Cobra, I think you're an awesome dude, appreciate you as a fellow vet... but I don't see how the below challenges the assertion that Vivek is making a politically calculated maneuver for self-serving purposes and certainly should be subject to scrutiny.
Agree he should be subject to scrutiny as do all the others (not that it matters much any more since he dropped out). Appreciate you as well, and think we would get along just fine.
Let me put a counter question to it:
So you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, The Son of God through the Virgin Mary? Or just give gifts and have a family get together.
He is not my lord and savior, but he is yours, and I can respect that, but I ask for the same respect in return. My personal belief is that the act of charity is superior to the act of reverence and worship. There are plenty of Hindus that worship deities but are terrible people, just as there are Christians who pray in Church and don't live up to their responsibilities either. I don't prescribe to that philosophy as a whole. Again, it doesn't mean I disrespect Christ or any other god in any way. For what it's worth, I do think that Christians and Christianity are the more charitable group and religion on the planet. But there are too many White Christians that basically just complain and don't get politically involved enough to do anything to change their future. When a local brown guy like me does more for them than they do for themselves, it's bad. I think it's also as bad through the country. I say the them, wake up.
I should also mention that my mother lived in Indonesia for a period as a teenager due to my grandfather working as a Petroleum Engineer.... She had Vishnu statues and all sorts of other things from the time there...I have hindu friends from work... I dont think that they are bad people and I enjoy learning about their culture and experience from a curiosity point of view.... but as in my understanding of it all.... it is worshiping deities that I equate to pagan/demonic idolatry... and its pretty black and white on that book. Therefore its anathema to me to vote for a Mormon/Hindu/Muslim.
I think you're characterizing Hinduism using a narrow lens. That's understandable given your limited exposure. Ultimately there's the supreme reality Hindus believe in named "Brahman." Many manifestations of Brahman exist in the form of many gods. However, it is easier to understand if seen from a symbolic perspective. For example, certain gods represent fertility, and others represent rage. The truth is that there are many variations of beliefs out there outside of the fundamental Brahman based belief.
Also, voting for who you want is your right. My belief on who to vote for may be different from yours, but again that is my right. I don't vote for people just because they have the same religious belief as me, because a lot of times, again, people who share that same religious belief are worshippers and not charitable, giving people who care about others. I care about character, not religious fervour. I supported, walked and even still fundraiser for many strong Christians but because they are genuinely good people, as well as candidates. That includes female conservatives.
I mean when I see Vivek go on tv and talk about one God... knowing that he doesnt believe it... its about as cringe/phoney as it gets.
Hindus, again have one supreme entity, "Brahman." Not sure if this is what Vivek means, but, again, I'm not judging him based on religious fervour.
Care to name some that are concretely fleshed out?
Well, Trump contributed to Democrats' campaigns consistently and I do believe he even contributed to Disney. On top of that, I do believe he took money from George Soros for a building. I actually don't hold this against him. But, my problem is that people would hold it against Vivek if that was the case. That's cultish behavior and not reasonable. When you support Trump for his policies and criticize him on his behavior, you are a Trump supporter, not cultist. These are mutually exclusive but both as relevant as ever.
He's doing good things to be useful in pointing out to the republican party that the base still wants the agenda Trump spouts. I enjoy listening and watching him take people down.... but that's the only purpose he serves. To bring the party apparatus back to accept Trump's agenda which is defined by American Populism.
Nimrod I mean Nimarata Nikki Randhawa Haley is a total creation of the elites.... and I enjoy watching her get lambasted by Vivek.
I appreciate him for what he is.... and the good he can do... but I do not trust him.
I agree there is an element of frustration expressed here about the indian interaction with many in their corporate lives/inability to break through certain H1B issues ect. Its understandable to a degree... and I do think some are concerned (Like I am) that Vivek would absolutely do things that would increase the H1B injection of Indian workers.
This is a reasonable fear given the in-group preference that seems to only be unacceptable if whites do it....
Nimrata sold out by renouncing Sikhism and converting. Again, I don't have a problem with Christianity, but I reject the notion that 'in politics, I need to convert in order to get the white people to like me.' I'm comfortable with who I am and how I identify. If people don't like that, the door is nearby. I don't convert for anybody and sell out. That's what I like about Vivek.
Again, you have lack of exposure to the Indian culture. There are many of us who were either born here or identify as more American than Indian. Those of us don't really care much for our brethren who are Indian from India and take advantage of our system. Babysitting them is a pain. Just take me for example. My client list has a very few Indian folks from India because I don't want to deal with them. I prefer more reasonable, genuine and personable white clients. Seriously. So the notion that someone like me wants Indian immigrants who are nothing like me to be around, is plain dumb. I presume Vivek feels the same way, but just a calculated presumption.
Don't mean any of this to be offensive. Just trying to be truthful. Also, I've been busy. Would have responded sooner if not. I do regret that, sincerely.
