The Daily Gist: With Ben Istiphan

Former Republican presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, clearly doesn’t like the path that the Obama administration is taking. In regards to the massive spending in Washington, Huckabee stated that, “Lenin and Stalin would love this stuff.” He is obviously eluding to the practice of socialism by drawing a parallel to what is happening now in America to what was happening in the Soviet Union during the earlier half of the last century. This is nothing more than Republican fear mongering once again.

Assuming that there is a good reason to be fearful; what would be the Huckabee alternative? When campaigning during the primaries last year, Huckabee suggested that the constitution should be reformed so that it is more compatible with the Bible. So that’s the alternative to all this socialism, a autocratic leadership that will arm the true believers and execute the abortionist. The Holy Roman Empire would have loved that stuff.

President Obama has issued an executive order to overturn the ban on federal funding for stem cell research.This move has sparked criticism from social conservatives who are particularly opposed to embryonic stem cell research. Even Republicans have voiced their concerns, claiming that an executive order of this magnitude will only further divide the country during these harsh economic times. It’s quite possibly true, this move will only alienate a large population who already feel a sense of alienation after the election last November.

In retrospect, let’s reverse the scenario. I’m sure eight years ago the liberal population was bitter towards the election results back in 2000, yet President Bush proceeded to follow up his promises to the religious right by issuing his own executive order to ban stem cell research. Republicans  will argue that today’s situation is completely different because of the economic crisis, but they have to come to grips with the reality that they are no longer the top dogs. The religious right has basked in the glory for 8 years, and now it’s time for the liberal to live.

How about a guest appearance on Bill’s show Ted?

Ted Haggard is back, as the former evangelical pastor made a guest appearance on Larry Live tonight. We were all astonished a couple of years back when it was revealed that Haggard had an affair with a gay escort, while also purchasing crystal meth from the same individual. Since then, he has acknowledged to having lived a hypocritical lifestyle, yet Haggard hasn’t necessarily changed his overall beliefs.

Based on his conversation with Larry, it seems that Haggard still sees homosexuality as abnormal and curable, and not as an acceptable lifestyle that someone is naturally born with. I’m sure Larry could have been more intrusive and critical, but regardless of who makes an appearance, he normally doesn’t harass his guests. To make things a little more interesting, the new season of Real Time With Bill Maher does start in a couple of weeks. I can see it now, the atheist pothead vs the evangelical meth addict.

Plenty of controversy was stirred when a group of atheists in England raised money in order to buy advertisements on London buses that read, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” Now a York University student from Toronto is seeking to do the same. He’s already launched a website in hopes of gaining publicity and generating enough cash to buy ad space on the TTC. Although Canada is far from being a country that adheres to strong religious values, some will object to this idea. However, in the end, if the funds are sufficient, the plan will likely go through. Canadians understand that “freedom of religion” also implies “freedom from religion”. Besides, for a group of atheists, the slogan is a modest expression. Fearing another inquisition, they likely threw the word “probably” in there in case the pulpit declares another crusade.