![RIP: Don Cornelius, creator and host of the legendary musical variety show Soul Train, was found dead this morning of an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound in his home in Sherman Oaks, California. He was 75.
Introducing many Americans to soul music through his hit TV show which premiered in 1971, Cornelius helped promote the careers of such musical icons as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson.
He is perhaps best remembered, even among non-viewers, for his signature catchphrase, with which he would end each show: “I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!”
[tmz.]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lypyd4vvfK1qzpwi0o1_400.jpg)
Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you, the 2012 Republican Presidential Candidates:
- Michelle Bachmann: "Don’t misunderstand. I am not here bashing people who are homosexuals, who are lesbians, who are bisexual, who are transgender. We need to have profound compassion for people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life and sexual identity disorders.” (2004)
- Ron Paul: "The rate of AIDS infection is on the increase again. From the gay point of view, the reasons seem quite sensible. First, these men don't really see a reason to live past their fifties. They are not married, they have no children, and their lives are centered on new sexual partners... because sex is the center of their lives, they want it to be as pleasurable as possible, which means unprotected sex. Third, they enjoy the attention & pity that comes with being sick." (1995 in a newsletter that he claims to have not written but was still published under his name)
- Rick Perry: "I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a Christian, but you don't need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school. " (2011 in a campaign ad)
- Mitt Romney: "I should tell my story. I'm also unemployed." (2011 while speaking to unemployed people in Florida. Romney's net worth is over $200 million.)
- Newt Gingrich: "We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English so people learn the common language of the country and they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto." (2007)
- Rick Santorum: "Is anyone saying same-sex couples can’t love each other? I love my children. I love my friends, my brother. Heck, I even love my mother-in-law. Should we call these relationships marriage, too?" (2008)
- Michelle Bachmann: "Carbon dioxide is portrayed as harmful. But there isn't even one study that can be produced that shows that carbon dioxide is a harmful gas." (2009 during a debate)
- Mitt Romney: "PETA is not happy that my dog likes fresh air." (2006, when questioned about driving 12 hours with his dog in a cage strapped to the top of his car)
