Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell offered a greeting to delegates to the Republican convention. "It's great to be back in the holy land," the Fort Worth native said to the cheers of the party faithful. For the 4,500 delegates at last week's biennial gathering, it was both an expression of conservative philosophy and religious faith, a melding of church and state.
At Saturday morning's prayer meeting, party leader Tina Benkiser assured them that God was watching over the two-day confab. "He is the chairman of this party," she said against a backdrop of flags and a GOP seal with its red, white and blue logo.
The party platform, adopted Saturday, declares "America is a Christian nation" and affirms that "God is undeniable in our history and is vital to our freedom."
…At Saturday morning's prayer meeting, ministers delivered prayers, gospel singers sang, and the Rev. Dale Young, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Laredo, picked up the convention's dominant theme of immigration.
"Lord, your words tell us there's a sign that this nation is under a curse, when the alien who lives among us grows higher and higher and we grow lower and lower," he preached.
You know, it’s been awhile since I read the New Testament, but I can’t recall Jesus saying anything about signs Americans should watch out for to confirm their nation is under a curse. You’d think I’d remember something like that.
I also don’t remember God being the chairman of the GOP, but I did only minor in Christian theology, so I guess there are a few things I could have missed. Plus, I was taught by Jesuits, and everyone knows that they’re way more interested in education and social justice than real Christian pursuits like gay-bashing and killing abortionists.
The hat tip for this goes to Griffin, who says, “God, this is fucking scary. I'm betting that there will be violence before this is all over.” I wish I could say I thought that was hyperbolic alarmism, but I don’t—because these people are nuts when they’re winning. They were chomping at the bit to get their war on even when they thought George Bush and the two GOP-led houses of Congress were going to fulfill their every psychotic fantasy and deliver Dominionism to America once and for all. As the reality of that pipe dream has finally started to sink in, they’ve only gotten more agitated; some of the movement leaders claim with regularity that we’re already at war. If progressives start making electoral gains, enabling some progressive policy victories, they’re really going to go apeshit. And, sadly, we know all too well what it looks like when fundies go apeshit.
The horror of 9/11 has been cynically invoked so frequently by Bush, to my continual chagrin, that I was reluctant to use that image. But it’s the right image to use. Religious extremists zealously insistent on theocratic rule, infused with a heady dose of xenophobic nationalism and fueled by antagonism toward women and gays, were the architects of 9/11—and they’re the attendees of the GOP convention described above, too. The religions are different, but the avowals of god’s allegiance, the self-righteousness, the asserted moral imperative to oppress,and contempt for equality and diversity are the same. One might even say that the Texas GOP-ers above hate the rest of us for our freedom. Ahem.
Ever so slowly but steadily, one of our two major political parties has become a party of very scary, and very dangerous, extremists. And history tells us that, left unchecked, it will inevitably lead to violence. There was another group of well-known extemists who claimed to have god on their side, and held an unrivaled hatred of non-Christians, Christians who disagreed with them, ethnic minorities, trade unionists, lefties, the LGBT community, and anyone else who could be labeled an enemy of the state. They turned Germany into the site of one of the greatest atrocities humankind has ever witnessed. What stood between the Nazis and six million slaughtered Jews was a complacent populace who feared to confront the tyranny that marched across their land carrying a cross and wrapped in a flag.
This will escalate. The Dominionists are not going to fade away because God’s Own Party loses a couple of elections. The question is: What are we going to do about it?
Me4Pres: “Why was it acceptable for a few judges to decide that President Bush won an election, but not for those same judges to decide an issue like gay marriage?”
President Bush stressed the need for immigrants to learn American values and culture if they are to become citizens, as he paid a visit Wednesday to [Nebraska] where the Hispanic population is on the rise.
Bush said upon his return to Washington, he would sign an executive order creating a task force that will expand English, civics and history classes to help more foreigners assimilate into America…
"One aspect of making sure we have an immigration system that works, that's orderly and fair, is to actively reach out and help people assimilate into our country," Bush said. "That means to learn the values and history and language of America."
Three things on which our president could use a refresher, if you ask me, but I digress.
I’m really annoyed (I know—what else is new?) with the media’s insistence on using headlines like “Bush stresses values for immigrants.” No, he isn’t stressing “values.” He’s stressing “assimilation.” Some people believe that assimilation is a value; others don’t. Others believe that multiculturalism is a value. Just because the president—and his useless party and their asinine supporters—like to cast their opinions of every issue as “values,” while denouncing principled dissent as treasonous, doesn’t mean they’re right. In fact, they’re dead wrong. So spare us the “Bush stresses values” malarkey.
After “stressing values,” Bush then acted like a total arse, as usual. “Bush entered and greeted the students in Spanish and threw them a question they weren't prepared for — how many father-son duos have served as president? The students were stumped, so Bush explained in Spanish that his father was a president and the other team was ‘Juan Adams y su hijo Juan Q.’”
We did not choose to become widowed on September 11, 2001. The attack, which tore our families apart and destroyed our former lives, caused us to ask some serious questions regarding the systems that our country has in place to protect its citizens. Through our constant research, we came to learn how the protocols were supposed to have worked. Thus, we asked for an independent commission to investigate the loopholes which obviously existed and allowed us to be so utterly vulnerable to terrorists. Our only motivation ever was to make our Nation safer. Could we learn from this tragedy so that it would not be repeated?
We are forced to respond to Ms. Coulter's accusations to set the record straight because we have been slandered.
Contrary to Ms. Coulter's statements, there was no joy in watching men that we loved burn alive. There was no happiness in telling our children that their fathers were never coming home again.
(bolds theirs) More at the link. As my friend Deeky said:
speaking as someone who has actually lost a spouse, i can tell you there is no reveling in anything, there is nothing to enjoy in any of it.
Damn right. If Coulter has any shred of human decency left in her black, withered soul, she'll apologize. But I ain't holding my breath.
So, duh, the marriage amendment failed. Again. But its supporters aren’t giving up. Of course not.
"We were hoping to get over 50 percent, but that didn't happen today," said Sen. David Vitter, R-La., one of the amendment's supporters. "Eventually, Congress is going to have to catch up to the wisdom of the American people or the American people will change Congress for the better."
I’m so bloody tired of hearing these retrofuck jackholes invoking “the American people” in support of their homobigotry that I could puke huge chunks. About 39% of Americans support the legalization of gay marriage. It’s not a majority, but is isn’t exactly some teensy wee fringe, either, with support clearly not limited to the LGBT community. There are lots of straight American people whose “wisdom” is on the side of equality. Constantly referring to “the American people” as if we’re this monolithic force opposed to gay marriage—which has the unrelentingly infuriating side effect of implying that the LGBT community aren’t themselves American people—is driving me up one wall and down another.
I am an American person. I support full equality. I don’t have anything concrete to gain personally from the legalization of gay marriage. And I swear to the fates if I hear “the American people” used one more time in place of the correct terminology, which would be something along the lines of “the collection of bigoted shitballs who want to codify discrimination into the Constitution in order to retain their stranglehold on the fading remnants of their undeserved privilege,” I will lose my bleeding mind.
Sent to me by Shaker JL, who kindly consented to let me post it.
Sonnet 116 to Bushco
(no apologies needed to Shakespeare, who was himself somewhat queer)
Let us now to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love That does not heterosexually bind, Nor has approval from the powers above. Oh no! 'tis a liberal philosophy of death and gloom By God and right-ful Christians forsaken; It moves marriage to the very edge of doom— Which requires this constitutional step be taken. Such marriages are a sad and sinful blunder, A horrible, iniquitous blot upon the nation, And, besides, will cause the people to wonder About their own stale sexual orientation. If this be error and upon us proved, We should from White House and senate be summarily removed.
With an estimated 40 percent of first marriages ending in divorce, Cue is surely not the only divorcee left holding the baguettes. Or wedding dress or platinum band, for that matter.
What's a girl to do? So what's one to do with that stuff?
For women like Cue, finding a private buyer for an old engagement ring is "the best scenario," says Bert Wait, owner of Hinsdale Fine Jewelry Co., in Oak Brook, Ill. A private sale can bring about 50 percent of the ring's retail price, excluding sales tax, he says. The remaining 50 percent can be credited to a jeweler's overhead, he says.
The article also suggests, "don't forget the internet!" and consignment possibilities, when your marraige goes sour and you don't know what do to with the stuff.
I'd go into a long rant about this, but I'm sure you can see where I'm going.
Miller advises sellers to keep it less personal, even having a friend write the listing. Then, to ensure traffic, she says, always include a photo -- but not one from the big day with a big white dot over the bride and groom's once-happy faces. "It's creepy!"
Former Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray won yesterday’s election to fill the vacated House seat left empty by disgraced ethical nightmare and prominent Hookergate figure Randy “Duke” Cunningham, beating his Dem challenger by what Chris Bowers thinks to be about 5%.
Bilbray isn’t just a former Congressman, though. He’s spent the interim between his two stints in DC as a lobbyist with ethical issues, making him the perfect choice to replace Duke friggin’ Cunningham.
LOS ANGELES -- After being shuttered for more than 15 years, the doors to "Pee-wee's Playhouse" are being reopened. The Emmy Award-winning show will get new life on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup, which will air all 45 original episodes beginning July 10, company officials announced Monday.
"I'd say this is a dream come true," actor Paul Reubens said in a statement.
Reubens, 53, created the bow-tie wearing Pee-wee Herman in 1978 as a member of the L.A.-based comedy troupe, the Groundlings. Known for his big laugh and small suit, Pee-wee gained worldwide fame in 1985 as the star of his own movie, "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," directed by Tim Burton.
The film's success led to "Pee-wee's Playhouse," which originally aired Saturday mornings on CBS beginning in 1986.
Woo-hoo! Okay, so it's not new episodes or anything, but here's hoping that this might nudge the long-rumored new Pee-Wee movie into the green light stage. I'm just happy to see the greatest show in the history of television back on the air! Plus, it'll give us another chance to see Tito, the smokin' hot Playhouse pool lifeguard. Woof.
Come on in, and pull yourself up a chair! (That's Chairry!) Let the fun begin, it's time to let down your hair! Pee-Wee's sure excited, (Uh-huh!) 'Cause all his friends have been invited (That's you!) To go wacky... at Pee-Wee's Playhouse! (Arrrrrrrrr!)
(Is this something you can share with the rest of us, Amazing Cross-post?)
People who are upset by the New York Times' focus on the marital situation of Hillary and Bill Clinton should be grateful that the Clintons aren't getting the treatment the Times is giving to GOP Representative and doomed Senate candidate Katherine Harris. Oy, vey:
When a supporter in a Venice veterans hall said he once witnessed Ms. Harris leave her vehicle to escort a turtle across a highway, she became gravely serious.
"All of my life I have stopped for turtles," she said firmly, even defensively, as if someone had challenged her commitment to turtle safety.
When the Times uses you as a punch line, your national stature is nonexistent. Thank God Harris is soldiering on! The Dems need that Senate seat very badly.
Since we have many new Shakers, Shakes and I thought it'd be interesting to retake one of the more popular political idealogy quizzes on the 'net and see ShakerLand results.
This is the making of the video for In the Future When All's Well, one of my favorite tracks off Mozza's new album, which I imagine well have resonance for lots of Shakers, even if they're not Mozza fans. Every day, I play a sad game called in the future when all's well... It's just set to the track, which is rockin'.
His videos always suck; this making of is probably better than the final video will be.
Gay marriage amendment faces Senate defeat—“The constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is headed toward certain defeat Wednesday despite a fresh appeal for passage by President Bush.”
Awwww. I’m all broken up about the failure of yet another cynical attempt by the GOP to rally the base by spending three days debating the legislative equivalent of schoolyard bully staple Smear the Queer. A special bravo to supertastic suckass John McCain for refusing to support the amendment on the grounds that the American people are bigoted enough to protect marriage without the help of the federal government, thereby giving himself the wiggle room to claim during the 2008 presidential election that he’s not as wingnutty as Bush and the rest of the GOP.
Despite decent weather, White House organizers moved President Bush's endorsement of the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage from the austere and unmistakably presidential Rose Garden, where invitations last week advertised it would be, into a plain room with blue curtains at an office building next door.
“A package of incentives presented Tuesday to Iran includes a provision for the United States to supply Tehran with some nuclear technology if it stops enriching uranium — a major concession by Washington, diplomats said.”
According to the NYT, “Washington has also offered to waive trade sanctions against Iran to allow the purchase of American agricultural appliances and the sale of Boeing aircraft parts, along with aircraft and parts from Airbus, according to government officials.”
Iran is considering the deal, which was agreed on last week by the US, Britain, France, China, Russia, and Germany, the first five of which are, of course, the five members of the UN Security Council with veto power. That the Security Council is strongly backing the deal puts additional pressure on Iran to negotiate, which is a good thing, but I wouldn’t start holding my breath for world peace just yet—or even a peaceful solution to the Iran-nukes situation. The neocons continue to beat the drum on Iran, and I fear that the “major concessions” being offered by DC will be rejected and summarily used to justify whatever insanofuck tactics we move onto next. I hope I’m wrong.
First of all, I don’t care what anyone says; I love Kathy Griffin. And telling me she’s annoying and nuts doesn’t dissuade me, because that’s precisely why I love her.
So, this morning, she was also on The Today Show, after Our Lady of the Perpetual Projectile Vomiting, and here’s what she had to say about old Annie while she chatted with Al Roker: “I’d like to go after Ann Coulter. I saw that nutbag on the show earlier. What’s she doing wearing a cocktail dress at seven in the morning? …Doesn’t she just make stuff up, Al? Who fact checks? …Can I get on the real show next time?” Video here.
I love it when Al Roker tells her, “This is the real show,” and she goes, “Al!” all disgustedly. Totally right. Anything +1 Coulter = 0 Credibility.
Elite special forces troops being dropped behind enemy lines on covert missions are to ditch their traditional parachutes in favour of strap-on stealth wings.
The lightweight carbon fibre mono-wings will allow them to jump from high altitudes and then glide 120 miles or more before landing - making them almost impossible to spot, as their aircraft can avoid flying anywhere near the target…
The manufacturers claim the ESG wing is '100 per cent silent' and 'extremely difficult' to track using radar.
Supposedly, soldiers using the stealth wings can be deployed from an aircraft out of enemy territory and then glide up to 120 miles carrying 200 pounds of equipment. The wings comes equipped with an oxygen supply and stabilization and navigation guides.
Okay, in all seriousness, these stealth wings are very cool, especially if they’re capable of doing what the manufacturer claims. Being a rather war-averse type, I’m not predisposed to get my panties in a bunch about new weaponry, but I do like anything that can better protect our troops—and having just watched Band of Brothers, with images of Easy Company men parachuting through a bomb-lit night sky or strung up in trees by their parachutes still fresh in my mind, these seem pretty cool.
On the other hand, there are stories like this, which make me feel all oogy and distrusting of new technologies that make secret missions more executable. But in the balance, I’d rather just elect people who make wise military decisions and give the troops the cool and potentially much safer gadgetry.
Study says millions have 'rage' disorder—“To you, that angry, horn-blasting tailgater is suffering from road rage. But doctors have another name for it — intermittent explosive disorder — and a new study suggests it is far more common than they realized, affecting up to 16 million Americans.”
Well, I don’t know about the other 15,999,999 of you, but my rage disorder made its first appearance in November of 2000, had a rather alarming peak in November of 2004, and will, I predict, with any luck diminish significantly in November of 2008.
(That picture totally looks exactly like me, btw. I swear it could be a photograph of angry Shakes. Those who were at the meet-up will surely confirm this is exactly what I looked like after I walked out of An Inconvenient Truth; I was even wearing a red shirt.)
Hosts of a chat show on a Hong Kong radio station apologized Tuesday for an Internet survey asking its listeners to vote which actress they would most like to sexually assault…
"The program hosts and co-workers publicly apologize for any offence that the Internet poll 'Which female artiste would you most like to sexually assault' caused to female artistes and everyone in Hong Kong," a message posted on the radio Web site said.
The hosts also promised to be more careful in selecting the content of its shows in future.
No matter how many outrageous things I read like this, it never ceases to amaze me that there’s anyone left on earth who thinks something like that could be funny, or in any way not completely and utterly fucking offensive. The mind boggles.
Welcome to Shakesville, a progressive feminist blog about politics, culture, social justice, cute things, and all that is in between. Please note that the commenting policy and the Feminism 101 section, conveniently linked at the top of the page, are required reading before commenting.
Get out your tiny violins!
