Today we continue our review of the nonsense we heard from the far right in 2009. Some quotes defy attempts to categorize. So let’s just say these are, well, just plain kooky. (Click here to see crazy quotes from the right about science and science education this year.)
“Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here? … Can’t you see that this is something that would make it a lot easier for you and the people who are poll workers if you could adopt a name just for identification purposes that’s easier for Americans to deal with?”
— State Rep. Betty Brown, R-Terrell, speaking to a representative of the Organization of Chinese Americans during testimony on a voter identification bill in the Texas Legislature, Houston Chronicle,April 9, 2009
“These are postures that are offered to the 330 million Hindu gods. Yoga postures really are; they are offerings to the gods. If you do these postures and you do this breathing technique and this meditation, then you will be accepted by a god, little ‘G.’ That’s the real danger.”
— Laurette Willis, founder of the “Christian alternative to yoga” programs PraiseMoves™ and Fitness for His Witness™, discussing the sinful aspect of yoga, CBN, September 2009
“[M]ost of the candy sold during this season has been dedicated and prayed over by witches. I do not buy candy during the Halloween season. Curses are sent through the tricks and treats of the innocent whether they get it by going door to door or by purchasing it from the local grocery store. The demons cannot tell the difference.”
— Kimberly Daniels, a columnist with the Christian Broadcasting Network, asserting that “demons” sneak into bags of Halloween candy at grocery stores, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, October 29, 2009
“A democracy could not exist because Mohammed already made the perfect law. The Quran is perfect just the way it is, that’s why it is only written in Islamic.”
— Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn., in a lecture to university students about his understanding of Islam. The Quran is written in Arabic. Islam is a religion. Daily Nebraskan, February 18, 2009
“[S]omebody down in the bowels of that organization is either a convinced left-winger or somebody whose sexual orientation is somewhat in question.”
— Televangelist Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition, responding to a Department of Homeland Security report detailing the resurgence of right-wing radicalism, Intelligence Report, Southern Poverty Law Center, Summer 2009
As I was reading those quotes, my mind filled with something from my youth. The content sounds as if it could have been spoken directly from the many fairy tails that we read in K-3. It brings to mind sprites, dwarves, elves, trolls, etc.
Tales—sorry