Towleroad Guide to the Tube #57
ALL IS NOT WELL: Ouch. Clay Aiken hits a couple real stinkers (at end of clip).
THE NEXT CLAY?: Von sings "And I'm Telling You..." (source: he who laughs)
CLAY'S BACHELOR PAD: No cameras have ever been inside.
JIMMY CARTER: Called a racist anti-Semite on C-SPAN.
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The statement that Carter is probably "the worst president of the 20th century" is laughable considering his competition, and it is also news to me that "most of America" hates Hillary and Ted Kennedy. It is regurgitated right-wing radio talking points like these that make me think twice about believing the points you make in your latest post. I have no problem with the reasons you state you are a true republican (as opposed to this new republicanism we have now, which is neither small government or fiscally responsible), but when you fall back on the tired "it's all the Democrats fault and Hillary is the devil" nonsense, you lose me. Even sipping the Koolaid is not advisable sir.
Posted by: mike | Dec 5, 2006 9:56:50 PM
Isn't it wonderful that we are fight for each other's rights even when we disagree!
Posted by: Anon | Dec 5, 2006 10:06:14 PM
"fighting" (Time to take the contacts out!)
Posted by: Anon | Dec 5, 2006 10:07:16 PM
PeterParker, I totally disagree with my friend RB about Jimmy Carter’s legacy and I agreed with everything you said to him in response to his statement up until the totally inaccurate and inappropriate ass licking comment. It’s really a shame that you tarnished your intelligent and well made point with that one sentence. I really appreciate your comments and the passion with which you make them and though I seldom disagree with your message, I must speak up against the vulgar, personal, and inaccurate swipe at RB.
I know RB personally and I know for a fact that he is NO lover of George W. I’ll tell you a little secret, he was a little bit happy when the Dems took over congress, even though he’ll probably never admit it in public or to his partner. For the life of me I can't figure out what RB’s support for states rights, fiscal responsibility and small government have to do with being a Republican in the 21st century, but I do know that he listens and considers reasonable, well researched and civilly presented arguments no matter how contrary they are to his own opinion. I also know that he has been man enough in the past to say that his opinion was changed by a thoughtful and gracious argument. It just so happens I’ve changed his opinion a time or two.
My earliest exchange with RB was really pretty damn ugly too (ask him), but we soon realized that we have much more in common than we have in difference. We realized that we were both fighting for the same things, only from different perspectives. He moved right after becoming a parent whereas I, who became a parent under totally different circumstances, moved left. I continue to disagree with him on some issues and over some details but I know for a fact that I am a better person for having gotten to know him.
I suggest that you get to know him a bit better and you might be surprised about just how much you can have in common with a Republican.
Having said all that, I have to say to RB; you think the Dems are no better than the Reps on gay issues? You can’t be serious dude. You have GOT to stop drinking the right-wing, ruby red, cherry flavored Kool-Aid my friend! Jeesh! ;)
Posted by: Zeke | Dec 5, 2006 11:23:07 PM
Mike, I understand that the competition for the "worst" president of the 20th century is tight, but I was entering my early teens while Carter was president and my family lived the reality of his legacy; high interest rates and heavy forclosure. I simply do not view Carter with the respect that many do. He is a great peacemaker, but lacked serious domestic policies and direction. He languished in Iran and really did nothing other than brokering peace between Egypt and Israel.
The president has no control over OPEC and I will give him that. Something that many dems today will not do for Bush given recent gas prices and the heat he has taken. However, Carter was totally immobilized by indecision and surrounded himself by poor decision makers and bad advisors. For those that actually remember living under his presidency it was not a good time in America! And if you want to blame Carter's woes on Nixon we can play the blame game as well with the state of our military left by Clinton. And I voted for Clinton, twice! Every president has been left something of a challenge from their predecessor so there really is nothing new there.
My comments on Hillary and Kennedy are based upon their national approval ratings and not on their state electorate. She is extremely polarizing and he is so far left of reality it amazes me. Please do not think that I cannot find any favor in either of them, but they are not exactly shining stars outside their home states and parties.
And to Zeke, I am forever your greatest fan my friend, even when we disagree! You really have to stop telling all of my secrets though. I can honestly say that I do have an open mind and it is always open to new thoughts and ideas. That is something that I have rarely encountered here. You on the other hand are clearly the exception.
For those that may have missed our original malay, Zeke blistered me on virtually all levels in our first encounters. Through dialog we reached a mutual respect for the other's opinion and became friends. He happens to be one of the most intelligent and articulate people I know so calling him my friend is a true joy and pleasure!
That having been said I am amazed that no one questioned any of my deep personal beliefs on social issues such as abortion and needle exchange and went directly to my financial views. Is it because they cannot be reconciled with the dem platform? I can honestly say, as a parent, that a society that kills their young is deeply flawed and yet we openly provide for that opportunity and wear it as a badge of honor. I cannot and will not reverse my opinion on this matter. If that means that I cotinue to drink the "right-wing, ruby red, cherry flavored Kool-Aid" sobeit.
None of this means that I am in anyway anti-gay for being a repub which is how this started. Peterparker refuses to get past that one part of who I am and it is growing tiresome to say the least. I can honestly say that I do not allow my sexuality to cloud every thought I have. I know that Zeke made me understand what it is like to be a liberal in terms that were honest and sincere. He is fighting for his rights and the rights of his family, AND IT IS A FAMILY DAMN IT just the same as mine or any hetero family in America! That does not mean that we agree on every point but we are far more closely aligned than one might think. We are both parents who want recognition of our families and for our partners to not be legal strangers. I fight that battle daily as does he.
So the next time someone states that they are a gay repub you may want to get to know them a little better before simply dismissing them. Yes there are some self loathing gay individuals that are repub but we are not all the same anymore than all dems are the same. Ted Kennedy does share a party with Heath Shuler and they could not be further apart on social issues! And Shuler may be the perfect match for what I am politically. Shuler's campaign mixed economic populism and strong environmental stances with moderate positions on social issues that often hurt Democrats in the South. He opposes abortion but supports stem-cell research. He supports gun rights. He talks openly of his Christian faith and bringing "mountain values" to Washington.
Given that description I may very well be a "moderate democrat" or simply a liberal republican. Either way, I vote for the person and not exclusively repub. I have said it before and will say it again that many of my peers here are not open minded enough to do just that.
And there is no doubt that throughout this debate we could all learn something from each other. I certainly have.
Take care
RB
Posted by: RB | Dec 6, 2006 4:55:56 AM
One correction Mike, I did not state that Hillary was the devil so where did I lose you? I said that she was polarizing and scares most of middle America. I happen to think that she was the brains and the brawn behind Bill's political career and is far more intelligent than he is. I will be watching her in the coming months though. I need her to take some stands on issues before I can say yea or nea. I am not dismissing her alltogether as I believe her to be a viable candidate, but she will face a huge uphill battle in middle America. Time will tell if she is a true moderate, which I believe she is not, or a real liberal on social issues. As you can tell by my previous posts I cannot support her and her stand on abortion rights.
The best part of this is that I listen and give people opportunity to influence my thoughts. If only I could get other members of the gay community to do the same we would spend less time condemning me for being a repub and more time working together to gain our rights. But that would take more than 2% of the 10% of the gay population to actually make it to the polls! We are the loudest screaming minority out there today and yet we have the WORST voting record!
No Hillary is not the devil although I believe that she is not on our side. I truly believe that she is on the side of whomever is standing in front of her at the time she is speaking. Bill was great guy, but she is a master politician!
I will make one final comment on the lack of solidarity within the dem party. When Lieberman, a shining example for the dem party, backed the war the party turned their back on him in the primary. The very man that was their vice presidential nominee just 2 years ago was ousted because he had a discenting opinion??! What they tried to do to him was shameful. The party that everyone wants me to join is no more open to diversity of thought than any other, they are just better at spinning the stories that people want to hear.
I will concede that I am looking forward to W's departure! I think he has made us the laughing stock on the world market place but I am not convinced that Hillary or Obama are any more capable of handling the job. I will say that if my choices are Hill or Obama I will take her any day as she is what she is. I believe Obama to be a wolf in sheeps clothing.
And I do thank all of you for making me do my homework and dig in. I would like to think that some of you have learned from me just as much as I have learned from you. Zeke, my friend, Jimmyboyo and Leland have all taught me things that were immeasureable and opened my mind to all sorts of options I had not considered. Anytime we are talking and learning we are moving forward.
Take care
RB
Posted by: RB | Dec 6, 2006 11:33:12 AM
I'm glad to be seeing some love for Jimmy here. Jimmy Carter really got screwed in terms of time, being sandwiched between Nixon screwing up the economy and the strong economy under Regan he helped create. His work as a statesman and a humanitarian since he left the whitehouse has been stagering. Look up the Guinea worm if you ever want proof Jimmy Carter is a Hero. He erradicated an ancient disease from countries it had existed in since ancient Greece. I wish people would objectively look at what he's done and not see him as blameless, but at the very least an honorable man.
Posted by: Andy | Dec 13, 2006 9:37:34 PM