Huffington Post / "Conservatism" or Psychopathology?

[shance]

RJ Escrow writes:


"People don't slavishly obey and follow every whim of Bush and now Cheney because they revere them.

They do it for a more basic reason: They've got the candy.

Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld ... they're Mafia bosses doling out the largesse in return for unquestioned fealty.

And today's so-called "conservatives" respond in kind.

Will Roger Ailes get more exclusive interviews if he peddles the daily GOP lies and spins? As you wish, Godfather.

Will Arnold Schwarzenegger become Governor if he pumps for Bush at the convention? Thank you, Don Karl.

Will "Straight Talkin'" John McCain be rewarded with a chance to run in 2008 if he forgets what they did to his wife and kid? It' good to kiss the ring again, Mr. President. Let me hug you.

Nowhere is the rampant gangsterism more apparent than in the public commentary offered by pundits and politicians. Everything that conservatives once stood for - fiscal responsibility, preventing drug and alcohol abuse, enforcing the law, sexual propriety, supporting the military, preserving our institutions, decency in speech and deportment - has been enthusiastically dismissed and derided by self-seeking figures in the media and politics.

So Bush used to get drunk and high and screw secretaries? We don't care; he's the man.

The GOP campaign and the Administration break the law? He's our guy; shut your face.

The VP tells a Senator in the august halls of Congress to "go fuck himself"? His candor is refreshing.

We're running the country into debts so high we may never be whole again? Heh, heh; I got mine right in the bank, sucker. Destroying the earth through global warming? I know: we'll debunk modern science; our money boys will pay the Cato Institute to come up with some phony climatology studies.

Wrecking the country's finances. Trashing civil discourse. Law breaking. Ruining the earth itself for our grandchildren. That's some sick s**t. Now, we have the sight of Mr. Whittington - by all accounts a good and decent man - being forced to crawl on broken glass to stay in the club. Hey, too bad about Harry - but business is business.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/shot-through-the-heart-an_b_15942.html

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Observing raving insanity in a person is unnerving;

to watch a whole nation go insane is truly frightening. I shall hang out here on the mountain on my little patch of sanity, wondering what a person can do to stop this.

[Ksec]

2. And if youve ever read the freeper responses over there

youve seen proof .

Sick sad little perverts whose only goal in life is to destroy America as we know it and turn it into some totalitarian regime.

I personally love to toy with these types. Its really satisfying watching their heads explode when you show them the error of their ideology.

[pat_k]

3. I recall a study that looked at Repub v. Dem dreams. . .

. . .and attitudes.

If I remember correctly, there was a significant difference in dream content between Republicans and Democrats. Repubs had more violent, frightening dreams -- and believed the world to be a far more dangerous place than one could rationally conclude based on any objective evidence.

Of course it is a chicken egg problem -- does being a fascist create paranoia, or does paranoia lead to fascism?

Either way, such finding provide more evidence of warped minds.

[annabanana]

4. I would love to read that study!

I remember shortly after 9/11 an article where "actual vs perceived threat" issues were discussed. A woman, when asked if she was afraid that Al Qaida might strike near her responded with "Well, there is a really big Wallmart here"

[Ksec]

5. There are sites out there that show how most PERVS are GOPers

I dont think it takes much effort to pop one of these up. Its amazing how many repug politicians have been nailed on child molestation.

[pat_k]

10. ROTFL!!

I poked around but haven't come across the study... may give it another shot if I can stop laughing!

[Cassandra]

9. Interesting that during his transition to the right...

John Stossel did a series of reports comparing the fears that people had about things that were statistically unlikely versus actual dangers that exist in every day life. And now he's happy to be with the scare-them-first crowd.

[shance]

6. The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises

"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness."


--John Kenneth Galbraith

[StClone]

7. Selfish and in need of defining self

If you have all the money and power (and paranoia) only taboos are left to thrill. Killing, torturing and sexual deviance are then the ticket. Destroying things (Earth) and forcing others to your whims are fun too I guess.

[lovuian]

8. They are mafia bosses thats so true...

but its not a great life... your paranoia sets in real quick...