Florida's Governor Crist gets physical and pissy with atheist

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Anker on March 10, 2010 at 1:06pm

Tearing off the sticker was just childish. I wouldn't really consider it an assault, personally. But it would make me question whether or not he's fit to be a leader if he throws petty tantrums.

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Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on March 10, 2010 at 4:22pm

It is deliberate, unwanted physical contact from another person. It fits the legal definition of battery, actually.

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Permalink Reply by ryan cameron on March 10, 2010 at 1:17pm

Sounds largely innocuous. This kind of report only serves to make atheists look like whiners, and only can detract from the real cases where atheists are facing serious discrimination. Atheists tell people they are "delusional" and Christians "feel sorry for atheists". All fair game in a free society.

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Permalink Reply by Edward Teach on March 10, 2010 at 1:31pm

All fair game in a free society.

Including the atheist' right to ask for an apology. "Good" minorities keep their mouths shut. "Bad" minorities "whine" about being treated disresepctfully.

The governor's behavior in this incident wouldn't bother me enough to raise a stink, but the folks who are willing to raise hell about discrimination are the folks who cause change to happen.

What was the big deal about having to sit in the back of the bus anyway? I probably wouldn't have made a big deal out of it, but I'm very appreciative that someone did.

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Permalink Reply by ryan cameron on March 10, 2010 at 5:57pm

to me its not about asking for an apology, instead he should counter with an argument. Apologies arent worth the paper they are printed on, particularly if they are asked for. Apologies are the opportunity for a person to recognize their own mistake and correct it, and if he's a moron, why provide him the opportunity?

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Permalink Reply by Edward Teach on March 11, 2010 at 6:03am

Apologies arent worth the paper they are printed on, particularly if they are asked for.

True nuff

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Permalink Reply by Edward Teach on March 11, 2010 at 7:59am

Still... the nature of the incident becomes more apparent when you imagine the governor exhibiting the exact same behaviors to a belligerent Jew, Muslim or Hindu. People would probably be calling for his resignation rather than a simple apology. In fact, no one would have to ask for an apology. The governor would back peddle madly and kiss their collective asses in the press.

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Permalink Reply by Rob Curry on March 10, 2010 at 1:34pm

If it was just some nobody, this would not even have been mentioned -- but having the GOVERNOR of the fourth most populous state in the country LASH OUT like this at someone just because he doesn't believe in a god?

It's not "whining" to tell the story. What are the other options? Silence whenever atheists are attacked or degraded by powerful people in public office is complicity.

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Permalink Reply by Sonny Mobley on March 10, 2010 at 3:08pm

Indeed. Speaking up over the large and the small illustrate how pervasive discrimination is. I would raise hell over any type of discrimination based on my lack of religion.

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Permalink Reply by Rob Curry on March 10, 2010 at 1:47pm

EVERY case of discrimination should be reported, both major and minor. It does not detract from the huge cases to report those that may seem smaller. It's bad enough that atheists face hostility and abuse from the populace at large; how much worse for us to internalize the notion that standing up for our equal treatment under the law somehow constitutes "whining?" Don't buy into that!

I recommend contacting the Anti-Discrimination Support Network to report incidents of abuse, especially (but not only) when the hostility originates from individuals in power in government. Here is a link to the reporting form:

http://www.fsgp.org/storage/ADSN%20Discrimination%20Forms%20Media%2...

This is not about an innocuous conversation between equals with no potential implications for the right of atheists to be treated fairly. If any politician, let alone the governor of a state, ripped the sticker off a Christian, turned his back and then shouted over his shoulder that the constituent was "delusional," do you seriously not think there would be an uproar of protest?

And rightly so. We don't have to agree with people's beliefs to know that it is wrong for govrrnment officials to treat people differently because of them. That's not right.

And it's not right when we are the targets, either. Besides, guess who the targets usually are.

Do not be complacent. GET ANGRY! If we do not stand up for ourselves, ever, but always make excuses for those who abuse their power and use it against us, then no one else is gpoing to step in to defend us. And if you or I are not feel like we are in any immediate danger of political, social or economic pressure to shut up and conform to a dominant religion or else suffer the consequences, then think about supporting those who are in danger. We have a duty to stand up for others who may find themselves in situations worse than our own.

Just think:

If we make waves even in cases of minor discrimination, then who will dare engage is serious discrimination? The answer is not to back down like we always have, or as some would have us because someone might misunderstand our position, but rather to stand up more frequently and with more noise than ever before.

Atheists of Florida will draw a line in the sand (of which we have plenty in our state). This is a matter of principle, because no discrimination should be tolerated or excused.

Help us, please. Don't hinder us.

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Permalink Reply by ryan cameron on March 10, 2010 at 6:02pm

insulting a person's world view that there is no god is NOT discrimination. Its is also not discrimination for me to call someone's "god" imaginary, or call them an idiot for believing in something so stupid.

We are allowed to call out people's actions, criticise etc. and this guy basically did that. He cant tell him he is a loser because of the color of his skin, his nationality, or other things the person cant do anything about, but in this case, its two adults, one says something inflammatory, and the other responds with a fairly predictable response based on his world view.

Using the discrimination card so "indiscriminately" will, as I said, only weaken our ability to defend ourselves when it really counts...like getting fired from a job that has nothing to do with your world view because of your world view.

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Permalink Reply by mojo5501 on March 10, 2010 at 4:41pm

I consider his behavior odd. Writing a letter to god the almighty, all powerful, all-knowing, etc strikes me as odd. Like Yahweh has time to read letters. Can't Christians just pray...using the telepathic communication network.

I also find it strange that he considers a letter to his god as a "protective device" against hurricanes in Florida. This is the old technique of asking for special favoritism (direct the hurricane to Georgia, got it? Georgia) and then finding fault with the sinners when natural weather patterns happen where they do....weather-as-punishment concept. If only we would have ALL sent letters, then Yahweh would have rewarded us with better weather!!

And, of course, grabbing a campaign sticker off a citizen and yelling at them is verrrrry strange and borders on unstable behavior. It's like he was so shocked that atheists exist that he lashed out in anger at the very idea of somebody not believing his faith-based nonsense. I even think a lot of Christians would question his weird behavior and unorthodox beliefs, not just atheists. I hope this news story gets out a bit more in the media. I really believe this man may need therapy or something, before he does real harm to somebody. As others have commented, I don't think he shows the ability to be a representative of the people of Florida. I'd be embarrassed to think a person of his stature could conduct himself in such an ignorant and public manner. Maybe it's his name, just an 'h' shy of Christ. He's got an inferiority complex.

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