This article appeared a few days ago, and it certainly made me laugh. Not only would John McCain not vote for a Muslim president, but he would be out campaigning for whoever the opponent was: Republican, Democrat or deceased.
“I think the number one issue people should make [in the] selection of the President of the United States is ‘Will this person carry on the Judeo Christian principled tradition that has made this nation the greatest experiment in the history of mankind?’”
I don’t think that’s the number one issue, but then again I’m not an American. Nor do I know what it’s like to be an American. Perhaps the indoctrination into State-side American culture is to think that way – think about the ‘religion’ of the country, rather than the ability of the person. Of course, the McCain spinneroonies said that we hasn’t saying that a Muslim candidate was less entitled to be a president. I am tempted to believe in this, as it doesn’t seem apparent that that’s what he’s saying. Rather, he’s saying that a Muslim shouldn’t be president, that he wouldn’t vote for him, and neither should the American people. That’s what I get from his statements, and that’s what I disagree with.
“I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles, personally, I prefer someone who has a grounding in my faith.”
And, really, the fact that religion is a massive part in the politics in America is where it differs here in Australia. Sure, there’s the rumblings about the Brethren and meetings with them by Howard and Rudd, and then the streamed debates that occurred a while back. And, yes, whenever a controversial or conscious vote comes up religion plays a part, but all-in-all, religion isn’t fussed about nearly as much in Australian politics.
Which is a good thing in my opinion. Religion should be part of society, yes, but part of the governance of society? Because otherwise, you’d have religiously-split parties, rather than policy splits. Yes, I concede that there were political divisions based on religion some years ago, and there was religious targeting as well, but these day if there’s any, it’s low-key and not at the front of campaigns.
Anyway, back to why I love Republicans. First that article came out. Today, this one. When you think something absurd as McCain’s statement is the top of the mountain the mountain for the week, Rush Limbaugh goes and creates a new military rank:
Caller: “What’s really funny is, they [Iraq war critics] never talk to real soldiers. They like to pull these soldiers that come up out of the blue and talk to the media.”
Rush: “The phony soldiers”
Yes, the phony soldier. First-class (asshole, I suspect Rush would say) rank. And who is the judge of that? Mr. Limbaugh himself. If the Republicans were trying to lose their base, they’re going about it all the right way.
First we have McCain who “betrays” the base and says he’d vote for a Muslim (of all people!), then Limbaugh goes and says that soldiers who talk to the camera are phony soldiers, thus ensuring at least part of the armed services send their votes the Democrats’ way. Of course, those soldiers speaking to the media had probably already decided to vote Blue anyway, which is why they were speaking to the camera.
Combine this with Mitt Romney’s Mormonism and Rudy Giuliani’s cross dressing, left-leaning policies and general ridiculousness, then Ron Paul is looking pretty damn good …
Thomas.
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