Conservatives and small government

Conservatives claim they want small government - except when they don't

From Crooks and Liars (lost the direct link)

Limited-Government Idaho Conservatives Don't Want You To See Pre-Marital Sex on TV
from Crooks and Liars by Nicole Belle

It's amazing how little their stated beliefs actually align with their actual actions. Conservatives purport to be against big government; they sneer at the nanny state they claim liberals want. But when all is said and done, it seems like conservatives have no problem expanding government when it comes to your bedroom:

    A number of Idaho lawmakers are targeting a topic they say should be taboo on television: premarital sex.

    And they're taking a symbolic stand.

    Lawmakers are against references to premarital sex in dramas, comedies, reality and talk shows as well as advertisements.

    "We need to take a stand and stand up for for the morality of what is best for the citizens of Idaho," said Rep. Darrell Bolz, (R-Caldwell).

    The measure that easily passed the house state affairs committee would urge the federal government and the FCC to prohibit the portrayal, even implied, or even the discussion of premarital sex on TV between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Leave it to Republicans to not understand the basic concept of the First Amendment. If only these Republicans felt as squeamish and horrified at the sight of ignorance, poverty and violence, and expended some energy trying to alleviate them in real life -- instead of just pretending something doesn't exist.

On the news

I used to have a lot of respect for the news on TV, but not so much anymore. The Today Show does almost no news - they've become a "live interview" show of all sorts of odd people - the Uncle's cousin's friend of the guy who got shot in Podunk yesterday and perhaps the kid who found gum stuck on the bottom of his shoe last evening. On CNN they do not challenge even the dumbest of guests when they make outlandish claims like, "Obama started the Iraq war." MSNBC - I like them because I agree with a lot of what they have to say - but there really isn't a "news" segment during the day that just reports news stories without commentary. HLN (Headline News) used to do news, but now they carry mostly scandals and stupid shows like Nancy Grace (isn't she the worst TV broadcaster in the history of electronics?)

I suppose the 6:30 national news on the big three networks still comes as close to an actual news presentation as I'd like to see, but they are so short that they only cover 3 or 4 stories. It's just hard to get a news program that isn't full of opinion pieces, and more often than not, even bad opinions based on lies are not challenged. It's really sad.

Keeping America Moral - Censorship

From Acerbic Politics

Islam - Religion of Peace?

I try to be accepting of folks who are different, but sometimes it is difficult. Muslim's often speak of being involved in a religion of peace, and yet I don't seem to read about any of them who are publicly working toward that peace. Bill Mahar of Real Time (HBO) last Friday night had an Arab correspondent on who spoke about the violent nature of the religion and the region and cautioned the viewers not to trust them - ever.

And then you see stories like this, posted on CNN...

The founder of an upstate New York TV station aimed at countering Muslim stereotypes has been arrested on suspicion of killing his wife, who was beheaded, authorities said.

Muzzammil Hassan has been charged with murder in the death of his wife, Aasiya Hassan.

Muzzammil Hassan was charged with second-degree murder after police found the decapitated body of his wife, Aasiya Hassan, at the Bridges TV station in the Buffalo suburb of Orchard Park, said Andrew Benz, Orchard Park's police chief.

Politics TV Takes On Larry Craig (video)

Jimmy Carter on "What's My Line."

Bushfeld

I wish this show had been cancelled, but it looks like 2 more seasons with only a minor character change.

Dick Cheney Show

In just 2 years Dick will be free to do his own TV show. Here's a great idea - one week he hunts birds, another week he hunts lawyers. Maybe he could even do a 2-hour special on hunting Republican members of Congress!