Friday, July 15, 2016

NEW YORK TIMES, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

Mike Pence is now officially Donald Trump's running mate. Michael Barbaro and Monica Davey of The New York Times think Pence is a relic of a long-distant past:
Throughout his career as a congressmen, radio show host and governor, Gov. Michael Richard Pence of Indiana, Donald J. Trump’s running mate, has been deeply and proudly out of sync with his times.

... With his deep social conservatism [and] public religiosity ... he is a throwback in his political style.

... In interviews, Mr. Pence describes himself as “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order.”

Those animating forces were at the center of the most consequential -- and controversial -- decision Mr. Pence made as governor: signing a 2015 law that could have made it easier for religious conservatives to refuse service to gay couples just as same-sex marriage was spreading across the country.

... For many Americans, it was a searing introduction to Mr. Pence. But for those who have closely tracked his career, it fit a longstanding pattern: the winds of change might blow, but Mr. Pence is slow to bend.
Really? Pence is a lonely, bitter clinger to a religious-right philosophy that's now obsolete? Within the GOP?

Apparently Barbaro and Davey didn't read their own newspaper's report on this year's Republican platform:
The platform demands that lawmakers use religion as a guide when legislating, stipulating “that man-made law must be consistent with God-given, natural rights.”

It also encourages the teaching of the Bible in public schools because, the amendment said, a good understanding of its contents is “indispensable for the development of an educated citizenry.”

[A] pornography provision ... calls pornography “a public menace” that is especially harmful to children.

... nearly every provision that expressed disapproval of homosexuality, same-sex marriage or transgender rights passed. The platform calls for overturning the Supreme Court marriage decision with a constitutional amendment and makes references to appointing judges “who respect traditional family values.”

... Additional provisions included those that promoted state laws to limit which restrooms transgender people could use, nodded to “conversion therapy” for gays by saying that parents should be free to make medical decisions about their children without interference and stated that “natural marriage” between a man and a woman is most likely to result in offspring who do not become drug-addicted or otherwise damaged.
More evidence of Pence's datedness, according to Barbaro and Davey?
So far, he has struggled to carve out a national reputation beyond his polarizing pursuit of socially conservative causes. In an echo of his actions on gay rights, he signed a strict new law in March that bans abortions after a fetus is found to have Down syndrome “or any other disability.” The measure inflamed many women and abortion-rights activists across the country and now faces a serious court challenge.
Yes, that's so out of step with present-day Republican mores that Pence wasn't even the first governor to sign such a bill into law -- there was already a similar law in North Dakota. A bill resembling Indiana's is still pending in the Ohio legislature, and Governor John Kasich -- a media darling who's never described as a far-right throwback -- said last year that if it passes, he'll sign it. Oh, and the Louisiana Senate just passed a similar bill.

The mainstream press doesn't want to come to terms with the extremism of the Republican Party, so it portrays Pence as an anomaly. He isn't one.

13 comments:

Victor said...

I read Pence described somewhere, as Palin without the charisma.

That sounds about right.
Extremely "right!"

Raymond Smith said...

Pence is someone that when as a Governor of IN could not handle the pressures of the job. When he was needed to act he froze and that is his true history. Under crisis this guy will buckle and Trump will overreact. Thus both of these people are not qualified to have the power of the offices they are running for. The real question is, will the rest of the world allow these two to put it at risk or will it combine against them? We live in a global economy, whether or not the GOP wants to admit it the world can easily cut the USA off.

Feud Turgidson said...

On Trump picking Pence, I'm 100% Dcik Stanley: "I'm fine."

(Dick Stanley as played by Buck Henry in Albert Brooks' Defending Your Life.)

Feud Turgidson said...

Now New York magazine is letting out shaft on Pokey Man tie in possibiitie in the Trump-Pence 2016 logo.

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/07/nsfw-trump-pence-2016-unveils-steamy-logo.html

The reviews are like those in the scene from MASH the movie after the camp lisetened over the loudspeakers as Frank Burns and Hot Lips went at it.

Dago Red: Oh, is this The Bickersons? I love them!

Now, Mike "Hot Lips" Pence: 'Oh, Donald, your T fits in my P!

Ten Bears said...

Speaking of the half-term failed governor, you'll have to forgive me for having led a sheltered life, but I have never been to a strip club nor visit a porno site, and when I look at that lip-sticked pig I think of old porn stars, because having no frame of reference otherwise thats what I think old porn stars looks like.

petrilli said...

Ten Bears: Palin porn would be in the amateur MILF category on sites like "The Hun." Real porn stars are professionals who generally show up on time and finish what they start.

KenRight said...

On the other hand a party which promotes a low birthrate among the Majority soon coming minority and a high immigration and birthrate among the minority soon coming majority is the more destructive party in the area discussed.
That is, if you consider fissiparous dissolution destructive.

Steve M. said...

There was Palin porn in '08, produced by Larry Flynt and starring a fake Palin (suitable-for-work Wikipedia link).

Oh, and someone needs to recalibrate the dosage on KenRight's meds.

Feud Turgidson said...

KenR used a big word. Like deoderant over 240 years of racist stench.

Unknown said...

Aw, Ken.

Do those Brown People scare you?

CF2K said...

Maybe Ken should think about sperm banking some of those precious bodily fluids.

Green Eagle said...

Personally, I am all for ejecting Muslims who want Sharia law, as soon as we send with them Christians who believe the country should be run according to the Bible.

Removing the Muslims won't really change anything, but it sure will be good to get the Christians out of here.

Procopius said...

@Ten Bears: Japanese Adult Videos (perfectly legal and sold by little old ladies in Osaka) include all kinds of people, including same-sex couples/groups and some pretty old ones. You're right, that's what an old porn star looks like. Errrr... so I've been told by somebody my brother-in-law knows who visits porn sites. I wouldn't know myself, of course.