deerstalker
https://www.themarysue.com/tulsi-gabbard-cult/
It’s easy to write off Tulsi Gabbard. The Hawaii congresswoman and 2020 presidential hopeful has been polling around two to three percent in an extremely crowded field, and the rumblings about her bad record on gay rights and controversial foreign policy positions have made her a hard sell for many. Even so, she’s a fascinating figure: a woman of color (she is Samoan), a veteran, and self-identified as Hindu – the first member of congress to do so. But she’s also divisive.
Gabbard has alternatively been seen as a rising star and a black sheep in the Democratic party, but she’s maintained enough support in her campaign to qualify for the next debate but hasn’t received the attention or public scrutiny of more visible candidates. But last week, when Gabbard initially opposed the impeachment inquiry into President Trump (she has since changed her position) it brought her back into the conversation – including her complex past and childhood entrenched in a right-leaning, Hindu-influenced religious group that many describe as a cult.
Gabbard was raised in Hawaii by her parents Mike Gabbard and Carol Porter Gabbard. She was born in American Samoa before they moved to Hawaii, was home-schooled, aside from a two years studying in the Philippines which she rarely speaks about. Her father served in the Hawaii state house before Tulsi followed suit and both campaigned against gay rights as one of their main platforms. According to an excellent and in-depth profile by Kerry Howley, published in New York Magazine, “Tulsi Gabbard Had a Very Strange Childhood” a serious influence for all the Gabbards was an group best known as the “Science of Identity Foundation.”
Science of Identity was founded in the 70s by a white man named Chris Butler as off-shoot of the wider Hare Krishna movement, , who also goes by the guru name of Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa. Butler grew a sigifigant following in Hawaii, and the organization was influenced by his own teachings and beliefs. To be clear, Butler and company do not identify as Hindu and the tenets of the group are a mixed amalgamation of various philosophies and Butler’s own beliefs. According to New York magazine:
Butler taught vegetarianism, sexual conservatism, mind-body dualism, and disinterest in the material world. He taught a virulent homophobia, skepticism of science, and the dangers of public schools. He had been associated with Hare Krishna, and in fact claimed to have been given his Sanskrit name, Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa, by the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, but by the time he encountered the Gabbards, he’d started his own group. His teachings revolved around worship of Krishna but differed from those of Hare Krishna, in that he instructed his followers to learn from only a single guru — himself.
Gabbard’s family. according to interviews with Gabbard’s aunt and others, were part of this group, and it might have, among other things influence Gabbard’s father’s virulent’s anti-gay stance in the 1990s when he was in the Hawaii legislature. Gabbard’s connection to Butler and his devotees has been questioned for many years, as has her parents‘. Publicly, Gabbard;s Father claims identity as a Catholic but admits to knowing Butler, while her mother was Secretary/Treasure of Butler’s organization until 2000.
The narrative of Tulsi Gabbard is that her viewpoints, especially her anti-gay and other stances, have evolved over the years, specifically after her post-9/11 service in the military. But beyond her parents connections, Gabbard remains tied to and therefore possibly influenced by the Science of Identity Foundation – because the group and Butler are very much still around. Gabbard’s husband, Abraham Williams grew up with Gabbard in the same Science of Identity Circles, and other members of her campaign are connected to the Butlers, including Sunil Khemaney, who New York Magazine notes “runs a business owned by Chris Butler’s wife, and former members of the sect say he is Butler’s right-hand man. Gabbard also appointed a Butler-adjacent health food store owner as her chief of staff.
Gabbard shuts down questions about her past and connections to Butler, often calling such attacks Hindu-phobic. To be clear: this topic is worth investigating not because Gabbard identifies as Hindu, but because the group that has and still does influence her life is a best defined as a cult. The devotion to a single man, the indoctrination and control and the many extreme viewpoints Chris Butler espouse fit the definition of a cult very well, but it is a loaded word. Their appropriation of Hindu teachings and doctrines, amalgamated with their homophobia and high regard for authoritarianism is concerning, as is the possible influence of such a group on an elected leader.
It is worth noting that Tulsi Gabbard is not the only congress or Presidential candidate with ties to fringe groups. Fundamentalist Christians, new age motivational speakers and lying, failed business men are all in various positions of power or vying for them. There is no interview process for public office that disqualifies cult members or normal homophobic assholes, as we can see from all of American history.
When our current President is under the influence of the cult-like NRA and authoritarian dictators, does Gabbard’s family ties to homophobic Hare Krishna knock-offs matter? It probably should, because when we look at and select our leaders, we deserve honesty and transparency and politicians free from any influences, religious, lobbyist or otherwise, that calls their judgment and ability to put the country first into question. Gabbard continually shuts down and evades questions about this topic, but I hope she changes her mind, opens up and answers the questions being asked, so that the country she wants to lead has all the information.
(Image: Greg Skidmore/Fickr; via New York Magazine)
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—The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—
It’s easy to write off Tulsi Gabbard. The Hawaii congresswoman and 2020 presidential hopeful has been polling around two to three percent in an extremely crowded field, and the rumblings about her bad record on gay rights and controversial foreign policy positions have made her a hard sell for many. Even so, she’s a fascinating figure: a woman of color (she is Samoan), a veteran, and self-identified as Hindu – the first member of congress to do so. But she’s also divisive.
Gabbard has alternatively been seen as a rising star and a black sheep in the Democratic party, but she’s maintained enough support in her campaign to qualify for the next debate but hasn’t received the attention or public scrutiny of more visible candidates. But last week, when Gabbard initially opposed the impeachment inquiry into President Trump (she has since changed her position) it brought her back into the conversation – including her complex past and childhood entrenched in a right-leaning, Hindu-influenced religious group that many describe as a cult.
Gabbard was raised in Hawaii by her parents Mike Gabbard and Carol Porter Gabbard. She was born in American Samoa before they moved to Hawaii, was home-schooled, aside from a two years studying in the Philippines which she rarely speaks about. Her father served in the Hawaii state house before Tulsi followed suit and both campaigned against gay rights as one of their main platforms. According to an excellent and in-depth profile by Kerry Howley, published in New York Magazine, “Tulsi Gabbard Had a Very Strange Childhood” a serious influence for all the Gabbards was an group best known as the “Science of Identity Foundation.”
Science of Identity was founded in the 70s by a white man named Chris Butler as off-shoot of the wider Hare Krishna movement, , who also goes by the guru name of Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa. Butler grew a sigifigant following in Hawaii, and the organization was influenced by his own teachings and beliefs. To be clear, Butler and company do not identify as Hindu and the tenets of the group are a mixed amalgamation of various philosophies and Butler’s own beliefs. According to New York magazine:
Butler taught vegetarianism, sexual conservatism, mind-body dualism, and disinterest in the material world. He taught a virulent homophobia, skepticism of science, and the dangers of public schools. He had been associated with Hare Krishna, and in fact claimed to have been given his Sanskrit name, Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa, by the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, but by the time he encountered the Gabbards, he’d started his own group. His teachings revolved around worship of Krishna but differed from those of Hare Krishna, in that he instructed his followers to learn from only a single guru — himself.
Gabbard’s family. according to interviews with Gabbard’s aunt and others, were part of this group, and it might have, among other things influence Gabbard’s father’s virulent’s anti-gay stance in the 1990s when he was in the Hawaii legislature. Gabbard’s connection to Butler and his devotees has been questioned for many years, as has her parents‘. Publicly, Gabbard;s Father claims identity as a Catholic but admits to knowing Butler, while her mother was Secretary/Treasure of Butler’s organization until 2000.
The narrative of Tulsi Gabbard is that her viewpoints, especially her anti-gay and other stances, have evolved over the years, specifically after her post-9/11 service in the military. But beyond her parents connections, Gabbard remains tied to and therefore possibly influenced by the Science of Identity Foundation – because the group and Butler are very much still around. Gabbard’s husband, Abraham Williams grew up with Gabbard in the same Science of Identity Circles, and other members of her campaign are connected to the Butlers, including Sunil Khemaney, who New York Magazine notes “runs a business owned by Chris Butler’s wife, and former members of the sect say he is Butler’s right-hand man. Gabbard also appointed a Butler-adjacent health food store owner as her chief of staff.
Gabbard shuts down questions about her past and connections to Butler, often calling such attacks Hindu-phobic. To be clear: this topic is worth investigating not because Gabbard identifies as Hindu, but because the group that has and still does influence her life is a best defined as a cult. The devotion to a single man, the indoctrination and control and the many extreme viewpoints Chris Butler espouse fit the definition of a cult very well, but it is a loaded word. Their appropriation of Hindu teachings and doctrines, amalgamated with their homophobia and high regard for authoritarianism is concerning, as is the possible influence of such a group on an elected leader.
It is worth noting that Tulsi Gabbard is not the only congress or Presidential candidate with ties to fringe groups. Fundamentalist Christians, new age motivational speakers and lying, failed business men are all in various positions of power or vying for them. There is no interview process for public office that disqualifies cult members or normal homophobic assholes, as we can see from all of American history.
When our current President is under the influence of the cult-like NRA and authoritarian dictators, does Gabbard’s family ties to homophobic Hare Krishna knock-offs matter? It probably should, because when we look at and select our leaders, we deserve honesty and transparency and politicians free from any influences, religious, lobbyist or otherwise, that calls their judgment and ability to put the country first into question. Gabbard continually shuts down and evades questions about this topic, but I hope she changes her mind, opens up and answers the questions being asked, so that the country she wants to lead has all the information.
(Image: Greg Skidmore/Fickr; via New York Magazine)
Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!
—The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—
There will be adult language in this post, because Robert De Niro is just…awesome. He’s not only talented, he’s the voice of the people, such as when he stepped up at the Tonys to say: “Fuck Trump.” So succinct. So right. The legendary actor is making the round to promote his latest collaboration with fellow icon, Martin Scorsese in The Irishman and while the Netflix epic is garnering rave reviews, Brian Stelter on CNN wanted to talk about the political stances De Niro has taken of late and the controversy they have caused Well, when it comes to the pundits on Fox News wringing their hands over his language, De Niro isn’t backing down at all:
—@BrianStelter asks Robert De Niro about criticism he gets from Fox for speaking out against Trump.
“Fuck em,” De Niro replies. “Fuck em.”
Stelter reminds him, “This is cable, so it’s not an FCC violation, but it is still a Sunday morning.” pic.twitter.com/9IOo1VvXCM
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) September 29, 2019
As fun as De Niro dropping a double f-bomb on a Sunday morning talk show is, the real meat of his comment are what matter: Trump shouldn’t be president. End of story. And F@&$ anyone who wants to argue about it. Bob (I call him Bob) has the right idea, the arguements of language and other performative nonsense aren’t worth our time. As with many of his performances (we’re not gonna talk about Rocky and Bulwinkle, okay?) De Niro’s honesty is getting rave reviews:
You really gotta watch the video, to appreciate the EXTREMELY De Niro delivery of these lines. No one can De Niro like this guy. https://t.co/zGiMb3A2Pj
— David Roberts (@drvox) September 29, 2019
Same people who are acting outraged over Robert De Niro saying Fuck Em are also the same people fine with their President grabbing women by the pussy
Just treat it as Locker Room Talk..
— YourPresidentIsARacist (@battletested5) September 29, 2019
Y’all, it’s really this simple: if you think Robert De Niro saying “fuck ’em” in response to fascists is more profane than literal fascists undermining the integrity of our constitutional framework, you don’t understand profanity.
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) September 29, 2019
Nothing but respect for MY Godfather.
In other, less spicy news around the net:
- Mark Hamil – still the best.
-
You misspelled “Fraud.”#GoForceYourself https://t.co/ORY6eeyGgj
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— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) September 29, 2019
- Ruby Rose revealed she had to have emergency surgery or be in danger of paralysis. We wish her a quick and safe recovery! (via EW)
- Speaking of calling out the President, Hillary Clinton called him a “corrupt human tornado.” Nice. (via CNN)
- The demons are multiplying…
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A month ago, DragonCon witnessed The Great Crowley Saunter through Atlanta as we strutted to the Ritz @drmuig @neilhimself @michaelsheen #GoodOmens #goodomenscosplay pic.twitter.com/rrADQBHLOi
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— Suri Smith (@SuriSerendipity) September 29, 2019
- SNL is back, I guess? (via THR)
- Things that are good: Dogs.
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This is Sally. She doesn’t mind complying with the “dogs must be enclosed in a container on the subway” rule because it’s truly quite fashionable. 14/10 pic.twitter.com/Me0FPVZmyl
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— WeRateDogs™ (@dog_rates) September 26, 2019
- The Whistleblower will testify. (Via Vox)
And finally, we wish a happy new year to all celebrating Rosh Hashanah! Shana Tova!
(featured image: Andrew Toth/Getty Images for DIRECTTV; via CNN)
This is Sally. She doesn’t mind complying with the “dogs must be enclosed in a container on the subway” rule because it’s truly quite fashionable. 14/10 pic.twitter.com/Me0FPVZmyl
— WeRateDogs™ (@dog_rates) September 26, 2019
Source: Rodin Eckenroth / Getty
Gabrielle Union will be working behind the scenes for her next project. Instead of taking on a starring role, Union will be serving as executive producer for a comedy called Black Girl Magic.
According to Deadline, the half-hour, single camera series will air on NBC and follows three estranged sisters that reunite in their hometown of New Orleans, LA after they learn about a family secret. Union will be executive producing the show alongside showrunner Robia Rashid and show creators Crystal Boyd, Chandra Russell and Emebit Beyene. Union’s co-executive producers will be Bryan Brucks and Holly Shakoor Fleischer.
Besides her new gig, Union will continue to serve as a judge on America’s Got Talent and is preparing to shoot the second season of L.A’s Finest.
Through her production company, I’ll Have Another, Union is focused on empowering the next generation of creatives as well as increasing diversity in TV. Union is executive producing Black Girl Magic under her company.
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Artist: Szymon Kudranski / DC Comics
I am feeling all the feels reading this week’s Action Comics. The Black Girl Magic is strong in this issue. A new hero, Naomi, meets Superman and Batman. I’ve heard about Naomi and the rest of Bendis’ Wonder Comics line but I tend to avoid books geared towards the Young Adult audience. I’ll have to revisit that because this direct tie-in to the series is top tier.
Beautiful Cover, Girl
I am admittedly less art-focused, I gravitate towards story and dialogue. Imagine my surprise when both the main cover and the variant caught my eye. The variant cover’s photo-realistic portrait of Naomi and Superman is the kind of art I want framed on my wall. The main cover deserves attention because it reflects a trend coming back in comics where the cover includes speech bubbles that may or may not (probably not) accurately reflect the comic’s content. This typically annoys me but I won’t lie, I appreciated more after reading the book. Comparing the cover to the beginning of the book — Naomi: I got this! Narrator: Naomi did not have this.
Super Guidance
I’m grateful to have read this book at 31 and not when I was a 20-year-old comic fledgling. I developed from demanding a gratuitous amount of punching and angst to appreciating relatable stories. This book carries that sentiment with a beautifully innocent narrative of a young woman thrown into an unfamiliar world and being strong enough to ask for help. Just as wonderful, she is met by well-meaning adults who want to help her. It’d be tempting to have a character coming into their power met with hostility by another hero only to catch the misunderstanding after a fight. Instead, we get “Superman . . . I need your help”. “Well, then let’s get you some help”. Another gem was her interaction with Batman. Granted, he performs a signature “pop out of nowhere, terrifying the poor girl” but later, they bond over the shared tragedy of losing parents. She even inspires a Bat-smile.
The book rounds out with some action towards the end and promises a confrontation between Naomi and a frequently appearing villain in Action Comics. The best part of the conclusion of this book is Superman throwing shade at the villain in “disappointed father”-ly form. Why can’t you be more like Naomi, bad guy?
10 “Wobbly Flights” out of 10
Reading Action Comics? Find BNP’s other reviews of the series here.
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The post Action Comics #1015 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.