I knew I was going to get comments and emails like this:
I’ve enjoyed your site in the past, John, but despite the fact that I’m satisfied if not 100% comfortable with the outcome of the case, your latest diatribe is so hateful and indefensibly stupid that I’m afraid you’ve lost me as a reader. The commentary at INDC and Protein Wisdom has a similar ideological flavor to yours, but lacks the utter contempt for religious conservatives who’ve in good faith come down on a different side of a difficult issue.
First things first- INDC and Protein Wisdom are great sites- I think Jeff Goldstein is a frigging genius.
Now, on to the real point of the comment:
…your latest diatribe is so hateful and indefensibly stupid that I’m afraid you’ve lost me as a reader. The commentary at INDC and Protein Wisdom has a similar ideological flavor to yours, but lacks the utter contempt for religious conservatives who’ve in good faith come down on a different side of a difficult issue.
My commentary may be perceived as hateful, but it shouldn’t be. I have a deep respect for the deeply religious. My father is deeply religious, and I have worked with and been taught by and befriended numerous deeply religious people. In fact, if you read all of the posts I have made on the Schiavo issue, I have repeatedly pointed out that there are, in my opinion, a great number of deeply religious people who probably do care about Terri Schaivo.
The post below is not about them, but rather, it is about he statist theocrats like Rick Santorum, Tom Delay, Randall Terry, Pat Robertson, who are now trying to impose their version of morality on the rest of us, and ruining our system of democracy in the process.
I recognize a distinction- if I am wrong, nad there is no distinction, well, then never mind. They can all go to hell and I don’t care how many of you are offended, because this is not, and will not become, a theocracy. But I think there is a distinction between the power-grabbing holy rollers I have mentioned and your average church-going individual.
Just like I think there is a distinction between ‘killing Terri Schiavo’ and letting her die. Just like I think there is a difference between life and being alive.
And the reason I think that is because I am right. Religious people are just that- religious people. Big government statist theocrats are the people I am railing against. Some more evidence:
The 11th Hour Coalition to Save Terri Schiavo’s Life has issued the following statement in response to the latest news regarding the efforts to save Terri Schiavo’s life:
Gov. Jeb Bush should stop entertaining the obstructionist actions of Judge George Greer and take immediate action as the head of Florida’s executive branch to stop the premeditated murder of Terri Schiavo. Judge Greer is in contempt of a congressional subpoena and has ignored a federal law. His recent decisions regarding Terri’s best interests continue to demonstrate that he is, at best, prejudiced, and, at worst, a judicial tyrant.
Jeb Bush does not need Judge Greer’s permission to execute his duties as governor. The U.S. Constitution and Florida’s Constitution provide for a balance of power between the judicial, legislative and executive branches. There should be little question as to the activist nature of Florida’s judicial branch. Therefore, Gov. Bush has the duty, the power and the absolute obligation to immediately take Terri in protective custody and restore her access to nutrition and hydration.
It is more than simply ironic that Terri’s plight unfolds during the holiest week on the Christian calendar. In President Bush’s recent attempt to wash his hands of this matter, he stated he can do no more as the head of the executive branch. This is simply untrue. President Bush not only has the power, but the obligation to use his police powers to put an end to this national tragedy.
Holy Thursday marks the beginning of Christ’s Passion, and we are reminded of His warning that half measures are simply not enough; we must stand guard against the enemy. The blood of this innocent woman will be on those who had the power to save her, but did not.
We implore Gov. Jeb Bush to act decisively by ordering the Florida state troopers to take Terri Schiavo into protective custody and restore her food and water. It is hardly unique that this type of action be taken; the Civil Rights struggle of the 1960s serves as just one example.
On the original Good Friday, Jesus — the Lamb of God — was put to death for the sins of others. As we commemorate Good Friday, let us prevent the death of another innocent lamb because of the inaction of others.
I am not the one out of line or unhinged, here. My sin is seeing these people for what they are.
MNPundit
Not become a theocracy? Well I think you’re right, but not for lack of effort.
B.R.
John-
Very good post. When you rail against the Christian Far-Right, it’s good to note that most Christians really aren’t that wacky :-)
davebo
“When you rail against the Christian Far-Right, it’s good to note that most Christians really aren’t that wacky :-)”
Very true. But perhaps one should begin the railing a bit earlier on.
You folks were quite content with the christian far right vote for a long time.
Now that this constituency is demanding attention you suddenly have a problem with them?
How exactly is this demographic any different than the African Americans whom I constantly told are “kept on the plantation” by the Democrats?
over it
I caught an interview on MSNBC a couple of hours ago. The man being interviewed spoke mostly about the Pope…and what he thought the Pope thought about what was going on.
He was actually coming across as fairly sane…until….he began making Easter week comparisons to this current legal debacle.
He compared Mary(the mother of Christ…for you heathens out there) and her pain and suffering watching her son die on the cross…to the parents of Terri. Commented on the ‘coincidence’ of this happening this week. That we were being given another example of someone having their life taken by unbelievers.
I wanted to puke.
I am a believer.
In Jesus the Christ.
NOT Terri the Christ.
I hope she finds peace soon. This whole thing has been disgusting…on BOTH sides. But, I feel as though it is those scrambling to replace the tube that have stepped far beyond the realms of sanity.
I think that the law enforcement down there in FL should be on the lookout. Not for people carrying water to Terri…but for people sharing Kool-Aid with each other.
RheGirl
You folks were quite content with the christian far right vote for a long time.
Who says we were content? It’s not easy to get these guys to shut up on a whim, you know. It IS very easy for them to make absolute fools of themselves with the crazy things they say. That certainly doesn’t mean any of us accept them as spokesmen for the Christians in the Republican Party.
Jorge
I have been praying alot recently because I know that the contempt I feel for Delay, Frist, Santorum and at times the Bush brothers is a) based on partial information and most importantly B) not what Christ wants from me.
I am trying to temper my views with these two passages –
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44).
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in.” (Matthew 23:13 RSV
Glen
I saw the release by the 11th Hour Hysterics. On my own site I noted that if Jeb is actually dumb enough to try what these zealots recommend, he should be arrested.
Richard Bennett
You win some, you lose some. I’ve added you to my RoboPundit links again because I like what you’ve been writing about Schiavo, and I think anyone who can read probably agrees with you also.
John Cole
Thanbks- you have been spot on throughout this mess, as well.
Kathy K
davebo: “How exactly is this demographic any different than the African Americans whom I constantly told are “kept on the plantation” by the Democrats?”
Being a right-wing theocrat is a choice. Being born black isn’t.
Chad Robinson
Bah. Minorities aren’t kept by Democrats, they’re shunned by Republicans. Not all Republicans, but enough members of the GOP big tent to make life uncomfortable. and it’s a shitty thing, too. How can you practice democracy when your options are “vote or dont vote?” That’s not democracy… I don’t know what it is, but it isn’t democracy.
Then again, I’m a liberal and those are my options, too.
Fuck.