El Politico

Sometimes I get into political discussions and every once in a blue moon those discussions turn into debates. I don't know enough about politics to debate well on the subject, however I do know a wee bit about reason and human nature and it's on these bases that I derive my opinions on law, conflict, and governments.

Invariably, when I'm discussing politics with someone who doesn't share my point of view, they usually say, "ah, so you're a Republican," and when I explain that, no, I'm not, they're usually puzzled. The fact is, probably 95% of my views are very conservative and very Republican, but I have no desire to associate myself with that particular party and I often have a difficult time articulating why.

Then I 'll see something like this video clip of Dennis Miller debating Eric Alterman and I'll remember why I refuse to be a Republican.

Republicans are dicks.

Okay, no, not all Republicans. Many are sincere, honest people that seem to know a thing or two about Why the World is the Way It Is and vote their beliefs... but it's too often that Republicans manage to live up to their reputations of being narrow, boorish, trigger-happy buffoons that are more interested in showing the world how intelligent they are than in hearing anyone out. Personally, I agree completely with Miller and I think Alterman's thesis is beyond absurd... but, come on, Dennis. Is this what it's come to? Mockery?

I used to have more faith in the media than I do these days. If anything, the exhaustive amounts of research I've been doing lately has taught me that bias is inevitable. History, just like contemporary news, is written by people with agendas and opinions and... frankly, I'm glad this is the case. I used to roll my eyes at phrases like 'The Liberal Media', but it gets harder to deny each day.

Frankly, nothing would make me happier than to see Conservative Republicans disassociate themselves from the Religious Right, because all they manage to do is carry the other's baggage. I received a polictal email forward last week bemoaning the loss of prayer in schools! Unreal! Am I the only Christian that thinks that the removal of faculty and administration-led prayer from schools was a positive thing? Surely even an imbecile could see that these laws inhibit your Christian daughter's science teacher from leading the class in a prayer to Buddha, Pastor Jim.

Come November, as I said in my last post, I'll be voting for George W. Bush. Though she may kill me for saying so, my wife will not. Carey and I disagree on many political issues, but I have to say that it's hard to blame her for her opinions, especially after watching the methods in which the most vocal Republicans defend their positions.
...


In related news, all I seem to hear about lately is Howard Stern and the FCC's handling of the obsenity statutes. Man, I don't know what to think. Lately, even Rush Limbaugh is described the FCC's treatment of him and other 'shock jocks' as "chilling".

Me, I don't know. I'm the last person to defend Howard Stern and bag on the FCC, but it's getting hard to deny that they've begun pulling charges and fines out of thin air lately. Is it too outrageous to imagine that Christianity would be thought of as "obscene" one day? Don't laugh.

Whatever the case, it'll be an interesting November.