Several posts back down this string, we wrote about Rev. James Dobson's targeting of newsmen for allegedly "mocking" his stand against gay-enabler SpongeBob SquarePants. That list of newsmen contained MSNBC anchor Keith Obermann, who writes here about the e-mail generated by the Focus on the Family jihad against him and smacks down the inaccuracies of Dobson & Company. Obermann, thank gawd, ain't afraid of standing up to the bullying of the American mullahs.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Evangelical Scandals
We've made no secret of our disdain for the hypocrisy of "Christians" who preach at all the rest of us to make ourselves as holy as they want us to believe they are (to which we respond, "If we're going to hell, we'll go at our own pace and not yours").
It's a brave "Christian" who can point out the hypocrisies of fellow "believers," and one such brave soul is Ronald Sider, who has written about "The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience" in Christianity Today. It's a long essay, but here's the gist:
"The findings in numerous national polls conducted by highly respected pollsters like The Gallup Organization and The Barna Group are simply shocking. 'Gallup and Barna,' laments evangelical theologian Michael Horton, 'hand us survey after survey demonstrating that evangelical Christians are as likely to embrace lifestyles every bit as hedonistic, materialistic, self-centered, and sexually immoral as the world in general.' Divorce is more common among 'born-again' Christians than in the general American population. Only 6 percent of evangelicals tithe. White evangelicals are the most likely people to object to neighbors of another race. Josh McDowell has pointed out that the sexual promiscuity of evangelical youth is only a little less outrageous than that of their nonevangelical peers."
It's a brave "Christian" who can point out the hypocrisies of fellow "believers," and one such brave soul is Ronald Sider, who has written about "The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience" in Christianity Today. It's a long essay, but here's the gist:
"The findings in numerous national polls conducted by highly respected pollsters like The Gallup Organization and The Barna Group are simply shocking. 'Gallup and Barna,' laments evangelical theologian Michael Horton, 'hand us survey after survey demonstrating that evangelical Christians are as likely to embrace lifestyles every bit as hedonistic, materialistic, self-centered, and sexually immoral as the world in general.' Divorce is more common among 'born-again' Christians than in the general American population. Only 6 percent of evangelicals tithe. White evangelicals are the most likely people to object to neighbors of another race. Josh McDowell has pointed out that the sexual promiscuity of evangelical youth is only a little less outrageous than that of their nonevangelical peers."
The GOP's Push to Privatize Social Security
The WashPost's Mike Allen got his hands on the Republican's 104-page playbook titled "Saving Social Security," which Karl Rove & Co. handed out this weekend at the big Republican Congressional retreat at the Green Brier resort. Allen's article on it in this morning's paper is worth reading.
"NewSpeak" is the order of the day: "The blueprint urges lawmakers to promote the 'personalization' of Social Security, suggesting ownership and control, rather than 'privatization,' which 'connotes the total corporate takeover of Social Security.' "
"The Republican's book, with a golden nest egg on the cover, urges the GOP to 'talk in simple language,' 'keep the numbers small,' 'avoid percentages; your audience will try to calculate them in their head' and 'acknowledge risks,' because listeners 'know they can lose their investments.' "
We're waiting for Madame Virginia Foxx, 25 percent of whose constituents are on Social Security, to begin speaking glowingly of "personalization," but in simple language, keeping the numbers small, avoiding percentages, and acknowledging risks. That is, after she's finished dealing with western North Carolina's greatest threat ... illegal aliens with drivers licenses.
"NewSpeak" is the order of the day: "The blueprint urges lawmakers to promote the 'personalization' of Social Security, suggesting ownership and control, rather than 'privatization,' which 'connotes the total corporate takeover of Social Security.' "
"The Republican's book, with a golden nest egg on the cover, urges the GOP to 'talk in simple language,' 'keep the numbers small,' 'avoid percentages; your audience will try to calculate them in their head' and 'acknowledge risks,' because listeners 'know they can lose their investments.' "
We're waiting for Madame Virginia Foxx, 25 percent of whose constituents are on Social Security, to begin speaking glowingly of "personalization," but in simple language, keeping the numbers small, avoiding percentages, and acknowledging risks. That is, after she's finished dealing with western North Carolina's greatest threat ... illegal aliens with drivers licenses.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Watauga GOP Continues War on ASU Students
The Watauga Republican Party just won't let it go ... their resentment against ASU students' voting in elections here. They apparently still cling to the mistaken notion that they were swept out of the County Commission because of massive voting by ASU students. A cursory glance at election returns might disabuse them of their mythology.
But some defeated Republican candidates for County Commission are reportedly circulating a petition calling on the Watauga County Board of Elections to deny students the right to vote, except for the office of president every four years.
Aside from the smallish constitutional issue of denying a specific class of people the right to the full ballot, and aside from the practical "mechanical" problem that local boards of election cannot unilaterally declare a certain class of voters ineligible to cast ballots, what are the Republicans hoping to gain? (And have they thought this through? What about the sons and daughters of Watauga residents who also happen to be students at ASU? Would they too be disenfrancised, by virtue of being enrolled at the University, or would the Watauga GOP recommend an exemption for native-born students? O the bookkeeping on THAT ought to be easy!)
Let's say this petition drive gets a thousand signatures. No, let's be wildly optimistic and forecast 3,000 signatures for denying the right to vote to ASU students. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that the prejudices against full citizenship for students is deep and even wide in Watauga County. What will the Republican Party reap for exposing and encouraging that prejudice with this petition drive?
Well, for one thing, they're bound to incite even greater student turn-out in future elections. And whereas the student vote in the County Commission races in 2004 was actually not all that high (as opposed to the students who went in and voted for a few of the top races and left the bottom of the ballot unchecked) and was in fact divided between Republican and Democrat candidates, we can pretty much guarantee that there'll be a strong swing among students against the Republicans in future local elections. And why not? Nothing motivates students like the notion that a bunch of adults don't approve of them.
But some defeated Republican candidates for County Commission are reportedly circulating a petition calling on the Watauga County Board of Elections to deny students the right to vote, except for the office of president every four years.
Aside from the smallish constitutional issue of denying a specific class of people the right to the full ballot, and aside from the practical "mechanical" problem that local boards of election cannot unilaterally declare a certain class of voters ineligible to cast ballots, what are the Republicans hoping to gain? (And have they thought this through? What about the sons and daughters of Watauga residents who also happen to be students at ASU? Would they too be disenfrancised, by virtue of being enrolled at the University, or would the Watauga GOP recommend an exemption for native-born students? O the bookkeeping on THAT ought to be easy!)
Let's say this petition drive gets a thousand signatures. No, let's be wildly optimistic and forecast 3,000 signatures for denying the right to vote to ASU students. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that the prejudices against full citizenship for students is deep and even wide in Watauga County. What will the Republican Party reap for exposing and encouraging that prejudice with this petition drive?
Well, for one thing, they're bound to incite even greater student turn-out in future elections. And whereas the student vote in the County Commission races in 2004 was actually not all that high (as opposed to the students who went in and voted for a few of the top races and left the bottom of the ballot unchecked) and was in fact divided between Republican and Democrat candidates, we can pretty much guarantee that there'll be a strong swing among students against the Republicans in future local elections. And why not? Nothing motivates students like the notion that a bunch of adults don't approve of them.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Cherie Berry Goes Down For You
The N.C. Labor Commissioner, Republican Cherie Berry, has decided to slap her mug in every elevator in the state. It's her department that inspects elevators and certifies them, so her signature is a familiar fixture. Now her face will be too.
It certainly makes us calmer, coming down from the penthouse, to see a coifed trophy dame staring at us from above the control panel. We'll remember to bring our Sharpie!
It certainly makes us calmer, coming down from the penthouse, to see a coifed trophy dame staring at us from above the control panel. We'll remember to bring our Sharpie!
Democrats Cancel Party Chair Vote
We're going to assume that it really was the current winter storm that caused Democratic state party chair Barbara Allen to cancel today's meeting of the state executive committee in Raleigh, which was scheduled to elect a new state chair. We're going to assume it was winter weather and not the big heads' queasy acknowledgement that Gov. Easley was going to lose the vote. They've rescheduled for Feb. 19th. By then, we'll know who's going in as chair of the Democratic National Committee. That vote is scheduled for Feb. 12th. Howard Dean is said to be leading, just as Jerry Meek is said to be leading in the state race. Progressives everywhere are restless.
You can read the Raleigh News & Observer's article on the state shakeup in today's edition here. It so clearly carries a subliminal headline, "Easley Loses Control of State Party."
You can read the Raleigh News & Observer's article on the state shakeup in today's edition here. It so clearly carries a subliminal headline, "Easley Loses Control of State Party."
Friday, January 28, 2005
Mullah Dobson Declares a Jihad
Rev. James Dobson, who says he's fed up about the furor over SpongeBob SquarePants, has issued a press release calling on the Faithful to write letters to five journalists he's fingered for having mocked him and his views.
Rev. Dobson says he never said that SpongeBob SquarePants was himself gay. He said, instead, that SpongeBob SquarePants had been turned into a tool for the "gay agenda" of spreading "diversity and unity."
"Diversity and unity" ... BAD ... and not in a good way.
Especially BAD ... and not in a good way ... "a tolerance pledge" promoted by the We Are Family foundation, which reads in part, "I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, sexual identity or other characteristics are different from my own."
We're so glad the Mullah cleared that up, 'cause for a minute there, he seemed sort of ... we don't know ... hateful.
And we'll get right to work on our letters of stern reprimand to the following (quoting verbatim from Rev. Dobson's website, except for the typos, which we've silently corrected):
* New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, who sarcastically wrote Dr. Dobson had done "the country a service by reminding us to watch out for the dark side of lovable but malleable sponges."
* Today show anchor Matt Lauer, who suggested that "Focus has made a mistake and really doesn't want to apologize for it."
* MSNBC.com columnist Michael Ventre, who called Christians "creepy, rigid, arrogant, cruel, know-it-all, pompous, obnoxious and treacherous -- better known by the acronym CRACKPOT." He added: "They are giving Jesus Christ a bad name."
* Crossfire host James Carville, who said: "How stupid am I? I thought these [tolerance and diversity] were actual virtues."
* MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann, who said: "If the folks at Focus on the Family are right, it could make you, your children or maybe your furniture gay. Or tolerant."
Rev. Dobson says he never said that SpongeBob SquarePants was himself gay. He said, instead, that SpongeBob SquarePants had been turned into a tool for the "gay agenda" of spreading "diversity and unity."
"Diversity and unity" ... BAD ... and not in a good way.
Especially BAD ... and not in a good way ... "a tolerance pledge" promoted by the We Are Family foundation, which reads in part, "I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, sexual identity or other characteristics are different from my own."
We're so glad the Mullah cleared that up, 'cause for a minute there, he seemed sort of ... we don't know ... hateful.
And we'll get right to work on our letters of stern reprimand to the following (quoting verbatim from Rev. Dobson's website, except for the typos, which we've silently corrected):
* New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, who sarcastically wrote Dr. Dobson had done "the country a service by reminding us to watch out for the dark side of lovable but malleable sponges."
* Today show anchor Matt Lauer, who suggested that "Focus has made a mistake and really doesn't want to apologize for it."
* MSNBC.com columnist Michael Ventre, who called Christians "creepy, rigid, arrogant, cruel, know-it-all, pompous, obnoxious and treacherous -- better known by the acronym CRACKPOT." He added: "They are giving Jesus Christ a bad name."
* Crossfire host James Carville, who said: "How stupid am I? I thought these [tolerance and diversity] were actual virtues."
* MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann, who said: "If the folks at Focus on the Family are right, it could make you, your children or maybe your furniture gay. Or tolerant."
The Filthy Rich
The natural waters that bubble out of the Appalachian earth at the world-famous and now moth-eaten Greenbrier Inn in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia have been known for their restorative powers since before the Civil War. Wealthy Southern planters used to go there to soak away the red dirt from their slave-stomping feet. And today the entire Republican House and Senate is up there on "retreat," eating fatty foods and guzzling wine and sitting up to their haunches in the rich body odor of their own power.
Sitting with them in the steam room is El Presidente, who's doing more than his share of sweating, and it's not just from the steam baths.
No, El Presidente is trying to deal with an increasingly independent bunch of Republican lawmakers, who don't necessarily any longer see a reason to risk their own sorry hides to give Mr. Bush what he wants ... like privatizing Social Security, like an easing of immigration laws.
According to Mike Allen's analysis in today's WashPost, "It's the 'no interest like self-interest' rule, and it's every man for himself," said an aide to a Senate Republican committee chairman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to maintain good relations with the White House. "He's discovering the fine line between having a mandate and being a lame duck."
El Presidente has even sicced Karl Rove on them. Mike Allen wrote, "White House senior adviser Karl Rove worked the crowd [at the Green Brier] and gave the first of several presentations, devoting most of his introductory remarks to Social Security. Rove, discussing the issue at the request of congressional leaders, said that taking it on is important and will be popular."
Hasn't been popular so far, even with the Bush Bureau of Information Retrieval decreeing that the word "privatization" is now inoperative, along with the term "private account." It's "1984" "NewSpeak" all over again, and Rove has decreed that the language for the undermining of Social Security will henceforth be "personal accounts."
Call it what you will. People, maybe, aren't quite as stupid as the White House seems to think. Nor prone to hold their breaths while the rich and powerful go to a West Virginia mountain spa to cleanse themselves of their filth.
Sitting with them in the steam room is El Presidente, who's doing more than his share of sweating, and it's not just from the steam baths.
No, El Presidente is trying to deal with an increasingly independent bunch of Republican lawmakers, who don't necessarily any longer see a reason to risk their own sorry hides to give Mr. Bush what he wants ... like privatizing Social Security, like an easing of immigration laws.
According to Mike Allen's analysis in today's WashPost, "It's the 'no interest like self-interest' rule, and it's every man for himself," said an aide to a Senate Republican committee chairman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to maintain good relations with the White House. "He's discovering the fine line between having a mandate and being a lame duck."
El Presidente has even sicced Karl Rove on them. Mike Allen wrote, "White House senior adviser Karl Rove worked the crowd [at the Green Brier] and gave the first of several presentations, devoting most of his introductory remarks to Social Security. Rove, discussing the issue at the request of congressional leaders, said that taking it on is important and will be popular."
Hasn't been popular so far, even with the Bush Bureau of Information Retrieval decreeing that the word "privatization" is now inoperative, along with the term "private account." It's "1984" "NewSpeak" all over again, and Rove has decreed that the language for the undermining of Social Security will henceforth be "personal accounts."
Call it what you will. People, maybe, aren't quite as stupid as the White House seems to think. Nor prone to hold their breaths while the rich and powerful go to a West Virginia mountain spa to cleanse themselves of their filth.
Shoo, Fly
An article in this morning's Charlotte Observer is entitled "Easley's pick no shoo-in for party chairmanship; Raleigh lawyer faces tough opponent, dissatisfied activists" (thanks to Hayes for the heads-up).
"Party observers expect a close race" between Gov. Easley's hand-picked candidate, lawyer/lobbyist Ed Turlington, and current 1st vice chair and semi-professional maverick Jerry Meek. That's what the Charlotte Observer says ... "a close race," but Jerry Meek is telling people he has over 300 votes on the state's executive committee, more than enough to win.
The Guv is marshalling all the big heads he can find to attend the meeting tomorrow in Raleigh, including ex-Guv Jim Hunt. The big heads are going to stand up there and lecture the members of the executive committee about doing the right thing, i.e., what the Guv wants them to do. That might have worked in the past. This year, not so much.
The big heads had best not try to pull any shenanigans in the vote. Manipulating the process to get Easley's desired outcome would have disastrous effects. What has been an incipient rebellion would likely blossom into full-scale and open revolt.
"Party observers expect a close race" between Gov. Easley's hand-picked candidate, lawyer/lobbyist Ed Turlington, and current 1st vice chair and semi-professional maverick Jerry Meek. That's what the Charlotte Observer says ... "a close race," but Jerry Meek is telling people he has over 300 votes on the state's executive committee, more than enough to win.
The Guv is marshalling all the big heads he can find to attend the meeting tomorrow in Raleigh, including ex-Guv Jim Hunt. The big heads are going to stand up there and lecture the members of the executive committee about doing the right thing, i.e., what the Guv wants them to do. That might have worked in the past. This year, not so much.
The big heads had best not try to pull any shenanigans in the vote. Manipulating the process to get Easley's desired outcome would have disastrous effects. What has been an incipient rebellion would likely blossom into full-scale and open revolt.
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