September 12, 2008

The Morality of the Right

I really wonder if some conservative Christians have not so internalized their own sense of "us v. the World" where "the world" is filled with Sin and "us" is filled with "sinner" but people dedicated to Jesus who don't commit the big sins. I know they realize they are sinners and flawed, but there is a sense that their sins are not a big deal, whereas the sins of, for example, Bill Clinton, are.

That view (which I fear I have not explained very well) has led to moral and deeply religious people endorsing or excusing torture. What is more, they seem to have no evaluation period--no "lessons learned" exercise after the last 8 years. So they really have not evaluated how they were duped by Bush into voting nearly lock step for him as he tortured and lied to us. That seems to be continuing with McCain and Palin. Palin and McCain can't even get through a day without lying, and the conservative Christian camp seems to have forgotten even their beloved 10 Commandments. I am pretty sure one of those says no to lying.

Palin continues to lie about her opposition to the "Bridge to Nowhere" and McCain has lied recently that Palin never accepted any earmarks as Governor. Jake Tapper has a list that might suggest that is an out and out lie. And here are more:



In a very Machiavellian world view, I can see how this might work. Perception and branding are everything, so spin is more valued than any concern for the truth. But the conservative Christians who support this don't believe that. Or they didn't. Perhaps they do now. I wonder if they realize just how much this undercuts their credibility as a moral voice.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The right has morality issues? If I remembered correctly, you initially favored John Edwards for president.

Please do us all a favor and don't bring up morality when you would have preferred a guy who was out cheating on his cancer stricken wife. I know the libs all want more Bill Clinton, but even that's a little extreme

Tony said...

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone...

What about Newt Gingrich? He cheated on his wife while she was sick and wanted to discuss the terms of the divorce while she was recovering from surgery. Still in the hospital, as a matter of fact.

And John McCain isn't exactly perfect either. He walked out on his first wife for a younger woman after his first wife was in a horrible car accident and was disfigured.

Yeah, the right has a morality problem. So Larry, do us a favor and don't claim a greater morality for the right.

Streak said...

Larry,

I think Tony says it well. Even if you are right about me (and frankly, I don't give a shit), none of that would excuse the right's morality problems. Nor have I ever suggested that the left was perfect. But remind me, who is the party running on family values?

Streak said...

And one more obvious point for Larry. Those of us who supported Edwards (he was never my favorite candidate, but one I had hopes for) did so not knowing that he was cheating on his wife. If you read here, you would know that we were all very strident in our criticism of the man when we found out.

But you know that McCain and Palin lie every time they speak in public. You know that McCain has run one of the lowest and slimiest campaigns in recent memory.

What is your excuse for supporting them? And, once again, anyone who supported the Republicans during their torture run really has lost the credibility to come in here and lecture me on my morality.

Anonymous said...

Because he's actually had experience. Something Obama hasn't. All the libs can say is "McCain's running a mean campaign" Obama offers nothing... absolutely zilch (except fluffy speeches). He sat under Jeremiah Wright for over a decade and was evidently too ignorant to catch the hatred in his words (either that or he DID catch it and didn't think it so bad that he left the church). He's pro-abortion (even partial birth) and thinks the Bible is wrong on homosexuality and marriage. He uses Christian vocabulary, hoping no one actually thinks they mean anything and has a vice-pres candidate that openly said Hillary would have been the better vp choice. More taxes, more weak defense, more anti-biblical sexual tolerance and a resume that wouldn't fill half a page. He doesn't mind women killing their children and hasn't a clue about Iraq. I think we'd be better off sending our daughters on a date with Teddy Kennedy than voting for one of the most unqualified, uninformed, liberal, candidates to come along in a long while. Most people are catching on and unless McCain opts for a play from the Democratic handbook on marital fidelity, he's going to win in November.

leighton said...

Hey, you know what's funny? Larry thinks Obama is uninformed. Best laugh I've had all day.

leighton said...

Oh, you know, I bet "larry" is just one of Gary's 37 split personalities. My bad for feeding the troll.

Streak said...

Yeah. We all of a sudden switched from morality to experience. That was the point of this post--morality. We can discuss experience all we want, but this was about two serial liars. No excuse of not knowing they are liars.

But back to the old playbook. Of course, Lar here said it. If McCAin doesn't cheat on his wife, he doesn't actually sin. Sex is the only sin the religious right acknowledges. Lying, torture, whatever... None of that matters.

Leighton is right, there are lots of places where this kind of idiocy is welcome. Bye bye.