Conservative Rhetorical Tricks 101: from Scarborough Country this week, a non-political example,

RABBI SHMULEY BOTEACH: ...I‘ve got to tell you, Pat, the fact that Christians around the country be offended if Mel Gibson‘s “The Passion” doesn‘t win best Oscar is shocking to me. First of all, “The Passion of the Christ” was an abomination for Christianity. It really should win the World Wrestling Federation Oscar for best movie. It‘s a guy for two hours being kicked, beaten, his blood gushing everywhere. It‘s just a diabolical, criminal, violent mess.

(CROSSTALK)

BOTEACH: It really is like Mohammed al-Zarqawi‘s movies on the Internet where a guy gets his head chopped off. It‘s gory. It‘s ugly and it‘s not inspiring.

PAT BUCHANAN: Well, since about tens of millions of Americans saw it, loved it, appreciated it, and honored it, that tells us, Rabbi, I think, what you think of the intelligence and sensitivity of millions of Americans.

It seems like it has become standard form for conservatives to accuse liberals of condescension towards middle america for expressing strongly-worded opinions. How much sense does it make to accuse someone who disagrees with a belief widely held by particular group of animosity towards that group? It really is a terrible argument.


On a related note: the transcript of this particular Scarborough Country - hosted by Pat Buchanan - is morbidly curious and worth reading in full. It contains such delightful gems as,

WILLIAM DONAHUE, PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC LEAGUE: Who really cares what Hollywood thinks? All these hacks come out there. Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. It‘s not a secret, OK? And I‘m not afraid to say it. That‘s why they hate this movie. It‘s about Jesus Christ, and it‘s about truth. It‘s about the messiah.

Hollywood likes anal sex. They like to see the public square without nativity scenes. I like families. I like children. They like abortions. I believe in traditional values and restraint. They believe in libertinism. We have nothing in common. But you know what? The culture war has been ongoing for a long time. Their side has lost.

You have got secular Jews. You have got embittered ex-Catholics, including a lot of ex-Catholic priests who hate the Catholic Church, wacko Protestants in the same group, and these people are in the margins. Frankly, Michael Moore represents a cult movie. Mel Gibson represents the mainstream of America.

Hear that, America? Jews in Hollywood want you to take it up the ass.

The Catholic League, of which this guy is the president of, is a mainstream conservative foundation, with such respectable names as Linda Chavez, Dinesh D'Souza, Robert George, and Kate O'Beirne on its board of advisors.