The Crazy Right Wing

I have sat by on the sidelines, watching the Tea Party and other Republicans try to mold this country into their narrowly defined and warped idea of what our great country is and where it should go.  Yes, I have written an occasional article, or letter to the editor professing my distaste for those on the right who would subvert the ideas and principals of our nation, but articles on my website (www.kenkreps.com) or letters to the editor are sort of a hit and run style, when there is so much to comment on every day.

I will not be writing entries into this blog every day, but will post frequently This editorial blog will be a collection of opinion, fact, quotes, and sidelights to our national condition..

Now for today. The new Republican House majority decided that one of their first official acts would be to read the entire US Constitution into the record.  Now, at face value there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, as the US Constitution is a remarkable and noble document.  However, before we laud the Republicans for their patriotic act, perhaps we should examine their reasons for doing so.  Patriotism, no, Pandering, yes.  The Republican party wants to get off on the right (no pun intended) foot by offering this olive branch to the Tea Party, who claim some sort of divine right to super patriotism.  I say olive branch because the old guard Republicans and the new congressional Tea Party members will battle mightily, as the good 'ole boy leadership brushes the Tea Party aside so as to conduct business in the same manner the Republican party always conducts their business.  Still, when two groups for which you have no respect start fighting each other, all one can do is grab a soothing beverage, find a comfy chair, and watch the fun unfold.

Moving to Arizona, where the idiot they call a governor (Jan Brewer) has allowed two of the 99 Arizona residents awaiting lifesaving transplants to die, by having the state refuse to cover the cost of these transplants.  Now there are 97, with that number to surely decrease if Arizona continues to move along this same path of disrespect for human life.  Of course, we shouldn't be surprised at anything "Jan The Terrible" does, since she is the same one who said all illegal immigrants are either involved in smuggling drugs or are bent on some other criminal act.  She has given the police "guilty until proven innocent" powers that trample all over the right of citizens stopped and forced to prove their citizenship on the spot or be carted away to the hoosgow (sorry, folks....that word is a throwback to my Texas upbringing).

During the run-up to the passage of the new health care bill, Alaska's ex half governor, Sarah Palin constantly whined that the bill contained the inner working for "death panels" for the elderly.  Of course she lied (as she is prone to do) and what she called death panels was actually free counseling for people with terminal illnesses.  Now, however, we have a real death panel in Arizona....one that has already claimed the lives of two people.  Funny how the Tea Party has ignored the real death panel.

Finally, there is Kentucky Republican state Sen. John Schickel,  who introduced a bill into the state senate that would allow police to stop and jail any illegal immigrant who sat foot in Kentucky for trespassing.  Of course in almost any court there is not a shickel plugged nickel's chance that such a bill (if passed) would not be overturned.

I hope to give an award in most blog entries for the "Idiot Of The Day".  I thought long and hard about what to call such an award and then I had an idea of pure genius (or possibly it was just indigestion).  I will call it the Chrome Banana award.  Senator John Shickel has the honor of receiving the very first Chrome Banana award. Put it where it will do the most good, John.

Having said that, I'll talk with you again, soon.