David Barton, Asshole of the Day for August 26, 2014

Once upon a time David Barton was called the most important historian by Glenn Beck. He was a regular guest on The Daily Show. He had made a name for himself for his study of the religious beliefs of the Founding Fathers. That is, until his book about Jefferson was called the "least credible book in print" and was pulled by the publisher.

But despite being discredited, he continues to exercise influence in the Texas GOP and on the radio. Yesterday on his radio show Barton claimed that Obama was weak on terrorism:

Barton declared that "terrorism was really on the ropes" before President Obama removed the last U.S. troops from Iraq, but now "terrorism has really rebuilt itself ... [because] this has been an administration that has not done a good job of trying to take terrorists down or take terrorism out."

Barton and co-host Green repeatedly expressed their desire to have someone like Gohmert serving as president instead of President Obama because, they said, Gohmert understands the difference between good and evil, which Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and the rest of the administration can never grasp because they support abortion rights and gay marriage.

Yes, you read that right-- David Barton thinks Louie Gohmert would make a good president.

And then he goes on to justify Gohmert as being superior in fighting terrorism because… he opposes abortion and gay marriage, which have a lot to do with fighting terrorism apparently. Look, George W. Bush also opposed gay marriage and abortion, and he didn't catch Osama Bin Laden.

But the really objectionable part here are his claims about terrorism-- that it was "on the ropes" before Obama and that Obama has not done a good job fighting it, and his basis for Obama not fighting terrorism is that he didn't keep troops in Iraq (even though Obama had no authority to do so).

The idea that Obama has done nothing to fight terrorism is just laughable. It's as if you can ignore all the drone strikes and catching Osama Bin Laden because there wasn't a permanent troop presence in Iraq. Look, all those troops in Iraq did nothing to catch Osama Bin Laden. And Barton knows that. But he ignores those two big facts. And for that, he is the Asshole of the Day.

It is David Barton's first time as Asshole of the Day.

Full story: Right Wing Watch.

PS: I was reminded on Twitter that Barton was recently featured on Cracked:

.@assholeofday David Barton is on this list -- 5 Successful People Who Everyone Forgets Are Exposed Frauds http://t.co/8soV5sf7gk

— fdtate (@fdtate) August 26, 2014

#asshole of the day #david barton #iraq #terrorism #louie gohmert #GOP #Texas #ISIS

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Louie Gohmert, Asshole of the Day for August 21, 2014

by TheDailyEdge (Follow @TheDailyEdge)

As someone tweeted yesterday: "Crazy people want to run our country and the worst part is that we are letting them."

Case in point: Looney Tunes Tea Party Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert. Best known for being a moronic hatemonger willing to smear anyone who happens to be Muslim, Gohmert was at it again yesterday, telling listeners to SirisXM's "The Wilkow Majority" that Obama won't be able to protect America from the threat posed by ISIS because: "If you're Commander-in-Chief you can't be listening to Muslim brother advise on when it's time to stop destroying Muslim brothers."

This on the same day that, as Think Progress, reports:

President Obama expressed outrage over the slaying of reporter James Foley at the hands of ISIS , saying the group “speaks for no religion. Their victims are overwhelmingly Muslim, and no faith teaches people to massacre innocents. No just God would stand for what they did yesterday, and for what they do every single day.” The president also vowed to continue the American policy of conducting airstrikes against the organization. “The United States of America will continue to do what we must do to protect our people,” Obama said. “We will be vigilant and we will be relentless.”

This is the same Louie Gohmert who previously claimed that the Muslim Brotherhood was guiding the investigation into the Boston Marathon bombings. It's his fifth time as Asshole of the Day.

Full story: Think Progress.

#asshole of the day #asshole #Louie Gohmert #GOP Rep. Louie Gohmert #gohmert #GOP #Obama Derangement Syndrome #Iraq #ISIS #isil #james foley #islam #islamophobe #islamophobia #Muslim #Muslim Brotherhood

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Louie Gohmert, Asshole of the Day for July 14, 2014

by TeaPartyCat (Follow @TeaPartyCat)

As the immigration crisis continues, there's lots of strange things being done and said. Last week the big story was Rick Perry positing conspiracy theories about Obama somehow being involved in it, without ever explaining how, and even refused to shake Obama's hand. It was way out there.

So perhaps sensing that his territory in Crazy Town was being infringed on by Gov. Perry, Rep. Louie Gohmert suggested that Perry should lead Texas into a war against these recent immigrants:

“Even with $3.7 billion that’s requested, there’s no way for what’s being called for is going to stop the invasion that’s occurring,” Gohmert said. “That’s why I’m hoping that my governor will utilize Article 1, Section 10, that allows a state that is being invaded — in our case more than twice as many just in recent months, more than twice as many than invaded France on D-Day with a doubling of that coming en route, on their way here now under Article 1, Section 10, the state of Texas would appear to have the right, not only to use whatever means, whether it’s troops, even using ships of war, even exacting a tax on interstate commerce that wouldn’t normally be allowed to have or utilize, they’d be entitled in order to pay to stop the invasion.”

Yep, he's really suggesting that Texas can have it's own border war without the federal government's involvement or approval. It's a pretty crazy thing to say, and despite his citing sections of the Constitution, not actually supported by the Constitution (read more about that here).

But that's not the worst part of this. What Rep. Gohmert is not mentioning, and which he certainly knows or could find out if he spent two minutes looking it up, is that the migrants causing the crisis are children, many of whom are under 10. So when he says Texas should go to war with these invaders, he's saying the Texas National Guard should start shooting 10-year-olds. But he's not saying that out loud, is he, because he knows how that will sound.

So, for saying that Texas should start shooting 10-year-olds at the border, Louie Gohmert is Asshole of the Day.

It is Louie Gohmert's fourth time as Asshole of the Day. Previous wins were for saying that

Full story: Think Progress

#asshole of the day #Louie Gohmert #immigration crisis #anti-immigrant #xenophobe #GOP #Texas

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Louie Gohmert, Asshole of the Day for April 3, 2014

by TeaPartyCat (Follow @TeaPartyCat)

So often with Louie Gohmert the question is -- is he an asshole? Or an idiot? And when I phrase it that way the most common answer is "why can't it be both?" Louie Gohmert often says the dumbest things of any congressman, which is saying something with Michele Bachmann and Paul Broun as colleagues, and what always stands out is how uncurious he is to learn the facts and how content he is with his limited understanding of things. And for being an idiot who doesn't seek to be smarter, when the facts are within his grasp, he is an asshole.

And his latest pronouncement is typical for him-- it combines a limited understanding with an unwillingness to think it through. See if you can spot the problem when he starts talking about the separation of church and state:

Gohmert pointed out that a Congressional Research Service report revealed that President Thomas Jefferson, who coined the phrase “separation of church and state,” had also attended church services at Statuary Hall.

“But it was to be a one-way wall, where the state would not dictate to the church,” the Texas Republican insisted. “But the church would certainly play a role in the state.”

“So, that’s a little different idea than a lot of people have about separation of church and state now,” he added. “Including some of our esteemed Supreme Court, who are not quite as familiar with our history as they probably should be.”

This really isn't hard-- church and state either must be separate or not. There can't be a role for the church in state without the state being in the church. And here's why: how does he decide which church gets to play a role in the state? How do you balance the competing interests of different churches?

As he may know, there is more than one religion and church in this country. Would he like the Muslim churches to play a role in the state, or is he only reserving that role for Christian churches?

And of course there are many Christian sects with different views on things— for example, not all Christian churches think abortion or contraception or gay marriage are against their religion. Would he be OK with those Christian churches having a role in the state, or only his denomination?

And that's where it becomes pretty clear that Louie Gohmert isn't interested in thinking things through because he's settled on his church being the one that has influence and dictating laws to the rest of the country, many of whom don't share his view of Christianity or aren't even Christian at all. But he doesn't care if the religious needs of others are trampled. He doesn't see-- and isn't interested in seeing-- that keeping religion out of the government protects the religious interests of everyone, including him.

The Founding Fathers didn’t set up a theocracy, but since he's doesn't see that, and does't care understand how important that is, he is the Asshole of the Day.

It is Louie Gohmert's third time as Asshole of the Day. Previous wins were for saying that cutting food stamps would help poor people avoid obesity and saying that pregnant women should have to give birth to brain-dead babies.

Full story and video: Raw Story

#asshole of the day #Louie Gohmert #church and state #establishment clause #theocracy #GOP #Texas #religion #religious freedom

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Is Louie Gohmert Asshole of the Day (again)?

Is Louie Gohmert asshole of the day for saying that separation of church and state is only to keep the state out of church?

Gohmert pointed out that a Congressional Research Service report revealed that President Thomas Jefferson, who coined the phrase “separation of church and state,” had also attended church services at Statuary Hall.

“But it was to be a one-way wall, where the state would not dictate to the church,” the Texas Republican insisted. “But the church would certainly play a role in the state.”

“So, that’s a little different idea than a lot of people have about separation of church and state now,” he added. “Including some of our esteemed Supreme Court, who are not quite as familiar with our history as they probably should be.”

More, including video, at http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/04/01/louie-gohmert-separation-of-church-and-state-means-church-plays-a-role-in-the-state/

With Louie Gohmert the question is often is he an asshole or just an idiot? Of course when I ask it that way, most people answer "both". And here we are again.

Well, let's explain to Mr. Gohmert why it can't be one way, where church can play a role in the state but not the other way. It's very simple-- which church gets to play a role in the state? Who decides? As he may know, there is more than one religion and church in the US. Would he like the Muslim churches to play a role in the state, or is he only reserving that role for Christian churches?

And of course there are many Christian churches with different views on things-- for example, not all Christian churches think abortion or contraception or gay marriage are against their religion. Would he be OK with those Christian churches having a role in the state, or only his denomination?

And once you realize that he thinks it should be only his church, then it becomes obvious why we need that wall, and how it protects him too.

The Founding Fathers didn't set up a theocracy, and so we shouldn't impose one now.

Photo source: http://gohmert.house.gov/images/lg_headshot.jpg

#asshole #Louie Gohmert #theocracy #church and state #establishment clause #1st amendment #GOP #Texas #idiot

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Is Louie Gohmert Asshole of the Day (again)?

Is Louie Gohmert asshole of the day for saying we should tax people on welfare?

The Texas Republican recalled that he had enlisted his friend, publisher Steve Forbes, to convince the Republican Party that “fair share” really meant “flat tax.”

“You make more, you pay more; you make less, you pay less,” he said. “And everybody needs to have skin in the game, don’t they? Everybody does. You need to own a piece of this government so you’ll do something about it. Everybody should.”

Gohmert said that he had “wrestled” with what to do with people who were so poor that they barely got by on government assistance.

“What if you’re so poor the only money you have is what the government gives you? And I’ve wondered, you know, isn’t that wasted money, you give it and you take it back? No, it gives you an investment in the country. And we need that.”

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/28/louie-gohmert-raise-taxes-on-poor-people-because-they-can-pay-with-welfare/

This is tiresome. Congressman Gohmert, poor people, even on welfare, do pay taxes. They pay sales tax, which is charged everywhere in America at some level, and includes food items. If they do any work, they pay social security and medicare payroll taxes. This isn't hard, even for someone as aggressively stupid and willfully ignorant as you.

Photo source: http://www.gohmert.com/about-louie-gohmert

#asshole #louie gohmert #GOP #welfare #flat tax #Texas #war on the poor

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Is Louie Gohmert Asshole of the Day (again)?

Is Louie Gohmert asshole of the day for saying government uses welfare to "lure women into servitude"?

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) on Thursday said that the federal government uses welfare to "lure" women into "servitude."

"We need to encourage and incentivize young women, not declare war on them by leading them into ruts like the Democrats did. You want to see who cares? It's the people that try to help them reach their potential, not lure them into servitude away from it," Gohmert said on "Fox and Friends," while arguing that welfare checks make women dependent on the government. "So, the problem is the government, not those single moms."

Gohmert was defending remarks he made on the House floor earlier in January about fraud, during which he said women had children in order to receive welfare checks.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/gohmert-government-lure-single-moms-servitude-welfare

Remind me again how there's no GOP war on women?

Seriously. Servitude? How do you figure, Louie? What servitude are they doing on welfare? The welfare-to-work jobs are still private sector jobs.

But I suppose we should thank you for at least not saying slavery like all your pals in the GOP do, especially Sarah Palin.

Photo source: http://gohmert.house.gov/images/lg_headshot.jpg

#asshole #louie gohmert #welfare #servitude #war on women #War on the Poor #slavery

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Is Louie Gohmert Asshole of the Day (again)?

Is Louie Gohmert asshole of the day for saying federal judges ruling in favor of same-sex marriage "need some basic plumbing lessons"?

“They need some basic plumbing lessons,” Gohmert said of these judges, according to Raw Story. “For one omnipotent, omniscious, ubiquitous federal judge who is wise beyond his education to say -- to make such a declaration about the law, I think, requires revisiting by each state and compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Gohmert, a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage, has previously made controversial statements on the topic.

Following the Supreme Court's decisions to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act as well as California's gay marriage ban, Gohmert implied the rulings were signs of society's downfall.

“For them — I don’t know what kind of cloistered walls this court has been behind,” Gohmert said of the justices. “They were not aware that the most wise man in history, Solomon, said there’s nothing new under the sun. And this isn’t new, and it’s been tried over and over. And it’s usually tried at the end of a great civilization.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/15/louie-gohmert-gay-marriage_n_4603888.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

I always feel that after asking any "Is Louie Gohmert" question, that I need to also ask "Or is he just an idiot?" Because it's always so fine a line, as it is here as well. It's like he doesn't understand that the plumbing works for men having sex with other men. We know that sort of sex has been happening since at least biblical times. Does he think it doesn't work for all those men, that they are all having anal sex but are left completely unsatisfied because of the plumbing?

Is he an idiot?

What is he really saying? I think this is what he means:

Louie Gohmert: "Judges who allow gay marriage need plumbing lessons. Men can't have sex with other men-- where would they put it?"

— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) January 15, 2014

Photo source: http://www.gohmert.com/about-louie-gohmert

#asshole #louie gohmert #GOP #Texas #gay marriage #gay rights #gay sex #marriage equality #Utah

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Is Louie Gohmert Asshole of the Day (again)? Or just an idiot?

Is Rep. Louie Gohmert asshole of the day for saying atheists should want people to pray to protect the country? Or just an idiot?

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) seemingly tied Christianity to U.S. national security during a bizarre speech on the House floor on Thursday, the Huffington Post reported.

“If you were completely areligious, completely atheistic, but you wanted to have a free country, and you wanted to have it safe and protected, then it would sound like, from historical purposes, that it might be a good thing to encourage those who believe in God to keep doing so,” Gohmert said. “Because when a nation’s leaders honor that God, that nation is protected. It’s only when it turns away that it falls.”

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/05/louie-gohmert-atheists-should-encourage-prayer-to-boost-national-security/

Gohmert says a lot of stupid things, even ones to justify bad things in his agenda. For example, he once claimed women should give birth to brain dead babies.

Photo source: http://gohmert.house.gov/images/lg_headshot.jpg

#asshole #louie gohmert #atheists #theocracy #GOP #House #Texas #idiot

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Is Louie Gohmert Asshole of the Day?

Is Louie Gohmert asshole of the day for saying a debt default is 'an impeachable offense' even if Congress won't make a deal to avoid it? http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4094707?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009 He's saying Congress can force it, but it will be cause to remove Obama. Seriously.

#asshole #louie gohmert #gop #debt ceiling

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Is Louie Gohmert Asshole of the Day?

Is Louie Gohmert asshole of the day for claiming John McCain supports Al Qaeda?

"I heard just before I came, some senator from Arizona, a guy that liked Gaddafi before he wanted to bomb him," Gohmert said. "A guy that's been to Syria and supported al Qaeda and the rebels. But he was saying today the shutdown has been a fools' errand. And I agree with him, the president and Harry Reid should not have shut this government down."

Read the rest at http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/gohmert-describes-mccain-as-supporter-of-al-qaeda

Louie Gohmert has won twice before-- justifying cutting food stamps and forcing women to carry brain-dead babies to term

#louie gohmert #asshole #John McCain #al qaeda

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Asshole of the Day for June 21, 2013: Louie Gohmert

The GOP has been out to cut food stamps for a while. Mostly they try to couch their language as helping the poor to escape the tyranny of government aid. But not all their arguments do such a good job of disguising their true hatred of the poor.

Rep. Louie Gohmert says cutting food stamps isn't evil like it's made out to be by liberals. Then as justification he uses anecdotal evidence of some constituent saying he saw someone purchase king crab legs with food stamps. We're a little disappointed that he left out the part of this alleged crab leg buyer then driving off in their Cadillac of Reagan fairy tales.

Then he pivoted and said cutting food stamps was a good thing, since some poor people are obese:

From the amount of obesity in this country, by people we're told do not have enough to eat, it does seem like we can have a debate about this issue without allegations about wanting to slap down or starve children.

It's a shame none of these assholes won't just come out and say what they mean-- the GOP doesn't care about the poor, that food stamp money just needs to go to our rich donors in tax breaks and oil subsidies.

Full story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/louie-gohmert-food-stamps_n_3478832.html

#asshole of the day #louie gohmert #food stamps #GOP #politics

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Asshole of the Day for May 24, 2013: Louie Gohmert

It's one thing to be the usual Republican idiot who wants to pass all sorts of laws to harass women who are seeking abortions, which is their right. But it rises to a whole new level when you tell a woman to her face that she should have carried a brain-dead baby to term.

There were a lot of assholes in the last 24 hours-- Rick Perry and Erick Erickson upset that the Boy Scouts abandoned the cherished value of homophobia, Paul Tudor Jones for saying women can't be traders, and David Vitter for denying food stamps to people convicted of every crime except the ones he himself committed-- but Louie Gohmert takes the cake on this one.

#asshole of the day #louie gohmert #Rick Perry #abortion #brain dead #Erick Erickson #Paul Tudor Jones #sexism #David Vitter #politics #war on women