What Obama's Victory Means to Hindus

[Yajnavalkya dasa]

Obama grew up in Indonesia. Although a mostly Muslim country, it is a far more tolerant brand of Islam that we see in the Middle East. Indonesia has a large Hindu population; in fact, Bali, an island of Indonesia, is predominantly Hindu.

 

One of Obama's "good luck charms" he always carries with him sure appears to be an image of Hanuman. Google this: "obama hanuman" and judge for yourself. Arjuna's flag was marked with the image of Hanuman. Is this how Obama also attained victory?

 

Bottom line: he has been exposed to a wide variety of cultures. He also knows what it is like to be an underdog. He is likely to be far more tolerant of other religions than someone who clings to their vision as to how America should be (i.e., white, European and Christian).

 

About abortion:

Many Hindus think the Republicans are the ones to support, because they claim to oppose abortion. But do they, really? They have had a Republican President for 8 years, a conservative majority in the Supreme Court for most of that time, and a Republican majority in the Congress for much of that time.

 

But have they taken any action at all during this time to eliminate abortion? No. Why not? It is because they (the upper echelon of the Republican Party) rely on their outraged anti-abortion base of supporters to win elections.

 

If abortion were to be finally made illegal, they would lose a large part of their base. They would be left only with racists, gun nuts and hunters, millionaires and Bible-thumpers (who would ban any religion except their own) to be their core supporters. It is my opinion that the Republicans do not care about abortion, but use the issue to "fire up" their minions. As a recent example, witness the ranting of Sarah Palin.

 

Republicans are also opposed to anything that disrupts their "Norman Rockwell" worldview: anything other than Mom, church, the flag and apple pie is bad. "Vegetarianism, 'animal rights', 'idol worship', 'new fangled religions', 'dot-heads', 'environmentalism and ecology' are not welcome in America" could be their motto.

 

Conversely, the Democrats have always shown to have been far more supportive of other cultures, religions and ideas. Of inclusivism as opposed to exclusivism.

 

Conclusion: the election of Barack Obama is very "good news" to Hindus.

[theist]

 

About abortion:

Many Hindus think the Republicans are the ones to support, because they claim to oppose abortion. But do they, really? They have had a Republican President for 8 years, a conservative majority in the Supreme Court for most of that time, and a Republican majority in the Congress for much of that time.

 

But have they taken any action at all during this time to eliminate abortion? No. Why not? It is because they (the upper echelon of the Republican Party) rely on their outraged anti-abortion base of supporters to win elections.

 

No, it is because to do anything about abortion requires the Supreme Court to overturn the infamous case of Roe vs. Wade. That requires the right stack of judges which they don't yet have. Presently it is a five to four majority in favor of keeping ruling on Roe v Wade intact.

 

When that majority is attained a test case will be brought from the pro-life camp to challenge the 'privacy ruling' of R v W. Until then nothing can be done federally, only state by state.

 

Unfortunately with the Obama victory only pro abortion judges will get to the Supreme Court.

 

This illustrates the problem with picking what one thinks to be the lesser of two evils.

[suchandra]

 

 

 

If abortion were to be finally made illegal, they would lose a large part of their base. They would be left only with racists, gun nuts and hunters, millionaires and Bible-thumpers (who would ban any religion except their own) to be their core supporters. It is my opinion that the Republicans do not care about abortion, but use the issue to "fire up" their minions. As a recent example, witness the ranting of Sarah Palin.

 

 

Probably another topic, where does abortion exactly start?

 

Guess abortion does NOT start when a girl walks into an abortion clinic to get her baby removed because she was raped by an unknown criminal.

 

Abortions starts when leaders of a nation establish illicit sex and intoxication as part of social life.

 

In other words, abortion clinics are the tip of the iceberg but not its cause.

[theist]

 

Probably another topic, where does abortion exactly start?

 

Guess abortion does NOT start when a girl walks into an abortion clinic to get her baby removed because she was raped by an unknown criminal.

 

Abortions starts when leaders of a nation establish illicit sex and intoxication as part of social life.

 

In other words, abortion clinics are the tip of the iceberg but not its cause.

 

Good observation. The desire for sense gratification free from any unintended consequences and responsibilities. If the leaders say it's ok to kill the unborn simply because you don't want the baby then the masses will follow along.

 

And what happens to the aborter? They become the future aborted. A viscious cycle.

[jschwartz]

 

Probably another topic, where does abortion exactly start?

 

Your are right, the topic is not "where does abortion exactly start", but "why does it not end?"

 

The bottom line is that, after eight years, the so-called "pro-life" Republicans have made absolutely no attempt to stop abortion, despite their clear ability to do so.

 

Therefore, a reasonable person should question their intentions.