Quotes of the day
posted at 10:40 pm on November 25, 2008 by Allahpundit
“Whatever she once was, Ms. Parker is certainly not a conservative anymore, having apparently realized it’s a lot easier to be popular among your journalistic peers when your keyboard tilts to the left. She writes that ‘armband religion’ — those of us who ‘wear our faith on our sleeve,’ I suppose, or is it meant to compare socially conservative Christians to Nazis? — is ‘killing the Republican Party.’ Lest readers miss the point, she literally spells it out. The GOP’s big problem? G-O-D.
*
“How can the Republican Party rebound? The first step would be to quit letting Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham set its agenda.”
Blowback
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True story.
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 7:32 AM
by Allahpundit ????????????????
******** Maybe I joined the WRONG site if this is the view here… As a Conservative people like Rush, Levin, Ingraham and to a much less degree Hannity, (I don’t care for him much), ARE OUR ONLY TRUE CONSERVATIVE VOICES!!! They speak to millions who AGREE with the Conservative causes… These radio talkers have united us in many ways, the fight we WON over illegel immigration. They speak in terms REAL AMERICANS of value can understand on abortion, gun rights, freedom of speech, ect. They talk with PASSION of an America of traditions, family, faith, GOD, Country, responsibility, PRIDE, flag, military… FREEDOMS!!! If HotAir is now the home of values that differ from those maybe I should leave and find a place where people like Rush, Sean, Mark, et al are honored for thier SERVICE to America and to Conservatisiam…
No wonder we LOSE elections, we have folks on “our” side that do not stand for American principals anymore…
1) God
2) American Exceptionalisam
3) Pride in Country
4) Personal Responsibility
5) The Constitution
6) Traditions (Merry Christmas ousted from schools, ect.)
7) Strong / Honored Military
8) Tough on Crime
9) Anti-Abortion
10) Gun Rights
Again I say FREEDOM!!!
It’s sad that HotAir seems to be acting alot like the Ms Parkers of the world these days instead of fighting for the Rush’s, Mark’s, ect. Conservatives in exile, so be it!!!
I will NEVER lose the principals listed above and others too many to list… I will NOT turn my back on what made America great… God, Faith, Pride and Hard Work!
To those of you at HotAir that would, your a traitor, a RHINO or worse… a fool!
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 7:46 AM
Be careful Mort, be very very careful in what you say. People got you were you are today and people can make you go away. We rode in an elevator with you in Chicago a few years back and you are a pitiful man. I felt bad for you because you had just lost your wife. Now, I can’t even bear to watch you on Fox News. Barnes either. But…. you will NEVER turn us away from Rush. He is our newspaper, our news network and our magazines. His subscription for his website is the best money I ever spent. I have my whole family listening now and 95% of my friends. I have the radio on out at the pool during his show and the neighbors are beginning to listen. Be very very careful Mort, Parker, Barnes, Kristol and the rest. We know who what all you are, but you don’t understand us!!!! Like Rush says – we made ourselves so NOBODY can take us out.
suzyk on November 26, 2008 at 7:49 AM
James Dobson either badly misunderstood Parker’s column, or he didn’t read it. Is he seriously the best spokesman for Christian Republicans? Because I can recommend some very devout Republican friends who, though they lack Dobson’s name recognition, can at least… you know… read.
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 7:54 AM
Allahpundit – I totally agree. Hannity is annoying. I can’t listen to 10 minutes of him – he’s so full of himself and he says he’s conservative. HAH…. He does and says whatever to try and get people to pay attention to him. Love Levin tho – he’s my second favorite after Rush. Get rid of Hannity on Fox at night and put Laura Ingraham in that slot. If Fox could get Rush and Levin to alternate with her – the ratings would be through the roof.
suzyk on November 26, 2008 at 7:54 AM
The American people do not want wishy-washy politicians who change their views according to the polls. They want leaders who lead, not follow. That was Ronald Reagan. Until the Republican party gets itself back to the party of Reagan, it will not win another Presidential Election, period.
Do not marginalize Conservative Americans, including Christians, or the radio shows we listen to. If the Beltway Elitists are stupid enough to try to pass the Fairness Doctrine, their Congressional Switchboards will blow up again from call volume. Kondrake and the others wish they had the popularity of Rush and the rest of the Conservative Talk Show Hosts.
kingsjester on November 26, 2008 at 8:03 AM
I’m SOOOoooooooo sick and tired of weak knee, mamby-pamby, girly-men Conservatives that I could puke! They piss and moan that “we can’t win elections being TRUE CONSERVATIVES”! What a load of horse poop! We can’t / don’t win elections because we DO NOT stand strong for the TRUE CONSERVATIVE principals expoused by Rush, Mark, Laura, ect.
WE WIN WHEN WE MAKE CLEAR AND DEFINED DEFERENCES between Conservative values and ideas and FAR LEFT WACK JOB LIBERAL PROGRESSIVE GARBAGE!!! When we are “Conservative Lite” we get our butts handed to us… The “Contract for America” is a perfect example… We listed specific plans, goals, agenda… WE SOLD IT!~ If we just had “stones” we could wipe the slate of Liberals and set them back 20 years… We have no one willing to call a spade a spade, we have no one willing to be NON-PC, to tell Americans the ugly truths… No one pointing out the differences, naming names… Hell we can’t unite here on a “so called” Conservative blog… What a bunch of guttless losers faux Conservatives are…
I’m NEVER ashamed to tell ANYONE who will listen about Conservatisiam, real values, American Pride, our wonderful Military, working Americans, Family, Falg and G-O-D!
When more of you whimps join me, we will roll over the far left like Patton did in Germany… Until then, we will be like the sitting ducks in Pearl Harbor… Get a spine, speak out, do something to elect Conservatives at the local and State levels, and MAKE NOISE, be loud, get in peoples face…
TOO FRICKING BAD, PREACH, PREACH, PREACH and TEACH!!!!
Better get with it or continue to whine when “YOU” lose, cause I refuse to be a loser again… Bring 2010 on!
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 8:04 AM
Parker probably has a book coming out and wants to build a pre-drooling audience for it.
whitetop on November 26, 2008 at 8:10 AM
You two and others like you are the reason Conservatives lose… You want to play nice, get along, be PC… I want to destroy (politicaly) the far left radicals… I want a “war on domestic terror” more commonly know as the Democrat Party! You RHINO’s need to change parties or STHU so we real men can WIN and turn America back to the true leaders, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 8:11 AM
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 8:04 AM
Have you read the Contract With America? Not a lot of preaching in it. See how that works?
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 8:16 AM
Well said.
Does throwing the ideological voices of Conservatism under the bus mean we give up the things they espouse. Right to life? Fiscal conservatism? Secure borders and strong national and civil defense? The concept of understanding the constitution was written to protect our right to worship as we please and not to push it into the closet where other emerge from? The basic right to own a gun and protect ones self? Hey, news flash, I don’t want to be a liberal just to win elections. If the name of the group that forwarded those principles were the Lizard-People, I’d be wearing green.
If folks of Mr. Kondrakes ilk ever “really” listened to the folks they claim are so polarizing, they’d understand they’re only saying what we believe in.
hawkdriver on November 26, 2008 at 8:23 AM
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 8:04 AM
Have you read the Contract With America? Not a lot of preaching in it. See how that works?
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 8:16 AM
*** was used as an example… read the rest of my post…
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 8:24 AM
There is no reason to ask non religious conservatives to leave the party, I respect their reasoning. But the reverse is also true. I would like to see the pro-life part of the party to continue it’s work on education and history on the pro-abortion move to reduce the number of abortions, which I think to a great extent is already working. Regardless of your belief in a higher power, right is right and wrong is wrong (debt, corruption, safety, and abiding by the Constitution) is something everyone can embrace.
Cindy Munford on November 26, 2008 at 8:28 AM
Just cuz’ AP posted it doesn’t mean he agrees with it. He’s just not the type of guy who engages in ideological circle jerks so he frequently posts opposite views. Nothing wrong with it, we gotta keep tabs on the enemy.
Darth Executor on November 26, 2008 at 8:28 AM
Also Mr. Garnett, I am of a mind like Sean Hannity to join a “Conservative” Party movement. Let them court us rather than us breaking our backs and wallets by constantly campaigning and paying for their centric views.
hawkdriver on November 26, 2008 at 8:28 AM
I did. Let me respond in kind. RAWR! You’re a pansy! Isn’t this fun?
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 8:30 AM
Thank you… Your correct also, Rush and others simply give voice to real Conservatives, to real Conservative values…
They do NOT instruct me, they inform me, they confirm my beliefs, they focus National attention (unlike the MSM) to causes that intrest me, that effect me and my family…
Again I say, until the wimps here at HotAir and elsewhere get on board with a “New-Reagan” era of Conservatisam we will be a party of factions with no vision, no agenda, no message… The message I posted above WILL WIN EVERYTIME they are articulated and preached… EVERYTIME!!!
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 8:31 AM
In your case it’s true that you’re a pansy though.
Darth Executor on November 26, 2008 at 8:32 AM
rofl… wow…
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 8:33 AM
No, Mark, it is people like you that are the reason Republicans lose. You just openly called for the incarceration of everyone who disagrees with you politically, yet you wonder why you cannot win elections. I thought it would be obvious, but you haven’t figured it out yet, so let me state it anyway: the more people you alienate or exorcise from your coalition, the fewer people you have in your coalition.
(There’s no H in RINO, btw.)
hicsuget on November 26, 2008 at 8:34 AM
That is exactly the problem with talk radio. If all you ever hear is what is preached to the choir, then two unfortunate things happen: you lose the ability to communicate with those who aren’t in the choir, and you lose the ability to tell when your preacher is just plain wrong.
hicsuget on November 26, 2008 at 8:38 AM
Better than being an idiot.
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 8:39 AM
*** Thanks for pointing out my horrible spelling… Darn public schools…
Reagan never talked of compromises, he talked about BOLD colors, STARK differences, hard hitting COMPARISONS!!! So if you mean that I am unwilling to bend to the “center” to win, yuppers, your right… We do NOT win moving TO THE people, we WIN by educating and having people JOIN us because we are RIGHT! Standing firm against the PC crowd, refusing to bend principals, oh…. IT’S CALLED LEADING!!!
Every single time that we have articulated and educated the populace in the REAL CONSERVATIVE values, the values of family, flag, Country, hope, FREEDOM by painting BOLD COLORS AND CONTRASTS we WIN BIG… So stop your lies about the need to move center or left to WIN, they are factualy not facts, they are SURRENDER! And as the General said during the Battle of the Bulge… NUTS!
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Kondracke is one of the few liberal commentators I still respect. But his swipe at Rush is dsiappointing, well beneath his usual standard of reasonableness.
I found Rush in the late 80′s, then drifted away to some of the other conservative radio hosts. The day Rush returned to the air after his bout with medical addiction, I tuned in to see how he was faring… and haven’t stopped listening to him since. IMV, he’s remarkably better than he was a decade ago. Folks who like to say he’s only an entertainer or sloganeer are fooling only themselves. As a political analyst, Rush is almost always ahead of the curve. As Mort says, he often sets the agenda. After Reagan, Rush leads the conservative movement. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful we have Rush Limbaugh.
Few things anger me more than attempts to shut down people like Rush, Levin, Ingraham, et al.
petefrt on November 26, 2008 at 8:43 AM
One of you folks that wants to take the edge off of the party and depolarize us, tell me what you want to concede. Tell me that we’re no longer going to be the party that unashamedly speaks for the unborn. Tell me you’re embarrassed that one of the loudest voices from your party are religious conservatives. And please tell me now if you also think the 2nd Amendment is arcane and that we really should go the way of Europe with our guns. Spell out exactly what planks you want to tear from our platform so I can understand whether or not I even need to bother with your idea of a Republican Party.
hawkdriver on November 26, 2008 at 8:43 AM
How about firing Mort instead and move further to the right?
Done That on November 26, 2008 at 8:46 AM
Terrye,
You moderates had your big chance…you wanted reach arounds across the aisle, so you nominatd the biggest Democrat enabler in the GOP, Backdoor John McCain. He got smoked. The only thing that kept it from being a complete blowout was the desperate pander to the conservatives and getting Palin onboard. It wasn’t enough. Bending over and giving the left what they want is not winning us anything. Reagan worked with the left through a position of strength; ie, he stayed true to his convictions while pushing his policies through. It can be done. You and others like you have fallen for the fallacy that you have to be liked by the media and the left. You never will be; no matter how much you sell your principles and your party out.
austinnelly on November 26, 2008 at 8:46 AM
I assume you PC types prefer CNN or MSNBC… Maybe your new Messiah can re-educate you…
I prefer to go to “like minded” real Americans, who LOVE this Country, love the Military, support decent values and have honor for our flag and faith…
You have the right to get your PC news from any sorce that fits your values. I made my choice and if folks like you REALLY cared about winning elections, you’d use what has been PROVEN time and time again… CONSERVATISIAM, bold and PROUD!
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 8:46 AM
hicsuget on November 26, 2008 at 8:38 AM
Conservatives are bombarded with Liberal Ideology daily through CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, MSNBC, CNN, Movies, Newspapers,
and some radio stations. Talk Radio provides Conservatives with programming aimed toward them and their concerns, viewpoints, and beliefs. That is why it is so popular.
Whether you choose to believe it or not, Conservatives are intelligent people who have listened to other viewpoints and choose to be Conservatives.
kingsjester on November 26, 2008 at 8:48 AM
I shouldn’t have said that. Or escalated what might have been a productive discussion in the first place. You have my apologies, Mark. You’re wrong that CAPS-LOCKED testosterone is going to win elections. You’re wrong that more preaching will produce a different result. Pride is important, but so is humility, especially where religion is concerned. If Republicans carried their spirituality more gracefully, and less forcefully, they might have an easier time getting voters to open their ears and minds to the conservative agenda. I’ll leave it at that, and have a good morning.
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 8:50 AM
Amen
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 8:51 AM
(There’s no H in RINO, btw.)
hicsuget on November 26, 2008 at 8:34 AM
Republican In Name Only.
Er, What’s the H stand for? Psst, It’s an acronym.
We didn’t lose elections till we moved to the center. Conservatives stayed home this time. That’s why we lost.
And the MSM Doesn’t preach “daily” their progressive ideology?
Again, tell me what we concede. Tell me exactly what progressive ideas you want to dilute our party with and I’ll let you know if your I’ll only be concerned with keeping the proverbial door from hitting my 4th point of contact.
hawkdriver on November 26, 2008 at 8:53 AM
If you feel preached at you are hypersensitive and have one leg in liberalism. How is the lefts message not strident and judgemental and preachy? Anyone who disagrees even slightly with thier message is a racist, sexist or homophobe. The reason the republicans keep losing is because they have no clear message and act like democrats when in power. Evangelicals are just one part of the party and are more likely to affect races because they aren’t always as socially conservative as the media screams that they are. Alot of those mega churches are very wishy washy about taking strong stands and are infected with moral relativism.
peacenprosperity on November 26, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Hear, hear, (and a golf clap)
hawkdriver on November 26, 2008 at 8:55 AM
And that is called moral relativism. Change your message, beliefs and principles to attract more dues payers. I can tell your a person of conviction. Not.
peacenprosperity on November 26, 2008 at 8:55 AM
I took no offense. You have a total right to your opinions, that’s what we do here. I’m glad your convictions are strong also, you have you mind set that we must move left to win elections. We will just disagree.
I made my points with how Reagan did it, bold colors, firm convictions, no wishy-washy poo poo, just decent American values. If we have or can find a Politician that really says what he means and means what he/she says to the people, they will listen. As CA. and Prop 8 proved to me again, America is NOT center left, it is Conservative, even in the blueset of blue States. Morals, values, convictions WIN. Your views of the party do not win elections, they water down values and make us all more like “Progressives”, I mean radicals that hate American and all it has stood for…
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 8:59 AM
This is fun, watching the sane people yell at the PEEPLE who CARNT spell (The forgotten No. 11 in Mr Garnett’s list of “principals” apparently).
Grow Fins on November 26, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Even when I’m wrong I’m right I tell ya’! There’s no reasoning with some people.
Grow Fins on November 26, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Point taken… Time to pull out a dictionary prior to posting.
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 9:04 AM
The last time I checked, none of the above you mentioned has set the GOP agenda, especially in the past two election cycles. And it t’wernt God fearin’, guns and being anti-gay that lost it for us. It t’was Big spending, big government RINO’S setting the agenda, not those touting limited government, and fiscal responsibility.
Example: Heath Shuler et al out-conservative’d Republicans to get elected.
lpierson on November 26, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Mental note. This one never makes mistakes. Should emulate. Hmm!
hawkdriver on November 26, 2008 at 9:05 AM
None. It’s not a matter of policy, it’s a matter of presentation. Don’t say crap like, “I believe God wants me to be president.” Don’t dismiss the life’s work of biologists because it doesn’t conform to a literal reading of the bible. Reassure the people that you would govern that they are free to find their own path to God (or not to). Give a voice to the diverse faiths and creeds of America that would support the socially conservative agenda if given the chance. Stop judging morality on how loudly it’s asserted. Give people space to talk about secular solutions to our problems.
It isn’t that Republicans should stop being so religious, it’s that they should stop being so damn self-righteous about it.
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 9:07 AM
Damn straight. And it’s a shame when a Democrat gets more flak from his own party than from the Republican party. Liberals in DC and NC talk about Shuler like some Conservatives talk about McCain.
hawkdriver on November 26, 2008 at 9:08 AM
My spelling is very poor actualy. I rely way to much on spellcheck for normal day to day activities. Sad but I think it has gotten much worse recently. Maybe The One can pay for me to go to college on Grow Fins tax dollors.
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 9:10 AM
One of the ways Rush hurts the right (and this is convoluted) is that because he is often so far ahead of the curve, that when he makes his analysis, other journalists stay away from the analysis. They don’t want to give credit or seem like they are copying him. So they have to throw their own “twist” on the story, and it just comes out wrong.
And heaven forbid any MSM quoting him…so his analysis, often right on point, has to be his and broadcast by him alone.
If the NYT did the same analysis (as if), it would be in every paper and news organization in the world.
Yet if he doesn’t state his opinions, then they are “lost”.
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:13 AM
Strong point.
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 9:13 AM
I am curious, what candidate said these things…or are you just making stuff up?
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:15 AM
So Parker is a fair weather johnson…no news here. I am not interested in Parker if you didn’t blog about her, I wouldn’t even notice what she is about.
Dr Evil on November 26, 2008 at 9:16 AM
We didn’t lose because we were not enough like the Democrat Party, we lost because we have become too much like them. Conservatives want conservatives,how is it so hard to understand that. The RINO’s consider us as the ‘loud people’. We are the Republican base like it or not. So field a team we support or we won’t come to the game in large enough numbers to keep the team afloat.
thomasaur on November 26, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Curious, tell me what secular organization has presented a solution?
How many of “these” organizations have built hospitals, feed the poor, take in abused women, help the poor, feed the indigent?
The U.N.?
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Two points. 1. I don’t really see the wall to wall self-righteous that you’re talking about from our party. I do see the media making big hay out of almost anything our candidates say and ignoring what liberals say even about their religious beliefs.
And B, if you really believe that religious rhetoric is what has been the failing of the Republican Party, you really don’t know Southern Democrats. They are as devout and verbose as any. And they are swayed by and vote for Conservative Republicans.
hawkdriver on November 26, 2008 at 9:17 AM
I never said that no conservatives are intelligent. Keep in mind, though, that there exist also a fair number of intelligent progressives who have listened to other viewpoints yet still choose to be progressives. Intelligence as such, and the mere act of listening to competing views, is clearly not sufficient to hit upon a correct theory of government. If it were, all the intelligent people would agree with each other politically.
I am well and fully aware what RINO stands for. It was Mark Garnett who did not, and I was pointing his sloppy thinking out to him.
The McCain / Palin ticket was not a move to the center. It was a move to the Democrats’ side on economic issues and a move to Focus on the Family’s side on social issues. Rudy would have been a move to the center.
Yes, the MSM does, at times, preach progressivism. That is why I get my news from a mix of sources, including HotAir. I, btw, am most certainly not a progressive, and your assumption that I am one in the absence of any inkling of proof thereof is an example of what I meant when I said you lose your ability to communicate with those not in the choir.
I, like America’s founders, am a Classical Liberal, and like America’s founders I believe in freedom of religion, freedom of economic action, and individual rights. What I would like to see, therefore, is a Republican Party that stops supplanting capitalism with an odd concoction of corporativist socialism and Christian fascism.
hicsuget on November 26, 2008 at 9:19 AM
If we cannot move the Republican party back to its conservative foundations, then we have a duty to walk away from it rather than waste time we could be spending forming a true and viable Conservative party. It won’t be easy but it can be done. It will take a genuine grass roots movement and convincing some conservative Republican pols to walk away from the dark side. Then, Mort and his slimey band of “moderates” can have what’s left of the once-grand old party. I don’t believe Ronald Reagan would blame us for this.
SKYFOX on November 26, 2008 at 9:21 AM
He would smile. A Bold, Proud, American smile.
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 9:23 AM
“self-righteousness”
See what you did fins, now I feel compelled to correct all my posts.
Later. Off in my Blues (looking fine if I do say so) to serve TGing chow to the troopers at the Pegasus DFAC.
Happy Thanksgiving!
hawkdriver on November 26, 2008 at 9:24 AM
And I can tell you’re one of the intelligent Conservatives kingjester was talking about.
If you had read what I said and thought about it using reason and logic instead of launching into a knee-jerk ad hominem, you would have recognized that what I said was not morally relativistic. Learning to communicate your principles to people who disagree with you is very different from changing your principles to those of people who disagree with you, and it is an important first step in getting others to change theirs.
hicsuget on November 26, 2008 at 9:25 AM
You mistake our “self-righteous”. It is our defense against attacks. We have every right to defend ourselves. When many of the “unfaithful” have drank at our trough of good-will (and we willingly gave), then they attack those that have fed you through the decades, it gets tiresome.
Why do people have to attack the people who have cared for them, created a great society, and continue doing works that if you investigated would boggle your mind. The amount of charity, and giving, is the stitching that holds the many fabrics of our society together.
It is no coincidence that we are the most giving society ever created on earth…and we have been the most charitable ever created on earth…and that the driving force has been the faithful, certainly not the ones not attending a religious organization. But when we want to defend ourselves, the out comes the knives. Of course you would never give up what the faithful have given you…other words, you take and take, but give little.
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:25 AM
hawkdriver on November 26, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Maybe it’s just a cultural difference. That stuff plays a lot differently in the West, where the frontier “MYOB” mentality prevails.
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 9:26 AM
When a Republican runs a campaign based on a solid foundation of Conservative principles, that Republican wins in a general election. The problem with current day Republicans, is a lack of men/woman who fit this mold & have a living history that would back-up the foundation. Sarah Palin & Bobby Jindal have given me much hope for the future of my party.
I come here to read what Captain Ed has to say. AP comes off to me as one of those guys who see’s his glass as half empty upon awakening each day.
Conservative values and principles need not be updated, reformatted, altered to meet the standards of different times… No, no, no! Conservative values and principles are a foundation for a way of life that presents the human his/her best chance of living freely within their own skin. When applied to the political environment, these values and principles allow for human freedom and the pursuit of personal growth and achievement with as little obstruction as possible from the federal government.
Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, Hugh Hewitt, and so many others are a blessing in these troubled times. We, as a people, are confused and have lost our way. The reasons & causes are too lengthy to debate in this forum; probably not ready for that debate right now anyway. We most likely will have to hit bottom as a nation, as a people, in order to face up to this reality. One things for sure, Allah Pundit is simply one of many who seems to be searching. I wish him well and hope he finds his answers. Blaming Rush Limbaugh is not the path, that I’m sure of.
Keemo on November 26, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Yep, though Rush is usually echoed for the rest of the day in talk radio, MSM would like to sweep him under the rug. If they’re not bashing him, they’re trying to ignore him and minimize his exposure.
The idea of shutting down talk radio, as we know it, infuriates me.
petefrt on November 26, 2008 at 9:28 AM
We have a winner!
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 9:28 AM
I don’t even know what “loudly asserted morality” even means, but if you mean secular solutions like Social Security or Medicare, those have worked secular miracles of fail.
Anyway, you and the other subcons can preach adoption of Democrat policy, but if you keep supporting your favorite Dem-lite candidates, I’ll keep not voting for them.
TMK on November 26, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Please, I am waiting…
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Reagan wasn’t just ideologically correct, he was a brilliant politician. He had a way of promoting his vision of American values in a way that every American related to it. They don’t call him the great communicator for nothing.
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 9:32 AM
So tell me, fine sages.
Who is it that preaches to you the following:
If you oppose gay marriage you are a bigot.
If you oppose abortion you are mysogynist. To confirm your commitment you must also subsidize it.
America is still a racist country.
Trans Fats Bans are a legitimate use of public office.
You may not smoke except in disgnated areas.
You must pass amnesty for illegal aliens.
The First Amendment primarily means freedom from religion.
Unions should not be allowed a secret ballot.
You may not peacably assemble within X feet of an abortion clinic.
School administrators and officials have more say in your children’s education than you do.
You must choose the school the state selects for your children; vouchers are out of the question.
Global warming is established science; your taxpayer dollars must fund it.
Do, do tell me which side is the most “preachy” vis-a-vis personal freedom.
BKennedy on November 26, 2008 at 9:32 AM
What I see is platitudes from some of the “secular’s” on this site, but they won’t ever define these platitudes. They just regurgitate what they have been told.
The talking points:
Self Righteous
Forcing their religion
Not tolerant
Not open minded
a few others, but they can never come up with any real examples…maybe a couple of extremists, but not mainstream examples.
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:33 AM
Please, I am waiting…
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:29 AM
You seriously don’t know?
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 9:33 AM
BKennedy on November 26, 2008 at 9:32 AM
By “preach” I’m talking exclusively about the religious connotation. All politics involves some form of telling people how to live their lives. When you involve religion, though, you’re also telling people how to think, and it chafes.
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 9:38 AM
You and I had this discussion a few months ago, if I recall, and not much headway was made. I will this time attempt a different tack:
Secular organizations with secular motives all the time build hospitals and help the poor. The organizations are called “corporations,” and their motive is to make a profit for their shareholders. Much like teaching a man to fish, a hospital that can run profitably or a business that can employ a person non-altruistically is not reliant on a a continuous stream of donations from those motivated by pity, but serves instead to bring new wealth into the world where none existed before.
When Jesus said “the poor will always be at your back,” it was not with the foresight of what capitalism could make possible in the few countries that might choose to try it. If the Republican Party were less interested in helping the Democrats strangle private enterprise through regulation and taxation (and even nationalize it outright), there would be far less need for your “Christian” charity.
hicsuget on November 26, 2008 at 9:40 AM
MSM preaches at us 24/7. It’s like a huge propaganda machine that pervades our daily lives. If it weren’t for talk radio and FNC, there’d be no meaningful intellectual diversity in the broadcast and cable media.
Even so, the Dem party is intolerant of it, and will try to shut it down.
petefrt on November 26, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Actually, Social Security was a product of the Social Gospel movement. It wasn’t secular at all–it was Christianity applied to government policy. Remember, before Marx came along, socialism was a political ideal held primarily by Christians. It was us godless atheists of the Enlightenment that gave the world the secular concepts of limited government and individual rights.
hicsuget on November 26, 2008 at 9:45 AM
What you fail to grasp is that first most of these “Corporations” are religious corps. The first hospitals, and the hospital organization is America was created by the churches…that is the foundation. The ones that are not profitable, that suck money out of society are the secular ones…like the Martin Luther King in Inglewood.
Show me a society that is as robust as ours that is secular…Germany in the 1930′s? Russia? China?…the problem is you have one very successful nation under God, and you can’t find one successful nation not under God.
Which is why you had no success in convincing me…you don’t have the facts to back it up.
Now, do yourself a favor, and try to live one year without the benefit of the religious faithful (and if you have a degree above high school, give it up).
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Quit stalling, you could have listed a dozen if you knew any…having trouble Googling?
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:48 AM
The left telling me I have to teach, or at least let them teach my children through public education to ‘think’ homosexuality is a perfectly wonderful alternative lifestyle chafes, too! Trust me, the left preaches their religion all the time. They indoctrinate our youth in how to think every day and that is where we need to start; education. Rush educates. I only wish he could prepare the school curriculum that could be used to educate instead of indoctrinate our children.
pannw on November 26, 2008 at 9:54 AM
I had forgotten why it was that our dialog on this subject last time was unsuccessful, but now I remember: it was because you do not employ logic in your thought processes. I have better things to do with my time this morning than to argue with the intentionally irrational. Good day.
hicsuget on November 26, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Social Security is a government program, not a religious one. With that strange thinking you would say any failed program had it’s roots, because government had their roots in religion.
That is quite a fantasy world…is that what you atheists really believe, or that you have trained yourself to believe?
I think the writers of the constitution have other thoughts…even the Franklins…unbelievable
Tell me you are a product of a government school.
Please name me any social institution that the atheists have created that has been of any benefit. I know of only one major, but let’s see if you know.
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Remember the “Godless money” commercial? Turn on Fox news. Bill O’Reilly’s ridiculous war on Christmas. Bill O’Reilly, period. Who gets the go-to interview when a Christian perspective is needed? It’s always a fundamentalist Christian. Bill Donahue. James Dobson.
There’s nothing wrong with being extreme in your religious, beliefs, I’ll freely admit to being extreme in mine, but exactly one kind of Christian claims to speak for Republicans every time. There’s much more to American Christianity than the John Hagees and Ted Haggards.
Speaking of James Dobson, why do Republican candidates seek the endorsement of overtly religious organizations? Why did Ed (no offense Ed) have a weekly feature running up to the election on how you couldn’t be a good Catholic and vote for Obama? Maybe that’s even justified, but how many posts have there ever been on this site making the argument that abortion is wrong no matter your religious beliefs?
Name a Republican candidate who hasn’t uttered the phrase, “this is a Christian nation?” (and yes, McCain did). That’s a true statement, in a sense, but even many Christians cringe a bit when their religion gets so casually dragged into the sometimes sordid affairs of our government.
Name a Republican politician who got into trouble who didn’t immediately take cover with a rote appeal to Christian forgiveness. (if you can, I can find 2 more who did). Asking forgiveness is on the verge of losing its meaning, we’ve been asked so many times.
This is off the top of my head, but I think it’s a start.
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Quit stalling, you could have listed a dozen if you knew any…having trouble Googling?
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Why don’t you google? Use the exact phrase. I’m kind of astonished you don’t know.
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Awww, when asked for one example…just one, he suddenly claims my asking for an example is “illogical”.
Atheists claim logic, but when challenged, beads of sweat form on their foreheads, and they resort to: “That is not logical to question me”.
Please, before you leave, tell us one example of a secular state that you would deem successful.
Show me how illogical this question is…you must have a dozen examples.
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Amen
Squid Shark on November 26, 2008 at 10:00 AM
We didn’t lose elections until republicans promised FISCAL conservatism and acted like liberals once in office. Obama promised a tax cut and he got the majority of votes from fools who actually believed he might give them one.
Concern for social issues diminishes in regards to the weight of ones wallet.
You don’t have to give up on social conservatism just defer it to the states. Quit trying to legislate morality from Washington. Run on true fiscal conservatism. Lower taxes, less governement, less spending, and a strong defense and those independents will come over in droves. The only thing the liberal party will be left with is the Peta, Sierra club, Code Pink extremist types.
Socmodfiscon on November 26, 2008 at 10:00 AM
thomasaur on November 26, 2008 at 10:02 AM
You are the one that made the claim, now back it up…I am only asking for you to back up your statement with facts. I mean secular and atheists are logical, they use facts, I am asking for your facts.
That was your quote, now show me what candidates are saying these things?
I think you are just spewing talking points, with no real facts.
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Funny, this time of year I have my mailbox full of ads telling me what to buy and where to buy it, everyday. On TV, radio, newspapers, fliers…I hardly see anyone telling me what to believe.
I get more information on what to purchase from Sears, then I get from even the Mormon church, the most aggressive church in America.
You guys remind me of the African-Americans who see racism in every sentence.
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 10:10 AM
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Google “I believe God wants me to be president.” You’ll find some interesting, on-topic reading (some of it sympathetic to your arguments).
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Still waiting…
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Bill O’Reilly isn’t a public official. He has crazy left Marxists on all the time too, which he also shouts at in his characteristic style.
The wonderful thing about the First Amendment is that you can say any crazy thing you want and I have the freedom to say what you just said is crazy.
As I recall, those stories were specifically about Pro-Choice politicians distorting Catholic teaching on abortion, who also happened to claim they were Catholic. Ed is Catholic and could not let that stand, so he covered the beat on it. Obama’s extreme position on Abortion also being antithetical to Christian teaching anywhere is another area of concern. Respect for human life is a Republican issue because Democrats have sided squarely with the pro-death positions on everything except capital punishment and animal “rights.”
There are more than a fair few Democrats who have uttered the phrase. Every election cycle they talk about “injecting” religion as if it were an innoculation from something horrible.
FIFY.
Although perhaps I’m off base. Democrats don’t ask for forgiveness until the rooster crows three times. Or it is so damaging and evident that denying it is just idiotic.
Here’s my final question:
Since when does a Democrat upon winning an election by any percentage, no matter how miniscule, not claim an absolute mandate on ever their most extreme policies?
BKennedy on November 26, 2008 at 10:11 AM
There are only a handful of conservatives here. The rest are 9/11 Dems who converted becuase they are smart enough to know their party won’t pull the trigger when necessary, atheist libertarians and libertarians, astroturfers and moles.
TheBigOldDog on November 26, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I’m not sure where you got that crack, but you sure love smoking lots of it.
FDR, Frances Perkins, and Harry Hopkins were not members of any “Social Gospel” movement, they were Socialists and Union-sympathizers.
TMK on November 26, 2008 at 10:16 AM
You tell me what candidates said that…you see you can’t. No candidate has said what you stated.
That is why you can’t answer. See that is what makes your arguments so weak. You have to take statements out of context to twist them to make your point.
That is what people of faith get so upset about, if you had a real factual reason, if you had a quote from a leader who believes this quote from you.
You don’t have anyone that is running for a national office, of some repute, that made that statement.
And what that shows, is that you need false allegations to confirm your beliefs.
I called you and your buddies on it, and you resent it…well I am holding your feet to the fire, asking for truth (when challenged your other buddy called searching for the truth “not being logical”).
I won’t change your mind, because you have shown the truth isn’t worth much to you…but I won’t let you cast out lies without being challenged.
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 10:20 AM
The FIFY was funny, hat’s off. Who cares about the Democrats? They’re just spineless enough to be harmless, for the time being.
Don’t let me get in the way of you learning something.
RightOFLeft on November 26, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Likewise,
Everything is an attack on Christianity.
Squid Shark on November 26, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Oh poop, I thought something was wrong here at HotAir, but the name is correct at least. Nothing buy yada, yada, yada, hot air…
Convictions seem to elude many here, the sense of purpose, of truth, of morals. We live in a world that wants to control our children from a very young age with PC bullspit, the NEA thought police demanding condoms and sex taught K-12, gay rights and a watering down of The Constitution. The perversion of the “seperation” of church and state, yeah the one that CLEARLY says shall ESTABLISH no religion, not destroy and remove all religion. So if we Conservatives get a bit testy, so be it. Our values, what USE TO BE American values, are under assult from so called Moderates, RINO’s, Centeraists, Liberals, Leftists, Radicals. We man the walls, we hold back the horde, Consevatives stand in the breach… Not whimps who hate America and sell it out at every turn to be liked or PC.
HotAir and some here have decided to be the later… /sad
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Ban the NY Media
Nothing good comes out of NY any longer.
faraway on November 26, 2008 at 10:42 AM
If I were Rush, Sean, Mark, Laura I would take it as a HUGE compliment that the MSM and idiots like Ms. Powers and others lothed me… I would not want nor desire thier respect or anything they had to offer. My job would be to simply stand up for America, the proud America of the past. The America, love it or leave it period. When saying a prayer in school or saluting the flag was EXPECTED not laughed at… When standing at attention during the Natinal Anthem was EXPECTED, and disrespect got you an ASS WHOPPIN! Where desipline and God where at school, manners were taught. We conservatives stopped fighting a long time ago, we lost so many battles that are now costing us our Country. Never should GOD and PRAYER and DISCIPLINE been taken out of the classrooms! Never should we have taken GOD and CHRISTMAS and FREEDOM from our county court houses and parks! Never should we have allowed the bias American haters in the MSM and the far left to control our courts and government. We will have to fight to regain these values, to save America from becoming France or Russia. Look at the French, they are JUST NOW understanding what 20 years of passive PC crap has cost them… They have lost the French identity, language, culture, values, pride. All due to bending over to be PC and not offend “others”. America better wake up from it’s morras…
Mark Garnett on November 26, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Kathleen Parker, and others, must have a horrendously short memory.
Has everyone forgotten the ’04 election? Which group was credited with pushing Bush over the top vs. Kerry? EVANGELICALS.
The MSM & even the Dems were in a frantic state for weeks about how the Dems must reach out to evangelicals or their party is doomed.
Now, just 4 short years later, Republicans must abandon them, according to these geniuses. Brilliant.
bigred on November 26, 2008 at 10:48 AM
This thread has gotten pretty harsh.
…
I was once afraid of the Christian right; I am no longer (though I am still atheist). I found that my perception of them had been defined by their enemies in the news media. Except for when they drift over into nanny-statism, I find I agree with them.
So, if people are turned off by the religious right, look not to it to solve the problem, but to the way that the people in question receive information about the religious right.
The question of abortion comes down to answering two questions: when is it homicide, and when can that homicide be justified as self defense. There are not any real secular answers to these questions beyond “what do most people think,” so banishing religious arguments from the discussion is unwarranted and self serving.
Count to 10 on November 26, 2008 at 10:49 AM
The last quest for the Liberals & Moderates is to rid our world of Rush Limbaugh and the rest of the Conservative voices.
Death to the Liberal media and the rest of the rudderless creatures that insist on destroying alternate voices.
Bring back the days of Captains Quarters Ed; please…
Remember folks, misery loves company. The miserable rudderless fools that control our media simply want the rest of us to join them in their misery.
Keemo on November 26, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Let me remind you…you are the one who claim that these politicians have made these statements.
I am asking you for the names, I can’t find any who have made these claims.
My conclusion, because I can’t find any, and you won’t provide any…that you are either misinformed, or you are telling a lie to substantiate your belief…your belief is based on a lie?
But please, correct me, and give me the names of the politicians who have made these claims.
right2bright on November 26, 2008 at 10:51 AM
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