You know what I’m going as for Hallowe’en? Myself! I’m a Godless American, and I’m scaaary!

In other news, it seems you can’t be a Christian and vote for Obama. Well, not a true Christian. And she’s got the Bible verses to prove it.

What’s the scariest thing about anti-gay Prop 8?

The scariest thing about Proposition 8 isn’t what passage or failure to pass the measure will do. It is the unrelenting attack on Mormons for having the courage to not just espouse their beliefs and values but to put their money where their principles are.

I can think of lots scarier things than that. Like giving a group of people license from God to unleash their worst and most fearful impulses. No kidding: take a bunch of people and tell them that
a) their society and children are in danger,
b) gays and gay sympathisers are responsible, and
c) their god wants them to defend their values
and you’re playing with a powder keg.

No, the scariest thing about Prop 8 is the effect it has on Mormons. I know Latter-day Saints to be basically decent and sincere people, and their leadership seems intent on turning them into hateful hypocrites. And check this out: when the best among them manage to avoid the transformation, the more orthodox members excoriate them for it. They are causing a division that will be slow in healing.

What would motivate someone to turn their adorable children into hate-filled bigots? Only one thing I can think of. (Hint: Starts with ‘r’.)

Update: Here’s the link.

On the small chance that that little boy does happen to turn out gay (always a chance), I hope he can get away from his parents fast enough. Otherwise it’s a lifetime of low self-worth. Sad.

Via Glenn Greenwald.

The discomfort between McCain and Palin would appear to have flared into animus.

With 10 days until Election Day, long-brewing tensions between GOP vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin and key aides to Sen. John McCain have become so intense, they are spilling out in public, sources say.

Several McCain advisers have suggested to CNN that they have become increasingly frustrated with what one aide described as Palin “going rogue.”
…
A second McCain source says she appears to be looking out for herself more than the McCain campaign.

“She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone,” said this McCain adviser. “She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else.

“Also, she is playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom.”

I’m noticing something here. McCain can’t be thrilled that he’s tied to Palin. She wasn’t his first choice, but he was ensnared by her magnetism or whatever it was. She doesn’t know anything, says foolish things in public, and when most people hear her speak her mind, they’re horrified. But of course it’s too late for McCain to dump her; would have been too late four weeks ago. And now she won’t shut up. You can’t make her. No one tells Queen Wingnutta what to do! She answers to a higher power, whether it’s her god or her own monstrous ambition.

Now imagine John McCain as the Republican Party, and Sarah Palin as the Christian Right. It’s the exact same relationship. They’re just like she is. They’re for creationism, abstinence, and other things that don’t work. At one point, it must have looked like a good idea to court the votes of the most ignorant and superstitious segment of the population — face it, there’s a lot of them. But once all those Christians became the wingnut base, the Republican party could not easily isolate itself from the consequences. They demanded to be fed, and the GOP obliged: conservative Supreme Court justices, gay marriage, the god-talk. The party became more religiously extremist, to the apparent horror and revulsion of regular people everywhere. It doesn’t matter to the wingnut base. Their loyalty is not with the Republican Party; they answer to a higher power. And they have anointed their queen.

And so here we are, McCain with the monster of his own creation at his throat. The chickens have met the roost. The biggest dumbasses have taken over the slightly-less-dumb asses.