Monday, August 13, 2007

Self-described “mouthpiece” for right-wing dogma crashes and burns. Can the Christian re-education camp be far behind?

Up until recently, I was sure that the following description of life in America was the official slogan of the excremental George W. Bush reign of error, although I’ll readily concede that it might be better used as an epitaph for the most futile presidency in our nation's history*:

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

But now, given hilarious breaking local developments, I’m leaning toward another statement of bedrock-solid, right-wing principle:

Young Republicans: Their members interact, jack ...

There’ll be no trashing the messenger, because I’m not making this up. Visit the website of the Young Republican National Federation and read the text for yourself:

While the YRs are best known for political activism and service to our communities, YR events also provide a great opportunity for interaction amongst membership. This interaction allows for the exchange of ideas, networking, and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Ah, the good old summertime.

The deliveries are floating toward the plate as big as beach balls, and the bat feels as light as the ideological content of Mike Sodrel’s briefcase.

WHACK … sure got all of that one, and there goes another Republican hypocrite slamming face first into the outfield wall, but to be perfectly honest, it’s just no challenge when it’s this easy.

No steroids - honest. Viagra's another matter.

It would be positively joyful for me to mock the fallen wunderkind’s best available plea of consensual fellatio, and yet there is precious little happiness to be derived from any of it, and I greeted the news with equal measures of resignation and sadness. As the scandal broke, Murphy’s own political peer group managed to erase his name from the Young Republican website faster than Uber-Mensch-Super-Man’s speeding bullet. That’s positively Orwellian, isn’t it?

But seriously.

It is vital to understand that whatever Glenn Murphy Jr. or any other American does on their own time in the company of like minded and consenting adults matters not one jot, but of course it all goes out the window when politics comes into play. Ludicrously, Murphy and others of his expediently ideological “values” ilk have forged careers cynically parlaying baseless fears and prejudices into ready-made political platforms for persecution of people who, as the remarkable irony turns, are actually just like themselves.

For proof that the hypocrisy is a nationwide epidemic, here’s another recent case: Operation Yellow Elephant.

It is neither pretty to look on as unchecked hubris claims another victim, nor enriching to observe the flailing and disassembling that accompanies the ritualistic public lashings to follow, as we scream, howl, and learn absolutely nothing from the experience, our attention spans having been reduced to the length of 30-second television blurbs, the grammatical brilliance of Steve Price’s collected fireside chats or the velvet case for a microchip -- whichever's smaller.

Sadly, I suppose the endlessly repeated spectacle remains necessary in some pitifully human way, perhaps reflecting a desperate hope that someone, somewhere might seize upon equilibrium, compassion, understanding and respect as hopeful ways of making sense of our fellow human beings and co-existing in a community with them.

I’ll not be holding my breath. People hereabouts are plainly too willing to embrace nonsense for me or anyone else to be optimistic any time soon.

----

* That's right, Millard Fillmore. You're officially off the hook.

8 comments:

John Gonder said...

Ask not for whom the bell trolls, it trolls for thee.

G Coyle said...

I had to google Glenn Murphy Jr to find out what this piece was about. Why don't you link to the Tribune article?

Anonymous said...

Come on NAC,
Scandals occur in both parties as well as hypocrisy.

Here are just a few of the sex scandals from the democrats and this list doesn't include Bill and Monica.

The republicans at least remove people from office.

10. Sen. Daniel Inouye. The 82-year-old Hawaii Democrat was accused in the 1990s by numerous women of sexual harassment. Democrats cast doubt on the allegations and the Senate Ethics Committee dropped its investigation.

9. Former Rep. Gus Savage. The Illinois Democrat was accused of fondling a Peace Corps volunteer in 1989 while on a trip to Africa. The House Ethics Committee decided against disciplinary action in 1990.

8. Rep. Barney Frank. The outspoken Massachusetts Democrat hired a male prostitute who ran a prostitution service from Frank’s residence in the 1980s. Only two Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to censure him in 1990.

7. Former Sen. Brock Adams. The late Washington Democrat was forced to stop campaigning after numerous accusations of drugging, assault and rape, the first surfacing in 1988.

6. Former Rep. Fred Richmond. This New York Democrat was arrested in 1978 for soliciting sex from a 16-year-old. He remained in Congress and won re-election—before eventually resigning in 1982 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and drug possession.

5. Former Rep. John Young. The late Texas Democrat increased the salary of a staffer after she gave in to his sexual advances. The congressman won re-election in 1976 but lost two years later.

4. Former Rep. Wayne Hays. The late Ohio Democrat hired an unqualified secretary reportedly for sexual acts. Although he resigned from Congress, the Democratic House leadership stalled in removing him from the Administration Committee in 1976.

3. Former Rep. Gerry Studds. He was censured for sexual relationship with underage male page in 1983. Massachusetts voters returned him to office for six more terms.

2. Former Rep. Mel Reynolds. The Illinois Democrat was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault with a 16-year-old. President Bill Clinton pardoned him before leaving office.

1. Sen. Teddy Kennedy. The liberal Massachusetts senator testified in defense of nephew accused of rape, invoking his family history to win over the jury in 1991.

Iamhoosier said...

HB,
Curious, assuming that it was mutual consent, as he claims, should he have kept his position?

Anonymous said...

Surely you wouldn't be trying to pin me in a corner.

Just being mutual, doesn't make it right. Just being legal doesn't make it right. Just being acceptable doesn't make it moral.

He should be removed without question

But that's just my black/white viewpoint.

Iamhoosier said...

Me, try to paint you in a corner? Surely you jest!(smile)

You gave the answer that I would have bet $1,000 on. Or would betting be immoral? I keep getting so confused. Anyway, kudos for your consistency in this instance.

I agree with your "right" and "legal" statements--IN GENERAL. Actually, I wrote something very similar on another blog today about an entirely different matter. Who knew that we were so much alike?

I have a little paint left. Substitute a consenting female. No difference? Still removal?

John Manzo said...

What is always striking to me is that sex is the thing that always gets people excited enough to push for removal. People always clamor that adultery is breaking one of the 10 Commandments. Having said this, these are also part of the 10:

You shall not murder. In my mind, from an ethical perspective, any political leader who orders the death of another including allowing and encouraging capital punishment, ought to be removed from office. Yet, political leaders are allowed to murder.

You shall not commit adultery. Yep. I always found it amusing that good old Newt was having a fling while leading the charge against Bill. But this is the 'fatal one.'

You shall not steal. Hmm, collecting campaign contributions from sleazy characters, etc. We tolerate this one.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. This is about honesty and lying. We not only tolerate lying from politicians, we expect it.

You shall not covet. I wonder if this includes another nation's property, land, or oil?

I agree that scandals occur in both parties. Sin happens. But I wonder why the only ones we ever get all lathered up about are the sexual sins.

Lying to the public

edward parish said...

Will Karl Rove be buying a place in Southern Indiana?