Oklahoma Rep. Kern

Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern was recently recorded as saying:

"The homosexual agenda is destroying this nation, OK, it's just a fact. Studies show no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted, you know, more than a few decades. So it's the death knell in this country."

"I honestly think it's the biggest threat that our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam, which I think is a big threat."

(Click on her quote for the link to the Fox news story.)

The homosexual agenda? Where do I get a copy? Which gay organization coordinates that? Do the gay Republicans know about it? Is Larry Craig supporting it? Why wasn't I given a copy?

How does fighting for equality weaken a nation? Doesn't fairness and equality strengthen a country? Did Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement weaken us? How about the women's rights movement?

Which civilizations collapsed after "embracing" homosexuality? Is she referring to Rome? Didn't Rome collapse from Barbarian invasions? And didn't Rome last for hundreds of years rather than "a few decades"?

She lumps gays with terrorists. Indeed, using my rights to free speech, to petition my elected officials, and to protest are subversive -- that's why the country's founders placed these rights in the constitution. Is she comparing my use of these rights to bombing buildings and people?

I think she is terribly misinformed.

(If you want to hear her speech, click here).

Ralph is Right (for once)

Ralph Nader announced his candidacy for president; his run in 2000 probably cost Al Gore the presidency and the country is still reaping the unfortunate consequences.

Nader said he was running because none of the candidates were talking about needed consumer protections. Unfortunately, he's correct. Where are the proposals for strengthening consumer protections? To protect consumers from outrageous credit card rates? From contracts that do not disclose all the fees (just look at your cell bill for all the add-on fees masquerading as governmental compliance fees)? What about prohibiting prepayment penalties? Allowing consumers to freeze their credit reports to help prevent identity theft (some state laws allow this for their residents, but there is no federal protection)? How about making banks liable for late electronic bill payments that were delayed because of bank error?

Who Would Have Thought!

Conventional wisdom holds that long primaries damage the eventual nominee. The candidate that is losing attempts to win by highlighting all the negatives of their opponent. Yet when Hillary tried this strategy, she was unsuccessful because people are so tired of negative campaigning.

So the democrats are waging a campaign that is mostly free of negative campaigning - which is refreshing - and which is proving very advantageous. It is sparking interest in both candidates, involving many new voters, building organizations in the primary states that can be used for the general election, and providing publicity for the candidates' themes. For Obama, it has the additional advantage of introducing him to voters, since he lacks the long political involvement that Hillary has.

Obama looks to be the eventual nominee, but a long primary would benefit him and the Democrats - as long as they continue to avoid negative campaigning.

Thanks

The Bright Light Bulb won this award from Faye! (Thank you.)

Click on the link for Faye's blog - and other blogs to which she gave awards.