McCain Dishonest And Dishonorable

"...we do not have a serious pick for the vice-presidency in the GOP,
do we? We have an absurdity. And a joke."

"John McCain is dishonest and dishonorable. That much we now know. "

- Conservative blogger Andrew Sullivan, one time Bush supporter and one time admirer of John McCain.

Sullivan's fierce criticism of the Republican ticket is raising eyebrows...including mine.

Jim

McCain Lacks Character To Be President

McCain has demonstrated in the last two months that he does not have the
character to be president of the United States. And that is why it is more
important than ever to ensure that Barack Obama is the next president. The
alternative is now unthinkable. And McCain - no one else - has proved it.

- Andrew Sullivan

Gay Conservative Republican Endorses Ron Paul

Gay and Republican? Gay and conservative? I've never understood how you can be both of either of these at the same time. I guess I'll never understand how someone like Andrew Sullivan can be both gay and conservative and a Republican, but he is. The latest from Andy is his endorsement of Republican/Libertarian presidential hopeful Ron Paul for president. I suppose that if you have to pick among the crop of Republicans he does represent the lesser of the evils, but a cursory look at his positions on a number if issues is enough to send me running. Paul is anti-abortion, would define life as beginning at conception, and opposes a woman's right to choose. Paul would repeal the Brady Bill that attempts in a modest fashion to control guns, and appears to favor no restrictions whatsoever on gun sales and ownership. Some of his other positions do have appeal to those with libertarian tendencies, but I would not want to live in a country headed by President Ron Paul. But then, I'm not happy living here under "Dubbya" either.
PHOTO: The next to the last in the series of Macy's Philadelphia holiday display windows.

Jim

What Conservatism Has Become

11: 30 Am: I don't agree with Andrew Sullivan on very much, but he has been on the right track in criticizing the conservative movement, or at least what that movement has become under people like George Bush. One of Sullivan's readers sent in the following scathing indictment of conservatism:

What American 'conservatism' has become fits closely within the definition of
fascism: an intensely nationalist movement intent on defining membership in the
'nation' on linguistic, religious, and (increasingly) ethnic/racial criteria,
accompanied by an unquestioning loyalty to (male) authority, enshrined in family leaders, business leaders, religious leaders, and especially, the leader
of the nation, who is seen as embodying the Nation. Loyalty to the Party or
Movement and its ideology is of great importance. Violence is the preferred
means of accomplishing goals. Diplomacy, compromise, negotiation, are all
identified with (feminine) weakness. The rule of law is also despised, because
it lacks the immediacy of (violent) action, and its emphasis on balance and
its concern with proper procedure is also seen as a sign of (feminine) weakness.

Read more Andrew Sullivan here.

Jim