Que Sarah Sarah: Tampa Trib's Daniel Ruth compares Palin to FL Senator Ronda Storms

[madfloridian]

Daniel Ruth's column in the Tampa Tribune is seldom boring. He just compared Sarah Palin with Florida's Ronda Storms...and I thought what a chance to write about one of my favorite religious extremists. One of many in Florida who scare the hell out of me.

Que Sarah Sarah: Facing Storms Of Missives Over Elitism And Ethics

Role For Ronda?

In this community, it took a nanosecond after the announcement of Palin's veep pick for readers to start noting she was "...an Alaskan version of state Sen. Ronda Storms in every sense of the word," wrote hockeyray.

"Trying to pass Creationism in public schools, telling the local librarian either certain books need to be banned or the librarian gets fired, and there's also troopergate - very much like Ronda threatening the county staff to deny a permit to a bikini bar club she didn't like.

"Breaking the county charter meant nothing to Ronda as I'm sure the Constitution means about the same to Palin."

Who knows? If the McCain/Palin ticket gets elected, perhaps there would be a place in the new administration for Ronda Storms - Secretary of Pinched Harrumphing, perhaps?

Ronda Storms is rather famous in Florida for her religious convictions which carry way too far over into the public realm. She is against almost everything in some way. There was controversy over whether a bill she sponsored would make it against the law for children to masturbate.

Senate President Ken Pruitt temporarily ended discussion on a bill protecting children when it appeared discussion would devolve into the use of the “m-word.” Walking the proverbial tight rope, Senate bill sponsor Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, tried to clarify whether language in her bill (HB 7077) would outlaw children from masturbating.

Sen. Larcenia Bullard, a Miami Democrat who asked the question, responded saying, “Without using the m-word,” before she was summarily cut off by Pruitt, who urged the two to conference off to the side rather than hashing out the debate on the Senate floor. Pruitt cut off a similar discussion earlier this session on an amendment to outlaw the popular pick-up truck displays that feature replicas of male genitalia, known as “truck nutz.”

More about Ronda Storms:

She was a sponsor of the bill to require that every pregnant teen be reported by doctors to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

TALLAHASSEE - Health care professionals would be required to call police if they know or suspect a patient 15 or younger is pregnant, under a bill filed recently in the House and Senate. In addition, doctors who perform abortions on such girls would be required to collect a DNA sample from the fetus and send it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

State Sen. Ronda Storms, a Brandon Republican, has joined forces with a top House Republican, Rep. Dennis Baxley of Ocala, on the bill, which aims to crack down on underage sexual abuse by having health care professionals assume pregnant teens are crime victims.

The bill did not pass. Cooler heads prevailed.


State Sen. Ronda Storms has joined forces with Rep. Dennis Baxley, of Ocala, on the bill.

That is most definitely not all that Ronda has done.

She was one of the driving forces behind the bill that would protect Florida teachers from having to teach the newly mandated theory of evolution.

Earlier this year, the state's Board of Education approved new science standards including mandated teaching of evolution. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, said teachers and students around the state are frightened of discussing alternative theories of life's creation such as intelligent design.

"The bill is needed because the new science standards present the theory of evolution in a dogmatic way," she said. "Both teachers and students feel muzzled from expressing their views."

Daniel Ruth posts some of the names he was called when he criticized the pick of Palin as McCain's running mate.

"Daniel Ruth is such a frickin idiot."

"Daniel Ruth is such a moron."

"Daniel Ruth exemplifies the liberal elitist arrogance."

We just imagined the religious extremists did not hold the same power they did in 2000 and 2004. They really do. John McCain just made that clear in his pick...he again turned the party over to the Ronda Storms and Sarah Palins of the country.

[lavendermist]

1. I've always enjoyed Daniel Ruth's commentary. n/t

[madfloridian]

2. Ronda also supported the bill that required ultrasound before an abortion.

Abortion ultrasound bill fails to pass FL Senate

Her comments were very odd.

"The measure (SB 2400) would have required women seeking abortions to first undergo an ultrasound procedure and view the results, unless they signed a waiver.

Exemptions were included for victims of rape, incest or human trafficking -- but only if they could produce documentation of the crime.

Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, called the measure a "pro-choice bill" that would give women a better understanding of the decision facing them.

"There is something magical about being on that table and seeing that doctor talk to you, even when it's a surprise pregnancy, an unwanted pregnancy," Storms said. "And see that little baby put its thumb in its mouth and suck its thumb."

:crazy:


With all the serious problems this state has, the Republican-dominated legislature always manages to find the time to address this subject in an election year. Gay marriage, in recent years, has become another reliable vote-getter. It's one of those amazing natural phenomena that the fate of the unborn and the sanctity of heterosexual marriage never seem to be under threat in years that end with odd numbers.
From the Sun Sentinel by Chan Lowe, cartoonist

[MooseGoose]

3. Maybe they don't...

Certainly, McCain's pick shows that his campaign thinks they are a necessary component of a victory in the election. But the "feel in the air" is different this time around. They don't seem as enamored with the Republican party as before, since the Bush Administration didn't deliver on any of their promises. McCain is courting them, but they seem reluctant to go to the dance with him (hasn't Dobson flipped a couple of times on this?). The GOP still seems less enthused than the Democrats, even with Governor Palin on the ticket. Plus, I'm not seeing anyone fanning the social issue flames that Rove used to get the vote out in 2000 and 2004.

Or am I just seeing what I want to see?

[madfloridian]

4. I hope you are right.

But I have seen signs of the wedge issues coming back, especially in the area we live. The letters to the editors are increasing...the signs on cars about choice.

I hope you are right, but the wedge issues still hold sway. I hope not as much as 2000 and 2004.

Fingers crossed.

[Waiting For Everyman]

5. Probably a good preview of Palin.

And yet they have the NERVE to talk about "getting government off our backs"!!!

That only means repealing FDR's accomplishments.

[madfloridian]

12. I think you are right. They want government snooping in bedrooms.

They scare me.

[madfloridian]

6. Wow...in defiance of the IRS pastors around the country will endorse McCain

from the pulpit.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/8/17717/55912/524/591388

"On Sunday, September 28th dozens of pastors nationwide will make a presidential endorsement from the pulpit. This deliberate defiance of IRS Rules is being organized by the Alliance Defense Fund with the stated purpose of creating a court challenge to the 54 year old ban.

How big will this be? According to the ADF at least 36 church leaders in at least 20 states have signed on to participate.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State describes the ADF as:

a theocracy-minded legal operation founded by right-wing religious broadcasters

As a result, there is little doubt that the result of this stunt will be dozens of endorsements for McCain around the nation delivered during church services, during sermons to the captive audience that is the congregation."


This is scary stuff.

Ronda is scary in her righteous anger.

[Cha]

7. Ye gods..ronda's astral twin..

[madfloridian]

8. Ha Ha....in some pictures they look a lot alike.

And they sure do sound alike.

:hi:

[LeftyMom]

9. Oooh, have I ever heard about her.

If you ever want to reduce flvegan to inarticulate sputtering punctuated by profanity, that's the name to mention.

She sounds like a winner, that's fersure.

[madfloridian]

10. Well, I react the same way to Ronda. She drives me nuts.

So flvegan has my sympathy. People like her who think we have to follow their belief have no business in politics.

[Cha]

11. And that's a fact.

"People like her who think we have to follow their belief have no business in politics."

:hi:

[madfloridian]

15. No business in politics at all

:hi:

[flvegan]

13. Storms can suck my ass.

Gawds, but that felt good to say.

Proud to have thrown a bottle of water at that fucking twat bitch fucking whore.

Yeah, I used all the keywords.

[madfloridian]

14. She's really something else, isn't she.

I get angry when I see or hear her speak. Yuck.

[madfloridian]

17. I was just thinking. She might qualify for higher office.

Just by virtue of her piety. :wow:

[madfloridian]

16. Geez...the Christian Coalition graded the Florida legislature.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080821/BLOG29/310387/2121&title=State_Senate_flunks_Christian_Coalition_test

"With Republicans enjoying a nearly two-to-one margin the state Legislature in recent years, the body has rarely been accused of being too liberal. Issues like evolution, abortion and wearing “baggy drawers” to school consumed dozens of hours of debate in Tallahassee this spring.

But the Christian Coalition of Florida gave the Senate an “F” this year for votes on the group’s issues and the House only received a “C” in a report released by the group."

..."Only 17 of the 40 state senators got a passing grade based on how they voted on issues related to evolution, abortion, gambling and other issues. Three senators received 100 percent rankings – Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden; Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville; and Ronda Storms, R-Brandon.

In the House, 63 of the 120 members – all Republicans – received 100 percent rankings.