Half-baked Republican Presidential Fruitcakes (and fellow confections)

Sulla Felix · 02-12-2013 9:50pm

Brian Shanahan wrote: »

It seems Sarah Palin has a new book out, tellin us ell how best to enjoy xmas, before those filthy atheists in Washingmachine steal it away.

There are some humdingers in there. Courtesy of freakout nation:

The logical result of atheism, a result we have seen right in front of our eyes in one of the world’s oldest and proudest nations, is severe moral decay.

Perhaps Christmas causes so much anger because the very name of the holiday broadcasts the name above all names.

Many on the left see faith and family as oppressive, but the right sees them as indispensable.

Let’s think this through: Without God as an objective standard, who’s to say what’s wrong and what’s right?

It is Christ who empowers every act of goodwill toward men in our otherwise fallen hearts.

I bet Charles Darwin never understood this: If the world could be described as truly survival-of-the-fittest, why would people collectively be stricken with the spirit of generosity in December?

Atheism’s track record makes the Spanish Inquisition seem like Disneyland by comparison.

Brian Shanahan · 03-12-2013 7:27pm

Just to show how idiotic the statements are:

Sarah Palin wrote:

The logical result of atheism, a result we have seen right in front of our eyes in one of the world’s oldest and proudest nations, is severe moral decay.

I see no evidence of moral decay in Iceland, even with its increasing secularity and atheism. She can't be talking about the US because a) it is a young country, b) it is becoming increasingly religious as a country, and c) unless she is using a very strange definition of moral decay (a one that allows for people to get more evil the less they commit crime) said decay is not happening.

Perhaps Christmas causes so much anger because the very name of the holiday broadcasts the name above all names.

The only people I've heard angry about christmas are parents who've heard "the man on the telly said that I need to have this toy, and that one, and the other one, and all them on aisle 12, otherwise it's not christmas" once too often, and consequently are paying Wonga et al c. 4,000% apr.

Many on the left see faith and family as oppressive, but the right sees them as indispensable.

A) Compulsory faith (what Palin wants) is oppressive, any system which denies people the chance to think for themselves is, and

the kind of family that Palin espouses for everybody who's not her, daddy as head of the family able to punish all others with blows, mammy chained to the stove ready to please her master in all ways and the kids "seen and not heard" is massively oppressive. I've no problem with either people believing what they want or bringing up children in a stable environment (Palin wants some of that stopped, e.g. gay adoption, gay marriage) as long as I don't have to do either if I don't want to.

Let’s think this through: Without God as an objective standard, who’s to say what’s wrong and what’s right?

Let's think this through: with god as a standard wir must die untermenschen auszurotten. Yes, that is the "objective standard" Palin is talking about, genocide on anyone who doesn't believe exactly as she tells them to.

It is Christ who empowers every act of goodwill toward men in our otherwise fallen hearts.

As I can personally attest I have no piece of christ empowering me, and as a number of nuns can attest on my behalf I have committed acts of goodwill, despite this "lack". To expand this further does she think the likes of Ashoka, or Gandhi was a christian? I honestly think that Palin hasn't a ****ing clue about human nature, and the evolutionary advantages given to the species by characteristics like empathy or over-sacrifice.

I bet Charles Darwin never understood this: If the world could be described as truly survival-of-the-fittest, why would people collectively be stricken with the spirit of generosity in December?

And Sarah is here channelling her inner JC. First of all "survival of the fittest was first used by Herbert Spencer in 1864

Principles of Biology wrote:

This survival of the fittest, which I have here sought to express in mechanical terms, is that which Mr. Darwin has called 'natural selection', or the preservation of favored races in the struggle for life.

Darwin didn't use it for a further four years

The Variations of Animals and Plants under Domestication wrote:

This preservation, during the battle for life, of varieties which possess any advantage in structure, constitution, or instinct, I have called Natural Selection; and Mr. Herbert Spencer has well expressed the same idea by the Survival of the Fittest. The term "natural selection" is in some respects a bad one, as it seems to imply conscious choice; but this will be disregarded after a little familiarity

Second, evolution has incorporated generosity and self-sacrifice in many species. It is a well used evolutionary trait which shows much success.

Atheism’s track record makes the Spanish Inquisition seem like Disneyland by comparison.

tl;dr: Hitler's an atheist, and atheism made him kill all dem Jews.
Well Sarah, a) Hitler was a catholic, a type of christian not too dissimilar to your own, and b) the Republican party had a wide streak of anti-semitism (along with many other isms) until very recently. So did the Democratic party for that matter.

I know she'll never read this (even if she is directed to this post, she's too thick to understand the squiggly lines), but at least it was cathartic for me.

PopePalpatine · 04-12-2013 12:53am

"It is Christ who empowers every act of goodwill toward men in our otherwise fallen hearts..."

...tell me, what goodwill has the Tea Party done?

robindch · 06-12-2013 1:37pm

Quoth a bald Republican from Texas: Atheists - you lot should encourage people to worship god because, uh, we're all screwed if you don't.

This guy helps make the laws for Texas, in case anybody was worried that our lot are a pile of excessively self-interested, delusional morons.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/05/louie-gohmert-atheists_n_4393764.html

robindch · 06-12-2013 1:43pm

Further north in Virginia, state Governor, Bob McDonnell (you guessed it, a Republican) wrote to our Enda urging him to reject proposals to introduce plain cigarette packaging. To do so would apparently "jeopardise intellectual property rights".

Mr McDonnell has had a troubled relationship with honesty and a business man who provided large amounts of cash to McDonnell's family.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/us-politician-seeks-cigarette-packet-change-1.1618647

BuilderPlumber · 06-12-2013 1:56pm

The Washington Post I thought was a respectable, moderate paper that was responsible. When it publishes such rubbish as the below, one has to question their editors and the lax control they have over what their 'journalists' write:

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/judson-phillips-cold-hard-truth/2013/dec/3/it-beyond-time-question-barack-obamas-patriotism/

Is it patriotic to invade Iraq and cause a massive recession the worst since the depression of the 1930s?
Is it patriotic to threaten and invade other countries that are not even a true threat, killing their innocent people?
Is it patriotic for your government to make others hate your country?

No is the answer to all. I therefore think that it is time for the US and Iran (who had friendly relations historically) to normalise relations. Sure, wrong was done in both countries but right can be done now. The extremists in both countries are those who oppose improved ties as it threatens them. Presidents Obama and Rouhani deserve their chance to improve ties and help end all the decades of mistrust. A prosperous Iran is one of the keys to improving the world economy as is for the West to be on good terms with all oil producers and especially Iran (as they are the future with their untapped reserves).

Look at this disgusting exerp:

"The best case scenario for a war in the Middle East is that oil supplies from the Persian Gulf are cut off, global oil prices rocket, and we see $20 a gallon gasoline because Obama thinks it is both patriotic and prudent to make America dependent on an unstable source of fuel, while enriching people who hate us.
A worse case scenario is that America gets sucked into a war in the Middle East."

The idiot who wrote this would not have his cosy, journalist job if his 'best case' scenario came true!!! If Middle East oil was cut off, the current recession (which was caused by the Iraq war ultimately - but seldom admitted!) would be made to look like a mere picnic. There is no viable alternative to oil as well!!

Whoever the hell funds these articles (Ku Klux Klan types? Neo Nazi types? Organised Criminals? Misinformed idiots? It doesn't matter who) need to be put out of business for good. The Washington Time is not some silly neo Nazi rag and obviously should know better. The fact that a mainstream newspaper can write racist tripe and hate propaganda without it being vetted is alarming.

MilanPan!c · 06-12-2013 2:03pm

PopePalpatine wrote: »

"It is Christ who empowers every act of goodwill toward men in our otherwise fallen hearts..."

...tell me, what goodwill has the Tea Party done?

In fairness, they're not Christians.

MilanPan!c · 06-12-2013 2:07pm

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

The Washington Post I thought was a respectable, moderate paper that was responsible. When it publishes such rubbish as the below, one has to question their editors and the lax control they have over what their 'journalists' write:

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/judson-phillips-cold-hard-truth/2013/dec/3/it-beyond-time-question-barack-obamas-patriotism/

Is it patriotic to invade Iraq and cause a massive recession the worst since the depression of the 1930s?
Is it patriotic to threaten and invade other countries that are not even a true threat, killing their innocent people?
Is it patriotic for your government to make others hate your country?

No is the answer to all. I therefore think that it is time for the US and Iran (who had friendly relations historically) to normalise relations. Sure, wrong was done in both countries but right can be done now. The extremists in both countries are those who oppose improved ties as it threatens them. Presidents Obama and Rouhani deserve their chance to improve ties and help end all the decades of mistrust. A prosperous Iran is one of the keys to improving the world economy as is for the West to be on good terms with all oil producers and especially Iran (as they are the future with their untapped reserves).

Look at this disgusting exerp:

"The best case scenario for a war in the Middle East is that oil supplies from the Persian Gulf are cut off, global oil prices rocket, and we see $20 a gallon gasoline because Obama thinks it is both patriotic and prudent to make America dependent on an unstable source of fuel, while enriching people who hate us.
A worse case scenario is that America gets sucked into a war in the Middle East."

The idiot who wrote this would not have his cosy, journalist job if his 'best case' scenario came true!!! If Middle East oil was cut off, the current recession (which was caused by the Iraq war ultimately - but seldom admitted!) would be made to look like a mere picnic. There is no viable alternative to oil as well!!

Whoever the hell funds these articles (Ku Klux Klan types? Neo Nazi types? Organised Criminals? Misinformed idiots? It doesn't matter who) need to be put out of business for good. The Washington Time is not some silly neo Nazi rag and obviously should know better. The fact that a mainstream newspaper can write racist tripe and hate propaganda without it being vetted is alarming.

ehhhh... "Communities" is little more than a blogspace for anyone that can make a case that they're worth listening to... the writer in question is - sadly - a well known figure in the Tea Party movement... so ... it's hardly the WP saying this... or even a WP editorial...

It's an awful piece of **** article, but... it's not really the WP's ****e article.

BuilderPlumber · 06-12-2013 2:27pm

MilanPan!c wrote: »

ehhhh... "Communities" is little more than a blogspace for anyone that can make a case that they're worth listening to... the writer in question is - sadly - a well known figure in the Tea Party movement... so ... it's hardly the WP saying this... or even a WP editorial...

It's an awful piece of **** article, but... it's not really the WP's ****e article.

This explains a lot. Judson Phillips is a founder of a large part of the restored Ku Klux Klan, er, Tea Party! Very very dangerous individuals if they ever took power in America for sure.

Other so-called 'conservatives' like Reagan and the Bushes had their limits and were prepared to only go so far. The Tea Party is worrying for two reasons:

1. It seems to be obsessed with Obama in a racist sort of way. Their hatred of him goes well beyond mere politics.
2. They have a blind hatred of all Muslims and Islamic countries. Which is totally unfair. Sure, I despise the Taliban, al Qaeda and other murdering, repressive extremists but this is not Islam's only voice (that would be like saying the similarly Talibanistic Khmer Rouge are socialism's only voice and that Hitler was capitalism's only voice). The true sign of any racist or bigot is when they paint an entire people or religion with one brush.

MilanPan!c · 06-12-2013 3:07pm

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

This explains a lot. Judson Phillips is a founder of a large part of the restored Ku Klux Klan, er, Tea Party! Very very dangerous individuals if they ever took power in America for sure.

Other so-called 'conservatives' like Reagan and the Bushes had their limits and were prepared to only go so far. The Tea Party is worrying for two reasons:

1. It seems to be obsessed with Obama in a racist sort of way. Their hatred of him goes well beyond mere politics.
2. They have a blind hatred of all Muslims and Islamic countries. Which is totally unfair. Sure, I despise the Taliban, al Qaeda and other murdering, repressive extremists but this is not Islam's only voice (that would be like saying the similarly Talibanistic Khmer Rouge are socialism's only voice and that Hitler was capitalism's only voice). The true sign of any racist or bigot is when they paint an entire people or religion with one brush.

They're dangerous no doubt, but... the truth is the people they've hurt the most, and will continue to threaten, are the Republicans.

Without the Tea Party et al, we wouldn't have people like Elizabeth Warren. The Tea Party has, purely accidentally, exposed the centre right nature of the Democrat party, which has in turn opened the door for a true liberal resurgence.

Or at least it's played a non-trivial part.

If they ever had real power it would be disastrous - potentially. Right now, out of power, they're a disaster for the GOP.

So... huzzah.

robindch · 10-12-2013 12:10am

Republican legislators from Oklahoma allow, possibly in violation of the US Constitution, a "Ten Commandments Monument" to be erected near the state legislature. Now, seeking equal treatment of religion before the law, a group of Satanists from New York have asked for permission to erect a statue of Satan beside the Ten Commandments. Republican legislators, and one Democrat, are not amused.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/government/satanists-seek-spot-on-oklahoma-statehouse-steps-next-to-ten/article_d7a11ac2-60dc-11e3-ac3b-0019bb30f31a.html

Tulsa World wrote:

Several lawmakers on Monday were highly critical of a proposal by the New York City-based Satanic Temple to build a monument near the recently erected Ten Commandments monument on the Capitol grounds. "I think it is a joke," said Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa. "This is a faith-based nation and a faith-based state," said Rep. Earl Sears, R-Bartlesville. "I think it is very offensive they would contemplate or even have this kind of conversation."

"It is not something the people of Oklahoma would support, and the people of Oklahoma support the Ten Commandments monument," said Rep. Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa. "It is not going to get approved here without a court battle," said Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove. "I can assure you."

The Ten Commandments monument was paid for with $10,000 donated by Broken Arrow Republican Rep. Mike Ritze and his family plus $10,000 raised privately. Ritze declined to comment on the latest developments. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma has filed suit to have the Ten Commandments monument removed. It was authorized by a 2009 measure signed by former Gov. Brad Henry. Ritze was the House sponsor of the measure, House Bill 1330.

"I think that our position is there shouldn't be any religious monuments at the state Capitol, that anytime the government has a monument representing one faith it creates an atmosphere that is not welcoming to people of all faiths or non-believers," said Ryan Kiesel, ACLU of Oklahoma executive director. "If, at the end of the day, the Ten Commandments monument is allowed to remain on the Capitol grounds with its overtly Christian message, then the Satanic Temple's proposal can't be rejected because it is of a different religious viewpoint."

Lucien Greaves, a temple spokesman, could not be reached for comment. But in a press release, the proposed monument is described as a homage to Satan. Its purpose is to contrast and complement the Ten Commandments monument. "By accepting our offer, the good people of Oklahoma City will have the opportunity to show that they espouse the basic freedoms spelled out in the Constitution," Greaves said in the press release. "We imagine that the ACLU would also embrace such a response."

In a Nov. 17 letter to the Capitol Preservation Commission, which oversaw installation of the Ten Commandments monument, Greaves said the monument would abide by community standards and be in good taste. "He's (Ritze's) helping a satanic agenda grow more than any of us possibly could," Greaves told The Associated Press. "You don't walk around and see too many satanic temples around, but when you open the door to public spaces for us, that's when you're going to see us."

Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, said the New York group is trying to place a monument on the Capitol grounds for religious purposes and will be unsuccessful. The Ten Commandments monument, on the other hand, was put up for historical purposes, Reynolds said. "I am somewhat disappointed we are facing this sort of thing," said Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa. "We sort of knew this might happen. I know nothing of about this group. I have never heard of them. I think we opened the door and have to have a process to have it vetted."

The New York Satanists have put up a donation page here.

BuilderPlumber · 10-12-2013 12:41am

robindch wrote: »

Republican legislators from Oklahoma allow, possibly in violation of the US Constitution, a "Ten Commandments Monument" to be erected near the state legislature. Now, seeking equal treatment of religion before the law, a group of Satanists from New York have asked for permission to erect a statue of Satan beside the Ten Commandments. Republican legislators, and one Democrat, are not amused.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/government/satanists-seek-spot-on-oklahoma-statehouse-steps-next-to-ten/article_d7a11ac2-60dc-11e3-ac3b-0019bb30f31a.html

The New York Satanists have put up a donation page here.

I though Satanists and Tea Party were the same?

MilanPan!c · 10-12-2013 12:48am

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

I though Satanists and Tea Party were the same?

Ha!

MrPudding · 10-12-2013 9:39am

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

I though Satanists and Tea Party were the same?

Nah, the satanist are much nicer and not as mental.

MrP

MilanPan!c · 10-12-2013 10:35am

MrPudding wrote: »

Nah, the satanist are much nicer and not as mental.

MrP

I'm sure they also have less extreme policies.

I'd much prefer a Satanist President over any Tea Party big wig I've come across.

Links234 · 10-12-2013 10:42am

MilanPan!c wrote: »

I'm sure they also have less extreme policies.

I'd much prefer a Satanist President over any Tea Party big wig I've come across.

http://www.churchofsatan.com/eleven-rules-of-earth.php

Seem a lot better in general than the 10 commandments.

MilanPan!c · 10-12-2013 10:53am

Links234 wrote: »

http://www.churchofsatan.com/eleven-rules-of-earth.php

Seem a lot better in general than the 10 commandments.

I knew a couple of these guys in America, through work, and they were basically just hippies...

EDIT: It's not every day that you read something written by the founder of a religion that includes the phrase, "psychic vampires".

http://www.churchofsatan.com/nine-satanic-statements.php

robindch · 11-12-2013 11:42am

Faux News hairstyle flips out on learning that Babyjesus is hidden behind a stack of beercans:

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/10/fox-news-host-flips-over-atheist-holiday-display-baby-jesus-is-behind-the-festivus-pole/

RawStory wrote:

Fox News host Gretchen Carlson on Tuesday lashed out at atheists in Florida for putting up a Festivus display next to a Christian display at the state Capitol building. Last week, Gov. Rick Scott’s (R) office approved a request to install a Festivus pole made of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans next to a nativity manger and a Three Wise Men display. Festivus is a holiday created by the television show Seinfield, but it often celebrated by atheists as an alternative to Christmas.

“I am so outraged by this,” Carlson told Catholic League President Bill Donohue on Tuesday. “Why do I have to drive around with my kids to look for a nativity scenes and be, like, ‘Oh, yeah, kids, look, there’s baby Jesus behind the Festivus pole made out of beer cans! It’s nuts!”

“We don’t have to have the Klan out there on Martin Luther King Day with their monuments right next to a bust of Martin Luther King,” Donohue agreed. “We don’t want to have neo-Nazis out there to stick it to Jews on Yom Kippur. And we shouldn’t have people out there ready to trash Christianity given that proximity.” American Atheists President David Silverman argued that “the season doesn’t belong to Christianity… Christianity stole the season from the solstice.”

“There is no wrong way to celebrate the season, it belongs to all of us,” he added. “I say it’s much better without religion. Dump the church, you don’t like it anyway. Happy Festivus! For all of us!” “It’s a fake holiday!” Carlson exclaimed in exasperation.

joseph brand · 12-12-2013 1:43am

Ted Cruz Colouring Book (For Kids Who Love Indoctrination). This is not from The Onion.

1386638473435.cached.jpg

The cover is probably more insane. I have too many issues with the cover to even start.

"For all ages." Because adult christians/ Republicans love colouring in.

Hotblack Desiato · 12-12-2013 2:10am

Can that cover really not be a Poe? I mean, really??

Peregrinus · 12-12-2013 6:39am

Much as I hate to defend Ted Cruz, I have to point out that, while this colouring book is not the work of the Onion, it's also not the work of Ted Cruz either, or of anyone connected with him.

It's produced by Really Big Coloring Books Inc, a perfectly genuine for-profit enterprise based in St. Louis. Much of their output is fairly standard stuff - colouring books of butterflies, dogs and cats, fairy tales, nursery rhymes . . . They also do a lively trade in souvenir colouring books; if you visit the Ava Gardner Museum (in Smithfield, North Carolina, if you're interested) you can pick up the Ava Gardner colouring book in the gift shop.

Ever eager to turn a dollar, they are happy to cater to the wingnut sector of the market; hence the Ted Cruz colouring book. There's a Tea Party colouring book as well, if your appetite for wingnuttery remains unsated. But they are an equal opportunity profitmaker; for those of a different political persuasion they offer the Barack Obama coloring book. (And,yes, it is just as hagiographic as the Ted Cruz number.) And they'll happily sell you the Being Gay Is OK colouring book ("Gay Marriage Certificate included"), to ensure that your little ones grow up with the proper right-on attitudes.

In short; these people don't think that Ted Cruz is wonderful. But they know there are people out there who do think Ted Cruz is wonderful, and they are happy to take the dollars of those people.

Ah, the free market! Don'cha just love it?

12-12-2013 7:05am

MilanPan!c wrote: »

They're dangerous no doubt, but... the truth is the people they've hurt the most, and will continue to threaten, are the Republicans.

Without the Tea Party et al, we wouldn't have people like Elizabeth Warren. The Tea Party has, purely accidentally, exposed the centre right nature of the Democrat party, which has in turn opened the door for a true liberal resurgence.

Or at least it's played a non-trivial part.

If they ever had real power it would be disastrous - potentially. Right now, out of power, they're a disaster for the GOP.

So... huzzah.

I think it's pretty bad for everybody in a Two-Party state (and those who they can influence/kill) when one of the parties undergoes self-destruction.

Pherekydes · 12-12-2013 9:00am

joseph brand wrote: »

"For all ages." Because adult christians/ Republicans love colouring in.

It's either that or reading.

MilanPan!c · 12-12-2013 10:13am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I think it's pretty bad for everybody in a Two-Party state (and those who they can influence/kill) when one of the parties undergoes self-destruction.

There's no good outcome for a tea party state - other than the tea party losing power.

BuilderPlumber · 12-12-2013 2:17pm

joseph brand wrote: »

Ted Cruz Colouring Book (For Kids Who Love Indoctrination). This is not from The Onion.

The cover is probably more insane. I have too many issues with the cover to even start.

"For all ages." Because adult christians/ Republicans love colouring in.

'The Cruz family': are they part of the US version of Love/Hate? Or were they in Miami Vice, The Sopranos are Breaking Bad!! Total mafia name anyways!

BuilderPlumber · 12-12-2013 2:21pm

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

'The Cruz family': are they part of the US version of Love/Hate? Or were they in Miami Vice, The Sopranos are Breaking Bad!! Total mafia name anyways!

http://miamivice.wikia.com/wiki/God%27s_Work

They were in Miami Vice