Thoughts, 7/15/2008

- President Clinton is addressing the National Governor's Association on the effects of the economy, the current clip specifically citing how to improve the lives of the nation's poor. I wonder if a certain member of the Association is listening. More importantly, I wonder what it would take for that member to get his head out of his ass... and actually assist his constituency.

- Business sense does not necessarily equate to helping the poor (raises hand).

- I'm taking my wife to the doctor, and I truly, truly fear the bill... and I have insurance. I wonder how folks make it, or if they make it. My salary is more than egregious, and I crawl.

Is education the saving grace? I have a Bachelor's, and I'm ashamed to even mention my salary. Will my Master's help? Double it? Is there even a fix for me, but more importantly... everyone else?



At least we have governments that have their heads on straight. They've got their priorities together.

Update Shots, 7/13/2008

- I love wedded life.

- I am still Office Manager at DEP's AML. The romantic edge is off, which leads me to...

- I'm starting film school in the fall. I'm also going to work full-time. Call me insane if you wish.

- Yes, I have my tickets to go see TDK at midnight. I'm waiting until the end of August to go to Cincinnati to see it in IMAX.

- We may be spending Christmas in Rancho Mirage.

- The institution of government is still a mess. Democrats and Republicans yell about everything, and solve nothing.

- I still have yet to find a state after denouncing my citizenship to the state of West Virginia.

- I've dropped another 20 pounds since June 1st.

- A few good books have come my way, and they were each a pleasure to read.

- Kristen has taken it upon herself to integrate me into her musical tastes. Depeche Mode has been the most effective strategy thus far.

- Many notable names have passed away in the past 12 months. I'm not necessarily implying deeper meaning.

- The election coverage is ridiculous. When are these idiots going to debate? Then again, I'm not sure if I care.

- I have officially mastered the art of cooking great spaghetti. My own concoctions are the best I've tasted. I would love to have some test dummies to further this theory, and further perfect my craft.

- How in the blue fuck can I still play drums after not touching them since 1996?

- I'm interviewing employees for a short-term assignment (6 months). I haven't been that impressed thus far.

- I really haven't spent time with my friends lately, which is disconcerting.

- 2008 has been a good year to go to the movies. Cloverfield, Iron Man, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, the Incredible Hulk, and Get Smart were all worthwhile. Call me crazy, but I like the Incredible Hulk the best of that bunch.

- Why are folks surprised when they read shit like this?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/07/business/media/07carr.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1215439354-/AN7gATdi5/k3AS4ww/AEw

- And this? http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200807120355 The aforementioned articles is yet another testament to the effectiveness of West Virginia and its programs.

- Yesterday, there were four channels with NASCAR on them at the same time. Fortunately, I had enough restraint not to cut myself.




LB

Another G.O.P. Screw-Up

Why on earth don't these people resign?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/13/gop.probe/index.html

WOW.

If even one of these claims are true, then we've got a huge problem.


http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/03/10/pharma.water1/index.html


Let's see how the monkeys in charge deal with this one.



Guess what? They did respond.

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200803100004

Big surprise.

Hell's Rectum, Updates

At least they have NASCAR...

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200803020459

Let Freedom Ring. Chapter I: Marriage Equality

There have been numerous arguments about marriage equality. Yet, marriage equality is still a foreign concept. Instead of providing support why, I intend to tear down the arguments against marriage equality (or more popularly coined... "gay marriage").

Equality is a word thrown about more than a bad idea from government. Homosexuals are striving for such equality. We've come a long way, but the great hurdle is indeed marriage equality.

Opposition to "gay marriage" is strong. This is not just a Republican concept, but a Democratic one as well (look at West Virginia). Why?

Marriage is between one man and one woman. I find it rather humorous that our lawmakers attempted to pass such a statement, in the form of a constitutional amendment no less. Well, who created the concept of marriage? Whose job is it to define marriage? The government? The church? It's a simple, powerful statement. Problem is, there are no effective moral arguments supporting such a statement... without going religious. Perhaps the problem is indeed a deep-rooted prejudice. Why deny someone the freedom to marry someone they love?

Think of the children. Of course. We allow heterosexual couples to bring their own children or adopted children into a marriage. Oddly enough, criminals are also allowed to marry and procreate. No criticism for such. Is it not possible that heterosexual couples bring their own children from failed attempts at heterosexual marriage? Is it possible that gay households are just as effective in child-rearing as heterosexual households? (http://www.bidstrup.com/parenbib.htm) Is it possible that the sexuality of the parents in general is an irrelevant issue? Maybe the key words are "love and commitment."

Homosexuality is immoral. Interesting, for I see no law stating such. However, a vastly popular work of literature says I'm wrong. Curious. For there is a Constitutional Amendment which not only gives me the right of freedom of religion, but also freedom from religion. No one has the right to institute perceived moral standards authorized by a book. Is it possible that gay marriage is celebrated elsewhere (ahem, Buddhism). Many believe in religious freedom. Those who do should recognize that opposition to such based on a religious argument is well... weird.

Marriages enable babies. More babies means humanity will survive. Why are infertile couples allowed to marry? Impotency... post-menopause... Strange, for I believed that "love and commitment" are the key words to marriage. It's not a far off stretch to assume that heterosexual couples will stop marrying in protest of gay marriage. That's also very weird. It is possible that procreation is secondary? Is the human race going to die from lack of reproduction? Odd, because in some locales, overpopulation is a problem. Foolish reproduction often ends in homeless kids in foster care. And that's fucking sad... because I've been homeless.
And it sucks.

It threatens the institution of marriage. How? Doesn't it bring more possibilities into the mix? Is it not possible that allowing such would decrease divorce rates? How does freedom of choice threaten an institution? Are there gay terrorists waiting to axe Christian couples?

Tradition, Lawrence. Fuck that. Slavery was, too.

Same-sex marriage is untested. No, it isn't. Check the Danes, since 1989.

Then we're start marrying animals, family members, and robots. Oh yeah, and polygamy, too. That is one of the top ten dumbest things I've ever heard. That statement is designed to frighten people without logic. There is absolutely no evidence to this argument. West Virginia perhaps leads the charge against gay marriage, and there are chicken-humpers and sister-lickers a plenty within its NASCAR-loving boundaries (not a majority, I just find the coincedence highly amusing). If that is factual, there would already be evidence for such. I have never heard of a call for a law to marry elephants or mothers... not even on Fox News, where ridiculous stories appear first. But, that's a pretty effective tactic... "fear and smear." It makes me proud to be an American.

It would force the hand of the church to marry gay couples when they have a moral objection. Who says you have to marry in a church? A Supreme Court justice married Kristen and I. Churches can refuse anybody they want. Some refuse interracial couples, couples from different religions, and liberals. The argument is also weird, because it gives churches more choice.

Formal Denouncement of Citizenship of West Virginia

I am no longer a citizen of West Virginia. I am so utterly disgusted and appalled. One of the last remnants of the Confederacy has gained even more steam in its biggest fan base. The ghost of Andrew Jackson will never die.

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200802280761










I am in Blazing Saddles. West Virginia is Rock Ridge. The governments are exactly the same, with Democrats and Republicans in tow. Unfortunately, there is no Sheriff Bart. There is no Waco Kid.

I'm sure many a West Virginian unleashed their shotguns into the air. Conway Twitty boomed on the radio, while the hooch flowed like rain. Many a sister were inappropriately touched by their brother, and many a daughter and wife were beaten from sheer glee from a drunken father. The economy was still a festering rectum, but it didn't matter.




NASCAR is officially here. Congrats to the monkeys in government with another perfect distraction. Not only do we have 850,000 churches, good ol' Mountaineer football (brilliantly played by the string-pullers), and not an African-American in sight.

We have proven once again that West Virginia is a fantastic place to live... if you're a white heterosexual Christian.


Conservatism, in its most annoying form, is alive and well. As such, I quote the film referenced above. And this is what has happened...


"Now I don't have to tell you good folks what's been happening in our beloved little town. Sheriff murdered, crops burned, stores looted, people stampeded, and cattle raped. The time has come to act, and act fast. I'm leaving."


That's right. I'm leaving. I've mentally packed my bags and hitting the road. I may work here, sleep here, and buy groceries here... but I'm not here. I've tuned out Toby Keith and all the other bigotry the "good ol' boys" have to offer.

My citizenship to a state is officially up for auction. It won't take much to sway me. Believe me.

Any takers?

Robert Dallek's Guide To Assessing The Presidency

The book, my Bible for assessing Presidential effectiveness, is "Hail to the Chief: The Making and Unmaking of American Presidents." It's an extremely beneficial tool when analyzing the various administrations of U.S. History. It's one of those few select books that I became giddy while reading. It was if I unlocked a different world.

The nice part is that you do not have to be a historian to grasp its complexities. It's an extremely simple concept, and therein lies its genius.

In short, the book analyzes an effective President under five broad categories: V.P.C.C.T.

Vision, Pragmatism, Consensus, Charisma, and Trust.

No trait is greater than the other, as there are Presidents who embody all, some, few, or none.

Vision- This is a broad, general direction of where the country is going. Vision usually involves multiple aspects of American society. In Presidential terms, John Quincy Adams and John F. Kennedy embody this trait. If you want to hit a little closer to home, think Martin Luther King, Jr.

Pragmatism- This is a "chameleon in plaid." This is someone who understands the need to change tactics, and is quick to adapt to various changes. Presidentially, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower are perfect examples.

Consensus- This is the ability to gather support from various parties throughout the country. These are the folks who usually bring people together. Think George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt.

Charisma- These are the folks who influence with words and body language. These are masters of rhetoric, and people love them. Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan are two ends of the same spectrum.

Trust- Perhaps the most difficult aspect for a President to embody, an honest President sometimes clashes with the necessity for pragmatism. More often than not, honest Presidents usually have low approval ratings. Examples: Jimmy Carter and Harry Truman.


There are some odd cases. Richard Nixon was a great visionary leader, but a scoundrel who lacked vision. Andrew Jackson was trustworthy, but he sacked the National Bank.

Honestly, you can't fully access the effectiveness of a President until their term has long expired. Only now can we truly start to access George H.W. Bush's Presidency. As much as I love to yell at Bush, Jr., we're still in it.


So, the candidates.

Obama, Clinton, and McCain. Using the 5 points to what we already know... let's break them down.

Vision- Barack Obama has the best of the bunch. He knocks this trait out of the ballpark, and that's exactly why voters are flocking to him in drobes. Clinton and McCain have vision, but they both seem to limit themselves.

Pragmatism- Clinton wins by a longshot. She gets the job done, and she has the experience to know when change in strategy is necessary. McCain has been thought of as anti-pragmatic, but his stance on many things has changed recently to cater to conservatives.

Consensus- Barack Obama is again, the best of the bunch. He is crossing party lines often, and it's working. McCain does that too, but he is still despised by many conservatives. And we all know Clinton's history with Republicans, Democrats, Independents, etc.

Charisma- They are all fairly charismatic, but Obama's speaking ability throws him above the other two. The key: watch the crowd as Obama speaks. McCain and Clinton have their own charisma, but it comes and goes.

Trust- McCain has shown himself to be the most trustworthy, though he has shown fragments of pragmatism as of late. We simply do not know enough about Obama to properly judge. But that's a good thing (not a lot of voting records to hold against him). Clinton is perhaps the classic case of the pragmatic vs. trust issue. Not many people trust Hillary Clinton, but she'll fight for what she believes in.


Right now, vision stands head and shoulders above the rest. Obama is surging in the polls. If he's the candidate, he's going to be extremely difficult to defeat. He's breaking historical trend in his popularity, and I love every minute of it.

Personally, I'm willing to forego my own stingy liberal beliefs for great vision. My lack of faith in governing bodies in general has utterly waned. I see both parties as negligent and utterly apathetic to the cause of the needy, and the dreams of me and my fellow citizens. So, I think it's time for some J.Q.A. vision.

Since Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards dropped, hopefully the third time is indeed the charm.


I'm voting for Barack Obama... and I hope he doesn't let me and the millions of people rooting for him down.

New Employment

It's official. I have a new job.


There was much rejoicing, and bong hitting a plenty. I don't have a lot of specifics, but I'll be in a much better environment.

The Asylum Narrows to Four (In Reality, 3)

McCain is the Republican candidate.

Problem: the right hates him because he deals with Democrats, and he isn't conservative enough. I think it's pretty funny... watching the idiot-train eat him alive.



Meanwhile...

The Democratic race is far from decided.

Obama is the front-runner now. He won all three states. For the first time, he is leading the delegates. The magic number is 2,025.

Obama has 1215 and Clinton has 1190.

There are 1,618 delegates left.

Everyone is worried about a tie. In this case, a tie means that neither candidate hits 2,025.

If both candidates split everything right down the middle, Obama will still be one candidate short. The tie means that someone's going to get shafted, as there will have to be a deal made. If that happens, people are going to feel left out, and possibly vote Republican.

Here's the weird thing:

These idiots called "superdelegates," aren't required to vote the way their district says. So, essentially, they could change their mind right up to the election.

Obama has momentum, and that's huge. I'm voting for Obama.

I've supported Kucinich, but he dropped. Then I supported Edwards, and he dropped. Third time's the charm? No idea.

The Idiot Wagon Keeps Moving

I've many times mentioned or alluded that West Virginia political entities are either stupid and or ineffective. Democrat, Republican, or Independent... it makes absolutely no difference. Here's the latest stroke of brilliance.

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200802100463

Forget about maximizing choice.

--Feel free to insert a comment or hopefully joke/insult here.--

Hopeful Events

Attaining better employment is imminent. I can't wait. A better life awaits, much to the dismay of West Virginia and its pollution of negativity and apathy.


Another note:

The fact that Miami had an awesome recruiting class doesn't shock me. After all, Randy Shannon is good at such. This, however, does:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/columns/story?columnist=luginbill_tom&id=3233826

Random Musings

Well, it seems I'm anti-prophetic. My guy dropped out of the race. I'm at a loss.

Barack or Hillary? I have no earthly clue. The two of them have both parts effective and both parts stupid. It suspect it will continue to stay ugly until after "Super Tuesday" (I hate saying that).

Well, the idiot field has cleared considerably. Two Democrats; Four Republicans (if you count Ron Paul). McCain looks like a shoo-in for the Republicans, barring Mitt Romney magically transforming into a Democrat and back into a Republican (which could very well happen overnight).

They love to throw out the "L" word, don't they? It reminds me of West Virginia churches. It's not even funny anymore, just sad.

As much of the Democratic persuasion as I am, I really wouldn't mind McCain (though folks can and do change in office). McCain seems to openly welcome the opportunity to work with Democrats. I also feel that he will do his utmost to keep us safe. Unlike our current President, I feel he is highly respectful of those in the military... a subject dear to my heart. His age works against him, but he is rather fit.

He would definitely be an improvement to the current status, methinks. No thanks to Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee. I'll vehemently oppose them in office.

-----------------------------------------

Heath Ledger is still on my mind. As I've said before, his passing has effected me more than celebrity before him... James Brown, Christopher Reeve, Steve Irwin, etc.

No, I didn't know Ledger. No, I wasn't his biggest fan, though I was a huge fan of his films... even before he was chosen to play the Joker. "The Patriot" and "The Order" were my two favorites from his filmography. When he was chosen to play the Joker, I rented "Brokeback Mountain" just to see his range. While the movie itself was good (save the horrible music and that one scene), Ledger was phenomenal.

This is going to last a long while. After July, Ledger will become etched into legend. Mark my words.

-----------------------------------------

John Grisham has a new novel out. When I get some dinero, I'll pick up "The Appeal." If you haven't read his works, try "The Last Juror."

-----------------------------------------

Is there some sort of black cloud over marriage? I know, divorce rates are high... what else is new? The reason for asking is that I receive a "how's married life going..." or "are you still glad to be hitched..." at every single turn.

Married life is blissful; I freaking love it. I love being married. I can't stress that enough. Perhaps people are rather stupid when it comes into getting hitched. I see marriage as a freedom, not a prison.

I've had so much bad luck with so many women. I remember all the names, and the legendary failures. I honestly thought God was punishing me because I couldn't find the one. However, when I found the one, life got a whole lot better.

Marriage is work, but it's good work. It's like getting paid for kissing. Best job I've ever had.

-----------------------------------------

The economy is in the shitter... who knew? You know, my guy mentioned the economy long before the idiot parade started. As in years before. Just remember that. As such, Bush is actually working with Democrats... and Congress is actually awake. Who knew? It's going to take a lot more work to fix this mess, though. Trickle-down economics isn't the solution. There are poor people who are in a lot worse shape than those of upper class.

Oh yeah, and the tax cuts Bush wants to make permanent? Guess what? That helps those who have the money, not those without the money. This was done by the C.B.O. (Congressional Budget Office), an independent agency. So this isn't a left-wing conspiracy theory. This is real, and it bites.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/01/08/pf/taxes/bush_tax_cuts/index.htm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61178-2004Aug12.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/08/washington/08tax.html

-----------------------------------------
Personally, I've got a good feeling about some positive change coming my way. A really good feeling. When this change happens, I'll be a happier person.

Ledger Reflection, and Other Junk of Interest

I'm ripped apart about Heath Ledger. We've heard every speculation under the sun about the cause of his death. Unfortunately, there's no evidence to back it up.

News flash: Fred Phelps and his gang of psychopaths are going to picket Ledger's funeral.

On behalf of America at large, I hope Phelps and his friends get their legs broken.

In any case, the bigots at "The Noise" have come out of the woodwork, and the fools at CNN have, too. After all of this, the one entity I did not suspect has been remarkably quiet, showing restraint.

The White House. And as such, thank you, Mr. President... thank you for not making assumptions and letting things run their course. I do not agree with many of your policies or actions, but I wholeheartedly thank you for this.

Those who may not have been fans of Ledger are probably sick of hearing about his death, I understand. However, after July, I believe you may.
--------------------------------


As for returning to a place of normalcy:

Ted Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama yesterday.

So the world is turned upside town. Not quite yet.

Obama is a man of extraordinary vision: perhaps vision grand enough to match statesmen of old. He is also a man of high charisma, and that helps. His movement is picking up steam, and everything is falling into place.

That doesn't mean I'm going to vote for him. I applaud the Senator for bringing Republicans and Independents into his campaign. I also applaud him for withstanding the negative endorsements (welcome to politics).

These recent actions tell me that he is someone of immense strength, someone who can stand up to criticisms. But so can others.

I have yet to hear the Senator lay down a specific plan about anything. However, many who have met him personally say his specifics are incredible... and that's what is making him such an attractive candidate.

So, what does that mean? Absolutely nothing. His momentum is high, and will continue to rise. He may have enough to reach the White House, but it is still far, far too early to tell.


I've made up my mind about who I'm voting for. I'll give you a few hints: he was talking about the state of the economy long before the Presidential campaign began, and he has the most aggressive plan to attack poverty.




Side Note: How can anyone vote for Mitt Romney? Please remember that John Kerry and he were indeed separated at birth.

Heath Ledger Dead at 28

"You know something...

God can be a real prick sometimes."


Those were the words I wrote over at that Batman-on-film boards. Chastise it all you want... but the phrase "God works in mysterious ways" certainly applies here.

I feel sad, angry, and a little bit sick... even as my wife is rubbing my shoulders right now.

I also wrote:

-------------------------------
"I really could care less about the franchise. I really could right now.

Is it strange... to feel so horrible about someone you hardly even know? I don't think so, but it makes you think.

Life is so short, and we take so much for granted.

He was my age, and I've got some real close connections to him. I admire his works, and I think they'll be studied a long time to come.

We've lost a legend, and it makes me angry and sad.

It's really very hard to speak."
-------------------------------

I believe that someone young can achieve legendary status. I also believe that such status is forever, no matter how fleeting mortality can be. This whole ordeal is reflective of how caught up humanity can be in absolutely nothing--the elections, the Dark Knight buzz, job hunting, and even the gas prices.

Some things just don't matter that much. What an event like this does is bring down a sledgehammer right on your chest. It's not fun, and it makes you realize just how human you are.

I've actually shed tears over this... and I'm not the type to fawn over actors. Not even Christopher Reeve or Steve Irwin.

Perhaps it's the closeness I feel with the Dark Knight franchise? It's a bit more than that.

Maybe it was the comments he made about West Virginia, and the implications about the people who live here. I thought it was funny, and yes, West Virginia is full of bigots and the idiots in charge were stupid for banning a film. The film transcended dumb political and social barriers, anyway.

That's what a movie does. It not only entertains, but it takes social context and precursors... and throws them out of the window.
----------------------

I'm not going to be too terribly retrospective, because it hurts to do so.

Someone on the BOF boards posted that "we felt like we knew him," because of his love for the franchise and the character. Maybe. I think each of us needs to look inside of ourselves and remember what's really important.

Family, friends, fun. Life is so short.


I miss you, Heath. I wanted to meet you so badly.

More Weight to the "Ron Paul is a Racist Ass" Assertion?

You decide.


http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/10/paul.newsletters/index.html

My take? I think Paul, despite his internet popularity, needs to give it a rest. Do know I also include Mike Gravel, Fred Thompson, and Duncan Hunter in the "give it a rest" category.

If Kerry and Mitt Met...

Told Ya So; Fair Tax

See... I know a thing or two. When one learns the historical significance of past elections, they can pretty much tell what's going to happen.

As such, you can throw the rulebooks out the window. Obama's victory meant nothing, and it was proven last night in New Hampshire. Guess what? Hillary's victory doesn't mean anything, either. McCain? Huckabee?

Come on, folks... we've got months to sort this mess out. The good part is: we'll be eliminating the idiot field as the weeks pass.

---------------------------------------------
I'm doing some research on the Fair Tax. I have no earthly idea if I support it or not, but I have come to some preliminary conclusions.

1. 23% is a big chunk of change, regardless if the government sends you a prebate.
- Breaking it down for folks like me, the feds send you $391 a month. That's roughly $95 bucks a week. I'm not so sure if that'll cover the costs of groceries and such, especially if you're poor.

2. It would abolish the IRS. That's a lot of folks who are suddenly unemployed, and I'm not sure if there are enough jobs to cover the workers and their families.

3. It's supported by folks like Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, and Sean Hannity... which automatically makes me nervous. But, it's also supported by Mike Gravel. Despite Gravel being a kook and an idealist, I agree with a lot of statements he makes. However, Gravel is the only Democratic candidate who supports the plan. Obama stated that if he wins the Presidency, that he won't veto the bill.

For now, I think the Fair Tax would do more harm than good, simply because I'm barely surviving now. Add in the 23% bonus prize, and I just may crumble. However, I need more information... so I'll dig.

Equally Corrupt: Reds and Blues

The meat of this post comes from here:

http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2007

So, I've got some fessing up to do.

I have no earthly idea who I want to gain the Presidency. I know who I don't want: None of the Republicans (save perhaps McCain), and most of the Democrats (save Edwards, Clinton, Kucinich).

Yeah, I named a Republican... because it's fair to do so. I suppose I could deal with McCain.

By the way, folks... those Iowa results mean nothing.

Back to my original thoughts...

Okay, we know Dennis Kucinich isn't going to win. But, I like the man, and he has the nuts to stand up to Cheney. He's also more left than folks can deal with.

I'm also not jumping on the Obama bandwagon. I think the Republicans could eat him for lunch, because of his lack of experience. But guess what? His lack of experience, as I've said before, is a good thing... fewer voting records to hold against him.

So, Hillary or John?

I'm more of a fan of John Edwards, to be honest... because of his aggressive stances against poverty. I hear about the voices for the middle class... but what about the voice for the poor? I'm poor, and I'm very happy Edwards is speaking out for folks in similar situations as myself. I could care less if he spends $1,000 on a haircut. It makes him weird and funny. Now, if that $1,000 was spent illegally... I'd be the first to rip him apart.

I like Hillary because she's tough as nails, and has the political clout to undo much of the mess the 2008 winner will inherit. But I really don't know.

Most likely: it'll be Hillary or Barack. The Republican race is wide-freaking open.


So, corruption and bigotry.

We'll start with the corruption of Mike Huckabee, a surprise candidate coming to us under the guise of wholesome Christian values. Make no mistake: he's just like the rest of them... only he uses Christianity as a weapon.

So, this guy destroys state government files and has questionable management of his campaign funding. Nothing new. The kicker? He sued the "state ethics commission twice and attempted to shut the ethics process down." Hmmm... he sues the guys who uphold moral principals. That's like saying: I stole your car, but it's ok. Jesus told me to do it.

He does exploit the "religion thing," and he does it well. Check this out:

“Let every one of us make it our priority to bring reconciliation, not so much that we can force it or legislate it, because we cannot, but that we begin in each of our own lives to purpose in our hearts that we will not harbor anger, hostility, prejudice, bigotry and racism toward any person," Arkansas State of the State, 1997.

That was meant in the context of race relations, and I commend him on that. But he said "any person."

So why does he say this...

"There’s never been a civilization that has rewritten what marriage and family means and survived," GQ.

Okay... we know he's not a fan of marriage equality. That's questionable, but that doesn't make him a bigot, right?

"Homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk," 1992.

Ummm... would you like to rethink your statements, some 15 years later?

"Saturday in North Carolina, Huckabee stood his ground and said he believed that homosexuality is sinful and is not normal behavior; that it "is outside the boundaries of man/woman relationship and its tradition of marriage." http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=3974249&page=2

Guess not. So, how to twist it for his supporters? Huckabee's statements were meant in the context of AIDS. After all, it was in the same questionnaire. Well, if so, why is Huckabee mentioning homosexuality in the same vein as HIV?

Because that's what good Christians do. They hide behind the mask of virtue. But they're not bigots, they're just misunderstood.

While we're pondering that, here's a couple of Huckabee gems:

"And the ultimate thing is, I may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night." What exactly does that mean? Holiday Inn Express... foreign policy. The connection? Hmmm... what label is Huckabee mentally applying, if any?

“I was very sick the day of the debate. I had all of the problems with the flu and bronchitis that you have, including running to the bathroom. I was just hanging on. I could not wait until the debate got off so I could go to the bathroom.” –on why he said at a GOP presidential debate that an employer should be allowed to fire gay workers, after previously having blamed a faulty hearing aid for his answer.

Let's be real here: if this guy gets elected, and you aren't a heterosexual Christian...


...you're fucked.



That, ladies and gentlemen, is why we separate church and state.