Ahoy, Kaptain Karl!
In the last couple of weeks we've seen the SS BushCo, under the steady, if sweaty hand of Kaptain Karl, release the fear torpedo in an attempt to change the debate in the last weeks of mid-term campaigning from degenerate Republicans to fear of terrorists. With increasing military deaths in Iraq and a greater portion of the public finally beginning to understand that they've been hood-winked, it didn't go as planned.
The next phase of the operation has just begun to play itself out - fear of faggotry. Yup, in order to attempt to win back some of the eroding Christian Right that appears to be a little more reluctant to hop aboard the boat, the Kaptain and his mascot "Skippy" Bush, have traipsed out gay marriage (of all things) as their wedge-du-jour:
Setting aside the simplistic, not to say silly "doubts about marriage" comment, it appears that Karl's new tack is to conflate gay marriage with patriotism somehow. Go Karl!
The Necropublicans have arranged for constitutional ammendments (a favoured tactic these days) on gay marriage on the ballots in eight states. Enraging those easily enraged about such things will, Karl hopes, drum up the Republican voters in at least these eight states; a ploy that worked well in 2004. The real question is whether it will be enough for 2006. My bet is that over the next week we will also see Terri Schiavo raised as an undead minion of the Republican Party and maybe even Creationists getting a piece of the fun.
Even still, it might not be enough. The Christian Right has not received the treatment they had hoped for in 2000. Faith-based initiatives have gone under- or un-funded, gay marriage is not yet illegal, and abortions can still be had in many places. And dagnabitall, kids can still buy condoms without having to get a signature from their parents! This time around, they might well sit on their hands, if only to show the Kaptain that they can't be taken for granted.
Indeed, a low turnout in the mid-terms might well increase their strength and importance leading up to 2008.
The next phase of the operation has just begun to play itself out - fear of faggotry. Yup, in order to attempt to win back some of the eroding Christian Right that appears to be a little more reluctant to hop aboard the boat, the Kaptain and his mascot "Skippy" Bush, have traipsed out gay marriage (of all things) as their wedge-du-jour:
"Activist judges try to define America by court order," Bush told the crowd of 4,000 at Silver Creek High School, flanked by local Rep. Mike Sodrel, R-Ind., who is running for re-election. "Just this week in New Jersey, another activist court issued a ruling that raises doubt about the institution of marriage. We believe marriage is between a man and a woman."
At that, the crowd went wild, members shouting "USA," stomping feet and shaking pompoms.
Setting aside the simplistic, not to say silly "doubts about marriage" comment, it appears that Karl's new tack is to conflate gay marriage with patriotism somehow. Go Karl!
The Necropublicans have arranged for constitutional ammendments (a favoured tactic these days) on gay marriage on the ballots in eight states. Enraging those easily enraged about such things will, Karl hopes, drum up the Republican voters in at least these eight states; a ploy that worked well in 2004. The real question is whether it will be enough for 2006. My bet is that over the next week we will also see Terri Schiavo raised as an undead minion of the Republican Party and maybe even Creationists getting a piece of the fun.
Even still, it might not be enough. The Christian Right has not received the treatment they had hoped for in 2000. Faith-based initiatives have gone under- or un-funded, gay marriage is not yet illegal, and abortions can still be had in many places. And dagnabitall, kids can still buy condoms without having to get a signature from their parents! This time around, they might well sit on their hands, if only to show the Kaptain that they can't be taken for granted.
Indeed, a low turnout in the mid-terms might well increase their strength and importance leading up to 2008.
