Frank Schaeffer on the Shannyn Moore Show Today
Today on 1080am KUDO, Shannyn Moore will be talking to special guest Frank Schaeffer. He was profiled extensively in Max Blumenthal’s book Republican Gomorrah, and is the author of Crazy for God.
Schaeffer is a fascinating character, the son of Francis Scheaffer, an American Christian theologian who is widely considered to have been responsible for the rise of the Christian Right in modern politics.
Frank’s nonfiction includes “Keeping Faith-A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps” and AWOL-The Unexcused Absence of America’s Upper Classes From Military Service and How It Hurts Our Country.” Frank’s latest book is, “Crazy for God: How I Grew Up As One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back.”
It promises to be a lively conversation about the conflation of religion and politics from the unique point of view of a former insider who was part of the movement’s rise. Click HERE to listen live.
Click HERE for Schaeffer’s memoir Crazy for God. His new book is titled Patience with God. Schaeffer wants to change the conversations we have about God. He is critical of the politicized evangelical movement, and also of the proselytizing atheist movement. He seeks middle ground and personal relationships as the basis of our spiritual center.
Schaeffer says he understands Sarah Palin and the appeal of the lucrative benefits she now receives from her party and religious financial backing. Schaeffer regrets having been one of those who put the current movement in motion, and eloquently seeks to set things right. He sees Christianity as having been co-opted by people who are concerned with reviling “the other.”
And if you’re around from 1pm-2pm Alaska time, tune in for “Thursdays in the Mud” when I’ll join Shannyn for a regular weekly segment for the last hour of the show.
Dang I wish I could manage to listen on this computer!
InJuneau – I wish I could send it to you . It’s a really great discussion. So much so that I’m caught up listening and not able to post as it unfolds.
One of the points that I’m rolling with right now is that Frank ( and Shannyn) are speaking so fluently, easily, passionately about so many topics, and yet it might not make anything more as a ripple by morning. And yet , then there’s empty Palin, who is getting too much attention for nothing more than her sneezing the word, ” retarded” and she gets all sorts of coverage.
Back to listen ~!
“It promises to be a lively conversation about the conflagration of religion and politics”
Now, I suppose mixing religion and politics can lead to a conflagration; however, methinks maybe you meant “conflation.”
Ha! Yes, you’re right. LOL. Changed. AKM
Oops. me thinks…
“Sarah Palin is a chronic liar” – SM
Barry Goldwater, deceased conservative Republican senator and presidential candidate, foresaw the destruction of conservatism:
“The oldest philosophy in the world is conservatism, and I go clear back to the first Greeks. … When you say ‘radical right’ today, I think of these moneymaking ventures by fellows like Pat Robertson and others who are trying to take the Republican Party away from the Republican Party, and make a religious organization out of it. If that ever happens, kiss politics goodbye.”
Too bad no one listened.
Unfortunately, Goldwater failed to foresee the zombification of the “modern” GOP. It doesn’t look like they’re going away any time soon.
Actually, Smooch, you were right the first time.
Is Frank still on? I’m hearing a commercial right now.
Love ya Shannon! Your a real RADIO PRO!!!
Anyone have the number to ring?
I keep forgetting to add his book to my “must read list”
There are gossip bloggers, and right there in Alaska.
AKM is not one of them. That guy was just wrong…
I bought and read crazy for God.hard to get into at first but I will say if you don’t like bad language this book has a lot in it. ,even as he shows how the religious right took over this country or tried to at any rate and just how they did,do it.
Darn. Must have missed it. I hope Mr. Schaeffer is sincere in his efforts to try and mellow out the right-wing religious politicos.
Thanks to Karen Marie for the Goldwater quotation. Gosh, I’d never heard or seen that before; gives me the willies, thinking how prophetic he was. Politics are no longer about political views; the wing-nuts are transitioning the Republican and Tea parties into holy wars. I hope they lose big time because we need to salvage our country from the damages done by eight years of another born-again Xhristian who believed he had a direct pipeline to his God.
We see too much of this “holier than thou” crap here in Kansas with our Republicans. We don’t drink, but we are annoyed in principle that no one can buy wines or full-strength beers in groceries stores. Makes sophisticated cooking a real bitch, trekking to liquor stores to get just basic wine for cooking.
I just hope people really start thinking about how pervasive this movement is becoming and how it will undermine the freedoms we take for granted. Women, in particular, have the most to lose if these folks get deeply rooted or take over our legislative, judicial and executive branches of government. Most of us already see what’s happening on a local level and how nasty it gets. Imagine that on a national level? Egads!
Tried to ring…the connection from Ireland to Alaska is hopeless. Great show.
Irishgirl: email Shannyn – she is reading as she talks…has answered mine and read one too…
Leah Burton is going to be on the radio tonight at 10PM. Details:
http://www.goddiscussion.com/19187/this-week-on-goddiscussion-radio-christian-dominionism-and-rebiblican-politics/
I intend to listen, if I don’t forget.
is it over? is there somewhere to listen to previous broadcasts?
It’s still going. AKM is on now, discussing Rush and the r word….
Shannyn said someone already put up a podcast of the Frank Shaeffer hour, but I didn’t hear where it is….you could email her I guess to see
I’m going to try to locate the podcast of the Frank Schaeffer interview and put it up. It was really great.
#1 in InJuneau
I can help you get sound by remotely connecting to your computer. Same for you other mudpups; I’ll give you my non-profit rates, or for free if it is really simple. My speciality is empathizing with folks who struggle with their computers, and the education thereof. Not trying to advertise here, but to lend a helping hand. JaneTheComputerGuru@gmail.com.
It’s all relatively simple, and I don’t like seeing people not being able to take advantage of their computers simply because they don’t know how. And yes, I know how SP allows others to post to her FaceBook pages.
Palingates:
http://palingates.blogspot.com
has a link to the complete Frank Schaeffer interview.
OT: AKM
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PALIN_PROPERTY_TAXES?SITE=JRC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Property tax assessment story picked up by the AP!!
Here is part of the AP story:
“Palin’s attorney, Thomas Van Flein, says it is not the responsibility of property owners to report structures that go up on their land. But local assessor Dave Dunivan says owners are required by state law to report any omissions or errors in their tax assessments.”
Wow. I wish some structures would just ‘go up’ on MY land! What a perfectly lawyerly thing to say. He couldn’t just say it was an oversight that will be corrected immediately?
Aren’t there any building permits need also?
Wow!
I just finished listening to Shannon with Frank. Shannon you ROCK! You handle interviews so well, esp this one…letting Frank tell his incredible story. I plan on writing him too.
I imagine he left feeling really impressed with your hosting too.
Keep up the great work!
My AT&T home page (news) has story “Palin’s cabins not noted in tax assessments”.
It’s about time they started paying attention.
Sorry for off-topic post. I’ll be back later to listen to interview.
Shannyn just sent a tweet that the LA Times has picked up the story. http://bit.ly/c4VaSl
Too bad they didn’t also use the comment from the Borough pushing back on the Van Flea comment.
Something about this guy creeps me out. He’s too smooth a talker and, when considering his past, red flags go up. Maybe it’s just me.
I read that, too, Meade.
Palin’s attorney, Thomas Van Flein, says it is not the responsibility of property owners to report structures that go up on their land. But local assessor Dave Dunivan says owners are required by state law to report any omissions or errors in their tax assessments.
Meede #27: Wow! It says that tax officials took aerial flights today to take a look. Wow!
Ooops…sorry I was ot.
@ #7 karen marie: Yes, as soon as I posted that correction, I realized I was incorrect. I let it be because I didn’t want to waste more space correcting the incorrect correction of “methinks,” which my eyeballs were not seeing correctly. HA! Take that, SP!
Cabingate up on frontpage HuffPo now
Scheaffer can help reach the Christian community IMHO. I’ve seen him on Maddow? Olbermann? both? Anyway, I respect you sir, for speaking up.
seattlefan (o: I’m thinking OT was OK under these circumstances. I’m encouraged.
Enjoying reading all the comments from those now discovering the tax story on the HP front page – and thanks to all those who keep mentioning AKM, who broke the story.
I left a comment at the article in the LA Times that AKM rightly deserved credit for breaking this story and linked back to her post.
25 boodog
I read of Bree’s blog a post that had a reference to the Borough requirement:
“When constructing or placement of any building 480 square feet, or an addition to an existing structure greater than 10 percent of the existing square footage; requires a Mandatory Land Use Permit. A Borough Code Officer will review the application and determine compliance with Setbacks, Zoning, Flood Plain Development standards, Conditional Uses and other related ordinances
To see the picture that AKM had and there being 2 houses and outbuilding – I would say YES there should have been as that picture is over 480 sq ft. If permits had been applied for, then the Borough would have known construction would have been going on. Most one bedroom apartments are larger than 480 sq. ft.
The tax story finally made HuffPo front page and the comments are posting faster than I can read!
A few Sarah fans are trying to defend her on HuffPo (example: There’s no state property tax in Alaska.) but are being shot down with fast facts. It’s fun to watch.
I’m trying to imagine $P’s thinking now as the tax man looms large. I remember that scene in GR where she has a hissy-fit about being caught by the state trooper (?) for illegal snowmachining. “Doesn’t he have something better to do?” as she said, might be the rallying cry of all arrestees. She seems like one a them moonshiners tryin to stay ahead of the goldarn Revenooers, like something out of Dukes of Hazzard.
“I wanna do what I wanna do and hell with everyone else” — not exactly a platform for governance in a complex society.
Syrin calls the cabin “Todd Mahal” – ROFL!
The Huffington story has been expanded with more info including the fact that the Borough Assessor looked at the picture on Mudflats that also appeared in AKM’s Huffington post and said it is one of the structures they saw today!! YES!!!!!
The Assessor says there are a number of buildings in the area!!
Here is the varying assessment/acreage/taxes on 9 different lots:
B – Building – $5,900 – Land $12,000 – 10 acres – Taxes 2009 – $186
B – Building – $18,100 – Land $12,000 – 10 acres – Taxes $313
T – Building – $50,000 – Land $12,000 – 10 acres – Taxes $645
O – Building – $14,800 – Land $15,000 – 12.5 acres – Taxes $310
T – Building – $18,400 – Land $18,000 -14.99 acres – Taxes $378
E – Building – $8,700 – Land $17,500 – 5 acres – Taxes $272
M – Building – $18,200 – Land $17,500 – 5 acres – Taxes $371
Palin/R – Building – $0 – Land $18,000 – 15 acres – Taxes $187
Palin/R – Building – $0 – Land $12,000 – 9.99 acres – Taxes $124
Since a lot of Alaska is rural, tax assessments are done on an “honor” system. Property owners are supposed to report building additions, even if it’s a workshed. On the flip-side, a fly over may show a building, and the assessment may be higher than the value. For example, the house may be just a shell, and the interior isn’t finished, without plumbing, wiring etc.
My house in Homer was over-valued, so I called the borough assessor, and we worked out the true value. It can work both ways, but, YES, property owners are required to report any structure that is added to the property. Clearly, a lot of people probably evade this requirement in a timely fashion. However, the Palins, should have known better. Especially being in the position they were in. And clearly they make enough money to afford to pay the measly tax.
The Pelican
A poem (limerick) by Dixon Lanier Merritt
A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill will hold more than his belican. (or belly can)
He can take in his beak
Food enough for a week,
But I’m damned if I see how the helican. (or hell he can)
The PalinCan
A wonderful leader is PalinCan
Her billfold holds more than her fanbaseCan
Rabid fans she will seek
With her tweets and her freaks
They’re silly, which is why the hellsheCan
BTW. Can we say that Sarah’s property tax payments have been retarded in reaching the assessor’s office?
Over 1,000 comments on the HuffPo story already. Yeah, Baby.
jeez…her taxes are a drop in the bucket compared to mine! she’s rolling in dough, so why the hell won’t she pay them?
honor system!?!!!??? without regulation, people, like palin, take full advantage.
we already know what the nation became without regulation
44 Polly,
A poster at Bree’s posted this comment with regard to the Deed:
I just went to the Palmer district recording office and looked at the deed. Sarah bought lot 3 block 1 Snider from a Mary Morrison for 10 dollars. It is right there in black and white. That is the lake front lot that the house that looks like the child of the Wasilla Sports Complex was built on. Book 1117 Page 54 District 311. 10 bucks for a lake front lot. I am sure they paid more, the 10 bucks was for the tax man to look at.
I am not familiar at to where to see it but others from AK I’m sure understand it.
Re: #25 & #38 Mandatory Land Use Permit – This is a relatively new thing put in place by the Borough to get people to come in and make sure what they are planning on building is in compliance with current Borough code. Too many folks have built within setbacks and right-of-ways, for example, and are unable to obtain variances after the fact, because the law says you don’t get a variance if you created the problem.
However, these structures may have been built before that bit of code was enacted. Does anyone know when they first appeared on the property?
Sorry-My last post belongs on the “Tax Cheat” thread.
The expanded HuffPo story which mentions Mudflats has made it as a story on MSNBC site.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35250913/ns/politics/
Schaeffer is terrific. Has he been on Fox? No, I’m guessing.
I noticed a new video up on that MSNBC site about Todd Palin’s role in his wife’s administration….as told by 3,000 pages of emails.
Interesting.
What’s a proselytizing atheist? Do they come around knocking on your door trying to convert you? For thousands of years religious people have been spouting off their beliefs and a few years after atheists say “whoa, wait a sec” and counter with their own, they are accused of creating a “proselytizing atheist movement.”
Last I saw atheists weren’t trying to make THEIR beliefs into law.
As a Christian, I appreciate Shaeffer and the publicity these blogs provide. It is heartbreaking to me to watch my faith being hijacked by hate.
There is NO BIBLICAL JUSTIFICATION for what they are doing. These people are “making stuff up” by taking things out of context and ignoring the real message of the New Testament.
Sorry for the double post, but proselytizing is different from attempting to enact legislation based on your beliefs.
There are atheists who spend a lot of time and energy trying to belittle other’s beliefs and convert people to their way of thinking. Isn’t that proselytizing?
I have never seen proselytizing atheists in the so-called mainstream media, though. Who are they?
The “Tea Party” convention got underway in Tennessee Thursday evening with former Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo kicking it off with these words, “People who could not even spell the word ‘vote,’ or say it in English put a committed socialist ideologue in the White House. His name is Barack Hussein Obama.” According to CNN, the statement was followed by cheers.
The featured speaker for the weekend in Alaska’s very own Sarah Palin.
Okay, pups, what does the T in T-Party stand for?
haTe
inTolerance
bigoTry
stupidiTea
Trouble
Tipsy
Tangled
Tormented
Twisted
?????????
Ooops, meant to post in open thread. Please delete. I’ll repost.
# Alaskan
“Last I saw atheists weren’t trying to make THEIR beliefs into law”
That’s just a matter of time. In my country they sure are. They’re trying to get freedom of religion deleted from our equivalent to your constitution. They claim it’s covered by other freedoms, which, of course, it is not alltogether. They also want to forbid baptisms, circumcisions, church membership, religious instruction and so on for any child too young to consent. If they could, they would forbid children to be exposed to any form of religion at all before the age of 18, and take them away from the parents if they had to. And, no, they’re not left; they’re right. At least the ones I can think of.