Eyeblast has the video: On CNN's The Situation Room on Friday, former NBA star (and current TNT basketball analyst) Charles Barkley trashed conservatives as "fake Christians." You could tell how much CNN was going to enjoy this. At the top of the hour, anchorman Wolf Blitzer promised: "Plus, he's rooting for Barack Obama and he's taking shots at Republicans and the religious right. You're going to find out who NBA great Charles Barkley is calling fake." The screen graphic also read: "Barkley Takes on the Right: Blasts 'Fake' Christians." Blitzer made no attempt to ask the basketball star how a "real" Christian can whole-heartedly support Obama's liberal social agenda.
Ted Turner may no longer own CNN and TNT, but his spirit -- "Christianity is a religion for losers" and pro-lifers were "bozos" and "idiots" -- is still strong in his former properties. Does TNT really want to invite all this political and religious controversy to turn people away from watching their basketball broadcasts?
Blitzer began the interview by asking Barkley why he's endorsed Barack Obama for president, especially since he was well-known in earlier days for lamenting how the Democrats raised his taxes. On Friday, Barkley said we was all for Obama's tax-hike schemes: "This country is divided by economics between the rich and the poor and I’m going to support him all the way to the wall." Then the conversation turned to John McCain, and that's where Barkley unloaded his attack on conservatives:
BARKLEY: Hey, I live in Arizona. I have got great respect for Senator McCain. Great respect. But I don’t like the way the Republicans are taking this country. Every time I hear the word "conservative," it makes me sick to my stomach, because they’re really just fake Christians, as I call them. That’s all they are. But I just — I’m going to vote Democratic no matter what.
Barkley discussed how he plans to run for Governor of Alabama in 2014. He's been talking about running for that office for years. Does Barkley have any idea that it might be a little tougher to win in Alabama now that he's trashed all the "fake Christians" in that state who disagree with him on the social issues? (Is this the kind of help Obama needs in allegedly bringing people together?) Blitzer gently brought Barkley back around to the "fake Christians" issue, and basically waited until Barkley had tried to explain himself before noting at the very end that perhaps some (or, perhaps, most) Christians are sincere:
BLITZER: All right. One quick point before I let you go. You used the phrase "fake Christians" for conservatives. Explain what you’re talking about.
BARKLEY: Well, I think they — they want to be judge and jury. Like, I’m for gay marriage. It’s none of my business if gay people want to get married. I’m pro-choice. And I think these Christians — first of all, they’re supposed to be — they’re not supposed to judge other people. But they’re the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like their Christians. And they’re not forgiving at all.
BLITZER: So you're going to get a lot of feedback on this one, Charles.
BARKLEY: They can't do anything to me. I don't work for them.
BLITZER: You feel comfortable saying all that?
BARKLEY: I feel very comfortable saying I'm pro-choice, and I'm for gay marriage. Very comfortable.
BLITZER: But you can't lump all these conservatives as being fake. A lot of them obviously -- most of them are very, very sincere in their religious beliefs.
BARKLEY: Well, they should read the part about they're not supposed to judge other people. They forget that one when it doesn't fit what they want it to say.
BLITZER: All right. we have got to leave it there, Charles. Thanks very much for joining us.
CNN knew these comments were going to be controversial, so why did Blitzer treat Barkley with such kid gloves? Blitzer made no attempt to ask the basketball star how a "real" Christian can wholeheartedly support Obama's liberal social agenda. Conservative Christians would ask: How is it authentically Christian to support abortion and homosexuality? Or they might ask: if Barkley is against judging your neighbor harshly, what is it he's just done? CNN and Blitzer would not be so gentle if they came on the air and called liberal Christians "fakes." If CNN brought on Barkley knowing full well what he was going to say, where was the other side to round out the debate?
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center
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Sir Charles goes off the deep end
February 17, 2008 - 09:06 ET by motherbeltFantastic post, Tim!
I just came across that video a while ago this AM, and my jaw was still on my keyboard.
You hit all the questions Blitzer should have asked him!
BARKLEY: I feel very comfortable saying I'm pro-choice, and I'm for gay marriage. Very comfortable.
Right, Charles, and any "real" Christian would be OK with that, too?
He not only insults Christians, but Christian Churches that teach that abortion and homosexual behavior are wrong.
BARKLEY: Well, they should read the part about they're not supposed
to judge other people. They forget that one when it doesn't fit what
they want it to say.
I know Charles, how DARE those churches actually teach that certain things are wrong??? That's just SO judgmental!!!
But it's OK for you to judge Christians, right?
I love how these folks railing against people being "judgmental" always reserve for themselves the right to judge.
And they don't even see the irony.
And furthermore...
February 17, 2008 - 09:18 ET by goldenthroatMB,
And it is knuckleheads like this that are supposed to be role models for our kids?
NOT!
Oh, yeah - didn't Barfley say once that he was not supposed to be a role model? Thanks for the honesty, Charles!
In true MSM tradition, Wolfhound Blitzkreig soft-soaps him. Real tough questions there, wolfy - real tough! You are an ornament to the stage of left-coast, bleeding-heart, 'do as I say, not as I do' liberal journalists.
"Yeah! That's the ticket!" - Tommy Flanagan
Oh, yeah - didn't Barfley
February 17, 2008 - 09:32 ET by motherbeltOh, yeah - didn't Barfley say once that he was not supposed to be a role model?
Yes he did.
Someone who admits that he doesn't think it's a good idea for anyone to model themselves after him doesn't have a leg to stand on when it comes to judging anyone else's standards.
Sorry
February 17, 2008 - 21:07 ET by KC MulvilleI just can't get past the idea of Charles Barkley being invited on CNN as a political commentator. I mean, is CNN so hard up for political commentary that they're reaching out to the NBA? "The best political team on television?" LOL!
Look, Barkley is a mixed blessing. I'm from Philadelphia, and I was there during Barkley's heyday. He made the game fun, but he'd also do incredibly stupid things, like spitting into the crowd. He isn't stupid, but he isn't a genius, either. He's a regular guy, who's prone to doing and saying embarrassing things. You take Charles with a grain of salt.
Barkless' past history
February 17, 2008 - 09:13 ET by NortoBarkless' past history needs to be kept in front of the public, he will make a loud noise, but like a tree falling in the woods........ if no one is there...
When I had cabal tv I almost always remember tuning him out as a commentator. NBs needs to leave the substance of his rhetoric on the bench and hammer his past-be judgmental, but accurate and factual.
The msm is going to use the repetition tool to paint us all with this brush of nasties. Thanks to McCain's position today those of us on the right(who wants to be wrong) are prime targets for this kind of diatribe. Make no mistake about it, he will get plenty of coverage and it will be nasty.
Charles Barkley the Hypocrite like most of his brethren
February 17, 2008 - 09:34 ET by Dee BunkLiberals like Charles barkley are the most judgmental of all. They judge people for their religious beliefs yet claim to be tolerant.
Christians, like most people who are against abortion and Gay marriage don't judge the individual who has the abortion or the individual who is Gay, they judge a society that encourages the practices.
Most people who are against Gay Marriage and abortion are against it because of the the impact they have on innocent children. Some of us are in a heated debate right now about the Gay Marriage issue and it has been moved to the forum section under "Gay Marriage, Civil Unions and Gay Adoption - what's best for Children?" I'd really love it if someone in the MSM could ever frame the debate this way. They won't because It's much easier to Judge and hate people for their beliefs then to try and understand them.
I'd really love it if
February 17, 2008 - 09:54 ET by motherbeltI'd really love it if someone in the MSM could ever frame the debate
this way. They won't because It's much easier to Judge and hate people
for their beliefs then to try and understand them.
I agree, Dee. It's going a little OT, but they don't care about the impact on children! They want adults to be free to do what they want, regardless, and the kids that get dragged along in the wake of their destructive behavior are just supposed to "adjust."
MB - I really don't think it's a little over the top
February 17, 2008 - 10:34 ET by Dee Bunk(If that is what you meant). If anything, I'm barley scratching the surface of their lack of concern for children.
Many liberals including their supposed moderate voice of Barak Obama believe in lenient treatment for pedophiles. NAMBLA is defended and supported by liberals. Many of them and the judges they appoint (Ginsberg etc...) believe that a 13 year old child can consent to sex with an adult many years her senior. When they aren't treating children as completely useless worthless lumps of tissue, they are treating them like adults capable of making huge decisions without their parents. Children get in the way of most of their arguments. They are an Inconvenient Truth to their selfish needs and wants.
I didn't mean "over the top"
February 17, 2008 - 11:10 ET by motherbeltI didn't mean "over the top" Dee...I meant we were going a little "off topic" (of this thread).
I agree 100% with your comments about idiot adults and the welfare of children.
Thanks for the explanation - I'm a clod when it comes to
February 17, 2008 - 11:20 ET by Dee Bunkunderstanding all these abbreviations. I hope you don't think I took offense, because I didn't. I'm sure there are others here who think I'm over the top.
Something has gone terrible
February 17, 2008 - 09:48 ET by msh1973Something has gone terrible wrong with Barkley, because it wasn't that many years ago that he claimed to be Rush's friend. He even called the show a few times.
I believe the verse goes: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Isaiah 5:20
Barkley being a "real" Christian would know that verse, now wouldn't he. He should study the scriptures a little better because the one about judging others has nothing to do with the person but rather the "sin".
Right. Barkley used to be
February 17, 2008 - 10:01 ET by motherbeltRight. Barkley used to be a conservative, when he thought the liberals wanted to take away his hard-earned millions. My guess is he's bought into the liberal "guilt trip" of wealth (for conservatives).
So he's a liberal now, because it's OK for them to be filthy rich. Because they're better, more caring people.
He also wants to stay in the spotlight, in prep for his guberantorial run....and what better way to earn the adoration of the MSM than by bashing Christians?
Governor of Alabama
February 17, 2008 - 10:04 ET by ricklailFrom what I recall Barkley is wanting to run for governor of Alabama. Alabama is still very conservative. Pro gay and pro abortion are not going to go over very good there even in the black community. Trashing Christians is not the way to become governor of any state unless it is CA, NY, NJ,WA, or MA.
If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.-Lewis Grizzard
Hey Charles, ever hear of hypocrasy?
February 17, 2008 - 10:25 ET by dronetekThe best part is where he says,
" But they’re the most hypocritical judge of people we have in
this country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like their
Christians. And they’re not forgiving at all."
Yet, thats exactly what hes doing in this interview. Hes attacking people based on a sterotypical view of christians.
That's what he said in the
February 17, 2008 - 11:20 ET by motherbeltThat's what he said in the interview, rick.. He just bought a house in AL and in 2014 he will have been a resident for the required 7 years and can run.
I guess he is hoping that his celebrity status will carry the day for him, in spite of his views.
The last democrat governor
February 17, 2008 - 12:07 ET by AlabamaThe last democrat governor we had in Alabama really made a mess of things... hopefully people will remember that if Barkley runs, instead of being star-struck...
Basketball Barkley
February 17, 2008 - 10:43 ET by TWOTIMETUNAIf it weren't for basketball, there sure would be a lot of tall garbage collectors.
Democrats are either Parasites or Parasite Enablers
Loser Barkley
February 17, 2008 - 11:08 ET by sms5217Barkley is a sorry, worthless basketball commentator and his views on conservatives, Christians, are another example of his total idiocy and brainwashing at the hands of the liberal elite.
What probably happened is that when Barkley told people several years ago that he was a Republican, liberal sports media people like Michael Wilbon, and William Rhoden (the most racist black man talking sports on TV) took him aside and "gave him the liberal juice". Now, he is a tried and true blue chip liberal spouting the usual nonsense. Charles used to be for personal responsibility, for hard work, and not depending on the government. Now, he is just another useless liberal on TV.
BTW, TNT's coverage of the All-Star game in NOLA is just another excuse to bring out the old tired George Bush hates black people and the federal government let us down. Again, the real villains of Nagin and the LA governor are whitewashed and covered up.
I know that I am sick and tired of the whole NOLA Katrina episode. I'm sorry, but those people need to stop whining and get a job and quit moving to other cities and expect the same handouts and quit raising the crime rate in those cities. I am fed up with the Katrina B.S. The truckloads of money wasted, the constant handouts, the debit cards used for topless bars, the blame game, all of it. Natural disasters happen, and this one was forecast for days, and if you were too stupid to get out, and if your mayor was too stupid to get the buses going, and if your governor is a twit, then tough sssssXXXX!!
Trial lawyers are the scum of the earth
I live here
February 17, 2008 - 12:33 ET by HAL9000You got that all right about NO, sms. I live in Louisiana and it's been hell on earth here since the hurricane. And I'm not refering to the hurricane itself, I'm refering what's been going on here politically. You've scratched the surface. Everyone I know is hoping the Jindal will get some things fixed in this state. Thank God that idiot Blanco is gone now. Good riddance. Now we need to get that "Schoolbus, Chocolate City, Gun-Pointer" moron, Ray Nagin out. How could people in NO and in all those parishes re-elect Nagin and William Jefferson? I'll never understand these people.
Barkley has been duped
February 17, 2008 - 11:19 ET by c5thenAs so many others have by fake churches who teach and espouse fake theology. He misunderstands the act of apathy or enabling as an act of forgiveness. You forgive the person, not the sin or transgressions and only AFTER they have repented and stopped the offensive behavior.
The Messiah Yehushuah (Jesus) rebuked the religious leaders of his day almost continually. To rebuke someone is an act of love. If you didn't care about them at all, you wouldn't care what they do. The Messiah rebuked his Apostles all the time too, when they allowed their petty human egos to intrude into what he was trying to teach them. They asked him which of them was greater (or #1). Yehushuah rebuked them and told them that if they wish to be first, they must be last, if they wish to be seen as the greatest, they must server all the others. If he didn't love them and care about them he would have ignored them and gone away shaking his head. Just like Charles and his philosophy on gay marriage, he shows he obviously doesn't care about these neighbor's of his, because he is not pointing out that they are permanently separating themselves from GOD by their behavior. That is not love, or forgiveness, it's apathy.
Charles confuses those who point out transgressions with the act of judging. Who's the fake Christian, Charles? The one who points out sin and immoral behavior even at the risk of persecution, or the one who lets it go and even encourages it?
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
"But they’re the most
February 17, 2008 - 11:26 ET by kg"But they’re the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country...they should read the part about they're not supposed to judge other people."
"And they’re not forgiving at all...makes me sick to my stomach....they’re really just fake Christians, as I call them"
First he talks about hypocrisy and judgment and how it makes him sick.
Then he goes on and becomes hypocritical and judges others himself.
Very typical for a Democrat. He is a very confused individual.
I wonder what would happen...
February 17, 2008 - 11:32 ET by sarcasmoIf a star-athlete were to say a similar thing, but use the tax-rate vs tithe ratio instead of homosexuals/abortion as the issue. One would think it's more Biblically-obvious, but I'm not a preacher or any sort of expert. I've just read a bit of the thing...Anyway, today's too beautiful. Back tomorrow, maybe.
JMR
If this is winning, I think I'd rather lose...
Apples and Oranges
February 17, 2008 - 11:42 ET by c5thenThe tithe is a voluntary gift of thanks giving, taxes are coerced by the government on pain of incarceration.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Making my case
February 17, 2008 - 16:33 ET by sarcasmoEven-stronger, since I never denied that obviousity...
JMR
If this is winning, I think I'd rather lose...
Judging the Judges
February 17, 2008 - 12:25 ET by CobraMan"But I don’t like the way the Republicans are taking this country. Every
time I hear the word "conservative," it makes me sick to my stomach,
because they’re really just fake Christians, as I call them. That’s all
they are."
By claiming that all Republicans are 1. conservative and 2. "fake" Christians, you have just appointed yourself as the judge of people you never met and don‘t understand. How antichristian of you, hypocrite!
Barkley
February 17, 2008 - 12:35 ET by MountainmamaIt is quite obvious Charles knows diddly squat about the bible. The bible also says "judge wisely". What does Charles have to say about that? The english word judge is translated from different Greek and Hebrew words, thus having different meanings. This "judge not" is used by many to justify evil. This judge not term means a person is not suppose to condemn people to hell. Charles explain I Cor. 2:15. It amazes me how so many non-Christians claim to know what Christianity is all about; as if they are bible scholars.
Barkley must read the
February 17, 2008 - 13:02 ET by wiwfBarkley must read the Cliff's Notes Bible. Covers all the stuff that isn't offensive and is also taken out of context.
Please read all of 1 Corinthians, if not the whole Bible, sir.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Barkly's is full of more
February 17, 2008 - 13:45 ET by ConservativeRexBarkly's is full of more crap than a Christmas turkey! If this numbskull was half as "brave" as he thinks he is, he'd be gutting the Muslims.
Somebody would have to refresh my memory, but I am having a hard time remembering the last time a Christian hijacked some planes and flew them into buildings, or exploded themselves up in a crowded mall, so on and so on. Oh yeah, it's coming back to me now..umm NEVER, nope never has happened. I'll be darned.
Screw Barkly and his gutless rants. He's just pitiful. Oh yeah, and he did sucker punch a fella once in a Florida bar, when the guy wasn't looking. Typical.
Well first of all, Barkley
February 17, 2008 - 14:17 ET by Adam_MEWell first of all, Barkley is an idiot. I don't mean he's a dumb guy necessarily. He's actually made a lot of good points over the years in interviews, whether they be about basketball or other topics. But if he's planning on running for Governor of a Southern state like Alabama, he needs people advising him on what to say. And the one thing you DO NOT do is trash all Christians as hypocrites and phonies. Bank on it. This clip will be played ad nauseum come 2014. He's pretty much flushed any shot he had at winning down the toilet.
Secondly, I've always noticed since he became an NBA commentator on TNT that he exhibits a bandwagon mentality. Just as quickly as he'll hype a team or player, he's willing to turn around and pile on them the minute things aren't going well. I think the same thing applies to his sudden shift from GOP to Democrat. I guess I feels with the Dems retaking Congress and having a good shot at the White House that he needs to switch over to the "winning" team. Hell, he did the same as a player. When things went bad in Philly, he got himself traded to Phoenix. And when things went south with the Suns, he talked his way into a Rockets uniform. And since the Rockets fell short against the Jazz in '97 and he never got his ring, he's been trashing them ever since.
Look in the Mirror
February 17, 2008 - 15:41 ET by CaringwhiteguyBarkley seems to have struck a nerve here. The reaction he has received on this board lends credence to his argument. Think about that, coupled with the strong probability that Evangelical intolerance for Mormonism has left the Republican Party with a 71-year-old RINO for a nominee.
The reaction he has
February 17, 2008 - 19:01 ET by motherbeltThe reaction he has received on this board lends credence to his argument. -Caringwhiteguy
Lends credence to WHAT argument?
I was wondering the same
February 17, 2008 - 19:10 ET by bigtimerI was wondering the same thing cwg when I read your post earlier.
Maybe a little clarification would help out.
I know exactly what he was saying
February 17, 2008 - 22:04 ET by CaringwhiteguyChuck doesn't use the best English at times and they didn't teach him a lot about syntax at Auburn. However his point was that many on the Christian right are intolerant. My observation is that reaction on this board reinforces his point. Lots of name calling and lots less rational and reasoned rebuttal. There's also very little doubt that anti-Mormonism from Evangelicals (and others) hurt Romney's efforts in the primaries. Hence we get McCain.
Does that fathead Barkley
February 17, 2008 - 16:21 ET by KStormDoes that fathead Barkley know anything about the context of which "don't judge" is placed, particularly when you read further about not seeing the "plank in one's own eye"?
In the mouths of [re]progressives, Jesus' command, "do not judge" is translated "don't say anything I do is wrong, or I will punish you."
KStorm, here's what I said
February 17, 2008 - 18:57 ET by motherbeltKStorm, here's what I said in my first post way up top....I'm sure you'll agree:
I love how these folks railing against people being "judgmental" always reserve for themselves the right to judge.
And they don't even see the irony.
delete double
February 17, 2008 - 18:59 ET by motherbeltdelete double
I saw this Friday...instead
February 17, 2008 - 18:38 ET by bigtimerI saw this Friday...instead of getting outraged anymore I just shook my head and thought to myself, what a whiz-bang...Barkley is just plain mentally-deficient...simple as that.
For those of you in Rio Linda...that means STUPID.
didn't Barkley come out
February 17, 2008 - 19:28 ET by a12iggymomdidn't Barkley come out about three years ago that he converted to islam?
I doubt it...he cannot be a
February 17, 2008 - 19:58 ET by motherbeltI doubt it...he cannot be a Muslim and be in favor of gay marriage, or have any tolerance toward homosexuality.
double
February 17, 2008 - 20:04 ET by motherbeltdouble
Face it,
February 17, 2008 - 19:50 ET by SlicksterIf the loser couldn't play ball he would be in line for all the liberal handouts, he is just another islamic cultist.
Barkely: I’m going to
February 17, 2008 - 21:13 ET by misterbee241Barkely: I’m going to vote Democratic no matter what.
Fair enough, Charles, I'm going to vote something else no matter what. Guess my vote will cancel out yours. It's a free country so I wont vote for a baby killing,gun grabbing, retreat and defeat, socialist democrat. So there. (stamps foot).
Btw - I'd love to debate this clown on theology.
There is none so blind as they that won’t see. Jonathan Swift 1667-1745
Charles should stick to Basketball
February 17, 2008 - 21:36 ET by DelsaSir Charles is proud to be in a party void of Christians and where reality is a dream.
keep bouncing your ball with the Democrats but remember they will not let you win
Perhaps Barkley is simply fullfilling his TNT contract.
February 17, 2008 - 22:56 ET by R D HelmAfter all, that network once belonged to the Christian-bashing Ted Turner.
LOL-Who knows what left-over lunacy exists in the mice-print on the last page?
The funny thing about this is
February 17, 2008 - 23:23 ET by Dustin JolleyThe funny thing about this is that just last week on Hannity and Colmes, Alan Colmes actually called Charles Barkley a Conservative. Nice try, Colmes. Once you start bashing Conservative Christians for no good reason, in my opinion, you shouldn't be even remotely considered a Conservative anymore.
A gifted athlete and commentator...nah.
February 18, 2008 - 00:20 ET by AndanteBarkley as a political commentator for CNN? Wow, Soon CNN will be offering him a job as a PGA commentator. I hope his commentary is better than his golf swing.
(don't try this at home)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s50K65PNeBU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFtoeQlO0Ho&NR=1
"We are going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."... Karl Marx? Nope, it was Hillary Clinton.
Barkley sounds like he has a
February 18, 2008 - 15:19 ET by EvokeBarkley sounds like he has a mouth full of marbles when he talks.
You can't even watch sports
February 18, 2008 - 19:32 ET by zfYou can't even watch sports anymore without being reminded about politics because of the views of the sports media and personalities. Good job liberals. They have politicized everyone and everything.