Views From The Fringes & Somewhere Between

A Conservative Revolt?

Lately, “intellectual conservatives,” “movement conservatives” and many conservatives of different stripes have been complaining, criticizing and distanciing themselves from the Bush administration. Some in the media are calling this a revolt. It is no such thing. When Bush was popular, these “conservatives” said nothing and enjoyed their fame. Now that Bush is way down in the polls, all of a sudden these “conservatives” are so filled with “integrity” that they are bashing Bush for not adhereing to conservative principles.

The latest conservative that is so upset with Bush is Bruce Bartlett, author of the new book "Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy."

Both Bartlett and conservative Andrew Sullivan appeared at a conservative forum. As the Washington Post tells us, it turned into a full-blown Bush-bashing party. Bartlett threw out words like "unconscionable," "irresponsible," "vindictive" and "inept." Andrew Sullivan, also the author of a conservative-complaint-book that is forthcoming, "The Conservative Soul: How We Lost It; How to Get It Back," said that Bush is "reckless" and "a socialist." He said Bush betrayed "almost every principle conservatism has ever stood for."

These 2 are but the latest in a long series of "conservatives" that are criticizing the administration. Even William Buckley and William Kristol, men in the upper reaches of conservatism, are whining. It sure sounds like a revolt. But, don't you believe it. It's the sound of opportunists unloading on their unfortunate bretheren in order to save themselves.

There isn't anything revolutionary about criticizing that which is patently illegal, immoral according to universal standards, or unjust. So far, all I see is that some Republicans are seeing an opportunity to jump out from under the thimb of the Bush gang and the ultra-conservative Christian Right and speak out... but is this genuine outrage at injustice or political opportunism? I am inclined to view it as opportunism because the truly righteous do not wait until it is safe to speak out before saying their peace.

Impeach Bush Now (Go Dems Go)

Mainstream Democrats are ducking and covering, running away from intrepid heroes like Feingold, Boxer and Conyers. You blog Dems - hold their feet to the fire. Write to them. Call them. Give ‘em hell. Shovel piles of money on moveon.org. Show them the money, passion and obsession. Reverse the verdict of 2004.

Make sure those perfidious Dems in Congress close ranks and rally round Russell. Without pressure from you, they will slink off and hide under conveniently available rocks. They will give the President permission to do what he did. He will get away again. He will smile unless you stop him.

This does sound silly, doesn't it?

No, what sounds silly is the continued braying of ultra-conservatives that refuse to recognize that there is something inherently wrong in in the way things are being done in Washington and in our names as US citizens. If there was a Democrat in the White House these Republicans would be braying about impeachment... oh, wait, they already did that with Clinton... and he never caused anyone to go into harm's way without just cause... never denied troops proper armor for combat... never authorized warrantless spying on US citizens and residents... and did not violate the Constitution, his oath of office or International Law.