Commentary from the Northwest Democrats

By Jacob Middleton
Vice Chair of the Northwest Democrats

Commentary on Kinky Friedman

First let me say Kinky Friedman is a funny guy. His observations about Texas and its politics are very true. And frankly, I wouldn’t mind seeing Willie Nelson in a position of power in this state.

However, a vote for Kinky is the same as voting for Governor Goodhair or Carole Keeton McClellan Rylander Hilton Wilding Todd Fisher Burton Warner Fortensky Strayhorn. In other words, a vote for Kinky is a vote for the lesser of three Republicans.

Let’s start with the most obvious of reasons. He has run not as an Independent in the past, but as a Republican; in 1986 he ran for a Justice of the Peace position in Kerrville. Even though Friedman has said he voted for Al Gore in 2000, records show he didn’t even vote in that election.

In fact, Friedman hasn’t voted for a Democrat in any election between 1994 and 2004. And in case you’re wondering, he did vote in 2004 for the Bush/Cheney ticket.

Moving on to some less obvious reasons. Friedman has been quoted in the New York Times saying, “I’m not pro-choice” and on his website says he supports a woman’s right to choose.

Under oath, Friedman said he is against the death penalty, but his website says he isn’t anti-death penalty.

In an interview with Ruminator magazine, Friedman said he was conflicted in 2000 and didn’t vote for Bush. (or anyone else apparently) In this same interview, he says he and Bush have become friends and that he agrees with Bush’s handling of the foreign policy in the Near East and Middle East. Going so far as to say, “…he’s handling that well, I think.”

Friedman has also proposed the novel idea of erecting a wall along the Texas-Mexico border. As Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano (D) observed, “You show me a 50-foot wall, and I'll show you a 51-foot ladder at the border.”

Besides, didn’t that wall idea go out with Pat Buchanan? In addition, Friedman wants to bring back the Bracero Program that created numerous problems including stolen wages and substandard conditions.

He and Bush apparently both want a guest worker program, which is going to do nothing but make sure there is an underclass of poverty in this country that is devoid of any legal rights or guarantees because they will technically not be citizens.

Friedman has also voiced support for posting the Ten Commandments in the schools. He wants school prayer reinsted. I have two questions about the Ten Commandments:

1) What religion’s version will we select from? Protestant, Catholic, Hebrew?
2) What translation of the Ten Commandments? King James Version, Good News Translation, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New King James Version, New Living Translation, Revised Standard Version, etc?

If anyone wants to post ten of something in the classroom, why not start with the Bill of Rights.