Context Matters

I found a fun picture to post first thing this morning, and to kick off the week.

But, unlike our friends and competitors at the AP and other news outlets, I decided to dig a little deeper. In what context was Washington speaking? Are those even his words?

This quote is actually part of The Barbary Treaties 1786-1816 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Signed at Tripoli November 4, 1796

ARTICLE 11.

As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,-as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,-and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

Wow. That's pretty interesting, isn't it?

However, here's where Jerry's quote comes from. It was an article titled The Idiots of Whom I Speak - which is a answer to calling anti-war folks idiots. Here's his whole quote in context.

But my passion for this nation sometimes brings about zealous words. I will never apologize for fearlessly defending the Judeo-Christian values on which this nation was founded. And I will never back down from a battle with those who seek to destroy this nation that has traditionally embraced and pursued those historic values. I think it's time we drop the gloves and start fighting for a return to moral sanity in our nation.

Maybe "idiots" was the wrong word, but I really can't think of a better one.

I really don't want to defend Jerry Falwell - especially first thing in the morning - but context does matter.

Jerry was talking about values and George never said that, it was a treaty. So, who's lying? The guy who made a misleading .jpg and put it on the internet.

Christopher Hitchens On the Death of Jerry Falwell

Smarter than whatever I can type here...

Jerry Falwell, Rest in Hell

Jerry Falwell is one of the most evil, hate-filled, and offensive human beings ever to walk on God's green earth. Today he is dead.

Amen.

Jerry Falwell had been in the religion business for 51 years. He has taken hundreds of millions of dollars over the course of that time. Mainly by lies, deceits, and blackmail. In his career he has attained three faux doctorates, bankrupted the PTL, created a propagandist piece on an United States president, sued Penthouse, and Hustler for defamation, slandered blacks, jews, gays, and Tinky Winky from the Teletubbies.

Here are some highlights of his career.

• In the 1980's he was a fierce supporter of apartheid. He asked Americans to purchase Krugerrands, the South African currency to help support Botha, elected president by the White South African minority.
  
• Calls Desmond Tutu a "phony." Probably because Tutu knew of love and compassion. To quote Mr. Tutu, "Jesus did not say, 'If I be lifted up I will draw some'." See, he is a phony. Jesus only loved the white man.
• Falwell claims that the Anti-Christ "must be, of necessity, a Jewish male." Probably Ben Stiller.
• "AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals." And the unborn children of drug addicts.
• "God Almighty does not hear the prayer of a Jew." f he did he might avoid this whole Anti-Christ thing.
• In his video "The Clinton Chronicles," he claims that Bill Clinton is a drug addict who arranged for the murders of his political foes. At first denying that he had anything to do with the video it is later discovered that Falwell funded the project. He also made the reporter sit behind a screen claiming that he was afraid for his life. This was Jerry adding "drama."
• "Reverend Sun Myung Moon is like the plague: he exploits boys and girls, and he should be exported." Few years later Falwell's university accepts $3.5 million from Sun Myung Moon.
  
• And the greatest Falwellism of all time! Tinky Winky is gay!!!

Send Nixon my regards, Jerry.

Update: Got emailed this quote which explains the dead AIDS babies. - "AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals."

Update II: My best piece? 3 emails and it has been up for 20 minutes. Whoa! For the record, it is not wrong to criticize the dead moments after they die. Some day all of our times of mocking will come. Best while we are dead. This guy touches on some of this and has a good history of Falwell.