Ground Zero Mosque, Prop 8 Court Decision - Tough Week for the Far Right
And lo, later that same week - a judge in California ruled Proposition 8 unconstitutional. Is Glenn Beck correct? God-fearing liberty lovin', gun totin, Bible thumpin' folks are under attack?
No, progressives aren't out to deny the far right the liberty to pray or the freedom to exercise idiocy. We do, however, want to limit the damage you can do by restricting your political power. That means working so your candidates get defeated and you influence marginalized.
And thanks for the assist on that, by the way - nothing says nutbar like just letting your candidates speak for themselves. Look at Harry Reid, who was once considered an outside shot at best to win. Thanks to the very unqualified and just plain loony Sharron Angle, he's the odds-on favorite.
The more independents and moderate Republicans see of the tea crazies, the more they recoil in horror. People see the nation the likes of Angle and Palin and Beck want us to live in, and they wretch.
The "Ground Zero Mosque" and the overturning of Proposition 8 are drawing the real views of the far right even more out into the open. Used to be righties would hide their true nature and agenda. The Catch 22 of the Tea Parties is that candidates can no longer do that. To win teabag support, candidates must hop on the crazy train.
Many Americans are tired of living in a country where fear and prejudice are allowed such a large role in the national conversation. Longing for an intelligent debate centered on tackling real problems rather than firing up the base through irrational rhetoric.
The next loss for the far right is going to be on taxes. Enough Americans realize that the massive redistribution of wealth going on for decades has damaged working families. The Bush tax cuts to the rich will not be renewed. Sure, the pundits on the right will convince their minions that big government is coming to get them, but it won't be enough.
While it's logical to assume gains for the Republicans in November, look for the sheer radical nature of their candidates to reduce losses and allow both houses to maintain marginal majorities. Once that happens, we can renew the push for real policy initiatives to benefit Americans.
Published by Jeff Musall
Jeff Musall has a passion for writing, a knack for frank and informed expression, and a desire to engage the minds of readers. He is an avid sports fan across the board and loves good competitions. His work... View profile
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18 Comments
Post a CommentJust re-reading this. Honestly, I'm so glad I left the US. I can't imagine living in a country so full of hatred. In Thailand, we recently had terrible political violence and there's nowhere near the level of hatred you're seeing in America on a daily basis. So sad.
Which UNION group will build the Mosque – from what I have read and heard …. No UNION will touch it… and will boycott if Scabs work…. Yes, Even the UNIONS are out…
Jeff, Yes as of Aug. 8 – when this article was written, it was a hit for the Right….. A week later, now the LEFT is ducking for cover on the Mosque issue... The pendulum is swinging (thanks Carol)
It's time for some pendulum swinging.
Great analysis, Jeff, as always. Gee, in one week, there is a blow against the rightwing hatred of Muslims and gays. Whom ia a good rightwing nutcase supposed to hate?
I disagree with Cassandra stating that Muslims didn't cause 9/11 and it was extremists is a common misconception about Islam in general. Islam by its nature is incapable of dividing itself politically and theologically. If there was some small band of extremists running around they would have been stopped already. For these reasons placement of a mosque at ground zero should be seen as a political and theological strategy meant to undermine American values.
Mosques,churches, etc. all offend some of us, but we don't stop them from being built. People have the right to be irrational.
PEOPLE need to get over themselves. Great article, Jeff. Think I'll Tweet it ;>
I was in 2 WTC when the plane hit, AND I'm Jewish. AND I lived in Israel for 3 years and U an all in favor of mosque. I wrote about it in an article I called "A 9/11 Victim Speaks Again"
I read but will refrain from commenting since my opinion no one will like. Great job writing this article Jeff! Like I said, I would add to the discussion, but it is not the best idea ;)