The GOP's Big Asian-American Problem

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There is much political dialogue about the Republican Party's "Hispanic problem."  But as the last presidential election revealed Asian-Americans showed a similar disdain for Mitt Romney and the GOP in general and, like the Hispanic population, Asian Americans represent another exploding demographic.  By chance and happen stance - as well as respectful treatment and competent legal services - I have built a sizable law practice with Asian American clients, those of Indian descent in particular.   Some know that I am gay, some do not.  Those who do seemingly could care less about who I love.  My perception is, however, they deeply care about the GOP's constant racism and immigrant bashing and the GOP's allegiance to Christofascists who want to trample on the religious freedom of non-Christians and other Americans who do not subscribe to the Christofascists' ugly version of Christianity.  A piece in American Prospect looks at the growing problem that the GOP faces with Asian American voters.  Here are highlights:

Still overlooked in the immigration discussion are Asian Americans, who are the fastest growing demographic group in the country—and one of the most diverse. The bulk of Asian American immigrants (83 percent) come from China, the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. At present, they’re 5.8 percent of the total population, nearly half of whom live in the West, with a large concentration on the Pacific coast. Seventy-four percent of Asian American adults were born outside of the United States, and in 2009—according to the Pew Research Center—Asian American immigration outpaced Hispanic immigration for the first time in recent history.

The Republican Party’s standing with Latinos is solid compared to where it is with Asian Americans. A whopping 73 percent of Asians supported Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election, up 11 percent from four years ago. When you disaggregate by nationality, the difference between Asian support for Obama and Romney is even more stark and begins to approach African American-levels of support for the president.

Obama won the three largest demographic groups—Chinese, Indian, and Filipino Americans—with more than 76 percent support. Filipino identification with the GOP is as large as you would expect—26 percent are enrolled in the Republican Party—but only 9 percent of Indian and Chinese Americans identify with the GOP.

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Simply put, the Republican Party has an “Asian problem” that rivals their “Latino problem” in size and scope. So far, it’s gone under the radar. But given the pace of Asian immigration to the United States—and the growing Asian populations of states like Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia—Republicans can’t ignore it for long.

Asian Americans have clearly figured out that if you aren't an angry white conservative Christian or a billionaire, then the Republican Party is not your friend.  Until the GOP can see the common humanity in all of us,  the allegiance of Asian Americans to Democrats will grow - as it has among minorities - who can plainly see that they are despised by the GOP almost as much as gays and blacks.  Long term, the GOP is committing suicide.

Christianist Nutcase: God Struck Japan with Earthquake to Punish Its "Spiritism"

I suspect that many of us saw this coming. Now, in yet another example of just how vile Christianity has become under the unrelenting hate of self-congratulation of Christianists, Right Wing Watch looks at the rantings of "Pastor" Chuck Pierce. I am continually left dumbstruck by the manner in which self-anointed "Christians" write off the shared humanity of millions of other humans without the slightest thought or remorse. Their mindset frighteningly mirrors that of the NAZI murderers who sent Jews off for extermination in the 1930's and first half of the 1940's. I find it difficult to grasp how one becomes so morally bankrupt and devoid of even a shred of empathy for others. It is frightening and serves as an indictment not only of Christianists like Pierce but also the GOP politicians who constantly prostitute themselves to such hate mongers. Here are some highlights:
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[T]oday Pierce reminds us that back in 2005 he and his associates prophesied that Japan would be shaken and brought to its knees because it was a "stronghold of spiritism":

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"There will be a shaking coming to Japan that will bring them to their knees. This shaking will change the industry of the nation. Japan has been built upon a fault line linked with a deep wounding from the past. This shaking will occur before the apostolic team that I am sending to Japan arrives. When they arrive, I will begin the healing of the fault line and release a new anointing for industries. I am sending you to the people group of that area and they will be humbled in the midst of their pride. Do not fear. I am causing the mountain to be brought down and the valleys to be brought up. I will create a leveling effect in Japan."
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[B]ecause of this massive disaster "the old religious structures will fall and many will experience the freedom and reality of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."
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Lest you think Right Wing Watch is exaggerating, check out Pierce's own verbal diarrhea here.

Fort Eustis Troops Punished For Refusing to Attend Christian Concert

I have written a number of times about something that I believe to be a serious threat to the U.S. military and constitutional freedoms: the presence of Christo-fascists in leadership ranks of the U.S. military. These individuals seek to force their Christianist beliefs on those serving under them and at times punish troops who rightfully refuse to participate in Christian ceremonies and events. The Air Force Academy has experience major problems in this regard as have other units throughout the military. Now, the phenomenon has raised its ugly head at nearby Fort Eustis. To me the solution to the problem is simple: Members of the military have sworn to uphold and protect the United States Constitution which GUARANTEES freedom of religion to all, not just far right Christians. Therefore, when anyone in a command position in the military intimidates and/or punishes those who do abide by or participate in that officer's religious beliefs, that officer needs to be subject to court martial and hopefully dishonorably discharged from the military immediately, losing all retirement benefits. Were that to happen a few times, I suspect the religious fanatics in the ranks would start to get the message - they do NOT have the special rights to inflict their religious beliefs on others serving under them. Period. Here are highlights from the Virginian Plot on this travesty(NOTE: The Military Religious Freedom Foundation has more information here):
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The Army said Friday it was investigating a claim that dozens of soldiers who refused to attend a Christian band's concert at a Virginia military base were banished to their barracks and told to clean them up. Fort Eustis spokesman Rick Haverinen told The Associated Press he couldn't comment on the specifics of the investigation. At the Pentagon, Army spokesman Col. Thomas Collins said the military shouldn't impose religious views on soldiers.
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Pvt. Anthony Smith said he and other soldiers felt pressured to attend the May concert while stationed at the Newport News base, home of the Army's Transportation Corps. "My whole issue was I don't need to be preached at," Smith said in a phone interview from Phoenix, where he is stationed with the National Guard. "That's not what I signed up for."
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Smith, 21, was stationed in Virginia for nearly seven months for helicopter electrician training when the Christian rock group BarlowGirl played as part of the "Commanding General's Spiritual Fitness Concerts." Smith said a staff sergeant told 200 men in their barracks they could either attend or remain in their barracks. Eighty to 100 decided not to attend, he said. "Instead of being released to our personal time, we were locked down," Smith said. "It seemed very much like a punishment."
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The Military Religious Freedom Foundation first reported on the Christian concert. . . The group's president, Mikey Weinstein, claims Christian-themed events are "ubiquitous" throughout the military, and he credited the soldiers for stepping forward. "Whenever we see this egregious, unconstitutional religious tyranny our job is to fight it," he said.
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About 20 of the men, including several Muslims, refused to attend the concert based on their religious beliefs, he said. Smith said he went up the chain of command and traced the concert edict to a captain, who said he simply wanted to "show support for those kind of events that bring soldiers together."
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While not accepting blame, the officer apologized to the soldiers who refused to attend the concert and said it was not his intent to proselytize, he said. "But once you get in there, you realize it's evangelization," Smith said.
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WTF is with "Commanding General's Spiritual Fitness Concerts" in the first place? Why are taxpayers underwriting these types of events? Obviously, some heads need to roll at Fort Eustis and elsewhere throughout the U.S. Military. This behavior is wrong and insults the Constitution that the U.S. military is supposed to be supporting.

More "Persecution of Christians" Whining From OneNewsNow

The American Family Association's faux news webpage, OneNewsNow, is running a story whining about Christians allegedly being persecuted because they cannot include Christian symbols on their marketing materials. The supposed victims are two Virginia realtors who believe their religious rights pre-empt both the federal and Virginia's fair housing laws that protect against businesses discriminating against would be home buyers or renters based on religion. Virtually ALL of the lending and real estate brokerage laws bar discrimination against such discrimination. Here's the spin put on the situation by the perpetual victims club at AFA's faux news:

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Two Virginia realtors have been taken to task by the state's Fair Housing Board for using the Ichthys, or "Jesus fish," and John 3:16 in their advertising. It would seem to be a perfectly legal expression of faith, but Dr. Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission tells OneNewsNow someone obviously felt differently.

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"Allegedly, the person that made the complaint believes that it was illegal because it seemed to indicate that they were only soliciting Christian clients and, therefore, was tantamount to some form of discrimination," he explains.

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However, Cass points out the realtors see their business as their ministry. "In fact, they are self-identified as Christian ministers who support Christian missions, and they felt that it was important to advertise that -- but they in no way discriminated against any potential client," he adds.
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The piece goes on to ask Christo-fascists to contact the Virginia Fair Housing Board and in effect voice their opposition to non-discrimination laws. Of course, from my experience over 30+ years is that those who mix their alleged religious piety with business are the ones who will rob you blind and swindle elderly widows. A local example of this phenomenon can be found here. This superb Christian - the son of the founding dean of Regent University's law school - reportedly read the Bible and went to church with some of his victims in order to gain their confidence.