Sarah Palin: National Day of Prayer and US Law

In reaction to the dust up over the National Day of Prayer, Sarah Palin made the not-so-surprising claim that this was yet another conspiracy to turn the country away from it's spiritual roots.

Check it out:


So, let's talk about why Sarah Palin is stupid (as if a discussion is even necessary at this point).

1) The nation was founded at a time when the presence of God was an assumed reality.  However, the country was not founded on religious ideals.  It was founded on the ideals of freedom (which includes the freedom to choose a religion and freedom from forced religious observance).  Hence the use of God in the founding documents is not a statement of a national belief in God, so much as it is a statement of a historically assumed fact.  At the time most of the founding fathers owned slaves, and slavery was an accepted norm for the time.  Should we also return to that tradition?  certainly not, and Sarah would probably agree with us there.  What Sarah is really saying is that we should pick and choose which "founding assumed truths" we are going to return to, and that her choice is the only one that makes sense.  Sorry Sarah, that's not democracy, and no matter how large a majority you build around that ideal it is still unconstitutional.

2) Discussion of history?  I'm sure that most academics, and probably even more Americans in general would love to have a discussion about the historical significance of religion.  However, NDOP is NOT a discussion.  Nothing about it is intellectual in any way.  If we are going to have a discussion, lets have a discussion.  But let's not pretend that a national day of prayer amounts to a discussion of religion, rather it amounts to national observance and preference for religion.

3) The protest against day of prayer is some people attempting to impose their views on the rest of us?  Actually you've got that backwards.  A national day of prayer imposes a religious view on America that does not exist.  As much as 12% of the population has no religious conviction, and I would guess that a staggering majority hold only loose religious convictions. So really, a national day of prayer is YOU attempting to impose your religiosity on the rest of US.

4) Payer is NEVER equality.  One of the arguments made over and over in support of the NDOP is that no matter what faith you are, everyone can pray to whatever they believe in.  Well, Atheists and non-traditional deists don't pray, and they don't believe in a "higher power."  So, actually they are left out, and forced to watch their country recognize and impose preference for religion over non-religion.  That is STILL unconstitutional, because people have the right to believe NOTHING and to have the view respected and supported by their government.

Now lets get back to Sarah's belief that the law should be based on the bible.  This is actually a topic that was addressed by Richard Dawkins in his work, The God Delusion.  The vast majority of Christians believe, as Sarah Palin does, that US law should be based on the bible.  It never ceases to amaze me how people who demand religious freedom, can be so cavalier in depriving it from others.  The use of the bible as the foundation for US law would be a clear establishment of national religion, because it would prefer biblical (Judeo-Christian) religion over ALL other religions and non-religions.  This is such a clear violation of the constitution that it's almost embarrassing that I have to explain it.  It is borderline treasonous!  We have a large group of politicians lead by Sarah Palin actively working to subvert the constitution and over 200 years of U.S. law!!  Sorry Sarah, there is no conspiracy against religion here, but you certainly seem to be conspiring against the rest of us.

Common Sense

Sarah Palin: Fire Rahm Emanuel

Let me start by saying I am not at all a fan of Mr. Emanuel.  Most of the time I find him smug, unpleasant, manipulative, and crude.  further, being that he is chief of staff, much of the blame for a lousy first year can be laid at his feet as much as Obama's.  However, I think Palin is, at best, exaggerating the severity of his crime if she thinks he should be fired for calling other Democrats retarded when they were threatening to jump on the anti-health reform band wagon.

The fact that Palin wants him fired for using the word "retarded" isn't what pisses me off about this situation.  What pisses me off is that she is using her child's tragic disorder as a means for grabbing the media spotlight once again AND for furthering her extremist neo-con agenda to bring down the administration.  I think that is reprehensible and she should be ashamed.

Now, lets be clear, what he said deserves a swift and serious response.  I would agree that there is a similar sentiment surrounding the work retarded and the n-word.  both are justifiably offensive and should be avoided in civilized daily conversation.  However, this is an opportunity to smack some sense into Rahm, not fire him.  The movement to fire him is tantamount to more of the same neo-con bullcrap, that they have been throwing at all of Obama's nominees, appointments, etc.  They need to get over it and stop trying to throw everything including the kitchen sink at the guy for screwing up.  Admonish him sure, but Obama isn't the one losing credibility because he throws a temper tantrum every time someone doesn't single-handedly save the economic turmoil left by failed Republican policies or isn't able to keep himself from using bad language.  Not that the neo-cons have much credibility these days among people with any semblance of common sense.  Most of their constituents are so stupid they still think Obama is a racist, socialist foreigner.  Plus, since when do republicans give a damn about vulnerable groups?

But by all means, let's keep feeding the ignorance and pandering to the anger of stupid people.  Way to go GOP, really raising the bar on that one.  Sarah, the guy screwed up.  Admonish him, then get over it and do something constructive with your time instead of using your children for political gain.  perhaps an education campaign would be a better use of your time than destroying out political system.  just a thought.

Common Sense

Neo-Con Nutjobs: Sarah Palin Week

I couldn't resist commenting on Sarah Palin week.  Now here is the definition of a nutjob.

Feel free to listen to her condescension in the following clips provided by Huffington Post.

Sarah re-writes history on the Couric Interviews:


Yeah right sarah.  No one buys that Katie Couric was baiting you on abortion or badgering you about reading a magazine.  Even if I were pissed at someone I could manage to spit out LA Times or NY Times or Washington Post, or...ANYTHING!  just spit it out.  Oh and apparently she wen ton Katie's show out of pity because Katie Couric has the lowest ratings.  Well what does that say about you?  That even the lowest rated interviewer can still make you look like a fool.  Sorry, but you might be a fool.

Sarah can't quite admit she quit the governorship because she's a coward:


What I think she is trying to say here is that she quit because she wanted her state "that she loves so much" to actually be able to function rather than being marred by ethics complaints.  Thats a legitimate goals and a good reason to move on.  The problem is that it's pretty clear her goal was to get out of Alaska all together and start making a name for herself on the national stage.  When she says "I can effect more positive change by leaving" she is saying screw you Alaska, I'm going to washington to play with the big boys.  She was too much of a coward to stand her ground as the governor and she will never be more than a icon for mockery for those of us in the lower 49.

Sarah' "holier than thou" attitude toward Levi:


Get over yourself.  If anyone is "whoring" themselves out to the media it is Sarah.  Levi is doing what it takes to make a living while sarah (who already had a living) is now palling around with GOP VIPs and writing books.  If there is one thing I hate about religious nuts its the undeserved, condescending, "holier than thou," morally absolutist attitude that makes her think she can "pray" for him (i.e. judge him).  I "pray" for you Sarah.  I "pray" that your God some day helps you achieve enough sense to realize what a joke you are and stop judging other people.  Or at least have the sense to shut up so the rest of us don't have to hear your whiny, low-class, quasi-moralistic snobbery.  Until you've reached a level of basic intelligence that legitimizes your right to be judgmental, leave it to the professionals!  like me.

Common Sense