The Rev. Chuck Currie

The Hypocrisy Of Mark Sanford

Politico (via) CNN has this quote from Friend Of Mark Sanford Tom Davis:

People be will watching for his sincerity. I think there's an incredible capacity in the American people for forgiveness. What they will not forgive is hypocrisy. And, so, I think the next few days are going to be very critical for the governor.

I agree with that and really believe that what the governor showed today is that he is simply a broken human (like the rest us).  All of us are boken. Just in different ways.

But Stanford - as Politico notes in another story - has already shown his hypocrisy:

Mark Sanford, following a long procession of GOPers before him -- most recently John Ensign -- took a Draconian view of pols caught in in flagrante, when that pol wasn't them of course.

When it was revealed, back in '98, that incoming Speaker Bob Livingston (R-La.) had strayed big time, Sanford bucked many in his own party by suggesting Livingston get the boot.

He also wanted President Clinton to resign.

Davis is right:  Americans won't forgive hypocrisy.

Time For Portland And Mayor Sam Adams To Move On

The decision by the Oregon Attorney General not to prosecute Portland Mayor Sam Adams does not answer some of the questions at the heart of the scandal. 

 

All we know today that we didn’t know yesterday is that the mayor will not be charged with a crime in this affair.  Mayor Adams has resisted calls for his resignation (including my own) since this matter first came to light in January and will likely see this report from the OAG as a personal vindication.  He shouldn’t. 

 

“Not getting prosecuted” is a pretty low bar for a politicalian awash in scandal.  His actions that brought about this scandal and his actions in the aftermath have been indefensible.

 

The mayor isn’t going to resign.  As I’ve said, I oppose a recall election because of the divisive impact such an election would have on the city.  Clearly, this news from the OAG’s office takes the wind out of what was a doomed to fail recall effort from the start.  The recall effort should now fold.

 

It is time for Portland to move on.  Voters can impose their final verdict on this issue in 2012 if Mayor Adams seeks re-election.   

Pray For Sam Adams

As a citizen, I want Sam Adams to resign as the mayor of Portland (for all the reasons I’ve outlined in previous posts). But as a minister I’m reminded of the need for compassion as Mayor Adams’ political, personal and financial life implodes around him. The latest news, of course, is that the mayor has two properties – including his home – under foreclosure. Some opponents of the mayor seem to be taking glee in this. Instead, I want to offer my sympathy and prayers for the mayor. He brought this all on himself and he would be doing both himself and the city a favor by resigning his office and allowing Portland the chance to move on during a time of economic challenge for the community. But no one should take joy in his suffering. His actions that brought about this scandal and his actions in the aftermath have been indefensible. You might want him to resign or even support his recall (a step I oppose because of the divisive impact such an election would have on the city). We can want him out of office because of his actions but we should not forget the contributions he has made or forget that he is a human deserving of compassion even as we oppose him politically. So I pray for wisdom for the mayor in the face of adversity, the chance for reconciliation between him and the people of Portland, and that all of us opposed to Mayor Adams are reminded of our own brokenness so that our actions in civic life reflect humility and not hubris.

SC GOP Official: Zoo Gorilla “Ancestor” of Michelle Obama

Extremists on the right fueled by the likes of Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh have inspired death threats against the president and a new wave of hateful political rhetoric. Taking the prize this week for “Racist of the Week” is GOP activist Rusty DePass. WCBD reports:

A former chairman of the South Carolina Election Commission has apologized after his posting on Facebook suggested a gorilla that escaped from a Columbia zoo was an ancestor of first lady Michelle Obama.

Minutes after the gorilla’s escape was reported Friday, Rusty DePass posted: “I’m sure it’s just one of Michelle’s ancestors - probably harmless.“

The comment has since been deleted, but DePass confirmed to WIS-TV that he made it, apologizing and saying it was a joke about statements Obama has made about evolution.

The comment was no joke. It was one of the most hateful types of racist rhetoric. DePass was saying that Ms. Obama, an African-America, was sub-human. Comparing blacks to primates has always been a typical expression of hate.

All this hate talk on the right has already fueled the murder of a Kansas doctor in a church and the shooting at the Holocaust museum. When will these folks realize their rhetoric has consequences? Maybe they don’t care.

Where Does Obama Really Stand On Gay Rights?

I'm deeply concerned about news today that the Justice Dept. under President Obama went to court to defend DOMA and in their brief compared homosexuality to incest.

 

This is a complete betrayal of the values and ideals articulated by the president during the campaign.

 

The White House must immediately apologize and the Justice Department should immediately fire the attorney involved.  

 

The president cannot claim to be supportive of gay rights and continue a pattern that started in the campaign and that continues today of lifting up prominent anti-gay activists at public events - such as Rick Warren - and outright opposing civil rights for the gay and lesbian community, as the administration has done in court this week.

Hass, Deckert Put Wealthy Ahead Of Children, Poor (Updated)

$733 million in additional state budget cuts – impacting public safety, schools and critical human services – may be coming down the pipe after the Oregon Senate failed to pass legislation increasing taxes on the wealthiest Oregonians. A two-thirds vote was needed to pass the increase. Senator Mark Hass(D-Beaverton) joined Republicans in killing the proposal after being lobbied by the Oregon Business Association, headed by former state senator Ryan Deckert (D-Beaverton). In effect, Hass and Deckert put the interests of the wealthiest Oregonians ahead of those Jesus would have called the “least of these” in our state. If more budget cuts are forced by their actions the moral responsibility will rest with them. The tax increases were responsible and needed. One of the proposals, for example, would have forced companies like PGE and Qwest to pay more than the $10.00 now required under the state’s minimum tax law. The Oregonian has the story.

Update:  Hass changed his vote today and the increases have passed.  Some compromise was involved but the vote was a step in the right direction.  But I won't ever forget that Hass and Deckert played a political game of chicken with the future of children and programs for the poor at stake.     

Today We Lost Pat Williams

 

Photo: Pat Williams (in the blue and white shirt) talks with Mollie Copeland at an event in the Oregon State Capitol building in 2003.

Pat Williams died today.  She was a loving mother and grandmother.  To all of her friends she was a giving person who always wanted to help out and always brought a gift when she came over.  Pat worked with non-profits and the city before taking ill.  She was #1 on the list of people waiting for a kidney and liver transplant.  But that help didn't come in time.

We were on a plane today when she died and so I didn't get a chance to say a last good-bye.  The last time we talked was about a week before we left on our trip back to South Carolina.  She was in good spirits and hopeful that a transplant would occur soon.  Pat and our friend Eileen had made plans to visit my church this coming Sunday.  

Next week Pat's friends and family will gather and celebrate her life.  We'll share stories of Pat's adventures, her generous heart, and of the love that radiated from her.

In the meantime, I have a favor to ask.

Become an organ donor.  OrganDonor.gov reports:

Each day, about 77 people receive organ transplants. However, 19 people die each day waiting for transplants that can't take place because of the shortage of donated organs.

None of us ever knows what tomorrow will bring.  But we can do something to make sure that if our own life is cut short that others can still live.  Click here to learn more about becoming a donor. 

All of us that knew Pat Williams will miss her forever.    

Update:  Pat's memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 16th at 3pm at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ.  Read the obituary from The Oregonian here.