I like to think of myself as a pretty intelligent guy. Not because my Dad made me read encyclopedias when the other kids were outside playing in my formative years or because I have a pretty extensive home library, but because of my acknowledgement that that true wisdom is the realization that we really know nothing. So with that being said I wanted to make this quick. I was just looking at Fox news featuring Bill O'Reilly beating up on former CIA director George Tenet for his "moral shortcomings" and I couldn't help but to shake my head and laugh. Why is it that people of the conservative bent feel justified to prop themselves up as the bastions of moral purity? It is my contention that all politicians (until proven wrong) and political commentators (but I gotta love my Lou Dobbs) are cut from the same cloth, meaning that they have a price, which is why it is necessary to change them often, but unfortunately we don't.
President Harry S. Truman was quoted as saying that he" wouldn't trust anyone who couldn't honor his wedding vows to his wife", which when you think about it is a pretty profound statement. If you can't be true to that commitment, to someone that you know the person who you have children with... Why would any other vow, promise or commitment matter? Examples of being: Bill O'Reilly, Newt Gingrinch, Tom DeLay (who compared his ouster to the holocaust) and my favorite windbag, the conservative golden boy Rush Limbaugh (not necessarily in his martial vows) but with his hypocrisy pertaining to his drug addiction.
Who died and made them the moral police? And... if they are the moral police... Let's stand by for the Rapture because our savior is coming home! If I hear one more allusion to the "good guys versus the bad guys" or the word "evil" when referring to someone to the left I am going to vomit in a box and mail it to them. Why is it so hard for people to be at peace with their flaws and agree to disagree without flaunting their "brown" smeared morals around? I am patiently waiting for an alternative (3rd party) or network to arise from this tired duopoly of Democrats and Republicans... How about some political seasoning of sorts, not a fly by night political party that will allow their planks to be co-opted by the Democrats and Republicans only to fade from existence I long for one with some staying power...
So with all that being said, why are conservatives more moral than everyone else? If someone can tell me I would be eternally grateful. So... Let's hear it, but keep in mind, if you read your Bible the Pharisees talked about God all the time and we know how Jesus felt about them!
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Comments: 19
I believe Christ said somewhere, let the children come to me...the Conservatives would all have their children in private schools and would make an appointment for Christ to come and see the children when it would be convenient....
I find it a git ridiculous, that Imus got canned for a lot less than DeLay, O'Reilly, Gingrinch and Limbaugh have gotten away with....Everyone wants to be a star I guess....and to me the only ones that take the time to listen to their rants are others who think the way they do...and that to me is ironically the Conservative thinking process...
ps...as I remember he also threw the money changers out of the temple.....
I like your comment about the vow issue, but unfortunately, I don't think we can judge someone on that alone. It would be nice in a perfect world, but this is between a husband and wife and unfortunately this very personal issue is something many good people falter on. The truth after the fact would be nice, but again, personal. Sometimes people hurt those closest to them but would never think of hurting strangers. We the public are strangers to most politicians.
My concern is if they lie about truly big things, I don't know, like nuclear weapons and Al Qaeda connections in Iraq, the daily statement that "our economy is healthy" when we all know it's not. When it's okay for them to have lifetime health care after only 4 years of service while someone can work for a company for 30 years and never have that option. When they call the extremely wealthy "their base" and dance to the contagious beats of African musicians while soldiers are dying. These are the lies that bother me!
When the moral police start name calling, which is something they do all the time, they open the door to peeks inside their own morality. "Let he without sin cast the first stone," and as humans, none of us our perfect. They also present their commentary more in the style of "The Daily Show" and I can never tell whether I've accidentally tuned into Fox or The Comedy Network when I hear them. Real news people don't say things off the top of their heads, for the most part, and try to research, hopefully, most of their material. Name-calling should be left to kindergarten. It's very easy to spew simple one-liners than to back up your statements with truth, and today's "Jerry Springer" crowd eats up these sound bites with fervor.
Please ask everyone you know to vote. If you have any ability to make a difference in political strategies tell these good candidates to reach out to America; we are waiting with arms stretched out for someone to help us. Again, vote; America can't take much more!
But, I guess that's easier than fixing the problems in DC and the rest of the US!!!
I have to say I have never read any of your postings before today, and I have to admit that I probably never will again either, but you did add your post to a prayer request group and well. I guess you wish to get someones goat up and make a big stink over your posting.
But! I'll just let your own words read for themselves!"but because of my acknowledgment that true wisdom is the realization that we really know nothing."
I guess your looking for the push back on your comments "conservative bent feel justified to prop themselves up as the bastions of moral purity?" I think those words can only be combated by these words "but because of my acknowledgment that true wisdom is the realization that we really know nothing."
Yes Shun as you are on a prayer request group site I will pray for you as well. I will pray for you asking for Gods Wisdom, His Great Love, His Wonderful Comfort, the Peace and Joy that only comes from God Himself becomes your life!
I always find it very telling when people who wear the "conservative" label encounter a position that runs counter to their own, rather than addressing that difference in opinon they resort to name calling, insults or dodging the subject altogether.
Like Napoleon, who instead of focusing on the crux of what I wrote he implies that maybe I should be on Myspace?
I believe that Myspace would be the forum where people would make snide comments & wisecracks versus Gather-being a place where intelligent discourse can be held. If you don't agree with the viewpont-splendid! This is America, we can agree to disagree. With that being said Mr. "BlownApart" I think Myspace may a bit more to your liking...
In addition I take offense to being called a liberal... Political labels are titles that people attach to themselves because they are too lazy to define themselves in my opinon...
Maybe I should have mentioned the $10,000 dollars stashed in the freezer by Rep. William Jefferson (D) La and how he hasn't had to pay the piper has of yet, or what about John Edwards (D) NC, waxing poetically about two America's but getting a $200 haircut & paying for it out of campaign funds.... The crux of my argument was that politicians are cut from the same cloth.. Power corrupts!
Nice try, Shun. Your "liberal-ness" is dripping off the page and now you throw in: "oh yeah, those other guys are immoral, too." You don't want to be labeled one way or the other but have no problem pointing out the moral weakness of those high and mighty you label conservatives. Turn right and start walking, you'll reach the middle of the road, eventually.
These men have a "public persona," which is separate from their real life. That has to be expected. The fact that you think "conservatives" are supposed to be more moral, somehow, shows a bias of a political nature, Shun. Why do liberals get forgiven sooner than conservatives, in our culture? Are liberals trying to liberalize morality?
Great post, Shun!
Alas, there no Spiderman without Peter Parker, thusly there can be no commentator without image that is shown to the viewing public... I think certain "liberals" get forgiven sooner because they are not as apt to delve into name calling and such, but this isn't always the case by and large...
It seems that moral trumpet is blown louder by those of the conservative slant, I just wish that we could be more open to the realization that we are all consistent in the fact that we are so inconsistent!
Thanks Chris, this is the dialogue that I was looking for...
After your visit I thought it appropriate to stop by and see what was going on here! I have to say that stooping to name calling is something I have told my own children that only people with little or nothing to say fall to name calling and it shows a lack of honor and mental means to do anything else! I have also taught them to hate the sin and not the sinner, so I may disagree with someone and even hate things I don't hate people! I may find your thoughts lacking in the way I think but I would fight for your right to have them and voice them if they cause no harm to others!
I am very glad you have found Gods Great and Wonderful Love and that its a big part of your life. I only pray that the whole world could share in it!
As for the calling of someone that is so clearly flying the flag of a liberal well a duck is a duck. I am very glad to see you acknowledge wrong doing by both sides but feel it might have looked better within your article!
Thank you and my prayers are still with you!
Each "side" is guilty of being morally high-handed and hypocritical. Yet, we must observe the comments directed to you by those who could be called "conservative." As you noted, rather than address the substance of your comments, they chose to attack you. One suggested you were juvenile. Another commented on your spirituality. All failed to note that you did not except the so-called "left" from your comments. I believe the tenor of their response to you is telling in itself.
My intent was the inspire intelligent discourse from my article which was sorely lacking (with the exception of my Gatherite Christopher) I was simply asking a question-not making a attack...
Actually I am a political party agnostic, I am a supporter of Ron Paul who is running for President on the Republican ticket, Dennis Kucinich has my ear as well-I have always voted out of the mainstream, which is why I take the attacks that are leveled at me in stride. I am at peace with the fact that everyday that we live in a opportunity to learn something else or hear another viewpoint. I love not knowing everything. Thanks again for your support!