October 27, 2006
IDIOCY WATCH....Sam Brownback: doing his best to prove that Jim Inhofe isn't the worst senator in the country. Steve Benen has the details.
—Kevin Drum 3:03 PM
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Frsit. What an asshat. When you make Inhofe look sane, you may want to rethink your strategy.
Posted by: MeLoseBrain? on October 27, 2006 at 3:13 PM | PERMALINK
Clearly, Brownback is gay. Is his maiden name Brokeback?
Posted by: craigie on October 27, 2006 at 3:18 PM | PERMALINK
Brownback a bigoted idiot? Who knew? Except everybody.
Posted by: Ron Byers on October 27, 2006 at 3:19 PM | PERMALINK
Four more years of this asshole and then Kathleen Sebelius will have his job, and Kansas will be purple. That's what my magic 8-ball says, anyway.
Posted by: Global Citizen on October 27, 2006 at 3:22 PM | PERMALINK
Sam Brownback: doing his best to prove that Jim Inhofe isn't the worst senator in the country.
Hah? What Neff did was ILLEGAL. It's illegal to pretend to marry someone when they can't be married. This is called FRAUD. FRAUD is a crime and she should be prosecuted for committing the crime of fraud by "marrying" homosexuals when homosexuals can't be married. Adam and Eve can marry not Adam and Steve. I thought liberals were against fraud, but it looks like you aren't.
Posted by: Al on October 27, 2006 at 3:24 PM | PERMALINK
Republicans are apparently playing a lot of negative ads in the 'values' states. They're accusing Dems of far too many things to nail down one theme, except immorality.
All those candidates should reply with two things: one, the page scandal is real, indisputable and disgusting and the Republicans let it happen and covered it up; two, Dems will restore proper order we can all be proud of to Washington when they take charge of the House AND Senate.
Deflect and attack all across the Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas band.
Posted by: MarkH on October 27, 2006 at 3:27 PM | PERMALINK
Apparently Al didn't choose to "click on the link", or he wouldn't have made totally false statements in his comment.
Posted by: Quiddity on October 27, 2006 at 3:28 PM | PERMALINK
It's illegal to pretend to marry someone when they can't be married.
The worst Fake Al I can recall.
Posted by: Jeffrey Davis on October 27, 2006 at 3:29 PM | PERMALINK
It's a sad, sad day when even the trolls can't read the article before posting. From the article:
"The ceremony, which was entirely private, took place in Massachusetts, where I had no authority to act in any official capacity and where, in any event, the ceremony had no legal effect," Neff wrote.
So it's private, legal, and wasn't even a pretend marriage. Go figure.
I realize it takes two clicks, rather than the usual one, to read that, but surely your clicking hand has the strength for that?
Posted by: zadig on October 27, 2006 at 3:29 PM | PERMALINK
Strange water passes through Whicita down to Oklahoma via the arKansas River.
In other news today Senator Brownshirt has asked for the resignation of Condi Rice. He has finally heard about the Mark Dybal affair where Condi called the mother of Mark's partner, Mark's mother-in-law.
Next, he will have all DVDs of William Inge's plays and movies burned.
Posted by: thethirdPaul on October 27, 2006 at 3:31 PM | PERMALINK
the Ark river is fulkl of chlordane. Swimming and skiing above the dam was prohibited when i lived there the first time.
Posted by: Global Citizen on October 27, 2006 at 3:37 PM | PERMALINK
Paul - I posted that LtE from the Oregonian. that guy has some moral authority.
Posted by: Global Citizen on October 27, 2006 at 3:38 PM | PERMALINK
although some of what Brownback does is utterly bizarre...it's a pretty fricking massive stretch to argue that he's one of the worst senators.
he's done a lot of good, a lot. things that most liberals would applaud.
Posted by: Nathan on October 27, 2006 at 3:40 PM | PERMALINK
for example:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/22/opinion/22kristof.html?ex=1261458000&en=e914a686a20a4685&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/asylum/asylum_12_reform.asp
http://brownback.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=262607
http://brownback.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=226929&
http://www.parstimes.com/news/archive/2004/brownback_iran.html
http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=bhKRI6PDInE&b=309848&content_id=%7B4606EDE1-2AB7-460E-93F0-D7093A763448%7D¬oc=1
http://www.ironweedfilms.com/northkorea
Posted by: Nathan on October 27, 2006 at 3:50 PM | PERMALINK
Sure, Nathan -- the fact that Brownback may have done some good makes it "a pretty fricking massive stretch to argue that he's one of the worst senators." Your logic is totally compelling -- not.
Good Ford, man, I pity your clients.
Posted by: Gregory on October 27, 2006 at 4:15 PM | PERMALINK
All in The Family.
In spite of his pious public image, Brownback's spiritual life seems to be defined by his wealth and corporate ties. In 2002 he converted to Catholicism under the guidance of the Rev. John McCloskey, a leader of the secretive right-wing cult Opus Dei. At the time. McCloskey operated out of a K Street office with a mission to spread the Gospel exclusively to the rich and powerful, whom he calls "the righteous remnant." Brownback refuses to discuss his conversion, perhaps because of the controversy McCloskey has generated by, for instance, demanding that Catholics who use birth control leave the Church. Or perhaps it's because McCloskey leads an organization founded by a clerical fascist, Josemara Escriv, an ally of Spain's Franco. Escriv prescribed that members sleep on wooden boards and flagellate themselves to expiate their sins. Brownback is also reticent about his membership in The Family, a shadowy Christian-right group comprising all-male elites. Some of its most famous members have included Watergate crook Charles Colson, South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint and the brutal Somalian former dictator, Mohammed Siad Barre. "The goal [of The Family] is an "invisible" world organization led by Christ--that's what they aspire to," Jeff Sharlet, a journalist who revealed The Family's inner workings in Harper's Magazine, said in an interview with Alternet.
Posted by: cynic on October 27, 2006 at 4:18 PM | PERMALINK
I expect Brownback to win the Republican nomination for president in 2008. He is a darling of the evangelicals and he has no problem smearing the percieved enemies of that constituency. Plus, he raises lots of money.
Posted by: Hostile on October 27, 2006 at 4:22 PM | PERMALINK
although some of what Brownback does is utterly bizarre...it's a pretty fricking massive stretch to argue that he's one of the worst senators.
Maybe that can be Brownback's new slogan -- "Brownback: Not the Worst Senator!"
Posted by: Stefan on October 27, 2006 at 4:28 PM | PERMALINK
for example:
I'll take your word for it, Nathan, because there is no way in hell I am copying and pasting all of those links into my browser to see what great things Sam Brownback has done.
What I know he has done, is to expose his hypocrisy about each judicial nominee deserving an up or down vote. Funny that this standard applies only when there's a repub prez, unless, of course, he doesn't like the candidate. Than even that standard no longer applies.
Posted by: MeLoseBrain? on October 27, 2006 at 4:29 PM | PERMALINK
And, now, if I may, I would like to list Brownshirt's vast accomplishments in Conress:
Thank you.
Posted by: thethirdPaul on October 27, 2006 at 4:43 PM | PERMALINK
Geez, Uncle Paul, you forgot the Zilch and Nada acts while he has been in Congress.
Posted by: stupid git on October 27, 2006 at 4:46 PM | PERMALINK
Hostile: From your mouth to God's ear. Oh please, Please, PLEASE let Brownback be the republican nominee.
Then whatever spineless waste of oxygen the democrats nominate this time will have a fighting chance to win.
Posted by: Yellow Dog on October 27, 2006 at 4:56 PM | PERMALINK
That fake Al only gets a 2 out of a possible 10. Thank you for being such a good contestant. Would you like the blow on the head, or the kick in the teeth?
Posted by: Speed on October 27, 2006 at 5:02 PM | PERMALINK
Since he gets a 2, give him both.
Posted by: Global Citizen on October 27, 2006 at 5:11 PM | PERMALINK
"Sure, Nathan -- the fact that Brownback may have done some good makes it "a pretty fricking massive stretch to argue that he's one of the worst senators." Your logic is totally compelling -- not."
its very compelling. there are plenty of senators that have done nothing good.
Brownback has been the leading voice in Congress, from either side of the aisle, on genocide in the Sudan, human rights in China, North Korea, Myanmar and Iran, and the leading advocate on more aid to Africa.
One thing is clear, the fact that you guys are ignorant of the above only shows that you really don't know anything about politics. read the Kristof article if nothing else...this stuff is well-known.
you might want to try reading something other than a blog one of these days....
Posted by: Nathan on October 27, 2006 at 5:29 PM | PERMALINK
May I humbly submit a write-in vote for Tom Coburn as the worst senator?
"The gay community has infiltrated the very centers of power in every area across this country, and they wield extreme power... That agenda is the greatest threat to our freedom that we face today. Why do you think we see the rationalization for abortion and multiple sexual partners? That's a gay agenda."
Posted by: keptsimple on October 27, 2006 at 7:07 PM | PERMALINK
there are plenty of senators that have done nothing good.
I submit Jim Talent, the senator who says George Bush agrees with him 94% of the time, rather than the other way around.
Posted by: Global Citizen on October 27, 2006 at 7:14 PM | PERMALINK
May I humbly submit a write-in vote for Tom Coburn as the worst senator?
"The gay community has infiltrated the very centers of power in every area across this country, and they wield extreme power... That agenda is the greatest threat to our freedom that we face today. Why do you think we see the rationalization for abortion and multiple sexual partners? That's a gay agenda."
Posted by: keptsimple on October 27, 2006 at 7:07 PM | PERMALINK
Ironically, Senator Coburn rantings have some truth to them. Just this week gay activist Mike Rogers revealed on his website (www.blogactive.com) that Sen. Coburn's top legislative aide is, himself, a closeted homosexual. Looks like the infiltrators are inside the wire!
Posted by: Pat on October 27, 2006 at 7:39 PM | PERMALINK
Keptsimple: HFS. Is that quote for real?
Wow. Just, wow.
That agenda is the greatest threat to our freedom that we face today.
Well then what the fuck are doing in Iraq? Bring the troops home at once! Bomb the gays!
That is some serious fucked up.
Posted by: E. Henry Thripshaw on October 27, 2006 at 7:43 PM | PERMALINK
I've practiced regularly in front of Judge Neff since she went on the bench and litigated against her when she was in private practice. She's a moderate Democrat and will be a godsend on the Court of Appeals.
I don't claim any specal knowledge beyond what I read in the local papers, bu I understand that her nomination was a concession by Bush to Michigan's two Democratic Senators, Levin and Stabenow, part of a deal allowing a couple of real Bush nominees to go through. Basically, she's payback for the Republicans' treatment of Michigan Clinton nominee Helene White, who waited 6 years for a hearing until Clinton's term expired. Recall also that 3 of the 6 Bush nominees involved in the filibuster and compromise last year were from Michigan--that was also tied in with this decade-plus struggle for the Michigan seats on the 6th Circuit.
With that background, I think there may be more to Senator Brownback's opposition to Neff than simple homophobia.
Posted by: rea on October 27, 2006 at 8:47 PM | PERMALINK
How dare you suggeset that Senator Inhofe is not the dumbest senator in the country! I demand a formal apology.
Posted by: Patrick on October 27, 2006 at 9:36 PM | PERMALINK
As for Brownback's accomplishments in Congress, there are some senators, like a famous Democrat from California, who are willing to help him out.
http://brownback.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=205132&
http://feinstein.senate.gov/04Releases/r-unaccompanied-minors-comm.htm
Posted by: Larry on October 28, 2006 at 10:30 AM | PERMALINK
Wow, Larry slam dunks!
Perhaps he did not read a very recent thread where many liberals stated that they are not particularly infatuated with DiFi.
Larry must be the person who has put the latest Sanctimonius ad together, showing Ricky working with Lieberman, Boxer and Hillary - with absolutely no mention of Bush.
Posted by: thethirdPaul on October 28, 2006 at 11:16 AM | PERMALINK
You mean the Republican'ts don't really mean their slogans like "up or down vote," "stay the course" etc.?
I'm shocked. Shocked, I tell you.
My husband and I have a typical Republican't response we've actually heard when confronting them with these hypocrises. It's now a watchword between us: "That's different."
I would bet money this is what Brownback would say if confronted with the question of why this judge does not deserve an "up or down vote" when one was absolutely necessary for Scalito.
No explanation of the difference is ever forthcoming, however.
Posted by: Cal Gal on October 28, 2006 at 3:07 PM | PERMALINK
Who cares. As long as he is blocking a Bush judicial nominee, its cool with me. The damage that will be done by this nominee far outweighs the bigoted reasons behind Brownback blocking this guy.
Posted by: Alex on October 30, 2006 at 12:19 AM | PERMALINK
Hey Al, if Adam and Eve were the first humans, and they were married, who performed the ceremony?
Huh? Huh? Huh?
Posted by: Nancy Irving on October 30, 2006 at 7:41 AM | PERMALINK