April 5, 2012

"God's got a plan for us that, who knows, where it might be even beyond just serving as governor of this state."

"God's grace is abundant no matter what you do."
[E]ven at the height of the "attacks and incivility" -- [Gov. Scott Walker] tried to remain calm and reasoned when responding to his opponents.

"I wasn't responding in kind," he said in the interview [with Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network].

51 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gott mit uns?

rhhardin said...

People who know what they're talking about aren't tempted to respond in kind.

They just explain again what they're doing, rewording it until it's understood.

YoungHegelian said...

@Allie,

You mean, as opposed to the National Socialist German Workers Party?

Both sides can drop Godwin-like cheap shots.

edutcher said...

Sounds like a very smart man.

The union slugs haven't got a prayer.

PS German soldiers wore "Gott mit uns" on their belt buckles in both World Wars.

Don't know about anybody else, but I'd rather have Him with me than agin' me.

Anonymous said...

YoungHegelian, no I am not comparing him to a Nazi. I do however, take issue with those who claim that they have God's ear, that they and what they endevor to do are somehow sanctioned by God.

What makes him so special ? Why would God bless him anymore than the next guy, maybe even a union teacher?

The comparison is this, even vile despicable people like the Nazis felt they were doing Gods work, that they were appointed or somehow blessed in every their every endeavor.

Rusty said...

AllieOop said

Gott mit uns?

This is civility?
I'm sure that passes for wit in the salons you frequent, but in this case it is particularly offensive.
You've proven yourself to be not a particularly serious dealer in the marketplace of ideas.

Anonymous said...

Appointed by God, or even anointed by God. He's no more deserving than the next guy. It's almost like saying what I did gives me special blessing from God, very presumptive.

We don't know God's mind.

chickelit said...

Go ask Allie, when she's ten feet tall.

rhhardin said...

Mitchell and Webb the bad guys

Anonymous said...

I am not being uncivil, I am making a point about people who feel they have special blessing from God and tell millions of people that they do. Who does he think he is? Ghandi? Mother Theresa? What did he do that makes him so blessed?

chickelit said...

AllieOop said...
The comparison is this, even vile despicable people like the Nazis felt they were doing Gods work, that they were appointed or somehow blessed in every their every endeavor.

I already know that you think Walker is vile and despicable so what are you adding here?

Ann Althouse said...

Allie, I really think you're misunderstanding this. He's saying he may be governor or that may end, because of the recall, but it is all God's will, and whatever happens is the plan for me, and I don't know what that is.

I see in those quotes an understanding of Christianity that I have from reading the Gospels many times:

1. We don't know what is coming in the future. It's in the hands of God.

2. Turn the other cheek. Do not respond in kind.

Anonymous said...

I am saying he is being a presumptive man, invoking God's blessings, telling millions of people that he will be further blessed to do more of God's bidding.

It annoys me when people do that, even Governors and Presidents.

MrCharlie2 said...

Insha'Allah

Anonymous said...

Ann, perhaps you are right. Perhaps I am misreading him.

Michael said...

Allie. I think we all understood your sophmoric explanation the first time you made it. Sorry you are so easily annoyed. Even by presidents. You should drop him a note and let him know you were snnoyed by his Easter prayer breakfast sentiments.

Alex said...

Allie - no you're just a bigot.

Anonymous said...

Michael, annoying as always. Same, same.

Yes Alex, you the atheist, LMAO.

traditionalguy said...

Allie...That's nothing. You should have seen how angry it got folks when a poor Carpenter from outer nowhere told the Jews that God was his Father.

The breed of Christians who actually believe that stuff think that they are Christ-ians themselves.

These folks either have a DNA evolved wrong...or what they report may be true. Stay tuned.

kjbe said...

I certainly hear what Walker is saying, it's a part of my own practice (in part, the idea that each of us will be taken care of, even if we can't quite see how right now) - but, boy, I can't help but think that this sounds like campaign-speak.

Tom said...

Right now, InTrade has Walker with a 63.5% chance of surviving the recall (the Obamacare mandate being found unconstitutional has an even higher chance)!

leslyn said...

Can we get off the Jesus hypocrisy?

It's grating to hear it exploited for political purposes, especially this weekend.

YoungHegelian said...

@leslyn,

Why are you claiming that Walker is a hypocrite in his declaration of faith?

Because you don't like his politics?

Is there something that Walker has publicly done that makes you say his Christianity is a sham? Or, do you claim to have a secret window into his heart of hearts?

Is there something in the bottled water that the liberal side of the spectrum drinks that causes them to doubt the faith of righties?

It's every bit as silly as "Obama the Muslim".

leslyn said...

@Rusty:

Civility is bullshit.

leslyn said...

2. Turn the other cheek. Do not respond in kind.

Since when did that start being valued here?

And, I didn't say that Walker was hypocritical.

YoungHegelian said...

@leslyn,

"Can we get off the Jesus hypocrisy?"

"And, I didn't say that Walker was hypocritical."

So, you were either insulting Walker's Christianity or everyone's Christianity. Which one was it?

Could you please put your spleen away for a single minute and try to write what you mean clearly?

leslyn said...

@edutcher

"Don't know about anybody else, but I'd rather have Him with me than agin' me."

Oh edutcher, you are so wrong.

It's not about you.

Jesus doesn't care whether you think he is with you or against you.

He cares whether you are with or against him.

Titus said...

I thought Pat Robertson was a joke and no one took him serious anymore?

I guess this makes him credible.

leslyn said...

Don't kid yourself, Titus.

It just makes him exploitable.

I'm Full of Soup said...

The three libs, Titus, Leslyn, and Allie automatically march in lockstep to belittle a Repub who talks of religion. I can't actually see any of you but I assume you all have a salute of some kind?

leslyn said...

Yeah, it's called the sign of the cross.

I abhor self-serving religious cant.

leslyn said...

[Aaron] Rodgers is a devout Christian, but when asked about Denver quarterback Tim Tebow's overt religious displays, his response was simple: "Always preach the gospel, but only speak it when necessary."

bgates said...

Yeah, it's called the sign of the cross.

Later that same comment....

I abhor self-serving religious cant.

leslyn said...

You asked. So shut up.

Bender said...

Take a look at this self-serving religious cant --
like all of us, my faith journey has had its twists and turns. It hasn’t always been a straight line. . . . In the wake of failures and disappointments I've questioned what God had in store for me and been reminded that God’s plans for us may not always match our own short-sighted desires . . . ultimately what matters is not what other people say about us but whether we're being true to our conscience and true to our God. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” . . .
But while I petition God for a whole range of things, there are a few common themes that do recur. The first category of prayer comes out of the urgency of the Old Testament prophets and the Gospel itself. I pray for my ability to help those who are struggling. Christian tradition teaches that one day the world will be turned right side up and everything will return as it should be. . . . It’s faith that reminds me that despite being just one very imperfect man, I can still help whoever I can, however I can, wherever I can, for as long as I can, and that somehow God will buttress these efforts. . . .
a second recurring theme in my prayers is a prayer for humility. . . . The full breadth of human knowledge is like a grain of sand in God’s hands. And there are some mysteries in this world we cannot fully comprehend. As it’s written in Job, “God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways. He does great things beyond our understandings.” . . .
And the last recurring theme, one that binds all prayers together, is that I might walk closer with God and make that walk my first and most important task.
When I wake in the morning, I wait on the Lord, and I ask Him to give me the strength to do right by our country and its people. And when I go to bed at night I wait on the Lord, and I ask Him to forgive me my sins, and look after my family and the American people, and make me an instrument of His will.
I say these prayers hoping they will be answered, and I say these prayers knowing that I must work and must sacrifice and must serve to see them answered. But I also say these prayers knowing that the act of prayer itself is a source of strength. It’s a reminder that our time on Earth is not just about us; that when we open ourselves to the possibility that God might have a larger purpose for our lives, there’s a chance that somehow, in ways that we may never fully know, God will use us well.

Bender said...

What a presumptive man, invoking God's blessings, telling millions of people that he will be further blessed to do more of God's bidding. Doesn't he know that a real "devout Christian" shuts the hell up about it?

leslyn said...

I knew that couldn't be Walker.

I suppose he could have conducted a Quaker prayer breakfast. Would have disconcerted the guests, though, I bet.

Titus said...

Did they speak about gays causing all of the world's weather related fatalities?

I am sure Althouse would fucking chizz about that too.

Her poor gay son. To have a mother like that.

I am so grateful.

Thank you Lord, for not having some horrible woman as a mother.

Bender said...

No, the quote at 4/6/12 12:04 AM -- I've questioned what God had in store for me and been reminded that God’s plans for us may not always match our own short-sighted desires . . . I can still help whoever I can, however I can, wherever I can, for as long as I can, and that somehow God will buttress these efforts . . . that I might walk closer with God and make that walk my first and most important task. . . . When I wake in the morning, I wait on the Lord, and I ask Him to give me the strength to do right by our country and its people. And when I go to bed at night I wait on the Lord . . . when we open ourselves to the possibility that God might have a larger purpose for our lives, there’s a chance that somehow, in ways that we may never fully know, God will use us well -- no, this is not Walker saying that he is God's instrument. And it isn't Saintorum. Or Pat Robertson.

leslyn said...

Yeah I know. prayer breakfast, hint, hint.

bgates said...

You asked.

No, my first comment was heaping derision on you for your clueless hypocrisy.

So shut up.

No, I'd rather post this second comment about your clueless meanspiritedness.

leslyn said...

None of you have figured it out yet, have you?

Not one.

Look in the mirror. Say, "I talk like that. All the time. Usually worse."

Roger J. said...

Given that passover starts tonite at sundown, and today is good friday for christians, perhaps we should all drop the religious references and do a bit of reflection about what these concurrent events tell us about personal relationship with God.

DADvocate said...

Seems a difference between Walker and Obama is that Walker believes God has a plan for him, but he's not sure what it is while Obama believes everything he does is 100% in step with God's will.

Rusty said...

YoungHegelian, no I am not comparing him to a Nazi.



No. Of course not. But why that phrase in german if you didn't want to infer Nazi conotations? Why the specifically german military phrase associated with the nazis?

We don't know God's mind.


Well. You don't, but now we know yours.

Rusty said...

@Rusty:

Civility is bullshit.


No it isn't.


Cheers



eslyn said...
None of you have figured it out yet, have you?

Not one.

Look in the mirror. Say, "I talk like that. All the time. Usually worse."


No. I don't.


What are you? Like a very bright 16 year old?

Anonymous said...

2. Turn the other cheek. Do not respond in kind.

How can you believe this bullshit when just four days ago you reprinted a letter from Walker complaining about "facing a recall by the big-government public employee unions and their minions."

leslyn said...

@Rusty-

What are you? Like a very stupid 16 year old?

Read Althouse. Civility is bullshit.

leslyn said...

@ Frederson: The political appropriation of Jesus Christ.

roesch/voltaire said...

If Walker had turned the other cheek rather than bragging about "dropping the hammer,' I might find this show of humility genuine, but I think not. Walker's plan is the ALEC plan served with malice.

kjbe said...

RV, agreed.