They Tried That Once

I know I've been away for quite a while, but it's been a topsy-turvy few weeks. This story, however, deserves a comment, although there's not much I really have to say about it.

As I wrote about earlier this month, there were protests planned for anti-gay zealot and bigot Pastor Charles Worley after he was recorded preaching this sort of hatred towards lesbians and gay people from the pulpit in his Baptist church in North Carolina: NC Pastor: Put an Electric Fence Around Gays and Lesbians to Make Sure They "Die Out."

Here's some background from Pam Spaulding.

I'm sure you've seen the story, as well as Anderson Cooper's interview with one of this bastard's parishioners, who obviously can't walk and breathe at the same time without close supervision. And here's some choice bits from Spaulding again on the parishioners and their warped idea of "Christian love."

Geneva Sims said she’s been listening to Worley preach the Gospel since the 1970s. She wasn’t surprised by the 71-year-old pastor’s now infamous sermon. In fact, she supports him and his message.

“He had every right to say what he said about putting them in a pen and giving them food,” said Sims. “The Bible says they are worthy of death. He is preaching God’s word.”

Providence Road Baptist Church member Stacey Pritchard agreed.

“Sometimes you’ve got to be scared straight,” she explained. “He is trying to save those people from Hell.”

Pritchard said Worley’s message isn’t one of hate. Instead, she interpreted it as tough love guided by Good Book.

Alvin McEwen pointed out something that hadn't occurred to me, strangely enough: this has been done before. It happened in Germany in the 1930s and '40s. This sort of arrangement is generally known as "concentration camps."

Christian love.

Do I need to say more?

How Bizarre

The fallout from JP Morgan Chase's $2 billion loss begins.

Ina Drew, a 55-year-old banker who has worked at the company for three decades and is the chief investment officer, has offered to resign and will step aside Monday, said several bank executives who would not speak publicly because the resignations had not been completed.

My guess is that these three are a token sacrifice (two other traders are resigning) and that will be that. Forget any changes in operations.

What's bizarre about it? She didn't get a bonus. (Although I'd love to see the terms of her severance package -- can you say "new yacht"?)

For Mother's Day, From Pogo

It's his mother's voice and images of plants from her garden.

Brilliant.

Gods! Was I tired!

I slept. And slept. And slept.

It's been a hell of a week, but today I feel normal. I may even get around to writing some of the posts I've been saving up. But, as usual, I'm behind.

Later.

OK, so he said it.

Here's the NYT story.

I have no comment (yet), except to note that the Family Research Council was using the dog-whistle overtime in its statement:

For once, the President is bringing his words in sync with his actions. From opposing state marriage amendments to refusing to defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to giving taxpayer funded marriage benefits to same-sex couples, the President has undermined the spirit and the letter of the law. As demonstrated by yesterday's overwhelming vote for Amendment 1, redefining marriage remains outside the mainstream of American politics, especially in the critical battleground states and among minority voters. In North Carolina, the amendment received more than 60 percent of the vote in majority-black counties. If anything, today's announcement almost ensures that marriage will again be a major issue in the presidential election.

Tony Perkins makes me want to hurl. And I see he's adopted NOM's race-war tactics.

Gods, do I hate the new Blogger format

Posting has become completely counter-intuitive. I've already written to tell them it sucks.

It's sort of like my eye doctor telling me I have to adjust the way I read to accommodate my new glasses. WTF?

In other news, it's sort of weird to realize that I have to go to the gay blogs to get any positive news stories.

Yes, I know I haven't been here much lately -- it's partly the new posting set-up, partly the blahs, and mostly the news. I really do get tired of repeating myself, and the news is -- well, it's not new. Same old crap.

Maybe I'll come up with something. One thought for today: It's the 42nd anniversary of the Kent State killings, when the National Guard opened fire on unarmed student protesters. Has anything changed?