Former NBA superstar turned political expert Charles Barkley appeared on CNN's sensational Situation Room last week to discuss his electoral love for Barack Obama.
Surely former Republican Barkley wanted said appearance to be remembered for his pro-Democratic standing, but it's his damning criticism of the GOP that makes headlines today, specifically the 44-year old's description of "conservatives" as "fake Christians," specifically with regard to gay marriage. Score!
Here's the transcript:
BLITZER: All right. One quick point before I let you go. You used the phrase "fake Christians" for conservatives. Explain what you're talking about.BARKLEY: Well, I think they — they want to be judge and jury. Like, I'm for gay marriage. It's none of my business if gay people want to get married. I'm pro-choice. And I think these Christians — first of all, they're supposed to be — they're not supposed to judge other people. But they're the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like their Christians. And they're not forgiving at all.
BLITZER: So you're going to get a lot of feedback on this one, Charles.
BARKLEY: They can't do anything to me. I don't work for them.
BLITZER: You feel comfortable saying all that?
BARKLEY: I feel very comfortable saying I'm pro-choice, and I'm for gay marriage. Very comfortable.
BLITZER: But you can't lump all these conservatives as being fake. A lot of them obviously — most of them are very, very sincere in their religious beliefs.
BARKLEY: Well, they should read the part about they're not supposed to judge other people. They forget that one when it doesn't fit what they want it to say.
Palabra!
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charles barkley fucking rules
"Fake Christians", or "Pseudo-Christians"! These people follow the text of a book, or the judgement of a pastor over their heart's feelings. They condemn their own blood for being "born differently" Gay. What they don't realize, is that no Gay ever wanted to be Gay … thus God created Gays for God's own reasons. In God's last covenant with man, all God's laws were placed in our "hearts". The Pseudo Christians don't use their heart, but rather their pride and mind. God has a plan for creating Gay people (God doesn't make mistakes!) … and all the Pseudo Christians are fighting it. What could be universal fellowship among Gays and Straights to help better the world, has been turned to separation, anger, hurt, and a mistaken War (resulting in thousands of innocent deaths!), by these so called (Pseudo) Christians who chose this over granting two persons in love … a marriage. Sadly, they will surely reap what they sow, ten-fold! But they will not realize this, as they are blinded by their "righteous pride"!
Sometimes having a big mouth makes you annoying. Sometimes it makes you endearing.
Charles Barkley is endearing. Love that guy.
Watch people put him down for being a "dumb athlete," when he reeks of intelligence and great clarity. Sad.
That man is a credit to his momma - and America. Decent, caring, intelligent and unafraid. And he's swayed me on Obama too.
What's particularly noteworthy about Barkley is that his leanings were initially conservative and republican. After retiring from the NBA, he was even rumored to be mulling a run for governor of Alabama as a repub. In a Rolling Stone interview in '06, Barkley (typically) said, "I was a republican, until they lost their minds."
It's libertarian-conservatives like that that Obama can lure toward the light, in a mirror image of Reagan's hijacking of moderate-conservative Democrats in the '80s: they're fed up with their party's radical theocon agenda, and ready for someone who will reach out to them (without abandoning his/her principles). The Dems tried that before, but both Kerry and Gore came off as counterfeit conservatives; Obama doesn't pretend to be a republican, but he respects republicans who are willing to work toward common goals.
Rock on. I always liked Charles Berkeley. I wouldn't be surprised to see him run for national office someday.
I have never liked Wolf Blitzer. I think is is a blatant and obvious right winger. His goal is to get Republican's back in the White House.
He would never take on a Tom Delay, Ralph Reed, John McCain or Glenn Beck this way.
Charles is my new hero. I am going to go out and shoot some hoops. (It is basketball isn't it?)
I heart Charles Barkley
Although I admire Mr. Barkley for his comments, having cruised fundamentalist news sites (for entertainment of course), it is clear that his criticisms are falling on deaf ears. All the comments were to the effect that Barkley needed "to find God" and that he was part of the "left conspiracy to destroy traditional values." Damn, do these people have any new lines?
Well, at least when he runs for governor of Alabama (in 2014, he's said it in that very interview), he'll be running as a Democrat. I'm writing post-dated campaign contribution checks now.