There are many examples of people who lost everything after saying similar things I hope he’ll be wise with his resources, it is hopeful that his plane does not look very extravagant.
And I hope he’ll be safe with that plane, more accidents happen with those little things than with airliners, light aircraft flying is more likely to kill you than driving a car.

It’s not “just a word”, it’s a statement of values in context. Because it’s not about the person using it. For a lot of people, millions, in fact, the word “negro” carries the freight of the oppressive jackasses who used that term and other descriptives as an excuse to deny participatory citizenship to, harrass, and even kill, Americans.

In a highly-charged atmosphere of conflict, it was a dangerous word to choose. There weren’t any harmless ones.

Which brings into question why he bothered mentioning her race. Seems like a silly distraction to me. She provided him with plenty of ammunition from her own mouth.

…oh, and by the way, I’d buy some cool toys with an inheritance, too; I just wouldn’t try to claim that they were for the greater good.

Calling a black Representative a Negro?

So, were back to that again, huh? Yeah, how very hurting that was. It hurt almost as much as manhandling a cracker; remember how those poor Catholics bled?

It’s just a word, goddaminit! Negro! NEGRO! See? Is anybody hurt? Are people dead? Is there death, doom, war and disease caused by my writing that word?

Get the fuck over it already! Godamnit you americans are racist!

By the way, I’m a wavering agnostic theist beginning a journey to reason. So please be patient with me. The indoctrination runs deep.

What a both exciting and difficult time this must be for you. Stick around. There are some really nice people here who have gone through what you are describing. I would very much like to hear about your journey as it unfolds.

I wouldn’t be surprised if other atheists find themselves constantly having to make excuses for him whenever theists start pointing to him as an example that atheists are selfish/crazy/immoral.

All you have to do in response is point to any one of the asshole preachers or Christian PAC leaders out there.

But unfortunately, you’re right, and while Rob Sherman is helping the cause in many ways, he’s also hurting it by being a fucking idiot. Calling a black Representative a Negro? There’s no excuse for that. You’d have to have Rip Van Winkled yourself from 1970 to think that’s acceptable.

The only problem I have is, is he going to end up doing more harm than good?

He really does shoot himself in the foot frequently which is too bad because he usually has a good point. This is a good example of something a state should not be giving money out for, and why didn’t the church’s insurance cover this stuff or do they want something bigger and better? Of course maybe they thought god would protect their church from fire and didn’t insure it.

Separation of Church and State aside, it is ridiculous for the state or local government to be giving money to rebuild this church, which is a private institution. That is the purpose of insurance. A church is a business, and if they were not responsible enough to keep adequate insurance, then that is their problem with which to deal. Taxpayers who have no interest in nor responsibility for this church should not be paying for its rebuilding.

Now, I agree with TheOtherOne, in that if the cafeteria served as a public soup kitchen for the homeless, then maybe the public would have some responsibility; but not if conversion to the faith was a stipulation for reaping the benefits.

By the way, I’m a wavering agnostic theist beginning a journey to reason. So please be patient with me. The indoctrination runs deep.