Freethought & Rationalism Archive

openeyes · 01-05-2003, 07:23 AM

Noticed yesterday in the St. Paul Pioneer Press that a letter to the editor was published praising outgoing Governor Jesse Ventura on his "uncompromising....support of state-church separation." It ends by saying "We are grateful for the brief experience of what this nation's Founders intended-freedom from government coerced religion." It was written by the communications director of one of our local atheists groups.

Though personally I think Jesse's negatives in the end outweighed his positives, I so did enjoy his standing up to the religious right by refusing to sign a proclamation for a day of prayer, but in his last year, signing an "Indivisible Day" proclamation that was written by an atheist (actually the same one that wrote the letter I'm referencing here), among other things. It seemed to me, though I could be biased, that generally he received positive or neutral responses for these stands, except from the very conservative. Of course, I'm sure there are many who blamed his other "negatives" on his lack of religiosity.

Belle · 01-05-2003, 10:48 AM

I think he's been pressed to bend his beliefs by the far right to keep them at bay. However, I think he would make a great president if he knew he had secular support and could strengthen his integrity to the point where he refused to pacify the religious right at the expense of our rights. He's got a hard job. I wouldn't want it. Isn't he pretty burnt out though? I've heard a few comments that he wouldn't run for anymore government offices because he was tired of the head games.

openeyes · 01-05-2003, 06:17 PM

I think the private sector is a better place for Jesse. If he wants to be arrogant, self-centered and unempathatic to those different than he, it's not such a problem, depending on his position. As I said, I found his stand on state-church separation refreshing, but I disagreed with his response to other issues.

"The straw that broke the camel's back" as far as his deciding to not seek re-election, I believe, was his feeling that his family was being attacked unfairly in the press. There was a story about how his son, an adult, was living in the Governor's mansion and having parties (sometime using the stock liquor available at the mansion), and leaving the mess for the staff to clean up. I think Jesse should have told the kid to shape up and said it wouldn't happen again but instead he chastised the media for making a story of it.

He also seemed to have something against education, maybe because he made it without college. I think it often shows when he speaks. Most people can't rely on their personalities like he can and getting a good education is the way to go for them. Trying to keep it affordable at the U of MN was an issue Mr Ventura didn't seem to worry too much about. He was also unsympathetic to K-12 pleas for more funding.

Viking · 01-05-2003, 09:38 PM

Like you, I find myself in the strange position of feeling embarrassed by a Governor with an ego the size of a small planet and the thin skin of a peach, yet totally in agreement with some of his libertarian and secularist views. To be fair, he also picked some pretty darn good folks to head the state departments.

I am still reeling from the election, and worried about the news that our new Gov. and Lt. Gov pray together. Lt. Governor is also on the board of directors of Teen Challenge, a christian treatment program which grossly inflates its successes while ignoring its selectivity and drop-outs.

The thing is, the majority of voters did not vote for Pawlenty. I wonder if he realizes this?
Gary Olson
Duluth, MN

openeyes · 01-06-2003, 06:38 AM

I too, am nervous about the direction this new adminstration is likely to go, especially concerning religion. On my way home from work this morning, I heard that Pawlenty had a prayer service this morning before his inauguration. I read in the Strib post-election that he or his wife said something to the effect that they didn't talk much together, but prayed alot together (this was to quell concern about conflict of interest, since she's a judge.)

Pawlenty said something about wanting to be the governor of all the people, not just those who elected them (I think Coleman said something similar). I was going to write both of them reminding them not everyone was religious like them and they needed to represent all of us, but I haven't. Should still make an attempt, though I'm doubtful it'll do much good!

01-05-2003, 07:23 AM	#1
openeyes Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,215	Letter to Editor praising Gov. Ventura Noticed yesterday in the St. Paul Pioneer Press that a letter to the editor was published praising outgoing Governor Jesse Ventura on his "uncompromising....support of state-church separation." It ends by saying "We are grateful for the brief experience of what this nation's Founders intended-freedom from government coerced religion." It was written by the communications director of one of our local atheists groups. Though personally I think Jesse's negatives in the end outweighed his positives, I so did enjoy his standing up to the religious right by refusing to sign a proclamation for a day of prayer, but in his last year, signing an "Indivisible Day" proclamation that was written by an atheist (actually the same one that wrote the letter I'm referencing here), among other things. It seemed to me, though I could be biased, that generally he received positive or neutral responses for these stands, except from the very conservative. Of course, I'm sure there are many who blamed his other "negatives" on his lack of religiosity.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-05-2003, 10:48 AM	#2
Belle Regular Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 498	I think he's been pressed to bend his beliefs by the far right to keep them at bay. However, I think he would make a great president if he knew he had secular support and could strengthen his integrity to the point where he refused to pacify the religious right at the expense of our rights. He's got a hard job. I wouldn't want it. Isn't he pretty burnt out though? I've heard a few comments that he wouldn't run for anymore government offices because he was tired of the head games.

01-05-2003, 06:17 PM	#3
openeyes Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,215	I think the private sector is a better place for Jesse. If he wants to be arrogant, self-centered and unempathatic to those different than he, it's not such a problem, depending on his position. As I said, I found his stand on state-church separation refreshing, but I disagreed with his response to other issues. "The straw that broke the camel's back" as far as his deciding to not seek re-election, I believe, was his feeling that his family was being attacked unfairly in the press. There was a story about how his son, an adult, was living in the Governor's mansion and having parties (sometime using the stock liquor available at the mansion), and leaving the mess for the staff to clean up. I think Jesse should have told the kid to shape up and said it wouldn't happen again but instead he chastised the media for making a story of it. He also seemed to have something against education, maybe because he made it without college. I think it often shows when he speaks. Most people can't rely on their personalities like he can and getting a good education is the way to go for them. Trying to keep it affordable at the U of MN was an issue Mr Ventura didn't seem to worry too much about. He was also unsympathetic to K-12 pleas for more funding.

01-05-2003, 09:38 PM	#4
Viking Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Duluth, MN Posts: 151	Like you, I find myself in the strange position of feeling embarrassed by a Governor with an ego the size of a small planet and the thin skin of a peach, yet totally in agreement with some of his libertarian and secularist views. To be fair, he also picked some pretty darn good folks to head the state departments. I am still reeling from the election, and worried about the news that our new Gov. and Lt. Gov pray together. Lt. Governor is also on the board of directors of Teen Challenge, a christian treatment program which grossly inflates its successes while ignoring its selectivity and drop-outs. The thing is, the majority of voters did not vote for Pawlenty. I wonder if he realizes this? Gary Olson Duluth, MN

01-06-2003, 06:38 AM	#5
openeyes Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,215	I too, am nervous about the direction this new adminstration is likely to go, especially concerning religion. On my way home from work this morning, I heard that Pawlenty had a prayer service this morning before his inauguration. I read in the Strib post-election that he or his wife said something to the effect that they didn't talk much together, but prayed alot together (this was to quell concern about conflict of interest, since she's a judge.) Pawlenty said something about wanting to be the governor of all the people, not just those who elected them (I think Coleman said something similar). I was going to write both of them reminding them not everyone was religious like them and they needed to represent all of us, but I haven't. Should still make an attempt, though I'm doubtful it'll do much good!

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.