With all the lies that emanate from the Bush administration, and from their loyal right-wing media cohorts, instances of flagrant hypocrisy from the right can often go unnoticed.
Conservatives are doubtlessly comforted with the knowledge that many Americans aren't paying close attention to either their dishonesty or double standards.
Before concentrating on the hypocrisy, I have to address a fresh lie from President Bush. Back in June, subsequent to the Sept. 11 commission's report that no compelling evidence exists to support belief in a collaborative relationship between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida, Bush asserted, "This administration never said that the 9/11 attacks were orchestrated between Saddam and al-Qaida."
What a whopper. The Bush administration repeatedly implied such a relationship, and the disinformation specialists at Fox News actively encouraged that conclusion. We, in turn, were assumed to lap it up without asking questions.
More damning, however, are instances of Bush specifically tying Iraq to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. For example, in a March 18, 2003 letter to Congressional leaders, Bush outlined his justification for invading Iraq. Bush reasoned that war with Iraq was consistent with acting against, "those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided 2001's Sept. 11 terrorist attacks."
In Bush's defense, he probably never read his letter to Congress.
Let's move from the fertile arena of Bush's deceitfulness to some juicy hypocrisy. Excluding Catholic priests allegedly raping children, there is no better place to explore hypocrisy than with religious conservatives and the "sanctity of marriage." Conservative Republicans love to wrap themselves in everything related to their own limited definition of family values.
Obviously, homosexuals are an "abomination" in their worldview - ergo, religious conservatives feel compelled to protect the proud institution of marriage from depraved gay naughtiness.
Considering their position, conservatives must have an exemplary record of committed marital bliss - divorce must be utterly unthinkable. The precious sanctity must be protected.
Well, not so much. Conservatives frequently abandon their "sacred vows." Newt Gingrich, Bob Dole, Ronald Reagan, Phil Gramm, Rudolph Giuliani, and conservative columnist George Will are just a few high profile examples.
Interestingly, research has shown that born-again Christians are more likely to divorce than are non-Christians, and atheists and agnostics are among the least likely to divorce. Man, what a slap in the face. Bested by godless heathens in a morality contest.
Conservative-values Republican Jack Ryan, divorced from television star Jeri Ryan, had to abandon his race for the U.S. Senate recently. Ryan's divorce records became public, including allegations by his ex-wife that he took her to sex clubs, "and asked her to engage in sexual activities in front of other patrons." Ryan could launch a new conservative paradigm: Gay marriages, no - public sex, yes.
Rush Limbaugh, conservative blowhard and OxyContin enthusiast, just filed for his third divorce. It's hard to imagine gay marriages causing more "damage to the institution" than have transitory vows like Limbaugh's. (Isn't it odd that a rich white man hooked on OxyContin has a "treatable condition," whereas an impoverished black man addicted to crack is a "criminal").
In reality, of course, a long lasting marriage doesn't demonstrate ethical ascendancy, and divorce is not a sign of immorality or weakness. However, it is amusing to point out the hypocrisy of conservatives who talk a big game on marriage and values, but regularly fail to deliver.
Next, we have an especially funny example of double standards. It seems some Catholic bishops have declared that John Kerry should be denied communion because he is pro-choice, a violation of church teachings.
Can we then assume that any politician who publicly endorses a policy in conflict with church teachings will be correspondingly rebuked?
Actually, no, we can't.
Pro-capital-punishment Catholic politicians, typically Republican, haven't been similarly targeted for their stance, which is also contrary to church teachings.
My advice to anyone denied Communion due to conflict of opinion: forego the narrow-minded constrictions placed on you and create your own form of the sacrament to circumvent the hypocrisy of the denial with a box of Triscuits and a nice bottle of Merlot. That way you can participate in the symbolic practice, retain your beliefs and have a tastier snack.
Many conservative commentators have been critical of billionaire George Soros, and his funding of liberal groups.
Focusing on Soros' progressive views on drug policy, right- wing commentators have mocked him as "a madman," "left-wing crank" and a "wacky billionaire." In reality, Soros is a philanthropist who has worked to improve education, media, public health and human rights around the world.
Not surprisingly, the right-wing media hasn't similarly attacked the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, an ex-convict, multibillionaire cult leader, and sugar daddy to numerous conservative political organizations. Moon, who also bankrolls the money hemorrhaging conservative rag The Washington Times, was dubbed "the king of peace" during a coronation ceremony in a Senate office building.
According to Salon.com, after the coronation, "Moon told his bipartisan audience of Washington power players he would save everyone on Earth as he had saved the souls of (Adolf) Hitler and (Josef) Stalin. In a vision, Moon said the reformed Hitler and Stalin vouched for him, calling him 'none other than humanity's Savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent.'"
Right, and George Soros is the dangerous nut.
Although there are abundant additional examples of blatant conservative hypocrisy, I'll finish with a favorite from Dick Cheney. During the 2000 campaign, Cheney promised to "change the tone in Washington, to restore a spirit of civility and respect and cooperation."
Cheney, perhaps unnerved by the growing evidence of incompetence, malfeasance and misplaced arrogance within the Bush administration, recently "changed the tone" with Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy on the Senate floor. Suggesting to a U.S. Senator to "go f--- yourself," is, evidently, Cheney's contribution to the new tone of debate in Washington.
Classy.
John Bice is an MSU staff member. He can be reached at bice@msu.edu.
