Will America be able to embrace the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush? The popular vote shows that he was not the wanted candidate and to be honest we will never fully know what the state of Florida wanted. Hence we'll never know how the electoral college votes should have gone. Will his presidency have a gray cloud over it since the state that held the fate of the country in their hands is goverened by his brother, Jeb Bush? Will America always remember the statement he made regarding his brother handing him the state of Florida or there being a sad Thanksgiving.

Any comments or opinions?

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2000

Answers

Did you noticed that states with high educational levels did not vote for Bush? Now that's interesting.

He will have an extremely difficult uniting this country. In fact, I think that we'll see more veil removed during his term. Who knows what will turn up next.

Brenda

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2000

President-Elect Bush can only reach out to all the citizens of this great country. Those who reject him without giving opportunity will not be united. Here in Texas, he has done a wonderful job as our Gov. The so-called "undervote" was ballots that the counting machines could not read a vote for president. There was also an overvote, ballots that had a vote for two or more candidates for the same office. The supreme court rightfully ruled that if you count the undervote, you must also count the overvote. Vice-President Gore and the democrats characterized these "ballots" as un-counted votes which was not true. The only way to discern the intent of the voter is to see a punchout in the position for that candidate, not a hanging or pregnant chad. Bush won on November 7, won on the automatic recount in Florida and is our President-Elect. He had and continues to have my support. God Bless Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2000

"When the fat slave is well fed, he says his new country is good".

Ghana

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2000

I agree with Pastor Paris, President-Elect Bush can only reach out to all of America. I do not however, agree with what is or should be a valid vote. Here in Massachusetts the punch card ballot was banned after an apparent loser challenged and the judges themselves went through the ballots and found that indeed many votes were not recognized by machines. This was a primary election so no party influence affected the outcome. The ballot issue is obscuring the issue that is in my mind more important and that is theproblems encountered at the polls by people of color and others. NAACP held hearings and gathered much evidence that this has to be investigated. Brother J C Watts, this morning on the Today Show said that such actions have to be done by local official, not the Feds. Come on, JC , seems that it was the local officials that created "clerical errors", issued letters that folks with misdemeaners were felons so the could not vote, and registered folks in other towns, not were they reside. The positive side is that we now know the power of the vote. If Black folks stayed home, there may not have been this mess. Bush lost the popular vote, as we know, but the Constitution assigns the Electoral College system, so be it. Another point is that we had no miltary coup, riots or any election violence that we see in other countries. It works and I believe we as Black folks and the country will be all the stronger for this. Reforms that would not have happened will now push to the front burner.' I am praying for the President-Elect and the country

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2000

It seems to me Republican candidates are not invited to address the General Conference. Jesse Jackson has been there; Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Is there any particular reason for this?

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2000

High Education levels did not vote for Bush...? what is the inference here ? ...Bush won because a lot of uneducated people voted for Him ? ... Would this be the same as an attitude to American and Non- Americans ( Africans ) ... superirior and inferior?

I'm glad when our Lord Jesus Christ chose to get some messengers to spread the Gospel He chose the lot from the uneducated

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2000

Some of our bishops are not Bush advocates.

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2000

Pastor Paris,

Would it have been okay for George W. Bush to come and speak at the General Conference? Would he have made sport and had the General Conference dancing to his tune as you stated about Al Gore in your December 13 post under "What is your opinion". I noticed that you were opposed to Al Gore speaking in the Black pulpits across the country. Is it okay with you when the person speaking is your candidate?

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2000

President-Elect Bush has far too much class and respect for himself and us to make sport of our religious traditions as the current Vice- President Gore did. You will note that he worshipped at a UMC Church where the Reverend Kirbyjon Caldwell (a black minister) is one of the ministers. Clinton and Gore will court our vote but they do not respect our religion or its traditions. Right is right no matter the color, class or creed. Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2000

Must I remind you that President William Jefferson Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States of America, worshipped at Metropolitan AME Church prior to his inauguration.

-- Anonymous, December 16, 2000

I have no doubt that many will look upon the Bush Presidency as politically illigetimate based on the electoral outcome. Many conservatives also viewed the Clinton Presidency as illigetimate due to his impeachment by the House of Representatives. BOTH perspectives are politically incorrect. While I personally favored Clinton to gracefully resign in wake of the Lewinsky scandal and allow Gore an opportunity to assume the Presidency, his predictable selfishness precluded this noble act and as a result Gore paid the ultimate political consequence. There are many things that I don't like but the outcome remains the same. Clinton remained President against my best wishes and Bush will be President. Both are legitimate and it is time for us to cease wasting precious political and social capital attempting to change the outcome. Afterall, the real problems facing Black America can hardly be fixed by political activism. QED

-- Anonymous, December 16, 2000

As an african american, I supported and voted for Bush. I has a proven record of supporting and worshopping in black churches. He has worship and attended services at Tony Evans' church, T. D. Jakes' church K. Caldwell's church and a host of others in Texas. He speaks with assurance about his christian faith. And does mind share it with others. He, a united methodist, had a conversion experience through the ministry of Dr. Billy Graham. He is a conservative, but also has the ability to united. -------- On another note....The Black church for too long has look to elected officials for the answer. We have forgotten the one who really brought us over. We have look to the creature more than to the Creator. Blacks and whites are still divided on many issues. Racism is still in the church. Just look around you when you worship this sunday. Our churches look nothing like the day of pentecost when many nationalities were represented. Congress and the President can do so much. What about God???? We, the Black Church in america, have left Him out all together. The psalmist, David, said it best....I shall look to the hills(NOT CAPITAL HILL) from whence my Help comes...It comes from the Lord which made Heavens and Earth. (Insert mine)

Rev Thomas Henry, Jr Trinity Church

-- Anonymous, December 16, 2000

AMEN! and AMEN!. The difference between the Children of Israel and the rest of the world was that Israel believed that most of the "bad" things that happened to them was a result of thier disobedience to God. They also believed that if they confessed thier sins, He would forgive. Most of the bad things that happen to black folk now is aresult of our own behavior. We must stop the blame game and do for ourselves that which needs to be done and not rely on the government to do it for us. Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, December 16, 2000

I agree Pastor Parish. We must become pro-active, relying on ourselves. Please note in my last post that President elect Bush has called upon Jesse Jackson. Both political parties USE the black church (preachers) as place to pimp their politics to the masses.

The problem of our people is SPIRITUAL! We believe in everything and everybody except G-d. One day we'll return to ways of our ancestors who depended upon Spirit for guidance.

In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2000

Sister Brenda, My name is Paris, not Parish! I think there is a difference. Gore promised to "fight for you." Bush promised that if you fight for yourself, you will win. If Gore fights for you, he owns you; you are his slave. If you fight for yourself, you are subject to God only. Remember that God did not fight the battle in Canaan for Israel. Israel had to be willing to put their all on the alter first. Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2000