October 20, 2006--Fanaticism XLXX--Father Mercieca

The Republicans came into power six years ago by, among other things, articulating an ideology in which they called on people to take RESPONSIBILITY for their choices and actions, claiming that, as opposed to the out-of-control Democrats, they would. They pointed to Clinton, Satan In Chief, who exemplified the problem when he said “It depends on what your definition of ‘is’ is.”

The insurgent Republicans called for greater accountability in politics, domestic and foreign affairs, and especially, of course, within family life. It was at the heart of their “values” revolution. And it worked. They gained control of all three branches of government—the White House, Congress, and yes the Supreme Court too.

So now that they are in political peril what are they doing? Why, what every responsible person does when in trouble—they are shirking RESPONSIBILITY and blaming others for their problems. Actually, they are most frequently pointing fingers at each other. Thus, in addition to making a mess of things at home and abroad, they are compounding the consequences of their cowardess by opening themselves up to obvious charges of cravenness and hypocrisy.

Here’s what some of the rats are saying about each other, right from the front page of today’s NY Times (article attached):

David Frum, Bush’s former speech writer, is blaming Republican senators’ support for the president’s guest-worker immigration program for angering the “grass-roots talk-radio crowd.” He adds that there is a battle underway between the stay-the-coursers and the tax-cut addicts—one side says, “Hey, your tax cuts wrecked our war”; and the other is firing back saying, “Hey, your war wrecked our tax cuts.”

Dick Armey, remember him, has also gotten into this internecine fight. He is showering criticism on James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family. The disgraced former House majority leader is whimpering that “Congressional Republicans have blatantly pandered to his gang of thugs,” thugs Armey is labeling “real nasty bullies.” He should know from bullies!

And, anticipating that they may lose control of one or both Houses (can you imagine what the Democrats will do if they thus acquire subpoena power?), Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, is offering this consolation--“It will make you feel better to say, ‘I didn’t lose the election; Foley lost if for me,’” cynically adding, “Your wife and kids will believe it.”

Yeah, just as they will believe you when you tell them you were “working late “ and weren’t standing out in the rain hallowing at the moon in front of the pages’ dorm.

Speaking of former Congressman Foley, when from rehab he seemed to be blaming his problems on having been abused by his priest when he was just a boy, many thought that was yet another example of Republicans running from taking RESPONSIBILITY. Well, it turns out that he was telling the truth! Just yesterday, from the tiny Mediterranean island of Gozo (no, not Gonzo) dear-old Father Mercieca, now 69, actually stood up and took RESPONSIBILITY! (Times article also linked below.)

He spoke wistfully about how he and the young-Foley lounged together naked in the sauna; and though he didn’t do any “raping” or “penetrating, he did give little Markie a massage. Adding that his ward seemed to want it and they both had a good time.

At last, here is someone willing to stand up, sorry about that, someone willing to take it like a man, whoops, and say, “Yes, I’m RESPONSIBLE.”
He’s my kind of Republican