Bernie Sanders Goes Into The Lion’s Den and Tears Apart GOP Religious Hypocrites At Liberty

[cal04]

Jason Easley
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/09/14/bernie-sanders-lions-den-tears-gop-religious-hypocrites-liberty.html

In an amazing speech, Sen. Bernie Sanders went to Liberty University this morning and gave right-wing evangelicals a dose of progressive faith, and tore apart the hypocrisy of supposedly faith-based Republicans defending immoral economic policies.

Sanders explained why he agreed to speak at Liberty, “I came here today because I believe that it is important for those with different views in our country to engage in civil discourse – not just to shout at each other or make fun of each other. It is very easy for those in politics to talk to those who agree with us. I do that every day. It is harder, but not less important, to try to communicate with those who do not agree with us and see where, if possible, we can find common ground and, in other words, to reach out of our zone of comfort.”

Later Sen. Sanders turned the Republican support of inequality on its moral ear:

(snip)
Republicans don’t have an exclusive on morality, justice, and faith. Sen. Sanders called out the Republican hypocrites who warp the Bible to defend income inequality. Sen. Sanders was brilliant. He turned the Republicans’ moral argument in defense of the billionaires against them.

Bernie Sanders made the inequality and poverty in the United States a moral issue. His argument was compelling. He discussed the immorality of the right’s economic policies. To progressive Christians, how some Republicans have warped religion to defend policies that harm millions of Americans in need is a matter of outrage.

[marym625]

1. K&R!

#FeelTheBern

[Truprogressive85]

2. Like Daniel (bible reference)

The fact that he accepted the invitation to speak and than hold his ground is amazing.

It takes courage and guts

Naysayers have to take the time and watched the speech+Q&A

[KoKo]

16. ...!

[roguevalley]

22. in the last few years, the only one to do that was Steven confronting Bush at that dinner

[peacebird]

3. And the students were applauding him!

[Sanity Claws]

4. How was his message received?

Did the audience respond in any way?

[mak3cats]

9. The thread below has links and comments...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/128050845

[SamKnause]

11. The response: Cheers, hand clapping, and a standing ovation !!!!

It gives me hope.

The question and answer session went extremely well also.

[Stevepol]

19. About 500 Bernie suppoorters from the community were allowed at the front.

This explains the shouts and cheers at some points, but throughout the auditorium there was strong applause at times. Most important, a lot of the students will remember what they heard and will think about its meaning for them and for the particular brand of Christianity Liberty U represents.

[red dog 1]

48. "About 500 Bernie supporters from the community were allowed at the front"?

What is your source for this?

[DiehardLiberal]

66. If you watch video on Bernie2016.tv, you will see that introduction noted Bernie fans down front.

Not sure that there were 500 (maybe) but in audience shots there were a lot of students sitting on their hands. They don't let new/different ideas in easily. Still Bernie was masterful and he MUST have got some of them thinking...

[historylovr]

23. Saw some positive tweets just now from some students and at least one alumnus.

1h1 hour ago
Thanks @BernieSanders for coming to #LibertyConvo I enjoyed hearing your views and seeing the passion you have for this country.

· 2h2 hours ago
Enjoyed having @BernieSanders in #LibertyConvo today. Thought he found common ground and showed why he's a solid candidate for president.

· 2h2 hours ago
@BernieSanders is bringing it at #LibertyConvo. Proud of our student body for being willing to listen and try to find common ground.


Actually super excited to have @BernieSanders at #libertyconvo

There were also some negatives: Who payed(sic) the cheering crowd? Socialism is great until you run out of other people's money. Stuff like that.

[tabasco]

30. Suffice it to say, I don't believe someone who can't spell 'paid' correctly

knows a damn thing about socialism. I wonder if that person is a Liberty grad, LOL.

[historylovr]

31. LOL Very true. Although those were two different tweets, I just didn't format them properly.

They were both students though, I gathered. And they'd probably be in agreement anyway.

[Demeter]

5. Bernie is taking on the Labors of Hercules

going into the Augean stables to clean house!

[Zorra]

6. Bernie speaking truth, take it or leave it. nt

[djean111]

7. Just sitting here wondering what the spin on this will be.

Nothing yet.
Bernie's speech made me tear up - and I am an atheist.

[99th_Monkey]

10. I saw some pre-event spin

a few weeks ago, something like "Oh noes! Bernie's going to pander to RW Jerry Falwell crowd",
and this was back when Bernie was being called a white supremacist, or something like that.

[djean111]

12. Oh, I saw that stuff - and knew Bernie would not pander.

I expect that we will be told Bernie should have been more harsh or something.

Personally, I will support a candidate who takes his unchanging and heartfelt message "into the lion's den" over one who speaks with bankers and tells them that those who criticize them are just mean and that we all got into this together.
Easiest choice about who to support that I have ever made, really.

[99th_Monkey]

14. I'm with you on that. -nt-

[HooptieWagon]

29. Yep. This is a no-brainer.

Bernie's the one.

[azmom]

13. Oh it gets better. A pundit on CNN with ties

To Hillary attacked Bernie for not being Jewish enough. How dare Bernie visit a Christian college on a Jewish holiday.

It was disgusting.

[Enthusiast]

20. I find that incredible. That's a horrible reason to attack someone. Go, Bernie!

[roguevalley]

24. since bernie is being condemned for some of his supporters and surrogates (west), hillary

has an obligation to condemn that remark. I won't hold my breath. I admire this man's guts and SHEER INTEGRITY! What he did was not for the faint of heart.

[cascadiance]

32. I would say that shows STRENGTH of character...

Not just following perhaps religious traditions, but reaching out to other religious traditions, even on one's own religious holidays shows someone that in my book is strong in their beliefs and character. Now if someone used their religious holiday to just be at Jewish celebrations and alienating other religions by pointing out how superior Judaism would be over other religions then, that I wouldn't have respect for. And with a lot of the right wing Christians running on the Republican side, that's the kind of thing we might expect out of a Huckabee, etc. When I heard an interview David Duke being interviewed on the topic of the racist violations, etc. and how he turned the conversation on its head by going after the Jewish control over the media and everything changing the conversation, etc. it showed me how religious extremism is ugly. He avoided speaking against the AA community, as he thought he needed to as a former head of the KKK, and knowing that AA community would loudly criticize him then, but his going after the Jewish community solidified what many would see as his bigoted roots.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

40. I wonder if that was the same guy that was on Up w/ Kornacki this weekend.

Ari Melbar was subbing for Steve, and one of the guys on the panel was basically calling Bernie a bad Jew for that as well. Said that Sandy Koufax skipped a world series game to go to services, that that's what it meant to be an American Jew, but here was Bernie going off to talk at a Christian university instead.

[KoKo]

41. I saw that! It was disgusting...

I think his name was David Goodfriend and he was identified on the scroll as a Spokesperson for Hillary Campaign.

I don't think his comments went over well and hopefully were nipped in the bud.

[arcane1]

15. When it was first announced, a few idiots here tried to pretend it proved he was a bigot

They will likely keep quiet on this

[artislife]

57. I remember that well.

They love to imply that. It is going on now in the GDP as we post.

[cui bono]

55. Oh, it'll come.

I can tell you with certainty which two groups it will be in too.

[global1]

8. Bernie Just Continues To Impress Me.....

And he invoked the Golden Rule:

Do Unto Others As You Would Like Them To Do Unto You

That should resonate with all people.

I thought that the people and students at LU - treated him warmly and politely. I have to think that his message resonated with many in the auditorium.

He stated up front that they had some disagreements but he felt that they agreed on many things as well.

He never deflects any questions and some that were posed to him after he spoke to the group were potentially difficult to answer. A lesser candidate would have crumbled. He listened intently to the questions and he gave forthright and direct responses without any hesitation or hem hawing.

Like I said in my reply title - this guy just continues to impress me the more I hear him speak.

[Oldtimeralso]

60. Great Speech but...

a lot of the GOP higher-ups only believe in the new Golden Rule:

He Who Has The Gold Makes The Rules

[salib]

62. This also cannot be stated enough

"the people and students at LU - treated him warmly and politely."

This is what happens in polite discourse.

[SusanaMontana41]

17. Good for you, Bernie!

Inequality and poverty ARE moral issues.

[SusanaMontana41]

18. He's right. Just ask Jimmy Carter. n/t

[L0oniX]

21. K & R

[OldRedneck]

25. So, basically . . .

So, basically, Bernie went into THEIR house and KICKED THEIR ASS!!!!!

Anyone else feeling the Bern????

[Volaris]

50. Imagine what he's going to do to Teh Donald in the first debate.

Rush Limbaugh moderate, and it still wouldnt stop the asskicking that would be delivered.

[HooptieWagon]

26. Cheering for a Socialist Jew?

But of course.
Sanders is much smarter than his haters.

[jeff47]

33. He's a socialist, Jewish carpenter.

Well, ex-carpenter.

[HooptieWagon]

37. If Sanders captures the Xtian millenials...

...The GOP is fucking doomed.

[artislife]

58. My ex roommate

was raised in a Texas Christian cult and she went to one of those Christian colleges. She snapped out of it.

This year I met a woman who said she followed the teachings of Jesus...and I thought she meant Christian. But she said no...if Jesus didn't say it, she didn't follow it. That was new for me...

[Manifestor_of_Light]

64. "I come not in peace, but with a sword. I have come to set families apart."

Does she love that one?

[SoapBox]

27. Another WOW speech.

And just wait until tonight.

[tabasco]

28. I am more impressed with this man every day.

I would be proud to see him become the Democratic nominee.

[nxylas]

34. Doesn't sound like "tearing apart" to me

It sounds like engaging in civil discourse with people he has some disagreements with, and trying to win them over to his side.

[fbc]

45. +1 exactly

[mountain grammy]

35. Good speech, Bernie..

I love how he speaks to people instead of preaching or speaking down to them. His economic facts are just that; facts. Not talking points. Income is unfairly distributed in America. People are working longer hours for less money. People do die because of lack of access to healthcare. This is how unregulated capitalism, unregulated insurance companies and big banks have rigged America and it must change or we will self destruct.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

36. This is gonna leave a Bern mark.

[Chasstev365]

38. Robert F. Kennedy was the Last Politician To Do This

Good on You Bernie! I'm all in!

[Bluenorthwest]

65. Liberty University did not exist during Bobby's lifetime. Ted Kennedy spoke at Liberty University.

Liberty was founded in 1971....

[Chasstev365]

67. Yes, I Knew That!

You took me too literally. Read Jack Newfield's account of how RFK went after white meds students in Indiana who didn't care that there were no blacks students in their class, yet supported the Vietnam War, knowing full well that minorities were baring the brunt of the war. My point is that most politicians don't confront or challenge their opposition. Good for Bernie for going to hostile territory.

[Uncle Joe]

39. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, cal04.

[JDPriestly]

42. K&R. Can't wait to hear the speech.

[ShrimpPoboy]

43. I haven't read the whole speech

but it doesn't sound like he pandered or pulled any punches. He just told them what he believed. And this is why Sanders is my favorite.

[fbc]

44. Bernie didn't "tear apart" anything - he spoke to them like people.

It was a great speech.

[olddots]

46. Bernie did something historical today

something for everyone , he made people think beyond reaction .

[totodeinhere]

47. Bernie was not there to tear apart anybody. In fact he made it clear that one of the main

problems we have is that both sides yell at each other and both are responsible for that. So I don't think that saying he has torn them apart is in keeping with what Bernie was trying to say.

When Bernie is elected, and I believe he will be, he will be the president of all the people and his door will be open to everybody. I firmly believe that.

And I salute him for having the courage to go into the lion's den so to speak. I noticed that some Clinton supporters have even criticized him for going there. But hey, I guess it's alright for Clinton to give a speech at the Brookings Institution.

[red dog 1]

49. K&R...Thanks for posting

I doubt if Donald Trump has the courage to "go onto the lion's den" and give a speech at someplace like U.C. Berkeley.

[polichick]

51. This speech was a thing of beauty.

[orpupilofnature57]

52. Courage is one of his biggest attributes . That's why he's capable of telling the truth to Everyone,

even those who oppose him, that's a character .

[Jack Rabbit]

53. I don't think "tearing apart" Liberty U is what I would call it

It seemed to me that he impressed on those assembled that adults can disagree on issues and still be civil about it, even find common ground to work on some related matters.

That's a lot better than tearing them apart.

I am looking forward to a Sanders administration. I feel even more committed to him today than I was yesterday.

[denverbill]

54. I agree 100%. He wasn't looking to tear apart, but build together.

I thought he did a great job and I'm with you on supporting him more today. He's the kind of man we need as President.

[cui bono]

56. Terrible headline, but great story. Bernie knows how to talk to people.

And he can bring over those to vote Dem like no one else can. They can sense his authenticity and he speaks to the concerns of ALL people. He can make R's stop voting against their own interests by speaking truth to power and reaching out to everyone, no matter what their leaning.

[Live and Learn]

59. I think it showed just what a great President he will make.

He can respect others tradition and views but still stand up for what is just.

[merrily]

61. He preached reproductive choice at Liberty U.

Triangulate that!

[deutsey]

63. Of course, no mention of it all on CBS This Morning

At least not during the opening segment. Nothing on their site either.

Trump is there, naturally.