You know. That fellow who wants to organize frustrated wingers into "cell groups" to take down the Obama administration, having given up on the American system of self-government after just 50 days.
Who's laid out "nine principles." (Why is it that so-called conservatives are always pulling new principles out of their ears to justify whatever it is they're screaming for at the moment? Wouldn't a true conservative be happy with the old ones? Only to discard said new "principles" when no longer convenient. The illegitimacy of the filibuster, for instance. But that's a whole nother essay.)
Nine principles, I suppose he failed to "p l a n a h ead" and ran out of space toward the end of those sacred tablets.
Anyway, this evening after choir practice I ran a little focus group with three friends. Focus groups aren't statistically representative in any case, and this one less so, because, well, I have weird friends and at least one of them was a little tipsy, maybe, at the time. Still, WTF, I think, Kossacks love polls, why not post the results. So here are their reactions.
And no, not linking to his site. Enough publicity is enough. But for reference:
The Nine Principles
- America is good.
- I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
- I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
- The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
- If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
- I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
- I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
- It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
- The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
1. America is good.
Amelia: Government of, by and for the people is good.
Bobby: The planet is good.
Cameron: Four legs good, two legs bad. Baa. Baa. Baa.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
Amelia: I don't believe in God, but will defend to the death your right to do so.
Bobby: I believe in God and She is the Center of my life.
Cameron: I believe in God and God hates you.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
Amelia: I'm already an honest person, how am I supposed to become more so every day? What kind of a person comes up with a resolution like that?
Bobby: Why not resolve to be more involved and helpful to others and a kinder person every day?
Cameron: Just do it, young Skywalker. There is no "try."
4.The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
Amelia: I thought you said God was the ultimate authority, see #2.
Bobby: MY spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not you. By the way, would you like to guess which sex(es) we are?
Cameron: The family is sacred, even though Dad regularly beat us, Mom got drunk and passed out at 9:00 p.m. every night, and her druggie brother knocked up my little sister when she was just 14. Of course, since the family is sacred, she had his baby and is now living on welfare.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
Amelia: Thet would be nice.
Bobby: Yes, it's finally starting to happen under Obama. I am greatly cheered by the prospect that Bernie Madoff may be sentenced to 150 years.
Cameron: If that was true, then a certain G.B.would be in Guantanemo already.
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
Amelia: Everyone has a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, although there is no guarantee of equal results.
Bobby: Who said there was? What we need to guarantee is equal opportunity.
Cameron: Yes, rich and poor alike are forbidden to sleep under bridges and to steal bread. Results may vary.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
Amelia: But it can force you to be prudent, i.e., help provide a safety net that you or anyone else can use at need.
Bobby: Neither are we forced to lend you our publicly owned airwaves for your private use and private profit, which I believe is considerable.
Cameron: And how much have you donated to charity lately, Glenn?
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
Amelia: I agree completely.
Bobby: Where TF were you the past 8 years when peaceful dissenters were being crammed into wire-fenced "free speech zones" and kicked out of public events for having the wrong bumper sticker?
Cameron: If you call for violent overthrow of the elected government, it is.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
Amelia: I agree completely.
Bobby: Ultimately, the government is us, and we all answer to each other.
Cameron: Of, by and for the people means that the government works for all of us, not just you, you self-centered git. It doesn't means you are entitled to get every GD thing you want and secede when you don't. (Remarks slightly expurgated.)
I wanted to ask them some more questions about G.B.'s chances of getting anywhere with his efforts, but at that point somebody knocked over a glass of beer. We were all too busy jumping to our feet and mopping up to continue the conversation, which I offer for what it is or is not worth.
Cheers!