An interesting post with much food for thought. There is so much wrong with society in general and modern conservatism specificaly that it's difficult to know where to begin. First and foremost we must wrest our public media away from the corporate influence that has so completely captured the flow of imformation in this country that Americans have become the least informed in the world. I think this is the keystone to a more rational and productive dialogue. It will continue to be impossible for the kind of discussion that is needed in this country as long as one side of the debate is ignored, marginalized or shouted down by the other side. As has been the case for at least the last two decades. I fear, however, that because of the utter dishonesty and corruption of what passes for conservatism today that it will take extreme measures just to accomplish this goal.

Posted at December 6, 2007 7:40 PM in response to American Conservatism's Original Sin

Well said destor. I want to know what he means by "the power to make the changes neccesary..." I think they have more power than they need or is good for them and with the misuse of NSL's by the FBI I believe they've shown reason enough to not be trusted. I want my privacy back.

Posted at November 9, 2007 7:48 AM in response to Reflections of an FBI Analyst

Nathan, you made a statement about some liberals condemning religiously based opinions. Your damned right we do. When you consider the harm that has been done by these so-called OPINIONS (does capitalizing the word make it less threatning) throughout history I have nothing but condemnation for those who force them on the rest of us.

Posted at November 2, 2007 11:55 AM in response to Condemning Porn is the New Porn

I couldn't agree more, CVille. True self worth comes from within. The doing of something has to come from ones true nature or it's worth is tainted. It's also true that if we are to survive as a nation and for that matter as a species we must find a way to find worth in each other because of who we are not who or whether we worship.

Posted at November 1, 2007 6:39 PM in response to Our Culture War on Greed

Your right , of course, about the things that Reagan did, However, I am not blinded by "rose colored glasses". Reagan didn't go as far as Bush for exactly the reasons I stated in my commont. If you go back and read what I actually wrote you will see that I was not defending Reagan but simply stating the obvious, that he couldn't because the state of our government and press would have never let him get away with the same kind of naked subversion of our constitution that Bush has. If the situation at the time would have allowed it I have no doubt that he would have. He probably would have done worse.

Posted at October 26, 2007 7:52 PM in response to Can There Be A Decent Right?

Let me say this about your argument that there is a difference between Reagan and Bush. I have no doubt that the only reason Reagan didn't do the things that Bush has done is because the groundwork had not been laid to do so. Since Nixon there has been a slow and steady movement towards the place that we find ourselves in today. If the political climate had been, in Reagans time, what it is today it is my belief that he would have made the same kinds of power plays that we've seen from Bush. However, in Reagans time the checks and balances were for the most part still in place and viable. It wasn't until the constitution had been sufficiently eroded with the congress (both houses) in republican hands and the press adequately cowed that any of this could be pulled off. While 9/11 made a suitable catalyst to accomplish this power grab, I have no doubt that they still would have attempted their power grab without it.

As for Buckley and Coulter, the only difference is one of vocabulary.:)

Posted at October 26, 2007 3:42 PM in response to Can There Be A Decent Right?

Seth, I think you missed the point of what I was saying. No, I don't believe the U.S. is or should be the worlds police. I do believe, however, that this administration is intent on finding any justification to launch an attack on Iran and I believe the Iranians think that as well.

If you had reason to believe that your country was about to be attacked by a nation who has the capacity to wipe your country off the map and said country was run by a madman who was capable of doing so, wouldn't you try to find a way to avoid destruction? I think it's possible the mullahs in Iran might be doing just that or at least I hope so.

By the way. Has anyone else noticed the change in the administrations threats. Now it's not the possession of nukes but just the knowledge of how to make one.

Fasten your seatbelts, boys and girls. The rides about to get real bumpy.

Posted at October 23, 2007 8:25 AM in response to Khamenei vs. Ahmadinejad?

Is it possible that Khamenei would try to avoid an attack on his country by the U.S. by removing or at least side-linning Ahmedinejad? We know the mullahs are the real power in Iran. With the trouble that Ahmedinejad is bringing to his country through hs bluster and his threats, is it possible the mullahs would make a move that could put a feeze to the war posturing of the U.S. by engaging in real negotiations?

I hope so. Of course, knowing Bush and Cheney, if they believe their war plans could be ruined by such a move I believe it is likely they would move against Iran before that could happen.

Am I just paranoid? Gulf of Tonkin, anyone?

Posted at October 22, 2007 6:22 PM in response to Khamenei vs. Ahmadinejad?

I find the dishonesty of the so-called conservative movement breathtaking. After listening to Heritage and AEI etc. for years, I find no inconsistencies between the actions of Bush and the long term goals of the right wing. Complete politizisation of the feseral government, near dictatorial control of the country through an ever increasing powerful presidency, a complete removal of any tax burden for the wealthiest among us, a removal of any regulatory burden on corporations and an adventurous military posture that is intended to create a pax americana.

I not surprised that some are beginning to assert that thats not true conservativism since we can all see the results of the fatally flawed ideals of the right that have been forced on us by Bush and the subserviant Congress that existed during the first six years of his administration.

What the right has forgotten, if they ever understood in the first place, is that this idea we call America is a social compact of shared sacrifice and prosperity. For them it's not "we're all in this togather" it's "every man for himself".

See where that has gotten us?

Posted at October 19, 2007 7:58 AM in response to The Right's "Ideological Purity Dodge"

Prepare for the new I.D.law to be upheld. It's the only way the Justices can do their part to insure Republican victories at the polls. Without massive voter suppression the Republican party would see election loses across the nation.

Florida wasn't lost because of confusing ballots. It was lost because of a massive and concerted effort to prevent Democratic votes from either being cast or counted. The country knows it as does the media.

Posted at September 26, 2007 7:20 AM in response to Voter Fraud -- Son of Bush v. Gore