Surrendering, and Calling it Victory

One of the most irritating habits of the Right Wing in politics is to abjectly surrender, and then call it victory. Ann Coulter (yes, she is probably my favourite) comments extensively on the habit of those who believe in God, guns, and a literal interpretation of the US Constitution to apologize shamefacedly as a preface to their arguments. Furthermore, Conservatives often call it a day and job well done when some commentator briefly accepts that both conservatives and liberals have committed some fault. Well! In that case, we had all just better pack it up in any conflict. After all, both sides have lost people. Mission accomplished!

A couple of issues have brought this irritating tendency of Western conservatives to mind. Firstly, Kathy Shaidle's latest article on the double standard enjoyed by Muslims has me in an atheist fury. My position is simple. If you choose to worship some sky-god, earth mother, or tree spirit, DO NOT EXPECT PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT OVER OTHER WORSHIPERS. I consider most organized religions amusingly ludicrous in their obsessive narcissism (why would the creator of the universe care if one human eats pork?). However, of late, Muslims seem to unabashedly demand preferential treatment. Worse still, they claim the status of victimhood if we hold them to the same status as say, Hindus. "But our god is the true god!" Not to me buddy. And frankly, if your proof that your religion is peaceful includes burning embassies over the publication of cartoons then my proof of tolerance includes a Marine Expeditionary Force all up in yo' grill.

The second issue that brought this to mind was a rather eloquent and long post by RS McCain on his blog. He was responding to allegations by fellow bloggers that his tone is inappropriate while dealing with the subject of feminine beauty (I agree with McCain; fake breasts lack a certain panache). During his posting, he pointed out that conservatives often accept as "Reaganesque" anything that simply appears Reaganesque. Put on a monochrome two-button, call yourself conservative, and the GOP will literally bury you in cash. This is of course patently ludicrous. You could cover yourself in tattoos and piercings, and as long as you maintained a dedication to the capitalist system, a total devotion to personal responsibility, and an agressive foreign policy viewpoint, you would be more Reaganesque than at least five Republican senators I can think of. Just because Ronald Reagan was a handsome Irishman in a suit does not mean that anyone attempting to be handsome in a suit is conservative.

Frankly, I'm quite tired of the abject terror struck into the hearts of public conservatives every time they get cornered by a reporter. It's complete garbage that a man is not allowed to have a position on abortion. The First Amendment is not the Anti-Criticism Amendment. Logical analysis of Presidential behaviour (more on this in a future post) should not be suspended because he is the first Black President.

Living in today's society is like playing a giant game of Calvinball. When your opponent is willing to say anything, and contradict himself on an almost daily basis so as to try to shut you up, your only defence is to firmly, and repetitively, reassert the facts.

I must not Fear - Criticizing President Obama is not racism
Fear is the Mind-Killer - All cultures are not of equal value
Fear is the Little Death that brings total obliteration - Religion is not a valid excuse for violence
I will face my Fear - Being conservative does not make you a bigot or a moron
I will permit it to pass over and through me - A loud liberal is still wrong
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path
A liberal's outrage is inversely proportional to the veracity of the evidence supporting him
When the Fear has gone there will be nothing - Being right is more important than courtesy
Only I will remain.