Perry for President.

A month ago as a moderate Republican I wrote, unless we find the right Republican candidate, Obama is the best option against the announced Republican candidates who are loaded with bigotry and will tear the cohesive fabric of America.

In the last elections,  I was hoping for Huckabee to make it, but thank God he got dumped, he was drenched in bigotry against fellow Americans. We don't need men like him who will drown us in another war.

Obama is losing; he has not shown his mettle in bringing our men and women back home. America is suffering and he is blowing the money on a war that will not end. He chickened out to the tea partiers, he should have invoked Amendment 14 and tell them to hell with it, and do the right thing for the country, increase the revenues and not lose the credit ratings. Unless he takes a bold step, his leadership remains untenable.

I wrote 3 pieces against the exclusive prayers of Perry, however except that NY statement on GLBT which he needs to clarify, nothing significantly dumb has come out of Perry's mouth yet. I can understand his need for exclusive prayers with his crowd, but as long as it is not against others, he may have a chance.

If I were to venture on something important, it's my family and friends I would pray with and I would extend that benefit to Perry.

Has he made a mess yet?

Mike Ghouse is committed to a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His work is indexed at www.MikeGhouse.net

KRLD Radio
July 7 at 11:55am

If he is sincere in representing Americans he needs to demonstrate it by inviting them all to his prayer fest. Americans see God as one, none and many and in every form; male, female, genderless and non-existent, being and non-being, nameless and with innumerable names. He has an opportunity to win public opinion if he chooses to go the middle path representing the majority of Americans.

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Dallas Morning News
Is Rick Perry's "Day of Prayer and Fasting" about religion or politics?
If he is using this event as a prelude to run for the President, it is another opportunity for him to be a change maker like Presidents Reagan and Clinton who have reshaped the divisive politics into an inclusive one. They were in tune with the sentiments of the moderate majority of Americans; and likewise, it would be difficult to beat Obama with divisive politics, Americans believe in live and let live and who ever aligns with them has a faint chance. http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/is-rick-perrys-day-of-prayer-a.html

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Dallas Morning News:
Is Perry responsible for the religious company he keeps?

We should not tie Perry to Hagee or Wagner, nor should we have tied Obama to Wright. They stand on their own and should be accountable for what they say and do, and not who they listen to or friends with. http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/07/texas-faith-are-perry-and-obam.html

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Huffington post
Rick Perry has to prove his sincerity
If Governor Perry is sincere in calling Americans to join in the prayers for peace and prosperity of our nation, he has an opportunity to demonstrate it by giving a dignified space to every representation of the 312 million Americans.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/perry-has-to-prove-his-si_b_874392.html

TEXAS FAITH: Is Rick Perry's "Day of Prayer and Fasting" about religion or politics?

Dallas Morning News poses a question a week on issues of the day. Mike Ghouse has been offering his pluralistic take on issues along with a dozen other Texas Faith Panelists. Here is my take and everyone's take is at: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/is-rick-perrys-day-of-prayer-a.html

The question this week is this: If invited, would you go? Why or why not?

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MIKE GHOUSE, FOUNDATION FOR PLURALISM, DALLAS

If Governor Perry invites, I will join the prayers and perhaps offer to open the event with inclusive greetings and prayers where every American feels welcome. Whether you are a Native American, follow an earth based tradition, believe in one God, multiple representations of God or No God, you must feel the embracive inclusion.

Why would I want to go? Most aspects of life like politics, religion, culture and society remain monopolized by a few, not necessarily because they vehemently guard its ownership, but because others have dug in their heels as well and have not reciprocated to the “half hearted” invitation.  I am committed to work towards a cohesive America, and would not want to miss an opportunity to place every one on a level playing field.

The wisdom is reiterated in every tradition, when an enemy walks toward you in reconciliation, you are to run towards him or her as both will benefit from the ensuing change. Most people follow this advice and some don’t. Indeed, God helps those who help themselves.

If this is a political stunt by Governor Perry, he will fall flat on his face, he has the opportunity to demonstrate his sincerity by giving a dignified space to every belief, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, exclusionists, pluralists, evolutionists and creationists. The Atheists, humanists and others will join if they are honored with space to express their wish for fellow Americas without invoking God. I do hope the prayers are for the wellbeing of every one of the 26 Million Texans and 312 Million Americans.

If he is using this event as a prelude to run for the President, it is another opportunity for him to be a change maker like Presidents Reagan and Clinton who have reshaped the divisive politics into an inclusive one.  They were in tune with the sentiments of the moderate majority of Americans; and likewise, it would be difficult to beat Obama with divisive politics, Americans believe in live and let live and who ever aligns with them has a faint chance.# # #

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, writer, thinker and an activist committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day – all of his work is indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

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I am deeply moved by the universality of your sentiments, every one has expressed the desire for this possible prayer to be all inclusive. This is my dream, to build a cohesive America, where every one of the 26 Million Texans and 311 Million Americans feel included and welcome. I am grateful to my City Carrollton, where the Mayors have welcome the Pluralism prayers; all inclusive prayers. Here is a part of the prayer and hope to post the full prayer on the site... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mc9D9guPMY&feature=youtu.be the script is available at: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/05/pluralism-prayes-at-carrollton-city.html