Political Insider

By Debbie

January 7, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

Huckabees Registered For Gifts through Wedding Registry even though they had been married for years.

http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2006/11/13/weekinreview/news/saturday/news09.txt

Monday, November 13, 2006 12:13 PM CST

Huckabees Registered For Gifts

By John Lyon

Arkansas News Bureau • jlyon@arkansasnews.com

LITTLE ROCK — “Wedding” registries in the names of Gov. Mike Huckabee and his wife, Janet, have been set up at two department store chains in advance of the Huckabees’ move out of the Governor’s Mansion into a private home.

The term-limited governor leaves office in January, and friends of Janet Huckabee created the registries at Dillard’s and Target stores to help facilitate their transition to private life, Huckabee spokeswoman Alice Stewart said Friday.

The Huckabees purchased a 7,000-square-foot home in North Little Rock this year.

“Some ladies who are friends of Janet’s are giving her a housewarming party,” Stewart said.

Arkansas law prohibits public servants from accepting any gift worth more than $100, unless the gift is conferred “on account of a bona fide personal, professional or business relationship” independent of the recipient’s official status.

“Items costing more than $100 which are given to public servants to show appreciation for their efforts (i.e., to reward them for doing their job) or to reward them for past or future action are prohibited under this rule,” the law states.

Gifts from relatives are not prohibited, nor are wedding or engagement gifts.

The Huckabees married in 1974. They entered into a covenant marriage in February 2005.

By SpaceyG

January 7, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Since we’ve never heard a (political) word outta their mouths, you gotta wonder if the other band members are allowed any independent political thoughts, or do they just tow the Stipe party/company line?

By Minion

January 7, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

This is typical of leftist pseudo-intellectuals. Mike Huckabee does not fit into the neat little box of hate that Mr. Stipe has constructed for a Southern Baptist minister. What Mr. Stipe should have said is: “This guy is charming! It is going to be difficult for me to hate him. But since I am a leftist pseudo-intellectual, I will do my best.

By Anyone But Hillary

January 7, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

Who cares what any entertainer has to say about politics or politicians? The only talent these people have is the ability to sing or act and sell a product. They do not matter otherwise.

By MARK

January 7, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

So just what in the world makes Michael Stipes opinion so important? Typical that someone like him who expects everyone to accept and be understanding and tolerant of every deviant and weirdo in the world hates everyone who doesn’t fit into his little box of the world. do everyone a favor and sing your silly songs, be weird for the sake of being weird, and stay out of politics. no one really cares for your narrow opinion anyway, you freak.

By Native Atlantan

January 7, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

I could care less what Michael Stipe or any other entertainer/celeb thinks about politics. I grew up a huge REM fan but all I can think is “Shut up and sing (or act - whichever applies)” when celebs like Mr. Stipe start talking politics. I’m so sick of the press giving so much weight to what these out of touch, undereducated morons in Hollywood think about the candidates.

By STEVE

January 7, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

when michael stipe stops wearing make up and skirts and returns from fantasyland, maybe someone will take him seriously. his political opinions are about as relevant as his calling the beatles’ music “elevator music”. whatever. enjoy your 15 minutes, it’s almost over.

By Dan

January 7, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

The Jane to which you give no respect would be the founder of Jane magazine, which is surely way off your radar, but did lots to begin to give women self-esteem and creativity in the early days of Lollapalooza generation music before Nirvana and REM were huge.

By Yellow Dog

January 7, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

I have never understood this “shut up and (whatever)” mentality. I dare say that none of the proponents of this position confine their comments strictly to the job or profession in which they find themselves.

It is hypocritical to presume that we “regular joes” should have the freedom to discuss politics, religion, whatever strikes our fancy but as soon as someone whose job keeps them in the public eye speaks up “well oh my God how dare they. “ The Stipes and Clooneys on the left and the Sellecks and Norrises on the right have just as much business expressing their views as any other American. The fact that the media publicizes their views is part and parcel of what they do.

Celebrity should not be a bar to a free expression of opinion. We do live in America the last time I checked.

By RightIsWrong

January 7, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Black is white. Right is wrong. Won’t be long till Bush is gone.

Hurray!

By Ray O'Neil

January 7, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

You rednecks are showing your inbred bucktoothed hypocrisy. You bash Michael Stipe, but you say nothing about Chuck Norris, that washed-up kung-fu midget who is following Rev. Hickabee around like some kind of drooling lapdog and speaking at all of his rallies. You think entertainers are all idiots with no right to express their opinions - unless they’re a right-wing Republican. Most successful artists and entertainers are too smart to fall for the failed rhetoric of the Republitards. Only a few washed-up jokes looking to revive their failed careers are willing to get the stench of Republicanism on them.

By BiteMe

January 7, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Who cares. We all have opinions. I just can’t stand hearing what Hollywood thinks - My world does NOT revolve around stars!!!!!!!!!!

By Benton

January 7, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Message to STEVE: Michael Stipe’s 15 minutes has lasted more than 25 years. How’s yours doing?

By Syd

January 7, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Dan…REM was huge in the early 80’s. Jane mag came around in 1997. Even Sassy came around in 1987, after REM was huge.

By Syd

January 7, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Benton…seems like a long 15 minutes to me too!

By Sam J

January 7, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

So who cares what Hollywood thinks? Tell that to vocal Huckabee supporter and Hollywood actor Chuck Norris. Or how about the governator of California. Or a former US Senator from Tennessee who’s running for President - another actor? What do they all have in common? They’re Republicans. I guess no one wants to hear what Hollywood thinks if they don’t agree with them, eh?

By Mike

January 7, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Hmm… I actually have an issue of “Sassy” magazine with an REM record inside it…

I think it’s newsworthy that a well-known liberal celebrity is saying something positive about a Republican candidate. It’s probably the most rational thing he’s said since he chose to release “Green” on election day 1988…

By Minion

January 7, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Black is white. Right is wrong. Won’t be long till Hillary’s gone.

Hurray!

By Anyone But Hillary

January 7, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

It’s funny how Democrats can get so defensive at the drop of a hat (or the drop of a Clinton!). Sam J. and Ray O’Neil - the topic was about what Michael Stipe said, not what Chuck Norris et al. said. I don’t care what any of them say and I certainly don’t make decisions based on what they or y’all say - I do my own research and decide accordingly. (And for you ignorant democrats who may not know, et al. means “and others”). Have a great day.

By Nettie

January 7, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Jeez, he didn’t say he was endorsing Huckabee. My thoughts were the same the first time I saw ole Huck on Bill Maher. Dig a little deeper Michael and see what he is really all about.

By Kelley

January 7, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

The issue here in not that celebs voice thier political opinions. They can do that until they’re blue in the face. The issue is people listen to their favorite singers/actors voice thier opinions and base their own opinion according to what they’ve heard. Not enough people vote based on what THEY know b/c of what they have researched - instead they base their votes on what their role models think. This is why candidates use celebrities while they’re out trying to get votes.

And Mike is right - the newsworthiness of that story is that a liberal celebrity has said that a right wing prez. candidate is “charming.” That’s it.

I happen to lean toward the right. I also happen to think Michael Stipe is an amzing artist and I have loved REM for at least 20 years. I just don’t listen to them for my political opinions. I form them on my own.

By Benton

January 7, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

To ANYONE BUT HILARY: I’d argue that it’s Yahoo Rethuglicans who wouldn’t know what et al. signifies. Maybe you can tell me what the full Latinism is, though. What does the “al” stand for in Latin, smarty pants?

By ramon

January 7, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Hey Ray O’Neal…you made me laugh out loud…”washed-up kung-fu midget”…too funny!

By Anyone But Hillary

January 7, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

Benton: In this case, it stands for “alii”, the plural masculine form since I was referring only to men. If I included Barbra Streisand in my collection of useless celebrities, the abbreviation et al. would have been the same but the “al” part would have stood for “alia”, which refers to a number of people of both genders. Don’t mess with a 12 year Catholic education!

By Benton

January 7, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

You are correct, sir! Some things those nuns teach you, you never forget. Like everything!

By Anyone But Hillary

January 7, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

Benton, you are a gentleman and a scholar. You and I could probably have an interesting and spirited discussion about politics and probably discover we have more in common than not. It’s all about what’s best for this great country of ours and, although I like to get the reactionaries riled up at times with my comments, I think the serious among us are all looking for the same results - we just differ on the methodology and the messenger.

By Anonymous

January 7, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Stipe makes an excellent point (surprising for a musician)… a creationist simply doesn’t live in a sane, rational universe. People like Huckabee certainly shouldn’t be entrusted with any significant political power when they demonstrate that they can’t grasp basic 1+1=2 logic.

And a creationist has demonstrated just such ignorance. Scary stuff, no matter who points it out. Even—gasp!—a “Hollywood entertainer type!”

By SOSAFORUS

January 9, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

I hope people are paying close attention to Huckabee and his relationship with ex-minuteman Gilchrist, they both seem to be getting caught in daily lies, we have had a liar in the white house for 7 years and that is long enough. illegal immigration is costing us a fortune for people who have no respect for our laws. If you want amnesty for 2o million people who will end up on our welfare rolls for you and I to pay for then by all means vote for a Demacrate, or Mc Cain, Rudy or Huckabee. Go to (alipac dot us) for an update on their latest lies on birthright citizenship. http://www.alipac.us/index.php

By April

January 9, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

I have been watching SOSADFORUS and I have been telling everyone to look closely at Huckabees track record which shows he is very pro illegal immigration. I have been telling them about his side kick Gilchrist as well. They are like two peas in a pod. They cannot even keep track of each others lies.The stories change daily! Thanks for the link! Alipac.us is full of great information.