Georgia Tries To Pray Up A Storm

Governor Of Drought-Ravaged State Leads Prayer Service; Protesters Demonstrate Nearby

(CBS/AP)  Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue stepped up to a podium outside the state Capitol on Tuesday and led a solemn crowd of several hundred people in a prayer for rain on his drought-stricken state.

“We've come together here simply for one reason and one reason only: To very reverently and respectfully pray up a storm,” Perdue said after a choir provided a hymn.

After 20 months of drought, Lake Lanier, North Georgia's main source of drinking water, has had barely half its typical rainfall, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann. The levels are 17 feet below normal -- so low that boaters have to walk far out into the lake to get in.

Perdue has ordered water restrictions, launched a legal battle against the release of water from federal reservoirs and appealed to President Bush.

“It's time to appeal to him who can and will make a difference,” Perdue told the crowd.

A church choir belted out “What a Mighty God We Serve” and “Amazing Grace” as a keyboardist swayed to the rhythm. While preachers spoke, worshippers chanted “amen,” and some stood with eyes closed and arms outstretched.

“God, we need you,” Perdue said. “We need rain.”

The hourlong event was billed as an interfaith ceremony but only three Protestant ministers joined Perdue, who is a Baptist, and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.

Nearby, some 20 demonstrators from the Atlanta Freethought Society staged a protest against the holding of a religious observance at the seat of state government.

Protester Ed Bruckner sees a clear church-state violation in public prayer that is held on state property and led by Georgia’s top executive, reports Strassmann.

“It’s a public disgrace,” said Bruckner. “My public leader is making a fool of himself.”

Police moved the protesters when they cordoned off the streets before the event, and none were in sight at the end of the service.

Meteorologists said earlier this week there was a slight possibility of rain Tuesday, with some more rain in the forecast Wednesday. After that, little rain was predicted for the rest of the week. The rainfall deficit in Athens and Atlanta is 16 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

“I believe in miracles,” declared Pastor Maurice Watson of Beulahland Bible Church. “How about you?”

[mitywhity]

As a proud Georgian and a born-again Christian, I applaud Sonny and praise God for the stand he took. I just watched a video about the Trinity High School football team from Texas. They do a Tongan Haka dance before every game. The dance is a spiritual thing and no one is complaining in Texas. The kids look like they enjoy it and I think it''s cool. I guess the ACLU and the Freethought society is too scared of Texans to go and mess with that, huh?

[l8c6]

He missed the boat. North america is crying for a good old rain dance.

This politician who appeals to the ignorant probably has voted down, criticized and berated every expenditure that would have prepared the area for the large influx of human inhabitants, after all, he''s a republican and they just don''t plan for the common good. The ideology of no vision.

[mitywhity]

You''re an idiot and I mean that.

[seven_pesos]

while we''re praying for rain...

let''s say another prayer for terri schiavo.

it sure didn''t do her very much good.

ha,ha,ha.

christians???

[feelfree1]

Re: "Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue stepped up to a podium outside the state Capitol on Tuesday and led a solemn crowd of several hundred people in a prayer for rain on his drought-stricken state."

If it does not rain, then this will be proof positive that god hates this man and his followers.

[l8c6]

You''''re an idiot and I mean that.

Posted by MityWhity

Do you now? Well I''ll tell you what you are, a *** fool and it''s fools like you that are *** this country by your very presence. Your ignorance is abominable. Your pay homage to snake oil salesmen who take your money and you fantasize your going to be rewarded by handing it to them. Foolish, ignorant, narrow minded lemmings and suckers.

[l8c6]

If it does not rain, then this will be proof positive that god hates this man and his followers.

Posted by FeelFree1

Oh not in these peoples minds. Sh*it could well up in their house and it would either be the liberals or satan. Their welfare check comes in time to give to their evangelical preacher man who hates big government and it''s a miracle.

Bubba, bubba, bubba, bubba

[sickofyrcyin]

God,..you Liberals are so sweet and nice,...why dose no one listen to you???

Yea,...he should have just brought Al Gore down from the mountain, full beard and red robes, holding his Book in one hand and his movie in the other screamming " The earth has spoken to me, and she said ,..let my environment FREE!!"

and then blame Bush for the whole thing. (cuz everything is his fault)

-Liberals love everyone,..as long as everyone agrees with them.

[gunownerdan]

In Africa for rain, one tribe marries a goat with a frog in a fancy ceremony.
I think that would be more fun than just praying and singing.

[keithle1]

Funny. What''s next? An Indian doing a rain dance?

[sgtrds]

Send in Pat Robertson! He says God listens to him and Bush says he hears god talking to him, so one or the other ought to be able to get their fairy tale god to pis*s on GA!

[sgtrds]

That inbreeding in GA!! Goats and such. Jesus bornagains inbread!! Save your Yankee rubbers, the South will get screwed again. Praise Jesus!! Can I get an Amen!!!

Posted by usmcvn at 11:38 PM : Nov 13, 2007

Amen and a hallelujah! Praise the almighty Bush!

[drivelphobe]

How absurd, praying for rain and probably on public property at tax payers'' expense. How about a little prayer to close the borders and deport illegals while they''re at it? When all else fails, call on the gods, do a little dance and shake your booty. What a joke.

[formrusmcsgt]

%u201CIt%u2019s a public disgrace,%u201D said Bruckner. %u201CMy public leader is making a fool of himself.%u201D

Relax, Bruckner. They do it every day.

Next week, after "God" fails to deliver, they''ll be employing a medicine man.....

[nothappyatall]

"led a solemn crowd of several hundred people in a prayer for rain on his drought-stricken state."


LOL ROTFLMAO!!! those right winger morons will do ANYTHING in the name of religion, and of course when inevitably it rains they will chalk it up to having done this prayer and claim prayer really works LOL what a bunch of phuxing morons!

[realpatriot1]

I would have preferred if the Governor had chosen a private or Church location to lead a prayer but I''m with him in that prayer.

I can''t stand Pat Robertson because he''s a hateful and vengeful man who makes ugly comments about others.
Not at all unlike the comments here by Sgtrds and usmcvn.

**** on Georgia? Back at ya! Can i get an amen?

[sgtrds]

I wonder how he''s going to explain the fact that he''s praying to a fairy tale? There is no god to be on the listening end, so it''s no different then praying to a tree.............or a rock........or nothing.....

[samrensho]

The governors family tree obviously ain''t go a whole lot of branches. That boy been a porkin'' his sister.

[rudy654-2009]

Of course, they might try praying to Rush Limbaugh, the man with talent on loan from GAWD! The man who tells them global warming is a joke and a scare tactic from the environmental wacko extremists. Yeah, that''s the man they should pray to, because I am pretty sure they wouldn''t want God''s real opinion on the matter.

[rudy654-2009]

Secular humanism continues to destroy our once God-fearing nation.
Posted by singinrick at 02:40 AM

What makes you think it was once God-fearing? The genocide of the Native Americans? The doctrine of Manifest Destiny? At which point were they "God-fearing"?

[octavianfdlr]

What does this article (or the incestuous posts to it) have to do with science? Anything? Then why is the article under the list of science articles, CBS?

And they laughed at Dennis Kucinich...

[rudy654-2009]

2 Tim. 3 - For men shall be...Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof (i.e. supposedly godly, but really just fakers)

[rudy654-2009]

Ask our founding fathers. You know they wrote this little document you may have heard of, called the Declaration of Independence, that has these words "We are all endowed by our Creator"Posted by singinrick at 02:51 AM

Can you tell me what that document says about the savage Indians? Do you agree that it is Christian?

Can you show me a Scripture where godly men are called upon to oppose the authority of the King?

[rudy654-2009]

If not then why should I show you any scripture?Posted by singinrick at 03:00 AM

You''re a Christian and ask why you should show me any Scripture if I don''t believe in the Bible? I thought that was Jesus'' command to teach the Bible to people who didn''t believe. Are you sure you''re a Christian?

[rudy654-2009]

A paragraph from the Declaration of Independence:

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

Is this the godliness you speak of Rick? Were the Indians nothing but a bunch of evil savages? Who really was doing the evil...the Indians who saved their rear ends from starvation, or the noble "Christian" white man, who killed them aftewards?

[grammawhamma]

I think it''s a good thing that the gov. of Georgia supports prayer. It is disgusting that there were protesters to this...do they want a major drought...or are they mad about the prayer? If the protesters are athiests what do they care if others want to pray? I think alot of people affected by the drought have already been praying for rain long before the governer told them to. It is raining there now by the way. When it is ready to rain...then the rain comes.

[rudy654-2009]

I would suggest by believing in Him first. If you don''''t believe in Him, you won''''t believe in any of His Word, the Bible. Posted by singinrick at 03:06 AM

I would suggest you believe in Him first. Other than a few platitudes and political positioning I have seen nothing that indicates you believe in Him at all.

And we pray to thee, Flying Spaghetti Monster, for water to flow down from your noodly appendages. And for your juicy meatballs to secrete thirt-quenching sauce upon us all. RAmen.

[feelfree1]

Hundreds Arrested At White House Christian Anti-War Protest

WASHINGTON %u2014 Thousands of Christians prayed for peace at an anti-war service Friday night at the Washington National Cathedral, kicking off a weekend of protests around the country to mark the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq.

www.blacklistednews.com/view.asp?ID=2614

###

US bishops urge troop pullout
Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:15:30

Bishop William Skylstad , the President of USCCB
US Catholic bishops have urged the Bush administration to pull out American troops from Iraq in a responsible way as quickly as possible.

Describing the situation in Iraq as ''unacceptable and unsustainable'', the bishops warned of dangerous divisions in US society created and exacerbated by ''the dangerous political stalemate in Iraq'', Reuters reported.


www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=30997&sectionid=3510203

[feelfree1]

Bush''s bishops: Exit Iraq now

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/11/bushs_bishops_get_out_of_iraq.html

President Bush%u2019s church, long at odds with him on matters of public policy, called on the United States and its partners today to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq immediately.

The Bishops of the United Methodist Church approved a resolution calling on Bush, Congress and leaders of the other coalition partners to begin the %u201Cimmediate safe and full withdrawal%u201D of all troops, declare that there will be no permanent military bases in Iraq, increase support for veterans of all wars and initiate a reconstruction plan to address the humanitarian, social and educational needs of the Iraqi people.

[grammawhamma]

I don''t care if you are athiests or Christians. I don''t live any where near Georgia...but I am happy for them it is now raining there.

[feelfree1]

GrammaWhamma,

Re: "I don''t care if you are athiests or Christians. I don''t live any where near Georgia...but I am happy for them it is now raining there."

Really?

It''s a miracle!

[grammawhamma]

FeelFree: No...it''s not a miracle..it''s called nature. That''s why I don''t get all bent out of shape about algoraphobic global warming.

[feelfree1]

singinrick,

- Hundreds Arrested At White House Christian Anti-War Protest

- US bishops urge troop pullout

- Bush''s bishops: Exit Iraq now

Will these humanists also roast in hell?

[feelfree1]

Will they roast, rick?

Will they be left behind?

[rudy654-2009]

Didn''''t know that you know me. Have we met? Posted by singinrick at 03:20 AM

Let''s see...you defend the genocide of the Native Americans and in fact justify it. Hmmm. Godly men, huh? Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (Matthew 7:16)

Yep, I do know you.

[feelfree1]

singinrick,

Re: "Will you listen to anything feelfree1? Nope! you never do."

I am listening with great interest. I anxiously await your reply.

Will they roast, rick?

Will they be left behind?

[keithle1]

The problem with Christians is that they think everyone else is a Christian or it''s just a matter of time until they convert to Christianity.

[feelfree1]

rick?

[feelfree1]

Re: "There are bad apples in every group. And this includes the Indians..."

A million here, a million there... those savages were bound to come to their senses sooner or later, eh rick? Seek salvation?

Never forget, rick...

[feelfree1]

singinrick,

I am still listening with great anticipation.

Will they roast, rick?

Will they be left behind?

[feelfree1]

singinrick,

I am asking specifically about these Iraq war protesting Christians...have they rejected "Christ as their Lord and Savior"? will they roast?

Re: "Is your Mahdi going to return to establish global Sharia law? Is your 12th Imam''s return imminent? Your leader Achmadenijad seems to think so!"

So rick, is your current hypothesis that I am some kind of Iranian/al-Qaeda/Hezbullah/Hamas-hybrid, double secret U.S. counter-news operative?

Re: "Why do you hate Israel so much Feelfree1? What''''s your main reasoning for hating Israel?"

I don''t hate anyone, rick. I think that the creation of modern-day Israel was a big mistake, and that they should immediately comply with the rule of law and with common decency standards, and they should stop meddling in U.S. affairs, but I certainly do not hate Israel.

Their current leadership, however, is even more disgraceful and contemptable than our own, at the moment, if that is possible.

[feelfree1]

singinrick,

Re: "So yes, you hate Israel. Stop trying to weasel your way out of it."

I just told you that I don''t, but you say that I do.

I guess that I''ll have to take your word for it.

Re: "How am I to know if these "war-protesting" Christians are true Christians or not?"

They say that they are, and they are performing a noble act, plus, they are Christians. Why would we doubt their sincerity?

If they are sincere, will they roast in hell for their insolence to the Decider?

Re: "And yes you do hate, you hate Christians because we believe in absolute Truth."

If you say so. It seems that it is very important for you to belive that.

[rudy654-2009]

And if you''''re still bitter about the history of our nation, then why are you still living here? Seriously. If you hate this nation that much, if you think that all white men are evil like you continue to demonstrate on here, then why are you still here? I don''''t get it.

Bitterness is doing you no good, you know.
Posted by singinrick at 03:38 AM

You are a funny man. We were talking about the one time godliness of this nation, were we not? I have demonstrated that not only is that not true, ever, but that you are not godly, and not even a Christian. And your defense is to accuse me of being bitter? Does telling the truth make one bitter? Well, in your case I would say hearing the truth certainly does. Rick, you are no Christian. You do not produce the fruits of one. You are a fake and a politician for a philosophy of men. Your trust is in men and only men. And that day will come when you will say, Lord, Lord...but you will be disappointed by the answer.

[feelfree1]

singinrick,

Re: "TRUE Christians should be rejoicing over this news."

It appears that they are, and they are demonstrating against the mass-murderous Bush-puppet at the White House.

Will you join our Christian brothers and sisters, rick? or will you betray them to Baalzebub?

[anonbene]

ROTFLMAO, Hey how''s that praying thing working out? Is it raining yet? Maybe your god is busy helping your team win. or helping your nascar driver come in first or busy helping you win the lottery. At least it keeps you idiots from *** up someone else''s life for an hour or two so some good came of it.

[feelfree1]

Re: "They are performing a noble act only by your opinion."

Blessed are the peacemakers, rick.

[feelfree1]

Blessed are the peacemakers, rick.

You can''t really call yourself a Christian, rick, if you refuse to follow Christ''s example.

[feelfree1]

Re: "What a sick lie FeelFree1. Calling our US military murderers."

Better have another look, rick. I never mentioned the military. I was talking about your Decider and his band of sycophants/psychopaths.