I Gotcher Commpassionate Conservatism Right Here
by digby
Huckabee has always been a hater with a smile on his face:
As a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in 1992, Huckabee answered 229 questions submitted to him by The Associated Press. Besides a quarantine, Huckabee suggested that Hollywood celebrities fund AIDS research from their own pockets, rather than federal health agencies.
“If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague,” Huckabee wrote.
“It is difficult to understand the public policy towards AIDS. It is the first time in the history of civilization in which the carriers of a genuine plague have not been isolated from the general population, and in which this deadly disease for which there is no cure is being treated as a civil rights issue instead of the true health crisis it represents.”
The AP submitted the questionnaire to both candidates; only Huckabee responded. Incumbent Sen. Dale Bumpers won his fourth term; Huckabee was elected lieutenant governor the next year and became governor in 1996.
When asked about AIDS research in 1992, Huckabee complained that AIDS research received an unfair share of federal dollars when compared to cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
“In light of the extraordinary funds already being given for AIDS research, it does not seem that additional federal spending can be justified,” Huckabee wrote. “An alternative would be to request that multimillionaire celebrities, such as Elizabeth Taylor (,) Madonna and others who are pushing for more AIDS funding be encouraged to give out of their own personal treasuries increased amounts for AIDS research.”
[…]
Also in the wide-ranging AP questionnaire in 1992, Huckabee said, “I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk.”
How very conservative of him. Not big on compassion, though, was he? Remember, this was 1992, many years after everyone knew that AIDS was not transmitted through casual contact. Indeed, by that time the “plague” had already slowed in the United States.
His little bon mot about Elizabeth Taylor and Madonna paying for AIDS research is also typical of his truly nasty sense of humor that betrays more about him that he may realize. He’s a real piece of work.
And lest anyone defend this jerk’s comments from 15 year ago as being old news, he came out with a really great new plan for undocumented workers last week that’s sure to set aside any lingering doubts that he might be soft of the Mexican invaders:
1. Build a fence. Self-explanatory.
2. Increase border patrol. Also self-explanatory.
3. Prevent amnesty. In reality, what Huckabee means by “prevent amnesty” is self-deport every single illegal immigrant in the country, as if this is somehow possible. His plan says, “Propose to provide all illegal immigrants a 120-day window to register with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and leave the country. Those who register and return to their home country will face no penalty if they later apply to immigrate or visit; those who do not return home will be, when caught, barred from future reentry for a period of 10 years.”
So to review, rounding up all the illegal immigrants in America and deporting them “this weekend” is not realistic. However, giving them 120 days to deport themselves is realistic.
4. Enforce the law on employers. Punish companies that use illegal immigrant labor.
Wingnuts do not vote on creationism and blastocyst worship alone. Huck knows that to close the deal he’s got to publicly get some hate on for somebody. Going after the gays is so 2004. This year’s designated Republican hate object is teh Mexicans. They just need a little more reassurance that he’s one of them. This should do it.
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