Conservaphobia
Phil Dillon
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Until recently I didn’t think Conservaphobia was a real phenomenon. But, after reading a Friday Gazette guest editorial, I’m flummoxed. Now I don’t know whether to repent or go into hiding.
I’m a conservative. For the sake of political correctness and personal safety I should be saying that in hushed tones, but I just can’t help myself. I’ve been a conservative since the days of Jimmy Carter and I intend to be planted in the ground someday as a conservative.
Far be it from me to critique the work of experts. They apparently know more about a guy like me than I know about myself. If some academic expert, with impeccable credentials, says that I’m a mass of “fear, intolerance of ambiguity, need for certainty or structure in life, or overreaction to threats” who am I to criticize?
Some experts think that being conservative is dangerous. In one paragraph we’re just garden variety conservatives. In the next we’ve become “right wing authoritarians,” or RWA’s. They’ve even developed RWA scales so they can pigeon hole us.
I can hardly wait for the op-ed about RWA leaders. I’m guessing they’re going to exhume Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. The psycho-babble will be fascinating.
It might be time to make Emporia a model for more sweeping solutions to its conservative problem. We could start with pilot programs. We could allocate space in one of our empty storefronts for a twelve step program to help desperate conservatives shake the oppressive shackles of their political philosophy. I might attend, more than likely under compulsion. I can see myself sheepishly breaking the ice: “Hi, I’m Phil and I’m a conservative.” I can almost hear the gasps from the other miscreants assembled as they respond in unison, “Hi, Phil.”
Twelve step programs might be a bit too gentle to solve the problem. If they fail, as many will (we conservatives are a highly resistant lot), escalation would be in order. We could have latter day Robspierres roaming the streets to ferret out offenders. All of Emporia would be a conservative free zone¸ protected by Committees for Public Safety. Anyone caught skulking around with a copy of “God and Man at Yale” or C.S. Lewis’s “The Abolition of Man” would be dragged, kicking and screaming, to an interrogation room. There, skilled interrogators with names like Lakshmi, Sonari, or Kai, would ask the important questions in gentle, new age tones. “Have you had any conservative thoughts recently?” “What do you know about the work of Edmund Burke?” “Have you ever subscribed to the political philosophy of Ronald Reagan?” “Are there any other conservatives lurking around in your neighborhood?” The interrogations would always end with this reminder — “Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death.” (see “1984,” Book 1, Chapter 2)
The interrogations won’t be enough to cause the hard core conservatives to recant. In those cases, lobotomies would become the preferred option. The Committee for Public Safety could hire Nurse Ratched to oversee the operation.
When all is said and done I think that a lot of detractors possess some of the same personality traits they accuse conservatives of holding exclusively. I’ve met more than a few Progressives in my lifetime who “consider themselves more upstanding and moral than others.” I’ve even met some who “hold numerous hypocrisies and double standards.” But I’m not ready to declare that there’s a malady called Progressive Personality Disorder. If they want to be better than everyone else, I say let ‘em.
If the truth be known, most conservatives believe in a “transcendent order” and have an abiding “affection for the proliferating variety and mystery of human existence, as opposed to the narrowing uniformity, egalitarianism, and utilitarian aims of most radical systems.” (“The Conservative Mind, From Burke to Eliot” – p. 8).
I could go on, but I think I’ve made my point. I’ll close with a couple of gentle reminders, one from the poetry of Robert Burns and one paraphrasing Holy Writ.
In his “To a Louse,” Burns wrote about noticing a woman of high estate sitting in front of him in church. He saw that she had all the trappings of class and distinction. She was dressed to the nines. What she couldn’t see was what Burns could — a louse crawling across her hat. The poem ends with the following observation:
“And would some Power the small gift give us
To see ourselves as others see us!
It would from many a blunder free us,
And foolish notion:
What airs in dress and gait would leave us,
And even devotion!”
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded his listeners they would do well to remove the logs in their own eyes before they tried to remove the specks in their brothers’. It was good advice 2,000 years ago. It’s good advice today.
Malique (anonymous) says...
Conservatives are the party of fear. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Jedi Master Yoda said, "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."
Good advice then and good advice today.
October 26, 2011 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Conservatives are the party of fear, and who was it that told congress that if they didn't give the banksters nearly a trillion dollars there would be blood in the streets. And Obama is a puppet of Wall Street and although the banksters have been fined millions, no one has gone to jail for ruining the lives and pensions of hard working Americans..
October 26, 2011 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
As a conservative, I was very disappointed that nothing in this article said anything about our country moving towards Socialism, Corportatism and fascism. The article was cute but, I did not feel any emotion or passion. It was very cute, but we need more than cute journalism to save the Republic. What we need are strong feelings for liberty and Constitutional governmen We need to identify the real from the phony when we see it. Ron Paul is the one man who understands honest money and constitutional government, and resists the global agenda for world government.
October 26, 2011 at 6:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Actually reddog, TARP was initiated by Bush, who subscribed to Reagan's theories, Obama did request the second half, so to correct you Obama just competed what the first puppet started.
All this talk about conservatives makes me chuckle, most politicians I see that label themselves as conservatives end up spending as bad or worse then the liberals. Whats worse?
October 26, 2011 at 7:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
YOU have a point there and please review this link.
http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/tra...
October 26, 2011 at 7:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
PETER SCHIFF testimoney before congress.
http://lybio.net/peter-schiff-full-te...
October 26, 2011 at 8 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLmD9T...
October 26, 2011 at 8:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
PETER Schiff part 2, notice he does not use notes, this guy knows what he is talking about and does not need a telapromter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbQGp...
October 26, 2011 at 8:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Look over today's 5 minute forcast.
http://5minforecast.agorafinancial.co...
October 26, 2011 at 8:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
We mere mortal, Kansas bumpkins are fortunate to have Phil Dillon here to enlighten us on the ways of the world...
October 26, 2011 at 8:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Let the light shine. Max Keiser looks at the scandel behind the news. Why somebody is Obama not sending these crooks to jail unless he is in on the fix. Is he doing something rash?
http://rt.com/programs/keiser-report/...
October 26, 2011 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Henry what party does biden belong to? Didnt he say there would be more rapes and murders if the omans bill wasnt passed? man you are still full it no matter what name you use!
October 26, 2011 at 9:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
GET YOUR SPIRITUAL HOUSE IN ORDER. When I told Henry I was praying for him, I believe he came to the Lord. My friend listen to these interviews with Lindsey Williams.
http://www.realistnews.net/Thread-sgt...
October 27, 2011 at 1:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Party of fear my rear ,fear, its the left toughy feelies at OWS who are talking about GUILLOTINE use,dont remember any violence at any tea party event. You can bet your bippy if the ovens do get fired up it will be the party of violence lighting em up.
October 27, 2011 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
sail,
Put the cuff on and check your BP.
Relax.
October 27, 2011 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Phil, are you just reviewing your reading list here? Talk about logs.
Lighten up, folks. Just sit back and take a little break with this. I wonder if the believers in this video were conservatives or what? Weren't conservatives responsible for the thing being up there to begin with? Is the little car owned by a liberal? It ain't no big SUV. Take a look.
http://wimp.com/nasasatellite/
October 27, 2011 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Denise_Dorcey,
This bumpkin enjoys Phil's articles, as well as yours.
As a matter of fact, most all of the posters on these threads, along with the contributors to the Gazette make me think, just a little more. Maybe we can learn something new from others?
Well, maybe not reddogs links, but then we taught him how to copy and paste, so that's our fault.
I know at times I have disagreed with a poster and reacted negatively, too many times in fact. Maybe I should have taken classes in debating?
That said, keep them coming, Phil, Denise,
Meth, create, sail, goodoleboy, tourguide, Grover, and all the rest of you. Even you Malique, I sure enjoy how you can stir the pot.
October 27, 2011 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create, now that was a hoot !
October 27, 2011 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I forgot and left out Richie. Our young ex-Emporian living out west in the big city.
I enjoy hearing his views, even though we rarely agree.
I think his views may be indicative of many younger professionals who are taking over the mantel of leadership and business in our country.
October 27, 2011 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Create
I'm digging away at my right eye as I type.
I don't think it would have been a conservative responsible for the satellite. We're against progress and space travel.
October 27, 2011 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Ronald "Star Wars" Reagan is tumbling in his grave at that one, netloafer. LOL
October 27, 2011 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Create:
Hopefully the Gipper will come up RIGHT side up in the end.
Go figure. And worse yet, the arch villain of modern conservatism hated the thought of nuclear conflagration. And wasn't it progressives like Bobby Mcnamara who gave us mutually assured destruction?
October 27, 2011 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
K.B., says, " As a conservative, I was very disappointed that nothing in this article said anything about our country moving towards Socialism, Corportatism and fascism. "
Where have you been living for the last 20 to 40 years K.B. ? In case you haven't noticed, let me enlighten you ... the U.S. moved into a Corporate State in the late 60" s and early 70" s and has been been run and controlled by " Corporatism " since then and " Corporate, Corporatism " has only strengthened its hold on each and every aspect of the lives of the peoples of the U.S. . And this does not mean Corporations in the U.S., but also Foreign Corporations as well .
And the greed of corporatism, is what brings about the other two " evils " that you mentioned Socialism and Fascism .
Here is a question for you to contemplate.
In the current political climate in the U.S., what with the Republicans, Democrates and Tea Party all vieing for " Power/Control of the U.S. and its peoples way of life, do you believe that the political parties I mentioned are all nothing more than a Fascist effort at controlling the entire U.S. and do you believe that the long entrenched Corporatism in the U.S. is the " Culprit " that is and has been the sole instigator of our nations problems ?
Just something to stimulate the thought processes.
JMO
October 27, 2011 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
netloafer,
Don't get me wrong, the gipper was not a bad president, but he is not the messiah most modern conservatives make him out to be, in fact, by todays standards he is probably as liberal or more so than Obama in a lot of areas.
Sail,
Google up Tea Party violence, PLENTY of examples. Bad apples on both sides.
October 27, 2011 at 5:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
Steve,
I'm glad you take in all the various comments made by folks and filter those as you see fit. That is how society should work; with a cornucopia of ideas.
I hope my comments are always taken as my opinion only. I do not profess what I say is the "say all, end all" to use a cliche. It's just my thoughts and if you added 50 cents to those ideas you still couldn't buy a cup of coffee in Emporia.
I am bothered by other comments made here with the attitude of being FACT just because that person quotes another who spouts rhetoric they agree with. That doesn't make it FACT. It also doesn't make that person at a higher intellectual level than the rest of us mortal, bumpkins from Kansas...
Again, just my opinion...
Denise Dorcey, Emporia, USA
October 27, 2011 at 7:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Denise,
I am glad you brought up the price of a cup of coffee. We were talking about that earlier at the bar. A group of older guys sit in their coffee club at a local cafe for a couple of hours drinking coffee and then complain about the $1.00 they are charged for it.
Have any of them ever bought a pound of coffee at the grocery store lately? Not to mention , how many of them have a wife that would ask them if they need a re-fill every 15 minutes? ;>)
October 27, 2011 at 8:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
Yeah, wives can be pains that way, trying to be nice to their hubbies... :- )
October 27, 2011 at 9:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
No matter what side of the plate that you bat--the whole system is corrupt.
http://geraldcelente-blog.blogspot.com/
October 28, 2011 at 12:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Ronald Reagan said,"there is not a left or right only a up or down and this might surprise some of you--he was a member of the CFR, the organization that promotes world government.
http://www.dailypaul.com/1429/ronald-...
October 28, 2011 at 12:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
VOTE NO ON COUNTY SALES TAX !
October 28, 2011 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Why?
October 28, 2011 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I'm so glad you brought up the price of coffee and those mayors of Emporia who drink coffee for two hours every morning. I see them often because I like to go there for breakfast. How dare they complain about the price of a cup of coffee. Have they ever thought about the number of refills they drink each morning? I'm guessing they're paying closer to 25 cents a cup. It would be different if they ate breakfast, but most of 'em don't. What a bunch of pikers!
The price of a cup of coffee in Chicago is $2.50 and you get ONE refill, maybe.
October 28, 2011 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
NO on county sales tax because DELINQUENT property tax accounts need to be brought up to date first. Many of those delinquencies belong to real estate companies who just play the time game. ENOUGH!
October 28, 2011 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Vote YES to ban K. B. (reddog) and his spam posts !
October 28, 2011 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
CREATE,
I think we are talking about two different coffee groups. I have never heard those old timers downtown complain about the cost of coffee.
I am thinking that those delinquent taxes cannot be collected until they are 3 years in arrears, according to state law. I could be mistaken on that.
If you go back to the counties budget discussions in the Gazette you will notice that no REAL, HARD CUTS were considered.
October 28, 2011 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Malique (anonymous) says...
methusla,
Why haven't you signed the petition?
http://www.emporiagazette.com/discuss...
October 28, 2011 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
We seem to have three county commissioners who are more worried about maintaining the status quo than they are protecting the taxpayers.
Before the election, I assumed the two men had some common sense, and knew she didn't.
Have been disappointed with all three.
If this keeps up Steve Sauder will renew his calls for a 5 member commission and county manager.
October 28, 2011 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
WOW, I need to go to work and get to the bank to make sure there is enough money in the account to cover the sales tax check to the state.
Don't want to bounce that one and end up on the delinquent list.
October 28, 2011 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Why sign something, when you know it will do no good !!!
October 28, 2011 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I got you on the state law re: property taxes, Steve. Still, these guys are playing the time game. Every year they pay ONE year so they stay ahead of the game. What a crock. The state needs to change that law.
October 28, 2011 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
"It's not Capitalism that has failed," says Peter Schiff. "Its socialism,it's crony capitalism, it's fascism.
http://www.bullsource.com/peter-schif...
October 28, 2011 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Peter Schiff: Michael Moore is a Hypocrite.
http://www.bullsource.com/peter-schif...
October 28, 2011 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )