Potpourri of Republican Stink

The stench from the Republicans is so bad it's caused one hell of a migraine, so rather than trying to do the impossible right now (research), I've decided to just spread some of the manure.

Indiana Senate  to vote on bill to withdraw from Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health programs.

On Wednesday, a Senate panel approved House Bill 1269, and sent it to the full Senate for a vote. The bill gives Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels the authority to pull Indiana and all of its senior citizens out of Medicare. Indiana could also withdraw from Medicaid and many other federal health programs that primarily help the poor, including Obamacare.

How Rick Santorum ripped off American veterans.

Ironically,  last night I was thinking about how conservatives had been so afraid of and hostile to JFK because he was a Catholic. "He's going to impose Vatican rule," and other such nonsense. Of course, Kennedy never did any such thing. But in Santorum, we see a candidate who most assuredly will do just that - impose the will of the Vatican on the country. It's the basis of his whole campaign and we can see, or should see, it in every thing he says. I don't get it.

Pinal County, AZ Sheriff Paul Babeu exposed by former lover.This is almost getting redundant.

UPDATE: Babeu admits he's gay but denies allegations.

An Islamophobic organization funds an Islamophobic speaker at an Islamophobic church for a police training seminar.

John Guandolo, a former FBI agent and the vice president of the Virginia-based Strategic Engagement Group (SEG), spoke to law enforcement officers in Rutherford County, Tennessee, at the World Outreach Church.

Before the seminar was held, John Cavanaugh, retired Special Agent in Charge of the Nashville, TN office of the Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), wrote A New Sheriff Loses His Compass: Muslims Are Not the Enemy for Hatewatch. Sheriff Robert Arnold wasn't paying attention or didn't care or is an Islamophob himself.

A few noteworthy highlights:

Yet there are those who continue to demonize Islam and Muslims because of what terrorist groups like Al Qaeda do and have done. But Al Qaeda and its ilk no more represent Islam than Eric Rudolph, the infamous Olympics bomber and erstwhile “Christian Identity” adherent, represents Christianity. Lest we forget, Al Qaeda is responsible for the murder of thousands upon thousands of Muslims. Responsible law enforcement officers like Sheriff Arnold should have the common sense to be able to tell the difference, and even if they don’t, they certainly should be able to understand the civil rights that are guaranteed by our Constitution.

*****

If this training takes place, how could any Muslim in Rutherford County trust that a sheriff’s deputy coming to his or her aid does not view them as some sort of terrorist, a person whose rights are of no consequence? How could a Muslim there have the confidence to pick up the phone in an emergency and call people who are trained to see them as a dire threat? Trained to believe they have no Constitutional rights? How can Muslims expect that they will be entitled to due process under the law? Equal protection? Equal treatment?

*****

It’s remarkable how bigots always seem to demonize the targeted minority of the day with almost identical language. The targeted minority will rape your women, go after your children, steal your money. They look, dress, talk, act and worship differently than real Americans. They are devious. They want to take over your community. They have secret ways, an agenda, even secret rituals and secret laws. They are not to be trusted.

Sound familiar? This is the foundation of all broad-based movements that hate and demonize others. First, there is fear. Then, the fearful decide a certain group is to blame. The next thing is politicians and others in the public square demagoguing the issue for votes and money. A chorus of groups joins in the attacks, with blog posts, speeches, pamphlets, books and more. Ultimately, the bigots gain traction and try to compromise the police. If they can get police to buy in, they’ve gone a long way to genuinely suppressing the targeted minority.

Lastly, lest we forget about all the voter fraud corrupting our electoral process:

. . . a political aide to Maryland’s former Republican Governor is sentenced to 30 days home detention for his conspiracy to keep black voters away from the polls in what was described as “deceitful” and an attempt to “interfere with anyone’s opportunity to vote that it’s absolutely unacceptable.”

Evidence is mounting that the vote totals for the Maine caucuses, in which Mitt Romney edged out Ron Paul, were pretty messed up. In addition to towns that hadn't voted yet, others' totals were not recorded. Remember Iowa.

Virginia officials confirm criminal election investigation of Gingrich campaign.

Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White was found guilty early Saturday morning of felony voter fraud charges.

Ironic, don't you think, coming from the party which has been screaming the loudest about voter fraud? If they can't be depended upon to hold honest caucuses and primaries within their own ranks, just imagine what these bandits are going to pull come election day in November.