Bloggers are either grossed out by Pat Robertson’s endorsement of Rudy Giuliani or wondering how it’ll affect his campaign. Also, the United Kingdom’s “most ludicrous laws,” and the prospect of Rosie O’Donnell on MSNBC.
Rudy’s new bedfellow: Conservative Christian icon Pat Robertson has openly endorsed Rudy Giuliani for president because “the overriding issue before the American people is the defense of our population from the blood lust of Islamic terrorists.” A man who thought Sept. 11 happened because of America’s secularism and abortion rights is thus stumping for the pro-choice hero of 9/11. Right-wing bloggers wonder how this affects Rudy’s chances, while everyone else shudders at the sheer cynicism of it all.
Andrew Sullivan hauls out the f-word (that other f-word): “[Robertson] is a charlatan and a religious phony. He has enriched himself at the expense of millions of gullible Christians who did not understand that this man’s sole principle is his own power and wealth. It doesn’t surprise me that he sees eye to eye with Giuliani. They are very similar characters. … It is enlightening to me to witness two very similar politicians sink their differences to forge that new, fascistic direction.”
Ed Morrissey at Captain’s Quarters says the endorsement won’t cost Rudy anything politically: “The better question will be whether Robertson’s followers revolt over his endorsement of a pro-choice candidate and finally abandon him to the proverbial crazy-uncle attic.” But fellow righty Sister Toldjah isn’t so sure Rudy won’t enjoy a boost from it: “The left hates Robertson, and of course Robertson has made some wild remarks over the last few years that have alienated some conservatives too, but in the end, Robertson still wields alot of influence in the Christian community (I’m guessing primarily amongst older voters).”
Liberal Will Bunch at Attytood reminds readers that “it’s even more bizarre … Robertson also once called for the assassination of one of the clients of Giuliani’s lobbying firm.” “Rudy the Crossdresser is now the only one who can save the Christians from the Muslims,” submits egalia, one of the liberal Tennessee Guerrilla Women.
Even Bloggers 4 Rudy aren’t jumping for joy: “Potentially a mixed blessing, I suppose. But there’s no doubt about this being a pretty big evangelical feather in his cap.” Giuliani supporter California Yankee calls it a “setback to Mitt Romney. Romney, like many of the Republican presidential hopefuls sought Robertson’s backing. Giuliani can now counter Romney’s recently endorsement by conservative stalwarts Paul Weyrich and Bob Jones III and support his claim that despite his positions supporting abortion and gay rights, he is an acceptable choice to conservatives.”
Read more about Robertson’s Rudy endorsement.
Juris imprudence: It’s illegal to die in Parliament. Eating mince pies on Christmas will land you in the Tower of London, as will not telling the tax man “anything you do not want him to know” (it’s cool to dish stuff you “don’t mind him knowing”). These are some of the dumbest laws still on the books in Britain, according to a survey.
Commenting on the law that states: “It is illegal not to tell the tax man anything you do not want him to know, but legal not to tell him information you do not mind him knowing (3%),” Vox blogger ed’sperience writes, “That’s why I love the UK. They build a Wall and give you a way around it. An acknowledgement that humans, even if they occupy the halls of government, are fallible. A society with laws without loopholes is one that claims and toils under the purported fallibility of the few. I suppose, amongst others, the Sex Pistols is one of these ‘loopholes.’ “
According to commenter David Boothroyd at British political and PR blogger Ellee Seymour’s ProActive: “Welsh office minister Michael Roberts dropped dead at the despatch box in 1983 while making a speech, and Lord Montague of Oxford died in the chamber of the House of Lords shortly after finishing a speech in 1999.” And Jailhouselawyer at prisonlawinsideout asks: “I wonder how they are able to differentiate between a member of the House of Lords who is asleep and one who has died?”
Read more about Britain’s stupid laws.
She’s back. Maybe: MSNBC might give Rosie O’Donnell, who traded flying Koosh balls for 9/11 conspiracy theories, her own political talk show, which would run opposite Larry King Live and Hannity & Colmes.
New York magazine’s Intelligencer is in no hurry to see RosieTV, snarking: “If Rosie doesn’t share her 9/11 conspiracy theories and smack talk with the world, then there’s a chance those brilliant insights will be lost forever. It’s not just Rosie’s business, it’s her responsibility.”
Michael Learmonth at Silicon Alley Insider offers some insider industry skepticism: “Why wouldn’t they do it? Rosie’s pricetag, probably. Olbermann, MSNBC’s highest-paid host, just re-upped at $4 million a year, and NBC U gave him a gig on NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ to help amortize that salary bill. O’Donnell could likely earn at least $10 million a year hosting a syndicated daytime show, so any potential deal with NBC U would have to have more elements than just a talk show on MSNBC.”
Read more about Rosie’s return to TV.
