The Coulterization of the American right
Partial by Gary Kamiya (salon.com)
The John Edwards "faggot" episode "isn't really about Coulter at all. This is about a pact the American right made with the devil, a pact the devil is now coming to collect on. American conservatism sold its soul to the Coulters and Limbaughs of the world to gain power, and now that its ideology has been exposed as empty and its leadership incompetent and corrupt, free-floating hatred is the only thing it has to offer. The problem, for the GOP, is that this isn't a winning political strategy anymore -- but they're stuck with it. They're trapped. They need the bigoted and reactionary base they helped create, but the very fanaticism that made the True Believers such potent shock troops will prevent the Republicans from achieving Karl Rove's dream of long-term GOP domination."
The John Edwards "faggot" episode "isn't really about Coulter at all. This is about a pact the American right made with the devil, a pact the devil is now coming to collect on. American conservatism sold its soul to the Coulters and Limbaughs of the world to gain power, and now that its ideology has been exposed as empty and its leadership incompetent and corrupt, free-floating hatred is the only thing it has to offer. The problem, for the GOP, is that this isn't a winning political strategy anymore -- but they're stuck with it. They're trapped. They need the bigoted and reactionary base they helped create, but the very fanaticism that made the True Believers such potent shock troops will prevent the Republicans from achieving Karl Rove's dream of long-term GOP domination."
posted by mochi at 12:44 PM
1 Comments:
Hi Mochi,
I hate to say this, but I agree with a lot of this. A lot of it started with the arrogant tone that Rush Limbaugh used to use--it was actually what made me stop listening to him long ago. He would use his "talent on loan from God" ditty, and I know it was an attempt at entertainment, but it bespoke the arrogant tone that was beginning to develop in the "conservative" right talk show circuit.
I am a Bill Buckley fan myself--a quiet spoken, fact driven, but humble individual who simply won because he was right--not because of his presentation. Kind of thought of his as the "Michael Jordan" of true conservatism.
Back on the topic, though, the arrogant tone was infectious. It even affected me. The problem is, that it has become the modus operandi of any discussion now. I think it is not only a problem with the conservatives (so called) but also the liberals (so called).
I do believe though that it is wrong and it is a polarizing factor in society. I am also glad, though, that there are folks like yourself who are willing to run discussion forums for opinion where people with disparate views can come and talk in a civilized and productive way.
Regards to you and your family
-Jack
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