Yesterday, Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue stood on the capitol steps and publicly led those assembled in prayer for rain for the parched state. The idea of government leaders praying for solutions to problems, I think, is a good one. Now, if we could only get George Bush, and the congressional leadership likewise to pray for a solution to an end to the mass killing and mayhem in Iraq–imagine. . .
November 14, 2007
Messenger and Advocate 
November 14, 2007 at 10:20 am
It normally wouldn’t be a bad idea, however, it IS a bad idea in this case because the governor still does not actually do anything to lead his state and the people who live in Georgia to conserve their water, to prepare for future droughts, etc.
I like what Steve Benen said:
Exactly.
November 14, 2007 at 11:18 am
The “he’s a hypocrite” is lame.
So, because the Governor doesn’t “lead the people,” he can’t lead them in prayer? Sorry, but prayer is still a nice gesture.
November 14, 2007 at 12:25 pm
…however, it IS a bad idea in this case…
Prayer? Bad idea? Hmmm..
November 14, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Prayer? Bad idea? Hmmm..
Yep, see Matthew 6:5.
He’s praying so the people will hear him, and ignore the fact that he still hasn’t done anything to solve the water problem.
November 14, 2007 at 2:06 pm
exactly Marcus.
It is an attempt to distract from the fact that he hasn’t done much at all as the leader of Georgia to get people to conserve. He’s hoping God bails HIM out of this mess.
November 14, 2007 at 2:11 pm
He’s praying so the people will hear him, and ignore the fact that he still hasn’t done anything to solve the water problem.
Granted, more can be done, but how in the world can you know that he’s praying simply to be seen and heard of men? Seems like quite the judgment call.
November 14, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Praying in public on the Capitol steps for water is nothing short of looney!
Which God was he praying to? Is it the same God he prayed to for strength in invading Iraq and murdering thousands of innocent people?
Is he praying to the God who hates gays? To the God of War? The God of Vengeance? The God of Torture?
Just who is this God they are praying to? If they believe this God can bring us water, why stop with water?
It’s looney tunes—-that’s what it is. It’s a show. It’s a damnable shame!
Joe Watts
Joe Watts
November 15, 2007 at 6:51 am
Connor-Exactly, its sure seems like quite the judgement call to me too.
November 15, 2007 at 9:27 am
Sherpa,
When a governor goes this far, it shows that he has no clue what to do to manage his state. He should rightly step down and let someone else (mayhap a Democrat—who seem to know better about governing) take over. Simply praying is not enough, and frankly I’ve not heard anything else come out of his mouth in regards to solving this problem. That’s a bad leader.
November 15, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Daniel, are you saying that when a Governor calls for prayer, that means he is utterly incompetent? Interesting use of logic you have there.
November 15, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Sherpa,
I think you need to reread my comment. I’m talking about the management of a state. What is he doing to get Georgians to conserve water? This prayer thing sounds more like a desperate move rather than sound policy and action.
November 16, 2007 at 7:25 am
Daniel,I understood your comment perfectly the first-time. Don’t be condescending, it isn’t becoming. I need to correct you though. Prayer is not a political policy. The fact that you are calling it that is just laughable. So, the Governor called a prayer. Just because he “can’t lead the people” doesn’t mean that a prayer isn’t a nice gesture. That’s what I said in my first post, that’s what I still think and I don’t see why you are trying to convince me otherwise. You’re not going to. Just agree to disagree, ‘mkay? Just drop it.