The seemingly unexplainable hysteria over the census by Bachman, and the extreme evangelical contingent, actually has its roots for them in the biblical references based in the Book of 1 Chronicles 21:1-17; and 2 Samuel. Old Testament stuff regarding a story about one of their most cherished characters, David. Oh how they do love him!
Remember when Governor Mark Sanford (R) South Carolina likened himself to King David during his multi-media appearances following his outed affair? It’s that sense that they can engage in any type of sin against man and God and with a nod from their “sponsor”, Loren Cunningham who owns C Street House through Youth with A Mission…(Whatev)…they are magically absolved and forgiven for all their ongoing transgressions. How nice for them…
But I digress, this is about how they have skewed through their blood-red colored glasses, when cherry-picking from the Bible, that the census is an evil plot by Satan to mark groups of people – while preparing to increase taxes and and set up internment camps. For who you might ask? Republicans? ‘c’hristians? I am sure Bachman and Palin fear it is both.
It is that mix of profound delusional (grandiose) disorder (one of many psychoses I studied in college), and a by-product of their devout beliefs in their version of Christianity which includes a subtext of God removing His protection if you don’t follow His Word and touched off with a final ingredient of delirious tax protestation.
It is really beyond unsettling how they entrench their ‘c’hristinity almost exclusively in the Old Testament and develop an eschatology that they then turn around and willingly project as reality for ALL OF THE REST OF US!!
When I asked Alex (dogemporer) how much this biblical tale plays a role in the Dominionist schema regarding the census, she responded…
“…there’s a meme that the census will be used to essentially establish the Mark of the Beast and round up “good Christians”.
These people are devout! I cannot restate that often enough. This level of devotion shuts off incoming reason and oddly immerses them further into their world of what in psychology we call “confirmation bias“. Again, let’s just examine this excerpt from Bachman’s rantings on the census…
“If we look at American history, between 1942 and 1947, the data that was collected by the census bureau was handed over to the FBI and other organizations, at the request of President Roosevelt, and that’s how the Japanese were rounded up and put into the internment camps. I’m not saying that’s what the Administration is planning to do. But I am saying that private, personal information that was given to the census bureau in the 1940s was used against Americans to round them up.”
Words have POWER!
People do actually listen to these extremists!
And actions DO take place as a direct result.
More on this tomorrow…
As someone who enjoys doing genealogical research on my family, I love census forms! And this attack on the census is so horrible. As you say, words have power. And this is so misplaced. I remember the form I received for the 2000 census – it was quite lengthy and elaborate and asked all kinds of things – where was the paranoia then? I see where M. Bachman was out spreading her ignorance and fear again this weekend – these nuts sure do enjoy their festivals: http://tinyurl.com/y8pu6j7 – Can't help but be outraged by the topic How To Recognize Living Under Nazis & Communists – what an outrage to people that actually do/did live under those regimes!
Leah – there are some really smart and interesting people on this blog. Keep up the good work. You're attracting the good ones.
Thank you! I apologize to all for my ongoing temporary computer battles that have effected my ability to post and/or even approve comments. But I am gaining on this monster!
The very first census taken in the US was in 1790, and has been taken EVERY 10 years since. The early years had very skimpy info – was basically just a head count by household. In 1850, the census started enumerating each individual by name and gave their age, gender, occupation, and place of birth. By 1880, it expanded to include parents place of birth. By 1900, census takers were asking more than 20 questions. In 1930 they asked if you owned a radio. Next year we will be taking our 23rd census. And all of a sudden this is a problem. There is literally nothing the wackos won't try to use to scare the American public into their camp. Too bad so many people are so shallow minded and poorly educated to see through the hyped up scare tactics. Just a little bit of education could go a long way to alleviate their fears. I don't ask anymore why people are so stupid. I ask why they like being stupid.
"I don't ask anymore why people are so stupid. I ask why they like being stupid." – That is priceless!
But truly, can you imagine if we had an educated electorate? Boggles the mind!
Yes, people do actually listen to extremists! And it's depressing! But here's a satirical look from the perspective of the new GOP marketing strategists:
[youtube oBKuRK1wD1A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBKuRK1wD1A youtube]
Isn't it ironic that the Republicans are suddenly concerned about invasion of privacy? Where was the outrage when Bush implemented illegal wiretapping?
Funny how the very people who demanded we suspend our constitutional rights – in order to keep us safe from religious fanatics – now worry that much smaller, constitutional measures might be used to target them because of their religion.
Obviously these xtians don't read the gospels and follow in the footsteps of Jesus and his family (they read it every christmas) –
Luke 2: 1-7
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Or they trot out Romans 13.1 about "the powers that be are ordained of God", but only when it's convenient for *them*.