Religion & Law

I could -- but am not going to -- post a bunch of links and clips to web sites (Kos, HuffPost, Andrew Sullivan, etc.), TV shows (Rachel M., Keith O.), news stories, etc., to the effect that partisans on the left are, like partisans on the right, engaging in "misplaced populism, uncritical sloganeering, hostility toward questions directed at factual predicates, and ugly hostility toward those who come to different judgments about policy vehicles".  I say "not going to" not to be obnoxious or stubborn, but because, again, I'm pretty sure that this is not the kind of dispute -- i.e., the dispute about whether the "left" or the "right" is more nasty, close-minded, whatever -- that can be resolved in a way that reflects anything other than the putative resolver's point of view.  This is not to say that there is no "truth of the matter", but only that Eduardo and I -- notwithstanding our respect and affection for each other -- are not likely to agree about it.  (Come to think about it, a lot of debates about who's oppressing whom in Catholic contexts are like this, too.  Some perceive overwhelming "conservative" pressures and dominance, others perceive stifling "liberal" ones.  The disagreement, in my experience, is hard to adjudicate.)

That said, I don't think, as Eduardo suggests, that he and I are watching different campaigns.  I make a point, actually, of making sure (Cass Sunstein will be pleased!) to read and watch a wide range of sources, to avoid the cascade / bubble problem. 

I saw the show, actually, where Gergen handwringingly said what Eduardo quotes him as saying, and - I have to admit -- groaned and rolled my eyes.  It struck me as little more than a transparent (and troubling) effort to try to marginalize Sen. Obama's critics and discredit (what strike me as) reasonable concerns about his views, past, plans, and associations.