Preemptive Karma: Don't listen to the "very smart people"

March 16, 2006

Don't listen to the "very smart people"

That said, I do think there is a tendency on the part of some on the left to criticize conservative politicians on the basis of their religious views. Now, don't misunderstand me. I am not defending conservative politicians, nor do I think it's inappropriate to criticize religious beliefs, especially when they're brought into political debate and certainly when they're extreme. But when it's done with broad brushstrokes--and here I'm thinking of the charge that Bush is trying to turn the country into a theocracy (see: Kevin Phillips, Bill Moyers, and other very smart people)--it can have the effect of sounding anti-religion when that's not what I think it is. There are a lot of reasons to criticize George W. Bush, many of them related to his use and mis-use of religion. But theocracy isn't one of them. Sam Brownback, on the other hand, does actually want to turn the U.S. into a theocracy and should be roundly criticized on that point.

If Bush isn't interested in theocracy, then why associate himself with a guy like this? Or why would he make statements like this?

Those that Bush associates with bring religion into the public arena constantly. Karl Rove uses these people to ramp up political support and GOTV for the President. Exactly how is this not something we should be consistently criticizing?

"Smart people" like Bill Moyers understand these fundamentals. I don't understand why more liberals can't grasp this.

Posted by Carla at March 16, 2006 04:57 PM