A former Democratic National Committee chairman apologized Sunday for remarks he made a day earlier that suggested he thought Hurricane Gustav demonstrated that God is on the Democrats’ side in this year’s presidential election.
Don Fowler, who was DNC chairman from 1995-1996, said he was just mimicking Rev. Jerry Falwell. (Remind me…isn’t Jerry Falwell dead?)
“That just demonstrates that God is on our side,” Fowler said during the flight, of which a video was posted on YouTube under the headline: “Fowler Fouls: Hurricane is God’s Favor To Democrats.”
AFTER an uproar, Fowler said he was sorry IF anyone was offended.
“I don’t believe in a God that’s vengeful. I believe in a God that’s compassionate,” Fowler said.
“This is a point of national concern. I think everybody of good will has great empathy and sympathy for people in New Orleans,” Fowler said. “Most religious people are praying for people in New Orleans. There is no political connotation to this whatsoever. This was just poking fun at Jerry Falwell and the nonsensical thing he had said several years ago.”
Falwell was roundly criticized after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when he said they were God’s punishment for abortion, homosexuality, and other sins.
South Carolina GOP chairman Katon Dawson called Don Fowler’s comments “disappointing and despicable.”
“A storm is not a partisan event and that is what they’ve done. I am outraged,” Dawson said, speaking by telephone from St. Paul, Minn., where the Republican National Convention is scheduled to start Monday, but may be altered because of concern over Gustav.
The impending hurricane apparently is cause for much speculation on God’s will. On Friday, liberal filmmaker Michael Moore said the storm is proof of God’s existence.
“I was just thinking, this Gustav is proof that there is a God in heaven,” Moore told MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann. “To just have it planned at the same time, that it would actually be on its way to New Orleans for Day One of the Republican convention, up in the Twin Cities, at the top of the Mississippi River.”
From me—I believe God cares far more about our world than He does about what some Democratic operative or Republican fanatic or deranged Hollywood-type or even out-of-touch preacher states. I don’t think the November election is the only thing on God’s “mind.” His "radar" is far larger than any limitations we put on Him!
It’s to be expected that Fowler didn’t apologize until after there was an uproar! Wouldn’t he have been wiser to have kept his mouth shut in the first place? Shouldn’t the same thing have been said about Falwell after 9/11? I think so!
And Michael Moore? Well, he needs to just learn to permanently shut up! He is so sad…and honestly, he always looks like he needs a shave and a bath! And, while He’s in the tub, maybe he’ll wash out his mouth with the soap! Might do him some good! And, it might make the rest of us happy too!
Can you believe the nerve of this demonocrat? IF anybody was offended! Everybody knows God is on the side of the Republicans. And he obviously hates those Gulf Coast Residents. Else why would He keep sending those hurricanes right at em? Hey! At least you got a good start on the list of people who should just shut up! Speaking of which, I think I will now.(grin)
ReplyDeletejimmy paravane
Good post Steve. I knew about Moore (and will shut my mouth about him) but this one was new. Another example of someone who should have a big "I" printed on his forehead. This is as bad as those who say AIDS is God's judgment on the homosexual community. People need to pray for the victims of Gustav not taking shots at parties.
ReplyDeleteJimmy...thanks for commenting again...been missing your observations on here.
ReplyDeleteBill...I think a big L or a big I (for idiot) would be equally appropriate in this situation.
When will politicans learn!
I think I would have a lot more disdain for the democrats guilty of this if there hadn't been the "prayer request" that went out to pray for torrential rain on Obama when he gave his acceptance speech at the dnc.
ReplyDeleteThat, IMO, was also unjustified and tacky.
Karma...I have equal disdain for both groups! Both were unjustified, tacky, and unChrist-like! Just for the record...
ReplyDeleteWhen Katrina hit New Orleans there was a lot of questions that the churched and unchurched asked concerning God's will.
ReplyDeleteTo take a categorical stance on what God intends from a storm is short sighted. God says that He makes it rain on the just and the unjust. Sometimes that rain is a blessing and sometimes it is a curse - it all depends on context and application.
My thoughts are that in the middle of any large scale happening like Katrina or Gustav, that God is at work blessing AND disciplining... we just don't know at what scale or for whom.
Very good insight Tony...
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you stopping by and please, come back as often as you like...you are welcomed here.