My take on yesterday's speech: Faith, Politics and Values

[kerrygoddess]

Faith, Politics and Values
September 19th, 2006 @ 5:54 pm

Democrats don’t talk much about faith. It’s not that they don’t have faith and values, because truly the very foundation of what Democrats are about is all about faith and values. It’s different sort of faith and values than the conservatives tout, but it is the faith, in my book that Jesus taught 2 millennia ago. And if you take a good long look at any theology or religious philosophy, you’ll see the same values across the board. Long before politics called me to get involved, a question of faith called me to take a deeper look at who I was and how I got there. I found the answers in the myriad of wisdom from some of the great spiritual masters. It shaped who I am today and why I am here, blogging about politics everyday.



Yesterday, I sat rapt listening to John Kerry speak about faith and values at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. Pepperdine, known for it’s conservative leaning had invited the Senator to speak on that subject. His speech was deeply personal and profoundly moving and it reaffirmed why I am here, and why I believe deeply in John Kerry as a leader that America needs, now and in the future.

America, the world is changing and as our lives grow more complex, we all seek something that speaks to our hearts, that addresses our longing for something simpler, something that resounds in our souls. Applebee’s America says what drives people to the polls, are “Gut Values,” and Democrats often are seen as missing the boat in connecting with voters on these values.

Kerry’s speech yesterday was an effort to urge people of faith, all faiths to work together cooperatively on problems that all people should be concerned about — poverty, global warming and reducing the number of abortions. The “godly tasks,” Kerry called them, that transcend our nation’s culture wars.



“This discussion does not belong in the sole purview of one side of the political aisle,” Kerry reminded us and, “There will always be those bent on corrupting our political discourse.” Reflecting on the ‘04 campaign, Kerry told the audience at Pepperdine, largely students, “no matter your party, your ideology, or your faith, we are all done a disservice when the debate is reduced to ugly and untrue caricatures.”

“Both my parents taught me early on,” Kerry said, “that we are all put on this earth for something greater than ourselves.” In choosing a life of public service, John Kerry forged that path that we all must forge, and it was not without it’s tests.

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4217

[karynnj]

1. Very nice write up -

It's amazing that he could touch a crowd so far across the political spectrum, or is there a subset of liberal/moderate Pepperdine students?

I love your comments. This really goes incredibly beyond a political speech. Thanks for covering the question and answer session. It's an interesting time for him to be speaking on moral/spiritual/religious issues while the country is starting to speak on whether we should torture. His comments on that and Bush's are an interesting contrast - that if seen should embarrass the "values" voter.

His answer was what we all knew it would be:
After the speech Kerry answered questions from four students and a faculty member. When asked about his thoughts on Bush’s legislation aimed at changing the Geneva Conventions, Kerry answered with a thundering vehemence, “No Torture.” His response was met with a thundering applause.

“Does it make it harder… yes it does… but experts have said that these harsh techniques don’t work. The Geneva Conventions are not there for some ‘nice thing we do’, they are there to protect our troops.”

[ProSense]

2. Wonderful statement! Thanks n/t

[beachmom]

3. Thanks for the post, KG.

Since we're on the topic, I just found a dKos diary (long off the front page) on the speech, but I missed it when it was new (authored by etherapy, a big Kerry fan on dkos):

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/19/191256/878

I have this nifty feature set up bookmarked with tags for "kerry" that captures any new diaries with kerry in it every day. Even if the diary is in Markos's Dead Letter Office, it's still fun to check it out. I even comment, because I bet you others also check the Recent Diary list.

My point is, I realize Kos is a pain, but would you consider posting this on dKos, even if you knew it wouldn't make it to the rec list (given the crowd there) for the simple fact that there ARE Kerry fans who page through older diaries desperate for some Kerry news.

[kerrygoddess]

4. Thanks for pointing this out

I've been playing catch up as usual. I gave it a kick on Kos with a comment.