Ignorant Tight-ass Club
West Wing, in the second season, has an episode where Pres. Bartlet pulled a thermonuclear rhetorical smackdown on an obvious stand-in for Dr. Laura. Full scene appears below the fold, but the basic point is that you can't take just parts of the bible literally and wield them as you see fit, which is what the politicized evangelicals are doing.
We need to make the case that Christian Fundamentalism is inherently flawed thinking - and the following speech (based on a letter found floating around the internet) makes the case as well as I've seen it made. Tolerance is fine in theory - but bigotry and stupidity on the level these people practice them went out with the discovery that the world was round. Their entire world view needs to be publically ridiculed so they simply cannot enter policy debate without everyone else snickering. (sorry if I'm not in the most charitable mood this evening).
an excerpt of dialogue from an
episode of the west wing
entitled "midterms" (#25; 2-3)
this episode was written by aaron sorkin
& directed by alex graves.
C.J.:
Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. Ladies and gentlemen.
The President of the United States.
[Everyone stands and claps (flashbulbs go off) as Bartlet enters the reception]
Bartlet:
Thank you. Thank you, very much. Thanks a lot. I wish I could spend more than a few minutes with you but the polls don't close in the east for another hour and there are plenty of election results left to falsify.
[Everyone chuckles]
You know with so many people participating in the political and social debate through call-in shows, it's a good idea to be reminded.... [Bartlet loses his train of thought when something attracts his attention. The camera pans over to Jenna Jacobs]
....it's a good idea to be reminded of the awesome impact... the awesome impact....
[He finally gives up and addresses Dr. Jacobs]
I'm sorry, um...you're Dr. Jenna Jacobs, right?
Jenna: Yes, sir.
Bartlet: It's good to have you here.
Jenna: Thank you.
Bartlet: The awesome impact of the airwaves and how that translates into the furthering of our national discussions but obviously also how it can...how it can.....
[Finally gives up, sighs, and addresses Dr. Jacobs again]
Forgive me, Dr. Jacobs. Are you a M.D.?
Jenna: Ph.D.
Bartlet: A Ph.D.?
Jenna: Yes, sir.
Bartlet: In Psychology?
Jenna: No, Sir.
Bartlet: Theology?
Jenna: No.
Bartlet: Social work?
Jenna: I have a Ph.D. in English Literature.
Bartlet: I'm asking, 'cause on your show, people call in for advice and you go by the name of Dr. Jacobs on your show. And I didn't know if maybe your listeners were confused by that, and assumed you had advanced training in Psychology, Theology, or health care.
Jenna: I don't believe they are confused, no sir.
Bartlet: Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.
[Camera gets a shot of C.J. glancing over at Sam and Toby. And we get a shot of Sam looking at C.J. Toby isn't paying attention to Sam or C.J.]
Jenna: I don't say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.
Bartlet: Yes, it does. Leviticus.
Jenna: 18:22
Bartlet: Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I had you here. I'm interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7.
[small chuckles from the guests]
She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, and always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be?
While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff, Leo McGarry, insists on working on the Sabbath, Exodus 35:2, clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police?
Here's one that's really important, 'cause we've got a lot of sports fans in this town. Touching the skin of a dead pig makes us unclean, Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point?
Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother, John, for planting different crops side by side?
Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads?
[Jenna fidgets uncomfortably]
Think about those questions, would you? One last thing, while you may be mistaking this for your monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tightass Club, in this building, when the President stands, NOBODY sits.
[Jenna squirms in her seat but doesn't rise. We get a close up shot of Bartlet glaring meaningfully at her. She finally rises out of her seat]