Promise Breakers
Another sign of the apocalypse recession? The creepily patriarchal, Jerry Falwell-cheered, Promise Keepers opens its doors to woman, at least for one conference:
After 20 years of men-only events, Denver-based Promise Keepers is urging men to bring "the women in their lives" to a July 31-Aug. 1 conference marking the group's anniversary.
"It's time for Promise Keepers men to step up and honor women," Raleigh Washington, the group's president, said Monday. "We're going to heal the gender divide that exists in America.
"What better way to challenge a man than nose to nose with his wife, his mother, his sister?" he said.
And what better way to save the business, too? The AP article notes the PK's steep decline in revenue:
Promise Keepers filled football stadiums and boasted a $117 million budget in the mid-1990s, but has struggled to find an identity since. Revenues declined for several years to about $10.9 million in 2007, according to its tax forms. This year's budget is $7.5 million, Washington said.
Up next: Daughters of the American Revolution to welcome Hispanic day laborers and Cat Fancy's June cover will feature Sniffles the Rottweiler.
A promising shoutout to the 90s here.
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Looks like I will buying a plane ticket to Denver and cruising Craig's List for an "escort" this weekend. I wonder how much those naughty nun outfits cost.
I've always associated Promise Keepers with abstinence and "sexual purity" because that was how I was first exposed to them at my Catholic school. So when the spokesman says:
I'm not sure if I should laugh really hard or feel really dirty.
What better way to challenge a man than nose to nose with his wife, his mother, his sister?
Their big strategy is Eskimo kisses?
I'm with cuernimus on the dirty laugh thing.
"Cat Fancy's June cover will feature Sniffles the Rottweiler."
Sniffles? That little sissy-dog?
What better way to challenge a man than nose to nose with his wife, his mother, his sister?
It's either advocating incest or beating women. These guys really know how to bring in the revenue.
I think he's talking about panty sniffing, dudes.
So you think it's *contrary* to the interests of women for their husbands to promise to be faithful to them. Interesting. I'll have to remember that when I'm looking for an excuse to cheat.
I've always associated Promise Keepers with abstinence and "sexual purity" because that was how I was first exposed to them at my Catholic school.
The Promise Keepers aren't Catholic, they're protestants. And the Conference of Catholic Bishops seems to regard them with lukewarm support and mild suspicion.
http://www.usccb.org/laity/marriage/promise.shtml
In any event, no one should be exposing themselves to you at a Catholic school--or any other type of school.
I think he's talking about panty sniffing, dudes.
Wow, I'm so surprised your mind went there. You must love it in Japan.
The basic idea of the Promise Keepers is a good one: to get men to place a higher priority on supporting their families and making them more aware of their obligations etc.
Most people are wigged out because they emphasize that the man has to be the leader in this marriage. They claim that means he must lead by example. Critics fear that they are saying that the men must take charge in a more coercive way.
It does not help that the sexual segregation is a throwback to more primitive mystical approach to religion, which bothers a large number of the more intellectual religious leaders.
Personally I don't think this group is a great idea; the idea of assigning people roles in the family based on gender strikes me as being probably wrong. Yes, there are things that women tend to be better suited to doing, and you can make a sociobiological case that the Promise Keepers are on the right track for most people. I, however, think that such choices should be really up to individual preference.
Of course, nobody is forced to participate; so the people who walk through their doors want to be there.
Which is fine.
Hey Jeff,
Why the fuck did you bother to post this? Where's the Libertarian connection apart from freedom of religion, which is all this is.
I'm looking forward to your reply.
WTF, I see it simply. (as I am a simple minded fella) It's just an easy chance to be all snarky and smug and stuff about them silly christers. God knows the mensa rated folks around here loves em some jesus bashing.
No one said they can't or shouldn't do it. That of course doesn't mean it's not a huge fucking joke. Freedom does not mean free from ridicule and scrutiny.
"Why the fuck did you bother to post this?"
I wondered that too. I'm guessing it's because Jeff is bigoted towards Christians.
God knows the mensa rated folks around here loves em some jesus bashing.
Or the hypocrisy in the name of god of some organizations is just too much to pass up and not make fun of. Of course, those who truly believe will damn this commentary and those that support it to the depths of hell!
Promise keepers? WTF?
Obama Open to Prosecution of Officials Who Cleared Interrogation Tactics
President Obama says it is up to the attorney general whether to prosecute Bush administration lawyers who wrote the memos approving harsh interrogation tactics.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/04/21/obama-open-prosecution-officials-cleared-interrogation-tactics/
Promise Keepers opens its doors to woman, at least for one conference
[grammar Democrat mode]
Sounds like they are opening it to more than one. Or did you mean womankind, as in the superior species?
[/grammar Democrat mode]
"Speaking of Promise Breakers"
I AM GOD.
Thanks High Every Body. Good Catch, Good Catch
"Sounds like they are opening it to more than one. Or did you mean womankind, as in the superior species?"
Jeff is a shitty writer. I take him when I run out of Matt Welch. Jeff's just as effective as a sleeping aid, but with twice the negative side effects.
It was actually a pamphlet about why I should be saving myself until marriage. Something about having a 3-way with Jesus and how much more fulfilling my sex-life would be as a result. Sorry guys, but I'm not into dutch-dooring.
Jeff has posted quite a bit to suggest that he likes dudes, so some sexual freedom related schadenfreude is his reason for posting this.
"Jeff has posted quite a bit to suggest that he likes dudes"
So do you think he's done teh gay with Timmy Cavenaugh?
So do you think he's done teh gay with Timmy Cavenaugh?
Maybe he is the secret fantasy of Matt Drudge, from a New Republic article I noticed on Gawker today.
I've always been a Promise Keeper:
The check's in the mail,
I'll respect you in the morning, and
I won't . . . .
I promise.
So do you think he's done teh gay with Timmy Cavenaugh?
Right, because all homos fuck each other directly upon meeting. Attraction isn't an issue. Glory holes for everyone!
Personally I don't think this group is a great idea;
It seems a tad peculiar to me to look to some mass rally organization to tell you how to deal with your own family. Instead of going to "promise keepers" circle-jerks, why not spend that weekend with the kids?
-jcr
I've always associated Promise Keepers with abstinence and "sexual purity" because that was how I was first exposed to them at my Catholic school.
Don't know who said it first but I agree with the contention that of all the perversions known to mankind, celibacy is one of the most unnatural.
-jcr
Is that true epi?
"Is that true epi?"
THAT'S, what they'd like you to believe.
Right, because all homos fuck each other directly upon meeting. Attraction isn't an issue. Glory holes for everyone!
So much for switching teams to raise my average.
I wondered that too. I'm guessing it's because Jeff is bigoted towards Christians.
No, that would be me.
Encouring men to be more responsible for their families I can get on board with. Not with this group of folks for obvious reasons, but their core message is hard to argue with.
Hi, Jeff! Please don't let the large number of anonymous asshole commenters here turn you off from libertarianism and/or a media career. Libertarianism is wonderful; it's just that libertarians often tend to suck. Especially when they hide behind anonymity.
Jerry Falwell-cheered Promise Keepers
Really? I heard Falwell also likes Diet Coke, which must fall into the category of "Reasons Why Diet Coke should be Ridiculed and is Somehow Anti-Libertarian".
"Really? I heard Falwell also likes Diet Coke, which must fall into the category of "Reasons Why Diet Coke should be Ridiculed and is Somehow Anti-Libertarian"."
I heard he secretly liked Jennifer too.
Right, because all homos fuck each other directly upon meeting.
Which is why I never invite new people over when I'm having parties. It's hell to get the stains off the pool table.
Prostitution: Marion Barry-cheered
Equal rights for homosexuals: Rosie O'Donnell-cheered
Gun ownership rights: Pat Buchanan-cheered
See how I can do that too?
"Promise Breakers
Jeff Winkler | April 21, 2009, 11:57am
Another sign of the apocalypse recession? The creepily patriarchal, Jerry Falwell-cheered, Promise Keepers opens its doors to woman, at least for one conference:
After 20 years of men-only events, Denver-based Promise Keepers is urging men to bring "the women in their lives" to a July 31-Aug. 1 conference marking the group's anniversary.
"It's time for Promise Keepers men to step up and honor women," Raleigh Washington, the group's president, said Monday. "We're going to heal the gender divide that exists in America.
"What better way to challenge a man than nose to nose with his wife, his mother, his sister?" he said.
And what better way to save the business, too? The AP article notes the PK's steep decline in revenue:
Promise Keepers filled football stadiums and boasted a $117 million budget in the mid-1990s, but has struggled to find an identity since. Revenues declined for several years to about $10.9 million in 2007, according to its tax forms. This year's budget is $7.5 million, Washington said.
Up next: Daughters of the American Revolution to welcome Hispanic day laborers and Cat Fancy's June cover will feature Sniffles the Rottweiler.
A promising shoutout to the 90s here.
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Comments to "Promise Breakers":
Add a comment ?
hmm | April 21, 2009, 12:03pm | #
Looks like I will buying a plane ticket to Denver and cruising Craig's List for an "escort" this weekend. I wonder how much those naughty nun outfits cost.
cuernimus | April 21, 2009, 12:08pm | #
I've always associated Promise Keepers with abstinence and "sexual purity" because that was how I was first exposed to them at my Catholic school. So when the spokesman says:
What better way to challenge a man than nose to nose with his wife, his mother, his sister?
I'm not sure if I should laugh really hard or feel really dirty.
SugarFree | April 21, 2009, 12:11pm | #
What better way to challenge a man than nose to nose with his wife, his mother, his sister?
Their big strategy is Eskimo kisses?
I'm with cuernimus on the dirty laugh thing.
Triumph | April 21, 2009, 12:12pm | #
"Cat Fancy's June cover will feature Sniffles the Rottweiler."
Sniffles? That little sissy-dog?
Episiarch | April 21, 2009, 12:16pm | #
What better way to challenge a man than nose to nose with his wife, his mother, his sister?
It's either advocating incest or beating women. These guys really know how to bring in the revenue.
Warty | April 21, 2009, 12:21pm | #
I think he's talking about panty sniffing, dudes.
Seamus | April 21, 2009, 12:24pm | #
Up next: Daughters of the American Revolution to welcome Hispanic day laborers and Cat Fancy's June cover will feature Sniffles the Rottweiler.
So you think it's *contrary* to the interests of women for their husbands to promise to be faithful to them. Interesting. I'll have to remember that when I'm looking for an excuse to cheat.
Abdul | April 21, 2009, 12:31pm | #
I've always associated Promise Keepers with abstinence and "sexual purity" because that was how I was first exposed to them at my Catholic school.
The Promise Keepers aren't Catholic, they're protestants. And the Conference of Catholic Bishops seems to regard them with lukewarm support and mild suspicion.
http://www.usccb.org/laity/marriage/promise.shtml
In any event, no one should be exposing themselves to you at a Catholic school--or any other type of school.
Episiarch | April 21, 2009, 12:33pm | #
I think he's talking about panty sniffing, dudes.
Wow, I'm so surprised your mind went there. You must love it in Japan.
tarran | April 21, 2009, 12:41pm | #
The basic idea of the Promise Keepers is a good one: to get men to place a higher priority on supporting their families and making them more aware of their obligations etc.
Most people are wigged out because they emphasize that the man has to be the leader in this marriage. They claim that means he must lead by example. Critics fear that they are saying that the men must take charge in a more coercive way.
It does not help that the sexual segregation is a throwback to more primitive mystical approach to religion, which bothers a large number of the more intellectual religious leaders.
Personally I don't think this group is a great idea; the idea of assigning people roles in the family based on gender strikes me as being probably wrong. Yes, there are things that women tend to be better suited to doing, and you can make a sociobiological case that the Promise Keepers are on the right track for most people. I, however, think that such choices should be really up to individual preference.
Of course, nobody is forced to participate; so the people who walk through their doors want to be there.
Which is fine.
WTF | April 21, 2009, 12:42pm | #
Hey Jeff,
Why the fuck did you bother to post this? Where's the Libertarian connection apart from freedom of religion, which is all this is.
I'm looking forward to your reply.
brotherben | April 21, 2009, 12:47pm | #
WTF, I see it simply. (as I am a simple minded fella) It's just an easy chance to be all snarky and smug and stuff about them silly christers. God knows the mensa rated folks around here loves em some jesus bashing.
hmm | April 21, 2009, 12:47pm | #
No one said they can't or shouldn't do it. That of course doesn't mean it's not a huge fucking joke. Freedom does not mean free from ridicule and scrutiny.
Skip | April 21, 2009, 12:50pm | #
"Why the fuck did you bother to post this?"
I wondered that too. I'm guessing it's because Jeff is bigoted towards Christians.
hmm | April 21, 2009, 12:51pm | #
God knows the mensa rated folks around here loves em some jesus bashing.
Or the hypocrisy in the name of god of some organizations is just too much to pass up and not make fun of. Of course, those who truly believe will damn this commentary and those that support it to the depths of hell!
Naga Sadow | April 21, 2009, 12:53pm | #
Promise keepers? WTF?
Speaking of Promise Breakers | April 21, 2009, 12:54pm | #
Obama Open to Prosecution of Officials Who Cleared Interrogation Tactics
President Obama says it is up to the attorney general whether to prosecute Bush administration lawyers who wrote the memos approving harsh interrogation tactics.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/04/21/obama-open-prosecution-officials-cleared-interrogation-tactics/
High Every Body | April 21, 2009, 12:54pm | #
Promise Keepers opens its doors to woman, at least for one conference
[grammar Democrat mode]
Sounds like they are opening it to more than one. Or did you mean womankind, as in the superior species?
[/grammar Democrat mode]
The Octobama | April 21, 2009, 12:55pm | #
"Speaking of Promise Breakers"
I AM GOD.
slobberchop | April 21, 2009, 12:57pm | #
Thanks High Every Body. Good Catch, Good Catch
Matt Welch Makes Me Sleepy | April 21, 2009, 12:58pm | #
"Sounds like they are opening it to more than one. Or did you mean womankind, as in the superior species?"
Jeff is a shitty writer. I take him when I run out of Matt Welch. Jeff's just as effective as a sleeping aid, but with twice the negative side effects.
cuernimus | April 21, 2009, 1:01pm | #
In any event, no one should be exposing themselves to you at a Catholic school--or any other type of school.
It was actually a pamphlet about why I should be saving myself until marriage. Something about having a 3-way with Jesus and how much more fulfilling my sex-life would be as a result. Sorry guys, but I'm not into dutch-dooring.
Jeff has posted quite a bit to suggest that he likes dudes, so some sexual freedom related schadenfreude is his reason for posting this.
Matt Welch Makes Me Sleepy | April 21, 2009, 1:03pm | #
"Jeff has posted quite a bit to suggest that he likes dudes"
So do you think he's done teh gay with Timmy Cavenaugh?
High Every Body | April 21, 2009, 1:05pm | #
So do you think he's done teh gay with Timmy Cavenaugh?
Maybe he is the secret fantasy of Matt Drudge, from a New Republic article I noticed on Gawker today.
Tbone | April 21, 2009, 1:06pm | #
I've always been a Promise Keeper:
The check's in the mail,
I'll respect you in the morning, and
I won't . . . .
I promise.
Episiarch | April 21, 2009, 1:10pm | #
So do you think he's done teh gay with Timmy Cavenaugh?
Right, because all homos fuck each other directly upon meeting. Attraction isn't an issue. Glory holes for everyone!
John C. Randolph | April 21, 2009, 1:11pm | #
Personally I don't think this group is a great idea;
It seems a tad peculiar to me to look to some mass rally organization to tell you how to deal with your own family. Instead of going to "promise keepers" circle-jerks, why not spend that weekend with the kids?
-jcr
John C. Randolph | April 21, 2009, 1:14pm | #
I've always associated Promise Keepers with abstinence and "sexual purity" because that was how I was first exposed to them at my Catholic school.
Don't know who said it first but I agree with the contention that of all the perversions known to mankind, celibacy is one of the most unnatural.
-jcr
brotherben | April 21, 2009, 1:14pm | #
Is that true epi?
Maxwell Smart | April 21, 2009, 1:16pm | #
"Is that true epi?"
THAT'S, what they'd like you to believe.
hmm | April 21, 2009, 1:25pm | #
Right, because all homos fuck each other directly upon meeting. Attraction isn't an issue. Glory holes for everyone!
So much for switching teams to raise my average.
J sub D | April 21, 2009, 1:45pm | #
I wondered that too. I'm guessing it's because Jeff is bigoted towards Christians.
No, that would be me.
Encouring men to be more responsible for their families I can get on board with. Not with this group of folks for obvious reasons, but their core message is hard to argue with.
Jennifer | April 21, 2009, 1:55pm | #
Hi, Jeff! Please don't let the large number of anonymous asshole commenters here turn you off from libertarianism and/or a media career. Libertarianism is wonderful; it's just that libertarians often tend to suck. Especially when they hide behind anonymity.
? Libertarian | April 21, 2009, 1:55pm | #
Jerry Falwell-cheered Promise Keepers
Really? I heard Falwell also likes Diet Coke, which must fall into the category of "Reasons Why Diet Coke should be Ridiculed and is Somehow Anti-Libertarian".
Matt Welch Makes Me Sleepy | April 21, 2009, 1:59pm | #
"Really? I heard Falwell also likes Diet Coke, which must fall into the category of "Reasons Why Diet Coke should be Ridiculed and is Somehow Anti-Libertarian"."
I heard he secretly liked Jennifer too.
T | April 21, 2009, 2:01pm | #
Right, because all homos fuck each other directly upon meeting.
Which is why I never invite new people over when I'm having parties. It's hell to get the stains off the pool table.
? Libertarian | April 21, 2009, 2:01pm | #
Prostitution: Marion Barry-cheered
Equal rights for homosexuals: Rosie O'Donnell-cheered
Gun ownership rights: Pat Buchanan-cheered
See how I can do that too?"
Toilet Tricks: Jeff Winkler-cheered
This is fun!
Cut and Paste Ooops! My bad.
Thing is, Promise Keepers is lame (I went to a rally with dear old dad many years ago) but certainly isn't on my radar of harmful or even ridicule-worthy outfits.
Just an easy target and a cheap shot.
Matt Welch Makes Me Sleepy makes my eyes bleed.
Matt Welch Makes Me Sleepy needs to inspect some targets on a hot firing range.
Drinking diet coke or any other diet drink, ceteris paribus, tends to make one chubby. Drink the real thing. Same for sugar. Consuming the real thing is far better for one than high fructose corn syrup. Deal with it Bailey.
reason posted something about american culture?
they've never done that before.
We take in and welcome Bob the former Bolzhevik Barr and nominate him for president. Methinks its okay for the PromiseKeepers to open their doors to the distaff delegation.
The basic idea of the Promise Keepers is a good one: to get men to place a higher priority on supporting their families and making them more aware of their obligations etc.
it's also deeply anachronistic. people should place a high priority on supporting their families in general, especially since we're a few decades out of the go to work/stay at home split. it works for the cohort they're advertising to, of course, but less so for the rest of us.
the message itself, taken out of context, is a good one - if incredibly obvious and basic to the point of being insulting.
but the promoter of the message is rightly viewed with some suspicion.
all of that is secondary to the "man bites dog" angle being promoted in the original piece. i.e. if NOW elected a male president.
"all of that is secondary to the "man bites dog" angle being promoted in the original piece. i.e. if NOW elected a male president."
Like this?
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/man_finally_put_in_charge_of
I don't like economic hard times over all, but if they are going to happen, at least they bring communities together more.
"""We're going to heal the gender divide that exists in America."""
What decade are they living in?
I think he was posting it to show how the hard times have hit this organization. He probably saw it,
"said hmmm that's interesting, the times are tough, I'll post it for discussion at Hit 'n' Run, and maybe it will get the chaps there talking."
And it has. It has.
Move the quotes to after the word said in the post above.
The whole schtick of Promise Keepers seems to be this idea that all of these men are lousy husbands and fathers who cheat on their wives, ignore their kids, drink too much, etc., and then they get together with a bunch of other like-minded assholes, mix in a large helping of self-righteous religious mumbo-jumbo, convince themselves that, by virtue of having a cock, they are obligated to start bossing their families around because Jesus said so.
Sounds like a capital plan.
Promise Keepers is actually just about fostering communication between spouses. It puts the onus on the man to make the first move to resolve relationship conflicts. The anger and resentment towards a group that gets likeminded guys together to improve their family lives strikes me as .... well... misguided. I dont care if you couch it in christian, taoist, or zoastrian doctrine (or none at all), strengthening the family unit is a good thing. The reflexive distrust of religion is something I still dont understand, though it seems pervasive these days.
hi,
everybody, take your time and a little bit.
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