One More Dangerous Right Winger Running For Office

I just saw this ad, last evening, on television, for one Republican Will Kraus running, as I'm told, for Secretary of State.



And he is, once again, dangerous as so many Right Wingers and Republicans are.

And here's why.

First, he begins by injecting (infecting?) religion into what is a race for a government position by saying he's "Sustained by faith in Christ..."

Could we have at least a LITTLE separation of Church and State?  Please?

Next, he comes out to support the Republicans' voter ID laws and we know what those are.

Proposed voter ID law is both 

unnecessary and expensive

'Free' voter IDs are costly, Harvard Law 

report finds

New Study Says Voter ID Laws Suppress Votes

He follows that up by saying he will "... report Liberal schemes to cheat at the ballot box", all the while showing a sign for the Acorn group.

Investigations and facts from these have since shown that the group that tried to "expose" the Acorn group lied and that Acorn was doing good and important work.

ACORN Vindicated of Wrongdoing

Congressional report clears ACORN of wrongdoing

ACORN Report Finds No Illegal Conduct

Voter ID laws are famously, provenly expensive for governments, wasteful, unnecessary and discriminate against minorities, most notably Blacks and Hispanics but also the poor and elderly. Voter ID laws are created to take away the votes, disenfranchise Americans. Voter ID laws are decidedly un-American.

Finally, he ends this ad with the claim that he will "...protect the voting rights of our troops fighting abroad..."

Since when was that an issue? For whom is that a problem? Who is attacking American soldiers' voting rights?  Who's doing that?  No one I know. Not one person, not one group. I don't know where this is coming from.

It needs to be said. It needs to be clear. This guy, given this ad, is just either empty or out and out dangerous. Disenfranchising Americans, for one, to begin, is just un-American. 

He's dangerous the way Catherine Hanaway is dangerous and the word needs to get out.

Who knows what else he's for but just this one, brief ad shows he's dangerous and should be avoided at all cost.

More double-barrel stupid from Republicans in Jeff City

I can barely believe all I see coming out of the small-minded, destructive Republicans at our own Jefferson City statehouse.  Here's the latest one:

Missouri GOP: Allow Parents to Pull Their Kids From Science 

Get a load of this little gem:

Missouri Republicans have drafted a bill that would allow parents to pull their children from science classes that are teaching the theory of evolution. According to the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), Missouri’s House Bill 1472 would effectively “eviscerate” the teaching of biology in the state.

Remember when the nation was all for and about education and science and math and, well, honestly, intelligence?

Yeah, I sure do.

And then we started getting these demagogues who not only want to pander to their own small, small-minded voting base but also want to throw religion into our government and politics.

What gets me is not just that it's not smart--truly stupid--but that it's so irresponsible. Let's not condemn our children to mere ignorance, let's foist religion and non-science on them, too.

Then, as if that weren't enough, as if that didn't condemn Missourians enough, they came up with yet more and truly outdid themselves:

Missouri lawmakers mull 72-hour abortion waiting time 

Then, of course, they've been working on this nonsense for at least months:

Missouri lawmakers weigh bill that seeks to nullify federal gun laws

Forget that it goes against national law, forget that, totally.

It all reminds me of a movie:

That one or Psycho,

The Founding Fathers on religion and our government?

Here you go. Here's one of our Founding Fathers and how serious he took the separation of church and state:



Faith based initiatives?  Funded by government?

I don't think so.

This should seal it---tax the Catholic Church

It's my contention that this video--and anything and everything else the Catholic Church is doing about this coming election--should get them, once and for all, taxed by the nation and our government, since they're so clearly getting into government and governmental matters:



If they're happy and willing to get into politics, then let 'em pay.

Question for Pat Robertson

God didn't send a hurricane or other natural disaster to Charlotte, North Carolina to interrupt or shorten the Democratic National Convention.

What's this mean?

This Republican Party would eat Ronald Reagan alive

Click on picture for larger, better viewing.

Amendment 2 in Missouri tomorrow

KCUR this morning had an excellent, informative and rather important program on their "Up to Date" segment.

They covered the vote tomorrow that comes up in Missouri on religious prayer in schools. From their site:

"On Tuesday, Missouri citizens will vote on Amendment 2, the so-called “right to pray” ballot measure.

The amendment would guarantee Missouri residents the right to express religious beliefs and also would allow students in public schools to pray and acknowledge their religion voluntarily."

What these Christians, religious, Right Wing zealots don't realize, apparently, is the virtual "Pandora's Box" they'd be creating if, in fact, this passes.

Two of the biggest problems they'd create, as nearly as I can tell, is that, first, a student is put in charge of their classroom by giving them this control of what they can and can't and/or will or won't hear, based on the child's religion.

If the child/student doesn't want to hear scientific, factual information on evolution, of course, they have an "opt out" card waiting for them. The fact is, that wouldn't be the only subject or issue the student could apply it to, either. Where does this "right" stop, exactly? It doesn't seem to have any end, given this possible addition to the state Constitution.

Secondly, as with all laws for religious rights in the country, it begins with Christians but cannot end, in the courts, anyway, with them. It would extend to ALL religions and so, that would include Muslims and Islamists. Naturally, that will drive the Christians wild, as we've seen here in the US before.

If this passes, how can any school or government deny a Muslim student's request to turn to the East and pray in order to fulfill their 5 times per day requirement? It certainly looks to me as though there is no way it could be denied.

And these are just two of the issues that would--or surely will--arise, should this Amendment to the Missouri Constitution pass tomorrow.

Whoever came up with this didn't think out all the consequences or ramifications, it seems.

It reminds me of the old, tired maxim: "Be careful what you wish for--you will surely get it."

Link: http://kcur.org/post/missouri-amendment-2-right-pray-or-redundant-rights

Kansans being played for chumps by Topeka

What other conclusion can you come to but that you're being played for a chump when your state legislators in Topeka are blowing more than one-half billion dollars on unnecessary legal maneuvers that mix church and state?:

Kansas AG pays $644K to defend state abortion laws

TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Kansas attorney general's office paid outside lawyers more than $644,000 to defend anti-abortion laws enacted last year.

The office says it paid more than $328,000 as of Friday to Foulston Siefken, a Wichita firm helping defend a budget provision denying federal dollars for non-abortion services to Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood has filed a federal lawsuit against the measure.

Forget that abortion is legal in the United states and has been since 1973.

Forget that no one--no one--even thinks about, let alone goes through an abortion procedure without a great deal of thought and emotional upset.

Forget that there are plenty--too many--laws on the books in Kansas on abortions, abortion rights (or the lack of them) and abortion procedures.

Forget, finally, that the state of Kansas doesn't have a big budget, period, for most any services and that they need to make whatever funds they have go as far as possible.

Forget all that.

Just keep focusing on one single issue that you can mix your Christian faith with government on and blow $644 million on totally unnecessary legal machinations in the courts.

Brilliant.

Link to original article: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/06/11/3652327/kansas-ag-pays-644k-to-defend.html#storylink=rss#storylink=cpy

How Missouri Legislators wasted their time--and our money--this week

Every time some Right Wing, demagoguing, Republican looney comes up with some new anti-abortion or pro-prayer piece of legislation, I'm repeatedly surprised, to the point of stunned.

This week, Missouri, Republican legislators came up with a new way to do all this, all in one movement, with this week's use--waste--of their/our time:

Right-to-pray amendment slated for August ballot by Nixon

It seems Right Wing, "conservative" Republicans wanted to do their best to get their voters to the polls this November because, after all, they want to make sure the black guy isn't re-elected--so they came up with this bill.

Sure, it's not necessary and it may even be unconstitutional, since it brings more and more religion into our political lives but this was their goal. They wanted to make sure we Missourians vote on the right and ability to pray in public. Forget that no one really has any problem doing that now. Forget that it's already possible. Forget, by all means, that the state has real, actual, tangible issues that DO need our legislators attention, no, no, forget all that. Instead, let's propose this nearly completely pointless bill in an effort to both appease our staunch, core base and, at the same time, hopefully get more people voting on the first Tuesday in November.

The problem, at least for these people?

It didn't work.

Democratic Governor Jay Nixon instead called out that this goofy, pointless bill will, instead, be voted on come August, instead.

Sheesh.

Would that they would do the work we need to be done.

I-70, from St. Louis to Kansas City--all through the state--is a dangerous, slow mess but they spend their time on this kind of thing, instead.

Shameful.

Links: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/right-to-pray-amendment-slated-for-august-ballot-by-nixon/article_19a8f7ec-a51c-11e1-962b-001a4bcf6878.html;http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/rush-to-judgment-missouri-s-deceptive-right-to-pray-amendment-heads-for

On separation of church and state

‎"Politics, like science, depends on our ability to persuade each other of common aims based on a common reality. Moreover, politics, unlike science, involves compromise, the art of the possible. Religion does not allow for compromise. It insists on the impossible. To base one's life on such uncompromising commitments may be sublime; to base our policy making on such commitments would be a dangerous thing." --Barack Obama, "The Audacity of Hope," 2006

Unfortunately over far too many American's heads

Click on picture for legibility.

That "separation of church and state" thing? That applies here. Or should.

On this day in history: The First Amendment. Remember that?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." First Amendment in the Bill of Rights created September 25, 1789 and ratified December 15, 1791.

Quote of the day, from 1875

"Declare church and state forever separate and distinct; but each free within their proper spheres." --President Ulysses S. Grant, Seventh annual message, Congress December 7, 1875

Some Constitutional and national history

Rather made all the more important since it's an election year, I thought.

Notes to Texas Governor Rick Perry, Rep Bachmann and their ilk

Link to original post: http://mockthedummy.com/2011/09/07/when-dummies-pray-for-a-savior/

It's not just "Governor Brownback", that's for sure

I've written here before, ever since Sam Brownback turned in his one elected seat as senator in Washington for this, more local one, as Governor of Kansas, that hasn't been his only role, by a long shot.

His other, bigger role, at least to him?

"Candidate Brownback."

Senator Brownback knew it's very difficult, if not impossible for Senators to become President of the United States so he turned in that role, became governor of Kansas and has been "Candidate Brownback" ever since.

And he's doing it all on the backs of Kansans.

First, he began slashing the state budget which, admittedly, with both their deficit and the mandate to balance the budget, he's been doing.

But in order to make a big, national "splash", Scott Walker-style up in Wisconsin, he did away with the Arts Commission in Kansas and more recently started slashing the education budget, too.

You see, he has to get that national media attention or it's all for nothing.

No, he's not running for the November, 2012 presidential contest, no, no.

He has his eyes squarely set on the next race, in 2016, when it's more likely someone from the Republican Party has a shot at getting in the White House, what with President Obama at the end of his final term.

All this in mind, look what came out yesterday in The New York Times:

Texas Governor Draws Criticism on Prayer Event

AUSTIN, Tex. — When Gov. Rick Perry invited fellow governors to join him on Aug. 6 for “a day of prayer and fasting on behalf of our troubled nation,” some speculated that he was trying to raise his national visibility for a possible presidential run.


Forget about the very real possibilities of problems with the separation of church and state that need to be addressed, what's this got to do with our own Governor Brownback?  Glad you asked:


So far only one other governor, Sam Brownback of Kansas, who is a conservative Roman Catholic, has said he will attend.


This could possibly give the Guv more national political attention from both his own political party as well as those on the religious right who organize oh-so-well most every Sunday morning while they're attending their very Christian church services.


I'm sure Governor B just has one regret about it all.


He's just sorry he didn't think of it himself.

The stupid coming out of Jeff City, part II

Sometimes it's just difficult to believe what people come up with.

Case in point:

Proposal: Missouri parents to get public money for religious schools 


JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A state House member wants to amend the Missouri Constitution to let parents receive public funding to send children to religious schools.


The proposal by Republican Jay Barnes, of Jefferson City, would repeal a prohibition on public money going to religious schools. If approved by the full House and Senate, it would go on a statewide ballot.


Barnes's measure would allow parents to get a state stipend to help pay for their child's education at a religious school or any other accredited school outside of their assigned district. The stipend would be equal to the amount of state and local funding a public school would have received for their child.


The proposed amendment would also let the government donate money or items to religious schools, but not real estate.


Well, isn't that comforting?  It would "let the government donate money or items to religious schools but not real estate."  What a relief that is.  At least we're not giving them real estate, too.


Let's realize religion for what it is in America, too, by the way.  It's a business with very little overhead since most of the workers or staff are volunteers, the money comes in at least every week and, finally, it's all tax-deductible.


And now we're going to give them money, too?


I have to get in that racket, I have to tell you.


Then, this is to "amend the State Constitution"?


What about the much older, national Constitution the country is based on?  Don't you think we should amend that, first?


What part of "separation of church and state" do these people not get?


You want to know what the biggest problem with this is, folks?


Sure, you start by putting this in the constitution and you begin giving "money or items to religious schools" because right now, what you're thinking is those nice Christian, Protestant and Catholic. right?  Right?


But down the road, when a Muslim or Buddhist or Zen or Wiccan school wants y'all to pony up some money, watch all the hypocrites down there in Jeff City--and all over the state, really--go blood-red-in-the-face-crazy because they don't want their money going THERE.


Besides the fact that in case no one was noticing, we have a budget crisis already.  Why would we start giving "money or other items" to one more group in a time of budget deficits?


And these people, these Republicans, are fiscal conservatives?  


I don't think so.


Link to original post:  http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Proposal-Missouri-parents-to-get-public-money-for-religious-schools-116298019.html

Quote of the day--from a Conservative Libertarian

Either you believe in religious freedom or you don't. Either you believe in the Constitution (hello Tea Party people) or you don't. It makes you look stupid to have situational ethics on it. How can someone with a straight face call for stricter interpretation of the Constitution and then say these Americans don't have a right to build religious facilities where other Americans are allowed to build their religious facilities? It might not make me popular.....but I think Muslims have a right to follow a false god and a false doctrine if they want. In short, they have the right to be wrong. --JoCoEveryman (Johnson County, as in Kansas, as in part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, for those who don't know). Taken from his "Life in SoJoCo" blog Link here: http://sojoco.blogspot.com/2010/08/shocker.html

Quote of the day--just to stir up trouble

Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law. -Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper, February 10, 1814

Quote of the day--separation of church and state

As Article 11 of the 1797 treaty first-President George Washington and Founding Father negotiated (and John Adams signed) with the Barbary pirates put it:

"The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."


Just to be clear.


Link to original post here:
http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/the-great-republican-rollback