Andrew Sullivan's worst nightmare
Sullivan posts a response to an email that is very revealing. A respondent is discussing Sullivan's notions on Kerry mentioning Cheney's daughter. Sullivan only "quibbles" with marginal details.
However, Sullivan goes on to say: "I live in a world where homosexuality is a non-issue. But many others - especially Republican parents - still do. And their worst nightmare, sadly, is a gay child."
It defies common sense for us to believe "homosexuality is a non-issue" for Sullivan. Like most males, he is consumed by his sexuality. During the past year, Sullivan's blog has been dedicated to the promotion of same-sex marriage. He has shed countless tears in this battle.
Sullivan has become a single issue consumer in the polling place. His protestations notwithstanding, for he tells us he is a "libertarian hawk." Sullivan tells us his politics blend "fiscal conservatism, cultural liberalism and foreign policy hawkishness." Sullivan is telling us he's a tigh-fisted, libertine, who believes that Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) with one's enemies.
A fine blend indeed, until one must make choices, whether to pay so one's friends may play or to punish one's unruly neighbors. Choices are as inconvenient as facts.
Unfortunately for "eagles" like Sullivan, Herbert Spencer told us what "liberalism" became at the end of the 19th Century. And in the last century, Liberalism has evolved to a point where many so-called Liberals object to being "labeled" as such, as Kerry reminded us during the presidential debates, or as Sullivan has reminded us by trifurcating himself.
In the essay "The New Toryism," Spencer scolded Liberals:
Unfortunately, Sullivan's eagles nest is built on a tripod with uneven legs, so he's forced to rock about to keep from losing his balance in his war of choices.
However, Sullivan goes on to say: "I live in a world where homosexuality is a non-issue. But many others - especially Republican parents - still do. And their worst nightmare, sadly, is a gay child."
It defies common sense for us to believe "homosexuality is a non-issue" for Sullivan. Like most males, he is consumed by his sexuality. During the past year, Sullivan's blog has been dedicated to the promotion of same-sex marriage. He has shed countless tears in this battle.
Sullivan has become a single issue consumer in the polling place. His protestations notwithstanding, for he tells us he is a "libertarian hawk." Sullivan tells us his politics blend "fiscal conservatism, cultural liberalism and foreign policy hawkishness." Sullivan is telling us he's a tigh-fisted, libertine, who believes that Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) with one's enemies.
A fine blend indeed, until one must make choices, whether to pay so one's friends may play or to punish one's unruly neighbors. Choices are as inconvenient as facts.
Unfortunately for "eagles" like Sullivan, Herbert Spencer told us what "liberalism" became at the end of the 19th Century. And in the last century, Liberalism has evolved to a point where many so-called Liberals object to being "labeled" as such, as Kerry reminded us during the presidential debates, or as Sullivan has reminded us by trifurcating himself.
In the essay "The New Toryism," Spencer scolded Liberals:
Are we to believe that "cultural liberalism" is only domestically so? Would Sullivan argue the "culturally" accepted practice of female genital mutilation is acceptable to his laissez-faire, cultural creed? Like other Eagles, my guess is Sullivan would choose to end that practice if he could, regardless of where it is practiced, and regardless of how fervently the practitioners believed in its merits."They have lost sight of the truth that in past times Liberalism habitually stood for individual freedom versus State-coercion ... Liberalism has to an increasing extent adopted the policy of dictating the actions of citizens, and by consequence, diminishing the range throughout which their actions remain free."
Unfortunately, Sullivan's eagles nest is built on a tripod with uneven legs, so he's forced to rock about to keep from losing his balance in his war of choices.
posted by Tony Harrison at 6:22 AM
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