More from the Men in Red Ties

Do not adjust your computer, this is not a repeat of my post from May 4th. The photo above was taken at the second debate last night. I guess the Republican presidential hopefuls didn’t get my memo about the absurdity of their group appearance as a cabal of white men wearing dark suits and mostly red ties. Again, I have nothing against white men, obviously, nor did I really expect any of the candidates to arrive at the debate wearing cutoffs and a tank top. It’s just that these group shots keep pointing out the outrageously limited offerings of the Republican Party in next year’s election. Do these men really represent the face of America in any way? Amazing that there doesn’t seem to be any pressure on the GOP to produce a female or minority candidate. Why bother? Obviously our country needs to be ruled by white men. We’ve done such a good job with it so far, right?

The incessant drumbeat of each man trying to make an impression was to point out how the other candidates secretly held more liberal (gasp!) beliefs than they let on. And then the accused offenders would beat their chests and proudly assert how committed they were to their anti-abortion, anti-immigration, anti-gun control, anti-gay rights agendas.

In fairness, there were some encouraging moments to be acknowledged. I was appalled by Giuliani’s waffling on his pro-choice beliefs during the last debate but he held firm last night and defended his position. “I ultimately do believe in a woman's right of choice, but I think there are ways we can look for ways to reduce abortion,” he said. Similarly, McCain didn’t buckle from his stand against the torture of detainees at Guantanamo and elsewhere, having himself been the victim of torture for years as a prisoner in Vietnam. If the U.S. continues its recent practices, we would “never gain as much as we'd lose in world opinion,” he said, adding that “the more physical pain you inflict…the more they’re going to tell you what they think you want to hear.”

But the other candidates tried to outdo each other in their “tough on terror” diatribes. Giuliani said he would tell interrogators “they should use every method they could think of.” Despite the travesty of Guantanamo, Romney said we should double the number of prisoners there and keep them far away from access to U.S. lawyers. Tancredo said that faced with suspects who might have information about an attack, “I'm looking for Jack Bauer at that time,” a reference to Keifer Sutherland’s out-of-control character on “24” who frequently tortures suspects for information.

I was particularly interested to hear what the candidates would say about evangelist Jerry Falwell, who died yesterday just a few hours before the debate. Alas, they were instructed not to mention Falwell during the telecast, but most of them weighed in before the cameras started rolling. Hearing their praises of Falwell filled me with disgust even though I didn’t expect anything different. Giuliani deftly walked the line, expressing sympathy for Falwell’s family and noting that the evangelical leader was “not afraid to speak his mind.” That’s for damn sure. Huckabee called Falwell “a great man and a great influence for America and for Christ.” Like hell he was. In my opinion, Falwell hideously abused the name and ideals of Jesus Christ.

Do you remember any of these Falwell pearls?

“AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.”

“If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being.”

“The idea that religion and politics don't mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country.”

“The whole (global warming) thing is created to destroy America's free enterprise system and our economic stability.”

“Homosexuality is Satan's diabolical attack upon the family that will not only have a corrupting influence upon our next generation, but it will also bring down the wrath of God upon America.”

“Homosexuals are brute beasts...part of a vile and satanic system [that] will be utterly annihilated, and there will be a celebration in heaven.”

And, of course, his infamous statements on Pat Robertson’s show a few days after September 11, 2001, in which he blamed abortionists, feminists, gays and lesbians, and the ACLU for the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Jerry Falwell was lauded by our President yesterday. And why not—Falwell’s efforts over the years with his so-called Moral Majority were largely responsible for putting Bush in office. “Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Jerry Falwell, a man who cherished faith, family, and freedom. Jerry lived a life of faith and called upon men and women of all backgrounds to believe in God and serve their communities.”

The most disappointing comments from the candidates came from John McCain, who had once rightly condemned Falwell as an “agent of intolerance.” Just before the debate, McCain said that “Dr. Falwell was a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country.” Better not upset Falwell’s supporters, John.

Believe me, I’m not saying that the Democratic candidates for President aren’t guilty of pandering to various factions, or that they are free from their own hypocritical flip-flops to garner support. But, as far as I’m concerned, the Republican hopefuls are, for the most part, a train wreck in the making.

Comments

[Dave]

And while I would never say a train wreck is a good thing to see. A train wreck is often something one can't stop looking at.

Such is the case of the Republican Party this year.

With the first debate, and now this one, it's gratifying (to me) to see the Republicans in total dissaray.

It must be difficult to champion one's beliefs and ideals by pointing to a leader who last served office in 1988.

1988!

And for them to believe the majority of Americans want the nation to repeal a woman's right to govern her body, to repeal freedom's granted in our constitution, to continue pursuing a war that has few, if any victories, is just ... well, silly.

I understand pandering to your base. But c'mon. This is ridiculous. It really is a train wreck. A train wreck with more cars than one can count, and a train wreck with no end in sight.

[Melinda]

I loved Letterman's joke about the candidates: "They looked like the evil lawyers from a John Grisham movie."

[Churlita]

So much to say. Instead, I'll just concur.

[OldOldLady Of The Hills]

I agree, dear Danny...The face of the GOP is the face of the 1950's....No, I'm wrong....it's the 1930's! Help Us Oh Lord!
And Falwell....so Un-Christian...So Filled with hatred and prejudice. It is scary that any of these men spoke in positive terms about him. Scary and shocking, too, yet completely predictable.....Maybe I still have the wrong decade...Like maybe it was the 1920's!

[therapydoc]

I chose to watch anything but. Meaning I chose the last Gilmore Girls show of the season and a GREAT Boston Legal episode-- Alan Shore defending a priest who harbored illegal aliens (based, me thinks, on that parish in Chicago). I felt guilty about it, but honestly? It was the right decision. Why get angry for nothing?

[melinama]

I hadn't seen this on tv so I adored your picture of the suits with the red ties when you posted it the first time and used it in the cd cover I'm painting (a modern update of Fra Angelico's Last Judgment Day). I immediately put the Republicans in navy suits and red ties.

I also thank you for recommending "Huff" which I'm now watching and enjoying when I use the elliptical trainer every morning. 'And I thought *I* had problems...'