As I Crawl Through Holy Week

How like life that this week should find me simultaneously (1) working as much overtime as possible, (2) attempting to devote as much time as possible to the season’s religious obligations, and (3) determined to address some weighty topics here on Anchor Rising (still forthcoming, given my schedule). Against that background, I’m absolutely astonished that NEA Executive Director Bob Walsh would think there to be any chance that I would chuckle at his vicious imputation that I’m confused about whether or not I’m a messianic savior and assertions (yes, judgment) about my faith:

When you start to disavow the hate filled diatribes on your own blog that are directed anyone who expresses a different point of view, you might have some standing to be making the statements you made. Re-read the many “hate-filled” comments made over the years on Anchor Rising, and question your own integrity in not challenging the authors of those comments.
Until then, your confusion seems to continue – you may be a carpenter who converted to Catholicism, but you are not anyone’s savior and you have not yet grasped the underlying principals of your chosen faith. Start with forgiveness and understanding, and work your way up to your obligation to your fellow man, and move on to love.

Any benefit of the doubt that I’ve reserved (against the urging of people close to me) that Walsh’s public presentation is anything other than the self-serving machinations of a six-figure union boss have evaporated.
How horrible that he ought to accomplish such a feat on a day during which, and in the midst of a conversational thread in response to which, I’ve devoted much prayerful thought to a matter of deep division.

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George
George
16 years ago

It is so typical that the champions of the status quo and the stewards of organized thievery would call any passionate opposition to their prevailing practices “hate filled”.
Meanwhile, RI Future is filled with thoughtless babble and ongoing mindless rants… blahblah-bushlied-evilcheney-enron-halliburton-wal-mart-aaahg-wal-mart-repugnicans-idiot-conservative-republicans-hate-brown-people-rush-is-a-junkie-but-patrick-is-courageous-yadayadayada.
Hypocrites!

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

Walsh is just the “reasonable” side of Crowley for the public’s consumption-in many if not most organizations the deputy leader is the ball-breaker.Walsh figures it’s okay to steal his members’ money to contribute to socialist causes and candidates-and what is he-a priest?He’s more of a highly paid parasite.

Will
Will
16 years ago

Next thing you know, Lucifer himself will be posting online to warn us against pridefulness.
I don’t know what if any faith Mr. Walsh may adhere to, but he has no right to call into question how Justin or anyone else actually practices theirs, especially on this day. At least Justin sincerely tries to put his into practice according to his conscience, which unfortunately, is not the norm in many elitist power circles. For Mr. Walsh to speak as if he’s some kind of expert on the subject is just beyond belief.
Given his contempt for taxpayers, perhaps he is an expert at… Oh, I so wanted to make a really good joke, but in light of Good Friday, I’ll pass.
PS Publik Edukashun stikes again! I’ll assume he meant “principles” and not “principals” — or it just could be a Freudian teacher thing.
“Until then, your confusion seems to continue – you may be a carpenter who converted to Catholicism, but you are not anyone’s savior and you have not yet grasped the underlying principals of your chosen faith.”

Monique
Editor
16 years ago

When did Justin claim to be a savior?
When did Bob Walsh acquire the ability to read minds so as to be in a position to make that remarkably offensive statement with such apparent assuredness about anyone?
P.S. And doesn’t it constitute hate speech?

Bob Walsh
Bob Walsh
16 years ago

Q.E.D.

Tim
Tim
16 years ago

Justin,
Congratulations! You’ve struck a nerve with one of Lucifer’s disciples and during Holy week no less. Outstanding! Wear it as a badge of honor Justin.
Walsh and his cabal from Gehenna (Crowley Nee Dufault Jerzyk) have no ethic no morality no soul. Their opposition only reinforces the merit and integrity of your standing.

joe bernstein
joe bernstein
16 years ago

Tim-amen to that!The cabal you describe with their handmaidens in the legislature are trying to turn RI into a socialist laboratory because it’s small enough,has economic problems(largely due to them),has a large immigrant community(legal and illegal)whom they can patronize and manipulate for their own ends,and has plenty of academicians as fellow travelers.And these are Justin’s enemies-so,I don’t know Justin except from this blog,but he must be doing something right!And let’s not forget Steven Brown,the personification of destructive evil in this state.

Justin Katz
16 years ago

Alright, now. To some extent Bob was asking for hyperbole, and I should note that he and I apparently have different views of the implications of an open forum. Nonetheless, it’s a dire mistake to minimize true evil (and in some respects belie its existence) by defaming him thus, as detrimental and periodically immoral as his organization may be.

Phil
Phil
16 years ago

Justin You must have given up hate speech for Lent.

Monique
Editor
16 years ago

Mr. Walsh, fancy latin phrases are no substitute for proof in the form of specific quotes.
“rush-is-a-junkie-but-patrick-is-courageous”
Do you dare to ask for consistency, George?

Ragin' Rhode Islander
Ragin' Rhode Islander
16 years ago

Let’s ask Mr. Walsh why then he doesn’t oppose “work to rule.”
This is far worse than “hate speech” – it is “hate action” in that it is a discretionary, deliberate and premeditated (and prolonged) action that is inherently harmful to children and teenagers.
One wonders if Mr. Walsh’s comments aren’t really some sort of Freudian projection. Representing an organization like the NEA, that any objective observer will conclude is causing great harm to children and to this country, it’s not hard to imagine that one’s subconscious might seek some sort of rationalization or justification by projection of wrongdoing onto one’s opponents.
After all, if I worked for the NEA, I know that I’d have trouble sleeping at night! Any decent human being would …

Mike Cappelli
Mike Cappelli
16 years ago

These union whores like Walsh will use whatever means necessary to deflect from the fact that his chosen path in life is directly responsible for the destruction of our childrens, and America’s, future. NEA, KGB, what’s the difference? These communist pigs know no shame. As long as they get theirs, who cares about everybody else? The end always justifies the means to this scum.

rhody
rhody
16 years ago

Seems like a lot of holier-than-thou babble on both sides of this spat.

George
George
16 years ago

Here’s a sample from the “Happy Easter” thread on RI Future…
Matt (0.00 / 0)
that is so ‘old’ Christian beliefs; you need to embrace the ‘new’ Jesus of GW (Moron) Bush: ‘Kill Muslims, steal all their oil, kill Americans, deny wounded Americans proper care, make tons of money for Haliburton and Exxon, and all will be well!’
——————————————————————————–
by: WOW @ Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 16:45:13 PM CDT
I’m sure Mr. Jerzyk is in for a scolding from Bobby Walsh. or NOT…

Monique
Editor
16 years ago

They left out that Dick Cheney is causing global warming.

donroach
donroach
16 years ago

Justin,
I for one would really like to go deeper into your perspective in the ‘controversial thread’.
I’ve discussed your comments with about as many people as I can find, who like myself, are Christians. It’s not often that I disagree with you as much as I do on this point, and I’m very much trying to understand where you’re coming from. As it stands, I don’t see it.
I have some theories, but I don’t want to put them out in the public forum as I’m unsure how seriously they would be taken by many on these boards. In other words, there things (read: politics) that I feel can be flippantly discussed. There are other things (read: God) that I will not discuss in an offhand manner. And since some of my theories revolve around the latter, it’s not something I’d like to dive into, as I said, on a public forum. If you could shoot me an e-mail, I’d love to see if we could get together and discuss this issue further as i’m a bit befuddled by your response.

mikeinRI
mikeinRI
16 years ago

I have been angered and frustrated by this discussion, which I have followed on both blogs. And I am also a bit angered by Don’s comments, which suggest we might not be able to handle the maturity of the discussion.
Justin, I hope you have more respect for your readers. This dialogue began in the public realm; to take it private at this point would be a disservice.

George
George
16 years ago

Face it, there is a lot of difference between US and THEM. It gets passionate and emotional because it involves what is at stake and what separates us.
a) Money: we want to protect what we earn, they want to take it.
b) Security: We love American and understand what must be done to protect her. We know the enemy is not trustworthy. They believe they can sit down and have a conversation with the enemy becaue they hate America just as much.
c) Right and Wrong. Most of us seek the truth. Most of them do everything they can to distort the truth, and blur the line between right and wrong as a means to feed their malignant narcisism and justify their support for and commission of sinful behavior.
This whole liberal, PC, hate-speach- victimhood bubble is getting some long overdue exposure thanks to the Democrat family feud thats taking place between the Clinton and Obama camps. I think its about to burst and I think it will be a really good thing for the country when it does.

Tim
Tim
16 years ago

Justin,
I consider those who use and abuse children for their own gain be it political or financial to be a personification of true evil. The shoe fits NEA Walsh and his political marital partners the poverty pimps quite nicely.
Don,
Stand up like a man and air your views publicly since this is a public forum. This isn’t RIDemise and we’re not Matilda and the girls.
George,
Kudos!! Very well said!

donroach
donroach
16 years ago

I apologize to all.
I think what I said didn’t come out as I intended. I believe in discussing issues in a candid manner, and many of you who’ve seen me post, can attest to this.
However, I think this particular point is not something that comes across well in a back and forth over postings. I just don’t think it works. That’s more to why I made the request to Justin. Not to have some back-room conversation, but to actually, conversate, and not post and respond. My point about blog posters was more related to the other blog, and in specific to how Mr. Walsh portrayed Justin’s comments.
I just feel the words of Christ deserve a more sacred environment in general. I meant no offense to anyone on either blog. My apologies, again, if that is what happened.
Having said that, my lack of understanding with respect to Justin’s response to my respect for Obama’s integrity in this situation has really struck me. It has.
I’d personally prefer to take that conversation offline if you will, but I meant no disrespect to any blogger and hope that you all will forgive me.

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