Monthly Archives: January 2016

Just what we need ….

“I’m a Christian first, American second, conservative third and Republican fourth” – Ted Cruz, 20 Jan 2016

 

Ted Cruz

 

Responding to a critique by former Senator and Republican Presidential nominee Bob Dole (who thinks Ted Cruz would be a disaster as the 2016 Republican nominee), Sen. Cruz uttered the statement above.

Let’s think about that one, shall we?

I have absolutely no problem with Ted Cruz feeling this way.  One’s beliefs and personal convictions are one’s own, and it’s not for me or anyone else to malign him in any way for his priorities.

I do, however, believe that the “American second” bit disqualifies him from serving as President of the United States.  After all, the Oath of Office is most definitely NOT

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, except where it conflicts with my personal interpretation of the Bible (Southern Texas Evangelical Revised Version)”

If you’re not going to be “American first”, you have no business seeking the office of President.

But beyond that, I question the statement “American second“

Montoya

 

To be clear, I’m not raising the “birther” nonsense here.  No, what I mean is that the bigoted, exclusionary, fear-mongering positions Sen, Cruz espouses does not match what being “American” says to me.  And frankly, I don’t think I’d put “American” as number two on the Senator’s list.

If I were making the list, I’d say that Ted Cruz is a radical Conservative first, an extremist Christian second, a Republican third (because that’s the only home for the first two), and an American only insofar as “American” is defined in radicalized conservative christian terms.

Unfortunately (for Mr. Cruz), the President of the United States needs to be the President of all Americans, not just his fellow travelers.  That means non-Evangelical Christians, Unitarians, Muslims, Jews, the non-religious, straights, gays, conservatives, liberals, moderates, libertarians, women, men, and everyone else who holds American values dear.

And I’m sorry, Mr. Cruz – but if your opening position is “American second“, you just don’t cut it.

#stampoutstupid

 

Sweet Home Alabama

BREAKING –This is huge.Developing.

Posted by The New Civil Rights Movement on Wednesday, January 6, 2016

 

In what isn’t a state Supreme Court ruling, but rather an administrative order, Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore is looking to halt same-sex marriage in Alabama.  His reasoning?  He’s not sure that last summer’s United States Supreme Court ruling on the matter applies to the Great State of Alabama.

Seriously, Judge Moore?  Look, the North won, and Alabama is a part of the United States of America.  Which means that Federal law – and the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court – do indeed apply to Alabama.  You don’t have to like the law, but you – especially you – need to uphold the law.  ALL of the law – for everyone.

Making your state’s  probate judges choose between your hissy fit and the law of the land does no one any good.  Gay marriage is here to stay – and most people are just fine with it,  And there’s a good reason for that –

Gay people getting married doesn’t affect straight people’s lives in the least!

So fighting this fight – which is already lost – does nothing positive.  It makes you look stupid – a fossil from another era.  It stresses out your judges state-wide, who have to worry about whether doing their jobs will get them fired.  And it makes your state look bad – there are already enough negative stereotypes about Alabama as it is.  You don’t need to re-enforce them.

My advice – take a deep breath, go bail your son out, channel your inner Disney princess, and “Let it Go”

 

 

Stupid of the Day 05 Jan 2016: Televangelists NEED Private Jets ….

BECAUSE DEMONS FLY COACH!

Demon-Fearing Televangelist Kenneth Copeland

 

From Bipartisan Report. Apparently, it’s too hard to walk up and down the aisle and chat with God on a commercial flight, as

  1. Other people on the plane look at you funny, and
  2. There are DEMONS on commercial flights.

Go on—read the article. We’ll wait …..

Beyond the sheer absurdity of the claim, I think these guys need a refresher on their bibles.  Like this verse:

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:5–8)

Even more—the folks who send these guys money need to brush up on their bibles before opening their wallets any further.

And BTW, I fly coach. I’m easy to spot … I’m the demon in the window seat just behind the wing.

#stampoutstupid

Stupid? Yes. Terrorists? Not so much …

They’ve been dubbed ‘Y’all Qaeda’

Posted by The Independent on Monday, January 4, 2016

So a bunch of armed ranchers have “occupied” a building at a wildlife refuge in Oregon, ostensibly to protest Federal Government land-use regulations. Some, including the Washington Post, are wondering if we shouldn’t be calling these people “terrorists.”

No.

The mere fact of being armed while being involved in criminal activities doesn’t make one a terrorist. It makes one an armed criminal. We don’t need to expand the scope of “terrorist” to include everyone who uses guns in a threatening manner.

Besides, these guys fail to meet one of the primary considerations in being a terrorist—instilling fear in the community.

Becoming the butt of late-night talks show monologues doesn’t cut it.

Being referred to as “Y’all Queda” and part of a “Yee-had” suggests that you’re lacking in effectiveness in getting your message out. People are too busy laughing to listen.

Terrorists have hostages and victims. These guys have an empty refrigerator.

Seriously. They’re actually asking people to MAIL them supplies. That’s right, they’re looking to the U.S. Federal Government to deliver the supplies they neglected to consider packing in pursuit of their protest of the Federal Government.

No, these guys aren’t terrorists.

But neither are they activists, engaging in civil disobedience. Yes, it’s true they have a disagreement with the Government on issues that directly affect them. (I happen to think they’re wrong—unfettered, unregulated use of public lands results in a situation famously referred to as “The Tragedy of the Commons.”) And yes, they’re using their actions to call attention to their issue. But it ceases to be civil disobedience when the explicit threat of gun violence is made toward anybody who attempts to end their “occupation.”

What they are is criminals. Stupid criminals, who seem to think this is 1886 rather than 2016, when you can ride to town with your guns in your belt to take on the sheriff if you don’t like how they’re running things. What they’re doing is “taking up arms against the government,” and I do believe there’s a word for that.

Besides stupid, that is.