Posted on 02/21/2010 1:14:06 PM PST by Sergeant Tim
I was invited to be the opening speaker at Saturday's CPAC session. I had accepted but then, to my amazement, I learned that the John Birch Society would be one of many co-sponsors. This takes the big-tent idea many steps too far for me. So, I withdrew. Apparently, others were not so moved. That's fine. But it wasn't for me. Bill Buckley and Barry Goldwater, among others, chased the Birchers from the movement decades ago. And they're not a part of the movement. So, to give them a booth at CPAC was boneheaded.
I want to commend Bill Bennett for his wise piece this morning on the Corner. I agree with him.
I have no idea what philosophy Glenn Beck is promoting. And neither does he. It's incoherent. One day it's populist, the next it's libertarian bordering on anarchy, next it's conservative but not really, etc. And to what end? I believe he has announced that he is no longer going to endorse candidates because our problems are bigger than politics. Well, of course, our problems are not easily dissected into categories, but to reject politics is to reject the manner in which we try to organize ourselves. This is as old as Plato and Aristotle. Why would conservatives choose to surrender the political battlefield to our adversaries -- who are trashing this society -- when we must retake it in order to preserve our society? Philosophy, politics, culture, family, etc., are all of one. Edmund Burke, among others, wrote about it extensively, and far better that I possibly can. But all elements of the civil society require our defense. Besides, why preach such a strategy when conservatism is on the rise and the GOP is acting more responsibly?
Moreover, when he does discuss politics, which, ironically, is often, how can he claim today that there is no difference between the two parties when, but for the Republicans in Congress, government-run health care, cap-and-trade, card check, and a long list of other disastrous policies would already be law? The GOP is becoming more conservative thanks to the grass-roots movement and a political uprising across the country, which has even reached into New Jersey and Massachusetts. Why keep pretending otherwise? My only conclusion is that he is promoting a third party or some third way, which is counter-productive to defeating Obama and the Democrat Congress. These are perilous times and this kind of an approach will keep the statists in power for decades.
And what of his flirtations with Ron Paul's lunacy respecting America's supposed provocations with her enemies, including al-Qaeda? Why should such a fatal defect in thinking be ignored? Do we conservatives agree with this?
Finally, Beck is fond of congratulating himself for being the only or the first host to criticize George Bush's spending. This is demonstrably false. I not only attacked his spending, but the creation of the Homeland Security Department, the prescription drug add-on for Medicare, his "moderate" tax cuts, as well as his nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, "comprehensive immigration reform," and so forth. And I was not alone -- Rush and Sean did the same, for example. And as someone who fought liberal Republicans in the trenches when campaigning for Reagan in 1976 and 1980, I don't need lectures from Beck, who was nowhere to be found, about big-spending Republicans. But this is not about me, or Beck, or Beck's past drunkenness (which he endlessly wears as some kind of badge of honor). It is about preserving our society for our children and grandchildren. Beck spent precious little time aiming fire at Obama-Pelosi-Reid in his speech, and it is they who are destroying our country.
On as a positive note, I am personally happy to see that Beck has cleaned up his public act -- as best I can tell, no more boiling fake frogs on TV or pretending to pour gasoline on someone -- and the rest of it. But I do think his speech, which contained nuggets of truth heard before and read elsewhere, including on Rush's show and in my book and many other books, may have distracted from some of the more compelling and coherent speeches at the event, including Marco Rubio's superb speech. I fear the media will see to this. I hope not.
I agree with you there. But, Mark is justifiably worried about the populism surrounding Beck. If Beck were content to be an educator of the young or politically ignorant in society, I would have no problem. But, Beck appears to hunger for more. When someone as unstable as Beck hungers for power, it worries me greatly.
Sums it up.
Levin is another pseudo-conservative(small c). And I don’t think Beck has to fit into any specific category—repub, demo, etc. He has a right to have disdain both parties for their liberal nonsense. The Repub party got what it deserved during the last election—how could it have nominated Mcain?!! Beck is awesome! Makes O’Reilly and his blonde chickies look foolish.
Reminds me of the line from Back To School,
“He really seems to care. About what I have no idea.”
Should have pinged you.
Republicans got what they deserved?
What about the rest of us?
This is about more than your little talk show feud. But thank you for supporting my point. Calling Bennett's piece 'wise' is out of step with Mark's endorsement of Hayworth. Jim DeMint, Tom Coburn, and Mike Pence don't have any reason to do a mea culpa.
The problem is the party that supports Crist over Rubio, pushes Coats over Stutzman, Scozafava over Hoffman, etc... The people who need to atone for their sins haven't shown any sign of 'getting it'.
The idiots in the Senate are now not supporting the 'jobs bill' because it's not BIG ENOUGH??!?!?!?!
Anyone in our party that thinks jobs come from a 'jobs bill' should be run out of town on a rail. Anyone who thinks that 'tax credits' for hiring employees will result in job growth needs their head examined.
This kind of crap is going on right in our faces and we're supposed to just accept that it's somehow more 'constructive' to simply bash Obama instead of pointing out that we need to get our own house in order so we can lead? Bush left the party rudderless and ideologically incoherent and the powers that be inside the party have done their best to keep it that way. You might prefer that people avoid pointing that out, but it's in everyone's freaking face every damned day!
I actually disagree with Beck's assertion that the whole party should apologize. Going to the party of 'no' to the party of 'I'm sorry' is a recipe for disaster. We should go from the party of 'no' to the party of 'HELL F*****G NO! AND HERE'S WHY!', but so few of our guys seem to be capable of doing that.
Absolutely!
Oh wow....this thread, is, um....well I have read bits and pieces but have not read it all as we’ve been celebrating my mother-in-laws’ 80th birthday this weekend.
Talk about a “coming to Jesus” moment (among us Jews no less :) ) - a few of our formerly liberal relatives, knowing that my husband and I are residents of the “dark side”, asked us about Glenn and were impressed with him although put off, as we are sometimes, with the histrionics of his bit. They told us that they were reading about the progressives and other American history because of his show. I do believe that a certain Freeper here is getting the kudos he so richly deserves as a result of Glenn’s exposure - er, program - his book was bought several times over the past few weeks by said relatives. I now have a copy of “A Patriot’s History of the United States:..” given to me by a cousin yesterday because I had not gotten around to ordering it yet.
Well....we are returning the favor six-fold by sending a half dozen copies of “Liberty and Tyranny” and “Rescuing Sprite” to our newly converted kin (and a couple of others, heh, heh) who are eagerly awaiting them. We were aggressively touting The Great One - his love of pets and his admirable work with shelters as well of Marks’ love of and vast knowledge of this country. They are going to tune into his show tonight and give it a listen. Patriotism is slowly becoming “cool” again, G-d willing.
Anyway, I do believe that Glenn could word his stance better by targeting the blue-blood establishment Repubics* as being similar with the elite progressives/statists instead of the big lumping together of everyone. That is where the problem lies - the establishment GOP aggressively funding McStain, Crisp, et al against their conservative opponents.
Oh good grief I’m long-winded - sorry. However I am pleased and so excited to witness many in my life come to their senses; however, this online infighting is so distressing. Maybe it is needed to work out the kinks - no one is going to agree all the time on everything - but as a fan of both men I hope at some point that this sniping ends. We need both of ‘em as well as everyone else we can get to fight this foul and fiendish administration that now occupies the White House.
As far as Mr. Bennet is concerned - dude, shoulda played video poker or blackjack instead of the slots. Much better return on your betting dollar. :)
*thanks Mark!
Yes, and Praise God for it!
it’s not gay the correct word is homosexual by rights.
When they tell folks we have to accept their sick lifestyle, when it should be taught in schools, when we have those who teach kids how homosexuals put their fists up another mans arse then there is a problem, how ever you might call it hate but I see hate much more from the homosexual community.
If you are more inclined to be a liberal on social policy then the liberterian party is better for you not the conservative sites or conservative groups
:)
you have freepmail!
you should ping someone when you talk about them resty. :)
And I am not on who’s ping list?
bite me, I can love my fellow man.
So you resort to personal attacks?? How do you know I don’t follow the ‘golden rule’? You are the one attacking me.
I posted on this thread at post #134, your first post was in the 300’s. IOW, I was here before you, now who is hounding whom?
I in no way post inaccuracies about the Mormon church, all of my comments either come from personal experience or can be documented. I am sure you know that as I have posted quotes by your leaders/prophets several times.
And I don’t think the Mormon people are ‘terrible’, just blind, misguided, deceived and hell bound but for the most part that is not their fault, it is the Church’s.
We are in no way infringing on your religious freedom, the fact that you can post that speaks volumes. More often than not you post LDS caucus threads where we are not allowed, so our interactions are limited mostly to when YOU post on the open threads on the RF. It is like you seek us out. Are you harassing US?
You have a right to believe whatever you wish, including that there are people who dress like Quakers on the moon (which your leaders have taught), and I have just as much of a right to speak out against those beliefs and to post LDS church history/doctrine/teachings.
Freedom of religion works both ways.
I’m very late getting here, and haven’t read any of the posts yet, but the article itself was fine.
Newsflash I live in Michigan!
— - - - - - -
I know that. But Utah has the highest per capita LDS in the country, went overwhelmingly for Romney, and politics and religions are way too tightly intertwined in Utah. The Romney support showed that clearly as does a lot of Utah politics.
LOL. ;)
Not apparently if you are lds.
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