Rush Limbaugh a Racist?

I’m shocked.  Just shocked and amazed I tell you.  Who would have ever thought Rush Limbaugh would air such racist humor.  (*sarcasm off*)

Will Republicans Abandon Bush and Iraq

I have to wonder how long it will be before Republican’s seeking re-election in 2008 abandon the war in Iraq.  With over 50% of Americans believing that victory in Iraq is not possible and with the generals on the ground believing that to secure Iraq and achieve any kind of order will be a long, drawn-out process, there will be a political price to pay come November 2008. 

Noted conservative William F. Buckley recently wrote:

“There are grounds for wondering whether the Republican party will survive this dilemma.”

As conservatives continue to grasp for what it means to be a conservative today (or Republican for that matter), electibility of Republicans has to become a party issue.  The American people cannot be ignored.  Somehow the Republican party will have to begin to package themselves for votes.  How they do this and maintain support for the Bush Doctrine will be an interesting dance. 

DC Madam Revealing Clients

Ok.  If I remember correctly, procuring a prostitute is a criminal offense (unless, of course, in certain areas of Nevada).  So according to reports, we have a host of people in our government who have broken the law.  Deputy Secretary of State Randall Tobias has already resigned.  I agree with this commenter from RedState:

“…this is a pretty big deal. He is a deputy sec of state. He had access to sensitive and classified material. The use of soiled doves to obtain information is as old of [sic] time. I assume he was married so even if he didn’t succumb to pillow talk it does put him in a position to be blackmailed. He also should have been very well aware of the history of the use of such services in that town.”

Michelle Malkin has more. 

UPDATE:  Seems the DC Madam has posted a name to her website “outing” a client — US Naval Commander Harlan Ullman, chief architect of the “shock and awe” military strategy used by the US in the invasion of Iraq.

More Dissention From Bush Loyalists

This is what happens when you continue to hover around 35%.  The rats are jumping ship.  Former CIA Director George Tenet, as do other people, has a lot of explaining to do but this “feel sorry for me” victim stance just isn’t selling.

New York Governor Files Gay Marriage Bill

How far it will get, who knows?  But New York now joins a growing list of states where assemblies are debating allowing gay marriage and not banning it with constitutional amendments. 

Has the tide began to turn?  Polls seem to show a growing acceptance for some form or legal recognition of gay relationships, be it civil unions or gay marriage.  Maybe conservative Jonah Goldberg is right when he says:

“…it’s my guess that gay marriage is ultimately inevitable.”

But as more states adopt legal recognition of gay relationships, it cannot be too far away that the federal government will have to take up this issue.  It has long been standing practice for one state to recognize the legal relationships of another.  The Defense of Marriage Act allows a state to ignore this precedent.  It won’t be long until someone argues the constitutionality of the descriminatory practice of recognizing heterosexual legal relationships but not same sex legal relationships.  Equal treatment should be extended to all Americans.

Giuliani Dons His Anti-Gay Apparel

And I had such high hopes for Rudy Giuliani.  Seems he is now distancing himself from his pro-gay past.  One of the things people have admired about him most has been his ability to remain steadfast in his positions.  I fear this “more nuanced” approach will hurt his candidacy.  I don’t think any dyed in the wool anti-gay conservative is going to buy this from a man who has appeared in drag — repeatedly. 

But what does this say about the supposed “big tent” Republican party when their front runner has to pander to the old gay boogeyman base?  Can’t wait to see all those flip-flops at the Republican National Convention.  Between those and Romney’s big ‘ole dolphin Flipper, it will resemble a day at the beach.  For the Republican Party, the ‘08 elections are shaping up not to be.

Openly Gay News Anchor

See it is possible for a news anchor to be openly gay.  Maybe someone should tell this guy.

Conservative Republican Gives Tepid OK To Military Gays

Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister and conservative presidential candidate, seems to be ok with GBLT Americans being able to openly serve in the military.  As Pam’s House Blend reports, Huckabee is quoted as saying:

“I’m not sure that being homosexual should automatically disqualify a person from the military. If a person can do his or her job, you know that’s not for me the biggest issue…”

While he certainly isn’t GLBT positive on many other issues such as gay adoption and same sex marriage, it is interesting to see a conservative take such a position on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.  Is this a sign that maybe, just maybe, conservatives are waking up to the fact that GLBT Americans are not the great evil boogey-man just waiting for the chance to destroy life as we know it?  Or are conservatives figuring out after the 2006 mid-term elections that the “great gay scare” isn’t so good at scurrying up votes?  Either way, we win and this is a good sign.

Illegal Immigration Will Change America

Living in a border state where I daily see the problems brought upon a community by illegal immigration, I have wondered why the mainstream media has chosen to report on this issue as they have.  Lous Dobbs makes a great point:

“…the mainstream media is complicit in advancing this thinly veiled blanket amnesty. Instead of asking and answering important questions about why our immigration laws aren’t being enforced and why we’re permitting pervasive document fraud, the national media seems hell-bent on trying to obfuscate the issue, shamelessly playing with language, equating legal immigration with illegal immigration while obviously trying to preserve the illusion of objectivity.”

As Congress takes up comprehensive immigration reform, it is important to remember that for whatever noble or not so noble reason people have chosen to enter this country illegally, they have in fact broken the laws of this country.  No one should be rewarded for this.  People in this country illegally should be deported.  Amnesty, in any form, should not be granted.

Tim Gill’s Support Helps Advance GLBT Rights

GayPatriot takes aim at Tim Gill and the Gill Foundation for using their money and strategic capabilities to effect change for GLBT persons by targeting anti-gay politicians and supporting their opponents.  He is worried about:

“…what the Gill-sponsored candidates have promised in return for their debit card at the Gill ATM machine.”

I am sure the Gill-sponsored candidates are no more beholden to their benefactor than those sponsored by Big Tobacco, Big Oil, Big Pharmaceuticals, etc., etc. 

Conservatives have long argued that:

“The right to spend money on politics, including the right to contribute to campaigns, is protected by the First Amendment.”

Money is the name of the game in politics.  I am glad that someone has finally figured out how to make GLBT political dollars actually advance GLBT rights. 

Imus Has A Platform But No Power

Redstate has a reasonable response to all the ruckus over the Imus comments.  Having had my share of ugly, nasty, bigoted epithets hurled my direction I can say with some degree of authority that anyone has two choices in that situation.  Either take what some jughead says to heart and thereby effectually putting control of your life and well being into others hands or stand tall in the knowledge that just because someone calls you something does not make you that.  What people say cannot hurt unless we allow it.  I agree that there will always be bad people saying bad things about others.  But words only have power over us if we give it to them.

Iraq: Get In or Get Out

If this is the case…

“The time scale to succeed is years,” said John J. Hamre, a former deputy defense secretary, while “the time scale for tolerance here is 12 months for Democrats and 18 months for Republicans.”

and if what this Iraqi official said is true…

“…there is no way we can defeat this insurgency by summer. I believe we can begin to turn the tide by then, and have an idea if we are doing it. To defeat it completely is a five-to-10-year project, minimum…”

then we must decide if we are willing to commit American troops, and therefore American lives, for the next decade to plant Democracy in the Middle East.  The case must be made because if we do not have the stomach for this… and if we don’t this action is surely destined for failure… then in all good conscience we must bring the troops home now.  Not tomorrow.  Now.  Why should one more life be lost if we are not fully committed to completion? 

I fear the President has so damaged the adminstration’s credibility on this issue that someone else will have to rally the American people.  If no one is willing to take the political risk, then no more American treasure should be sacrificed.  The time is now. 

Imus Apologizes For Racial Remarks

Does anyone still remember the First Amendment?  While I do not agree or condone what Imus said, he has the right to speak his mind… even limited as it is… without prior restraint.  If you don’t like his show, turn it off.  If you don’t want to support him, then don’t.  But we are quickly turning into a country where people are afraid to speak.  That is not a good path for us to go down.

Adam and Steve Can Say “I Do” in Magic Kingdom

I am glad we have the opportunity to be just as tacky as anyone else.  Today the Walt Disney Company says it will allow same-sex couples to exchange vows in front of Cinderella’s Castle.  It isn’t exactly the Guggenheim but hey, to each their own.

Seriously though, Disney has long stood up for equal treatment and my fairy hat is off to them.

Gays To Invade Redneck Headquarters

Good Lord, we really are everywhere! 

(NOTE:  The headline is a joke and since I come from a long line of southerners that won’t live in anything that you can’t pick up and take with you, I josh my fellow escapees from Hicksville. )

(FURTHER NOTE:  Yes… I am aware that NASCAR isn’t just for rednecks anymore but it does seem to attract more than its fair share)