Tales From The Far Right

Just when you think you've heard all the extremism from the far right ... here comes a little something extra.

Think Progress has an article about an extremist nut out in Wisconsin who apparently is trying to ban homosexuality. The nut in this case is a man named Ernest J. Pagels Jr. who is fighting an uphill battle to unseat Sen. Russ Feingold for a U.S. Senate seat. Fat chance. But, his candidacy does reveal the growing extremism on the right wing. If you watch Fox News then you probably would not know about this situation. In all honesty, if you exclusively watch Fox News you would think the only news are two thugs from the New Black Panther Party are taking over the world.

That is the big story right now the far right is advancing through its media outlet: Fox News.

But, back to Pagels. How do you ban homosexuality? Isn't this 2010?

PAGELS: Hi my name is Ernest J. Pagels Jr., I’m a born again Christian, a U.S. veteran and a very conservative Republican. I’m running for U.S. Senate from the state of Wisconsin and if elected I will initiate a bill to outlaw homosexuality, abortion, and all forms of pornography. I think these are three ills that are plaguing our nation and bringing it down. And if elected, I will also initiate a bill for a Constitutional amendment which prohibits Congress and the President from spending more money than they bring in. My name is Ernest J. Pagels, Jr. and I hope you vote for me on September 14.

These nuts just seem to fall from the trees of stupidity and bigotry.

The sad part is that people will vote for this man.

I’ve Changed My Mind About Sen. Harry Reid’s Comments

I’ve taken an opportunity to reexamine the controversial comments of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. And, as a result of taking another look at his words, I’ve changed my mind and I think he was pretty much on target with what he said (even if it may come at a bit of a political cost). Reid is right when he speaks of the obstructionists who are akin to those who barked against women’s rights, the Civil Rights Movement, the movement to abolish slavery and the movement for fundamental fairness for GLBTs (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender). We hear the same words: slow down, lets take it slow, lets take a closer look, we’re moving too fast, it’s too soon, be patient, things will work out … blah, blah, blah.

The Senate Majority Leader is right as you read the comments he made that has pushed him into the spotlight.

“Instead of joining us on the right side of history, all the Republicans can come up with is, ’slow down, stop everything, let’s start over.’ If you think you’ve heard these same excuses before, you’re right,” Reid said Monday. “When this country belatedly recognized the wrongs of slavery, there were those who dug in their heels and said ’slow down, it’s too early, things aren’t bad enough.’”

He continued: “When women spoke up for the right to speak up, they wanted to vote, some insisted they simply, slow down, there will be a better day to do that, today isn’t quite right.

“When this body was on the verge of guaranteeing equal civil rights to everyone regardless of the color of their skin, some senators resorted to the same filibuster threats that we hear today.”

Note that conservatives latched onto the race aspect of what Reid said and all but ignored the full context of what he said when he talked about the rights of women as well? You can believe this is no accident. Once again, the diversity-lacking Republicans are trying to use race as a way of attacking black people and fueling resentment in the hearts of some whites who might be predisposed with the election of Barack Obama.

In what is an almost balanced story (that is saying something for Fox News) comes an interesting comment that puts it all in perspective:

Richard Harpootlian, former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, said the comparison was a sign of “silly season in Washington.”

“We see Harry Reid saying silly things on one side, we see Republicans talking about killing grandma on the other — wake up, Washington,” he said.

So true in some ways, but in other ways I can understand where Sen. Reid is coming from with his statement.

Harpootlian does have a point in that the rhetoric is getting wild.

Rep. Steve King Of Iowa Pleased With His Vote Against Aid For Katrina Victims

This article from Think Progress highlights one of the more pitiful politicians in this country.

Rep. Steve King, who is from Iowa and is one of the far-right extremists in the Republican party, has come out with yet another appalling statement that spits in the face of the horrors of Hurricane Katrina and its many victims. While many politicians swell with pride related to the good things they can do to help their country and to help people in need overcome tragedies, this man takes the opposite viewpoint. Sadly, there are people voting for this disgraceful man who routinely makes outrageous statements and thumbs his nose and what he seems to view as lesser people or dumb people (as far too many people have called the victims of Hurricane Katrina) or morally corrupt people. This is how far too many in our society think of people who they see as beneath them. Some people feel like they can’t be on top unless they’re standing on the neck of someone who is under them. King was one of only 11 members of Congress to vote against the $52 billion aid package (one that was passed unanimously by the Senate).

Here is part of what King said to The Hill as he reveals his proudest moment as a lawmaker:

THE HILL: What vote would you like to redo?

KING: I don’t really go back and re-live that sort of thing. Some of the big votes that I’ve thought about, some of the jury’s still out. And at this point, maybe I’d answer that question another way, probably the singular vote that stands out that went against the grain, and it turns out to be the best vote that I cast, was my “no” vote to the $51.5 billion to [Hurricane] Katrina. That probably was my best vote. But as far as doing something different again, I don’t know.

Think Progress adds this nugget:

Media Matters Action Network’s Matt Finkelstein writes, “Katrina killed 1,464 in Louisiana alone and uprooted the lives of countless others all over the gulf region. Yet, King says this was his ‘best’ moment in Congress. Not fighting for ‘conservative principles’ like smaller government, lower taxes, or a strong national defense — no, he’s most proud of opposing relief for victims of a catastrophe.”

Nice of Rep. King to spit in the faces of these people who died and/or had their lives and everything they’ve worked for destroyed not once but twice. After spitting in their faces once, voting down this bill, he comes back and spits in their faces again by proclaiming how proud he is to have voted against this relief effort.

Think Progress:
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/09/22/king-katrina/

Sen. Lindsey Graham Plays Up Sexist Stereotype With Sonia Sotomayor

Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is under pressure to attack Judge Sonia Sotomayor while trying not to offend Latinos all over the country, continues to walk the tightrope. Sadly, however, in trying to rough up Sotomayor, during her U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings, he played into an old stereotype that dogs women, but is hardly thought of when it comes to men: temperament. It would be different if Graham had some kind of hard evidence from multiple people to back him up, but by simply throwing such an allegation out there he comes across as embracing a negative stereotype of Sotomayor that seems to have no evidence to back it up and does not seem out of line based on what happens with other male judges.

From POLITICO:

Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sonia Sotomayor’s temperament “sticks out like a sore thumb” compared to other judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York.

Sotomayor said she asks “tough questions in oral argument” and there are a lot of lawyers “who are unfamiliar with the process in the Second Circuit” that they find “difficult and challenging.”

“If I may interject here, is that they find you difficult and challenging,” Graham said. “Do you think you have a temperament problem?”

“No, sir,” Sotomayor said. “I can only talk about what I know about my relationship with the judges of my court and with the lawyers who appear regularly from our circuit.”

While she is talking about her record and her relationships with judges and lawyers, people like Lindsey Graham are trying to smear her with rumors and stereotypes.

Now, if you follow the nuts over at Fox Nation you’d think Graham did something worth something. But, in the end, he fell flat like the rest of the Republicans are going to do if they follow the lead of Jeff Sessions and Lindsey Graham and continue with this stupidity.

Rush Limbaugh Being Called Out For Race-Based Attacks On Judge Sonia Sotomayor

Here is an advertisement that calls out de facto Republican leader Rush Limbaugh for his attacks on Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who is being nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Many Latinos, and people of all races, are becoming fed up with the attacks on Sotomayor, who is highly qualified for the U.S. Supreme Court.

As Expected, Fox News Downplays Democrats Super Majority In The Senate

It’s no big surprise that Fox News would come up with some way of pouring salt on the election of Sen. Al Franken (now that Norm Coleman has conceded).

Like an oasis in the desert, the 60-vote Democratic supermajority is a mirage.

Yes, former comedian Al Franken is now Minnesota’s senator-elect — thanks to the state Supreme Court’s ruling Tuesday — giving Democrats enough members in the Senate to hit a filibuster-proof majority. This is no laughing matter.

But that’s on a really, really good day. For all intents and purposes, Democrats don’t truly have 60 votes in the Senate.

With the addition of Franken, they technically have 58. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., caucus with Democrats but don’t define themselves that way.

While there is some truth to this Sanders, Lieberman and even Arlen Specter are wild cards) … leave it to Fox News to pour salt on something that is a positive for Democrats.

Fox News:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/01/democrats-senate-supermajority-strong-advertised/