Freethought & Rationalism Archive

fando · 12-22-2002, 12:49 PM

I found this interesting report on the Faith-Based and Community Initiative conference by one Matt Taibbi. He belongs to a weird journalism group called The Beast. Taibbi accomplished an entertaining and revealing piece of investigative journalism in the Hunter Thompson style. Here's a nice snippet:

Quote:

Anyone who had doubts about the constitutionality of the FBCI had only to show up at this conference to find their worst fears realized. Though there was a solid contingent of Jewish and Catholic religious representatives present, the overwhelming majority of the attendees were fundamentalist protestants. As for Black Muslims, there was a simple reason why they weren't there: they weren't invited. Indeed, Bush himself has said on a number of occasions that the Nation of Islam's prison counseling programs would not be considered for FBCI funding, because the Nation "preaches hate."

Interesting note: This is the conference where Bush famously disowned Lott.

Toto · 12-22-2002, 05:05 PM

Good find.

Quote:

It dawned on me in the middle of Bush's speech what a brilliant strategy this was. Don't spend any more money on social services, just redirect the money you do spend directly to black churches. That way, you can take all the money you want away from schools and other normal budget expenditures, and still win some of the vote by directly buying off the heads of the local congregations. . .

Grumpy · 12-23-2002, 02:01 PM

...While at the same time <a href="http://www.au.org/press/pr051402qa.htm" target="_blank">altering the law</a> to allow churches to engage in political activity without endangering their tax exemptions. (Though from what I can tell, both those bills died at the end of the session.)

Autonemesis · 12-23-2002, 02:42 PM

Thanks for the links. The Beast looks interesting in its own right, and that expose was excellent material.

Splat · 12-23-2002, 07:37 PM

The Beast (of Buffalo) is GREAT.

Unfortunately, they don't seem to archive stuff (at least not without a subscription, I 'spose). Last week they had an absolutely chilling article about how they found out about the files that the police had on them and some staff of the NYCLU. Spooky stuff.

The Base Faith article is worth reading if only for the phrase:

Quote:

The decision left me with what turned out to be a front-row seat for George Bush's coming-out party as a black politician.

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12-23-2002, 02:01 PM	#3
Grumpy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Alaska, USA Posts: 1,535	...While at the same time <a href="http://www.au.org/press/pr051402qa.htm" target="_blank">altering the law</a> to allow churches to engage in political activity without endangering their tax exemptions. (Though from what I can tell, both those bills died at the end of the session.)

12-23-2002, 02:42 PM	#4
Autonemesis Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: I've left FRDB for good, due to new WI&P policy Posts: 12,048	Thanks for the links. The Beast looks interesting in its own right, and that expose was excellent material.

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