Who said this? You will likely be very surprised!

[Quixote1818]

"anyone who tries to make politics out of God ought to go to hell." "Religious lunatics," he called them. He never mealy-mouthed around in hypocrisy. A bigot was a bigot and a homophobic was a homophobic, and a religious quack was a quack, whether Democrat or Republican. He said: "Gays and Lesbians are now a part of every American family. This is not a liberal cause. It is democracy, and they should not be shortchanged."

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/william_edelen/godsprotectors2.html

Yes, it was Barry Goldwater who said this. So if the Freepers are up in arms about Paul Hackett's comments about the the Religious Right and the hypocrisy of the Republican Party, perhaps they should look at one of the founders of their own conservative movement.


What Paul Hackett said:

“The Republican Party has been hijacked by religious fanatics, who are out of touch with mainstream America. Think of the recent comments by Pat Robertson – a religious fanatic by any measure – that the United States should assassinate a democratically elected leader in Venezuela, and that Ariel Sharon’s stroke was divine punishment because Sharon wished to trade land for peace.”

“Since the Republican Party has been utterly unable to stand for something positive, they have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, and have pandered to religious fanatics not to vote for something they believe in, but to vote against their fellow Americans with whom they disagree. Those among us who would use religion and politics to divide rather than unite Americans should be ashamed.”

[RagingInMiami]

1. I am surprised

So I am recommending this thread.

[1monster]

21. I'm not surprised. Barry Goldwater also said:

"I don't have any respect for the Religious Right. There is no place in this country for practicing religion in politics. That goes for Falwell, Robertson and all the rest of these political preachers. They are a detriment to the country."

"Everyone knows that gays have served honorably in the military since at least the time of Julius Caesar."

"I don't like being called the 'New Right' I'm an old, old son of a bitch. I'm a conservative."

"You don't have to be straight to be in the military; You just have to be able to shoot straight."

"Every good Christian ought to kick Falwell right in the ass."

"A lot of so called conservatives don't know what the word means. They think I've turned liberal because I believe a woman has a right to an abortion. That's a decision that's up to the pregnant woman, not up to the pope or some do-gooders or the Religious Right."

"They can keep him"--when ex-president Nixon went to China in 1972.

[anitar1]

24. I was quite fond of Barry, but not of his politics. n/t

[Martin Eden]

25. Libertarianism

Libertarianism has many faults, but its true adherents are are much more principled and concerned with liberty than the political right-wing hacks and religious fanatics in today's Republican party.

[Surya Gayatri]

2. And to think that BG

was considered a right-wing wacko back there in 1964! What a long and harrowing road we've travelled since then. On today's political scale he'd be labelled a RINO by the Neo-Cons. SG

[KyuzoGator]

12. Similarly, Eisenhower would be a loony liberal moonbat today.

And Republicans would probably be calling Ike's military service into question, too.

[Surya Gayatri]

15. Yup, they would 've

had the swiftboats in the water the minute he declared his candidacy. What has happened to sane political debate in this country? Fanaticism reigns. SG

[Hamlette]

3. he "took up" the gay issue later in life

I don't know what his position was in 1964, I think he said he changed his mind about it, but even if he did support gay rights then, his silence was not helpful.

He ended up being admirable. Who says old people get more conservative?

[Raster]

5. BG changed his position on gays because one of his beloved grandsons

came out. Mr. Goldwater knew what a good, caring and compassionate man his grandson was.

[Surya Gayatri]

7. And he was a man of principle,

as opposed to the unscrupulous, greedy political thugs operating under the Repub banner today. He would have taken these Neo-Cons to the figurative woodshed. SG

[azmouse]

4. The whirring sound we hear in Phoenix

is Goldwater spinning in his grave over things Bush and his minnions do!

[Raster]

6. There is NO DOUBT that the Grand Old Man of Arizona politics

would be fighting bushco* tooth and nail. Goldwater was a real Republican. Not some sycophantic lapdog. Goldwater's loyalty was to the Republic, not the republican party.

[AndyTiedye]

8. Goldwater Improved Considerably With Age

:kick:

Kicking, recommending, and bookmarking.

"anyone who tries to make politics out of God ought to go to hell."
Barry Goldwater

That would make a really good T-Shirt to get thrown out of a Bush rally for.

[Quixote1818]

9. Great Idea on the T-Shirt!!!! You should sell them!

I would buy one!

I would just add. "Founder of the modern Conservative movement" behind Goldwater's name.

[Quixote1818]

16. .

[Canuckistanian]

10. Freepers and wingnuts are fond of quoting Goldwater

Let them see this.

K&R.

[sandnsea]

11. That was the second statement

The first one he said we have to push back on the religious nuts... and they are nuts.

That's what the hoopla is about, just to get it out there. We'll see how many people are sick and tired of them, hopefully alot. At least he's talking about it, no matter what happens in the long run.

[astonamous]

13. I am not surprised. I met Goldwater many years ago...

He always spoke his mind, he never minced words and he didn't care who he was talking to. I respected him for that. C-Span would need a "Bleep" button and a 7 second delay on the broadcast.

I would dare say that Mr. Goldwater would agree with Mr. Hackett.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

14. He used to be called conservative - now he's like a liberal Republican.

They've gone so far to the right that the classic "Conservatives" of the past are now considered "moderates" and/or liberals.

[roguevalley]

17. Barry Goldwater got cool there at the end. I admire that.

[FlaGranny]

18. Doesn't surprise me.

Goldwater was nobody's puppet. The conservative version of Harry.

edit: Truman.

[DarkTirade]

19. And this is why I have no problems

with the few REAL conservatives out there. Just an honest disagreement about political views, nothing more.
There are very few of them left, but they're out there.

[Quixote1818]

22. I agree

nt

[rucky]

20. Isn't his daughter gay? n/t

[Raster]

23. One of his grandsons is gay.