NPR Correspondent Finds Obama's Christianity 'Ironic'

Via MediaMatters comes the news that NPR's Mara Liasson can't quite come to grips with the idea of a "liberal" being "Christian." because everyone knows the story of how Jesus Christ stood and yelled at Lazarus, "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps, you dirty appeaser!" just before inviting the moneylenders to set up shop in the temple to fondle Congressional pages. Liasson, on the August 7th iteration of Morning Edition, segued to commentary from religious-right fixture Gary Bauer by saying, "The irony of a liberal Democrat showcasing his faith is not lost on Gary Bauer, a leading conservative religious activist."

Irony, of course, means "the use of words expressing something other than the literal intention." For example: the central tenet of Christianity is Christ's admonition that we shall be judged by what we do for the least among us, making it, wait for it... IRONIC!...for Christians to lobby heavily for massive tax-cuts for plutocrats. Thus, it's difficult to see what's ironic -- indeed, even "alanic"
-- about a "liberal Democrat showcasing [their] faith." I'm actually used to presidential candidates like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton showcasing their faith -- in fact, both did so at great length during CNN's "Compassion Forum."

But hey, if you really want to get into some religious irony, why not put Gary Bauer on the spot? Bauer is on the board of Christians United for Israel, a group that ostensibly "supports" Israel, because Israel's existence figures heavily in their crazy "end-times" scenarios. Supporting Israel so that it can be apocalyptically decimated? Now, that is the use of words expressing something other than their literal intention!

Comments

[kay]

I stopped listening and donating to NPR after the Iraq invasion.

Like the New York Times, NPR sold that war with zeal and enthusiasm.

Their breathless, thrilled coverage of the initial air attacks was cringe-worthy. Like they were covering a sporting event. They couldn't keep the glee out of their voices.

[kay]

Obama flummoxes the idiot pundit choir. They're outraged he doesn't accept their authority.

[sandman23]

This lady is crazy. But what do you expect from Faux

[cheshirecat831]

Mara has come a long way. I used to listen to her on KPFA a Pacifica station in Berkeley and now she is on Fox! What a hoot...as for NPR it is an incredible waste.

Talking Pez Heads
http://sfbaysailingpix.com/pez2008p1.htm

[westcoastsc]

I'm shocked she would out herself like that. The Liberal media? Please. I've heard enough. I'm so disgusted.

[elr50]

This is why I have stopped donating to NPR.

[BonnieJW]

No one donates to NPR anymore. They give a platform to anyone, no matter how outrageous they are.

[TommyMcCarthy]

You know,..... even when I part ways with Jason Linkins opinion-wise
I remain tickled pink with his hilarious and...... well......­..yes....I­RONIC humor. (That's some pretty ironic irony there)
And, of course.....Jason can do no wrong with me since the inception of the INVALUABLE Sunday Morning Roundup....
which simultaneously gives me a place to turn to when I'm jumping up and down and screaming at my tv ..." Did that sob actually just SAY that?".....
and ALSO lets me off the hook for my self-appointed duty to watch the Fox entry "Jest to keep an eye on the bastids"

While I didn't hear the Liasson bit I PERSONALLY have referred to the IRONY that I find in a cycle where Dobson, Bauer, and all the other charlatans of the right are no longer believed....even by conservatives who will then listen respectfully to declamations of faith from a BLACK, LIBERAL, DEMOCRAT!

The irony I refer to has to do with my absolute GLEE at the CHAGRIN thus engendered amongst the phony salvation peddlers of the right wing....who believed for so long that they owned not only God, but patriotism, Mom and apple pie too.

I'd venture that the likes of Bauer and Dobson cannot wake up fast enough from the nightmare of having thier political pockets picked so effortlessly by the likes of Sen. Obama!
Regards
tm

[Anonani]

No she didn't! It is apalling that this person might really try to connect those dots of political affiliation and religious choices. The very idea that there is such a thought in the mind of an educated person, but the ignorance that it took to say it out loud is astounding!

[kingshmoopy]

Just like Juan Williams, the other NPR correspondent who also works for FOX, her reporting has become infected. I heard this report and was appalled by it, I don't understand why NPR still employs either of them. Everytime Williams comes on, which seems to be less and less thank God, I turn on the mute button, and I'm doing that increasingly with Liasson .

A while back I heard Williams on the Diane Rhem show spouting off about Obama, rehashing FOX talking points about how he was never a professor, etc. He soon had his backside handed to him by several callers and, eventually, Ms. Rhem had to tell him to --essentially, because she is harda** but also diplomatic--shut it. I'm sure he has likely been on since but I usually catch her show and I haven't heard him on as a guest.

[SSF]

"Blessed are the Poor", "Blessed are the Meek", "Blessed are the Peacemakers" sound both Liberal and Christian to me, Ms. Liasson! "Christian' and "Right-Wing" are not joined at the hip, thank God!

[Whinger]

Well now, that's not very Christian of her, making a judgment an all.

What about the beam in her own eye distorting her vision?

[JulieKay]

Women owe their equal rights to liberals. Maybe NPR's Mara Liasson would like to send us liberals a thank you note.

Biblical Quotes Supporting the Belief that Jesus Is A Liberal

Peacemaking, not War Making: [Matthew 5:9] turn the other cheek, [Matthew 5:39] Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you, and persecute you; [Matthew 5:44]

Crime Punishment: If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to cast a stone at her. [John 8:7] [Matthew 7:1 & 2.]

Justice righteousness [Matthew 5:6] Blessed are the merciful [Matthew 5:7] if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [Matthew 6:15]

Greed Religion of Wealth: John 2:14 & 15; Luke 12.15; Truly, I say unto you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 19:23] cannot serve both God and Money. [Matthew 6:24.]

Taxes & Separation Church & State: [Matthew 22:21]

Community: Love your neighbor as yourself. .[Matthew 22:39] [Matthew 7:12.] If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. [Matthew 19:21]

Equality & Social Programs: Luke 14:13 &14

Public Prayer & Displays of Faith: And when thou pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues … pray to thy Father which is in secret Matthew 6:6

[TruEngineHearing]

That's exactly how I see it also. In fact, to me it so amazingly self-evident that I luxuriate in an overwhelming surety of purpose and it's abundant benefits. If the sermon on the mount doesn't anchor our spirit, then we're missing everything.

[ExRepublican]

She finds Christianity (in anyone) ironic? She's being wayy too nice.

It's delusional and it HAS to stop if we are to move forward.

Question to JEdwards: "I realize that this is a bit of a strange question but do you think that candidates are almost to the point of talking too much about their faith? President Bush in 2000 and 2004 garnered a lot of support by simply telling evangelicals that he was a devoted Christian. Now candidates galore seem to be wearing their faith out front. Is there too much of that going on? Is politics corrupting religion?

Edwards responds: "If you're being asked about how you make decisions, what are the things that affect you when you make decisions, I think it's perfectly reasonable under those circumstances to give honest answers about your faith and how your faith affects your value system and what you believe and what you care about."

Exactly how did jesus affect your decision making process again, John? Like allllllll the rest - not so good. Why? Because 'jesus' is nothing but in your delusional mind (look up delusional)

Good god, lets move forward...­......plea­se.

[JBoy]

Are you suggesting that O is delusional because he's a christian?

[ExRepublican]

No, I'm not 'suggesting' anything.

If any human being, here in 2008 - STILL insists on spouting religious nonsense (good grief! how embarassing) - yes, they ARE (not suggesting) delusional. Look the word up.

He is - and you're about to find that out in the next few years.

Run with it ...........

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

Vas Vys `n Chazer Van Lockshin..­..........­..........­..........­Lochenkop Goy

[OldKnute]

OMG!

What a Nerf for Brains.

No Liberals of Faith?

Hahaha,

Moses married a woman of dark skin. Benjamin was forever using the back door. John the Baptist was running around in the wilderness,, eating locusts and honey,, NUDE. Jesus was the champion of the poor, the underclass, the crippled and blind.

The whole darn book was written by sinners, murderers, concubines, whores, dreamers and star gazers, Prostitutes, hermits and recluses and yes,, Liberals.

Who else needs Gods guidance more?

No DUH.

Who else would know His love and mercy, more deeply?


Hehehehe!

This Lady must never read.

All the best

Knute Neo-LIB