cbackous: "defend himself from charges he believed in evolution"

Defend? Charges? Since when is it a crime to accept a pretty much proven scientific theory?

But its only a theory!

Mad Scientist: Deep down, Byrne believes in evolution, and knows the bible isn't meant to be taken literally as a science textbook.

You can read minds?

Well there may be a bright side: according to the article, the candidates are so bad that voter turnout is expected to be low. So in sum, they're too stupid for Alabama.

My tin-foil hat theory? The parties trot out whackjobs to keep the people who read at more than a third grade level from the polls. And this is hardly a southern thing: I don't think I need to remind people about Michelle Bachmann, John Boehner, and Sarah Palin do I?

Mad Scientist: Deep down, Byrne believes in evolution, and knows the bible isn't meant to be taken literally as a science textbook. But then the fundies started mocking him, and he backtracked faster than Saban breaks a promise about changing jobs.

Bentley, on the other hand, voted --over and over--against efforts to modernize Alabama's outdated alcohol laws.

/Welcome to Alabama- please set your watch back 30 years.

Hey, the military needs to meet it enlistment quota somewhere, somehow, and Kentucky can't do it all by themselves.

evilkalla: Looks people, this guy Byrne doesn't give a shiat about creationism or evolution. He's a politician, and politicians here in Alabama are no different than politicians in any other state, they just lie about different issues to get the votes. The average voter here knows this bible crap is BS but these guys have to pander to the ultra-right wingers to ensure they get the fundie vote. Nothing to see here, move on.

After having had to fly to UA-Birmingham and listen to seminars and student talks for 48 hrs I'd rather cut my own head off and pith my brain by skullfarking my eye sockets than go back.

jaytkay: Mad Scientist: Deep down, Byrne believes in evolution, and knows the bible isn't meant to be taken literally as a science textbook.

You can read minds?

No, but I can read newspapers, watch tv, etc. Byrne has made his views clear in the past. Video clips of him supporting evolution have been used against him in campaign ads. The disappointing part is how quickly he flip flopped and pandered to the fundies.

Sybarite: I'm going to have to perform the difficult cross-thread quote.

mryoop789

I mean, hell, have you never been to the South? It's not like Hee Haw down here. It's a wholllllle lot like everywhere else in the US.


I've lived a lot of places in the US, and I can say with conviction that the South does indeed suck balls.

IXI Jim IXI: And to get re-elected, you might think that he'd have to go along with that thinking once elected...

He'll pay it lip service and throw them enough bones to keep them happy, and life will go on here pretty much the same as it did when Riley was in.

maudibjr: Alabama is not a real state

I'd like to have a word with you.

Blowmonkey: It's amazing the vastness of the cavern between the educated and the retarded in this country.

Chasm. You meant chasm.

pwhp_67: cbackous: "defend himself from charges he believed in evolution"

Defend? Charges? Since when is it a crime to accept a pretty much proven scientific theory?


It gets better. He really did defend himself. He had to run an ad that he doesn't buy into all this "evolution" stuff...

Pretty much? Newsflash - evolution is iron clad fact. Although the theory continues to be modified as new evidence presents itself, the idea of evolution is as concrete as heliocentric theory. That is, after we map a genome, we inject new ideas, but we never state things like, "Oh, I guess whales didn't evolve." Whatever - I'm convinced that we need to reinstate IQ tests for political office/voting. These guys would fail.

FairyFacade: maudibjr: Alabama is not a real state

I'd like to have a word with you.

I've been to alabama (t-town), and can attest that it is not a real state. It's just a part of the red-headed step child we call the South.

I can't believe someone would allow himself to be seen supporting creationism in public. Is Alabama really that backwards?

For sale: Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Willing to package certain adjacent properties. Direct inquiries to Uncle Sam, Washington, DC. Proceeds will be used to pay down debt and invest in intrastructure.

Bentley has made it clear that he will not support alcohol legislation reforms, so that makes it a pretty easy decision for me.

http://freethehops.org/

Mad Scientist: Bentley, on the other hand, voted --over and over--against efforts to modernize Alabama's outdated alcohol laws.

The Brewery Modernization Act would probably have passed this year, but the nut jobs in Montgomery sat around arguing and the bill never came up for a vote. And since they don't work all year, it will be next spring before the bill gets another chance. Hooray for government!

The first thing that came to mind.

evilkalla: The average voter here knows this bible crap is BS but these guys have to pander to the ultra-right wingers to ensure they get the fundie vote.

I don't think I've ever seen the biggest flaw in democracy as a system explained so succinctly.


Seriously, there should be a basic test at the polls about some basic concepts in science and political theory. And anyone who fails has their vote discarded. Why is this a bad idea?

slumcat05: Bentley has made it clear that he will not support alcohol legislation reforms, so that makes it a pretty easy decision for me.

http://freethehops.org/

Another reason it's very unfortunate the most recent bill didn't make it this year.

pvrhye: I can't believe someone would allow himself to be seen supporting creationism in public. Is Alabama really that backwards?





In tonight's Republican debate 3 candidates raised their hand when asked if they do NOT agree/believe in evolution:

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS)
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO)

jaytkay: Mad Scientist: Deep down, Byrne believes in evolution, and knows the bible isn't meant to be taken literally as a science textbook.

You can read minds?

Your troll-fu is weak.

LouDobbsAwaaaay: Alabama sounds insufferable by every possible measure.

With the exception of college football national chamionships, you're not far wrong.

Thorak:
Seriously, there should be a basic test at the polls about some basic concepts in science and political theory. And anyone who fails has their vote discarded. Why is this a bad idea?

You should listen to this guy I work with. He said that only those who have contributed military service or pay taxes should be allowed to vote. He also suggested that one ought to have more voting power the higher their tax burden. Would you like to know more?

evilkalla: Thorak:
Seriously, there should be a basic test at the polls about some basic concepts in science and political theory. And anyone who fails has their vote discarded. Why is this a bad idea?

You should listen to this guy I work with. He said that only those who have contributed military service or pay taxes should be allowed to vote. He also suggested that one ought to have more voting power the higher their tax burden. Would you like to know more?

I just bought a Twinkie, therefore I paid tax, do I get to vote now?

pvrhye: I can't believe someone would allow himself to be seen supporting creationism in public. Is Alabama really that backwards?

Just look at the TX State Board of Education. Alabama derp sadly has plenty o' company.

/Who's the Dem in the AL race?

cbackous: yet another reason to hate teacher's unions.

"we dont wanna teach it cause we dont like it none." is probably what they said.

They only talk that way in rural Georgia, Tennessee, and all off Mississippi.

jerem43: cbackous: "defend himself from charges he believed in evolution"

Defend? Charges? Since when is it a crime to accept a pretty much proven scientific theory?

But its only a theory!

No, YOUR troll fu is weak.

Sorry about that jaytkay

Wait wait wait wait. WTF people?

Ok, I'm from California and I'm a lib, but seriously?

- Byrne: "I'm a total conservative!!! Creationism, teach ID, truth in the bible!!!!"
- Bryne: Has the support of Governor and two Senators
- Bryne: Launched an attack against an add his opponent put out (via Wayne Reynolds, the president of the Alabama chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America who appears to be a supporter of Bryne.)

Yet Bentley

- Bentley: Has a name that sounds like a rich douche, in a poorer part of the country
- Bentley: Has a 30 second ad that in 3 seconds says, "Put himself through medical school, served his country, and healed troops wounded in Vietnam."

I don't see how...

Diogenes: Bentley is trying to win by proving how dumb the voters are.

Basically the GOP is supporting their lapdog down there and the voters are rightly confused. I don't think this is an issue of "TEH STUPID SOUTHERNERS!!!!! L0L1!1!!1!" It's a case of crappy politics.

/Right?

flypusher713: /Who's the Dem in the AL race?

Terri Sewell, I think. She had the balls to make an ad supporting UHC in Alabama, so major props to her.

evilkalla: You should listen to this guy I work with. He said that only those who have contributed military service or pay taxes should be allowed to vote. He also suggested that one ought to have more voting power the higher their tax burden. Would you like to know more?

Was his name Jean Dubois?

LouDobbsAwaaaay: Alabama sounds insufferable by every possible measure.

Well, we don't have to deal with snow. The retarded ones make news while the rest of us laugh with you. Depending on where you live in the state (preferably a metro area like Birmingham, Huntsville or Mobile) you have access to Atlanta, Nashville or Panama City with a very short drive.

We get all of the benefits of a small-time state with a commute to dense urban areas. Oh, and we can afford 10x's the sq ft on houses for the same investment! Leaves us with plenty of money left over for Private schools for the kids so we don't have to worry who's flinging what poo in political races.

pwhp_67: pvrhye: I can't believe someone would allow himself to be seen supporting creationism in public. Is Alabama really that backwards?

In tonight's Republican debate 3 candidates raised their hand when asked if they do NOT agree/believe in evolution:

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS)
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO)


I don't believe in evolution, either. I accept it (and related notions, like lateral gene transfer) as the current, best model to describe a set of evidence. To believe in something is to accept it without evidence. I don't believe in anything.

Blowmonkey: It's amazing the vastness of the cavern between the educated and the retarded in this country.

You're sorely mistaken if you believe it as cut/dry as that. This country is full of formally educated wingnuts, as it's also full of blue collar realists.

The problem is propaganda. Some of it is so strong, relentless, and ubiquitous (FOX, for instance, or the church) that even the 'intelligent' among us fall prey to it. Critical thinking isn't something that all people continue to exercise after leaving a university. Just ask anyone in this thread who works two cubicles from someone with a similar degree but hoards supplies and guns while ranting about socialist takeover.

We live in a nation where ranting about Lord Kimbo will get you locked up, but flicking spittle about a specific sky wizard and Nazis in the white house is not only tolerated - it's astroturfed by major news corporations. It's a farked up place, man, and it only appears to be getting worse.

evilkalla: He'll pay it lip service and throw them enough bones to keep them happy, and life will go on here pretty much the same as it did when Riley was in.

"enough bones" here being "votes for batshiat crazy bills".

He's not running for dogcatcher.

Perhaps some of you Bama types can fill in the details but as I recall there was a a guy who ran for governor a few years back and got elected on the promise that he would bring the lottery to the state.

Ol' boy did as promised but when the measure reached the ballot for a statewide referendum it was voted down because the preachers got all up in arms and calling it sinful and so forth.

As a result the pimps preachers were still filling their collection plates but something on the order of 400 million dollars a year was leaving Alabama going to neighboring states that did offer a lottery.

flypusher713: pvrhye: I can't believe someone would allow himself to be seen supporting creationism in public. Is Alabama really that backwards?

Just look at the TX State Board of Education. Alabama derp sadly has plenty o' company.

/Who's the Dem in the AL race?

ron sparks (new window)

Dangl1ng: Wait wait wait wait. WTF people?

Ok, I'm from California and I'm a lib, but seriously?

- Byrne: "I'm a total conservative!!! Creationism, teach ID, truth in the bible!!!!"
- Bryne: Has the support of Governor and two Senators
- Bryne: Launched an attack against an add his opponent put out (via Wayne Reynolds, the president of the Alabama chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America who appears to be a supporter of Bryne.)

Yet Bentley

- Bentley: Has a name that sounds like a rich douche, in a poorer part of the country
- Bentley: Has a 30 second ad that in 3 seconds says, "Put himself through medical school, served his country, and healed troops wounded in Vietnam."

I don't see how...

Diogenes: Bentley is trying to win by proving how dumb the voters are.

Basically the GOP is supporting their lapdog down there and the voters are rightly confused. I don't think this is an issue of "TEH STUPID SOUTHERNERS!!!!! L0L1!1!!1!" It's a case of crappy politics.

/Right?

You're correct!

Byrnes is a "good ol' boy" politician who's pockets have been lined for years by corrupt special interest groups. Look up his connection to "Two-Year Colleges in Alabama" - short version: the state-funded 2yr colleges had staff on payroll that didn't DO ANYTHING. They got a paycheck because they knew people. State money. For nothing. How this guy (Byrnes) is even in the running is a mystery to many of us.

Bentley isn't lock-step with the ultra-conservative back-room boys so he's drawing the ire of Byrnes supporters and funding groups. Basically, in Alabama, the group that spends the most on attack ads is the group with the most to lose.

In this case, it's Byrnes and his parasites.

You guys don't even know. It is incredibly frustrating to live in Alabama during election seasons. It's a contest to prove just how ass backwards the voters of this state are.

Every candidate, no matter what they are running for, has the same freaking message. Cut taxes, Christian values, not part of the establishment.

We actually have a Democractic candidate in Ron Sparks who actually did some pretty awesome stuff as Ag Commissioner but he is probably going to get trounced because he has a (D) next to his name.

WCHeadhunter: Ol' boy did as promised but when the measure reached the ballot for a statewide referendum it was voted down because the preachers got all up in arms and calling it sinful and so forth.

That wasn't the only reason -- Jack Abramoff arranged a deal with the Mississippi Choctaws to fund lobbying against an Alabama lottery. He also overbilled them and stole the money.

Ah damn it, Sparks is the candidate for governor.
Sewell is running for congress.
Ignore that last post.

WCHeadhunter: Perhaps some of you Bama types can fill in the details but as I recall there was a a guy who ran for governor a few years back and got elected on the promise that he would bring the lottery to the state.

Don Siegelman. Later prosecuted for something like fraud for giving out no bid contracts. Most people think it was a hit job by Republican like Karl Rove.

I remember that well and sadly.

WCHeadhunter: Perhaps some of you Bama types can fill in the details but as I recall there was a a guy who ran for governor a few years back and got elected on the promise that he would bring the lottery to the state.

Ol' boy did as promised but when the measure reached the ballot for a statewide referendum it was voted down because the preachers got all up in arms and calling it sinful and so forth.

As a result the pimps preachers were still filling their collection plates but something on the order of 400 million dollars a year was leaving Alabama going to neighboring states that did offer a lottery.

That would be both the former governor Don Siegelman (D) and the outgoing governor Bob Riley (R). Riley caved to the pressure to bring it up for a vote again under his Admin and it was voted down. At which point he said "The people of Alabama have spoken."

Since that vote, the issue came up again last year in the silly form of "Electronic Bingo" which is similar to those touch screen games you find in bars. The difference is that these are simply fancy touch-screen slot machines that have questionable payouts (since there's not regulation or gaming commission in AL).

The man with the most toys, Milton McGregor, has been trying everything he can manage (financially and politically) to establish legal gambling here in the state but all of the bills to do so have been crooked as hell: The verbiage of the most recent bill from earlier this year would have given established gaming halls the power to approve or deny ANY new entries into that business. (Of course that was voted down!)

The people in Alabama are somewhat divided about gambling, but the bills that come up for a vote are so laden with deals, kick-backs and pork that there's NO WAY that even the most liberal gambling junkie would vote in favor of it once they've read and comprehend what they're actually voting for!!!

Hobo Jr.: Ron Sparks who actually did some pretty awesome stuff as Ag Commissioner

...Like what, exactly?

If I understand from the article, Bentley never said he served IN Vietnam, he said he healed troops who were WOUNDED in Vietnam (which he apparently did, safely within the confines of a NC hospital)- correct?

/Understand why it would be misleading
//He should be an attorney, not a doctor

As bad as those choices are, the good news is that Tim "We Speak English" James and Roy "Ten Commandments" Moore got tossed out of the race in the first round.

Ya play the cards ya got, ya know.