K-LO always makes her position about abortion. What bothers me, as a Catholic, is that she always writes about how ALL Catholics HAVE to vote for McCain because of the abortion issue.
I wrote her once about this, pointing out the numerous McCain policies that go against the Catholic doctrine (i.e. social justice, war, etc.). She actually wrote back and gave me the line about "gravest sin" blah blah. I then responded letting her know thereare other presidential candidates that are more inline with all Catholic doctrine like the Constitution Party and that I would like to find out what third party she will soon be supporting.
Lopez: There is no Bill Buckley or Ronald Reagan conservative running for president. But doesn't McCain-Palin come closest?
Noonan: This question seems to me wrongheaded, or perhaps I mean not so realistic, in this sense. I said in a speech to Republicans down south about a year ago that if it were 1885, and Republicans were sitting around saying, 'When will another Lincoln come?' and 'Is this candidate Lincolnesque?' you would sit in the back of the hall and think: These people are sad. Life moves, new leaders must rise, and adapt to and operate within new realities. And I think some conservatives, or Republicans, still have to wake up on this. About five years ago I told the editor of the New York Times that when Jack Kennedy ran for president, Democrats didn't run around asking, "Is he the new FDR?" Democrats just wanted JFK to be the new JFK - and so did Kennedy. At any rate I do not judge McCain as more or less like Reagan. You must judge him as McCain. And you must understand 2008 to be 2008, and not, say, 1986. And at the end of the day you must judge the parties the candidates bring with them, and the philosophies that to whatever degree infuse those parties.
Yeah Peggy. You tell 'em! Welcome to the 21st century, neocons. Get with the program.
I like Noonan, because she is thoughtful. But I can't hold truck with the religous argument for conservatism. To say that and mean it is like saying democratic arguements are all based on the gay agenda. Just kind of dumb.
I disagree with Noonan about the wonderfulness of conservatism, but I do appreciate that she challenged K-Lo on this, because it is ruining this country (since, unforch, they are in charge right now).
does K-Lo not realize that having to hang onto the idea of "Our guy is our guy because he is our guy regardless of anything else" does nothing but expose the fact that "their guy" has not a platform to stand on and only has the support of other conservatives because theres no one else for them to back? its just so painfully obvious that they have nothing to stand or fall back on, and no amount of idealogical bullying is going to make that go away.
@morninggloria: yup. this would also explain the extreme push towards anti intellectualism, because if you are an academic or intellectual, chances are you see through the bullshit that is religion, and consequently, conservativism.
@anonymiss: I wondered this morning if the fundies who are praying for McCain will question god once Obama wins? Will they believe that god was on the other side?
@anonymiss: does K-Lo not realize that having to hang onto the idea of "Our guy is our guy because he is our guy regardless of anything else" does nothing but expose the fact that "their guy" has not a platform to stand on and only has the support of other conservatives because theres no one else for them to back?
I find that element of their party so tiresome. Especially when you're disagreeing with them and the only line they have is, "If this were a Democrat, you'd react differently." No, if this was a Democrat, you would be the one responding differently. We've pretty much proven ourselves to be critical of our own side, possibly to a fault. It's such a lazy argument, not to mention it kind of shouts out loud that you haven't been paying attention.
@NOLA girl: Ha! That's like the other end of my question: Will the morons who think black people are poised to take over when he wins feel silly when they realize we haven't taken their homes or jobs the next day, or will they be on pins and needles until he leaves office? Probably not. People who insist on silly theories like those can't be bothered with logic. They'll just find some other ignorant idea to latch onto.
I imagine if Obama wins, it'll be proof that he's the antichrist and the apocalypse is nigh. Bottled water and canned goods will be sold out in a matter of hours.
I have to say, my respect for Peggy Noonan has grown. Granted, it had nowhere to go but up, but I like how she's stood her ground against the rabid "you're with McCain or you're a godless terrorist" crowd.
Megan - with you on this one - it's PRECISELY the God thing that has lost the GOP. I predict Lizzie Dole will pay for her ridiculous attack ads tomorrow too. The religious right IS NOT the majority in this country. Pro-lifers are not.
@sybann: And I think that the more of the crazy religious views you throw into the "you must think this to be Republican" basket, the fewer people are willing to hop in.
@morninggloria: Yep - if they don't reboot, they're in major trouble. And I say this as a believer - in separation of church and state as well as a higher power.
Anyone remember that cartoon typewriter that used to teach kids how to spell on Sesame Street? Remember how he had squeaky wheels and rolled around saying "Nooo-nee-noo-nee-noo"? That's what I picture when I picture Peggy Noonan. A typewriter on wheels.
I know people are gonna rip me for this. But back in the day (when WFB was still in charge)I actually enjoyed reading NR even if I didn't agree with it. It was extremely smart, well written, well argued and contrarian (i love a contrarian). It has disgusted me how it's devolved into fox news the written version and its people like Lopez that are to blame.
Amen! I LOVE contrarians. Part of the problem with modern media is that you sometimes get shoved into your own bubble because it is hard to find thoughtful, compelling, arguments that you disagree with in a sea of partisan cheerleading and attention-seeking. I don't even like most of the writing from people who theoretically share my opinions.
@bluebears: Girl that is the truth. WFB was a zillion times smarter than I would ever be, and I loved his use of language. It was a different time, and Bush effed it up good.
@bluebears: I agree wholeheartedly. This is why I like reading, for example, George F. Will. I may not often agree with him but I love disagreeing with something well-thought-out.
That whole "rational people disagreeing civilly" thing. I miss it.
@EtoilePB: i would love to watch george will and ben stein sit down at a table and talk. i agree with roughly 40 to 75% of what each of them say depending on the topic.
remember the good old days? when you actually had to be smart and been more than a contestant on survivor and look cute on tv to make it as a pundit?
@bluebears: My dad is a liberal, but has voted for our centre-right party about roughly half of his voting life. He's also a dyed in the wool cynic and contrarian (can one be both?), and there's nothing he likes more than to send me links to both Guardian and NR articles...usually in the same email!
@bluebears: I agree too... I think Buckley was the last "compassionate conservative," and a truly great thinker, even though I didn't always agree with him. Noonan is standing the high ground here and defending integrity and professionalism rather than partisanship and ideology.
"I happen to think careerism has become an unseen force in much of the fighting." - Brilliant observation... IMHO, the loudest voice is very often just that, it carries no more meaning than noise.
As much as I enjoy Keith Olberman's dissection of spin, I think he's become a caricature, and an agent for irrational polemic, and that this weekend's SNL skit was all too accurate.
11/03/08
I wrote her once about this, pointing out the numerous McCain policies that go against the Catholic doctrine (i.e. social justice, war, etc.). She actually wrote back and gave me the line about "gravest sin" blah blah. I then responded letting her know thereare other presidential candidates that are more inline with all Catholic doctrine like the Constitution Party and that I would like to find out what third party she will soon be supporting.
Needless to say, now response that time.
11/03/08
Also, if I remember correctly (long years since HS) no life is more important than another. So I don't get her 'gravest sin' browhaha.
11/03/08
Lopez: There is no Bill Buckley or Ronald Reagan conservative running for president. But doesn't McCain-Palin come closest?
Noonan: This question seems to me wrongheaded, or perhaps I mean not so realistic, in this sense. I said in a speech to Republicans down south about a year ago that if it were 1885, and Republicans were sitting around saying, 'When will another Lincoln come?' and 'Is this candidate Lincolnesque?' you would sit in the back of the hall and think: These people are sad. Life moves, new leaders must rise, and adapt to and operate within new realities. And I think some conservatives, or Republicans, still have to wake up on this. About five years ago I told the editor of the New York Times that when Jack Kennedy ran for president, Democrats didn't run around asking, "Is he the new FDR?" Democrats just wanted JFK to be the new JFK - and so did Kennedy. At any rate I do not judge McCain as more or less like Reagan. You must judge him as McCain. And you must understand 2008 to be 2008, and not, say, 1986. And at the end of the day you must judge the parties the candidates bring with them, and the philosophies that to whatever degree infuse those parties.
Yeah Peggy. You tell 'em! Welcome to the 21st century, neocons. Get with the program.
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"The Bible is true because it says in the Bible that the Bible is true."
Replace "the Bible" with "our guy" (and rearrange some of the words) and voila, the modern GOP.
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I find that element of their party so tiresome. Especially when you're disagreeing with them and the only line they have is, "If this were a Democrat, you'd react differently." No, if this was a Democrat, you would be the one responding differently. We've pretty much proven ourselves to be critical of our own side, possibly to a fault. It's such a lazy argument, not to mention it kind of shouts out loud that you haven't been paying attention.
11/03/08
I imagine if Obama wins, it'll be proof that he's the antichrist and the apocalypse is nigh. Bottled water and canned goods will be sold out in a matter of hours.
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No, I am not drunk.
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Amen! I LOVE contrarians. Part of the problem with modern media is that you sometimes get shoved into your own bubble because it is hard to find thoughtful, compelling, arguments that you disagree with in a sea of partisan cheerleading and attention-seeking. I don't even like most of the writing from people who theoretically share my opinions.
11/03/08
11/03/08
That whole "rational people disagreeing civilly" thing. I miss it.
11/03/08
glad i'm not the only one! i seriously miss the days when people could disagree intelligently.
11/03/08
remember the good old days? when you actually had to be smart and been more than a contestant on survivor and look cute on tv to make it as a pundit?
11/03/08
11/03/08
"I happen to think careerism has become an unseen force in much of the fighting." - Brilliant observation... IMHO, the loudest voice is very often just that, it carries no more meaning than noise.
As much as I enjoy Keith Olberman's dissection of spin, I think he's become a caricature, and an agent for irrational polemic, and that this weekend's SNL skit was all too accurate.