jfb: (Default)
jfb ([personal profile] jfb) wrote2004-09-02 11:44 pm

8/31, California

Two talk radio moments:

During the Democratic National Convention, The Daily Show had a gag where a senior correspondent accused the Democrats of a lack of "diversity" because there wasn't a single Republican in attendance. Today I heard a talk radio caller make nearly the same point (it wasn't Republicans but "conservatives" who were shamefully underrepresented), but seriously.

Searching for the gas station in Boron, California (home, I surmise, of Borax), I heard the host of a religious program argue in passing that Christians are required by scripture to vote: Romans 13 instructs the faithful to "be subject to the governing authorities" (thank you, Gideons!), and since voting is what our government asks of us, that is what we must do.

This turned out to be surprisingly controversial, most memorably to a caller who doesn't feel compelled to be subject to the American government because the American government is the Antichrist. The host's response was essentially: That may well be, but the scripture doesn't provide an exception for Antichrists.


[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.hexlet.com/]

Vote for the Antichrist!

[identity profile] artname.livejournal.com 2004-09-03 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
That would make a fine bumpersticker. Not, alas, as good as this, which I suppose I could display on my dog ..

[identity profile] localcharacter.livejournal.com 2004-09-03 01:10 pm (UTC)(link)
I am always amazed at where these people suddenly decide to try to apply logic. Seems to me it would produce better results starting from the top level, but no!

[identity profile] jfb.livejournal.com 2004-09-03 01:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Me, I'm not so much amazed as fascinated by the process. You know, once you've set up the rules of the game (e.g., "The Bible is literal truth"), how do you play it? I love and respect the people who play the game thoughtfully and honestly, even when I think their premises and their conclusions are crazy.

[identity profile] jfb.livejournal.com 2004-09-03 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
... all of which makes me want to go read Wittgenstein.

[identity profile] greyaenigma.livejournal.com 2004-09-03 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
That's lovely. That seems to be a perfect analogy for so many of the people that I've heard that recognize Bush has huge problems, but dammit, he's the president and we have to obey the president. Nevermind that people spat on Clinton when he was president and that Bush wasn't properly elected.

Outrage overload, slumping against wall, eyes glassy with political horror now.