I think it’s fair to say that I have defended the Tea Party movement pretty thoroughly against what I consider unfair criticisms and caricatures in the mainstream media. I have defended the movement against allegations that it is racist and un-Christian. I have argued that it is, in some ways, akin to a social justice movement. And I have (in a piece published two days ago) tried to give the broader historical context for the philosophy undergirding the movement (and... Read more
In retrospect, the vote for Obama did not reflect, as some supposed, the advent of a permanent Democratic majority. Some studies had suggested that demographic changes would lead to increasing conservative irrelevance. The Elephant was growing smaller by the day, and the Donkey ever larger. Of course, after Bush’s re-election in 2004, it was conservatives themselves who were touting (and Karl Rove was attempting to orchestrate) a permanent conservative majority. But the tide began to change as the Bush administration... Read more
I must confess that I like Kevin Drum at Mother Jones. I almost never agree with him. But he’s clearly an intelligent, earnest, thoughtful commentator. About a week ago I came across this from Drum: There’s little evidence that extreme conservatives are any more concerned about spending now than they’ve ever been, and over the past 30 years they’ve never been concerned about spending. They didn’t cut it under Reagan, they didn’t cut it under Bush Sr., and when they... Read more
Campaign ads are a sordid lot. We all know this. But how do we know when campaign ads have crossed the line from spin to outright dishonesty, from manipulative to exploitative and morally repugnant? A recent transplant from Boston to Atlanta, I have not lived in Georgia long enough to feel invested in the local politics. I should care more than I do, since the local elections will influence the life I lead, but I tend to focus on national... Read more
Yesterday, liberal blogs were delighted to find two occasions to mock Tea-Party-associated women. The first was provided by Sarah Palin, who warned Tea Partiers that they should not yet “party like it’s 1773.” This got a number of professionally opinionated people, from Markos Moulitsas (of “Daily Kos” fame) to Gwen Ifill, to marvel over Twitter about her stupidity. Surely she meant 1776!? Turns out she was referring to the actual Boston Tea Party, which took place in 1773. In context,... Read more
My liberal friends recently received a taste of the lecturing, condescension and caricature that Barack Obama has consistently cast in the direction of conservatives. Progressives needed to “buck up,” said the President in a Rolling Stone interview, and appreciate the truly wonderful things that he had accomplished on their behalf. To those who felt that Obamacare should have moved toward single-payer, or at least included a government option, he replied that they should not complain just because the reform did... Read more
Note: Last week was rough, with travel, sickness, and a funeral, but this week I will resume daily posts. Many thanks to those readers who have dropped me a note! Maureen Dowd’s column yesterday, with a substantial assist from the Drudge Report, has aroused interest and blogospheric commentary. She shares her observations from a speech from Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, and transitions into some grand insults toward the various Republican women who are creating such a sensation this election cycle:... Read more
Mollie Hemingway has an interesting post at GetReligion, on the different ways in which the Bush and Obama administrations have used their offices of faith-based initiatives, and the different ways in which the members of the press have responded. She comments on how unresponsive the office under (Obama appointee) Joshua DuBois has been to external communications, and I can vouch personally that this is true. I am sure that Mr DuBois is a competent and earnest young man, but for... Read more
Yesterday I attended a conversation between Christopher and Peter Hitchens at the Pew Center in Washington, DC. The relationship between the two brought a certain warmth and a palpable mutual respect to the conversation that was in refreshing contrast to the series of debates that was coordinated with the release of God is Not Great, which were often strident and filled with bitingly personal attacks. As Peter said, “Why spoil a good argument by getting upset?” Michael Cromartie, who moderated... Read more
I am in our nation’s capital today, for reasons I will explain tomorrow. This morning I walked in front of the White House and soon found myself praying for the people inside. I do not do that often enough. Not only is the prayer needed, but, as always, it helps frame matters for us. We are all in this together, and I would rather see Obama change his policies and be fantastically successful in restoring a flourishing nation than continue... Read more
Philosophical Fragments
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