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November 2008

Volume 21, Number 11
Activism

CONVENTION PROTEST
Battle of St Paul
Abe Walker


HOUSING
Evict This
Jeffrey Reinhardt


“FREE GAZA MOVEMENT”
Breaking Gaza's Seige
Bryan Farrell


Commentary

ELECTION TIDBITS
The Infamous Three G's
Frazer Merritt


Outrageous Gift Offer
Z Staff


Goodbye to Bush Offer
Z Staff


Net Briefs
Various Contributors


GAY & LESBIAN COMMUNITY NOTES
Quo Vadis Culture Wars?
Michael Bronski


FOG WATCH
US Nuke Threat
Edward Herman


CONSERVATIVE WATCH
Bush Seeks Legacy
Bill Berkowitz


Culture

TRADE AGREEMENTS
Globalization v. Democracy
Roger Bybee


REEL POLITICK
Review: Monsanto
Jeffrey M. Smith


REEL POLITICK
NESHOBA
Eleanor j. Bader


REEL POLITICK
Gibney Interview
John Esther


BOOK REVIEW
Abortion & Life
Eleanor j. Bader


BOOK REVIEW
Hubert Harrison
Bill Fletcher


Features

INVASIONS
The American War in Pakistan
Tariq Ali


INTERVIEW
Bailout & Election
Noam Chomsky


ANOTHER TRILLION
Bush Economic Legacy
Jack Rasmus


FINANCIAL CRIMES
Wall St.
Arun Gupta


Zaps

FREE LISTINGS
Zaps
Various submissions


NOTE: Z Magazine subscribers and sustainers have access to all Z Magazine articles here and in the archive. The latest Z Magazine articles available to everyone are listed in the Free Articles box at the top of the table of contents, and are starred in the list below. Questions? e-mail Z Magazine Online.

Sarah Palin and the Infamous Three G’s

By Frazer Merritt
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November 2008
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After eight long years of abysmal incompetence and shameful blunders under neo-conservative rule, I never thought I’d see this again in my lifetime: a presidential ticket that espouses major tax cuts for big corporations and the filthy rich, across the board deregulation, oil drilling to solve our energy crises, denial of climate change’s causes, expansion of market-based healthcare, and kooky religious attitudes towards science and the fate of the world. Is it just me or is it Groundhog Day all over again? Despite Bush’s monumental failures--Katrina, two wars, inaction before 9/11--and despite problems of historic proportions facing our country--the economy, international terrorism, Wall Street bailouts--the Religious Right is blissfully gung-ho for a Palin presidency. Uhm, I meant a McCain presidency.

 

Judging by the enthusiastic response, it’s no secret the evangelical base was lukewarm about John, but has fallen in love with Sarah. Despite zero foreign policy experience (other than being able to see Russia from Alaska), despite zero military experience (other than gubernatorial powers over the Alaska National Guard), despite little erudition of history (her cluelessness about the Bush doctrine), and despite flip-flopping on several issues (Bridge to Nowhere), the Republican base is frothing at the mouth for this former mayor of Lake Wobegon.

 

But honestly, why? The secret lies with Karl Rove as usual. While Obama is running a 1980 campaign (like Reagan trying to convince the American public he’s reliable), McCain is using Bush’s 2004 strategy. According to Time magazine, Rove “speaks regularly with the McCain campaign.” Rove’s protégé, Steve Schmidt, is campaign manager. According to Politico, Rove was heavily involved in McCain’s VP selection process. If there is anything Rove knows (as the documentary Bush’s Brain illustrated), it’s how to ignite the religionistas using the three G’s: gays, genocide, and God. They’re fail-safe topics to fire up the Values Voters, which is a quarter of the electorate, because no Democrat can argue against this sacred cow.

 

Let’s discuss the first infamous G. According to the “reality based community” (scientists), homosexual’s brains are involuntarily attracted to pheromones of the same sex: Gay men’s hypothalamuses are activated by a chemical found in male sweat. Their brains react as though female. Homosexuality, therefore, is by no means a “choice.” As to the roots of gay bashing--the story of Sodom & Gomorrah--scripture makes it clear God detested the inhabitants due to economic inequality. In “Ezekiel 16:49,” God explains why he destroyed Sodom: “[Sodom was] arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”

 

As for “genocide” (abortion), the basic facts of human reproduction must be acknowledged: 15 to 20 percent of pregnancies result in miscarriage; 60 to 80 percent of all fertilized eggs never become implanted in the uterus. Maybe God ought to be tried at The Hague for crimes against humanity?

 

There is one tried and true method of decreasing the abortion rate: A strong economy. During the Clinton economic era, the abortion rate fell dramatically; during the Bush terms, the rate slowed. Two-thirds of women who undergo abortions cite they “cannot afford to have a child” as their primary reason.

 

Moreover, there is no biblical basis for anti-abortionists’ fervent beliefs. In the 600 laws of Moses, not one mentions abortion. In Exodus 21:22-25 (right after the Ten Commandments), it’s very clear a fetus is not considered a human. If a pregnant woman has a miscarriage as the result of a quarrel between two men, the offender should be fined; if the woman dies, the offender must be killed. In Genesis 2:7, there’s no mistaking when life begins: “[God] breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.” Zygotes do not have nostrils.

 

Finally, the big G, the politics of God. Was Jesus’s mission on earth to die for our sins and teach Christ-consciousness or to establish a state-run Christian empire? When the Devil tempted Jesus with world dominance during his 40-day fast, Jesus replied: “Get thee behind me Satan. For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord thy God and serve him only.’” To the Son, government, country, and politics were inconsequential ephemeral things: “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

 

Sarah Palin’s lack of knowledge, lack of experience, and “faith based” beliefs are disturbing. Since 30 percent of vice presidents become president, this should be a serious concern for all Americans. The fact that John McCain is 72 and has a reoccurring form of cancer cannot be overlooked. A major question in this election is, will “values” voters be able to see beyond their worldview or, once again, fall prey to their own religious temptations?

Z

Frazer Merritt has spent considerable time researching the influences of corporate lobbyists on Washington politicians. He is currently writing a book.

 

 

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