The American Mind

Sean, that a highly simplistic reduction of Sullivan’s argument. You can score a cheap point or you can discuss and rebut his argument in an intellectual manner.

Although you may not agree with him, Sullivan is a bright man and his arguments are provocative.

Sullivan invented the “Christianist” slur to bach the President and his supporters.

No.

As much as your religion tries to sweep it under the rug, there are a large portion of you who believe that this is a fundamentally Christian nation, that Christians are in a superior position to run and administrate it, and that people of other faiths (or no faith) are, at best, second-class citizens unfit to lead.

That’s what Mitt is talking about when he says we “need a person of faith to run the country.” That’s why the idea of Keith Ellison swearing in on his Koran, instead of your Bible, drove so many of you wingnuts insane with rage.

Sullivan takes a lot of crap for his stand, but it’s obvious that he’s right, and that you and your ilk are desperate to draw attention away from the man behind the curtain. With Falwell not even buried yet it’s ridiculous for you to try to pretend like people like him didn’t even exist.

Not only that, moron - that’s not even Andrew Sullivan. That’s a reader’s email.

Nice reading, jackass.

Andy, I’ve read Sullivan’s argument. He carefully omits two important traits of fascism as it actually existed. It was openly contemptuous of democracy. It was (usually) contemptuous of Christianity. Present-day conservatives in America share neither trait. Calling them fascists is so inaccurate it’s silly. It’s just as silly as calling Islamic militants “Islamofascists.” I don’t like conservatives at all, not one bit. But they are Americans and IMHO America has to heal the polarization Bush has created. Calling people names that don’t fit is counterproductive.

Sullivan has a fine mind, but he’s becoming insanely intellectually lazy over the past several years.

Certainly there are people who think that Christianity should become a sort of state religion, but they are a distinct minority among Christians. A lot of them aren’t even “right-wingers” (whatever that means these days).

BTW, Joyner took Sullivan apart rather nicely over this:

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2007/05/sullivan_conservatives_are_fascists/

And here are seven reasons to read my beloved Atlantic: Mark Steyn; Sandra Tsing Loh; Barbara Wallraff.

Certainly there are people who think that Christianity should become a sort of state religion, but they are a distinct minority among Christians.

That may be, but that minority is incredibly well-organized, driven, and highly influential. If you haven’t seen Jesus Camp, the incredible documentary about evangelical Christianity, yet, i highly recommend it.

(And no, the movie doesn’t have a right- or left-leaning bias at all; it’s a straight-down-the-middle portrayal of the people in the movie that simply shows them as they are. In fact, i’m sure a lot of Christians think Jesus Camp is a great movie, and they’d be right to think so.)

Certainly there are people who think that Christianity should become a sort of state religion, but they are a distinct minority among Christians.

Yeah, but the problem is “normal” Christians aren’t doing anything to stop them.

Where was the Christian outrage when Romney said that we needed “a person of faith” to lead the country? There was none, because that wasn’t something they found outrageous. Because they don’t see the Christianist agenda as a harmful one.

Sam Harris has written a great wake-up call to you people. It’s time for you to clean your own houses - the Christianists you provide cover to are harming this country.

BTW, Joyner took Sullivan apart rather nicely over this:

I’m sorry, but I can’t take Joyner seriously when he says “Aside from political appointees, who have always been chosen on partisan basis, government employees are hired without regard to partisan loyalties.” WTF? Has Joyner never opened a newspaper, or what? Rewarding partisan loyalty is the MO of the Bush administration. What the hell does he think Gonzo-Gate is all about?

Before he “takes Sullivan apart” he needs to be right on the facts. He’s clearly not.

Why should regular christians be outraged because romney said we need a person of faith to run the country, Chet?

Would atheists be outraged if some politician said we need an atheist to run this country? Would it be evidence of a harmful atheist agenda?

Why should regular christians be outraged because romney said we need a person of faith to run the country, Chet?

You’ve read the first amendment, right?

Why should regular christians be outraged because romney said we need a person of faith to run the country, Chet?

Because the Constitution clearly says that there can be no religious test for office?

Of course, why would I have expected any of you to be familiar with the US constitution?

Let’s pick this absurd accusation apart:

>>>”…an intensely nationalist movement.. ”

Yes, well, I suppose a lefty’s notion that George, Alexander, James, John, and the like were just a bunch of fascist thugs fits well with their “One World” utopian dream(nightmare).

(and isn’t One World just a larger version of a Nation?)

>>>”…intent on defining membership in the ‘nation’ on linguistic, …”

For SHAME! We want to clearly understand each other! We want to make ourselves efficient by not having to print official documents in 1356 different languages and dialects! For SHAME!

>>>”… religious, …”

This suggested while Hillary panders to black folk and gives us her nails-on-blackboard southern gospel imitation.

>>>”….and (increasingly) ethnic/racial criteria, ”

Unless, of course, you happen to be an “Uncle Tom”.

>>>”…accompanied by an unquestioning loyalty to (male) authority, …”

To think we wasted all that love on Thacher.

And, hey! All you conservatives! Shut up already about Bush spending like a drunken sailor and offering amnesty! We need to fit Sullivans’ mold and be unqestioning!

>>>”Loyalty to the Party or Movement and its ideology is of great importance. ”

heh. Can you say “Global Warming”?

And who knew that Cub Scouts were fascists? Damn pinewood derbys were a ruse!

>>>”Violence is the preferred means of accomplishing goals.”

Yes, when a smack down of real fascism and imperialism is needed, violence is often the only means. You know… kill or be killed, that sort of thing.

Of course, our violence is a mite different that that of WTO and cartoon protesters or ALF terrorists.

>>>Diplomacy, compromise, negotiation, are all identified with (feminine) weakness.

This is news?

>>>”The rule of law is also despised,”

Riiiiight. Like illegal alliens and their supporters, an alderman with multiple names and SSNs, a congressman with $100,000 stuffed in his freezer, an ex-National Security Adviser with stolen classified documents stuffed in his pants, or law documents “lost” for a convienient amount of time.

Gee, I’m a fascist cuz I think Jimmy Carter is an ass and should shut up. Hmmm….

a congressman with $100,000 stuffed in his freezer,

It’s not illegal to have money in your freezer. If he’d really done something illegal, don’t you think there’s be indictments by now?

as usual, MjM, your analysis leaves much to be desired - like the facts.

“Gee, I’m a fascist cuz I think Jimmy Carter is an ass and should shut up. Hmmm….”

What on earth are you talking about?