Monday Open Thread

7:00 AM: Yesterday I came across an interesting essay on what is wrong with conservatism penned by a professor of information science. Read it here.

I'm off to the periodontist this morning, then my canine buddy Bradley and I will make our way back to Fire Island. Temperatures this week are supposed to rise. It's going to be a good week to work outside in the garden and on the house.

So this is an open thread day. That means that you, the readers are supposed to discuss posts or leave comments. How about it?

Photo: Brazil Feb. 2007

Jim

Your Garden Variety Conservative...

...is NOT compassionate.

6:30 AM: Just consider this for a moment: if conservatives have to specifically preface their description of themselves as "compassionate," isn't that an acknowledgement of the fact that ordinary conservatives are not compassionate? Junior Bush claimed to be a "compassionate conservative" when he was running for president. How hollow that description turned out to be. What has he done that is "compassionate?" He could could care less about the needy and the poor, for example.

The Republican news conference (debate): "Compassionate conservative" Tommy Thompson said it was OK for employers to fire gay people simply because they are gay. How nice.

All but one of the GOP presidential candidates are ready to end a woman's right to choose. These "compassionate conservatives" are ready to thrust women back into the days of illegal abortions and backroom butchers.

Some of the nuttier Republicans want to end progressive taxation all together with a flat tax, which is just about the most regressive form of taxation imaginable. Yeah, real compassionate.

Yes, it was a warm and fuzzy, feel good party for the Republican extreme right wing in St. Reagan's presidential library.

Photo: Fish friends in St. Criox

Jim