"But I also think it’s important that we have a sense of perspective about our priorities. In Iran they hang you for the crime of being gay."
-- Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), on why the discriminatory bill in Arkansas is really not that bad a thing Just a few things to clear up: First, yes, Tom Cotton is actually a real United States Senator. "Sen." is not short of "senile," nor is he an eight-year old trying to sound adult and failing miserably. Second, yes, Tom Cotton is the same first-term senator, in office for three whole months, who authored the infamous letter to Iran signed by 47 Republican senators that was roundly decried by conservatives and liberals alike for reprehensibly undermining the President of the United States in his constitutional duties to conduct foreign policy. Third, no, Mr. Cotton's undermining letter didn't work, as the U.S., five other world power nations, and Iran have just completed a preliminary agreement for disarming Iran of its nuclear weapons. Y'know, there are a whole lot of things they do in Iran that most civilized nations don't, yet that has never really been considered the standard on which others have judged themselves. Why Mr. Cotton is starting now is anybody's guess, what what Tom Cotton does seems to occur without thought or logic. It's always worth noting that in America, they sometimes have ganged people for being gay, too. Okay, sure it wasn't legal, and getting tied to a fence and being brutally murdered isn't actually "hanging," so I'm using poetic license. But I'm sure that Matthew Shepard and all the other gay men and women who were killed and beaten up and tormented might not quibble about the difference. And of course in Mr. Cotton's own Arkansas and throughout the South, black people were hung, too. And though that wasn't precisely legal, not getting prosecuted tends to have the same effect. So, I wouldn't start getting all holier-than-thou yet if I was Tom Cotton. Though I suspect that that's a ship that has long-since sailed. I do agree with Tom Cotton about one thing, that we should have perspective about our priorities. Where we seem to differ is figuring out what our priorities are. Me, I think not discriminating against people for any reason whoever they are, whatever the reason is a priority. Tom Cotton doesn't appear to have that on his Priority List. Actually, on Sen. Tom Coltton's Priority List, it seems that making sure you can discriminate in Arkansas is a priority. Even the governor of his state doesn't agree with that anymore. Though, in fairness, he needed a slight shove from the helpful greeters at Walmart. In the end, I'm glad we're not in the land of Cotton. Old times there really are not forgotten.
1 Comment
Paul
7/7/2015 01:18:35 am
I guess you could take solace in the fact that you will never be short of stupid politicians to make fun of. But the sad fact is that this is real life and these are the people making decisions that not only affect us, but our children and grandchildren. And on top of that, they aren't really that stupid, they are accomplishing many of their goals. Sad. Oh so sad!
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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