Posted by High Priestess Kang as Politics
Much scuttlebutt on t3h t00bz today regarding Sarah Palin and her herd of children. This should provide some clarification to the rumours floating around.
Palin says 17-year-old daughter is pregnant
ST. PAUL, Minn. — John McCain’s running mate Sarah Palin said Monday that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter is five months pregnant, an announcement aimed at rebutting Internet rumors that Palin’s youngest son, born in April, was actually her daughter’s.
A statement released by the campaign said that Bristol Palin will keep her baby and marry the child’s father. Bristol Palin is five months pregnant, and the baby is due in late December.
“Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents,” Sarah and Todd Palin said in the brief statement.
“Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family,” they added.
Sarah Palin’s son Trig was born in April with Down syndrome. Internet bloggers have been suggesting that the child was actually born to Bristol Palin but that her mother, the Alaska governor, claimed to be the mother.
McCain adviser Mark Salter said the campaign announced the daughter’s pregnancy to rebut those rumors.
Senior McCain advisers said the Arizona senator and his top aides had known about Bristol’s pregnancy before offering Palin the No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket.
“Senator McCain’s view is this is a private family matter. As parents, (the Palins) love their daughter unconditionally and are going to support their daughter,” said McCain spokesman Steve Schmidt.
Said Schmidt: “Life happens.”
So there you have it. It’s perfectly ok to have sex outside of wedlock (so much for that abstinence platform, eh?) but you gotta keep the baby if you do.
Who is does Bristol think she is? Jamie Lynn Spears?
Posted by High Priestess Kang as Politics
…is the female Dan Quayle.
Discuss.
Posted by Dock Ellis as Celebrations, Guest Author, LOL Douchebags, Op/Ed, Politics
July 4, 2008 was a great day for America- it was the day we were finally rid of the cancer known as Jesse Helms. Helms was an evil, racist man who repeatedly tried to send our nation back to the dark ages with his hypocritical mix of professed christianity, support for big business, and hatred/fear of anyone who wasn’t white and heterosexual. The modern Neocon movement has its beginnings with Helms’ early understanding that scared, angry white men vote in droves.
To give the devil his due, Helms was one of the most effective operators in 20th century American politics. He (along with fellow racist Strom Thurmond) brought the south out of it’s antebellum political rut and helped found the Republican juggernaut that rapes our land today. Helms was in the first wave of politicians that revived the Republican party in the south with a molotov coctail of religion, racism, and good ol’ boy populism. “White people, wake up before it is too late. Do you want Negroes working beside you, your wife and your daughters, in your mills and factories?” read a 1950 ad Helms worked on for Senator Willis Smith. He also famously referred to the 1964 Civil Rights Act as “the single most dangerous piece of legislation ever introduced in the Congress”.
In 1972, Helms became the first Republican Senator from North Carolina of the 20th century. Four years later he backed Ronald Reagan in the state’s presidential primary, handing Reagan’s lost cause campaign a victory that revived him enough to pose a serious challenge to Gerald Ford at the Republican convention that year. Reagan lost the primary, but was positioned to take the party’s nomination in 1980- something that would have been impossible without the 1976 win in North Carolina.
Helms was savvy enough to know that fear and divisiveness alone don’t ensure victory at the polls, so he often resorted to old-fashioned cheating. Helms’ North Carolina Congressional Club was repeatedly fined by the Federal Election Commission for illegally financing his campaigns. In 1992, the Helms campaign itself was penalized by the FEC for for mailing postcards to 125,000 black voters, threatening them with jail if they tried to exercise their right to vote.
For someone who professed such deep christianity, Helms racked up quite a reputation as a slumlord in Raleigh, even having separate management companies to handle his properties in the white and black sections of town.
It would be nice to believe that the death of Jesse Helms is symbolic of the decline of the politics of fear in our country- that maybe someday raising a boogyman (communists, blacks, muslims, gays, etc) won’t be enough to win elections or push agendas that go against the interests of average, working Americans.
I guess we’ll see in November.
Posted by High Priestess Kang as Politics, Tentacle Wagging
…thinks the citizens of North Carolina are idiots. Or at least her campaign staff does.
Since late January, early February, North Carolina Gubernatorial candidate, Bev Perdue has been spewing her vitriol in television commercials. Instead of focusing on the issues at hand, Ms Perdue has unleashed her inner fury and frustration on fellow candidate, Richard Moore.
I had been meaning to send a little note to Perdue’s campaign staff. Alas, between the vigil for John Aherne and my new job, other things took precedence. Monday night, an article on WRAL’s website reminded me that I had been remiss in my duties as a good steward of the electoral process. I managed to carve out a few moments to write the following:
I have been meaning to send a message to Ms Perdue regarding the campaign ads on television as of late. Fortunately, WRAL’s website reported this story: http://www.wral.com/news/local/politics/story/2655617/ which served as a wonderful reminder.
I must say that I am entirely appalled by Ms Perdue’s behavior with respect to the Gubernatorial Campaign. I am currently an undecided, registered Democrat. I recognize the fine service both Ms Perdue and Mr Moore have provided/performed for our State. Ms Perdue’s incessant barrage of negative attacks on Mr Moore have been nothing but repugnant and a detriment to the cause of keeping the Democrat party in the Governor’s office.
I iterate that I remain undecided at this point in time. However, if Ms Perdue and campaign staff does not cease with the unnecessary vitriol, I will be happily voting for Mr Moore.
Shame on your campaign for this blatant level of hypocrisy. You must believe the entire electorate is completely devoid of any intelligence if you think that anyone would accept Ms Perdue’s flagrant coquettishness and ridiculous position regarding negativity given that she is so astute in dishing it out. I cannot decide whether the campaign or Ms Perdue is at fault for this form of low-brow behavior. But the article referenced above does not positively reflect on the campaign given what I have been subjected to whilst I attempt to watch television.
/High Priestess Kang
Raleigh, NC
The kind folks of Ms Perdue’s campaign responded with the following:
Dear High Priestess Kang,
We would MUCH rather talk about the issues facing the next governor of North Carolina and that is what this campaign has been focused on. Bev Perdue has released many detailed policy proposals, made many important speeches. Our ad campaign was focused on what Bev will do for the future of our state.
Unfortunately Richard Moore began the negative attacks almost two weeks ago, and we are in a position where we must respond. Too often Democrats have learned the hard way what happens when you don’t fight back. It’s unfortunate that’s the way campaigns are run.
Remember that while attacks between the campaigns continue, that does not stop Bev from talking about the real issues that will confront the next governor. Thanks for the e-mail. We certainly sympathize with your concerns.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Hughes
Bev Perdue Camp
klhughes@bevperdue.com
HUH?
How did I fail to make myself clear? These commercials, these attack ads, have been airing since late winter. It’s phucking April. There is no way these people think I cannot read a calendar properly.
Wow.
Ms Perdue’s negative ads have been airing far longer than the past two weeks so I highly doubt the campaign is simply, “reacting.” You must think I am a complete moron.
If you truly, “sympathize” you would simply take the high road and focus on the issues. There is nothing wrong with exhibiting a bit of class and dignity.
Let the Republicans act poorly. That’s their milieu; not yours.
/High Priestess Kang
What I have learned from this exchange:
- Bev Perdue’s campaign staff underestimates the intelligence of the electorate
- Bev Perdue’s campaign staff feels poor behavior is tolerable
- Bev Perdue’s campaign staff obviously lacks in reading comprehension abilities *or* doesn’t take the time to listen to the issues
Given the above, I can say, with certainty that I will be marching off to the polls on Primary Day to vote for Richard Moore. If this group of rabid tossers cannot listen to a concerned citizen during the campaign season, what on earth would leave me to believe they would listen to the voters about anything during service?
I have no delusions of grandeur. Nor do I feel that my thoughts are of such esteemed importance that I should be listened to all of the time (ok…I do). But this exchange, this display of utter ambivalence grinds my gears and frustrates me to no end.
It’s one thing to (inherently) know that elected officials view us all as common tools. It’s another thing to have the shit in your mailbox after a long day of work, earning income and putting taxes back into a system where only a few will ever reap benefits.
Posted by Ming the Merciless as Guest Author, Ming the Merciless, Op/Ed, Politics, Rants, Religion
In response to a statment that “unborn children” have a right to life:
“But no one has the right to live off another human being against their will either, which is why we don’t have legislation forcing the donation of blood, marrow, and other other organs. One thing recognized in the civilized nations of the world is an individual’s–man or woman (at least in theory)–basic right to physical sovereignty. This is also why we outlaw slavery.
You may find abortion morally reprehensible, unconscionable, and even an offense worthy of eternal damnation, but if the argument is that a fetus qualifies as a person with all the attendant rights and protections thereof, it must also be subject to the same responsibilities and limitations. And one of those limitations is that it may not force the involuntary physical or biological servitude of another, regardless of the cost to the fetus. Just as you cannot force someone else to donate bone marrow to you even if you would die without it.
The choice to allow another person to use your body as a life support system, and to face all the attendant physical dangers that places you in, should always reside with you, and you alone. It’s a decision that you should be able to make for yourself, taking into account your beliefs, your circumstances, and what is physically, mentally, and emotionally the best choice for you without a course of action being forced on you by the state, a religion (and not necessarily your own, at that), or another person.
And approaching it intelligently, that also entails a responsible society that will provide for the needs of a child (including food, shelter, clothing, and education) when the parent or parents are unable to do so, and without removing the child from the parent–the pat suggestion that someone birth children in order to relenquish them for adoption if they are unable to provide for them turns my stomach, especially considering all the unwanted, unloved children already in existence that are suffering in orphanages and foster care systems. Unfortunately the ability to provide for a child often weighs heavily in the decision to have an abortion. I personally find that a terrible affront to the concept of choice.”
(Quoted with permission of the author)
Posted by High Priestess Kang as IJC, LOL J00z, Politics, Religion
The January 2008 - Tevet/Sh’vat 5768 issue of the Raleigh Cary Jewish Federation News landed in my postbox the other day. It’s interesting reading, even though I am not active in the local Jewish scene (for reasons you will glean from my post). Over a bowl of Rice Krispies, I peruse the paper and stumble across something rather upsetting. And embarrassing.
There is an article written by Susan Behrend about Dr Sandra Alfonsi’s address to Beth Meyer Synagogue in Raleigh. Dr Sandra Alfonsi is the head of Hadassah’s Curriculum Watch. According to the article (and some very brief googling), Dr Alfonsi speaks at various engagements, reporting on the, “widespread attempt on the part of educators to present material about Islam, to help students understand some of the conflicts in the world today, especially 09.11.” The article goes on to explore the sources which are universities with departments of Middle Eastern Studies and with money given by Saudi Arabia.
According to Dr Alfonsi, the text is riddled with inaccuracies about Israel and the Holocaust.
Furthermore, the article states:
- Lesson plans on the Israel-Palestine conflict direct students to pressure the government to cut off aid to Israel.
- Social Studies texts list the names of the world religions deleting all mention of Jews and Judaism.
- Discussion of the Bible starts at Exodus, not Genesis, thus deleting all connection of the Jews to the land that is currently Israel.
- Some material presenting Islam to American students has them practicing Islamic prayers.
The article goes on to report that Dr Alfonsi has met with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to express concerns and ask questions about textbooks being considered.
As Jews, it is imperative, per our teaching/scripture, to learn. The pursuit of learning is paramount to Judaism. And here we sit, as some sort of book-burning witch hunt, criticising what is in texts. Now, in practice, I do not disagree with being concerned about inaccurate portrayals of history. History has been revised for many years to facilitate whatever political process the student lives in/under. I do find it disconcerting that history may have been bastardized. I also find it disconcerting that the article fails to demonstrate exactly how history has been bastardized.
What really concerns me is this level of fear mongering, however.
Are Jewish children, Christian children, children who are agnostic, atheist, Buddhist, Humanist, etc… not supposed to learn about the Islamic faith? How are the children, the future of any society, supposed to learn without exploring all religions? And…why are demands being made that children learn one way but not the other?
The article cites valid concerns. I feel compelled to repeat that. On the other hand, I cannot help but take away a sense of witch-huntery and a strong, Zionist message.
One of the things that drove me away from routine worship was the fact that I could not find a synagogue that did not co-mingle politics and faith. I want to be able to worship without hearing dramatic accounts of how certain Jewish sects in Israel discriminate against others. I want to be able to worship without being hit up for bucks to support Israel.
All of this is very challenging for me to wrap my head around, since, as I age, I become more comfortable with the need for Israel. Jews do need a homeland to protect them from disgusting and horrific events such as the Holocaust. 5,700+ years has proven that the concept of being anti-Semitic isn’t going anywhere.
On the other hand, what does it say about a group of people who are expressing deep concern about children learning something which may be different? Doesn’t that show fear? Doesn’t that demonstrate some level of intolerance? Doesn’t that make us just as guilty as those who persecute us?
Sparky and Adam Smith’s son goes to a fantastic school in Morrisville. Shortly before Christmas, Dock and I went to Sparky and Adam’s house for a cup of holiday sneer. We looked at some schoolwork from Sparky Jr. It was a coloring book of all the major religious holidays, Christmas, Eid, Chanukkah (ok…that’s not major but you get my drift) and Diwali. The exercise was to teach the children that there is more out there than what is practiced in their home. This promotes tolerance. This promotes actual education. This promotes harmony and understanding. This makes me want to send whatever offspring I have to that exact, same school.
What happens if we take that which is different out of textbooks simply because of politics?
While I appreciate Dr Alfonsi’s desire to protect history and report, accurately, on the Jewish struggle, I cannot help but feel compromised by the fact that someone is willing to censor and limit knowledge. I cannot help but question our own actions. I cannot help but wonder if we are doing the same thing we, as a religious minority, resent in a Christian society.
So long as it is an, “us against them” mentality, there will never be peace in the Middle East or anywhere else for that matter. This is not to discount the great, “Islamic threat” to the world (and I gag as I write this). But there is also a great, “Christian threat” and a great, “Jewish threat.” So long as there is rabid ideology, understanding will never be reached.
One cannot demand accuracy, equal time and fairness without offering it up, themselves. One cannot condemn financing from one nation with a political agenda, while accepting and/or donating money to a similar cause. One cannot turn to an institute of higher learning for accurate facts to support their ideology and condemn those who do the same thing simply because they disagree. This stinks of hypocrisy.
Perhaps I am the, “Worst Jew in the World” for thinking this. Perhaps I will be ostracised for not fully supporting this endeavour. That is a risk I am willing to take. I cannot, as a Jew, ask for tolerance and respect without offering it up myself. I cannot, as a minority, expect equality when I’m not willing to grant it. I cannot, as a human being, allow anyone to remain fully ignorant so long as I have my keyboard and an internet connection.
The risk is too great.
It is one thing to ask for equal time and accuracy in historical reporting. It is another thing to act is if your message is the only message which needs to be heard.
Aren’t we better than this?
*note: unfortunately, this article is not on-line, otherwise, I would have done due diligence and linked it.
Posted by High Priestess Kang as Politics
How pathetic is it that I’m currently heaving a sigh of relief as the results from New Hampshire trickle in. I never thought I would see the day when I would be happy that Traitorous Whore, John McCain, would be victorious.
But it’s a hell of a lot better than Jeebus - I mean Mike Suckabee.
Now…I patiently engage in KoL time waste, waiting for the results of the Democrats.
Posted by High Priestess Kang as Politics
Bless dlisted and all who post there. Scoot on over and read the Caption This contest.
If I see Suckabee poorly fondling the bass in order to make some out-of-tune sound one more time on the television, I swear to phucking G-d I’m pulling an Elvis.
And will someone please do something about Chuck Norris, too? I beseech thee! Enough of t3h M0rris!!!
Posted by High Priestess Kang as Politics
…love them some Huckabee.
Iowans are raptured by that hunk-a-hunk o’ burnin’ love that is Mike Huckabee.
On one hand, this is frightening. The white evangelicals are not going to relent. Why should they? They have Jeebus on their side and our condemned souls cruising directly to hell. Furthermore, it’s all too apparent that religious America still hasn’t learned from past mistakes. Then again, when you absorb dogma and gospel without questioning anything, you’re not exact one for intellectual learning, right?
On the other hand…what a belated Christmas pressie for the Liberals. You know, those save the whale lovin’ Liberals who like science and sinful, non-Christian beliefs.
This should prove to be very interesting if the train to salvation through presidential elections keeps on chuggin’ along.
Suddenly, I feel like vomiting.
Posted by High Priestess Kang as Politics
What a dreadful sounding word, “caucus.” Reminds me of mucus. Blech.
Anyhoooo…the madness officially begins today.
Several things spring to mind on Caucus Day. First and foremost, being a later primary state, I really do not care for another State leading the charge as it relates to the party nominee. I have as much in common with the average Iowan as they have in common with the average, big city liberal. Thank goodness other states have taken the initiative to bump up their respective primary days. As it stands, I am more in line with those wacky, zany, crazy Californians than anyone else.
I will be spending the day, glued to the television, watching the news, as is my wont.
With respect to the Democrats, I am still finding it challenging to take Obama and Clinton to heart. Obama resonates of a Jimmy Carter, lacking the appropriate ties to Washington to impact change. Congress will render him inert and he would be a one-termer. Clinton, bless her heart, I do like her. Unfortunately, I’m in the minority and I fear a failed run by Hillary would set women candidates back. No matter how far we come in this country, the sad fact of the matter is that women are still not taken seriously as leaders (in business or politics).
My pipe dream would be seeing Gravel or Kucinich kicking ass and taking names. Alas, the truly smart candidates never advance. Today…today I will be putting my eggs in the Edwards basket.
That said, I find the Democrats to be a giant yawn fest. I’m looking forward to the potential blood letting of the Republicans. Primarily because every single candidate is as unsavory as herpes.
Fortunately, Giuliani has been exposed for the Chicken Little he is. He’s scum. Scum that would have been relegated to New York state politics had 09.11 not happened. A footnote, if you wish.
Romney…I must say, I don’t find him nearly as horrifying as most of the Republican candidates. Out of the pool, he frightens me the least. …So long as he would keep to the politics and mindset that he adopted as Governor of Massachusetts. Sure, he’s a snake. Sure, he’s an opportunistic eel. The one thing everyone overlooks about Romney is what you see is what you get. An opportunistic eel who will change with the direction of the wind for political expediency. But he is effective.
Huckabee is a phucking freak. Charismatic, sure. Aside from that…I don’t want him anywhere near the Oval Office. He shouldn’t be able to go there on a White House tour. For as much as people hem and haw about a potentially Mormon president, I find that much more tolerable than some sort of Right Winged, Neo-Con Christian, former Baptist Minister president. Hell. The guy doesn’t believe in evolution. Leaders of the free world should believe in Science before dogma.
As for the rest of the field, McCain is a traitorous whore, sucking Bush dick in 2004. Paul is insane. Who else is left? Who cares.
It is going to be a very interesting day and I cannot wait.
Bring on the fodder for KangWorld!
