U.S. so-called "negotiators" are incompetent liars.

[pat_k]

24. True on both counts.

As noted, I wouldn't normally give statements from the Iranian regime much credence. But the statements cited align with what we know about the felon's gang.

And in re: "pseudo religiosity." If our electeds and candidates don't get CRYSTAL CLEAR about denouncing, demonizing, and delegitimizing Christian Nationalism, we are in deep shit.

It is pretty f-ing simple. Christian Nationalists are hellbent on passing laws, or otherwise twisting and abusing the apparatus of our courts, our executive agencies, and our executive offices, to impose their personal religious beliefs on people who do not share those beliefs. This not just deeply Un-American, it is an intolerable violation of constitutional moral principles. Where these intolerable attempts have been successful, the affected legislative, executive, or judicial bodies are no longer legitimate parts of the American constitutional system.

In the United States, you can believe whatever religious doctrine floats your boat. You can reject all religious doctrine. You can preach your personal beliefs at people in the public square. Whatever. But passing laws that IMPOSE those personal beliefs as a matter of law? That is intolerable. It is not a matter of "policy difference" or "political debate." There is no debate. Passing laws that impose a matter of religious doctrine on those who do not subscribe to that doctrine crosses a red line. People who advocate such laws, or who seek to twist existing law to achieve such illegitimate ends, must be purged from our courts, purged from our legislatures, and purged from our executive agencies and offices.

The American ideal is respect all faiths, but the failure of individuals to have such respect can, and actually must be, tolerated. People can carry their own religious biases and animosities in their hearts, however abhorrent those bias and animosities may be to others. They can promote their "faith-based" bigoted beliefs all they want. Those who disdain the ideas can make their cases against them, but ultimately, unless the beliefs promote violence or otherwise endanger our common well-being (e.g., anti-vax), in America, it is not the business of government to "do something" about personal beliefs. Where the line is crossed, and where it becomes the business of every American who believes in constitutional moral principles, is when there is ANY attempt to use the apparatus of any branch of our government to discriminate based on religious bias or force people to comply with religious doctrine they reject.

And, a little message to all Christian Nationalists: abusing the apparatus of government for these sorts of illegitimate ends doesn't just violate fundamental American values. It violates Christian values. Christianity is deeply grounded in the power of FAITH -- faith that by living and embodying Christian values in your own life you are making the world a better place. The opposite of faith is not doubt. The opposite of faith is CONTROL. The minute your try to CONTROL -- to FORCE compliance with the religious doctrine you subscribe to on others, you prove your lack of faith.