progressive cyberdadaism from our nation’s capital
Via Ezra Klein comes this fascinating interview with Michael Gerson, former speech writer for W. What makes this so interesting is that Gerson clearly sees there is a basic conflict between fundamental tenets of Christianity and movement conservatism:
Immigration is a good example. I understand the need for any nation to control its borders. But I do think that people of faith bring a little different perspective to this issue. There’s a positive requirement to welcome the stranger and to care for people even if they’re not citizens. Human dignity is universal and doesn’t depend on what papers you hold.
I would add to this the view that we are not just citizens of the city we live in, we are citizens of the world. Welcoming those of other countries is part of being a good citizen of the world.
What’s remarkable is that Gerson values human dignity, particularly in the context of those of other countries, yet wrote the speeches that Bush used to tie 9.11 to the preemptive invasion of Iraq, and thus unnecessary death, destruction, and violence. That, by the way, is not being a good citizen of the world.
This exchange, too, is priceless:
You’re starting to sound like Jim Wallis!
No, because I also don’t think the answers can be found in the Religious Left. I don’t think we can minimize some of the traditional issues. I don’t believe it’s possible to be concerned about social justice without being concerned about the weakest members of the human family. I also think that America can play an active and positive role in the world and that we’re not at fault for everything.
This to my ears is a Gersonesque rendering of Those abortion-on-demand liberals always blame America first.
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hip·po·pot·a·mus n. A notion, perhaps distinct from conventional wisdom, that needs to be verified by reality-based scrutiny.
95. Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum (I think that I think, therefore I think that I am.)
— Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary
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