Although Mitt Romney used the word “conservative” 19 times in a short speech at the February 10, 2012, Conservative Political Action Conference, the audience he used this word to appeal to was not conservative by any traditional definition. It was right wing. Despite the common American practice of using “conservative” and “right wing” interchangeably, right wing is not a synonym for conservative and not even a true variant of conservatism – although the right wing will opportunistically borrow conservative themes as required.
Right-wingers have occasioned much recent comment. Their behavior in the Republican debates has caused even jaded observers to react like an Oxford don stumbling upon a tribe of headhunting cannibals. In those debates where the moderators did not enforce decorum, these right-wingers, the Republican base, behaved with a single lack of dignity. For a group that displays its supposed pro-life credentials like a neon sign, the biggest applause lines resulted from their hearing about executions or the prospect of someone dying without health insurance.
Who are these people and what motivates them?
—
Who: Holier-than-thou Billy and Betty Bibles
Motivation: Greed (first and foremost) and then Power (to keep that tax free money flowing)
As I was driving to work yesterday, I counted the number of churches on my short 8 mile drive. There is a church on virtually every corner in this city. And among those churches, there are so huge mega churches.
For all these churches in our country – and for all their ranting about how society is so sinful – WHERE the HELL have these churches been?
Seriously, I would like to know. Have they all been so busy in politics and getting that tax free money that they have FORGOTTEN the mission of the churches?
How about helping their fellow human beings the way Jesus did?
Jesus fed the hungry.
Jesus healed the sick.
Jesus stopped a condemned woman from being stoned to death.
Republicans agenda:
Stop all food stamps
Deny access to health care
Applaud 234 executions
Tell me again – Mr. Santorum – your Conservative Christian Republican agenda is based on the Bible?
The author of the article linked is a wordsmith. He describes accurately many of the people we run into daily here in Brownbackistan.
In the right-wing id, freedom is the emotional release that a hostile and psychologically repressed person feels when he is finally able to lash out at the objects of his resentment. Freedom is his prerogative to rid himself of people who are different, or who unsettle him. Freedom is merging into a like-minded herd. Right-wing alchemy transforms freedom into authoritarianism.
The reader will conclude that these authority figures and the flocks they command are driven by a binary, Manichean vision of life and a hunger for conflict. Their minds appear to have no more give and take than that of a terrier staring down a rat hole.
They seem tormented by demons that those in the reality-based community scarcely experience. That may explain their extraordinary latitude in absolving their political and ecclesiastical heroes of their sins: while most of us might regard George W. Bush as a dry drunk resentful of his father, Newt Gingrich as a sociopathic serial adulterer and Ted Haggard as a pathetic specimen in terminal denial, their followers on the right apparently believe that the greater the sin, the more impressive the salvation – so long as the magic words are uttered and the penitent sinner is washed in the Blood of the Lamb. This explains why people like Gingrich can attend “values voter” forums and both he and the audience manage to keep straight faces.
They are socially rigid, highly conventional and strongly intolerant personalities, who, absent any self-directed goals, seek achievement and satisfaction by losing themselves in a movement greater than themselves. One finds them overrepresented in reactionary political movements, fundamentalist sects and leader cults like scientology. They are the people who responded on cue when Bush’s press secretary said after the 9/11 attacks that people had better “watch what they say;” or who approved of illegal surveillance because “if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear;” or who, after months of news stories saying that no weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq, nevertheless believed the weapons were found.
Here again we see the paradoxical nature of the authoritarian personality: rebelling against authority while hungering for it – exactly as the contemporary right wing fancies it is rebelling against big government while calling for intrusive social legislation and militarism. In the midst of dire economic circumstances, why do they expend inordinate energy brooding over contraception, abortion, abstinence education, gay marriage and so forth and attempt to transform their obsessions into law? …a patriarchal, sexually repressive family life, reinforced by strict and punitive religious dogma, is the “factory” of a reactionary political order. Hence, the right wing’s ongoing attempts to erase the separation of church and state, its crusade against Planned Parenthood, its strange obsession with gays.
As I’ve shared before, I force myself to listen to Pat Robertson on the 700 Club Show from time to time – just to see for myself what the good ol’ boy is up to…
This morning – good ol’ Pat was praising Iceland for going after those corrupt bankers for causing their economic collapse. Pat then went further to say that he cannot recall even one banker here that has been prosecuted for their part in the housing financial crisis. Pat even used the phrase ‘no-doc paperwork; when describing the ones that have potentially lied their way into this mortgage mess.
Well….I was shocked, to say the least. So then if good ol’ boy Pat really believes some people should go to jail – then why doesn’t good ol’ boy Pat publicly support President Obama in his endeavor to do just that….
I sent another prayer request to Pat’s little CBN website and I asked for prayer to help Pat stay true to what he said he wanted done this morning – prosecution of bankers. I also pointed out that Pat could start doing this by publicly supporting President Obama’s endeavor to do just that – go after and prosecute these bankers…
I’ll let you all know if I get a response to my prayer request…
UPDATE: Well it looks like it will be a while. They are wanting to do a non stress stress test. Because they said he needs a pacemaker but they’re thinking he needs a defibulater. They can’t do test till tomorrow so surgery Wed.
Here’s wishing Rick and Mrs. Rick the very best outcomes possible. Dude and his wife have had a long haul. My fervent hope is that they can catch a break or two very soon!
I have two teenage granddaughters who are eating breakfast within earshot of my computer.
When I watched the above the 14-year old asked, “Are you listening to some Rick Santorum garbage?” Then immediately added, “Sorry, I was a bit redundant, wasn’t I?”
The three of us discussed it. I didn’t want either of them to think these attitudes were limited to Santorum! They must understand the complicity of republican congress critters and other republican candidates for POTUS. I was on a roll and we even got into Supreme Court nominations…
I must admit and I take great pride in the fact that these two young women really care and are well informed!
Seems a likely location for a Santorum office. Did anyone tell him ALL SIX electoral votes will go to whichever candidate has the little “R” beside their name so all he needs to do is win the republican nomination? I plan to caucus with the Kansas republicans and I’m all for Santorum! For whatever that’s worth… What does the winner of the Kansas caucus win?
Now if I could only figure out how to make a huge fake aspirin and then tape it between my knees – and then manage to walk up to his office – Do you think I’d make the evening news?
I still like the idea of putting aspirins between us and standing shoulder to shoulder. Let him know how ridiculous we think he is. Not that it matters, but it sure would be fun to do it.
Large “aspirin” would be easy enough to make, if my memory of crafting and sewing is still somewhat solvent.
Two things could be used: Round pieces of styrofoam or real foam pillow forms. Cover with paper or fabric and voila! Both available in most stores that carry craft supplies.
Priceless.
Be sure to study these two charts.
http://www.truth-out.org/right-wing-id-unzipped/1329147417
Who are these people and what motivates them?
—
Who: Holier-than-thou Billy and Betty Bibles
Motivation: Greed (first and foremost) and then Power (to keep that tax free money flowing)
As I was driving to work yesterday, I counted the number of churches on my short 8 mile drive. There is a church on virtually every corner in this city. And among those churches, there are so huge mega churches.
For all these churches in our country – and for all their ranting about how society is so sinful – WHERE the HELL have these churches been?
Seriously, I would like to know. Have they all been so busy in politics and getting that tax free money that they have FORGOTTEN the mission of the churches?
How about helping their fellow human beings the way Jesus did?
Jesus fed the hungry.
Jesus healed the sick.
Jesus stopped a condemned woman from being stoned to death.
Republicans agenda:
Stop all food stamps
Deny access to health care
Applaud 234 executions
Tell me again – Mr. Santorum – your Conservative Christian Republican agenda is based on the Bible?
I don’t f_ckin. think so…….
In case you have not noticed – I am still PO’d…….LMAO
The author of the article linked is a wordsmith. He describes accurately many of the people we run into daily here in Brownbackistan.
In the right-wing id, freedom is the emotional release that a hostile and psychologically repressed person feels when he is finally able to lash out at the objects of his resentment. Freedom is his prerogative to rid himself of people who are different, or who unsettle him. Freedom is merging into a like-minded herd. Right-wing alchemy transforms freedom into authoritarianism.
The reader will conclude that these authority figures and the flocks they command are driven by a binary, Manichean vision of life and a hunger for conflict. Their minds appear to have no more give and take than that of a terrier staring down a rat hole.
They seem tormented by demons that those in the reality-based community scarcely experience. That may explain their extraordinary latitude in absolving their political and ecclesiastical heroes of their sins: while most of us might regard George W. Bush as a dry drunk resentful of his father, Newt Gingrich as a sociopathic serial adulterer and Ted Haggard as a pathetic specimen in terminal denial, their followers on the right apparently believe that the greater the sin, the more impressive the salvation – so long as the magic words are uttered and the penitent sinner is washed in the Blood of the Lamb. This explains why people like Gingrich can attend “values voter” forums and both he and the audience manage to keep straight faces.
They are socially rigid, highly conventional and strongly intolerant personalities, who, absent any self-directed goals, seek achievement and satisfaction by losing themselves in a movement greater than themselves. One finds them overrepresented in reactionary political movements, fundamentalist sects and leader cults like scientology. They are the people who responded on cue when Bush’s press secretary said after the 9/11 attacks that people had better “watch what they say;” or who approved of illegal surveillance because “if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear;” or who, after months of news stories saying that no weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq, nevertheless believed the weapons were found.
Here again we see the paradoxical nature of the authoritarian personality: rebelling against authority while hungering for it – exactly as the contemporary right wing fancies it is rebelling against big government while calling for intrusive social legislation and militarism. In the midst of dire economic circumstances, why do they expend inordinate energy brooding over contraception, abortion, abstinence education, gay marriage and so forth and attempt to transform their obsessions into law? …a patriarchal, sexually repressive family life, reinforced by strict and punitive religious dogma, is the “factory” of a reactionary political order. Hence, the right wing’s ongoing attempts to erase the separation of church and state, its crusade against Planned Parenthood, its strange obsession with gays.
As I’ve shared before, I force myself to listen to Pat Robertson on the 700 Club Show from time to time – just to see for myself what the good ol’ boy is up to…
This morning – good ol’ Pat was praising Iceland for going after those corrupt bankers for causing their economic collapse. Pat then went further to say that he cannot recall even one banker here that has been prosecuted for their part in the housing financial crisis. Pat even used the phrase ‘no-doc paperwork; when describing the ones that have potentially lied their way into this mortgage mess.
Well….I was shocked, to say the least. So then if good ol’ boy Pat really believes some people should go to jail – then why doesn’t good ol’ boy Pat publicly support President Obama in his endeavor to do just that….
I sent another prayer request to Pat’s little CBN website and I asked for prayer to help Pat stay true to what he said he wanted done this morning – prosecution of bankers. I also pointed out that Pat could start doing this by publicly supporting President Obama’s endeavor to do just that – go after and prosecute these bankers…
I’ll let you all know if I get a response to my prayer request…
Hey – if you hear that people in Hell got ice water today – you’ll know that good ol’ boy Pat has come out publicly in support of President Obama.
If you didn’t include a donation I doubt you will get a response
Rick is being admitted to the hospital this morning. Mrs. Rick says they are talking pace maker.
Sending healing wishes and much love to both.
UPDATE: Well it looks like it will be a while. They are wanting to do a non stress stress test. Because they said he needs a pacemaker but they’re thinking he needs a defibulater. They can’t do test till tomorrow so surgery Wed.
Pass along my good wishes and prayers – also? Just got back from day’s errands – no grandkids today, so grandma was on her own…..
LOL
I would LOVE to see Santorum prosecute adultery – might I suggest he start with these churches filled with hypocrits that he is so fond of?
That should clear out alot of pews…..
Here’s wishing Rick and Mrs. Rick the very best outcomes possible. Dude and his wife have had a long haul. My fervent hope is that they can catch a break or two very soon!
From Shannyn Moore’s blog.
“It turns out that the real reason we need “small government” is so it will fit inside a uterus.”
That’s a good one…
I have two teenage granddaughters who are eating breakfast within earshot of my computer.
When I watched the above the 14-year old asked, “Are you listening to some Rick Santorum garbage?” Then immediately added, “Sorry, I was a bit redundant, wasn’t I?”
Hey, we don’t raise no dumb women.
As Rick would say… “Heeeeeeeee!”
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree!
The three of us discussed it. I didn’t want either of them to think these attitudes were limited to Santorum! They must understand the complicity of republican congress critters and other republican candidates for POTUS. I was on a roll and we even got into Supreme Court nominations…
I must admit and I take great pride in the fact that these two young women really care and are well informed!
Santorum opened an office in Wichita, 155 N. Market, Suite 110, on Monday. He’s the only presidential candidate who has a local office in Wichita.
Santorum’s campaign also plans to hold a barbeque for the public at noon Saturday at its Wichita headquarters.
Seems a likely location for a Santorum office. Did anyone tell him ALL SIX electoral votes will go to whichever candidate has the little “R” beside their name so all he needs to do is win the republican nomination? I plan to caucus with the Kansas republicans and I’m all for Santorum!
For whatever that’s worth… What does the winner of the Kansas caucus win?
Maybe we should all go and take a bottle of aspirin. Or maybe we could each dress as a bottle of aspirin?
I’m game.
Now if I could only figure out how to make a huge fake aspirin and then tape it between my knees – and then manage to walk up to his office – Do you think I’d make the evening news?
Oh – I forgot the crowning touch – have 4 baby dolls – two in each arm….
And maybe put in one of those pregger pillows for good measure??
Wow – this is a challenge, girls, to come up with just the appropriate attire to wear to this public barbeque.
Would I get extra points since I look my age of 57 yrs old???
I think I should since I am just letting the good Lord use me as his vessel……
I still like the idea of putting aspirins between us and standing shoulder to shoulder. Let him know how ridiculous we think he is. Not that it matters, but it sure would be fun to do it.
We could call ourselves the Bayer Babes!
Large “aspirin” would be easy enough to make, if my memory of crafting and sewing is still somewhat solvent.
Two things could be used: Round pieces of styrofoam or real foam pillow forms. Cover with paper or fabric and voila! Both available in most stores that carry craft supplies.
I am a MAN!
I stand up for the inalienable right of women to hold dominion over their reproductive systems.
I stand for the affordable and safe reproductive healthcare.
I stand up to the patriarchal bullies who have enslaved, subjugated, oppressed and marginalized women for millenia.
I do not stand alone.
We are multitudes. We stand with women, not against them. We are men of honor – not sniveling cowards.
Every mother, sister and daughter is a human being.
I vote every chance I get.
End the war on women NOW!
There are more of these strong and self-assured men than we know. And it will take both men and women to shut down this Republican Agenda.