My First iMovie Project: A Video About David Barton
Chris Rodda printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Sat Mar 21, 2009 at 05:52:34 PM EST
On October 25, 2008, I attended a presentation given by Christian nationalist history revisionist David Barton. After his presentation, I approached him and gave him a copy of my book, Liars For Jesus: The Religious Right's Alternate Version of American History, a book debunking many of his lies, as well as those of a number of his fellow revisionists.

On January 16, 2009, I became the subject of a segment on Barton's WallBuilders LIVE! radio show, in which he lied about me, my book, and our encounter at his presentation.

Rather than just write about the lies Barton told about me on his show, I decided to make a little video with iMovie, something I've never tried to do before. I ended up getting a bit carried away, making a video that's over an hour long, but once I got started, I wanted to address not just the lies Barton told about me on his show, but also the lies he told in the presentation I attended in October.

For those unfamiliar with Barton, he is not only the most popular of all the Christian nationalist history revisionists, but a former vice-chair of the Texas Republican Party who was used by the GOP in recent elections to travel the country stumping for their "family values" candidates, and is very well connected with the far right members of Congress. In 2005, was named one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America by Time Magazine. But, outside of evangelical Christian circles, and those of us who fight the religious right, few people know who he is.

Barton's pals in Congress, who regularly appear on his radio show to push their far right agenda, include Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Randy Forbes (R-VA, Mike Pence (R-IN), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Joe Pitts (R-PA), Trent Franks (R-AZ).

Another one of Barton's buddies, described by Barton as "One of the Really Cool Guys," is Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal. During Jindal's gubernatorial campaign in 2006, Barton appeared with him at churches in Louisiana, and, on October 18 and 19, 2006, had him on his radio show for a two part interview. Referring in the opening comments of the program to Jindal's election to Congress two years earlier, Barton remarked, "That is the election in which we saw a huge increase in Christian voter turnout, and he is part of that product of what we were able to put in office in 2004."

I realize that only those people already interested in Christian nationalist history revisionism will be likely to watch this entire video, but I would urge those not familiar with David Barton to at least watch enough of it to see how easily he is able to dupe his audiences into believing that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, a necessary element in getting these people to vote for and support the agenda of his political cohorts.

The video is split into nine segments because of the ten minute limit on YouTube. The first four segments are primarily about what Barton said on his radio show, with a few examples of the lies from his presentation thrown in where they relate to the radio show segment. The last five segments debunk a number of other lies from the presentation itself.


>




To discuss this story, sign up for a free account

Display:
My First iMovie Project: A Video About David Barton | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden)
Very Interesting (5.00 / 2)
Hi Chris, thanks for posting this video -- I just watched it all the way through.  I already knew that Barton was a liar and a fraud, but I didn't realize the full scope of his mendacity.  He really is to historians what Duane Gish is to evolutionists (right down to his Gish Gallop).

BTW: In part two, near the end, you still have a long pause and restart you probably meant to edit out.

by tacitus on Sat Mar 21, 2009 at 08:26:33 PM EST

That is exactly the reason I decided to do this... (5.00 / 1)
...as a video. People don't realize when I write about Barton's lies that he has the affect he does on a live audience, which is how he gets away with his crap, and why his followers will so adamantly defend him.

And, thanks for the heads up about the gap in Part 2. I fixed it and am uploading the new file to YouTube right now. When I made the video, I had a little text window at the bottom of my screen with notes that I could glance down at so I would remember all the points in the long sections, but in the really long ones, the window wasn't big enough and I had to be scrolling down while I was talking and trying to look at the camera. That took way too much coordination for me, which is why I screwed up a bunch of times and had to do a bit of editing where I had to start a sentence over.

You actually saved me quite a bit of time and aggravation because I was just starting to export the entire video as one piece to put on my website when I saw your comment, and would have had to make and upload that huge file over again.


by Chris Rodda on Sat Mar 21, 2009 at 09:49:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

No Problem (5.00 / 1)
Glad to be of assistance :)

If you plan to do more of these (I hope so) then I believe there are at least a couple of free teleprompter-style apps you can use while reading from your script.  (I don't have any specific info, but I remember finding one or two when a friend of mine was talking about doing some video blogging.)  If it's good enough for Barak Obama....

by tacitus on Sat Mar 21, 2009 at 11:08:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I don't know if a teleprompter thing would... (5.00 / 1)
...work for me. I just need to have the key points and any exact quotes where I can see them. I wouldn't be able to use something that moves at a steady speed, like you would reading a speech, because for some parts I have a bunch of stuff typed, and for others where I don't really need notes, I have little or nothing. My real problem was that I was doing this on a laptop with a very small screen, so I couldn't make my text window big enough not to have to scroll for some parts.

And then, of course, there was my big beast of a dog sleeping on the couch right behind me, who, every once in a while, would let out a nice, loud snore and make me have to repeat the last thing I said.

by Chris Rodda on Sat Mar 21, 2009 at 11:37:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]





David Barton (none / 0)
As a retired US Army military man and a former leader I found it necessary to instill discipline in some individuals by, shall I say, hard means,until they learned to obey and follow orders. Some people, thankfully very few, only learn when they get hit in the head with a baseball bat. So Mr. Barton I suggest you pay attention to Lincoln's letter to Edwin Stanton, his Secretary of War, dated 11 Feb 1864 in which Abe wrote: "Individuals, in or out of the church, who become a threat to the public interest, must be CHECKED...." Get the message Barton?????

by Bonatti on Sun Mar 22, 2009 at 02:50:54 PM EST

Get the link out far and wide. (none / 0)
EXCELLENT! I have enjoyed your excellent research and writing in the past, but you really topped yourself this time! I was going to watch a couple clips and catch the rest over the next few days. Watched them all, one after another and have already got an e-mail blast out to my list.  This will be a valuable resource from this day forward. Get the link out far and wide.

Here in New Mexico, we defeated one of Forbes' initial co-sponsors of HR-888. The information contained in that brilliant series was a tipping point with a couple of learners.

Seems like it doesn't matter if it is theocracy, politics, or ethics, the fundis and right-wingers have the attitude that if the truth hurts, just make stuff up and try to change history.  We owe it to the kids to make sure they don't get away with it.

"The disadvantage of men not knowing the past is that they do not know the present." GK Chesterton And that makes them suckers for the con-men, hustlers, and warmongers.

by PlacitasRoy on Sun Mar 22, 2009 at 04:20:38 PM EST


Just the kind of resource I need (none / 0)
I can't do the research my self so this is of great value considering the alternate and parallel organizations and interlocking infrastructure that Barton has to draw on and you do not. From the radio/TV monopolies to home schools and their own universities churning out whole cookie cutter students to be part of a near monolithic culture they wish to impress upon all of us. Just imagine an entire educational system being run this way and people like Barton are their pillars of knowledge? Something we need to avoid at all costs.

by Nightgaunt on Sun Mar 22, 2009 at 05:44:25 PM EST

As usual, Ms. Rodda has put in an (none / 0)
enormous effort, with these videos, to show just how deceitful Barton etc. really are. The problem is, as can be seen here, that it takes quite a bit of research and open minded thought to be able to see the truth, and I don't see very many of the people who really should see this, doing that at all. As another commenter mentions, Barton has a huge megaphone to spew his garbage, and those who attend his blatherings and read his books are already in position to believe him over the truth, even if it's shown to them.

I'm certainly not saying that this is a waste of time; I just wish that the playing field were a bit more level.



by trog69 on Mon Mar 23, 2009 at 03:41:04 AM EST

Thanks (none / 0)
Because Barton is hoarding original documents, your work demonstrating his campaign of misinformation and disinformation is crucial. Your work needs to be continued, expanded, validated and publicized, and we need to support you as a critical resource.

by Panglos on Mon Mar 23, 2009 at 10:02:44 AM EST

My First iMovie Project: A Video About David Barton | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden)

WWW Talk To Action


Adopting Bias: New Va. Rules Seek To Safeguard 'Faith-Based' Bigotry
Legislators and media pundits in Washington, D.C., continue to obsess over the birth control mandate in the new health care law and whether church-related......
By Rob Boston (4 comments)
GOP Candidates Embrace a Major Religious Right Narrative
Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney's demagogic claims that President Obama is engaged in a "war against religion" are as unsurprising as they are disturbing.......
By Frederick Clarkson (5 comments)
NAR Apostle Harold Caballeros Heads Guatemala Foreign Ministry
In January 2012, with the inauguration of former military general Otto Pérez Molina as Guatemala's president, NAR apostle Harold Caballeros took charge of Guatemala's......
By Bruce Wilson (1 comment)
As Eddie Long Controversy Grows, Video Emerges of 'Rabbi' Messer Wrapping Paula White in Torah
A Christian Post article dated February 5 is one of many reports of denials by televangelist Paula White and her attorney of any ties......
By Rachel Tabachnick (9 comments)
Garlow Introduced Gingrich, Called for Pastors Revolt Against IRS Rules at NAR Church in Nevada
On Friday night Newt Gingrich spoke at the "Prayer for America" event at the International Church of Las Vegas (ICLV) led by Apostle Paul......
By Rachel Tabachnick (3 comments)
A Must Read Book: "The Good News Club"
For anyone who wants to read a book that really goes inside the movement to indoctrinate children through our public schools, I highly recommend......
By Chris Rodda (3 comments)
More On Yale's Templeton-Funded "Spiritual Capital Initiative"
Should Chick-Fil-A be known for its extensive ties to, and funding of, some of the most aggressively anti-gay groups in America, as well as......
By Bruce Wilson (4 comments)
Gettting Well Versed
Michelle Boorstein at The Washington Post's "Under God" blog reports that Faithful America's petition calling for Kansas House Speaker Michael O'Neal to resign now......
By Frederick Clarkson (3 comments)
Alabama State Senator: Pay Increases for Teachers are Against 'Biblical Principle'
This is a new twist on "biblical economics" that I've not heard before.  According to Alabama State Sen. Shadrack McGill, a 62% pay increase......
By Rachel Tabachnick (5 comments)
Wagner Recognized by Delaware House for Commissioning Apostles (Copy of Tribute Included)
This morning I contacted the offices of Rep. Daniel B. Short and Chief Clerk of the House Richard Puffer and confirmed that C. Peter......
By Rachel Tabachnick (7 comments)
Trial Date Set for Bishop Finn
The trial date for Bishop Robert W. Finn,of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri will be September 24, 2012.  Finn and the diocese......
By Frank Cocozzelli (3 comments)
The Culture of Demonization and Imprecatory Prayer
We have written a great deal here at Talk to Action about the Religious Right culture of conspiracy theory, labeling and demonization as animating......
By Frederick Clarkson (3 comments)
To Bigotry No Sanction, to Persecution No Assistance
As the finale of our extended celebration of Religious Freedom Day, we are honored to welcome George Washington as a guest front pager.  ......
By George Washington (0 comments)
George Barna and the New Apostolic Reformation
Given the secretive nature of the movement, documenting the involvement of public figures in C. Peter Wagner's New Apostolic Reformation can be a time-consuming......
By Bruce Wilson (2 comments)
Gingrich, Alinsky, and the Christian Right Grand Conspiracy Narrative
Gingrich's claims about an Alinsky-Obama-socialist conspiracy against Christianity and freedom echo conspiracy theories from the Tea Parties, Glenn Beck, the John Birch Society, and......
By Chip Berlet (0 comments)

Harold Caballeros, October 5, 2006, #1
On October 5, 2006, Harold Cabballeros, founder and senior pastor of El Shaddai Church in Guatemala City, spoke at the "Spirit in the World: The Dynamics of Pentecostal Growth and Experience" symposium sponsored by......
Bruce Wilson (0 comments)
Truth Wins Out Reports on Exodus International's Attempt at Rebranding
An extensive report has been posted at Truth Wins Out (TWO) on the rebranding of Exodus International, the discredited and financially strapped pray-away-the-gay organization. The report is titled "The Exodus SmokeScreen" and subtitled, "Exodus......
Rachel Tabachnick (0 comments)
Breast cancer awareness T-shirt prompts dispute at skating rink
crossposted from The Clarion Ledger) http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012202040 349 ""I am offended as a mother; as the daughter of a cancer patient; as a Christian woman; as a fundraiser and donor of time and money to......
COinMS (0 comments)
Delaware state house Dems distance themselves from Wagner tribute
The Democrats in the Delaware state House of Representatives are in full damage control mode over a tribute given back in January to C. Peter Wagner, a prominent leader of the New Apostolic......
Christian Dem in NC (1 comment)
Is Peter Wagner lying about commendation from state of Delaware?
Those of us who have watched the New Apostolic Reformation have come to expect bizarre claims.  Well, today  C. Peter Wagner made one of the most bizarre claims yet.  He sent out an......
Christian Dem in NC (1 comment)
New dominionist effort to target Hollywood with prayer
In yet more proof that the New Apostolic Reformation is trying to make itself heard in a big way this year, late yesterday several leaders of that movement got together to announce a......
Christian Dem in NC (0 comments)
Santorum Accuses Colleges of Anti-Religious "Indoctrination" But Gingrich Said it First
CBS and other media outlets have pounced on a Rick Santorum claim, that America's colleges and universities are hotbeds of anti-religious "indoctrination", but Newt Gingrich has been saying that for years. As Santorum declared......
Bruce Wilson (2 comments)
Leader of NC gay marriage ban effort, in his own words
cross-posted at dKos One of the leaders of the effort to write a gay marriage ban into North Carolina's constitution is Patrick Wooden, the pastor of Upper Room Church of God in Christ in......
Christian Dem in NC (2 comments)
AFA endorses AIDS denialism
If Public Policy Polling's early numbers are accurate (and there's little reason to doubt they are) Newt Gingrich will likely take the lead in national polling this week.  In light of this, there's......
Christian Dem in NC (1 comment)
Family Research Council chaplain openly calls for non-Christians to be banned from public office
Anyone who's studied the religious right can't help but notice a pattern to how they've operated over the last three decades.  They get a little bit of power, only to overreach and get smacked......
Christian Dem in NC (4 comments)
Cindy Jacobs prophecies divine intervention unless we elect Repubs
Late last week, New Apostolic Reformation "prophetess" Cindy Jacobs announced the yearly "Word of the Lord" from the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders.  (h/t to PFAW's Right Wing Watch). This "Word" makes for......
Christian Dem in NC (3 comments)
Robert Jeffress: First Amendment protections invite wrath of God
We already knew that the religious right would like nothing better than to sweep away the First Amendment.  Well, one of its more prominent leaders just came out and said it in terms as......
Christian Dem in NC (3 comments)
Cindy Jacobs announces 2012 prayer initiative--and declares war on separation of church and state
Late last night, Cindy Jacobs announced the formation of a major prayer drive with the goal of influencing the election.  The campaign, called "FastForward," is sponsored by her newly formed United States Reformation Prayer......
Christian Dem in NC (2 comments)
Personhood returns
Having soundly been defeated at the ballot box, the Personhood initiative in Mississippi has been resurrected via the new governor of Mississippi, Phil Bryant and his allies in the state government. For the first......
COinMS (0 comments)
Exposing The Dark Side Of Tupelo MS
It’s really ironic that the so-called Christian Religious Right (ie., AFA) are seemingly dedicated to the unnecessary bashing of Paganism when Pagans made such a well-documented historical contribution toward the rise of Christianity. For......
AlBratt (0 comments)

More Diaries...




All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Comments, posts, stories, and all other content are owned by the authors. Everything else © 2005 Talk to Action, LLC. Powered by Scoop