If Bill Hobbs is right in implying that a vote for Obama will send you to Hell, I think the most I can hope for is for a spot right by the entrance. I mean, sure, by his logic, I’ve been bad enough to go to Hell, but I’ve certainly been good enough that I shouldn’t be denied the pleasure of seeing the shock on some folks’ faces when they see where their sanctimonious asses have ended up!
Cough*Bill”Ibearfalsewitnessallthedamntime”Hobbs*cough*cough*
Ha, I’m totally going to start refering to that heterosexual-marriage-having Roger Abramson as a radical. Today he raises the good point that folks were sold the “no gay marriages” thing as being about keeping the definition of marriage the same as what it’s been–in other words, “let’s stay the course.”
“Let’s stay the course” is by definition the opposite of radical.
But now, Robin Smith wants to argue that opposing changing the definition of marriage is radical.
Does the TNGOP even have try to have a consistant message or do they just make stuff up as they go along?
I was telling Roger earlier today that Tennessee ought to have a vibrant Republican party because the Democratic party in this state is so… so just ugh. I mean, in the whole time I’ve been here, it’s been a cavilcade of indictments and multiple families and the one person who tries to stand up and do what she thinks is right gets run out of the party.
But instead, we’ve got Democratic infighting and Republican purging of the intellectuals. It’s fun to watch, but damn.
There are a few basic rules of music video making. “Don’t prominently feature toilets” would have to be at the top of them. And there are probably not many rules about country song writing left anymore, but “Don’t associate, even by rhyme, Hank with Hoobastank.” must surely be one.
But damn if I don’t sing along with this song every time it comes on the radio. And I defy you to watch the video and not be even the least bit tempted to make muscles like he does when he sings “Can’t get these kind of muscles anywhere but a farm.”
Why does this song even work? Well, for starters, it’s upbeat. Second, the kid sounds like he’s having a good time. Who can listen to most country music lately for all the moping around and the “Are you sure Hank done it this way?” type songs by guys that probably didn’t even know who Hank Sr. was until their publicist told them?
I don’t have any more reasons than that. It’s not a Great Song by any stretch, but it’s a good song.
Weren’t we just talking about underwires busting? And here I am sitting down with my lunch and POP, there goes mine. Always the left boob. Always.
Maybe I should ask my left boob if it wants to take a crack at getting the hose off the spigot.
Via Kleinheider, we read
“Without question, the Obamacrats are strong in the urban areas and the areas where people are dependent on a welfare state,” Smith said. “(But) Democrats in their literature, piece by piece, point by point, if you took their names off, will look Republican.”
and
But Smith points to the overwhelming vote on a gay marriage ban amendment in Tennessee two years ago as evidence that the state is still firmly conservative.
“That’s not real moderate,” she said.
She added: “There’s this manufactured intellectualism that comes with being a moderate or a liberal.” Traveling the state, she said, “I didn’t see any intellectual snobs. I saw people who have calluses on their hands.”
So, yes, there’s the usual race baiting and the anti-intellectualism. You read me. You know exactly what I have to say about that stuff, and I’m tired of saying it.
But what I want to draw your attention to is this “That’s not real moderate” quote. I want you to look at exactly what she’s saying–she’s proud that Tennessee has voted to restrict the rights of gay people. She doesn’t even do folks the courtesy of pretending like the Republicans sure would like being compassionate, but God said they can’t be. She’s all “Yeah, fuck you.”
The thing is, though, you know, Theodore Parker is right: “Look at the facts of the world. You see a continual and progressive triumph of the right. I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice. Things refuse to be mismanaged long.”
And using your power to oppress people by refusing to recognize their right to marry who they want? That is unjust and a mismanagement of your position. It does not hurt you to let gay people get married. No, it doesn’t. If you don’t like gay marriage, then don’t get married. The country does not owe it to you to let you feel comfortable with your bigotry.
Continuing to draw these lines between Us and Them? Where they are all on welfare and all live in the city and go to college and like to think about things and, I guess, don’t work hard? And we all live in the “real” part of Tennessee and we hate them queers and them libruls and them folks with their book learnin’?
I mean, does Smith even stop to think of the implications of what would happen if everyone who had “kinky” sex or occassionally voted Democrat or went to college left the Republican dominated parts of the state and moved to the cities? What doctors would you go to? Where would you bank? Who would do your taxes? Who would preach in your churches?
Do you know what it is when you want to benefit from the labor of people you want to oppress? It’s evil.
But here’s what gives me hope. Try as Smith might to argue otherwise, Tennessee Republicans are not immune from the pressures faced by the larger Republican party. Tennessee Republicans in Washington will have an opportunity to step into leadership roles nationally because they, unlike many Republicans, are not on the verge of being thrown out of office.
They will be able to weild power, even under an Obama presidency with a largely Democratic congress if they seem like thoughtful people of integrity. That’s a lot harder job when the official Republican message coming out of Tennessee is only one step away from your crazy racist uncle who’s always complaining about the hippies and their college educations.
I mean, how do you begin to address the problems this nation faces when you’re, say, Zach Wamp, who, though I disagree with him on many positions, comes across like a thoughtful guy concerned about the issues facing our country and you’re busy talking about, oh, I don’t know, let’s say “Encouraging Early Reading Skills,” saying, “Each and every child deserves the best education possible so that they can look with hope to the future,” and you’ve got Robin Smith running around saying, “‘There’s this manufactured intellectualism that comes with being a moderate or a liberal.'”?
I mean, what is “encouraging early reading skills” if not manufacturing intellectualism?
Forget party unity, will the Republicans even be able to pick a message and stick to it or will we see a continuation of the dynamics of the McCain/Palin campaign, where they pretend to work together, but spend all their time undermining each other’s goals?
Archcrone has some thoughts. They take her in the opposite direction of me. But who knows? It’ll be interesting to see.
(Also, if you want funny, just scroll down Zach Wamp’s issues page. It’s all “defund Planned Parenthood,” “ban explict reading materials from military bases,” “protect traditional marriage,” “English unifies our nation,” and “U.S. Supports Freedom for All.” Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. You know, unless you’re a woman, kinky, gay, or speak another language. Then you’re not a part of “all.” Ha, maybe he’s closer to Robin Smith than I first gave him credit for.)
Edited to Add: And Roger would know about being run out of the Republican party, that’s for sure. Where’s a conservative guy like him to go?
I did! I did!
Who still could not get the hose off the motherfucking house?
Me.
Which is funny because I put it on. How can I be stronger than myself? And now I’m all feeling anxious about it because the recalcitrant brother is like “the kind of pipes you have, you must never, ever leave the hose hooked up to them, and especially if there’s any chance of it freezing.” But what can I do? I am stronger than myself.
I have to remember to have the Butcher unhook it when he gets home. He’s over dogsitting for our friends who have a labradoodle, well, supposedly they have a labradoodle. It seems strange that someone would lie about giving you a labradoodle, right? I mean, we cannot possibly be to the point where people are passing off perfectly good labs as labradoodles. But I swear, we’ve been watching that puppy grow since the moment they brought him home and the Professor remarked on it yesterday and I’m convinced–there’s just not yet any sign of poodle in him, I don’t think. He just looks like a big black lab puppy.
I’m anxious about going to Charleston. It’s just my usual pre-travel nerves, but I swear, if I travelled more often, this place would be in great shape, because whew, did planting a bunch of stuff help to take my mind off it.
Also, I discovered this morning that there’s the front ditch, the brick wall lining the side of the front ditch, some beautiful dark rich smell-good unrocky dirt for about six inches, and then my yard appears to be lined with boulders just under the surface of the grass. So, I couldn’t plant as far into the yard with daffodils as I might have liked because I couldn’t dig through the rock. So, I ended up having to put the last of the daffodils in the front bed here, which I think will be quite nice. And, frankly, much easier to plant in. It took me ten minutes to plant five bulbs in the front yard and ten minutes to plant fifteen bulbs in the front bed.
Anyway, I am excited.
Tiny Cat Pants 