Gov. Palin, Have You Ever Met A Communty Organizer ?

There is a line in Gov. Palin's speech tonight that has already been reported:

I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities.

Clearly the Gov of Alaska has never actually met a community organizer, particularly any of the millions of women & men who commit their lives to expressing the love of Christ in America's poor communities, not at arms length, but at the grass-roots level.  While Gov. Palin seems like a woman of faith, I suspect her circles have not crossed with any of 6,800 individuals or 600 churches, ministries, institutions and businesses who are a part of Christian Community Development Association.

It is tempting for people in government, particularly those in poistions of power, to think that only elected officials have responsibility, that only office holders can make things happen.  The Rev. Paul Cromwell describes the distinctions between those in social service/gov roles & the role of a community organizer:

While     social service providers deliver needed services to persons in need, and who     are often the victims of unjust social policies, community organizing works     to empower people to change and hold accountable those institutions which     often create the victims in the first place.  Unlike single-issue     social movements often lead by charismatic leaders, community organizing is     multi-issue oriented with a broad collective of leaders.  Community     organizing is political work in the very broad sense of this term, meaning     that it engages  people in the civic and political affairs of their     communities.  Community organizations, however, are never affiliated     with any political party, nor do they campaign for persons running for     office.  Rather, they seek to hold accountable these and other civic     leaders to the needs and visions of the entire community, especially its low     and moderate-income residents.

Holding civic leaders accountable, particularly for how low & moderate-income people are treated - wow, imagine that !

Comments

[Anthony]

I am so glad to have found this site because it seems that there are enough voices in your numbers to put a stop to this ridculous form of politics.

I could not believe when rudy remarked about "community organizer" and everyone just laughed, literally laughed. I was just dumb founded. Who do the McCain campaign (and I say them because they approve all speeches first) think truly runs this company. It is the regular old folk, the grass roots folks. Barack is right, they just dont get it.

Look I am for Barack now, was for Huckabee at first. These two men, even tonight Huckabee displayed a sense of the desire to be above the same old same old. To truly look beyond and right our ship. I know Barack does not have much experience, but the decisions he and Michelle made to go back to their community is a huge one. One that shows much character. It is a choice that they made.....not for nothing, McCain did not choose to be a POW and when given the chance to leave, he USED to say he didnt because he didnt want to embarass his father not for America. I dont take that away, it is just an observation.

My point is this, why does mccain and now sarah want to tear down our hopes our dreams our inspiratins in barack. If you dont think that is the way, then try to outshine or outdo them, not tear them down. I want to vote for the best candidate not the one I hate the least.

Anyway, I was totally shocked at the blanant lies and sarcasm. There truly is no need to belittle anyone, especially those that are giving back to the community, there are truly many ways to give back to country, and it is our country first too mccain.

Not for nothing, does it not seem that mccain just wants to fight, just wants to go to war. dont know about you, but dont know putting a maverick a button away from war.

[doug]

She did. Guliani got a few digs in too. It was pretty distasteful.

[Bruce Reyes-Chow]

I have been unable to watch the speech live. Did she REALLY say that?!?!?!? Good Lord.