact because I have a family member who became "Born-Again", and dislikes anyone who believes anything different. But, all in all, take away religion. She just is NOT qualified to run this country. She needs to go back and shake up the towns folk by trying to fire another Librarian for not banning books that she has issues with. Hey, Pro-Life Palin, go shoot some more Elk. They're not endangered yet, only "protected". But they'll be endangered soon, as it is probably "God's way. Intelligent design? I think not. The Bible is a nice story. So is Harry Potter.

How can you call yourself a Christian and your soul be void of a social concience? Income redistribution??? What do you call the bail out on Wall street from the pockets of the American public? The only freedom this country has been diminished to is the freedom of CEOs to leave with million dollar bonuses without responsiblity for the failures of their companies. Is it all right with you to distribute money to failed companies and thier CEOs, but not to Americans who are suffering because of job losses caused by companies moving offshore????????? You are in denial. I want an intelligent president, not a reactionary. Someone who iwwill be proactive. Sarah Palin sounds like a high school debater who is ill prepared. Foreign Policy? She doesnt even have a Passport.

As an atheist, I shudder at the thought of Sarah Palin's religiosity. However, as a Libertarian, I quake in abject fear at the thought of the socialist regime that Obama will inflict on the nation if he's elected. Given those two choices, I can ignore Palin's religion. But it will be impossible to ignore the socialist government that Obama will visit upon me with his income redistribution schemes; more government intrusion that wreaks havoc on basic freedoms; and wasteful spending of my (tax) money for government programs that will never work. I can't defend Palin. But I can tolerate her intellectual short-comings as it were more readily than I could tolerate or withstand Harvard Obama's flagrant abuse of my freedoms, which is what you can count on if he's elected. Wake up!

As an atheist, I shudder at the thought of Sarah Palin's religiosity. However, as a Libertarian, I quake in abject fear at the thought of the socialist regime that Obama will inflict on the nation if he's elected. Given those two choices, I can ignore Palin's religion. But it will be impossible to ignore the socialist government that Obama will visit upon me with his income redistribution schemes; more government intrusion that wreaks havoc on basic freedoms; and wasteful spending of my (tax) money for government programs that will never work. I can't defend Palin. But I can tolerate her intellectual short-comings as it were more readily than I could tolerate or withstand Harvard Obama's flagrant abuse of my freedoms, which is what you can count on if he's elected. Wake up!

As an atheist, I shudder at the thought of Sarah Palin's religiosity. However, as a Libertarian, I quake in abject fear at the thought of the socialist regime that Obama will inflict on the nation if he's elected. Given those two choices, I can ignore Palin's religion. But it will be impossible to ignore the socialist government that Obama will visit upon me with his income redistribution schemes; more government intrusion that wreaks havoc on basic freedoms; and wasteful spending of my (tax) money for government programs that will never work. I can't defend Palin. But I can tolerate her intellectual short-comings as it were more readily than I could tolerate or withstand Harvard Obama's flagrant abuse of my freedoms, which is what you can count on if he's elected. Wake up!

As an atheist, I shudder at the thought of Sarah Palin's religiosity. However, as a Libertarian, I quake in abject fear at the thought of the socialist regime that Obama will inflict on the nation if he's elected. Given those two choices, I can ignore Palin's religion. But it will be impossible to ignore the socialist government that Obama will visit upon me with his income redistribution schemes; more government intrusion that wreaks havoc on basic freedoms; and wasteful spending of my (tax) money for government programs that will never work. I can't defend Palin. But I can tolerate her intellectual short-comings as it were more readily than I could tolerate or withstand Harvard Obama's flagrant abuse of my freedoms, which is what you can count on if he's elected. Wake up!

This is a test

As an atheist, I shudder at the thought of Sarah Palin's religiosity. However, as a Libertarian, I quake in abject fear at the thought of the socialist regime that Obama will inflict on the nation if he's elected. Given those two choices, I can ignore Palin's religion. But it will be impossible to ignore the socialist government that Obama will visit upon me with his income redistribution schemes; more government intrusion that wreaks havoc on basic freedoms; and wasteful spending of my (tax) money for government programs that will never work. I can't defend Palin. But I can tolerate her intellectual short-comings as it were more readily than I could tolerate or withstand Harvard Obama's flagrant abuse of my freedoms, which is what you can count on if he's elected. Wake up!

I???m not going to argue that Sarah Palin is qualified, she isn???t. However, Sam???s problem is not with Sarah, he has a problem with politicians who are not ???smart enough??? and worse those who believe in God.

I suspect he feels that Barack is really too smart and educated to put too much stock in God, that like most politicians his belief in God is politically motivated and is not a guiding force in his life, certainly not his political life.

If we look to industry where merit generally counts, especially competitive industry, the brightest don???t always or usually lead or manage the business. Leaders and our best managers show intelligence, education, judgment, character, communication skills and team skills, which when integrated well end up in effective leaders and managers. We bring out the really bright guys when we need them for their esoterica and put them back under the rock when we have exsanguinated out of them what we need.

Good leaders know enough and hire the right people where they are deficient, skills that some of our best (Ronald Reagan) and maybe not the brightest presidents used to effectively lead the country. Those who attempted to be experts in every area, e.g. Jimmy Carter, were ineffective leaders and presidens.

It???s not that he???s an elitist, he feels superior because he???s smarter and more educated than the rest of us. People like Sam are jealous of those who believe in God ??? ???they should believe in me, the modern god.???

Finally, being really smart and educated is not enough, just as being common and inexperienced is not enough. Would I rather have Sam or Sarah as my VP? Neither, but if I had to chose, she???s better looking and he???s rather obnoxious.

Parker's comments follow those by prominent conservatives David Brooks, George Will, and David Frum who have all publicly questioned Palin's readiness to be vice president.

???If BS were currency, Palin could bail out Wall Street herself," Parker also writes. "If Palin were a man, we???d all be guffawing, just as we do every time Joe Biden tickles the back of his throat with his toes. But because she???s a woman ??? and the first ever on a Republican presidential ticket ??? we are reluctant to say what is painfully true."

Mr Harris, nice article, thank-you for having the courage to present it and to weather the storm. The continuing decline of American society to the lowest common denominator is scary. The belief that we are all equal beyond basic human rights has drastic consequences when applied to positions of such power and responsibility. Everyone has unique skills, education, experience, personality, etc which make us qualified for specific roles -- we are not equal in our abilities. I shy away from the term elitism due to the negative connotations, but the point is the same, Palin is not a suitable candidate based on merit alone. I'm not sure Obama is either. There is little doubt, as compared to their running mates, these two are questionable choices at best.

I also share your concern about fundamentalist religious movements attempts to "enforce" their dogmas through government office. Fundamentalist dogma allows no room for religious tolerance. Although this nation was founded mainly by self professed Christians, and a majority of it's current citizens would identify themselves as such, the overriding principal of religious tolerance and separation of government rule from religious law is and must remain pervasive. America is not a Christian nation, but rather a nation which protects the individual freedom of all Americans to pursue whatever religious practice they desire to the extent that it does not infringe the rights of others. Government must not be used as a tool through which a religious organization can enact laws pursuant to their dogma, majority or not.

Prominent conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, an early supporter of Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin, said Friday recent interviews have shown the Alaska governor is "out of her league" and should leave the GOP presidential ticket for the good of the party.

Bottom line, Palin is an airhead. You can make any number of excuses for her. Regardless, after seeing the Couric interview, can you look into someone's eye and say I think Palin would be an excellent president if heaven forbid something happened to McCain, regardless if you are a Dem, Repub, or Independent?

This article is not a sexist attack. This person is clearly attacking her qualifications and the fact that she Governs as a Christian (a freaky one at that) - instead of as a politician that happens to be Christian. Palin is obviously not qualified. End of discussion.

There is no way on EARTH that Obama's church is more controversial than Palin's - maybe only to those who share Palin's odd beliefs. As a staunch feminist - I must completely disagree with the comment that this article is a sexist attack on Palin. Palin is very anti-women in her policy - and feminists from Gloria Steinem to Judith Butler are very much against Palin. The other candidates may be Christian - but Obama and his ticket do not govern as Christians - they Govern as politicians that happen to be Christain. There is a HUGE difference - and that's the point of this article. Palin is not ready for the position she has been chosen. Period. End of discussion