In 2003, David Kuo resigned from the Bush administration's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and later wrote a book [published just before the 2006 mid-term elections] claiming that the administration was hypocritical in its dealings with religious conservatives.The MSM had a field day because according to them [as E.J. Dionne wrote here, for example], Kuo was a religious conservative himself. But is that true? What kind of religious conservative, the day after Jerry Falwell died, would go on MSNBC's Tucker Carlson show and say this about the late pastor?:
DAVID KUO: In bringing the pulpit to politics in the very strident, narrow and frankly angry way that he did, he very much damaged the name of Jesus.View video here.
Later, Kuo made an illogical claim to the effect that Falwell's ministry was a failure.
KUO: If you look at the social statistics in 1979 when he started Moral Majority and compare them to today, out-of-wedlock births are up, divorces are up, drug use is up, teen sexuality is up, family formation is down and church attendance is down. So it's an interesting, what was the trade?Kuo and Carlson's logic is fundamentally flawed, a classic example of post hoc ergo propter hoc. An uncontrolled experiment. For all we know, all those social parameters would have been that much worse had it not been for the work of Falwell and other religious conservatives. Kuo's comments reveal much more about himself than they ever could about Falwell.
MSNBC HOST TUCKER CARLSON, completing Kuo's thought: I thought that yesterday. In the end, it wasn't that effective.
Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Little insignificant Jerry ca
May 16, 2007 - 17:42 ET by TruthMongerLittle insignificant Jerry can damage Jesus? Really...
As if Jesus need Jerry inst
May 16, 2007 - 17:43 ET by MightyMouthAs if Jesus need Jerry instead of the other way around.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
...my Jesus has already won t
May 16, 2007 - 17:46 ET by TruthMonger...my Jesus has already won the war...how about yours:)?
Looks like KUO got a dud...
There is only one Jesus, so
May 16, 2007 - 17:49 ET by MightyMouthThere is only one Jesus, so yes.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
...well Kuo's Jesus is damage
May 16, 2007 - 17:53 ET by TruthMonger...well Kuo's Jesus is damaged...he must have got a knock-off copy from China I suppose...hope he didn't pay too much...
Since Jesus is free, having
May 16, 2007 - 17:56 ET by MightyMouthSince Jesus is free, having to pay should have been his first clue that he had a knock-off.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
...he sounds kinda clueless s
May 16, 2007 - 17:57 ET by TruthMonger...he sounds kinda clueless so he must have missed it - his tragic downfall...
Hmmmmmmm?There was a study re
May 16, 2007 - 17:47 ET by Clear thinkerHmmmmmmm?
There was a study released last week showing divorce rates are the lowest in some 40 years in the USA. Leading people back to goodness takes time.
The liberal MSM has become an enemy of the USA.
...well Rev F didn't cure the
May 16, 2007 - 17:51 ET by TruthMonger...well Rev F didn't cure the world of sin...but at least he's still getting crucified...!
I'm very envious...I wish the anti-Christs hated me this much...
Kuo is an evil looking guy. H
May 16, 2007 - 17:51 ET by AntiMediaKuo is an evil looking guy. He must be a liberal democrat.
Kuo is a very miserable man,
May 16, 2007 - 17:52 ET by bigtimerKuo is a very miserable man, has been a long time.
I heard some of his whining rhetoric last night.
Not the first time either.
Pathetic guy really.
Kuo needs his head examined.
May 16, 2007 - 17:52 ET by msh1973Kuo needs his head examined. No one can damage the name of Jesus, how arrogant of Kuo to think that Jesus needs to be vindicated by him. Get over yourself Kuo!
Hi msh...Kuo may want to tak
May 16, 2007 - 17:58 ET by bigtimerHi msh...
Kuo may want to take some of Thompson's advice he gave Mikie Moore...mental institution.
Don't know if you saw that blog yet or not, but if you haven't it is well worth going to...funny!
I love Fred Thompson he got right to the point.
The fact of the matter is tha
May 16, 2007 - 18:14 ET by BeukeboomThe fact of the matter is that Falwell's ministry was to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to spread the good news of the Holy Scripture to as many people as he could. And in that respect Jerry Falwell was extremely successful. His venture into politics was never his primary focus but an extension of his leadership role. His second main job was the education focus of Liberty University. Carlson & Kuo joined countless other liberals taking the opportunity to misrepresent Dr. Falwell and smear him publicly. It's not surprising. The Bible even warns that those who believe in Him and hold firm to the truths found within the Holy Scripture would be attacked in all sorts of ways by those in opposition.
It's OK for liberals to hail
May 16, 2007 - 18:20 ET by Clear thinkerIt's OK for liberals to hail a certain Senator from WV as a great man (even though he was in the KKK), but because a man was once a racist and a conservative Christian he's a bad man. Libs....silly people!
The liberal MSM has become an enemy of the USA.
What does the Bible say about
May 16, 2007 - 19:12 ET by balboaWhat does the Bible say about people who want to segregate races?
The Bible does not recognize
May 16, 2007 - 19:17 ET by botgThe Bible does not recognize 'race' as a viable concept as all are descended from one man Adam. There is a scripture that says 'there is no jew nor greek; slave nor free' but that speaks of divisions based on political and societal divisions.
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
So Falwell's covered, then.
May 16, 2007 - 20:29 ET by balboaSo Falwell's covered, then.
'there is no jew nor greek; s
May 16, 2007 - 20:47 ET by botg'there is no jew nor greek; slave nor free' but that speaks of divisions based on political and societal divisions.
let me enumerate a wee bit further, the Bible speaks of the divisions as being abolished for those who are in Christ Jesus
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
The real problem here is not
May 16, 2007 - 20:20 ET by Mike BrattonThe real problem here is not Mr. Kuo's statements, because they are ultimately inconsequential, but rather the notion he has standing from which to make those statements.
As a man who is a Christian, and secondarily a conservative, I would like to hear legitimate reasons why anyone should take Mr. Kuo seriously.
Mr. Carlson, you might want to stay tuned for any responses.
--Mike
Wow!
May 16, 2007 - 20:33 ET by NortoBeliever
If Reverend F had to die to precipitate this discussion, Amen and Amen! Very refreshing dialogue, Thank you Jesus. Now you know what my moniker means.
I can not believe the extreme
May 16, 2007 - 21:03 ET by NazarethI can not believe the extreme vitriol and pathetic rhetoric that I've seen on the MSM and in some blogs today- it's quite disgusting- The MSM would be having a major fit if republicans were to piss on the grave of someone like Michael Moore or Hugh Heffner when they go.
Folks over on FreeRepublic have been sending Sean Hannity links to Daily Kos and asking Sean if he'd run a segment highlighting the sheer stupidity and disrespect that was being shown today toward Jerry Falwells' memory. Hopefully Sean will run a segment exposing the complete racism and intolorance shown by the despicable far left, and hopefully sites like this will continue to keep the public informed of the far left's dispicable heinousness.
http://sacredscoop.com
Good idea.Just too bad that t
May 16, 2007 - 21:12 ET by bretzysdudeGood idea.
Just too bad that the libs will try to find some sleazy way to defend and justify themselves for their venomous print.
"Well, Falwell started it with the Teletubbies!"
Idiots.
Exactly Nazareth, when a pers
May 16, 2007 - 21:12 ET by Conservative VoiceExactly Nazareth, when a person dies, it is the time to show respect even if you disagreed, that is the right thing to do.
People are showing death row inmates more respect than they are with Jerry.
People were feeling sadder ab
May 16, 2007 - 21:17 ET by bretzysdudePeople were feeling sadder about Saddam, for crying out loud.
so true
May 16, 2007 - 21:47 ET by LilyPearl"Kuo's comments reveal much more about himself than they ever could about Falwell."
Amen.
Tucker Carlson is no conserva
May 16, 2007 - 22:42 ET by newkidontheblockTucker Carlson is no conservative or "right-winger" ... Although he will make sure to say that he is on a daily basis. Carlson should be ashamed of himself for letting Kuo use his airtime to bash someone who passed away only 24 hours before. Why didn't Carlson challenge his assertions that Falwell did harm to Jesus? There is something really wrong at MSNBC, it has become the voice of the far left's hatred.
And there is something really wrong with Carlson
May 16, 2007 - 23:10 ET by RJAnd there's something really, really off about Carlson. You're right. He's no conservative but he insists every day that he is. Why the intentional deception when it's so blatant?
"Why the intentional deception when it's so blatant"?
May 17, 2007 - 11:33 ET by ViperRJ, If he is held up as a conservative, those who consider themselves "moderate" and actually watch this, may find it easier to dilute their values and move left under the misconception that he represents a conservative point of view.
Sorry that I am late to the dance on this one, but I wanted to add that thought.