Come on, shake your blogwatch, make it do the conga

I know you can’t control yourself any longer…

Ted Barlow: Good post on Israel and the lessons of history. At least, that was the part I cared about.

Charles Murtaugh: Sin. And Iraqi inspections: been there, done that.

Telford Work: Excellent post on “liberation theology” and the dangers of focusing on the oppressor. Plus a good solid FAQ on how to read the Bible, a.k.a. How come you don’t read the Bible right? Plus something I’ll get to in a moment.

“South Park Republicans“: I want money! And sex! And did I mention money? …It should be obvious that I have some sympathy for a fun-loving, free-marketeering attempt to revamp the GOP. And, as it happens, most of the “South Park” episodes I’ve seen have been hilarious. (The movie was just OK, though The Mole was fantastic; I’ve heard that some of the episodes I haven’t seen are stupid, and not in a good way.) Like the author of this piece, I love the “Underpants Gnomes” episode. But let’s take a couple quotes from this essay, shall we, because this guy’s version of “South Park Republicanism” strikes me as shallow and dull.

1) “Southpark Republicans are true Republicans, though they do not look or act like Pat Robertson. They believe in liberty, not conformity. They can enjoy watching The Sopranos even if they are New Jersey Italians. They can appreciate the tight abs of Britney Spears or Brad Pitt without worrying about the nation’s decaying moral fiber.”

Ohhhkay. So hanging one’s identity on pop-cultural icons from HBO and MTV is a way of demonstrating a) liberty, or b) conformity? In re Britney, which is more “conformist”–a) “She’s so hot! Cut taxes!”; b) “Y’know, that whole ‘Look at my boobs! I’m a virgin! Look at my butt! I’m a schoolgirl!’ shtik is played, gross, and irritating”?

2) “Many of these individuals can tell you why Ayn Rand should displace some other authors in high school literature classes.”

[insert Sideshow Bob stepping on a rake noise.] Sorry, cheap shot, ten-point penalty.

3) “JFK was a supply-side tax cutter. His alleged private exploits would place him squarely within the Southpark wing of the Republican Party.”

Tax-cutting scumbags–the new GOP! Welfare reform and adultery–it’s the Republican way! Hey, wait, I think we tried that a couple years back…. Anyway, it’s OK, they’re only women.

4) “Hint: Southpark Republicans are more likely to get Cosmo than the Weekly Standard.”

Fifty Ways to Drive Your Man Wild With Pleasure! #1: Cut taxes! #2: Get a boob job so he won’t run off with a Mafia-linked younger woman. #3: Cut taxes! #4: Get over it, he’s not gonna marry you. #5: Cut taxes!

OK, end rant, but c’mon, people, as a “Southpark Republican” might say, we can do bettah.

And this moving article that I found via Amy Welborn–17-year-old boy, molested by a priest, has made helping other victims his mission.