Welcome to the Tuesday edition of your open thread. I’m back to a semi-normal schedule now that I’m back from vacation. *Sigh*
Yesterday was some kind of orgy of crazy from Republicans. It was hard to keep up. digby at Hullaballoo found this example of egregious sexism in politics. The focus was Iowa’s Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Roxanne Conlin.
Last week-end Blue America candidate Roxanne Conlin (running against Chuck “pull the plug on grandma” Grassley)appeared on a Netroots Nation panel about the unique issues female candidates face and she brought up the fact that a local right wing blogger had done a post recently about her breasts. She didn’t go into details, but I assumed it was one of those prissy “is she inappropriately wearing V-neck blouses in court” sort of thing. But it turns out that it was much more disgusting than that:
Question Two: I knew that Roxanne Conlin was a big D, but is she naturally that big of a D?
Answer: Talk about awkward. I think the only way we will ever know for sure is if we break into Dr. G’s office and see if she has been enhanced. That said seeing the picture of her in the parade is like gawking at a traffic accident. You know what I mean, it grosses you out, makes you sick, but you can’t help but notice. It’s probably a good thing she doesn’t walk the parade route…
I don’t think I need to elaborate on how many ways that is revolting.
Be sure to read the whole link to see the blogger’s defense of his post. Truly a piece of work.
In Tennessee the Republicans are trying to out-crazy each other. Current Congressman Zach Wamp who is running for governor suggested that health care reform could cause Tennessee to secede from the nation. Current Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, also running for governor, thinks that Islam shouldn’t qualify for 1st amendment protections:
Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, who is running for governor, addresses the novel question of whether the Constitution protects the practice of Islam:
Now, you could even argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality, way of life, cult whatever you want to call it. …
Now, you know, I’m all about freedom of religion. I value the First Amendment as much as I value the Second Amendment as much as I value the Tenth Amendment and on and on and on. But you cross the line when they try to start bringing Sharia Law here to the state of Tennessee — to the United States. We live under our Constitution and they live under our Constitution.
Is there anyone still doubting that this is coming from religious intolerance? I’m sorry but a man living in Tennessee is not allowed to invoke 9/11 bedwetting. If the people of New York can move on, surely he can too.