TN Teabaggers' Islamophobic hate march in Murfreesboro

I've always wanted to see a real teabagger in person, and what better chance than to come to their hate march protesting the new Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.

The first teabagger I saw was there to photograph the counter demonstrators that out numbered the hate marchers. He smiled and said as he was taking his photo, "Smile for the camera, Islam" in a very heavy southern accent (where "smile" rhymes with "Islam").

I was happy to see huge number of counter protesters standing up for the constitution, freedom, and the law. It almost seemed like a case of "town and gown"... where the educated young people and their professor, clergy, and community faced off against the older redneck farmers, "townies, " and conservative KKKristian zealots. Of course the teabaggers made their kids march with them.

Note the ignorance and fear displayed in their signs. They might as well have been saying, 'the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim.'

This level of ignorance represents the Tennessee Republican Tea Party movement which is led by political candidates Lou Ann Zelenik, and George Erdel.

Erdel, calls himself a "Tea Party Democrat" candidate. No such thing, sorry. I saw him speak at the MTSU forum. He won the distinction of being the most ignorant and least intelligent candidate I've seen in quite some time. Further, he is a theocrat, one of those idiots who proclaim the US a "Christian Nation."

Interesting that a group that touts itself as a proponent of the Constitution would stage such a march. Republicans Jim Tracy and Diane Black sponsored the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in the state last year, a bill that established as law, which is now in effect, protection for mosques and other religious buildings from undue government interference. The Constitution only applies to issues they agree with, apparently.


Both Democratic candidates Ben Leming and Brett Carter who have spoken up for the rights of local Muslims, are distinguished vets who have served with Muslims in Muslim countries, and have a great deal of experience with Muslim families and cultures. I wonder how their experience compares with that of Zelenik, Erdel, or these teabaggers? How many of these people even know a Muslim?

I asked Lou Ann Zelenik, the leader of the hate march, the following questions on her Facebook page. The question remains unanswered:

Lou Ann,
Without demagoguing Muslims and raising the specter of 9/11 and playing upon the fears of residents, could you please explain your personal relationship and experiences with Muslims and Muslim culture that you base your objections on? How many personal Muslim friends do you have? How many professional Muslim associates do you have? How many Muslim countries have you visited? How many community members that are Muslim are involved in your campaign?

We really would like to know more about how your experiences with Muslims compare with those of your opponents, Ben Leming and Brett Carter, because as we know, positions need to be based on personal experience and we need to know how our candidates justify their positions.

Lou Ann Zelenik - Murfreesboro's Tea Klux Klan Leader

-- crossposted from TennesseeFree.com

Last week, if you did a Google News search for "Murfreesboro," you would've found the story on the town's new Islamic Center, particularly the story on comments made by Lou Ann Zelenik, Republican Tea Party candidate for Tennessee's sixth congressional district.

MSNBC:

... Lou Ann Zelenik said she stands with those who oppose building what she calls "an Islamic training center." She says the center is not part of a religious movement, but a political one "designed to fracture the moral and political foundation of Middle Tennessee."

"Until the American Muslim community find it in their hearts to separate themselves from their evil, radical counterparts, to condemn those who want to destroy our civilization and will fight against them, we are not obligated to open our society to any of them," Zelenik says in the statement.

Interesting. I wonder how many Muslim friends Zelenik has? I wonder how many Muslims Zelenik has met, had dinner with, talked with? How many do you think? Maybe she doesn't remember the condemnations of 9/11 delivered by the Muslim community?

Some say the Tea Party has been given a bad rap. Members say it's about smaller government, lower taxes, less bureaucracy, etc... The opposition has pegged it the "Tea Klux Klan" - a mostly white Christian group that fears minorities, people who are different, and puts stock in conspiracy theories about the President, the US Government's move toward socialism/Marxism/communism, etc...

Thankfully, the national MSM has taken comments of Zelenik and her teabagger friends and exposed to the nation what a backward, ignorant and bigoted group Zelenik represents. Some of the other choice comments voiced to the press from Murfreesboro residents on the Islamic Center came from religious leaders - supposed role models for the community!:

"Everybody knows they are trying to kill us. People are really concerned about this. Somebody has to stand up and take this country back." -- Karen Harrell

"...we have a duty here at home to understand thoroughly the nature, the intent, the funding of any group that is being invited into our community under that general banner (of Islam)." -- Allen Jackson, pastor of World Outreach Church

"It is a genuine concern based on the fact that, while we believe and practice freedom of religion, experience has taught us that a segment of Muslims are very hostile toward anyone who is not a Muslim. Their Quran is very explicit about how they should treat infidels." -- Michael O'Bannon, senior minister at First United Methodist Church

(I guess Minister O'Bannon missed the part of the Bible that orders death for infidels, death to those who worship differently, death to non-virgins, death to gays, etc...)

It is ironic that the Tea Partiers are campaigning against taxes (TEA = Taxed Enough Already) at a time where taxes are at the lowest level in 60 years. Obama's taxes on dividends and capital gains are better than Ronald Reagan's. So, what are they really complaining about ... especially here in TN where this state GETS more in Federal dollars than they GIVE in taxes?

This controversy about the new Islamic Center in Murfreesboro has pulled the sheets off of the Tea Klux Klan, giving credence to those who have pointed out the ignorance and fear this group exhibits, giving credence to those who call the south, "Dumbfuckistan." Why are they so afraid? Yes, ignorance and lack of education breeds fear. The sign at the new mosque site has been vandalized again.

Fortunately, there are voices of reason, experience, and intelligence, even here in Middle TN. The University Community at MTSU has shown support as well as local church leaders. Congressional candidate, U.S. Marine, and Iraq War combat veteran Ben Leming expressed his disappointment with citizen reaction on this issue:

“What do we have to be afraid of? During my deployments around the world, I have worked, trained, and broken bread with Muslims. I have known their families and communities. I have fought with them and for them, as I have for this country and my fellow citizens, many of whom are also Muslims. The people that want to build a house of worship in Murfreesboro are not the enemy. Osama Bin Laden and his band of thugs and criminals are the enemy. During my fifteen years of service, I’ve studied and fought our enemies. I’m not about to stop now,” said Leming, who earned the Air Medal while flying helicopter combat missions under fire in Iraq.

“I see a lot of people quoting our Constitution these days, but only when it suits their agenda. You can’t have it both ways. I believe in the United States Constitution. I have fought and will continue to fight to uphold every single right guaranteed by it. This includes the right to worship freely. Just because we may not agree with someone’s religious views does not mean we get to decide whether they can have a place of worship in the community. This is simply un-American.”

Speaking of religious indoctrination and training centers, have you seen the size of the Murfreesboro World Outreach Church? This college-sized facility has 4 sanctuaries that seat thousands, 24/7 radio, TV broadcasts, and programs for all aspects of life - from birth to death. Their latest expansion alone, an addition of 125,000 sq. ft, is more than double the size of the propose Islamic Center. Wow!!! No wonder they call this area, "Jesusland." Can theocracy and religious tests for public office be far away, especially here in the south?

The Rutherford County Planning Commission has already approved the 52,000 square Islamic Center on Veals Road. The Muslim community in Rutherford County has doubled in size in recent years and they have out grown their current mosque in Murfreesboro. Their statement of the recent vandalism to their sign:

We have reported this incident to our local authorities as well as the FBI. We place our trust in our law enforcement personnel and judicial system and feel that this incident will be dealt with accordingly. Our community and supporters will remain vigilant and will not tolerate any abuse. We would like to remind everyone that we are contributing members in this community as doctors, businessmen, professors and workers. We have been in this community for many many years.

Climategate - a manufactured scandal

crossposted from TennesseeFree.com

It's inexplicable to me that conservatives seem to represent the vast majority of the science deniers. I guess it's a combination of low scientific literacy, lack of education, paranoid conspiracy theories, fixed persistent party-line thinking, and perhaps fundamentalist religion/creationism. I don't know. One thing for certain, conservatives seem to hate academia and higher education. On the subject of climate change, conservatives can not seem to separate science from political agenda. They see it as one in the same, a classical persistent response pattern.

Well, the science deniers' big scandal has fizzled.

Investigations clear scientists of impropriety and dishonesty

Newsweek:

British investigators clear the East Anglia scientist at the center of it all, Phil Jones, of scientific impropriety and dishonesty in April, an investigation at Penn State cleared PSU climatologist Michael Mann of “falsifying or suppressing data, intending to delete or conceal e-mails and information, and misusing privileged or confidential information” in February.

Newspapers around the world are retracting their claims of fraud and scientific dishonesty. The campaign of lies is now exposed. Of course the Faux News right wing media machine has already spread the lies. Doesn't matter. Limbaugh and Levin tell them what to think.

For the record, yes, I believe the climate is changing, as it always has. Yes, human activity is definitely a factor in recent warming. That is accepted scientific fact. Can humans effectively halt climate change? I doubt it, I am skeptical, at least in our lifetime. The trend has already been established, and perhaps a 'tipping point' has been reached. Even if it were possible, it would be logistically impractical and improbable, at least in the short term. If it means a cleaner planet, it may be worth a try. I recognize there have been huge climate change events in the past, some triggered by seismic and impact events that would dwarf any effect of human activity and the warming we are now experiencing.

Tea Party candidate Sharron Angle gives us 'God's Plan'

(cross posted from TennesseeFree)

Sharron Angle- this is the person that the Republican teabaggers have nominated to run against Harry Reid for the US Senate.

Here are some of her positions:

* In the wake of the BP, Angle wants to deregulate the oil industry
* Angle wants to abolish the Education Department, Energy Department, EPA, United Nations and most of the IRS.
* Angle wants to eliminate Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance
* Angle wants to outlaw alcohol
* ... and more crazy shit!!

The Teabaggers have really picked a winner. The results of an annual survey conducted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal named Angle "one of Nevada's worst legislators" for four years between 1999 and 2005. Even fellow Republicans consider her too extreme. Sig Rogich, a Nevada Republican who helped elect Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, calls her "a nightmare." Rogich started a movement called "Republicans for Reid [pdf]" and said, "I could never support somebody who espouses the radical positions that Angle does." Also, Republican Barbara Vucanovich - the first woman to represent Nevada in the United States House of Representatives (1983 to 1997) said, "She's very rigid and I have a little bit of trouble understanding her positions ... So I'm not out there waving the flag. She's a very difficult person."

Most recently, Sharron Angle came out as a supporter of banning abortion under ALL circumstances, including rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother. Extreme, but not surprising. This is consistent with the GOP platform - which provides no exceptions.

Angle said when asked the question: "is there any reason at all for an abortion? ... rape and incest would not be something [of an exception]?"

Not in my book. You know, I`m a Christian. And I believe that God has a plan and a purpose for each one of our lives, and that he can intercede in all kinds of situations, and we need to have a little faith in many things.

Olbermann slam dunked her ass appropriately:

So, Miss Angle, we`re now talking about a theocracy. A rape is God`s plan? Incest, God`s plan? A pregnancy that kills the baby and the mother and could have been prevented by an abortion, God`s plan? Presumably, a murder is God`s plan? Of course, Miss Angle, you have to ask yourself if the medical knowledge to safely conduct an abortion isn`t also God`s plan. And if you have to, accept that Roe v. Wade and the far right`s inability to overturn it, despite Supreme Court conservative majorities and seven Republican presidential terms since, is also God`s plan.

Thanks, Miss Angle for giving us God's plan, and thanks to the teabaggers for an absolutely stupid and crazy candidate. A perfect representative for the "take America back" idiots. As unpopular as Harry Reid is, he couldn't have asked for a better opponent. Harry Reid, 23 yr legislator, graduate of George Washington University Law School vs. Sharon Angle, B.A. and substitute Art teacher of 25 yrs. Perfect.

Sharron Angle proves what Bill Maher said a year ago:

"We don't have a 'left ' and a 'right' party in this country anymore. We have a 'center-right' party and a 'crazy party.' Over the last 30 years, Democrats have moved to the right, and the right has moved to a mental hospital."

UPDATE: Sharron Angle cites "Second Amendment remedies" for Harry Reid and congress. There is no spinning this. We'll shoot you if we don't get our way... now that's a 'real American.'

UPDATE II: A steady drip of previous radical statements from Angle are coming to light and prominent Nevada Republicans like Reno Mayor Bob Cahsell are throwing their support behind Harry Reid. Angle was found to be responsible for a vitriolic anti-gay newspaper insert that called homosexuals and bisexuals, "child-molesting, HIV-carrying, Hell-bound freaks." The flier also asserted HIV could be spread in public water systems.

Image courtesy of Teaparty Jesus. Check out the site, it's hilarious!

Poll: A majority see a Sarah Palin endorsement as toxic, as is the GOP defense of BP

WaPost:

Commentators keep telling us how influential Sarah Palin’s endorsements are, and even if the whole “mama grizzly” meme is clearly overstated, there’s no quibbling with the fact that Palin has pull among GOP primary voters.

But the more interesting point to be made about Palin is how toxic she’s become among the broader electorate. In fact, buried in the internals of the new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll is an amusing number: A majority see a Palin endorsement as a clear negative.

The poll asked people how they’d respond if a Congressional candidate had various hypothetical attributes. Asked how they’d feel if a candidate were “endorsed by Sarah Palin,” the response was…

Enthusiastic about this attribute 8%

Comfortable with this attribute 17%

Have some reservations about this attribute 15%

Very uncomfortable with this attribute 37%

So a majority, 52%, reacted negatively. And an astonishing 37 percent would be “very uncomfortable” about a Palin endorsement, more than four times the eight percent who would be “enthusiastic” about it.

Even better, there were only two attributes a candidate might have that were seen as worse than a Palin endorsement: Supporting Bush’s economic policies; and supporting the elimination of various Federal agencies and/or Social Security.

And...Sarah's in trouble...again.

OK, so Palin, the big gun for the GOP is toxic, and now the GOP is apologizing to BP!!





Republican torture apologist, Uncle Tom Sowell was comparing Obama to Hitler again and raising fears of our constitution being trampled by Obama's treatment of BP.

FDL said it well:

So when a Republican is president, he can lock people up in dungeons without charges for as long as he wants and totally go medieval on their ass, because he feels like it.

But when a Democratic president asks a multi-national company to establish an independently managed escrow for damages stemming from their negligent destruction of the Gulf of Mexico and several states’ economies, not to mention the deaths of 11 workers, and they agree to do so — the Constitution is being trampled and the very nature of American democracy is threatened.

Republicans defend BP - that's all you need to know in the next election

Thanks Joe Barton for apologizing to BP. This is the guy who could be chairing the Energy and Commerce Committee if the Republicans could retake a majority. Remember how Republicans defend the perpetrator of the worst environmental disaster in US history when the next election comes around.

WaPost:
How Joe Barton's apology to BP saved President Obama's week

Barton, a Texas congressman and the highest-ranking Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee, decided to apologize to -- wait for it -- BP chief executive Tony "I'd like my life back" Hayward during a hearing Thursday morning.

"I'm ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday," Barton told Hayward, condemning a $20 billion account funded by BP to help pay damages from the spill and calling it a "shakedown" of the company by the Obama administration.

Barton realized his gaffe and retracted. Ooops, too little too late.

TN Republicans support mountaintop removal mining - an eco disaster

Republicans vote against bill to ban the ecologically disastrous practice of mountaintop removal mining.

Tennessean - June 9, '10:

An attempt to revive a bill that would ban "mountaintop removal" coal mining in Tennessee failed in the state Senate today. The recall motion by Sen. Andy Berke, a Chattanooga Democrat, failed by a 12-14 vote that fell mostly along party lines.The bill would have prohibited surface coal mining more than 2,000 feet above sea level.

Mountaintop removal is devastating hundreds of square miles of Appalachia; polluting the headwaters of rivers that provide drinking water to millions of Americans ... but that's OK with Republicans. Tennessee already allows mountaintop mining at Zeb Mountain in Pioneer, where pollution is showing up in water supplies.

All 12 votes to ban this practice came from Democrats.

The The Republican War on the Environment continues...

more.