Posted on 08/22/2003 7:08:16 AM PDT by xzins
It is reported that Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “It is religion that keeps the poor from murdering the rich.” Rich is, of course, a relative term. One can be “rich” in money, and in the world of religion one can be “rich” in spirit, and in the political realm one can be “rich” in power.
Who is in danger of being murdered?
James Dobson, the leader of “Focus on the Family” has recently voiced his displeasure with the Republican Party over their failure to deliver benefits to the Christian conservatives for their support over these many years. Despite a Senate majority, despite a ‘conservative’ President, despite an iron-grip conservative hold on the House of Representatives, there is precious little (nothing?) from the conservative Christian agenda that has been successfully guided to implementation. In fact, there appears to be backward momentum.
Abortion is as big as ever. School vouchers are little experiments here and there but not under federal authority. Sexuality is now considered under the heading of a newfound freedom of ‘privacy’ that allows any sexual practice to escape even the most reasonable bio-medical review by a state legislature. Marriage is in jeopardy from Massachusetts to California as liberals successfully redefine that institution, considering any form of partnering leading to sexual release on the same par with a man and woman creating and rearing a family.
And now activist judges, seemingly in league with the ACLU, are excising our country’s religious symbols at what can only be described as a hostile pace. They are being permitted to dismantle America’s historic culture of Judeo-Christian morality and replace it with a culture that these judicial architects claim will be neutral, but which is in fact anti-theistic.
Permitted? Who is permitting it?
The religious conservatives would say, “Those we placed our hope in have permitted it. None of the big names stood with us on the firing line. None of them picked sides, went public with their verbal support, and then went public with their actions which demonstrated support.” Not even Attorney General John Ashcroft, the supposed insider religious conservative, spoke up. (John hasn’t spoken up in some time now. Is he gagged?)
We are reminded of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
The Republican Party, very rich in power, is in danger from the common people who make up its religious base.
And right now Judge Roy Moore has immense “good will” with that same religious conservative base of the Republican Party. Where did this good will come from? In the eyes of those conservative Christians, Moore was willing to sacrifice himself for one of their concerns. Make no mistake, they trust this man. His stock is very high in that group at this moment.
We’re told that if Al Gore had received even one percent less of the African American vote, that the 2000 election wouldn’t have even been close. How much more if George W. Bush had received one percent less of the Christian conservative vote? We’re told that Bill Clinton won two elections without ever having a majority of the vote because Ross Perot took up to nineteen percent of the Republican vote away from them. The message is clear. A third candidate popular with religious conservatives will kill the Bush Re-election.
"Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you...." (William Arthur Ward.)
To refuse a hearing at the highest level is an insult to a man who in his own sphere has reached the top rung. Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Judge Roy Moore, has definitely worked his way to a high enough position to have earned the right to be heard. And, in giving a hearing to Moore, they give a hearing to his supporters. Whether the powers in the Republican Party understand the necessity of giving him his hearing is entirely a different subject.
But, if I were an operative for the Constitution Party, and if I were a disgruntled conservative Christian, I would definitely see a man with tremendous name recognition, a solid base of support, and a whole boatload of determination.
Someone needs to talk real-politik to the Republican members of the Supreme Court.
Yes. I posted it.
But rather than threaten to leave the Republican party if the USSC doesn't grant cert, I think Moore should run for president and take the 10% of Republican voters, as you've speculated, with him. He should give it all he's got. He's just about got his stump speech down anyway.
No one is required to swear on the Bible in a court room, if they choose not to.
One can swear or affirm when taking the oath.
One member of that left wing walked.
My point is the left wing can walk, and find a home with the Dems. The right wing can not, any more than the socialist wing of the Dems can join the GOP. If you walk, you might cost the GOP the next election, if it's close. In the long term this might not be a disaster - Bush has triangulated too much for my taste too - but you risk the possibility that instead of trying to win you back, they decided it's easier to win votes by moving even further to the left. That leaves you permanently isolated.
I'm talking realpolitik, and you're talking theological purity.
Isn't that something akin to 'moral relativism'? Again, the strength of one's convictions, whatever they are, are the best qualities of leadership, and what wins followers. Not the UN approach of realpolitik, compromise, lack of conviction.
"...and you're talking theological purity."
Post a quote of mine from this thread that backs up that statement.
PREAMBLE We, the people of the State of Alabama, in order to establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of government for the State of Alabama:
Who is the God they refer to in the introduction to their constitution?
How?
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