What's Going On? By PAUL KRUGMAN.

[heidler1]

What's Going On?
By PAUL KRUGMAN

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/29/opinion/29krugman.html?th&emc=th

Published: March 29, 2005

Democratic societies have a hard time dealing with extremists in their midst. The desire to show respect for other people's beliefs all too easily turns into denial: nobody wants to talk about the threat posed by those whose beliefs include contempt for democracy itself.

snip

But it's also true of the United States, where dangerous extremists belong to the majority religion and the majority ethnic group, and wield great political influence.

Before he saw the polls, Tom DeLay declared that "one thing that God has brought to us is Terri Schiavo, to help elevate the visibility of what is going on in America." Now he and his party, shocked by the public's negative reaction to their meddling, want to move on. But we shouldn't let them. The Schiavo case is, indeed, a chance to highlight what's going on in America.

One thing that's going on is a climate of fear for those who try to enforce laws that religious extremists oppose. Randall Terry, a spokesman for Terri Schiavo's parents, hasn't killed anyone, but one of his former close associates in the anti-abortion movement is serving time for murdering a doctor. George Greer, the judge in the Schiavo case, needs armed bodyguards.

Snip



Everyone knows about the attempt to circumvent the courts through "Terri's law." But there has been little national exposure for a Miami Herald report that Jeb Bush sent state law enforcement agents to seize Terri Schiavo from the hospice - a plan called off when local police said they would enforce the judge's order that she remain there.

And the future seems all too likely to bring more intimidation in the name of God and more political intervention that undermines the rule of law.

The religious right is already having a big impact on education: 31 percent of teachers surveyed by the National Science Teachers Association feel pressured to present creationism-related material in the classroom.

But medical care is the cutting edge of extremism.

Snip

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Non Christians sensing this as a threat in many ways is very likely at the heart of why the Christians are being attacked the way they are here in DU. Truly the guilt by association factor comes into play. The none extremest Christian are inclined to defend their Religion, but the threat is real and it is a now problem.
HH

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. the rise of a new tyranny, the kind of tyranny our founders

rebeled against. So what are WE waiting? I mean an engraved invitation?

[aneerkoinos]

4. old tyranny

that the founders lacked wisdom to counter:

capitalistic, individualistic greed.

I mean, go to the core; as long as the "sin" of founding fathers is so obvious, you gonna get social movements opposing it - in this case opposing by becoming it through parish totalitarianism, because of the lack of ways of expression of real social truths in US system, which is totalitarian faux individualistic consumerist society.

Individual and society are consepts that have validity only against each other. Thus the only meaningfull question is of practical balance. Religious dogma of individualism is how you people are being fooled by. (I just bought my most individiualistic pair of jeans by this new most wonderfully individualistic marketing company).

So, let's get real, let's get socialist, let's get spiritual, let's fucking evolve!!!

[JohnnyRingo]

2. The last paragraph strikes a chord

"America isn't yet a place where liberal politicians, and even conservatives who aren't sufficiently hard-line, fear assassination. But unless moderates take a stand against the growing power of domestic extremists, it can happen here. "
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Personally I don't fear or hold contempt for the piously faithful, but I too fear the day that all government decision
and diplomacy is held to various biblical interpretation.

The fear of nuclear confrontation with the "Evil Empire" of the 60s has driven us toward a form of governance more resembling Kremlin politics.

I now see a fear of Islamic extremists pushing our country into a Taliban-like rule.

[GOPFighter]

3. Unfortunately, we're at war...

...with these fanatics and I will fight them with everything I've got. That means I will be criticizing them in my posts on DU. This seems to offend many Christians here, even though my ire is directed only at those Christians who assert that God's will (as they interpret it) must take precedent over any national program or law.

To those Christians on DU who believe Jesus taught love and compassion and who believe in the separation of church and state, you are not included in my rants. Please don't automatically take of fence.

[aneerkoinos]

5. War?

Then better get your guiding system checked.

Truth is, fervent, fundie believers are in many ways superior (more powerfull) than those that deny that whole aspect.

The Holy Truth, I'm sorry to tell you, is to abandon your ire and love your enemies to death. I can't explain it, so maybe it's magick, but really, truly, looooove is the most formidable weapon.


Really, hate makes Cheney and Bush stronger. Real love (not the admiration by fundies that they call love) is a killer for the sinners in power. This sounds a mystery to you, but there's nothing mysterious about it. Hates breed hate, love kills hate(full), both are destructive.

If you really wan't to beat Bush, Love him, with all your heart, with all your compassion. Do not judge.

But it's a precarious path. The one that chooses love as weapon, may get changed in the process so that love becomes universal compassion instead of a targeted weapon, so nothing is guaranteed. Sorry. Safest just to send positive vibes to Bush and Cheney, and not to get too deep about anything.

[REP]

6. Excellent Piece

I, to, fear becoming so 'tolerant' we lose all common sense. I have no problem with people going into their closets to pray to god or a purple popsicle, and I would march in the streets to defend their right to do so, no matter how little I shared their devotions. Allowing religious beliefs of any stripe, however, to play part in public policy is horrifying.