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

[wanj]

Does this lady know that NPR is funded by me and you? I give that radio station $ every quarter... let's see how much she makes if we refuse to contribute! I don't need someone to sing Obama's praise on NPR, I contribute b/c it's mostly fair... We have Sean Hannity on the radio. We don't need the equilvalent on NPR!

[kellygrrrl]

She doesn't get it
She has no idea how ironic she is.

I hear people tell me how much they can't stand BO and MO cuz they obviously hate whites and Christians --
I hear them say the most vile and hateful things and call the 0bamas the most disgusting names.
They say at least Bush is a Man of God.
Seriously - they do not get it - that the only HATE SPEAK going on is coming from the --

[talkingclock]

Not only does she not get it, but she is talking out of the side of her mouth. More spin, that's all.

[chamay0]

Is this prearranged or what? Why do these crazy people have pictures that make them look insane? I'm sure she has better pictures so was this planned? Or, do this crazy when they are spouting garbage really portray how insane they are with their silly comments?

[doug108]

These are people in the public eye. They all have less than flattering photos of themselves floating around out there somehwere. The people who have something nice to say about them use the good photos. Those who want to bash them a bit use the lousy ones.

[YunekFlava]

I did make excuses for people. I don't do that anymore. Since BO got in this race, I've taken an even more critical look at some of the people I would call "crazy" or "vacuous", and now I call them "racist". Most of these MSM "Real Americans" feel they represent the viewers more than the politicians they cover. He's exotic. He's elitist. He's too fit. He's unusual. He's unknown. He's skinny. He's a "great speaker". He's not Black enough. He's narcissistic. Now his Christianity is "IRONIC". What else?

I am disgusted that "Real Americans” question people of color patriotism. Why is that? Blacks helped to design and build this country. People of color fought in every war this country has waged, and suffered disproportionate loss of life and limb, only to live in separate living quarters, and returning to extremely high unemployment, beatings, lynching and cross burnings. People that have served this country for many generation­s...and to minimize their accomplishments, degrade their efforts and force them to constantly prove their love for this country and its values, is definitely racist. Why is there no question that Whites love this country?

Why are Whites taken at face value, and people of color have to jump thru flaming hoops, all the while being soaked with gasoline.

My family came from somewhere else, everybody's family did, and so are we "Really American"? Ask the native Americans, who the "REAL AMERICANS" are.

Peace, Promise, Purpose, Passion and Prosperity

[ChewyToy22]

Well said!

[kellygrrrl]

right there with you.
I have lost a great deal of my tolerance

[wanj]

I couldn't have said that better! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[Shea4O]

Obviously the seem to forget the Tuskeegee Airmen who ARE REAL AMERICANS.­....

[joyf1]

Bravo! Best post I've read to date. Thank you.

[RJII]

Mara, Jesus just called and said shut the hell up.

[Levittown]

If Jesus was here he would not talk to any body. He would turn around and go back to his flock. He would not recognize the preachers and the heavenly orators, You see, Jesus was a Jewish part time
rabbi who complained about the unfairness of it all. Just like many of us do today. He tried to spread the word of God and had toleration for others and compassion. He followed his heart and practiced his religion. Politics and greed did him in. Not his greed but the greed of the ones that knew all the answers. We have that today. Power hungry people in all walks of life that believe their ideas should be every bodies choices and their religion is the only true religion. How many Gods are there ? The one I know is very quiet. I never hear from him. But I know when i do wrong. Don't you ?

[Doofus]

"The irony of a liberal Democrat showcasing his faith is not
lost on Gary Bauer, a leading conservative religious activist."

This is not especially a big deal. Liberal Democrats are usually
pretty secular. 'Leading conservative religious' zealots
usually are not. To some, that's ironic.

[Grannysue]

Now why the hell isn't she out there prayin for rain like the rest of her clan?

[CaptainStormfield]

Do we call them Neocon Propaganda Radio?
National Propaganda Republican?

http://www.npr.org/contact/

Send them an email and complain. It will make you feel better :)

[mscriblerus]

Thanks. I think I will.

[nellie]

You mean National Petroleum Radio is criticizing Obama? Not really.

[jupitor]

Can some one please,please tell me what faith the Mccain's are? Do they attend church reg,and where? who's their paster? Have they been baptised? Are they christians? I have never gotten any of these answers!

[CaptainStormfield]

I think they worship at the altar of Power and Money.

http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/mccain_s_mob_connections_146.html

[pupbayer]

Episcopalian

[PuppaX]

Why do they refuse to believe that religious conviction does NOT have to become legislation. Believing abortion is wrong doesn't mean you need to put doctors who perform them in jail.

[Teadye]

Actually religious tenet should not be the sole basis for law. Need one follow the law if one doesn't follow that belief? A good argument can be made that if you aren't of the flock it doesn't apply.

[AnnieinOR]

Gee Mara, that picture of you with your eyes nearly popping out of your head - is scary... are you a scary christian? the kind that went after gypsies, and the disfigured and the frankenstein's monster? History has taught us alot about your brand of christian - it's UGLY under the skin... you judge that which you know nothing about, and think it's COOL.

[honeydiva]

i would love to see her mail box.

[NewArtz]

This is my favorite quote attributed to Yahshuah Ha Meshiah (well, he was a Hebrew from Judah): "No one can be my disciple who does not give up all his own possession­s." in the first couple of chapters of Acts, what is described to have occured perfectly expresses this command as an action. Actually, the term christian is mentioned only 3 times in the Bible as a term of derision used against the disciples. Christians certainly don't qualify as disciples, though a disciple might be a Christian. Why would the call to action leading to the care and concern for the weakest and neediest among us be construed as advocating the accumulation of a vulgar amount of personal wealth? Get real. It's ironic to me that any Christian would be considered a disciple of Christ.

[zurcl]

this just confirms something i've always thought about Mara Liasson, she's a very self-important light-weight.

[booksnmore4you]

Gary Bauer, meet Jim Wallis: http://www.sojo.net