Senator’s Inhofe, Brownback and Ensign on Uganda
Uganda is looking at criminalizing homosexuality. Until recently, the penalty included sanctions up to and including death.
Once again, I’m compelled to tip my cap to Rachel Maddow. She’s been all over this story and inspired me to ask the Senators if they’d consider signing on to a Sense of the Senate resolution condemning the law being considered. Senator Ensign is most clear – he thinks a resolution may be desirable. Senator Inhofe is somewhere in the middle; he says we “could” do that. Senator Brownback? Well, he’s a bit more reticent. Without seeing the legislation, he wouldn’t want to pre-judge…
(For brevity’s sake, I edited down the Brownback video a little bit. I didn’t change the context at all; the full video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjdKHi1Sqlg)
I really like your work – but I cringe when your interviews begin. Don’t you think memorizing a clear, concise question to start your interview might be a good idea? The hemming and hawing and “rachel’s been all over it” are embarrassing.
pandera
13 Dec 09 at 5:53 am
ditto. the earlier commenter is right. you have good stuff but don’t be so wishy-washy and beat around the bush with your opening.
also, the holocaust question phrasing is awkward. you probably didn’t mean it – or at least i hope you didn’t – but it sounded as if you really were saying, “senator, those yente jews have been able to squeeze you guys to issue condemnations of achmadenijad’s holocaust denial ravings and verbal threats against israel, so if we’re prepared to lay down for the Jew lobby, why not accord the same treatment to gays.”
again, i don’t think that’s what you meant to imply. but it sounds that way. you could employ a more succinct interviewing technique.
you have a big opportunity here, given the access you have in DC to hold these clowns accountable. don’t blow it.
delbert nornvi
13 Dec 09 at 12:22 pm
[...] stands he now on a legislated genocide in Uganda? Well, thus far he’s only said that he couldn’t make a judgment without reading the legislation.Perhaps, he would prefer for them to wear small pink triangles and [...]
So, then, Lets just Kill Ellen — Forward Kansas
13 Dec 09 at 12:47 pm
What the hell are these three clowns doing in the US Senate?
James Fellman
13 Dec 09 at 2:07 pm
Way to go, Mr. Stark! You are doing a wonderful job. I miss my old home town, but I feel better knowing that you are there, keeping these neocons on their toes. Keep challenging them with their own hypocricy! Hats off to you! I’d be proud to shake your hand any day. Russ
Russell Smith
13 Dec 09 at 10:49 pm
[...] The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power. In December 2009, Brownback told reporter Mike Stark that he didn’t know enough about the Uganda bill’s “specifics” to condemn [...]
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