The Observation Deck

I know I will probably get darts thrown for bringing this up, but I was surprised to read a candidate for council at large running on a religion ticket-specifically one religion. And since it sounds like he denounces the Catholic religion he was raised in, and he wants to outlaw fornication (specifically of the gay community but any who fornicate outside of marriage) I can't help but wonder how alienating much of the community could help him win. He also wants religion in all government. But HIS choice of religion. I was deeply offended by his campaign issues. When so much good is waiting to be done in Lakewood, it gets beyond exhausting to hear of judging those who are part of the good.

Gosh, I remember a few months back when this guy (it sounds like it is the same guy) came around collecting for signatures at my door. He was very up front with his platform and belief structure. I was polite to him, but I can imagine or hope the other reactions he got weren't quite as welcoming. I just wanted him off my porch. I was shocked he would even ring the door bell with an Obama sign outside.

I thought at the time, there is NO WAY this guy is going to get enough to get on the ballot. Guess I was wrong.

Oh jeez, you don't need a ton of signatures to get on a ballot. I know I'll sign for someone even if I don't agree with them because I figure anyone should have a chance to run and win or lose based on their merits. This guy has run before and never won so the people of Lakewood seem able to discern his intentions pretty well.

When I reported on the Council meetings, Mr. McCartney was a regular attendee and always spoke at the end of every meeting.
His topics were on different aspects of his particular view of religion and its relation to government. There never was a direct link between that particular evening's agenda items or any issues that required the attention of council or the administration.
He was always polite and respectful in his addresses and is that way in his interactions with me in our public encounters.
I do think there is room in our civic life to entertain many diverse opinions and points of view.
I have the utmost respect for an individuals privately practiced and applied religious principles.
I would only wish that Mr. McCartney would more correctly apply his energies to issues that are truly in the realm of a city government and recognize that any intermingling of a personal religion and the public realm, while maybe thought provoking, are in fact not appropriate.
Stan Austin

I agree Stan that putting energies into positive ways to help Lakewood is what we need. Someone who is respectful but overtly not respectful of a certain population is not respectful to me. So if he got his way and gay people were arrested, who should pay their property tax while they are in jail? Every gay homeowner I know has a well-kept beauitfuly property, pays their taxes, is kind to neighbors, and obeys the law. I don't want to hear propaganda that wants to outlaw that. I can think of other laws that would be worth perusing.
I also respect others' right to their religion, which should never be forced on others. Wars have been going on for decades because of one groups insistence that their religion is the right and only one.
What would Jesus do? I don't remember hearing he condemened and judged others. He was too busy bringing love and light into the world.

Justine Cooper wrote:I agree Stan that putting energies into positive ways to help Lakewood is what we need. Someone who is respectful but overtly not respectful of a certain population is not respectful to me. So if he got his way and gay people were arrested, who should pay their property tax while they are in jail? Every gay homeowner I know has a well-kept beauitfuly property, pays their taxes, is kind to neighbors, and obeys the law. I don't want to hear propaganda that wants to outlaw that. I can think of other laws that would be worth perusing.
I also respect others' right to their religion, which should never be forced on others. Wars have been going on for decades because of one groups insistence that their religion is the right and only one.
What would Jesus do? I don't remember hearing he condemened and judged others. He was too busy bringing love and light into the world.

Justine

Sounds like Lakewood's own version of "C-Street" where they believe "Jesus was here to conquer, not save."

http://www.docudharma.com/diary/14768/the-family-the-old-boys-club-meets-jesus-and-miltitancy

wow!


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Wow, Mr. McCartney is running for council? I can attest to Stan’s statement about him coming to the Council meetings, he is still there, almost ever meeting.