I saw an article this evening about more than fifty pastors in Alabama signing a letter supporting Roy Moore. There are few people in the American political scene than I think less of than the orange one, but Moore is definitely one.
I thought the article was pertinent because of the topic I chose for tonight’s Top Comments diary, a CNN op-ed I read a couple of days ago. An interim member of the editorial board of the Charlotte Observer, Isaac Bailey, posted an apology to the entire country for the Southern hypocrisy seen in response to Roy Moore’s treatment of women and girls. And it isn’t just HIS treatment. You know who I am referring to, the Misogynist in Chief. And so many others in THAT political party, the party of hatred, the party of Me-First.
In the CNN article, I read a quotation like the following, from Moore.
That's why I must be able to count on the help of God-fearing conservatives like you to stand with me at this critical moment."
Isn’t it funny?! It seems the only time they DON’T ‘fear God’ is when sexually abusing women and underage girls. (Or when lying unabashedly.) For good reason: In our society, conservatives face no accountability for ANY violation of any kind, for any betrayal of their constituents. Their subjects back them quite mindlessly and consistently. And they reap the fruits of that support.
Depressed by the unflinching support for Moore, Bailey states:
I'd like to apologize, America, because we call ourselves brave Christians, but my region of the South possesses political hypocrisy and moral cowardice that knows no bounds.
I think there are bounds, but, with few exceptions, they are not up against them yet.
Later, Bailey writes:
Conservative Christians frequently give their leaders "immorality passes" because their allegiance to the Republican Party has grown as strong as their allegiance to the church.
I think it is idolatry of the highest order. PoIitical advantage is their greatest ‘gd.’ And it is at that altar that they worship.
But unlike our intrepid apologist, I am not surprised. I see it as the natural consequence of a religious manifestation that touts BLIND faith as the highest expression of allegiance, unquestioned, unexamined belief, that carries all manner of atrocity and outrage before it. Truth doesn’t stand a chance, because they ALWAYS validate the idea of picking and choosing one’s own truth. If it doesn’t suit the narrative, fine. Pick ANOTHER ‘truth’ that does. No matter who is victimized, no matter how often.
Trying to counter it is almost like trying to mount an intervention for millions of people blinded by a cult. I don’t think an intervention is the answer, however (not least because nothing on that scale is possible in our society). I think we have to create a more functional, more loving world, and let them return when the veil lifts. It will, but only in its own time.
Taking Jeff Sessions’ old seat will be but a step along that path.
As a Southerner AND a Democrat, I would like to apologize to the country that we haven’t progressed further along the path than this. But we will. Even ‘they’ need us to. They don’t know how much they need that.
On to tonight’s comments!
Brillig's ObDisclaimer: The decision to publish each nomination lies with the evening's Diarist and/or Comment Formatter. My evenings at the helm, I try reeeeallllyy hard to publish everything without regard to content. I really do, even when I disagree personally with any given nomination. "TopCommentness" lies in the eyes of the nominator and of you, the reader - I leave the decision to you. I do not publish self-nominations (ie your own comments) and if I ruled the world, we'd all build community, supporting and uplifting instead of tearing our fellow Kossacks down.
Note: Please remember that comment inclusion in Top Comments does not constitute support or endorsement by diarist, formatter, Top Comments writers or DailyKos. Questions, complaints or comments? Contact brillig.
From indycam:
With
this comment,
mobiusein explains well the problem/s with the report on glyphosate’s carcinogeneticity. I think everyone should see this comment .
From foresterbob:
The Connect!Unite!Act! diaries can always be counted on for witty conversations. Today's CUA had this exchange on the art of fence-building, with paradise50’s comment reply to Darryl House.
From susans:
What would a lawyer know about the law? Read this snarky comment from Dauphin!
From The Marti:
This comment from Ender tickled my funny bone! Read it!
Top Mojo ala mik!
For Sunday, November 12, 2017, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on the subject.
Top Pictures
2017-11-13, courtesy of jotter!
|
|
|
Image permissions do not allow inclusion in Top Comments
|
|
|
|
Image permissions do not allow inclusion in Top Comments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
