Wow. I never thought I would see this, especially both on the same day.
First Newt in a column on Human Events:
My initial reaction was strong and direct -- perhaps too strong and too direct. The sentiment struck me as racist and I said so. Since then, some who want to have an open and honest consideration of Judge Sotomayor's fitness to serve on the nation's highest court have been critical of my word choice.
With these critics who want to have an honest conversation, I agree. The word "racist" should not have been applied to Judge Sotomayor as a person, even if her words themselves are unacceptable.
Then Brillo, doing the backstroke:
Two days later, it seems O'Reilly is, in fact, backpedaling. On Tuesday night he claimed his previous references to George Tiller as "the baby killer" were merely standard reporting.
"I reported what groups were calling him. I reported accurately."
This morning I was so fed up with these people that I decided to shut off the feed and dive into my summer vacation early. I am glad I waited one more day. School is out tomorrow, and the first week in our house includes unplugging all the electronics and taking the batteries out of the clocks.
Now I see what we will be doing. Ice skating in Hell! Flying with pigs! Chuckling to ourselves as these proud Titans of hatred are humbled by their own incendiary words. Sweet.
I guess the only thing that would make it even sweeter would be an end to the whole sordid game. That's the real reason I can't take it anymore. Not just their side, but ours as well.
Tolerance. Understanding. Forgiveness. That's the medicine so desperately needed.
I realize that we cannot turn the other cheek every time. I know that there are too many things that need fighting for. I just can't hold it in my head right now.
Thanks, to every one of you that will keep toiling for the things we hold dear here. I will surely not be able to stay away for very long. Good luck and godspeed, especially when dealing with the fringe hate mongers like Gingrich and O'Reilly. They peeled back just a bit today, maybe it is a sign of things to come. As for me...
Ice skating in Hell!