Republican Electorate

I know some intelligent Republicans – in some cases very intelligent.  Some of them are decent, caring human beings, who simply have reached different conclusions than I have, as to the best way to make life better for everybody in this country. 

Some people like this even run for office.  Unfortunately, they form a minority within their party – and to secure a nomination, candidates need to appeal to the broader Republican caucus. 

In order to gain the nomination, a Republican candidate must reach out to, pander to, or at the very least not alienate a coalition of some of the most ignorant, narrow-minded, backward people who have ever sucked air on this continent. 

For some, this comes naturally; I actually enjoy watching Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin, and the Ricks (Perry and Santorum) hold court, and sing with the choir.   Others try, but don’t pull it off; it’s just painful to watch Mitt Romney, for example, try to cloak his intelligence and regality in order to relate to the gomers.  And while it’s refreshing to see those who simply refuse to compromise their principles to fit in, these folks—Hunstman and Paul, for example—aren’t serious contenders for the prize. 

As tempting as it would be to simply turn our backs on this entire convocation of fools, I am not able to.  Given the limitless supply of corporate money available to whoever prevails in this exercise, it’s … I don’t know how to characterize it, but we ignore it at our peril. 

Chosen People

I’m trying to think of any religion anywhere on Earth where God declares that somebody else is his chosen people. 

I'm not coming up with anything. 

The one 'sort of' exception is of Rastafarianism, the Jamaican religion which reveres Hailie Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia.   

Cheney's Book

Snarlin’ Dick Cheney has written a memoir of his White House years.

To refresh your memory, Cheney was the CEO of Halliburton, and was embedded with the Bush Jr Administration from 2001-2009. 

During this time, Cheney served first as acting President for six years, before being demoted to acting Vice-President.

While it is unclear what value, if any, he contributed to the United States; his service to Halliburton was constant and exemplary throughout this assignment.