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Wow! Talk about a no-news day! A series of e-mails sent by a Baptist preacher becomes the stuff of front page news. But is this really newsworthy? The rev. sent a few missives that hurt a politician's feelings. Tsk, tsk. I hear the world's smallest violin being played.

Didn't Harry Truman once observe that if you can't stand the heat, then stay out of the kitchen? Apparently our 1940's politicians were made of sterner stuff than they are right now? So our Senator's posterior was described as "sorry." Now I am Southern enough to know that sorryness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. And to refer to an individual specifically by that feature is common, everyday discourse. For example, during our unlamented past winter, I referred to a day as being as cold as Nancy Pelosi's derrière. I can assure you, gentle reader, that I have no desire to empirically test that hypothesis! Megan Fox's, yes!

So, I'm saying for the benefit of the Tee Dee, to the Rev., and to Bobby Denton: NO FOUL. Play ball.
"The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of the Conservatives is to prevent the mistakes from being corrected." -- Gilbert Keith Chesterton
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The sorriest thing about Thompson's sorry e-mail is his question to Denton: "What kind of kickbacks are Bedford and the slimy Democrats offering you?'

Thompson is not asking WHETHER any kickback offers were made; his sorry question ASSUMES that such offers were made. What information is in his hands from which he can make such an assumption? None, I would warrant, since thus far neither the FBI nor anyone else involved in this matter has claimed any certain knowledge of any bribe or kickback. The obvious impetus for Thompson's asinine question is his disdain for "slimy Democrats" and Roger Bedford in particular. Thinking the worst about someone--especially without any factual basis to back it up--is hardly an attribute of Christian character! And the use of "slimy Democrats" to implicitly impugn the entire Democratic delegation to the Legislature is not the kind of responsible critiquing we should get from someone who is expected to have a spirit of fairness and objectivity. Yes, politics is a major driver informing Mr. Thompson's outrage!

And the L A N G U A G E that preacher used! "your sorry butt" and "BS" (we all know what that little acronynm stands for) Is THIS the kind of terminology we should expect from a "pastor", who is supposed to stand for things wholesome and uplifting?

A bit of illiteracy emerges also in Thompson's use of the descriptor, "panty waste." What is "panty waste"? Sounds like something inadvertently deposited in underwear!! The correct term, of course, is "pantywaist"--one word, not two. A small matter, admittedly, but I believe that those who practice the vituperative art of excoriation have an obligation to get their facts straight and to spell pejorative terms correctly.

Isuspect that there are a number of members of Thompson's congregation who are not pleased with the actions of their preacher or with the negative attention this dust-up has cast their way.

I would look to Thompson to make a full apology to his brethren this coming Sunday and ask for their prayers for remediation of his unwholesome, assume-the-worst, atttitude and his inappropriate politicizing of this issue.
Last edited by beternU
Man of God? I see people put pastors and preachers up on a pedestal as if they belong there. They are flesh and blood just like you. When is the last time you lost your temper, ran your mouth and later regretted it? You think we all get a pass because we're not pastors? Guess again and save one of those stones for yourself.
Does anyone here actually believe that Pastors, Reverends, Preachers...etc, are "Men of God?"
are above anyone else in terms of actions?
C'mon! gimme a break!
That THEY are "driven" by a need to "carry the message" to sinners...out of the goodness of their hearts???
Cut off those fat paychecks. End "free housing". Actually require some type of 8 to 5 daily ministry work...and pay "minimum wage"...enough for them to get by,,,at least. See how many "men of God" wanna' "serve"...
8 to 5? Pastors will get a belly laugh out of that one, Cage. Try anytime, night or day, whenever they are called, they're there.

My pastor gave up his fat paycheck the day he surrendered to the call. He was making good money in his previous job, not so much as a pastor.

The stress of putting up with whiners and complainers alone would make me run in the other direction.
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
What is "panty waste"? Sounds like something inadvertently deposited in underwear!! The correct term, of course, is "pantywaist"--one word, not two.


It might be correct, but "pantywaist" just doesn't pack the same punch as "panty waste". In fact, the next time I address someone as such, I will be sure to spell out w-a-s-t-e so s/he will understand the full impact of my words.
quote:
Originally posted by CageTheElephant:
Does anyone here actually believe that Pastors, Reverends, Preachers...etc, are "Men of God?"
are above anyone else in terms of actions?
C'mon! gimme a break!
That THEY are "driven" by a need to "carry the message" to sinners...out of the goodness of their hearts???
Cut off those fat paychecks. End "free housing". Actually require some type of 8 to 5 daily ministry work...and pay "minimum wage"...enough for them to get by,,,at least. See how many "men of God" wanna' "serve"...

I have served in churches when it cost me to go. I have never gotten a fat paycheck. That's why I'm bi-vocational. I used to drive 50 miles one way to a church in Red Bay. I did this 3 times a week plus visitation, all for the whopping sum of $125 a week. I did this for 3 years.
quote:
Originally posted by Elvis Wearing a Bra on Head:
Now I am Southern enough to know that sorryness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. And to refer to an individual specifically by that feature is common, everyday discourse. For example, during our unlamented past winter, I referred to a day as being as cold as Nancy Pelosi's derrière. I can assure you, gentle reader, that I have no desire to empirically test that hypothesis! Megan Fox's, yes!



Too bad, Elvis. I can see a great title for a paper: "Endothermic properties of Nancy Pelosi's derrière." I'm sure that Science would publish it easily.
quote:
Originally posted by CageTheElephant:
Does anyone here actually believe that Pastors, Reverends, Preachers...etc, are "Men of God?"
are above anyone else in terms of actions?
C'mon! gimme a break!
That THEY are "driven" by a need to "carry the message" to sinners...out of the goodness of their hearts???
Cut off those fat paychecks. End "free housing". Actually require some type of 8 to 5 daily ministry work...and pay "minimum wage"...enough for them to get by,,,at least. See how many "men of God" wanna' "serve"...


There are many congregations around here that want a Full Time Pastor for a Part Time Salary with no health insurance and no retirement benefits but they want to spit on them when they don't get to the hospital in time to hold the bed pan. While Mr. Thompson is not in a "small congregation" Joy is right, preachers are men (and women), flesh and blood just like you or me. True preachers will still do the work they are called to do regardless of the paycheck. But they are entitled to their opinions just like you or me, but if it were me that sent that email, Senator Denton would not have read it at all let alone read it out loud, but because it said Pastor and Woodmont -- he CHOSE IT.

The reason BeternU that Thompson said that about the kickbacks is they have been talking about those for a long time on both party lines with regards to the gambling issue. People are accusing Riley of it as well. I have no doubt that kickbacks have happened, I just hope they were worth it when the FBI takes those people down or when the voters respond by voting some of them out. There was another guy on 48 last night talking about being approached for $125K -- so it is safe to assume kickbacks were at the least offered even if they weren't excepted. Isn't it par for the course in politics?
quote:
Originally posted by Eastside:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by CageTheElephant:
Does anyone here actually believe that Pastors, Reverends, Preachers...etc, are "Men of God?"
are above anyone else in terms of actions?
The reason BeternU that Thompson said that about the kickbacks is they have been talking about those for a long time on both party lines with regards to the gambling issue. People are accusing Riley of it as well. I have no doubt that kickbacks have happened, I just hope they were worth it when the FBI takes those people down or when the voters respond by voting some of them out. There was another guy on 48 last night talking about being approached for $125K -- so it is safe to assume kickbacks were at the least offered even if they weren't excepted. Isn't it par for the course in politics?


It is ONE thing to mention the possibility that there may have been "kickbacks" involved in the gambling legislation. It is something altogether different to assert, or to strongly imply, that Denton in particular has been offered kickbacks: Here is what Thompson wrote:

"What kind of kickbacks are Bedford and the slimy Democrats offering you?"

Denton has consistently denied being offered any bribes or kickbacks and when Thompson contradicts that, he is, in effect, calling Denton a liar, and doing so without offering any proof.
Last edited by beternU

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