Gloria McFarland – 11/19/08

This page was last updated on November 23, 2008.

Obama’s election is God’s plan; Gloria McFarland; Beaver County Times; November 19, 2008.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“In June 1968, U.S. Sen. Robert Kennedy, as a presidential candidate, said that in 40 years the United States would have its first black president.

“For many of us, the dream has come true. Forty years after Kennedy made his prediction, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama became President-elect Barack Obama.”

[RWC] Not exactly, at least according to Snopes.com.

First, Mr. Kennedy said, “There’s no question that in the next 30 or 40 years a Negro can also achieve the same position that my brother has as President of the United States, certainly within that period of time.” Mr. Kennedy didn’t predict we’d have a black President in 40 years; he said it would be possible.

Second, the above remarks were made in a radio speech in May 1961, not June 1968. Therefore, even if Mr. Kennedy had “said that in 40 years the United States would have its first black president,” that 40-year window ended seven years ago in 2001.

Third, since the remarks were made in May 1961, Mr. Kennedy was Attorney General, not a U.S. senator.

Am I nitpicking? I don’t think so. If you’re going to make statements of fact, you have to get the facts right.

“Like it or not, this was God’s plan, and nothing can be done about it. It won’t be an easy task for Obama, so instead of whining and complaining, let’s put aside our hatred and say a prayer for our new president and his family that they will lead us in the right way.”

[RWC] I’m not a God expert, but as I recall my schooling at St. Titus and St. Frances Cabrini, God doesn’t inject himself into our lives except in the case of miracles. If I recall correctly, it was referred to as self-determination. Put another way, God probably has better things to do than select our President.

“God knew that the country needed a new face and that the president-elect was the right man. So, whether you are a Democrat or Republican, black or white, let us support our next president.”

[RWC] As I’ve written previously, where were all these tolerant people who popped up after Mr. Obama’s election when we endured non-stop personal attacks and smears of President Bush for the last eight years?

“After all, God made each and every one of us, and we are all precious in his sight.”

[RWC] Finally, have you noticed that whenever a non-leftist mentions God he’s ridiculed? Yet here’s Ms. McFarland claiming Mr. Obama’s election “was God’s plan.”