Comments for Be careful messing with a godly man . . . | Eastern North Carolina Now

Another recent post on Jimmy Carter and FAITH . . .

Jimmy Carter’s faith by Leonard Pitts, epaperedition.com, 9-3-15
‘To want what I have, to take what I’m given with grace … for this, I pray.’ — ‘For My Wedding,’ Don Henley

America is a nation of faith. So it is often said.
In faith, a baker refuses to bake a cake for a gay couple’s wedding. In faith, a minister prays for the president to die. In faith, terrorists plant bombs at the finish line of a marathon. In faith, mosques are vandalized, shot at and burned. In faith, a televangelist asks his followers to buy him a $65 million private jet.
And no one is even surprised anymore.
In America, what we call faith is often loud, often exclusionary, sometimes violent and too frequently enamored of shiny, expensive things. In faith, ill-tempered people mob the shopping malls every year at Christmas to have fistfights and gunfights over hot toys and highend electronics.
You did not hear much about faith last week when Jimmy Carter held a news conference to reveal that he has four spots of cancer on his brain. The 39th president made only a few references to it in the nearly 40 minutes he spoke, and they were all in response to reporter’s questions. Yet, you would be hard-pressed to find a more compelling statement of belief in things not seen. Unsentimental, poised and lit from within by an amazing grace, Carter discussed the fight now looming ahead of him, the radiation treatments he will undergo, the need to finally cut back on his whirlwind schedule.
He smiled often. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said, in such a way that you believed him without question. And it was impossible to feel sorry for him.
Partially, that’s because we all die and if — still only an if — cancer is what takes James Earl Carter Jr. away, well, there are worse things than to go having reached 90 years of age, having been president of the United States, having been married to the love of your life for almost seven decades, having sired a large and sprawling family and having done significant work toward the eradication of disease and the spreading of democracy in the developing world.
But here’s the other reason it was impossible to feel sorry for him. Feeling sorry would have felt like an insult, a denial of the virtues he showed and the faith he didn’t need to speak because it was just … there.
For all its loudness, all its exclusion, violence and ubiquity, the faith that is modeled in the public square is often not particularly affecting. It is hard to imagine someone looking on it from outside and musing to herself, “I’d like to have some of that.” What Carter showed the world, though, was different. Who would not want to be able to face the unknown with such perfect equanimity?
Carter presented an image of faith we don’t see nearly as often as we should. Which is sad, because it is also the image truest to what faith is supposed to be — not a magic lamp you rub in hopes of a private jet, not a license for our worse impulses, but, rather, an act of surrender to a force greater than self, a way of being centered enough to tell whatever bleak thing comes your way, “So be it.” Even fearsome death itself: “So be it.”
The heat and hubris of human life are such that that state is difficult to conceive, much less to reach. Our lives are defined by wanting and by lack — more money, new car, new love — and by the ceaseless hustle to fill empty spaces within. Media and advertising conspire to make you feel ever incomplete. So it is hard to feel whole within yourself, at peace with what is, whatever that turns out to be.
But who, gazing upon the former president, can doubt the result is worth the effort?
In faith, terrorists kill the innocent. In faith, televangelists swindle the gullible. In faith, so many of us hate, exclude, hurt, curse and destroy. And in faith, last week, Jimmy Carter told the world he has cancer in his brain.
And smiled as he spoke.

Commented: Friday, September 4th, 2015 @ 7:07 am By: Gene Scarborough

I have done all the research on BCN for Stan's credentials and educational background---SO FAR NONE!!! There is plenty to show he is a Tea Party Republican so stuck to his guns that they might explode in his hands . . .

I was in Rocky Mount when the Tea Party held it's first meeting in Greenville. I came over to the Tar River Park to find about 20 people milling around looking for a crowd. We finally got word they had changed their place across town and there was a big crowd there! They were a bunch of most angry people spewing venom from the microphone and waving big signs with angry faces . . .

My Conclusions:

(1) They don't know how to meet in the same place.
(2) Their basic motive is hate and anger
(3) There is no logic to their message

Sorry About That, Stan . . .

Commented: Tuesday, September 1st, 2015 @ 6:14 am By: Gene Scarborough

I graduated well enough to speak clearly, honestly, and answer questions directly.

Right about now, all my education is suiting me just fine.

Answer the question as stated if you want to be re-instated.

Commented: Saturday, August 29th, 2015 @ 3:13 pm By: Stan Deatherage

Gibberish: How did you ever make it through Emory, Gene?

Answer the question of who, what, when and where?

Commented: Saturday, August 29th, 2015 @ 9:44 am By: Stan Deatherage

Here is a good observation on people being able to reason ~~~ www.youtube.com

Commented: Friday, August 28th, 2015 @ 7:59 am By: Gene Scarborough

It is our anniversary of #47. I refuse to participate in shin kicking tonight. My wife adores and protects me so tomorrow --- I better see some kinder attitudes or I shall divulge who made me mad and how that led to a bad anniversary evening, gents!

Just be nice and kind to me in my absence. The sunset is to be seen holding hands=== and it is a heck of a lot better than some guys pissing on trees to see who can shoot a stronger stream without messing their pants---when old men are just glad they can piss at all!

Commented: Tuesday, August 25th, 2015 @ 7:23 pm By: Gene Scarborough

Ted (The Colonel) just came up with the perfect thing for the recent comments on this post and the fact Stan has not yet taken his ban off me in my latest post. It has a new comment from Ted---but I can't give answer until the Potentate Publisher gets another attitude on "fair and balanced" ----

Commented: Monday, August 24th, 2015 @ 6:30 pm By: Gene Scarborough

Gents, I have told you all I can about Carter hate by conservatives. If you don't get it then you can deal with God one day. Again, Stan---I apologize and have no more explaining to do. It appeared to me the comments and references were clear enough to make my case. I can't make anymore stuff up to please you.

Commented: Monday, August 24th, 2015 @ 3:28 pm By: Gene Scarborough

BT---I am being nice, now don't push me with too much BS . . .

Commented: Monday, August 24th, 2015 @ 1:14 pm By: Gene Scarborough

Bobby Tony, I am impressed. Your video may be satire, but it is the essence of the condition of Liberal.

Commented: Monday, August 24th, 2015 @ 8:38 am By: Stan Deatherage

BT --- if you are going to post a video on "liberal" --- at least use one that doesn't sound swishy, if you please . . .I'm NOT IMPRESSED, man

Commented: Monday, August 24th, 2015 @ 7:58 am By: Gene Scarborough

The threats start over this post and comments ---

(1) BT does one on his "can't talk back" opinion cited by the Colonel = Commented: Friday, August 21st, 2015 @ 8:34 pm. I answered back with 2 comments the best I could. You will have to click on "all comment" at the bottom and you can find it by the date/time stamp from BT.

(2) Stan does his below = August 23rd, 2015 @ 11:33 pm

I note both are in the evening after a day of back-and-forth over God's vengeance. I had announced by Private Message to Stan that I was headed for a good night's sleep beside the River. Summer heat has broken and God is now air-conditioning Beaufort County each evening---for the moment anyway.

The one below borders on personal threat and has a bully touch to it: "If you try linking to another video, by an another idiot Liberal commentator, who babbles incessantly and says nothing meaningful as proof again, you will find that you will be continuously banned, until your communications become more constructive.

I don't mind Liberals, like you, being part of any discussion, in fact I embrace it; but when all you offer is slanderous hyperbole based on no concrete facts, then I have to draw the line to stop the stupidity."

I thought Stan was describing MOST of the articles he uses each day from ultra-conservative writers and sources!!!

WHENEVER a good discussion degenerates to a fist fight, the one who keeps his head wins! I think this is as perfect an example of Conservative politics and mindset as any reader can see.

Both BT and Stan are focusing on minutia to pretend I have not show the Fox News disdain for Jimmy Carter at a tender time in his life and health. If they cannot hear the media over and over citing that FACT --- I feel most sorry for them.

Conservative, in its best sense, should mean---"Keeping that which is of value and helpful." I found that simply expressed in what my father used to say: "Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater!" It cites the other important part of "conserving" --- the baby is precious / the bath water stinks. Always keep the sweet smelling baby after its bath, but poop and stink need to go.

The version of "Conservative" I am seeing today (and here) is drinking the foul water to the point you get an intestinal illness and can't get off the pot for the stomach cramps through the night.

I have a new post up now about how you define PEACE. Without further ado, I commend both my mental sparing partners to realize how important SHALOM is!

PEACE, brothers . . .

Commented: Monday, August 24th, 2015 @ 4:26 am By: Gene Scarborough

All you have to do is look at the first link, Stan. Are you the dumb and stupid one here or what. Do you not listen to the news this last week and this morning???

Maybe it will come to you in your sleep that Mean Conservatism is showing its monkey tail to the public more than you want to admit ever since the Great Debate.

Commented: Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 @ 8:22 pm By: Gene Scarborough

This comment thread is drawing from all corners---BT first reaches abroad / now Stan does one for me to draw in:

"I have a great idea for apologies: Never apologize unless wrong, then own up and make amends ... except in the case of the wife, where I just suffer through it."

Now the Question to Stan---Are you to the point, sir, of admitting you are wrong about Jimmy Carter and his detractors ---- and more people should be more kind in politics???

Commented: Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 @ 5:01 pm By: Gene Scarborough

BT does a good article on Jimmy Carter and I wish he had a comment section so I shall say just a few words here----

(1) I think the reason Carter had difficulties as President was the DC establishment hate that thwarted his success WITHOUT paying the price to learn corruption in national politics. He actually believed and practiced "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"---INSTEAD of "get even with your enemies and bribe your way to their backing to keep their favor" . . .

(2) Had he had a successful rescue mission on Iraq Hostages instead of a bad-luck fiasco from an unexpected sandstorm, he would have been the Hero of the day --- such is luck for good or bad with any presidential decision --- and many things not under any leader's control. Obama had a successful mission, but conservatives keep saying "It was the Special Forces that did it and it had nothing to do with presidential courage" --- to which I say "tough titties--give him the credit!!!"

(3) The Arab Oil Embargo was the biggest fiasco he faced. Oil production had moved overseas at the crude level / Big Oil let it happen to get cheap oil, but the Cartel decided to pull the plug on their "exploitation for cheap" at US hands. It did not happen just because of Carter!

(4) He could have said "I authorize our military to take the oil by force"---which is essentially what our response to 9/11 was and is!

(5) His most shining moment was the Camp David Peace Agreement between Egypt and Israel. The fact the principals were both killed by their own people tells us how much we humans love hate and death to peace.

(6) Unlike the Conservatives of religion today---while Carter was a unapologetic Christian who taught a SS class at his Washington Baptist Church and back home--- he NEVER INSISTED ALL OF AMERICA BE JUST LIKE HIM! He led by example rather than dictatorial methods.

A recent CNN program on his decade showed him with an edgy temper despite all his work to do as he said in his Inaugural Address---"a nation as good as its people." We in America have the same problem with Peace and cooperation --- as do the warring tribes of the Middle East. It is far easier to hate than forgive and work together.

If more people saw that central principle in both Christian and Moslem faiths ---which is their central precept of love and forgiveness over hate and destruction --- we just might find peaceful uses for atomic power / wiser cooperation with mother earth rather than raping it for profits / we could remain in AC comfort rather than go back to a dark cave and keep warm and lit by candles or torches . . .

Commented: Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 @ 10:41 am By: Gene Scarborough

Stan ---Mess with Yellow Jackets in Georgia or NC --- you are gonna get swarmed with welts as the result!!!

Commented: Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 @ 8:58 am By: Gene Scarborough

I left off the end of my friend's yesterday email. Here is what complete it:

"Preachers are most vulnerable to anger…we are both ‘dumped on’ and we get angry…and in a lot of cases we cannot confront the source without a lot of consequences….so as often is the case….IF WE DON’T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT ANGER/DISAPPOINTMENT …we’ll find a scripture passage that gives somebody hell and then we preach on that text….as if ‘God led me to preach on this verse.’ We preachers need a ‘cussing tree’ where we can go and dump all our crap on so we can get it out of our systems and go about preaching the greater message of God. I used the term a ‘cussing tree’ because when I related to my daughter-in-law about how my youth director at Weldon and I worked so well together and that I had told her that ‘something church staff members just have to go and ‘pee on a tree’ to get all the anger out…because to do otherwise could have been very destructive…...to which my daughter-in-law said …”I can’t pee on a tree’ stupid me….it was then I say well we have to find a ‘cussing tree’ to dump on….
As noble as it might be to have a face-to-face talk with someone about what they have or have not done ….what they have or have not said…It’s not always possible….NOR….is it always advisable…sometimes the better part of valor is just to bear it….BUT YOU CAN’T EASILY BEAR IT….so find you a ‘cussing tree’, beat the hell out of the tree….GET IT OUT OF THE SYSTEM….BECAUSE IT W I L L COME OUT…SOONER OF LATER… ONE WAY OR ANOTHER…
Just a few of my thoughts on the matter.
Wayne
Sent from Mail for Windows 10

Commented: Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 @ 5:50 am By: Gene Scarborough