An Expert Republican View

Posted by TomCat at 1:05 am Politics, Religion

Oct 312010

Republicans claim to have the solutions, even if they usually won’t say what they are. Here’s an expert view on America’s current state by a former Undersecretary of Defense. Be sure to have a bag or trash can handy. This blogger will accept no responsibility for damage to your screen or keyboard from stomach contents.

This is Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin, who was the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence under Donald Rumsfeld until video emerged of him explaining that we were engaged in a spiritual war against Islam that the US would eventually win because our God was bigger than their God.

Shortly thereafter Boykin retired and aligned himself with fringe Religious Right leaders by teaming up with the likes of "Christocrat" Rick Scarborough and Dominionist Janet Porter and even sharing the stage with professional anti-gay activists like Peter LaBarbera.

He also sits upon the board [fascists delinked] of Rick Joyner’s "The Oak Initiative" along with people like Porter, Lou Sheldon, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, and Cindy Jacobs and he recently recorded this video for the organization explaining how his years of Special Forces training in fighting Marxist insurgencies enables him to identify the plot underway to take over America through a variety of means, including President Obama’s attempt to create an army of Brownshirts loyal only to him though the passage of Health Care Reform… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Right Wing Watch>

Here’s the video:

Now the scariest thing here, is that this guy is going to vote. And fools who believe him are going to vote. They’re excited about it!

And (H/T to Color of Change) these people are voing to vote too!!

With that in mind, don’t you think you’d better tell everyone you know to

Vote!

Republican Victory in Uganda?

Posted by TomCat at 1:04 am Politics, Religion

Oct 312010

The the Theocon and InsaniTEA wings of the Republican party may be on the verge of a win in their quest to foment a final solution for Uganda’s gay population. I have previously documented Republican efforts to that end here and here.

Homosexuality may soon be a capital offense in Uganda. David Bahati, Ugandan member of Parliament, and sponsor of Uganda’s notorious "kill the gays" bill, told CNN in a recent interview that the controversial anti-gay bill will become law “soon.”

Once the bill becomes law it will punish homosexuality with life imprisonment or execution.

The law would impose a minimum sentence of life imprisonment to anyone “convicted” of having gay sex: life imprisonment to punish anything from "sexual stimulation to simply touching another person with the intention of committing the act of homosexuality.”

If the accused person is HIV-positive or a serial offender, or a “person of authority” over the other partner, or if the “victim” is under 18, a conviction will result in the death penalty… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Portland Examiner>

The tie in is the C-Street ministry, infamous for providing extreme legislators with cut-rate luxury housing, helping Republican legislators cover up sex scandals and ethics violations, and this. Here’s an old Rachel Maddow video that ties up the lose ends.

If that’s what Republicans think is good for Uganda, what wil;l they do here if they take power?

Vote!

Are Christians At Fault for Gay Abuse?

Posted by TomCat at 1:35 am Editorial, Politics, Religion

Oct 112010

The violence and emotional abuse that I anticipated when the Theocon and InsaniTEA wings of the Republican party ramped up their hate speech against the LGBT community is not coming to fruition at unprecedented levels. Naturally, there has been a reaction from the left to blame Christians for this. On one level, I agree. But if we dig a little deeper, it can be demonstrated that Christians are not at all at fault.

Are Christians responsible for anti-gay bullying? Does religion sanction homophobia?

With gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered (GLBT) youth often tormented by bullies, one is forced to consider whether or not Christian rhetoric is not at least partially responsible for the bullying behavior.

Christian conservatives assert that homosexuality is a moral disorder. Such assertions create a cultural climate that tacitly legitimizes the stigmatization of gay young people, making them obvious targets for harassment and abuse.

Conservative Christian leaders oppose federal hate-crimes protection for the gay and lesbian community. Focus on the Family, a large and influential body of Christian conservatives, was one of several large and influential Christian groups that gave vigorous opposition to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, named for a gay man killed for his sexual orientation in Wyoming… [emphasis original]

Inserted from <The Portland Examiner>

The author goes on to complete a compelling case that the religious right is at fault, and I have no argument against his position. I agree with it 100%. My disagreement stems from categorizing the Theocons and InsaniTEAbaggers as Christian.

Jesus said that many would claim to be his followers who are not, so I base my definition of a Christian as one who follows Jesus’ example. On the subject of sexual orientation, whatever he may have said has not been passed down, so we draw a blank there, but we can follow the example of how he treated other people that the religious hierarchy labeled as outcasts. He met them at the point of their need and treated them with kindness and compassion. The only people who he condemned, were the Pharisees and Sadducees. They were the ones who tried to force their own ideas of piety on everyone else, while seldom living up to those codes themselves. They lifted themselves up with their hateful condemnation of others. Does this sound like anyone we know? If you answered Theocons and InsaniTEAbaggers, give yourselves a gold star.

Were Jesus walking the earth today, we would find him helping those who are suffering. He would be in prisons, under bridges, in hospices and AIDS clinics. He would not be in the churches of the religious right. They would not welcome his friends or his teaching.

So I conclude, that the real Christians today follow Jesus’ example by opposing the hatred and intolerance under discussion here, and that those who are responsible for it, are not Christians.

Republican Pseudo-Christians Blame Hate Victims

Posted by TomCat at 3:13 am Politics, Religion

Oct 022010

The followers of Republican Supply Side Jesus love to hate. He is not the real Jesus. He is a Theocon invention to justify their false gospel of war, bigotry, greed, and intolerance. Whenever their hatred produces consequences, they act innocent, often blaming the victims of their hatred.

Back in August, Focus on the Family launched “True Tolerance,” its campaign to stop schools from implementing anti-bullying plans that include protections for LGBT students. Since the start of the school year, there have now been five reported cases of teens who have committed suicide following anti-gay bullying. GLSEN has been documenting anti-gay bullying, and according to a 2009 survey, the vast majority of LGBT students reported being verbally harassed, and “40.1% reported being physically harassed and 18.8% reported being physically assaulted at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation.”

Focus on the Family, however, says that bullying isn’t the problem, anti-bullying policies are. The group’s True Tolerance [Pseudo-Christians delinked] campaign argues that school strategies to target bullying are really covert ways for “activists who want to promote homosexuality in kids” to “capture the hearts and minds of our children at their earliest stages.”

Candi Cushman of True Tolerance asserts [pseudo-Christians delinked] that “gay activists” are “infiltrating classrooms under the cover of ‘anti-bullying’ or ‘safe schools’ initiatives.” That’s why Focus on the Family claims to be defending the “innocence and purity” of children against LGBT groups that conspire “under the cover of so-called safe-school initiatives” and use [pseudo-Christians delinked] “‘Safety’… as a political arm-twisting tool to force an adult agenda into schools.” [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Right Wing Watch>

How absurd! Their logic that the policies to stop the bullying causes the bullying is analogous to having the resurrection precede the crucifixion. This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to duck accountability for their own criminal anti-Christian behavior.

Furthermore, this rush to evade accountability is not exclusive to the Theocon wing of the Republican Party. The Neocon, Corporacon, Plutocon and InsaniTEA wings are equally at home with it, as Rachel Maddow aptly demonstrates.

One month from today, we vote. Are these the people we want in charge?

Every Republican in office is one Republican too many!

Republicans Take Hate to the Supreme Court

Posted by TomCat at 3:12 am Politics, Religion

Oct 022010

There can be no doubt that the bigoted antics of Westboro Baptist Republicans at funerals is hateful. There is no doubt that the families of fallen soldiers should be protected against such such vile behavior. Now the Supreme Court must decide if it is legal.

The most vexing free speech fight in years confronts the Supreme Court on Wednesday, pitting a loud-mouthed, anti-gay Kansas church against a grieving Pennsylvania father.

The father, Albert Snyder, has already won the popular vote hands-down. Forty-eight states support him. So do 42 senators and all the major veterans’ organizations.

The constitutional tally, though, isn’t nearly so simple.

"The government may not curtail speech simply because the speaker’s message may be offensive to his audience," University of Missouri Law School Professor Christina Wells noted in a legal filing.

In Snyder v. Phelps, justices will decide whether to protect speech that Wells characterized as "provocative, offensive and disrespectful." Wells acknowledged it might even be considered "contemptible."

For all the pain they may have caused, however the public rants against homosexuality by the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., might just be found to be protected by the First Amendment.

"This is obviously an emotion-laden case," said Steven R. Shapiro, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, but "the First Amendment was designed to protect unpopular speech against (the majority’s) distaste. At the end of the day I think that’s where the Supreme Court ends up."… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <McClatchy DC>

Here’s the key. With the caveat that I would personally like nothing better than to see Phelps and his Republican bigots muzzled, I have to agree with the ACLU. If their speech does not include direct calls for violence against gay people, it must be protected, because if it is not, the next speech to be outlawed will be our own.

I do have an alternate approach, however. Interfering with the grief of a family at such a time in such a manner does interfere with the family’s right to privacy, so I think there could be a good case for allowing these Republicans to demonstrate only in places where that cannot be seen or heard from the funeral site, the cemetary, and the route between the two.

How Teabaggers Learn What to Say and Think

Posted by TomCat at 2:21 am Politics, Religion

Sep 282010

tea-partier1 The video you are about to see, which I found at TPM, is filled with pseudo-Christian bigotry and intolerance. Nevertheless, it is instructive, because it demonstrates the way Republicans propagandize Teabaggers. Note how the speaker tells the Teabaggers over and over again that these are their own ideas. The next time Teabaggers lie that nobody has told them what to say and think, remember this.

I won’t list the many calls for genocide and reasons for the death penalty listed in the Old Testament that Teabaggers so clearly worship.

Today Is Pulpit Freedom Sunday

Posted by TomCat at 2:20 am Politics, Religion

Sep 262010

So, you ask, what is Pulpit Freedom Sunday? It’s a special day for hypocritical Republican pastors to demonstrate their patriotism by breaking US law and to demonstrate their faith by openly endorsing Republican and Republican candidates with anti-Christian agendas from the pulpit.

In a fashion right out of the annals of right wind [sic] demagoguery, September 26th, 2010 brings us the third installment of "Pulpit Freedom Sunday."

Brought to us by the Alliance Defense Fund [pseudo-Christians delinked] as a challenge to IRS rules not allowing specific endorsements of political candidates from the pulpit. Churches can, and do, pass out flyers that are very partisan, "voter guides" that are nothing more than right wing propaganda, and take positions on legislation and initiatives.

The Mormon Church was the single biggest funding source for California’s Proposition 8, for example. The IRS law gets them get away with so much, but of course it’s not enough for the right wing mouthpieces wanting to dominate all areas of American life.

The blow hards would have you believe they are being censored. Not true, they are free to say whatever they want. The IRS regulation only restricts them from endorsing candidates if they wish to keep their tax-exempt status.

IRS regulations specify that 501(c)(3) organizations, which include churches and other religious organizations, are prohibited from “[participating in or intervening in]…any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.” Rev. Rul. 2007-41, 2007-25 I.R.B.

It’s not the right to speak the ADF is looking to ensure, but the "right" to do it essentially on the tax payer dime. For if they were labeled in accordance with their political activity, their tax duty would change.

Billions of dollars of potential tax revenue are lost every year to churches choosing to abuse the privilege… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Portland Examiner>

As the Treasurer of a small non-profit public service group, I do not endorse candidates during activities for that organization, because we are 501(c)(3) pending. That’s the law, and vecause of my volunteer work, I know a few things about it.

No organization is subject to the ban on endorsements, unless they voluntarily apply for 501(c)(3) status and voluntarily agree to abide by the laws pertaining to that status. Nobody twisted their arms. Nobody is discriminating against them or violating their rights. If they do not wish to keep their own commitment, they may freely withdraw at any time and do as they please, but without a tax exemption.

When they lie under the false cover of faith, they should be relegated to Infernal Revenue, because Internal Revenue is too good for these Republican hypocrites.

What Values Voters Don’t Value: You

Posted by TomCat at 1:15 am Politics, Religion

Sep 182010

When Mike Huckabee was running for Republican nomination for President in 2008, he was often described in the media as one of the most compassionate conservatives. I did not consider him at all compassionate, but was willing to acknowledge that he was among the least of the worst, all of whom were horrid. I suppose that’s still true, but his performance yesterday defined Republican values quite well.

When Republicans attack health care reform, Democrats like to counter by accusing Republicans of wanting to repeal a law that requires insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing conditions. According to Republican Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, that’s exactly right. People with pre-existing conditions, he explains are like houses that have already burned down.

"It sounds so good, and it’s such a warm message to say we’re not gonna deny anyone from a preexisting condition," Huckabee explained at the Value Voters Summit today. "Look, I think that sounds terrific, but I want to ask you something from a common sense perspective. Suppose we applied that principle [to] our property insurance. And you can call your insurance agent and say, "I’d like to buy some insurance for my house." He’d say, "Tell me about your house." "Well sir, it burned down yesterday, but I’d like to insure it today." And he’ll say "I’m sorry, but we can’t insure it after it’s already burned." Well, no preexisting conditions."… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <TPM>

The crowd went wild with approval. These Republicans are claiming to represent Christian values, but they lie. They represent the values of Supply Side Jesus, not the real one.

We don’t have to go far to find Jesus’ opinion on health care. Just look at the parable of the Good Samaritan. What the Samaritan did demonstrates an authentic Christian value.

Had Supply Side Jesus been real, not a Republican invention to justify their gospel of war, hate, and greed, he would have checked the wounded traveler, found that he did indeed have a preexisting condition, stolen whatever he had, and kicked him into the ditch. That would demonstrate Republican values, as Huckabee’s statement clearly shows.

Keith Olbermann and David Corn covered this well.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Now consider this. If, as stated above, is the least of the worst, what can we expect from the rest?

One thing is certain. The values voters hypocrites do NOT value you.

Older Entries Newer Entries