Nevada Republican's State Assembly Speaker Openly Racist, Sexist, Homophobic*

Image from source, Think Progress

Nevada has faced a number of oddball candidates for office, from the Chicken Lady, Sue Lowden to the certifiably batshit crazy Sharron Angle. And for decades, we've had the Hansen family, from the "Independent American Party," which should absolutely, positively not be confused with your run-of-the-mill independents. The IAP is a very fringy party, where you thought fringes were impossible. And the Hansens tried for years to get into mainstream politics.

Undoubtedly some have, and there is a new one. I wasn't able to confirm that he's part of the same family, but if not he'd fit right in. Ira Hansen is the new Speaker of the Nevada State Assembly. And he simply is pure hard right wing id. No filter, no dog whistle, all right there in the front window.

Whew. Unbelievable.

[Excerpt]

Incoming Nevada Speaker Said Democrats Have ‘Master-Slave’ Relationship With ‘Simple Minded Darkies’

Nevada Assemblyman Ira Hansen (R), who the assembly’s Republican caucus selected as their choice to be its next speaker earlier this month, has a long history of racist, sexist and homophobic statements chronicled in a long list published by the Reno News Review. Among other things, as part of a broader statement of support for school vouchers, Hansen claimed that “[t]he relationship of Negroes and Democrats is truly a master-slave relationship, with the benevolent master knowing what’s best for his simple minded darkies.” Indeed, according to the News Review, Hansen keeps a Confederate battle flag on his wall, which he says that he flies “proudly in honor and in memory of a great cause and my brave ancestors who fought for that cause.” He also “tends to use the term ‘Negro’ and often does not capitalize it. . .”

Read more at: Think Progress

*Obviously, "racist, sexist, homophobic" are all subjective judgments by me, your editor. Though I'm not sure another conclusion could be drawn.

Soledad O'Brien Makes Rep. Joe Heck (NV) Look Stupid

I've never, as a Nevadan, been very fond of Joe Heck. Sure, I don't find his policy ideas palatable, but I'm going to have to cop to a little trifle that bugs me almost as much: if you slapped one of those FLDS wigs on him, he'd look exactly like one of those Warren Jeffs "sister wives." Which has nothing to do with anything, except that he's my Congressman, and I can't help seeing it. Anyway, Soledad O'Brien made him look extra doofy Thursday.

 

Rick Perry and Mormons (and Mitt Romney)

The beginning of Mormonism, as chronicled by the
documentary film, South Park: All About the Mormons.
Image from IGN.

When Barack Obama was elected, I predicted that the thinly-veiled racism that was popping up here and there would give way to full-fledged N-words-a-poppin.' Oddly enough, it hasn't happened for the most part, which shows arch conservatives to have a bit more self control than I'd imagined. So, imagine my surprise when that self control cracked in regard to this election cycle's Mormon issue.

Most Mormons are devout believers in God and Jesus, have a strong focus on the families and values. Oh my heck, they don't even drink coffee, smoke cigarettes or touch alcohol! But their God and Jesus are different from evangelicals' version. So Mormons are in the same boat Catholocism was back in 1960. All of it is fiction to me, so the distinctions are ridiculous. Yes, Mormonism is wacky. So is every other religion that isn't yours.

Whoa, got off track there. Okay. When Rick Perry entered the race, he took all of the wind out of Mormon Mitt Romeny's sails. And Rick is super-duper "right kind of Jesus" to the base of the Republican Party (tea baggers). But Perry's fortunes have waned, and though another "right kind of Jesus" believer, Herman Cain has ascended (have you noticed, he's black?), it is widely believed that Romney will ultimately be the nominee. Which means that Rick Perry--if he wants to stay in the race--will have to go all out to beat him. Is he willing to play the M-card? Well, he didn't apologize for the preacher dude who introduced him, and called Mormonism a cult. And look how he treated these fundamentalist Mormons. . .

Image from source, The Daily Beast

[Excerpt]


Rick Perry’s Illegal Raid On A Mormon Sect

We all remember the image of hundreds of Mormon mothers, clad in pastel prairie dresses, trooping in and out of Texas courthouses, trying for three months to reclaim their children. It was the spring of 2008, and it would become the largest custody battle in U.S. history. . .

Read more at: The Daily Beast

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link, and the refresher course.

Texas Defends Removal of Mormon Cult Children

Photo from source, Yahoo! News

I haven't reported on this story until now, because I couldn't think of a way of doing so that wasn't intensely derogatory. I'm an agnostic, leaning toward atheism, and have a very strong distaste for most religions. When those religions wander into what sane people would call child abuse and molestation, I get livid.

There is no schadenfreude involved for me in this little busting of religion. Most of the people involved know nothing other than the life they've been leading. Most are the multiple wives (and even more multiple kids), and they can rightfully be seen largely as victims.

So I'll avoid judgment here, and instead offer only an observation. If you take some time to check out the photos of the people involved, there is a very creepy undercurrent to them. First, and most obviously is the frontier garb, and Little House on the Prairie hairstyles. Superficial yes, but enough to make them look very different, and alien to most Americans. Second, is a profound aging of the women. Some are said to be in their thirties and forties, but they look twenty years past that. Almost like middle-aged people of 35 or more years ago, old before their time.

And most superficially, there is an odd sameness to the faces of many of the people involved. A strange--not totally unattractive--but masculineness to the women. And they certainly all look related. Sad all around.

[Excerpt]

Texas defends separation of polygamist sect kids from moms

ELDORADO, Texas - State officials Tuesday defended their decision to suddenly separate mothers from many of the children taken in a raid on a polygamist ranch in West Texas.

Texas Children's Protective Services spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner said the separation was made Monday after they decided that children are more truthful in interviews about possible abuse if their parents are not around. . .

Read more at: Yahoo! News