Senator Dole Sued Over Misleading "Godless" Commercial (VIDEO)

Via The New York Times:

The Democratic candidate for Senate in North Carolina fired back in court on Thursday after a television advertisement questioned her Christian faith and linked her to a political group called the Godless Americans.

The candidate, State Senator Kay Hagan, filed a defamation lawsuit against her Republican opponent, Senator Elizabeth Dole, and released a 30-second television response affirming her belief in God.

WATCH her new ad:

Undeterred, Sen. Dole released a second "Godless" ad, claiming that Hagan's faith isn't "the question" and again tying Hagan to the Godless Americans group.

Comments

[partyofone]

Voters are tired of distortions and lies. And North Carolinans are growing are tired of being used by Liddy Dole, who visits "home" rarely.

[Punkynsnow]

don't know if it's true but I heard she'd only spent 33 days out of the last two years in the state she supposedly represents.

How could she possibly understand or be responsive to the needs of her constituents if that's true?

[miles120]

When asked recently if the first Dole ad was "out of bounds", Nevada Senator Ensign stated the 80% of the United States identified themselves as Christian. Is he stating that the other 20% of us can't participate in campaigns, or that a politician shouldn't reflect our views? If this is what the GOP has become, then this country is in for real trouble.

By the way, the founding fathers did not include "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Does that make the Republican party a collection of treasonous, unpatriotic autocrats? (Sorry for the hyperbole.)

[GlenRast]

Wishful thinking on his part.

[dawlishgal]

If he is right--that 80% of the US is Christian, it makes the bullying and lies of Liddy Dole all the more reprehensible. Why would REAL Christians endore Dole's lies? BTW, people might want to check the other 9 commandments and speculate which of them Dole might also be violating. Perhaps it would be a good idea to check with Mrs. Dole #1.

[Myshkin57]

That 80% number is completely fabricated. I've read in several places that anywhere from 16-20% of Americans are atheists. So, that leaves 0-4% for all religions other than Christianity. I guess all those Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims (gasp!) and Jews I've met were figments of my imagination.

[Myshkin57]

For the reason why "under God" was put in the Pledge, check out the link below.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/nat_pled1.htm

[rini]

As an atheist, I find this whole "I can be more irrational than you" contest to be highly offensive. I would vote for an atheist in a heartbeat if they shared my values, which they likely would. I would rather someone in office who is intent on taking care of the environment, nuclear terrorism and overpopulation. To me, it's better to prevent armageddon than worry about what will happen afterwards.

Having said that, I'd support Hagan in a millisecond, over Dole.

[Exexecution]

rini

I appreciated your comment.

I can agree as an atheist that its worthwhile to hold ones nose and support the less radical candidate.

As for Senator Hagan's opponent, Senator Dole should be escorted directly onto the Straight Talk Express jet along with the two Republican candidates and their spouses, including the odious team of Rove smear-merchants of course, with ace bomber-pilot and renowned war hero Senator John Sidney McCain at the controls.

C'mon Senator McCain, show us what an ace you are, Ace...!!

[Dram5780]

Other countries in the world have recently had agnostic/athiest leaders. The one that comes to mind is the Austraian Robert (Bob) James Lee Hawke


"Hawke served as Australian PM from March 1983 to December 1991. In answer to a seven-year-old boy on a phone-in segment of This Day Tonight (Australian TV current affairs program; broadcast date not given), Hawke said "Until I get some evidence one way or the other which is compelling to me, I'm going to have to remain an agnostic..." quoted in Bob Hawke: A portrait, Robert Pullan, Methuen Australia, 1980, p137 from the site. http://www.celebatheists.com

I'm 41 and don't think I'll ever see that in this country. But I have spent a fair amount of time livivng in Sweden and there the Christian are viewed much like the Athiest are here, as some sort of whacky finge group.

[lemonyashes]

I would so love to be a fly on the wall at a party with this whole cast of characters when they lose the election. I'd have to be a fly on the wall because this is one loser party I would never be invited to.

[Pacojam]

As an agnostic, I agree with you completely.

[Myshkin57]

Shouldn't you be withholding judgment as to whether you agree?

[Myshkin57]

I'm an atheist as well. It's going to be a long time before one of us will get in office, at least if we're honest about our beliefs. I reconciled myself with the fact that it is was unlikely that I'd ever be able to run for public office a while back.

I firmly believe, as you do, that we should have people in office who are thinking about the future, but just the future in this world. That way, you don't get these fools like the endtimers pushing policy because they want the world to end.

[me again]

What an excersize in pandering to the evangelica­ls.......t­hey should throw the bum out and send her back to Kansas......she's a carpetbagger anyway!

[JodyMcg]

Help send the carpetbagger back to Kansas. Today is Sat. Please donate to Kay today. She is running counter ads here in NC. People here actually believe Dole's ad. The fact is Kay Hagan happens to be a Christian. That is her belief. She is being slandered. Help stop the smear and donate today. Thank you. I Voted Obama/Biden in NC.

[tedeger]

"Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord, thy God, in vain." That ad was unforgivably blasphemous, and I feel cewrtain that if God does keep a big, black, BOOK, that that Ad will occupy a prominent place in the Dole dossier.

[dumboldfarmer]

Liddy Dole - acts as though she has no religion but tries to talk like she is religious. Pure politics.
I can't hear her words because her actions shout too loudly.

[JeepRover]

As a North Carolinian, I can't stand this type of rhetoric from our Senator who doesn't even reside in our state. Oh, sure...She has a home hear, but only spends about two weeks here a year-probably campaigning. I was on the fence with her before this election. Now, Hagan has my vote.

[twifeandmommyof2]

The point I think has been lost on everyone:
This country was founded on FREEDOM OF RELIGION, this includes the beleif to NOT beleive in religion. All of a sudden because your an atheist you are not an American?
This is why the Right Wing Christian crazies are going to lose so big on Tuesday. They have no tolorance for other religions wether it be Muslims, Atheists, etc anyone who disagrees with them is "Anti-American" or has no soul. It's a lot of crap. Everyone in this country has a RIGHT to their opinion.

[tonydon]

right on

[Dram5780]

I was shocked to find Art 6 section 8 of the NC states as follows:

Disqualifications of office. The following persons shall be disqualified for office:

First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.

I also found such clauses in several other state constitutions ( TX, ARK, SC) but this morning I did a little more research and found this great site that helps explain it all. Thank you Canada.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/texas.htm

[DKLabRat]

I posed on this on one of the other threads. It's actually illegal still in many states for an atheist to hold public office and a recent poll suggested that atheists are the most hated group of people in the US. Totally ridiculous in this day and age. Still, could get worse. If Palin gets to be President we'll have a fresh round of Salem witch trials within a month probably. *g*

[tedeger]

Some famous person once said, "I'm an Atheist, thank God!" From my point of view, (and that of Sir James Jeans, once Astronomer Royal) the disbelief in a Higher Authority is a totally stupid one. There is so MUCH evidence for the Divine that denying it is flying in the face of reality. HOWEVER; more innocent blood has been spilled over the FORM of worship than for any other reason. I am certain that God him/herself is vastly displeased with what humanity has done in his/her name. Also, the very thought that the Divinity would take sides in a Human electoral campaign is repulsive in the extreme, as is the idea that, to quote Louise Hay - "I cannot believe that God is a dirty old man who sits on an asteroid and spies on what I do with my genitalia."

[Dram5780]

Actually it's not illigal for athiest to hold elected office. See the page I linked to above and scroll about half way down.

Why these religious restrictions are no longer valid:
"These phrases are historical relics, left over from earlier times. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution supersedes any applicable statutory laws and sections of state constitutions. It thus nullifies the effect of the above clauses. This was confirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court, as described below."

U.S. Supreme Court case -- Torcaso v Watkins

[keclxivq]

Atheist. Such a nasty sounding little word for people who like to think for themselves. If Liddy Dole is one of those "real Christians" then I prefer a person that's not.

[jaslyn]

really? most hated? and here I was going through my days feeling pretty darn good about myself.

[Judyisacutie]

What politician hasn't taken money and been honored by Americans of all beliefs? Who has Dole taken money from? Dole's opening up a can of worms with this tact. If Kay Hagan is smart she'll help her open it.

[derik]

It seems that dole is under the impression that in order to govern one needs to believe in magic. Obviously, it seems she (dole) actually needs to believe in a magical god otherwise she would be running around doing some "nasty" stuff just like the mythological books seem to document. Basically, lots of fornication, incest, alcohol, violence and whatnot rationalized in the name of some god who appears to forgive such things. ahh, without sin there is no need for guilt. It boggles my mind when I think she actually was a part of the Red Cross. After all, my understanding is that the blood supply from the Red Cross is the same regardless of belief systems. Thank goodness, I do not live NC. Albeit, we have some of our very own doletypes in GA, aka Saxby.

[tedeger]

Well, the election was actually stolen for Saxby by Diebold, as it was for Sonnny Perdue. If you don't watch out, it'll happen again; GA is possibly the second most corrupt state in the Nation.

[duchessdorleans]

so which one if first?

[QueenOfViolets]

The human race can be so depressing and even frightening, sometimes a belief in magic can help people deal with other people.

By the way, I honestly don't understand how atheists learn things like honesty, empathy and forgiveness. Is there an atheist moral manual, or do you guys mainly bootstrap your morality from Christian moral teachings and then edit all the God out afterwards?

Not that Christians learn these things perfectly -- LIddy Dole is a great example of that.

But at least other Christians can criticize her for breaking a commandment. One can always cite the Ten Commandments when a Christian lies, to shame that Christian into hopefully repenting and telling the truth.

On what basis does an atheist criticize another atheist for bearing false witness against a neighbor?

Is lying wrong for atheists? If it is wrong, then what says it's wrong? Where is it written that lying is wrong, if you're an atheist?

Not attacking -- just curious how atheism works as a moral system to guide the morality of the believers.

[doglove]

Like the "Google" company statement,

"do no evil"

It really isn't that hard. I don't need an Easter Bunny, Santa, Promises of rewards or promises of retribution to be able to figure out what is right and what is wrong.

Do no evil.

When someone is lying, they know they are, they don't need to believe in God to make that conclusion.

We may not believe in all of your commandments and we may have some of our own that you may not agree with. But in your own heart, you know what is right and wrong.

Do you think a person who is raised never hearing the word God cannot grasp the concepts of property, stealing, lying? Bearing false witness and lying are wrong period., it doesn't have to be written in a sacred book. Doesn't the law of the land reinforce that? School? Work? Family, Friends?

Atheists tell our kids you don't do these tings because they are wrong. Period. No threat of hell or promise of heaven. Lead by example. Be the person you want your children to be.

[Dram5780]

Chirstianity does not = moral, just as being a athiest does not = immoral. Your actions dictate that, not your beliefs. You hold a rather simplistic and uninformed veiw of what morals are. Quite frankly I never had to learn honesty, empathy and forgiveness from a book. Those values are universally held by most humans on the planet and are rewarded by societies of all religions and beliefs. They where taught to me by my parents and elders. Athiesm is not a moral system it is a belief. Values are a moral system. They are not "christian'" values, they are 'human' values. I have always viewed the Bible as nothing more than Grimms Fairy Tales. Stories to sacre little children into behaving themselves.

To quote A. Lincoln "When I do good, I feel good, when I do bad, I feel bad. That is my religion"

[FR1962]

Great work, Libby! Thanks to your "Godless" ad, I immediately went to my election board on line in NC, filled out the form, got the ballot via email and it has already been sent back. And guess what? Kay Hagan got my vote! Strange how those negative "Jesse Helm" Style ads don't always work. You should be ashamed....

[partyofone]

I'ts "Liddy". And you did not request and return an early ballot by email in North Carolina. And btw, the process for securing absentee ballots closed before the original Dole ad aired.

Why did you post something so obvisously untrue?

[Kevbo68]

It's too bad Kagan had to defend her faith instead of defending those of us who are "godless".

Fear, fear, fear, jeebus, fear. I'm Libby Dole and I approve this idiocy and appeal to intolerance.

[lawandorder]

People forget something very important. Jesus spent most of His time with "godless" unbelievers.

[Kevbo68]

Indeed.

Those who forcefully and disdainfully proclaim their righteousness as Christians over others seem to have gotten the message wrong.

Jesus didn't use attack ads.

[devinsbuddy]

Gimme a break!
Isn't it time to put Elizabeth back on the dole?

[doctorkeys]

I hope Elizabeth Dole hasn't thrown any parties for Americans who don't believe in the Tooth Fairy!