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Aren't religion, state and racing supposed to be separate?


Richard Pryor1548534703

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Happened across this post by and ex-SCCA racer who migrated to NASA Texas racing (and loves it) but was a bit perplexed by:

 

"I'm sure you don't have the problem in Cali, but here in the Bible belt Texas the NASA daily driver's meeting is REQUIRED or 1 minute race penalty and we are REQUIRED to listen to prayer and scripture readings. They might be a little thick right now, but I'm sure eventually they will figure out the diversity of its customers. I'm a P.K. and member of church here, but IMHO some things should wait for the end of the meeting and be optional."

 

as am I...what's the Texas story guys? this sounds very wrong to me...rp

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it happened. and its a little out of context. i was there.

 

a passage from the Bible was read in regards to a continued problem of not watching flag conditions.

this is not something that normally happens, but the Race Director was trying to get peoples attention to a really unsafe problem before someone gets killed.

if the complaining person has a real problem w/ it, they should address it w/ the Race Director and then NASA TX key staff above him. they also should have been paying attention better to understand the reason why it was happening and not a "I was forced to pray" type attitude.

i do agree that these two things should remain separate. i also agree any method used to save lives should be placed before the religous preferences of those at these meetings.

 

i'll let the Race Director know about this.

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Hopefully this won't blow out of proportion, but I don't think "listening" to the referenced material (and "having to") is any different than me "having to" listen about the Honda racers (or whatever group I'm not in) during a driver's meeting.

 

Jeez guys, zone out during those times information doesn't apply to you.

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Sorry, Brad..I strongly disagree..with all the wars based on religious differences I doubt you can glibly lump Hondas and religious viewpoints in the same context...but following that logic and also the specious "I also agree any method used to save lives should be placed before religious preferences of those at these meetings" of Glenn then how about a 5 minute white supremacy Aryan Brotherhood rant during a drivers' meeting to get attention....or some (fill in your racial epithat here) bashing...same effect... Religion is a hot button with very divergent views and does not belong in drivers' meetings in any form...although int he privacy of one's race car it is perfectly correct and acceptable to utter "oh, God" prior to hitting the turn 10 wall at Sears Point...freedom of religiion means not imposing your beliefs and dogma on others...I so swear on a pile of Bibles...rp

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Are you guys kidding me, I just don't get that at all.

Some things like religion and politics should be a very private matter,you believe in it that's fine but don't tell me what to think or how to use it.

Geez the only religion you will see at the track in Calif is the "CMC religion" at the drivers meeting..and it goes like this:

Please no contact, no dumb ass moves, no dive bombing, no ego driving, no Camaros can pass any Mustangs, just keep it clean or you will have to meet me in my trailer after the session...now that's a religion if you want to call it that.....

Tony Guaglione

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Land and resources are the "cause" of conflicts, religion gets "blamed".

 

And yes, I would (and DO) "glibly" lump Hondas and religions in the same context. I have just as much interest in a Neon conversation as I do in a Scientology conversation. I'm glad people like SRT4s and Tom Cruise, and am cool them doing "their thing", but in no way am I offended that they don't want to drive V8's or worship Oprah. If it doesn't pertain to me, I don't care. Simple.

 

But I also think it's only a "hot button" for the vocal extremists (religious and not) since most people have been told "not to discuss it in polite company". Rational people can understand that just because something is said doesn't mean that you will become "infected" by what you hear, both for AND against.

 

Now, where's that picture file I've been saving for my sig?

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Consider the poster and don't be surprised. Richard, what have you done for us lately?

 

Here's what Richard has done for me (and others) since I started with CMC in 2001.

 

I read this fancy pamphlet about CMC and about how Matt Adams and Richard Pryor could help me prepare a car for CMC. Sounded great. What I ended up with was not getting to race with CMC my first weekend because my roll cage, welded up by Matt Adams, was made of ERW and also failed several basic NASA CCR requirements. Matt would replace it, ok, I drove out to Monterey at my own time and expense (hotels are expensive there) with the car for the replacement. Got the car back, Matt had welded LCA brackets on my car rendering it illegal for CMC, I can use it in another non CMC car ok. Get another rear end, ca-ching! My cage is still found to have problems, had it fixed by Alan Blaine due to my luck with going back to Monterey. Cost me around $1400.

 

Bought a T-5 from Richard. Total kablamo inside after teardown, Richard refunds purchase price but not shipping. Well, ok, Richard does nice things for CMC.

 

Brad Simpson shows up for Buttonwillow race and his car from Richard is really fast! 350 Power will do that for ya in a 3rd gen. It's ok, must have been a mistake anyone could make once, fine.

 

2007, Sears Point. Richard Pryor's 3rd gen Camaro driven by a really fast guy we all know and like is really fast. No surprise, right? Until the hood on the Camaro was popped and low and behold, there was a 350! Must have been a coincidence, could happen to anybody!

 

Back a little, August 13, 2006, Subject CMC donor car for sale.

 

"Here's an extra car just sitting in our storage lot.....a 1996 Pontiac Formula with all the right stuff...6 speed, NO sunroof, base interior, clean two owner 90,000 mile car, no body ding (silver), *CA license for a few more months.*..too many projects so if you're looking for the perfect CMC starting point it is here for $3500!! Photos on request...it almost looks too nice to be a race car..*a few minor details to be fixed for the street*, or just turn it in to a CMC racer...Richard xxx-xxx-xxxx"

 

Here's what I got for $3500:

 

The car did not turn out to be clean, the interior was a basket case as well as the motor (blown head gaskets). Spark plugs were missing or broken, as well as quite a few pricey sensors necessary for the car to run properly, ca ching! Money was only spent as this car was a runner, at least that is what Richard told me on the phone. Then the key was turned....

 

Additionally I had to pay $391 in late fees to get the car registered in my name as the registration expired 8/08/2006. So much for California registration good for a few more months! I put up with a lot of unpleasantness with this car, no exhaust system, paying to have a header removed.

 

Once this problem was discovered Richard offered to have Matt Adams fix the motor, I agreed, with a shudder. Turns out Matt's shop closed before I had a chance to get over there, all the way back to Monterey again. That was my fault because I did not know the shop was closing and Richard did not tell me I had a time limit. Richard would take care of me, right since he is a nice guy to CMCers and apparently a "promise keeper." No, and he has not done a great deal to try and work out a mutual solution that was at all reasonable to me.

 

Am I Lucy (from Peanuts) for letting Richard put the football in front of again and then take it away? Yes I am! However, no-one deserves to have to accept something that was so completely misrepresented as this car was, as Brad's car was, etc. I am amazed you are still here Richard. No-one has really spoken up. The incidents I speak of are just a few examples of a pattern. If you don't feel you should compensate me, want to continue with these misrepresentations and useless digressions, then please leave us CMCers alone and don't come back.

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Found it!

 

sig2.jpg

 

Hi Mitch.

 

Weak, Brad ... pretty weak.

 

For me, there is no separation between church, state and racing.

 

I pray to God above that Texas legislators would grant tax abatements to all racing promoters.

 

Honestly, I think this is a petty grasp at a non-existent straw.

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I was there and had no problem with it. I don't see why anyone outside of us that were there should care. It was not a big deal. The man that read the scripture is a good man and I hope he does not have to take any crap because someone in CA. heard about it. And no I'm not a zealot. I have not been to church a dozen times in the last twenty years.

 

I would listen to passages from the Koran if I thought it could save a life on track.

 

 

Jerry

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I was there and had no problem with it. I don't see why anyone outside of us that were there should care. It was not a big deal. The man that read the scripture is a good man and I hope he does not have to take any crap because someone in CA. heard about it. And no I'm not a zealot. I have not been to church a dozen times in the last twenty years.

 

I would listen to passages from the Koran if I thought it could save a life on track.

 

 

Jerry

 

there you go folks. if you were not there then you don't know what happened. I'd let them wing monkey shit at me if i KNEW some dipshit wouldn't kill a corner worker or safety worker that day.

the originating post blew it out of proportion.

we have a MANDATORY drivers meeting each day. if you need more sleep, take the 1 minute penalty. or better yet, if your not committed to not killing folks, stay home and you wont have to worry about what method is used (for the first time i may add) to help folks think about what they are doing and how serious it is.

do you guys who are complaining also do this about prayers at football games, basketball games and other pro sporting events? or is it just when its used to chew your ass for being stupid?

 

i too am not what i would consider a religious person. Jerry's been to church more than i have. i also don't think i would have used the method that was used in this instance, but until you step up and fill the shoes of the Race Director and carry the burden of responsibility he does, don't question the method he uses to do something you yourself are not willing to do. if any accident happens at one of the events, its the Race Director that everyone turns to to ask "How did this happen?".

I've got his back on this one guys and gals. no one here should be so quick to as to question why he does what he does over something so trivial like this.

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Julie, thanks for stepping up with "the rest of the story." From what I have heard, you are not the only one with similar experiences.

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freedom of religion means not imposing your beliefs and dogma on others
Nope, that's freedom FROM religion. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution relative to the government. Freedom from religion in NASA may need a rule clarification.

 

Some things like religion and politics should be a very private matter...
Sorry boss, I have to disagree a little. Clearly, politics belong in the public square - it is a reasonable, open, civil discourse that allows for the greatest progress of a society.

 

I'll bet the racing will be fantastic when we spend as much energy driving the car as we do wearing out keyboards.

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Look guys, this one isn't worth getting polarized over either.

Bottom line is that I back up our Race Director and his message that race morning.

 

I'm a once-a-month Catholic who went to Catholic grammer school with Sister Mary Filomeana...and I felt a little uncomfy at the driver's meeting, and I was co-hosting it!!! Afterward, I mentioned to the Director..."think that was a little too 'fire & brimstone'?...and his response was, "No...that was my intent, I sure hope I got the point across THIS time!"

 

He was right...this was the 3rd time we covered a serious safety issue and still have had recurring issues...and he was right...that driver's meeting got so quiet that even a fart in church wouldn't have been funny. So I think he got his point across. Hopefully we can return to our regularly scheduled driver's meetings in the future without the fire & brimstone.

 

-=- Todd

 

PS- It was a pretty non-denominational passage....but I swear I saw Sister Mary Filomeana amongst the crowd with ruler in hand.

(Lighten up, boyz.)

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All hail the great Todd!!

 

Woah, too pagan?

 

No offense to you pagans by the way

 

Contrary to popular opinion, the opposite of love is not hate, rather indifference. Think about it. Clifton drove the point home in the best way he knew how and I appreciate his efforts.

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Agreed, if it worked it worked and that is a good end result...but I personally won't approach things in that exact way.

Different strokes for different folks.

Tony Guaglione

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Sounds like somone needs to pull thier panties out of thier crack before they go whining like a baby.

 

If the person doesn't like the prayer they can cover their ears.

 

It was about 15 seconds long...surely they can handle something they don't like for that long.

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Yea, it takes about twenty five minutes to finish last and that seems like forever. If you crash hard, who are you going to ask for help, there's no one else in the car, right. Next week on the tv show you're going to hear every single person in the pits go "oh my God" It wasn't so bad. Kind of like an instant prayer for the guy flying through the air at 110 mph end over end. It worked too, because he walked away with only minor injuries. I'm not a bible pounder by any means and rarely set foot in a church anymore, but sometimes prayers are a good thing.

 

PS

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