So dumb it hurts, as Glenn Greenwald explains here. Next thing you know, she'll want to use her Second Amendment rights to protect herself against these attacks on her First Amendment rights...
Heads up to mainstream media outlets: stock up on body armor!
Yes, it is desperate and ridiculous. But I'm not embarrassed for my state, my nation, or our mainstream political parties. I'm embarrassed by them! But not surprised.
I mean Obama hasn't sued anyone for slander yet, but he hasn't been very vocal in defending Muslims either. And now Hagan is "outraged" by this "personal slander" (libel actually) - a false statement that harms your reputation or standing in the community.
How sad. We are apparently so intolerant in this country that suggesting you are an atheist or Muslim is considered slander or libel. Are Jews and Catholics acceptable yet? What about Buddhists or Hindus?
To paraphrase Colin Powell: What if she is? Is there something wrong with being an atheist in this country?" The answer's "No, that's not America." Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old atheist American kid* believing that he or she could be President? This is not the way we should be doing it in America.
*Like Dawkins, I flinch when someone says "Muslim child" or "Christian child" so I'd certainly never refer to a seven-year-old as an "atheist kid" but that's a separate discussion....
UPDATE I. See here for some more opinions on this.
UPDATE II. Hagan's defamation and libel complaint is that this "maligns her character and reputation," "subjects her to contempt," and "injures her good name and reputation in the community." Despicable! Archie Bunker would be proud of them both!
UPDATE III. More discussion on this at Pharyngula's pox on them all.
UPDATE IV. Hagan staff responds privately to the Friendly Atheist.
Dear John: if you keep talking, you can't stop making a fool out of yourself!
"That is what change means for Barack the Redistributor: It means taking your money and giving it to someone else."
- John McCain (today)
- John McCain (2000)
How STUPID do you think we are?
Will NC be Obamalina this year?
Will Ron Howard's call to action make a difference in the state?
Video hat tip: PZ.
