The Republican presidential race appears to have shifted from debating the economy to discussing social issues - same-sex marriage, abortion and, amazingly enough, birth control. The year is 2012 and ...
Mitt Romney believes that his best line of attack is making the claim that he has not spent a moment as a D.C. politician while his two main opponents, Newt ...
No two ways about it, Rick Santorum had a good night. Not only did he sweep Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri but he also got off the best line of the ...
Few would argue the fact that Citizens United has been a major player in the Republican primary...and many if not most would concede that none of it has been healthy ...
As if you needed another reason to not vote Romney.
Celebrity business magnate Donald Trump endorsed Mitt Romney for president Thursday, telling reporters he will not mount an independent campaign if ...
In a perfect world, the Republican contest to find a nominee to face Barack Obama would go on forever...or at least until August. You cannot attach a number to the ...
I suspect there are a ton of conservatives secretly agreeing with Begala and while it's too early in the game for Dems to get cocky, it's difficult to not smile ...
Quotes don't get much better than this one by Bob Dole.
"Why do people take such an instant dislike to me?" asked a perplexed Gingrich, to whom Dole bluntly ...
After the beating Gingrich took last night, it's hard to imagine under what scenario he can make a comeback. Florida is going to Romney and for Gingrich to regain the ...
There's a lot out there on the President's SOTU, so I'll keep my thoughts short and sweet.
The speech did what it had to do which was target liberals and independents ...
The highlights from last night's debate.
- Newt Gingrich can't wait to become president so he can revisit the early 60s and overthrow Castro in Cuba. War, baby, war.
- Santorum, who ...
It appears that the South Carolina verdict is forcing Romney to start taking Gingrich seriously.
“We’re not choosing a talk show host, we’re choosing a leader,” Romney said, saying that their ...
Mike Huckabee offers advice to Mitt Romney concerning his unreleased tax returns.
Let him [Romney] make this challenge: "I'll release my tax returns when Barack Obama releases his college transcripts and ...
Via Political Humor...
"Mitt Romney is coming under fire because even though he is a multimillionaire, he only paid 15 percent in taxes. That's not a tax, that's barely a tip." ...
Good line.
My guess is that after Romney fails to beat Obama in the general, Huntsman will be back in 2016. The most electable guy in the field and he could ...
I found this pretty funny...and accurate. It comes from a reader over at Balloon Juice.
So, let’s review. The contenders for the GOP nomination are
A vulture capitalist who believes that any ...
Lively little debate going on at one of last week's posts with Libertarianism put under the microscope.
ocLiberal:
I know I am in sketchy territory here, (start the indignant shouting now) but ...
In the contest to determine the winner of the Far-Right Politics gold medal, rack up a few more points for Newt Gingrich.
“I think an intelligent conservative wants the right federal ...
Via Political Humor...
"Congratulations to Mitt Romney. He won the New Hampshire primary last night. See, this is proof that even the multimillionaire son of a multimillionaire can beat the odds ...
We are writing to you today as loyal Americans who are active members of the Republican Party. We also happen to be proud of our Arab American and Muslim American contributions to the Republican Party.
We are deeply concerned by the rhetoric of some leading members of our party surrounding the construction of the Muslim Community Center in downtown Manhattan. These comments are not only constitutionally unsound, they are also alienating millions of Arab American and Muslim American voters who believe, as we do, in the principles of our party – individual liberty, traditional values, and the rule of law.
[...] it perplexes us as to why some vocal members of our party have chosen to oppose the construction of a cultural and religious center on private grounds.
[...]
Perplexed? Are they kidding us? There is nothing perplexing about Republican’s crazed opposition to the NY Islamic center. But for those unfortunate conservative Arab and Muslim Americans who just can’t see through the sham, here’s the lowdown.
The Republican party is…
a) overrun with bigots and racists…
b) taking full advantage of the xenophobic tendencies of the masses for purposes of political gain…
and
c) milking 9/11 sentiment for purposes of political gain.
That’s it. There’s no reason for anyone to pretend they’re confused or surprised. Republicans have shown themselves to be shallow, small-minded slime willing to do or say whatever it takes to win at the polls.
As for any conservative who is non-white, non-Christian or non-heterosexual, my deepest and sincerest condolences.
___
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I don’t quite understand the confusion here. Republicans are slime. There is no question. But to wonder why Republicans or any American is opposed to the building of the mosque at Park 51 leaves me to wonder where the heads of the Muslims are. Do the Muslims have any respect for the murdered? For those who went to rescue and are now afflicted with serious medical conditions? What is so difficult about respect? Its a two way street. A majority of Democrats are also opposed to a Mosque. This is not a political issue. Its an issue of common decency. Get with the program.
Ann, the Park 51 is not a mosque to begin with. It’s a community center open to everyone! It will include a basketball court, etc. It is a fact that Muslims died in the Trade Center bombing too and they were also first responders. The Park 51 center is being built to encourage all of NYC to come together in peace and understanding. It is an effort to help get to know one another better and to help end these misunderstandings that are occurring just like the one you just stated. Secondly, you need to go to the site http://daryllang.com/blog/4421 to see the whole commentary on why this Park 51 site is not on “hallowed ground”. It is several blocks away and if we follow your line of thought, then all religious buildings should not be allowed near the WTC site so we should get rid of the cathedrals too! This idea that all Muslims should have to shoulder the burden of “related guilt” for what a few radical extremists did is ludicrous. By that rationale, then those cathedrals near the WTC site should be removed because some priests abused children and children died at the WTC site too. That is just plain nonsense. Quit blaming all Muslims for what Al Quida members did. Al Quida is not a part of the peaceful Muslim world. It is it’s own thing doing hate things in the world. True Islam preaches peace as Malcolm X found out when he went to the Middle East and it totally changed his thinking from being a violent radical to the realization that Islam preaches the equality and worth of all. Get over your bigotry before it becomes a cancer to your soul. Thanks for listening.
There’s a Shinto Shrine less than two miles from Peral Harbor, and another 7 of them within about 4 miles. Maybe these should be shut down too. (Yes Rush, SHINTO not Hindu…)
Wonder how many Japanese-Americans have businesses near Pearl Harbor?
First Melody, I am very familiar with the neighborhood in question as I worked there and also went to school there. The building in question has had body parts found on it. It is not in the fenced in area known as Ground Zero, however, due to its close proximity and bodies strewn across it, it is “hallowed ground”. Secondly, you are acting as if anyone who opposes the Mosque is a biggot. Well, dear girl, this is untrue. But if you want to label me as such, have fun. You are missing an important point in human decency. You have no clue as to right and wrong. And if the mosque is to bring peace and understanding, I suggest the planning committee begin to withdraw the plans. Its bringing nothing but hatred from both the left and the right. How unfortunate is it that Americans have no idea of what respect for the dead is.
I’ve tried to think behind the curtain on this one — you know me, always looking for the motive. Clearly the GOP knows the white male voter that is their demographic is soon going to be the minority. Yet they continue down this path of denigrating not only Latino voters, but now Muslim voters. One must ask, who is next beyond the Latinos and Arab Americans? Are they going to target the Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, as well as the black population that Limbaugh so freely attacks, and recently, Dr. Laura? They’re already attacking some of their own – the unemployed.
The short term gain may be control of the House and/or the Senate, but what will that really gain them over the long haul? There are too many red states that include huge populations of Hispanic voters, as well as other ethnic populations. Gaining control will not enable them to change the 14th Amendment (or any other Amendment)- and they KNOW that.
Can they honestly believe that, if elected, they will be able to change government in the way they want? Do they believe we’re going to sit back like we did under Bush and let them finish destroying the government and the economy?
So what does that leave us? They are either mad for power in the here and now or they’ve completely gone over the cliff, one lemming following another.
Ann, this might be about decency for you but don’t be so naive as to not think that behind all the noise is nothing more than politics. Conservatives are hoping that fear and xenophobia will play into their hands come the midterms.
And because you don’t seem to be aware, let me inform you that it was not Islam that drove planes into the WTC. It was a small group of crazed extremists. When you come to accept that fact, you might get a better understanding of what decency is.
Ann, if every religious organization had to shut down buildings just because of people like you, then the first amendment regarding freedom of religion would be meaningless. That’s why we have a Constitution…to hold the ground of religious freedom even when people like you would like to end that freedom through social coercion.
Ann, Melody’s point is that it was not Muslim’s as a faith who are to blame for 9/11. It is a fanatical sect of their religion (like our religious right fringe groups) under Al Qaeda who did this. Blaming an entire religious group just simply makes no more sense than blaming the entire Christian community for acts of violence at an abortion clinic done be fanatical right wing Christian fundamentalists. The number of casualties is not the issue, nor is the religion of those who did the crime. It is these extreme groups who should be despised for their actions, not others who did not even know the perpetrators of the crime.
If your brother were to murder my child, should I blame you for your brother’s actions? Of course not.
Craig, my guess is that a Shinto shrine was not build near Pearl Harbor while the Japanese were still shooting at Americans. (The radical Muslins are still at war with America, and vice-versa, but that subject is a whole other debate.) It probably took a long time for the pain of war to ease before any kind of Japanese symbol was tolerated in the area. My guess is that it didn’t happen until the Japanese became tourists, and the money they were spending, became the motivation to begin tolerating them again. (Ok, that’s the cynic in me coming out.)
So out of the nearly 2 billion Muslims in the world, there’s a relative handful of extremists. Extrapolate this to Christianity and shut down all the churches in the US until the crazies of that religion are weeded out as well.
Better yet, as John Lennon said, “Imagine no religion”.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed, Hawaii was 1/4 Japanese American, both citizens and immigrants. They started going there in the 1880s to cut sugar cane. I’m sure there were Buddhist, Shinto, and Christian (some Japanese Ams are Christian) things all over the place, wherever JAs lived.
There was discrimination and racism against JAs, of course, but they were defintely present in the islands.
It’s interesting, though, that they weren’t put into internment camps. I guess you can’t put a quarter of the population into prison, even during a war when that territory got bombed by the enemy, and was right in the Pacific and probably within radio range of the Japanese fleet.
mus·lin
Pronunciation: \?m?z-l?n\
Function: noun
Etymology: French mousseline, from Italian mussolina, from Arabic maws?il? of Mosul, from al-Maws?il Mosul, Iraq
Date: 1609
: a plain-woven sheer to coarse cotton fabric
Mus·lim
Pronunciation: \?m?z-l?m, ?mu?s-, ?mu?z-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Arabic muslim, literally, one who submits (to God)
Date: circa 1615
1 : an adherent of Islam
Is a “radical Muslin” anything like a tie-dyed shirt?
Right on, Mario!
I don’t quite understand the confusion here. Republicans are slime. There is no question. But to wonder why Republicans or any American is opposed to the building of the mosque at Park 51 leaves me to wonder where the heads of the Muslims are. Do the Muslims have any respect for the murdered? For those who went to rescue and are now afflicted with serious medical conditions? What is so difficult about respect? Its a two way street. A majority of Democrats are also opposed to a Mosque. This is not a political issue. Its an issue of common decency. Get with the program.
Ann, the Park 51 is not a mosque to begin with. It’s a community center open to everyone! It will include a basketball court, etc. It is a fact that Muslims died in the Trade Center bombing too and they were also first responders. The Park 51 center is being built to encourage all of NYC to come together in peace and understanding. It is an effort to help get to know one another better and to help end these misunderstandings that are occurring just like the one you just stated. Secondly, you need to go to the site http://daryllang.com/blog/4421 to see the whole commentary on why this Park 51 site is not on “hallowed ground”. It is several blocks away and if we follow your line of thought, then all religious buildings should not be allowed near the WTC site so we should get rid of the cathedrals too! This idea that all Muslims should have to shoulder the burden of “related guilt” for what a few radical extremists did is ludicrous. By that rationale, then those cathedrals near the WTC site should be removed because some priests abused children and children died at the WTC site too. That is just plain nonsense. Quit blaming all Muslims for what Al Quida members did. Al Quida is not a part of the peaceful Muslim world. It is it’s own thing doing hate things in the world. True Islam preaches peace as Malcolm X found out when he went to the Middle East and it totally changed his thinking from being a violent radical to the realization that Islam preaches the equality and worth of all. Get over your bigotry before it becomes a cancer to your soul. Thanks for listening.
There’s a Shinto Shrine less than two miles from Peral Harbor, and another 7 of them within about 4 miles. Maybe these should be shut down too. (Yes Rush, SHINTO not Hindu…)
Wonder how many Japanese-Americans have businesses near Pearl Harbor?
First Melody, I am very familiar with the neighborhood in question as I worked there and also went to school there. The building in question has had body parts found on it. It is not in the fenced in area known as Ground Zero, however, due to its close proximity and bodies strewn across it, it is “hallowed ground”. Secondly, you are acting as if anyone who opposes the Mosque is a biggot. Well, dear girl, this is untrue. But if you want to label me as such, have fun. You are missing an important point in human decency. You have no clue as to right and wrong. And if the mosque is to bring peace and understanding, I suggest the planning committee begin to withdraw the plans. Its bringing nothing but hatred from both the left and the right. How unfortunate is it that Americans have no idea of what respect for the dead is.
The Burger King across the street from “Ground Zero” is a nice touch too…
I’ve tried to think behind the curtain on this one — you know me, always looking for the motive. Clearly the GOP knows the white male voter that is their demographic is soon going to be the minority. Yet they continue down this path of denigrating not only Latino voters, but now Muslim voters. One must ask, who is next beyond the Latinos and Arab Americans? Are they going to target the Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, as well as the black population that Limbaugh so freely attacks, and recently, Dr. Laura? They’re already attacking some of their own – the unemployed.
The short term gain may be control of the House and/or the Senate, but what will that really gain them over the long haul? There are too many red states that include huge populations of Hispanic voters, as well as other ethnic populations. Gaining control will not enable them to change the 14th Amendment (or any other Amendment)- and they KNOW that.
Can they honestly believe that, if elected, they will be able to change government in the way they want? Do they believe we’re going to sit back like we did under Bush and let them finish destroying the government and the economy?
So what does that leave us? They are either mad for power in the here and now or they’ve completely gone over the cliff, one lemming following another.
Neither bodes well for our country.
Ann, this might be about decency for you but don’t be so naive as to not think that behind all the noise is nothing more than politics. Conservatives are hoping that fear and xenophobia will play into their hands come the midterms.
And because you don’t seem to be aware, let me inform you that it was not Islam that drove planes into the WTC. It was a small group of crazed extremists. When you come to accept that fact, you might get a better understanding of what decency is.
Ann, if every religious organization had to shut down buildings just because of people like you, then the first amendment regarding freedom of religion would be meaningless. That’s why we have a Constitution…to hold the ground of religious freedom even when people like you would like to end that freedom through social coercion.
Thank, Craig, for your observations! Right on!
Ann, Melody’s point is that it was not Muslim’s as a faith who are to blame for 9/11. It is a fanatical sect of their religion (like our religious right fringe groups) under Al Qaeda who did this. Blaming an entire religious group just simply makes no more sense than blaming the entire Christian community for acts of violence at an abortion clinic done be fanatical right wing Christian fundamentalists. The number of casualties is not the issue, nor is the religion of those who did the crime. It is these extreme groups who should be despised for their actions, not others who did not even know the perpetrators of the crime.
If your brother were to murder my child, should I blame you for your brother’s actions? Of course not.
I totally agree, Diana! Working toward less hate and more understanding is always a better move.
Craig, my guess is that a Shinto shrine was not build near Pearl Harbor while the Japanese were still shooting at Americans. (The radical Muslins are still at war with America, and vice-versa, but that subject is a whole other debate.) It probably took a long time for the pain of war to ease before any kind of Japanese symbol was tolerated in the area. My guess is that it didn’t happen until the Japanese became tourists, and the money they were spending, became the motivation to begin tolerating them again. (Ok, that’s the cynic in me coming out.)
So out of the nearly 2 billion Muslims in the world, there’s a relative handful of extremists. Extrapolate this to Christianity and shut down all the churches in the US until the crazies of that religion are weeded out as well.
Better yet, as John Lennon said, “Imagine no religion”.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed, Hawaii was 1/4 Japanese American, both citizens and immigrants. They started going there in the 1880s to cut sugar cane. I’m sure there were Buddhist, Shinto, and Christian (some Japanese Ams are Christian) things all over the place, wherever JAs lived.
There was discrimination and racism against JAs, of course, but they were defintely present in the islands.
It’s interesting, though, that they weren’t put into internment camps. I guess you can’t put a quarter of the population into prison, even during a war when that territory got bombed by the enemy, and was right in the Pacific and probably within radio range of the Japanese fleet.
Tommy, your argument against the Muslins is made out of whole cloth.
E.A. – What “argument against the Muslins” are you referring to?
mus·lin
Pronunciation: \?m?z-l?n\
Function: noun
Etymology: French mousseline, from Italian mussolina, from Arabic maws?il? of Mosul, from al-Maws?il Mosul, Iraq
Date: 1609
: a plain-woven sheer to coarse cotton fabric
Mus·lim
Pronunciation: \?m?z-l?m, ?mu?s-, ?mu?z-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Arabic muslim, literally, one who submits (to God)
Date: circa 1615
1 : an adherent of Islam
Is a “radical Muslin” anything like a tie-dyed shirt?
Guess that’s what happens when I comment without speel checking.
I know a non-radical Muslim who likes wearing radical muslin.