Rand Paul, Michele Bachmann and even Chris Christie made it official this week: We've had the Rat pack, the Brat Pack, and now, the Quack Pack -- the new GOP media elite, intent on waging a war on smart.
Like little kids in school hurling insults and seeing it gets them lots of attention, before they've learned the lessons of blowback, those most often quoted among the GOP are its biggest quacks -- waddling before the cameras, lining up to pimp out their idiocy and bigotry to the mass media.
News outlets of all shapes and sizes lap it up, following a simple and timeless formula: Stupid plus famous equals big bucks. The new GOP has earned a veritable PhD in promoting the storied stupid in prime time.
Reacting to Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling invalidating federal discrimination against same-sex marriage, the Quack Pack was on high alert this week, speaking fluent Moron to the press, interpreting God's law from the chambers of government institutions, thus ignoring any pretense of separation between Church and hate (oops, I meant, State) spewing fear, anger, discrimination, and disrespect:
-- Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) on same-sex marriage: "I think this is the conundrum and gets back to what you were saying in the opening -- whether or not churches should decide this. But it is difficult because if we have no laws on this people take it to one extension further. Does it have to be humans?" Really? Miss Piggy is already on her way to the alter? What's she wearing?
-- Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on same-sex marriage, "I've made it very clear since 2009 that I believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman. I've said that, I ran on that, I've said it consistently. That doesn't mean, in any way shape or form, that I have anything against folks who are homosexual." Right, except they shouldn't have equal rights. Other than that, I love 'em.
-- Speaking amongst 12 colleagues from a podium planted at the United States Congress (and not her neighborhood church), U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN) on same-sex marriage, said of the U.S. Supreme Court, a branch of the government she is sworn to protect and defend, "They attacked something that they have no jurisdiction over whatsoever -- the foundational unit of our society -- which is marriage. That is something that God created. That is something that God will define." She then added, "The Supreme Court, though they may think so, have not risen to the level of God," And since you believe that God created us, then that includes gays, and... and... so oooh geez it's all so confusing.
I'm sure the media outlets tell themselves that we (the people) need distraction and diversion, and this stuff is fun. Yet beyond that, the Quack Pack has an impact that's quite tangible. Speaking with a pair of FOX News fans while traveling through the Midwest this week, one of them actually said, "After all, Obama is a Muslim," to which I replied, "Where do you get that?" And she said she saw it on FOX -- after all, she said, it's his middle name: "Hussein." Really? You can tell from the name?
Look, if I were a proud member of the GOP, I too would be horrified by the rise of the Quacks. That said, the GOP is doing nothing to stop it. Why not? Because they are stuck on the formula that media equals power equals money, ignoring (like the 10-year-olds in the school yard), that although stupid sells, there's blowback on all of us.
I would like to join Nancy Pelosi's point of view, as in "Who cares?" That may well be the right point of view here. Yet, blitzed with the tsunami of fluent Moron, it begins to erode the intellectual fabric of our society, such as it is. I think we should all care, and exercise leadership by voting against and boycotting the products and services associated with the Quack Pack. Stop paying attention to their YouTube, tweets, and Facebooks. Your brain cells -- and maybe even your children's SAT scores -- will thank you later.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.