Compassionate Conservatives on Parade

I stopped by Rep. John Conyer's ("our hero") blog this morning and found that he has been pondering the barrage of insensitive comments and "let them eat cake" attitude among far too many GOP movers and shakers. His summary:

What is also alarming about this tragedy is how Republican leaders can't help but be insensitive to those who are suffering. It was reported today that House Majority Leader Tom Delay compared the situation of evacuees in Reliant Stadium to summer camp, asking the children, "is this kind of fun?" Were this an isolated incident, it may be easier to overlook, but Louisiana Representative Richard Baker exclaimed, "we finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans... We couldn't do it, but God did," House Speaker Hastert suggested that New Orleans ought not be rebuilt, and Senate Republican Conference Chairman Rick Santorum suggested those who couldn't evacuate themselves should be fined. I am deeply saddened when people who have lost everything hear these disparaging comments from Republican Leadership in Washington. Those who are suffering and grieving deserve so much more.

The Rovians have settled on a message and, in their traditional fashion, are sticking to it and providing a united front. The only way to deflect blame for the Katrina debacle from Dear MisLeader™ is to:

• Blame the local and state level Democrats
• Claim ignorance of the warning signs
• Blame the victims of the hurricane themselves

If you read this back in the eighties, you'd assume that I was either quoting from a new sequel to Animal Farm or that I'd lost my mind. But in today's neocon think tanks, this is what passes for strategy. The frightening part is how often it's actually worked.

Looking at the latest AP/IPSOS polling numbers, however, the Uncle Karl has gone to the well one too many times with this plan and America simply isn't willing to put on their blinders and drink the koolaid any more. Seeing American opinion finally come around and sensing an awakening of some of our more sleepy citizens, I'm put in mind of a series of sonnets by Wordsworth. Though he was writing of the end of a rather corrupt era under Charles the First, the words seem particularly pertinent today.

He only judges right who weighs, compares,
And in the sternest sentence which his voice
Pronounces, ne'er abandons Charity.

From false assumption rose, and, fondly hailed
By superstition, spread the Papal power;
Yet do not deem the Autocracy prevailed
Thus only, even in error's darkest hour.

Say it, William. His analogy between the government and the papacy is definitely reminiscent of the spreading theocracy in this country. It's funny how something more than 115 years old can ring through to the present day. "Error's darkest hour"? Indeed.