Sarah Palin wants me to be a faith based community organizer – What should I do?
Palin last night: I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a “community organizer,” except that you have actual responsibilities.
Now, the truth is that, starting at age 23, Obama ran a faith-based charity called the Developing Communities Project.
It was made up of eight Catholic parishes when he got there and had one staff member. He was its director, meaning he was in charge. He made decisions about it, including staffing, budgets, etc. And when he left in 1988 to go to law school, he had grown its budget from $70,000 to $400,000, its staff from 1 to 13 people. More important, he created a job training program for this community and a college prep tutoring program.
As mayor, she built a hockey rink/rec center using eminent domain (because apparently there just isn’t enough land in Alaska).
And keep in mind the timeline here: Obama did this as a young man BEFORE going to law school, becoming a successful lawyer and a law professor.
I don’t think it’s right to attack someone for working in a faith-based charity out of college. I think we all have some embarrassing first-jobs in our past. I would not make fun of Palin for being a beauty queen and sports reporter out of college during these same years. Although, I do think Obama’s experience shaped his political future a bit better …
May 29th, 2010 at 11:01 am
You should be happy you’re not beating the other dead horse by asking a “Was it God’s Will” question
May 29th, 2010 at 11:43 am
If you aren’t offended, give it a shot. Could be a political stepping stone for you, if you are inclined that way.
May 29th, 2010 at 11:54 am
And this after touting “service” at the very same convention. This is very schizophrenic in my view.
Martin Luther – put together a band of followers around his protest against the Holy See in Germany. Published a translation of the Bible into German to empower local peasants who couldn’t read Latin.
Sam Adams – created the Sons of Liberty in Boston Massachusetts in response to acts of British Parliament. Without it we would still be singing God Save the Queen.
Benjamin Franklin – created first public library system, first volunteer fire department in America in Philadelphia. Organized Continental Congress, founded the nation.
George Washington – put together a little group called the “Continental Army” to fight the British. Originally a volunteer organization known as the “Minutemen” in April of 1775..defeated world’s most powerful military by October of 1781 in Yorktown.
William Lloyd Garrison – founded the American Anti-Slavery Society that fought for abolition of slavery in the United States.
Lord Baden Powell – After campaigns in Africa during the Boer War, put together a little organization known as the “Boy Scouts”, now a world wide youth organization for boys and young men.
Juliette Gordon Low – founded the Girl Scouts of America to provide opportunities for girls and young women.
Clara Barton – A nurse during the Civil War, created the American Red Cross – still today a volunteer organization that does phenomenal work helping victims of natural disasters and home fires.
William Booth – Founded the Salvation Army which takes care of the needy and provides shelter to the homeless.
Martin Luther King Jr., Andrew Young, Jesse Jackson, Ralph David Abernathy, John Lewis, et. al. – Founded the SCLC and fought for equal rights for all Americans regardless of race during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s.
Susan B. Anthony – led the women’s suffrage movement culminating in women being granted the vote in 1919.
Sir George Williams – Founded the Young Men’s Christian Association or YMCA which provides opportunities to learn and grow to many young people.
Mahatma Gandhi – organized a community known as “India” to rebel against British rule through non-violent protest. Freed India from colonial rule in 1947.