I want to share a correspondence that has taken place between myself and Senator Obama. Since I closed the DNC with a benediction, people have asked whether I know the Senator and whether we’ve met. Barack Obama and I have had an ongoing e-mail correspondence for several months, the bulk of which I have posted for you.
It all started when I attended a rally here in Portland at which more than 75,000 people showed to support the Senator. Somehow, I managed to get a spot close to the stage and during his speech the Senator pointed at me and told me “Yes, I could,” something I think he stole from the Black Eyed Pea’s, but oh well. Anyway, I was moved by the speech, but I had questions. I can do what? At the time, I was trying to pick paint colors for the living room, but was frozen between Icelandic Blue and Mossy-Rock Green.
To my amazement, Barack e-mailed me shortly thereafter. I don’t know if it is appropriate to share our personal correspondence, but I offer it to you anyway. I’ve posted Barack’s e-mails followed by my responses.
FIRST E-MAIL FROM BARACK:
Dear Donald,
You did it!
Not just yesterday, but every day for more than a year, you did what the cynics said we couldn’t do.
You said the time has come to get beyond the same old tactics that divide and distract us, and you gave people a reason to believe again.
We’re within reach of the nomination, and we are ready to take this country in a new direction.
Thank you for your continued support, and for everything you’ve done to make this possible.
Barack
MY RESPONSE:
Mr. Obama,
Wow. I’m shocked. How did you get my e-mail address? I gave my e-mail address to a cute hippie with a clip board. Did you get my address from her? Do you know her? Can you ask her to call me? Anyway, no biggie, just cool that you wrote.
I wanted to talk to you after the rally but the guy with the curly earphones said you were busy. As for your e-mail, I don’t remember saying “the time has come to get beyond the same old tactics that divide and distract us,” but that’s exactly how I feel. I say a lot of things I don’t remember. My roommate Jordan said I said he could eat my leftover calzone from Pizzicatta but I don’t remember saying that and I know I was planning on having it for breakfast the next day.
Anyway, I hear you are going to Europe. I was thinking about trying to get over there myself but the exchange rate is nuts. My friend Karl said he paid nine bucks for a pint. That’s out of my league. Are you backpacking? Staying in hostels? Watch out in Amsterdam, that place is crazy. Write back about that hippie girl.
I gotta go.
Don
SECOND E-MAIL FROM BARACK:
Donald –
Right now you have a unique opportunity to go head-to-head with George W. Bush.
This week, John McCain and George Bush gathered behind closed doors, away from the cameras, to raise money for McCain’s campaign.
McCain used Bush to raise a reported $3.5 million from a group of about 500 Republican contributors.
That’s a lot of money that will undoubtedly be used to attack us and make the case to continue George Bush’s policies.
John McCain can run from the cameras, but he can’t hide from the fact he’s aiming to continue George Bush’s policies for a disastrous third term.
Let’s show that we’re ready to take him on. Donate to the campaign today.
Thank you,
Barack
MY RESPONSE:
Barack, dude, that first line freaked me out. For a second I was like, no way, he’s surrounded by secret service. And then I was picturing some kind of fight club in the basement of the White House where Dick Cheney and Karl Rove pummel each other in order to “feel.” Did you see that movie? Chuck Palhniuk is from Portland, you know. He’s a bit strange.
To be honest, man, I’m strapped for cash right now. I bought a couple t-shirts at the rally and a bumper-sticker but that’s all the money I had. I should have some money coming in next week and I’ll float you something. Do you need to pick up a flag pin? I’ve got one if you need it. It was my uncles.
Later,
Don
P.S. My friends call me Don, so it’s cool.
THIRD E-MAIL FROM BARACK:
Donald –
I’m about to take the stage in St. Paul and announce that we have won the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.
It’s been a long journey, and we should all pause to thank Hillary Clinton, who made history in this campaign. Our party and our country are better off because of her.
It’s going to take hard work, but thanks to you and millions of other donors and volunteers, no one has ever been more prepared for such a challenge.
Thank you for everything you’ve done to get us here. Let’s keep making history.
Barack
MY RESPONSE:
Barack,
Sorry I missed your e-mail. Did you already give your speech? Do you get this on an I-Phone? My friend Wade and me (he was standing next to me at the Portland rally) ran down to the river because somebody said Starbucks was giving away Frappacino’s. Half true, though. It was just free samples. But Wade and I kept walking around this pole to get back in line and I filled up half a Nalgene before they told me to stop.
Very cool about Hillary. Sometimes you just have to talk it through, you know. I just think it’s cool you guys can be friends. I’m not married but I know my married friends are always looking for other couples to hang out with.
Let me know how that speech went.
Don
P.S. Also, did you give Al Gore my e-mail address? It’s cool, I just hadn’t heard from him before. We’re friends on facebook, but what does that mean anymore. And please, everybody calls me Don.
An E-Mail from Michelle Obama, came shortly after I was asked to give the closing prayer at the DNC.
FIRST E-MAIL FROM MICHELE OBAMA:
Donald –
Barack likes to tell a story about the two of us standing backstage before his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention.
The way he tells it, he was too busy in the days before the convention to feel any pressure — but about an hour before the speech, I could tell he was getting a little nervous.
To break the tension, right before he went out on stage I leaned in close and said, “Just don’t screw it up, buddy.”
We laughed. And then Barack brought the house down.
Barack’s speech at this year’s convention will be a culmination of the unlikely journey that has brought all of us so far over the past 17 months.
Seeing it in person will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m excited about being there, and if you make a donation of $5 or more before the deadline, you could join Barack backstage. Donate today and you will be registered to join us!
Thanks for everything you’ve done to get us here.
Michelle
MY RESPONSE:
Mrs. Obama,
It’s a pleasure to hear from you. You look lovely all the time. Are we all going to hang out in Denver? I think it’s awesome they asked me to pray.
I just want you to know, I’m not one of those cigar-smoking guys that is going to have your husband out on the back deck shooting b.b. guns till midnight. I don’t know if you made contact to try to feel me out or not, but I’m not like that. I like a cigar every once in a while, but it’s not that big of a deal.
That is awesome what you said to Barack before the 2004 speech, about not screwing it up. That was the first time I saw him speak and I was blown away. But could you not say that to me before my prayer? Please. I just get really, really nervous. I nearly wet my pants before that talk at Harvard. I know it’s just a three-minute prayer, but could you just kind of nod at me when it’s my turn to walk out there? I am just going to listen to my headphones beforehand, like Michael Phelps.
Also, I don’t have to follow him, do I? He’s not going to do the yes you can one, is he? Think he’d be willing to tone it down a bit, so I don’t look bad?
I look forward to meeting you. I don’t hardly watch football anymore. Just on Sundays, and never when I am at somebody else’s house. No biggie, just saying.
Sincerely,
Donald
P.S. So do I have to register to get a pass. A lady named Kitty called and said there would be a packet at the hotel. What room are you guys in?
FINAL E-MAIL FROM BARACK:
Donald –
As you may have heard, 10 supporters will be joining me backstage before I accept the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
The people who make up our movement are of all different ages, races, and backgrounds — and these folks are no different.
They each bring their own unique perspectives and experience, and they are united by their hunger for change.
If you cannot make it to Denver, you can get together with your friends and family and watch my acceptance speech at a Convention Watch Party.
Thank you for your belief in our ability to bring real change to this country. You continue to grow and strengthen our movement in ways no one thought possible.
Barack
MY RESPONSE:
Barack,
Cool about the other guys. Are they fraternity guys? It’s just not my crowd, that’s all. But no big deal.
I can make it to Denver. I told Michelle but she hasn’t e-mailed back. Kitty said my rehearsal would be on Sunday and I could use the teleprompter. Do they control the text from the sound-booth or can you scroll up and down with a button of your own? Have you ever looked through the teleprompter and got eye-locked with somebody and messed up?
Are the other guys giving a prayer, too?
It’s really cool you guys invited me to come. It’s an honor, to be honest. I think it’s great that you pray. I pray too. Tell Michelle I say hello. See you soon.
Sincerely,
Donald
P.S. Can you get Hannah Montana tickets? They aren’t for me, they’re for my niece. I told her I would ask.
•••••
So that’s it. I’m not saying we’re best friends, but I think he’s a pretty good guy for making contact and keeping in touch.
The convention was great. I actually did meet Michelle Obama and she was striking and friendly. She, her brother Craig, and the Obama children came into a room where I was sitting backstage, and for a few minutes it was just us. It was so strange to see this woman who was about to go out and address the nation and I’m telling you, she wasn’t nervous at all. She was just another mother hanging out with her kids. I don’t know how she remained so composed. It was really an honor to be back there.
So this is the new blog. I’ll try to keep it light and funny, because I’m not big on controversy. I think most of it is hype, to be honest. But if you want to chime in, I’ve finally got a way for you to leave comments.
Best,
Don
{ 7 trackbacks }
{ 345 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
P.S. It’s not 1:39 PM, but it is 10:39 PM…
Hey – you aren’t the only one exchanging emails with the political glitterati. Read Sept. 3rd’s entry of:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monitormix/
Oh, you crazy Oregonians.
You are quite the funny one!
Don,
That was awesome!
hey don, i checked out your website because my wife said her best friend attends church where you do. also, a co-worker mentioned your name to me after reading one of your books. anyway, i wanted to mention a few things. one is, i really appreciate the mentoring program God started up through you and others. i work at a children’s home with kids in foster care and i see the pain caused by broken homes. my staff and i continually share Jesus Christ with the children and how their Father in Heaven cares for them more than anyone else. i read the email correspondence between you and barack. i know you mentioned you kept the conversation light but to me that is disappointing. i think you had opportunity to challenge obama with regards to his faith and beliefs while building relationship with him. also, he made comment about george w bush and the past 8 years. bush isn’t perfect but he is a great president and has done an awesome job, this past 8 years have been great in so many ways. don, we need to keep it real. i don’t see your email on your website.
I AM the hot-hippy-chick who gave your email address to barack…i’m the reason that all of this started!!! too bad i gave it to him and didn’t make a copy of it.
Your comments in an AP story from the Convention were right on. Amen, brother. Thanks for giving voice to what many of us believe. — Jennifer in Iowa
RE, the following from AP, Aug. 27, 2008:
Miller was a loyal Republican but said he left the party, in large part, because he thought Republicans pandered to evangelicals on abortion and gay marriage to win votes without accomplishing much.
Democrats are “reaching out to us, and I’m not naive as to why — they want our votes,” said Miller, who gave a two-minute prayer to close Monday’s convention session. “But they won’t get them and keep them unless they continue the momentum of adopting policies that promote the sanctity of life.”
Miller cited progress along those lines — including on abortion. His other priorities — poverty, global warming — also reflect a widening evangelical agenda that might benefit Democrats, if not in large numbers in November then in future elections. Miller also said he’d leave the party if some Democrats keep mocking people of faith.
“I’d like to see Obama address that — say that voice is no longer welcome,” he said.
Can you get me Hannah Montana tickets too?
LOL
I think it would help some posters to read back on previous comments.
Dear Don,
I don’t care who you vote for. I really liked your blog. It kept me LOLing (literally) for a good 5 minutes. Welp, I am off to get a Big Gulps. See ya
Don,
I am currently reading “Searching for God Knows What” and am truly enjoying it. I’ve been a Christian for a long time, but I tend to be a “doubting Thomas” who has been disgusted by the people who call themselves Christians, but more or less make Christianity out to be a legalistic Religion. Your perspective on Christianity through your writings has helped explain many of my thoughts, concerns, doubts, etc. constantly running through my mind, and has helped me truly to understand God, Jesus, and the writers of the Bible from a different perspective that is beautiful and meaningful, and not the least bit religious.
My next point is that I am somewhat disappointed in your public support of Obama. I am not to judge you on your political preferences, but from a moral and sensible standpoint, I don’t see what the appeal is about the man, other than he is a nice guy and a good motivational speaker. I commend you for taking a stand regarding abortion and Christian faith as it pertains to the “left”, but it’s important to understand that by supporting Obama, you are supporting the party and its values as a whole. Not that the Conservatives have all of the answers or are faultless, but I guess support of such a liberal candidate who can’t even answer when life begins is somewhat disappointing.
Regardless, I am still a big fan and hope to meet you some day.
Hehe the politics of politics – I love it!
Mike Morrell,
Be careful before you jump to conclusions. I’m disabled.
Hi Mike,
Please don’t be so quick to assume anything. I am disabled and know both spiritual and physical hunger. One is beautiful, the other hideous. May God have mercy on us all!
I must admit, I was fooled when I read the first correspondence. But then, they all looked so familiar. Is he sending the same emails to everyone? No way, if Santa can deliver to millions in person there is no reason why Barack can’t deliver to millions on the net. Surely he has no elves, but I think that staff is plentiful. People seem to like change. Do you like the way things are going? The McCain campaign doesn’t anymore.
On a lighter, I am a Christian, and even a former Sunday school teacher. I have never been a professional Christian (got paid to be one), but I have known a few. I have also known some politicians and policy makers, Christian ones even, a few of them. Would you believe that? I taught a few of their children in Sunday school. Never any “Black” Liberation Theology, or “White” Liberation Theology either–but then again Liberation Theology originated in North Western South America. So “Brown” Liberation Theology maybe? No, none of that either, I just taught about Jesus. Although, I would say that Barack is brown–not quite black, wouldn’t you all?
Anyhow, my first look at the Barack/Donald topic is: It is cool for young Christians to like Donald Miller, right? And, it is cool for young people to like Obama, right? And of course Donald Miller would make the cool choice on all occasions because he is cool and well liked by the cool Christians and those aspiring to be cool Christians.
Let’s be serious now, Barack Obama is a patriot. He wants what is best for our country, as I think Miller does–especially with the new patriotic awakening he got on his 10 speed. Please let the guy have his political leanings. Really, what would you all expect? That Miller would support Ron Paul? That would be way too cool, even for Donald Miller.
To conclude, I will be tangential but precise:
Abortions are still legal and Gay people get married now. We continue to transfer billions of dollars to China as we purchase their products and they buy our treasury bonds. China continues to abort children at exponential rates in comparison to the US. Adding to this, food cost rose 30%, gas is up 250%, the dollar has fallen by 50% on world markets, and average family income fell by $2,500 since the Bush administration came to office.
Are you better off?
I suppose that the Nancy Pelosi and the Liberal Democratic run house is making all the right moves, right. How much better off have things been since they were voted in to office? The 100 things to get done in 100 days was suppose to save the US, right? All it did was drive cost up for our small business so the cost was pasted on to the common folks like us.I think the approval rating is down to relatives and staffers for the Congress. The American people need to get real here and vote for someone who wants to drill for more oil so we have more alternatives. Drilling is not the save all end all answer, but more oil can not hurt us.
Don,
My two oldest kids discovered your books and loved them. You are in a position to influence many people, I just hope and pray you don’t influence them politically.
It is with a frustrating and disappointing curiosity that I struggle to understand how anyone who claims to follow Christ could endorse a candidate who favors abortion on demand, favors partial-birth abortion, and even favors denying life-saving medical care to infants that miraculously survive an abortion and are “born alive”. That is infanticide, my friend, and it breaks God’s heart.
I really appreciate your message calling on the bride of Christ to care for the widows and orphans, and I pray that God uses you for His great purposes to further those ends and for His glory. But please be aware of the horrible witness you present when you endorse a candidate, that if he is elected, will condemn millions of the most defenseless and innocent among us, to death by abortion.
Your support of Obama is disheartening.
Yet, the truth is that more and more Christians are being led astray by false beliefs. I listened to yours and Derek Webb’s podcast about “peace”.
Sir, peace only came through war. Have you mistaken the Scripture when it says, “there is a time for war, and a time for peace?” America is a GREAT country that has the means to defend…not just for ourselves but to protect others. Not a lot of countries can do that for themselves. And sitting by and not taking action is a sin. I don’t understand what authority you grant to yourself to only obey the “New Testament.” But, after 9/11 – the last straw was drawn. And we are in the defense.
You can believe the liberal lies. But you are not doing any American a favor.
Mrs. Robinson,
Thanks for commenting. Your comment, however, fails to land a point based in logic. I fear it is largely emotional, and I am beginning to notice that many who are frustrated with my support for Senator Obama aren’t grounded in fact. I support the senator because he can decrease the number of abortions, and he has also stated he believes war is sometimes necessary, an idea I completely agree with. It feels like you are coming from a prejudice, ill informed. i mean no disrespect, but I won’t be insulted or shamed for things I do not believe. Honestly, Mrs. Robinson, you sound like a country and western lyric. Who have you listened to on the other side of your “two-sided” paradigm, and did they have anything to offer you? Thank you for your consideration.
Don
What the heck! DUUUUUUUDE!!! I started MY blog so I could show all my friends the emails I was getting from Barack…You mean he sent you the same ones!?!? Talk about a bum out…Just when I thought I had a homie in high places. This is a travesty…Well at least its just me and you Don, I mean he would not have had time to email EVERYONE, right? Thats a lot of typing.
hey Don, just wanted to write to say that I appreciate your wit. I have been challenged by and have thoroughly enjoyed reading your books. Thanks, man. Jeff in Portland
And just a note for some who have chosen to post here: it is entirely possible to be a Christ-follower and not toe the party line. It’s too simple to think that it’s only about one issue. Think about it: war isn’t very pro-life, is it? If it is, may we ask, to whom? We should not think that God only blesses America. We are not allowed to not think. Let’s respect authority, bend our knee to the Lord, but challenge what we are being fed. 9/11 was probably an inside job. The economy may not get better for a long time. Abortion is one of many important issues (like foreign policy, health care, etc.) Let’s not get all high and mighty because we feel entitled to it. Entitlement is a sure way to fall.
Hey Don. Just wondering if you had any clue why you were invited to pray at the DNC? Also, would you have prayed at the RNC, if you had been invited?
Classic.
I don’t understand how anyone who calls themselves a follower of Christ can support a candidate who is pro abortion. It blows my mind and makes me very sad that the evangelical church is represented by don miller. Obama is anti American, anti Israel, and anti human rights. Wake up! It isn’t cool to be a lib and a Christian! This is a scary place our churches our headed.
Grace S.
Thanks for your comment. I wanted to respond with some reasoning in regards to abortion. A closer look on the subject showed me the abortion rate increased under Bush, while it had decreased under Clinton. That revealed the issue is more than legal, it is also cultural and economical. Two pieces of legislation were proposed last year, by Democrats, that would decrease the number of abortions, and Barack Obama supports those. In addition, Barna Research, an independent research organization released in August that Obama won in 18 of 19 categorical values that were important to Evangelicals. I think I came to the conclusion that the issue was not a Republican or Democratic issue, but much more complicated. So that is the reason I chose to support Obama, at least on that issue. There is much more.
That said, I am grateful you wrote in and hope there can be civility between those of us who are Christians.
As for these phrases in your comment:
“It blows my mind and makes me very sad…”
and
“Obama is anti American, anti Israel and anti human rights”
and
“Wake up”
and
“It isn’t cool.”
Were the kind of things that some (comparatively few) evangelicals would say that I felt were rather empty and caused me to look further at some facts rather than relying on emotion or empty rhetoric. And looking further at the facts led me to support Barack Obama.
But I do not believe the world is black and white, and that we have a earthly hero that is going to make everything allright. My stance is that Obama as President would make some things better. That’s really it. I tend to think the hype is more about identity than reality.
Best.
Don
Grace S., I am wondering, is it cool to be a ‘lib’ if you are not a Christian and cool to be a Christian if you are not a ‘lib’? The combo must be the problem. Adding to that, should I choose my political and religious beliefs based on their level of cool? Oh, and could you please tell me about any other not cool religious/political combos? I know, it’s a lot to think about. Thanks for your help Grace!
Hey Don,
While I haven’t always agreed with you, I’ve enjoyed your honest writing. I know that the last thing you want here is a debate over politics, but since so many of the comments here that are critical seem to focus on abortion, and you have countered that according to your research, abortions went up since Bush has been in office, I thought I’d add my two cents.
The fact is, the study you’re referring to was flawed, and has been refuted by a major Guttmacher study which showed that, in fact, abortions have decreased under Bush. Here’s the link:
http://www.factcheck.org/society/the_biography_of_a_bad_statistic.html
That being said, I don’t expect you to change your mind at this point based on one obscure comment and one internet link. I’m sure there are a number of reasons beyond abortion that factor into your decision, and while I disagree with you, I don’t dismiss those reasons out of hand. And you’re right, reducing the number of abortions will ultimately have much more to do with men taking on the responsibility of fatherhood and mentor than who gets elected. We can both pray and work toward helping that kind of change become reality. Take care.
I see that comment is back up. Maybe it’s one of those things where comments have to be reviewed before they’re posted. In any case, thanks for letting me put in my two bits.
you don’t actually think those emails are from barack do you?
Although I don’t support Obama at all, I still found this post very funny. And you’re smart enough to know that they aren’t really personal, so I won’t call you crazy. Hehe.
In all seriousness, and as cheesy as it sounds, reading your words have really changed my life. And I really am not exaggerating one bit. I don’t want to be seen as a person who merely reads your books and says “You’ve got a point there, Don.” or just thinks you’re right and goes off unchanged. But I really FEEL changed. And as much as you are a great writer, I don’t really mean that YOU changed my life, but that God has slowly been revealing Himself to me, and your books were tools for Him to use. Especially Searching For God Knows What. I enjoyed Blue Like Jazz, but I think SFGKW is the book I really needed. I am grateful that you have given God new ways to speak to me. And I like how you write your books not so that people like YOU and think YOU’RE cool, but so that maybe people will love GOD, and love Him even more if they already do. Since finishing both books, I’ve been reading my Bible probably 2 or 3 times as much as I did before. I’m reading Psalms now. It’s a very beautiful book.
So back to your post. Although I do not support Obama and am actually hoping for a Republican victory, I wish that it didn’t matter, outside of politics I mean. I see that because of this have really been questioning your morals and your authenticity as a Christian. I mean you’re supporting Obama, and I do not, but it is still VERY obvious to me that you love God very much. And despite my opinion, I was VERY excited that you prayed at the DNC. I’m happy you did. And I don’t wish that you would have prayed at the RNC, because God didn’t want it that way. And that’s that.
I don’t know if you’ll read all of this, but I’m happy that I have found this blog and looks foward to reading other posts. And I think I’m done.
I hope you have a great day
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out these e-mails are just SPAM. I was a missionary in the south pacific on the island of Tanna. A local pastor received letters from Benny Hinn’s ministry asking for money. The poor pastor, not knowing what the “big city” or what western civilization was like actually though Benny Hinn was asking him directly and personally for money. I had to burst his bubble and tell him the truth..
I hope you realize those e-mails a so generic… if he was so “nice” he would of told you about the hippie chick you wanted to get together with, and commented on the starbucks..
You mean they aren’t real Mike? Benny Hinn is not contacting me personally either?
i know i’m behind, but…
funny. really funny. thanks for that little surprise, it was a great read in the middle of the debate tonight… heh : )
Hey Don,
I’m sure you’ve had a million people tell you this, (and frankly I feel pretty lame writing it as a comment on a blog that you will probably never read) but I really liked your books “Blue Like Jazz” and “Searching for God Knows What.” I read them both at points in my life where I was going through some tough questions and re-evaluating my values. While I didn’t just adopt yours, your words got my heart questioning.
That being said, I also really appreciate your objective view of politics. Before I went to college, I remember saying I would never support a party that endorsed abortion. Now, I find myself in an entirely different point. I actually read a paper I wrote several years ago that gave a point-by-point explanation of why it was un-Christian to vote for Democrats. My bro (who got me to read your books) showed me the paper, and we laughed a little. But I really felt ashamed of how ignorant that sentiment is, and scared for how many Americans share(d) that belief with me.
I really appreciate your gracious response to Grace S. (above) and will likely steal some of those points for later discussions. I need to read up on this more. (As a side note, I find it interesting that 7 of the 9 Supreme Court justices who ruled on Roe v. Wade were political conservatives.)
I also enjoyed the part of your blog about Al Gore, and how you’re facebook friends with him. Which made me realize, I’m not even facebook friends with Al Gore (I just listed him today). Then I realized (perhaps more plainly) that I’m not friends with you. I mean, I know we’ve never met, but I think it’s time. Or maybe you have to read my books first?
Cheers,
Nate K
P.S. I haven’t written any books, I just wanted to sound cool.
This was absolutely hilarious!
I’m a fan. A big fan. Thanks for the humor. Keep it comin’.
Don-
I don’t know if you read these things, but thanks for making me laugh. I heard you speak once at the Upper Room in Edina,MN. I even met you. You said something that I will never forget, “Life is hard, learn to make a mean margarita.” To which my friend and I lost it with laughter. When we met, I hadn’t read, “Blue like Jazz,” (or any of your books for that matter), but my friends had and were nervous to meet you. So I decided to introduce them to you, and I had this secret fear that you were going to ask me if I liked the book. But what you said that night made me curious because your faith had action to it. So that night I borrowed my friend’s copy, which you signed. Then I bought my own. Anyway, all this rambling to say that I like that you write how you talk. You mean what you say. The guy that I heard from the stage, is the same guy in the book. Frankly, I find your support for Obama refreshing. Thanks for staying strong in Christ, and strong in politics. I normally vote republican, but your prayer at the DNC has me thinking. Oh, by the way I finished the book in two days. I even took it out to eat with me. I call them just me and Jesus dates. Anyway, the waitress said a girl had just given her a copy of your book to show her a different view point on Christianity. I think God was trying to reach her. I finished your book over a medium steak. God reached me through your book. Keep up the good work in Christ.
I would love for Barack to read this ,,maybe you would forward this on to his e-mail address Don?? Thanks. Mary
Dear Barack,
I sure hate the idea of the TV’s being switched over,their are many people who can’t afford cable and can’t afford to do this switchover thing,I hope you please think about just forgetting about this switch forever. It makes us sick when the gov.t tells us how we can watch TV and what we have to do in order to watch it.Please cancel Feb. 19th. Thank you. Mary
i love yr impowerment as well as yr great great strength.. y r second luther king of world history..
i love y realy………………..
Maybe you read this, or maybe you have to many fans or whatever but you are nuts and by nuts I mean good kinda nuts, like Jesus nuts.
I may be completely mislead and/or don’t quite get the President’s lingo, but it doesn’t look like the President responded to any of your email messages at all..
Like Obama did in the debates, he neglected to answer a single one of your questions in your emails, nor did he even continue on the topic you’d bring up in your responses.
Every email response from the Obama’s look like a spam market email that some assistant typed up for him and sent out to mass numbers of people.
-Jon
Ah yes, scratch my last response. Haha.
This is humorous :]
-Jon
Haha! I sign up for these emails to just to have something to read in my inbox.
Hi Don
Having read various comments on here I thought I’d say something even though I am a long way out of date. As someone outside of the US it is great to hear someone talking about the number of abortions not being linked with the legality of abortion. Banning something does not stop it happening it just sends it underground and with abortions that is plain dangerous and puts even more lives at risk. We have to question why there is a demand for abortion and deal with that. You cannot tell that anyone plans to have an abortion, this isn’t an enjoyable pastime with an unfortunate side effect. I just do not understand the one eyed view of trying to pile condemnation onto an already desperate situation.
Likewise, it seems strange that “pro-life” sits so comfortbaly with “pro-war”. Are the lives of innocent Iraqi people less valuable? How does killing innocent Iraqis honour the deaths of innocent Americans (and Brits and others)? Jesus offers us radical creativity in the response to such horrors but time and again we fall back on vengeance.
Anyway on a lighter note a very funny piece. I am just starting to re-read Blue Lke Jazz and as I read and absorbed “What I learned on television” last night I’ll go back to trying to sort out the man in the mirror now.
Steve.
← Previous Comments