Halloran Wins Race, Queens Elects America's First Heathen

• Possibly the top blog that I read this year

• There is a difference between being pagan and Heathen, after all. One cannot merely assume that Dan Halloran is an extremist because he is Republican

• Our prisons are full of um! I did not say they all voted, I said that through information gathered in a statistical study this political leaning was gleaned.

• I am glad to see that a neo-Pagan can be elected, but deeply saddened that the neo-Pagan elected seems to be an extremist from the Right. The "tea parties?" Oh come on.

• when I viewed a past press conference for Mr. Kim, I saw pretty much all Asian faces. If you visit other council communities in NYC you'll rarely find a wholesome racial mix.

• I am a dedicated Odinsman and a libertarian Republican, and Mr. Halloran's election pleases me to no end. The Christian Right is one aspect of the GOP, but by no means the only aspect. The Democrats would rather the general public not know that there are plenty of folk who believe that conservatism is about minimizing the authoritarianism of government and lowering taxes, as they'd rather scare moderate swing voters with caricatures of racists and holy-rollers so that they buy into their own progressive breed of creeping authoritarianism. Racial and religious minorities have options that don't include selling our freedoms out and becoming welfare peasants kowtowing to a professional elite corps of party endorsed bureaucrats who don't stand as equals with us.

• Dear Reasoning, You have to firstly understand that the Left does not want bridges to be built. Their entire platform stands on division under the guise of tolerance. It is actually very crafty. Dear Joe, I have seen no Christian bashing here. I think mayhaps your defensive because Holloran simply is not Christian. Besides, given your religions history of brutal conversion tactics I would highly think you may muster a bit more Christian compassion for those that wish to reclaim what was ripped from our ancestors slain, in the name of Christs, hands. Honestly though, I think it to late for this land. I hear it whispered on Odhinn's breath though few have the will to listen and hear. Perhaps your Christian god is whispering the same?

• God have mercy on the district. Yes, this is an interesting area. Last time, Avella won the area by only 1% of the vote. It is heavily Republican. There was admittedly an element of race introduced into the election. Many Halloran supporters have shown it here on the board, on the streets, and in interactions with them. Still, as a voter, it will be interesting to what will happen to the district. Mr. Halloran is not the best candidate, and does not have much experience. Finally, as a Christian (since it is being bashed on the board), I feel the "love" by the "heathens." Again, God have mercy.

• And with all due respect Mr. Thrasher, what is your point: "At Halloran HQ, there was hardly one non-white person, and the walls were adorned with ads for Tea Party protests" Is there a reason why VV has to bring religion and race into the political picture - remind me what country do we live in? Funny, when I viewed a past press conference for Mr. Kim, I saw pretty much all Asian faces. If you visit other council communities in NYC you'll rarely find a wholesome racial mix. I hope this supposed liberal newspaper's prejudice views cease and concentrate on the community issues at hand. We need to build bridges. Let's start here.

• Why are Wiccans always liberal? I find it intriguing how the liberals discount the foundation of America and our Constitution as lies and rhetoric, apparently, of our own Founding Fathers. America was founded, rose to historical superdom, was infiltrated and now it falls. While some fight to take it back others fight for a totalitarian state under the guise of liberalism and a nanny state. I have noted time and time again it is usually the Left that evokes violence first and yet they are always spewing how evil the Right is. Glenn Beck had to get body guards and someone just fired a shot off into Lou Dobb's living room! Another fine example of the two sides are the pictures after the Inauguration of Obama. The grounds looked like a giant dumping ground of trash! Meanwhile the million body Tea Party march left DC looking just as pristine as it was before they arrived. On a closing note it would appear through statistics the the majority of criminals in this country tend to lean liberal and Democrat. Our prisons are full of um! I did not say they all voted, I said that through information gathered in a statistical study this political leaning was gleaned. Y'all have a nice day!

• I am a Wiccan and a liberal. While I would probably disagree with Mr. Halloran on political philosophy, I think it is refreshing to see Republican voters are no longer tied to Christian only Candidates. Sounds like the GOP is in the midst of change. Now it looks like the Democrats may need to be as available to change to keep up.

• Hail and congratulations from VA where we just elected the first Republican Gov in many years. I think Wulfric, Reyn, and others who mistakenly believe that Pagan, or Heathen equates to liberal should wake up. I am Pagan for the same reason I am a conservative, I research. If you just want to believe in the pundits and those who believe in a untopian earth, watch the liberal state owned media. If you want the truth about how far this country has fallen from the Founding Fathers vision, start digging, watch Fox, go the websites for The Heritage Foundation or The Cato Institute. Read well researched authors on our freedoms. I am Pagan and Proud Patriot and I want my county back. Cathy

• Congratulations to Mr. Halloran on his victory. To echo the words of my peers above, I welcome the change in American politics when someone's political views are the center of the debate, and not their religious views. Had Mr. Halloran been elected to lead a religious group, then those of us in the (Pagan of various forms) religious environment would have the right to ask questions about how his conservative politics mesh with his religious views. In contrast, his constituents have the right to ask him about how his religious views inform (and no more than this) his executive responsibilities in his political career. That being said, if I were a constituent, I would ask firstly, as a self-defined Heathen, would Mr. Halloran define himself as an Asatru? and if so what end of the Asatru spectrum? There are Asatru members who are old-school followers of the Norse Pantheon/Northmen's religion who are by no means pacifists, but who are seekers of peace, and followers of old traditions and myths; there are also those who align themselves with more nefarious groups, aligning with skinheads and neo-nazis. If I were a constituent, I would be curious to know where Mr. Halloran falls on that line. I commend, above all the people of Queens for stepping outside of their comfort zones and electing someone of a minority religion. I would also like to commend Mr. Halloran for being an "out" Heathen, and by (seemingly most accounts) running an honest and transparent campaign. I would hold him first and foremost in his political career to the standard of his ideal convictions whatever they are, and by whatever measures they are informed, religious, civil, professional or otherwise.

• Dan, It's good to hear about your victory. I too follow the ways of our ancestors - but my path is in the military. My you have the guidance you need to lead people in word and action, as well as take care of their needs. Wotan bless you, Aaron "War Bear" Weyburn University of Utah 2010

• Hail Dan! I think its great that we now have a heathen in office, even if I might disagree with his politics. As an Asatru practitioner and someone left on the political spectrum, I get really annoyed when people try and put a political litmus test on beliefs. "Heathenry is by its very nature conservative"..B.S.. You can be liberal and believe in self reliance. It just means you give two shits about those who have less. The kindred I belong to is split 50/50 in its political make up. I just hope we as heathens can learn from the mistakes of Christians and keep our faith and our politics separate.

• Wes, a lot of us liberals don't resort to name-calling and, in fact, find Kim's entire campaign intolerable. Personally, I don't understand why so many people want to automatically correlate religion and political tendencies--I've met both conservative and liberal Heathens, just as I've come across both conservative and liberal Christians. The important thing in my eyes is that the people of New York have elected a candidate who follows a religion other than Christianity. Yes, Christianity is the majority religion, but when every single elected official is Christian, followers of minority religions can't help feeling a bit left out. Perhaps this will inspire closeted Pagans and Heathens to come out of hiding. Congrats to Halloran. May he serve the people of Queens well.

• That is a very typical liberal responce. Their arguments are all crying and name calling. Logic and reason are too much for their little hearts to stand.

• As both a Wiccan Pagan and a Liberal, I am very glad to see someone that is not from the ruling monotheist religion - and a member of a religious minority - win a political race. However, I, unlike many Monotheists out there, are not blinded by the religion of the candidate to the point of ignoring their politics. The extreme right and the Teabaggers have shown themselves time and time again to prefer lies over truth, taking their rhetoric from idiots like Glenn Beck, the jackboot unlra-neocon whose complete disregard for any shred of the truth is only rivalled by his own grandiose sense of self-aggrandizement. Much like their former darling, the pill popping Rush Limbaugh. So, as glad as I am that the choice of canditate breaks with the traditional church-club mentality, I view this election as a disturbing break away from the call for true change and a better future for America, and a flirtation with the tired-out lies of the Big Corporation Elitist Ultra-Rich puppet: the neoconservative movement.

• Hail Dan, congrats! You are a good and honorable man and it is always a pleasure to share a horn and laughs with you. May you serve well. The Tholl Family of the South!

• This is wonderful news! As a Heathen myself I am most sure you will honour your community well and nourish that which is honed with integrity and back bone. Reynolds, you should know what you speak before speaking it out loud. Heathenism is not akin to Wicca and is by nature conservative. Most Heathens do not consider them selves Pagan much less neo Pagan. Lumping all non Christian denominations into the pan term neo Paganism is really a liberal construct and not adhered to through out the entire neo (as you call it it) Pagan community at large. I fail to understand how the Tea Parties, of which are protest of high taxes and government takeover, something this country was founded on, is now an extremist ideology. I think the real extremist around here might be yourself. Hammer of the gods from way down South!

• Way to go Dan! You're an inspiration to young Heathen Republicans!

• Hail Dan! Congratulation on your Victory! We shall raise a horn at out next Sumble. Gothi Halfdan Boe

• Hail Dan! Congratulation on your Victory! We shall raise a horn at out next Sumble. Gothi Halfdan Bie

• Sorry Reyn, but I have to correct you. Most "Heathens" are not liberals. Most "pagans" would seem to be liberal, but how can you be so sure? There is a difference between being pagan and Heathen, after all. One cannot merely assume that Dan Halloran is an extremist because he is Republican. Does it really sadden you when demographics don't meet your prescriptive assumptions? Hail.

• Way to go, Dan! Hail the Gods!

• I want to add my congratulations for Dan Halloran and echo those who have pointed out how ridiculous the VV's coverage of this race has been. I also have to take issue with Reyu's claim that most pagans are liberal Democrats. There are a great many pagans, including many Wiccans who are politically conservative and either liberty Republicans like Dan Halloran or straight libertarians. In fact, my research suggests that because of the high number of pagans in the military conservative pagans are probably more common than those who are on the political left, though I'd guess that's certainly not the case in NYC. Dan's victory is a victory for liberty for everyone, and he will be a champion for the rights and best interests of his constituents of every political stripe. Dave Nalle Chairman, Republican Liberty Caucus

• As a practicing Wiccan (<i>Correllian Nativist Church International (sic)</i>) who is also (as is my partner) a liberal Democrat, -- I am incredibly torn by this victory. I was appalled that religion was introduced into the race at all, but equally horrified that race was introduced into it. I am glad to see that a neo-Pagan can be elected, but deeply saddened that the neo-Pagan elected seems to be an extremist from the Right. The "tea parties?" Oh come on. The end result is that Jonathan and I will write Council Member Halloran a card of congratulations, and urge him to not cut off those who are not like him - particularly given that most "Heathen" are in fact liberals, and most are Democrats. Kindest thoughts, Reyn

• Hail Dan for his victory. Hail Kevin for his competition and for his effort as well. The VV gets no salutations from me or anyone else in my kindred. You have acted like nothing more than HuffPo trolls, linking racism to every facet of this race - on both sides.

• Of course the VV needs to put eveything in the racial prism? Well, Kim got 47% of the vote. The Asian community consistently has high turnout as well. But, the community is not 47% asian. That means Kim had (gasp) White voters, and a sizeable amount at that.

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