I hope to develop a leadership program to address our deficiencies, particularly in biology and maths - Mike Ghouse
Sunday, 11 November 2012 17:55
http://readersupportednews.org/pm-section/78-78/14498-republicans-say-the-darndest-things
I could almost hear a loud, collective sigh of relief, not just in the United States, but worldwide, after Mitt Romney lost the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election. Nowadays in particular, the GOP, and those within its’ base, have combined gross ignorance with unbridled arrogance when making remarks and accusations. Some, at the least, could be useful material in any comedy monologue (and HAVE unintentionally spawned some funny ones).
But while Democrats swept to victory, the GOP will again be held only at bay. This vicious circle of two “parties” still exists, both with the same strategy, but different tactics. Loyal opposition will unfortunately continue in the near future.
As a reminder of potential absurdities-“legitimate” rape, pregnancy by rape as “God’s will,” only “whores” using free contraceptives, etc.-leading potentially to unwanted consequences, the following quotes show a need to oppose the GOP relentlessly:
First, former presidential candidate Mitt Romney:
(The second debate with Obama): “My plan will create 23 million new jobs.” (But 45 minutes later), “Government does not create jobs. Government does not create jobs.”
“I get speaker’s fees from time to time, but not very much (1/2012).” (“Not very much” is $374, 000 in one year.)
“I should tell you my story. I’m also unemployed (2011).” (Trying to relate to former workers, but not revealing his net worth of $200 million.)
“He [Obama] says we need more firemen, more policemen, more teachers. It’s time to cut back on government and help the American people.” “(Campaign event in Council Bluffs, Iowa, 6/08/2012, “promoting” the general welfare of U.S. citizens.)
Former vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan:
“I’m very proud of my pro-life record, and I’ve always adopted the idea that the position that the method of conception doesn’t change the definition of life.” (Referring to rape as a method of conception while ignoring it as a crime. Interview, WJHL. Roanoake, Virginia, 8/23/2012.)
“I voted to send people to war.” (Pro-life” and pro-war? A point to show his foreign policy voting record is better than Obama’s policy itself. Fox News interview, 8/18/2012.)
“Rand makes the best case for democratic capitalism.” (Making a contradiction in terms regarding Ayan Rand, who opposed democracy.)
Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry:
“I will tell you: its three agencies of government, when I get there, that are gone: Commerce, Education and the – what’s the third one there? Let’s see…O.K. So Commerce, Education and the – I can’t. The third one, I can’t. Sorry. Oops (11/09/2011).” “Forgetting the Dept. of Energy as an agency he wants to cut.”
“Juarez is reported to be the most dangerous city in America (3/01/2012).” (Not knowing that Juarez is in Mexico.)
Former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain:
“I’m ready for the gotcha questions and they’re already starting to come. And when they ask me who is the president of Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan is, I’m going to say, you know, I don’t know. Do you know (PBS interview, 10/09/2011)?” (Unprepared for the “gotcha questions.”)
“They [China] have indicated that they’re trying to develop nuclear capability…” (PBS interview, 10/31/2011) (Unaware that China has had nuclear weapons since 1964.)
Former presidential candidate Newt Gingrich:
“I worked [passionately for his country] too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate.” (Referring to two extra-marital affairs, the first while his first wife suffered from cancer, and regarding the second wife, while pushing for Bill Clinton’s impeachment.)
“They have no habit of staying all day. They have no habit of “I do this and you give me cash.’” (12/01/2011) (His opinion on poor children.)
Former presidential candidate Michelle Bachman:
“And what a bizarre time we’re in, when a judge will say to little children that you can’t say the pledge of allegiance, but you must learn that homosexuality is normal and you should try it.” (An appeal to homophobic fear while wrapping herself in the flag.)
“A woman [Terry Schiavo] was healthy. There was brain damage, there is no question. But from a health point of view, she was not terminally ill.” (Expressing her “medical knowledge.”)
Senator Tommy Thompson (R-WI):
“[W]ho better than me…to come up with programs to do away with Medicaid and Medicare?” (Admitting to a GOP objective.)
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin:
“He who warned, uh, the British that they weren’t gonna be takin’ away our arms, uh, by ringing those bells, and um, makin’ sure as he’s riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed.” (6/03/2011, not quite knowing the purpose for Paul Revere’s ride.)
“…journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn.” (1/12/2011) (Not knowing what a blood libel is, i.e., a historically false accusation that Jews kill Christian babies for their blood.)
Representative Steve King (R-Iowa):
“They intend to vote on the Sabbath, during Lent, to take away the liberty that we have right from God.” (Glenn Beck interview, 3/18/2010) (Implying the U.S. Congress committed “blasphemy” when voting on the healthcare bill.)
Rush Limbaugh:
“Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society.” (He also coined the term “feminazis.”)
“The only way to reduce the number of nuclear weapons is to use them.” (Showing his “compassionate conservatism,” while disregarding the inevitable consequences.)
Pat Robertson:
“The feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women. It is about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.” (A warning about an “evil, feminist conspiracy.”)
Bill O’Reilly:
“I just wish Katrina had only hit the UN building, nothing else, just had flooded them out, and I wouldn’t have rescued them.” (Radio show, 9/14/2005) (His death wish for the international representative of nations and those inside it…and his nonresponse.)
Former U.S. president George W. Bush Jr.:
“This is an impressive crowd—the haves and the have mores. Some people call you the elite—I call you my base.” (The 2000 Al Smith dinner; his working class supporters should have learned a lesson then.)
“I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we’re really talking about peace.”(Washington, DC, 6/18/2002; Right out of “1984.”)
Former vice president Dick Cheney:
“I had other priorities in the sixties than military service.” (6/25/2004) (Implying his five draft deferments exempted him.)
“Go fuck yourself.” (/25/2004) (Showing “bi-partisanship” to Democratic Senator Patrick, when challenged on his former company, Halliburton, accused of profiteering.)
Glenn Beck:
“When I see a 9/11 victim family on TV, or whatever, I’m just like, ‘Oh, shut up.’ I’m so sick of them because they’re always complaining.” (Radio show, 9/09/2005; another example of “compassionate conservatism.”)
“African-American is a bogus, PC [politically correct], made-up term. I mean, that’s not a race. Your ancestry is from Africa and now you live in America.” (Radio show, 1/07/2007; right. African + American = African-American.)
Ann Coulter:
“Marriage is not a civil right. You’re not black.” (9/26/2010) (Using the 14th Amendment to imply that women, gays, lesbians and LGBT individuals are not equal.)
“You will find liberals always rooting for savages against civilization.” (O’Reilly Factor, 5/07/2010; thinking that she can differentiate between civility and savagery.)
Former U.S. vice president George Bush Sr.:
“… I’ve worked alongside President Reagan. We’ve had triumphs. Made some mistakes. Had some sex…uh…setbacks.” (I thought they were homophobic.)
“Ozone, Man, Ozone. He’s crazy, way far out, man.” (Trying ineffectively to express 1960s phraseology in criticizing Al Gore, 1992 presidential election.)
Former U.S. vice president Dan Quayle:
“I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn’t study Latin harder in school so I could converse with these people.” (Mistakenly thinking that just because the region is called Latin America, the inhabitants speak Latin, showing his lack of knowledge regarding it.)
Former U.S. president Ronald Reagan (He was more effective with wit than others quoted here, but still had more in common with them in expressing “whoppers.”):
“My fellow Americans. I’m pleased to announce that I’ve signed legislation outlawing the Soviet Union. We begin bombing in five minutes.” (What turned out to be a tasteless joke gone awry during a mike check on his Saturday radio broadcast.)
“Well, I learned a lot…I went down to Latin America to find out from them and learn their views. You’d be surprised. They’re all individual countries.” (Having in common with Quayle ignorance of the region.)
“Trees cause more pollution than automobiles.” (Blaming nature for a human-made problem.)
“…a moral equivalent to our Founding Fathers.” (Referring to the Nicaraguan Contras, which included former members of Somoza’s repressive Guardia Nacional.)
No to be outdone, the following slogans were evident on Tea Party protesters’ signs, and evidently would disqualify them from a spelling bee:
“Thank You Fox News for keeping us infromed.”
“Hey Hussein, quit ‘Dixie Chickin’ Our Nation. Go back to Kenya.” (“Birthers” die hard.)
“Obama Half –Breed Muslin.”
“Get A Brain! Morans…Go USA.”
“Don’t Steal from Medicare to Support Socialized Medicine.” (Medicare, having positive benefits, was created by the federal government.)
“Obama LI ER I N CHIEF. Got a birth certificate?” (Shockingly, “birthers” still exist.)
There are more than enough examples here to see an obvious pattern. While it’s true anyone can potentially reveal their ignorance on whatever subject, the GOP, and those among its’ base, has made it second nature. There is no doubt then, more will come from the right. All the more, quoting Bush Jr., “you don’t get fooled again.”
Sources: “Political humor,” by Daniel Kurtzman, About.com; “The 10 Craziest Michelle Bachman Quotes,” by Matt Stopera, “The Dumbest Republican Quotes of 2011,” by Jack Moore buzzfeed.com; “9 Outrageous Things Said by Republicans Running for Office, by Bethany Imondi, emilyslist.org)
I could almost hear a loud, collective sigh of relief, not just in the United States, but worldwide, after Mitt Romney lost the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election. Nowadays in particular, the GOP, and those within its’ base, have combined gross ignorance with unbridled arrogance when making remarks and accusations. Some, at the least, could be useful material in any comedy monologue (and HAVE unintentionally spawned some funny ones).
But while Democrats swept to victory, the GOP will again be held only at bay. This vicious circle of two “parties” still exists, both with the same strategy, but different tactics. Loyal opposition will unfortunately continue in the near future.
As a reminder of potential absurdities-“legitimate” rape, pregnancy by rape as “God’s will,” only “whores” using free contraceptives, etc.-leading potentially to unwanted consequences, the following quotes show a need to oppose the GOP relentlessly:
First, former presidential candidate Mitt Romney:
(The second debate with Obama): “My plan will create 23 million new jobs.” (But 45 minutes later), “Government does not create jobs. Government does not create jobs.”
“I get speaker’s fees from time to time, but not very much (1/2012).” (“Not very much” is $374, 000 in one year.)
“I should tell you my story. I’m also unemployed (2011).” (Trying to relate to former workers, but not revealing his net worth of $200 million.)
“He [Obama] says we need more firemen, more policemen, more teachers. It’s time to cut back on government and help the American people.” “(Campaign event in Council Bluffs, Iowa, 6/08/2012, “promoting” the general welfare of U.S. citizens.)
Former vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan:
“I’m very proud of my pro-life record, and I’ve always adopted the idea that the position that the method of conception doesn’t change the definition of life.” (Referring to rape as a method of conception while ignoring it as a crime. Interview, WJHL. Roanoake, Virginia, 8/23/2012.)
“I voted to send people to war.” (Pro-life” and pro-war? A point to show his foreign policy voting record is better than Obama’s policy itself. Fox News interview, 8/18/2012.)
“Rand makes the best case for democratic capitalism.” (Making a contradiction in terms regarding Ayan Rand, who opposed democracy.)
Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry:
“I will tell you: its three agencies of government, when I get there, that are gone: Commerce, Education and the – what’s the third one there? Let’s see…O.K. So Commerce, Education and the – I can’t. The third one, I can’t. Sorry. Oops (11/09/2011).” “Forgetting the Dept. of Energy as an agency he wants to cut.”
“Juarez is reported to be the most dangerous city in America (3/01/2012).” (Not knowing that Juarez is in Mexico.)
Former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain:
“I’m ready for the gotcha questions and they’re already starting to come. And when they ask me who is the president of Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan is, I’m going to say, you know, I don’t know. Do you know (PBS interview, 10/09/2011)?” (Unprepared for the “gotcha questions.”)
“They [China] have indicated that they’re trying to develop nuclear capability…” (PBS interview, 10/31/2011) (Unaware that China has had nuclear weapons since 1964.)
Former presidential candidate Newt Gingrich:
“I worked [passionately for his country] too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate.” (Referring to two extra-marital affairs, the first while his first wife suffered from cancer, and regarding the second wife, while pushing for Bill Clinton’s impeachment.)
“They have no habit of staying all day. They have no habit of “I do this and you give me cash.’” (12/01/2011) (His opinion on poor children.)
Former presidential candidate Michelle Bachman:
“And what a bizarre time we’re in, when a judge will say to little children that you can’t say the pledge of allegiance, but you must learn that homosexuality is normal and you should try it.” (An appeal to homophobic fear while wrapping herself in the flag.)
“A woman [Terry Schiavo] was healthy. There was brain damage, there is no question. But from a health point of view, she was not terminally ill.” (Expressing her “medical knowledge.”)
Senator Tommy Thompson (R-WI):
“[W]ho better than me…to come up with programs to do away with Medicaid and Medicare?” (Admitting to a GOP objective.)
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin:
“He who warned, uh, the British that they weren’t gonna be takin’ away our arms, uh, by ringing those bells, and um, makin’ sure as he’s riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed.” (6/03/2011, not quite knowing the purpose for Paul Revere’s ride.)
“…journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn.” (1/12/2011) (Not knowing what a blood libel is, i.e., a historically false accusation that Jews kill Christian babies for their blood.)
Representative Steve King (R-Iowa):
“They intend to vote on the Sabbath, during Lent, to take away the liberty that we have right from God.” (Glenn Beck interview, 3/18/2010) (Implying the U.S. Congress committed “blasphemy” when voting on the healthcare bill.)
Rush Limbaugh:
“Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society.” (He also coined the term “feminazis.”)
“The only way to reduce the number of nuclear weapons is to use them.” (Showing his “compassionate conservatism,” while disregarding the inevitable consequences.)
Pat Robertson:
“The feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women. It is about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.” (A warning about an “evil, feminist conspiracy.”)
Bill O’Reilly:
“I just wish Katrina had only hit the UN building, nothing else, just had flooded them out, and I wouldn’t have rescued them.” (Radio show, 9/14/2005) (His death wish for the international representative of nations and those inside it…and his nonresponse.)
Former U.S. president George W. Bush Jr.:
“This is an impressive crowd—the haves and the have mores. Some people call you the elite—I call you my base.” (The 2000 Al Smith dinner; his working class supporters should have learned a lesson then.)
“I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we’re really talking about peace.”(Washington, DC, 6/18/2002; Right out of “1984.”)
Former vice president Dick Cheney:
“I had other priorities in the sixties than military service.” (6/25/2004) (Implying his five draft deferments exempted him.)
“Go fuck yourself.” (/25/2004) (Showing “bi-partisanship” to Democratic Senator Patrick, when challenged on his former company, Halliburton, accused of profiteering.)
Glenn Beck:
“When I see a 9/11 victim family on TV, or whatever, I’m just like, ‘Oh, shut up.’ I’m so sick of them because they’re always complaining.” (Radio show, 9/09/2005; another example of “compassionate conservatism.”)
“African-American is a bogus, PC [politically correct], made-up term. I mean, that’s not a race. Your ancestry is from Africa and now you live in America.” (Radio show, 1/07/2007; right. African + American = African-American.)
Ann Coulter:
“Marriage is not a civil right. You’re not black.” (9/26/2010) (Using the 14th Amendment to imply that women, gays, lesbians and LGBT individuals are not equal.)
“You will find liberals always rooting for savages against civilization.” (O’Reilly Factor, 5/07/2010; thinking that she can differentiate between civility and savagery.)
Former U.S. vice president George Bush Sr.:
“… I’ve worked alongside President Reagan. We’ve had triumphs. Made some mistakes. Had some sex…uh…setbacks.” (I thought they were homophobic.)
“Ozone, Man, Ozone. He’s crazy, way far out, man.” (Trying ineffectively to express 1960s phraseology in criticizing Al Gore, 1992 presidential election.)
Former U.S. vice president Dan Quayle:
“I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn’t study Latin harder in school so I could converse with these people.” (Mistakenly thinking that just because the region is called Latin America, the inhabitants speak Latin, showing his lack of knowledge regarding it.)
Former U.S. president Ronald Reagan (He was more effective with wit than others quoted here, but still had more in common with them in expressing “whoppers.”):
“My fellow Americans. I’m pleased to announce that I’ve signed legislation outlawing the Soviet Union. We begin bombing in five minutes.” (What turned out to be a tasteless joke gone awry during a mike check on his Saturday radio broadcast.)
“Well, I learned a lot…I went down to Latin America to find out from them and learn their views. You’d be surprised. They’re all individual countries.” (Having in common with Quayle ignorance of the region.)
“Trees cause more pollution than automobiles.” (Blaming nature for a human-made problem.)
“…a moral equivalent to our Founding Fathers.” (Referring to the Nicaraguan Contras, which included former members of Somoza’s repressive Guardia Nacional.)
No to be outdone, the following slogans were evident on Tea Party protesters’ signs, and evidently would disqualify them from a spelling bee:
“Thank You Fox News for keeping us infromed.”
“Hey Hussein, quit ‘Dixie Chickin’ Our Nation. Go back to Kenya.” (“Birthers” die hard.)
“Obama Half –Breed Muslin.”
“Get A Brain! Morans…Go USA.”
“Don’t Steal from Medicare to Support Socialized Medicine.” (Medicare, having positive benefits, was created by the federal government.)
“Obama LI ER I N CHIEF. Got a birth certificate?” (Shockingly, “birthers” still exist.)
There are more than enough examples here to see an obvious pattern. While it’s true anyone can potentially reveal their ignorance on whatever subject, the GOP, and those among its’ base, has made it second nature. There is no doubt then, more will come from the right. All the more, quoting Bush Jr., “you don’t get fooled again.”
Sources: “Political humor,” by Daniel Kurtzman, About.com; “The 10 Craziest Michelle Bachman Quotes,” by Matt Stopera, “The Dumbest Republican Quotes of 2011,” by Jack Moore buzzfeed.com; “9 Outrageous Things Said by Republicans Running for Office, by Bethany Imondi, emilyslist.org)
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