Monday, May 22, 2006

 

Ahhh, Good Old Liberty University


   A global analysis of “progress” in Iraq.

   How much money have we sunk into that country, now?

   Media Matters refutes the co-host of Nightline very effectively here.

   Mark Salter, McCain’s chief of staff and co-author of some of his books, responded to the student speaker at the New School with a broadside.

   It appears that McCain, like our president, values loyalty over ability in his subordinates. He derided the “comical self importance” of the student and her fellow graduates. Apparently unable to detect irony in his own letter, he then patronizes the college graduates two sentences later: “Should you grow up and ever get down to the hard business of making a living and finding a purpose for your lives beyond self-indulgence some of you might then know a happiness far more sublime than the fleeting pleasure of living in an echo chamber.”

   Good Lord. Some college valedictorian practically puking with nervousness voices a very short criticism of McCain’s positions and she looks “like an idiot,” and is possessed of “comical self importance.”

   I love that “should you ever grow up and get down to the hard business of making a living” part. I don’t suppose you would be surprised to know that Mr. Salter rehashes McCain’s military experience in his giant Ad Verecundiam argument. The only question that remains for me is this: is Salter this unaware of what constitutes an effective rebuttal, or is he posturing for an audience he regards as ignorant of what constitutes a red herring argument?

   Sadly, I tend to think the former, as Salter’s emotional essay was not released to the audience of Fox News but instead to the more well-informed audience of The Huffington Post.

   Is this it? Is this a true sampling of the irrational mind of the most powerful aide to one of the most powerful senators in America?

   God help us.

   McCain’s camp likes to frame its recent friendliness with Falwell as “tolerance.” I tend to think that “tolerance” for rabid bigots gives a bad name to tolerance. I’ve already covered Jerry Falwell in this blog. Take another look if you need reminding of what he believes.

   I applaud what happened at the New School. When republicans who cozy up to known liars and bigots like Falwell have to face down a hostile audience they get nervous. They pay a price for pandering. They pay a price they should pay for pandering. It has an effect far greater than that of a few barbed questions thrown at them from the likes of Chris Matthews.

   As an aside, Salter praised the “tolerance” of the Liberty University crowd in contrast to many New School graduates. I was curious as to what kind of tolerance to expect at a fundy Christian school founded by Jerry Falwell. So I delved into their website a bit. I extracted some juicy tidbits:

Liberty University trains students from all walks of life for many different professions and, most importantly, for serving as Champions for Christ. For this reason, the University has established a standard of dress for the University community, which is conducive to a Christ-like environment.

   Oh my LOL. Sorry, Salter, but I guess lefty radicals like us are intolerant sometimes. Is this a university or a seminary? What do you want to bet that the Biology Department has whole sections of the books ripped out relating to evolution and the origins of life on Earth? Man, I’m still…laughing…must…stop…

   Hair and clothing styles related to counterculture (as determined by the Deans’ Review Committee) are not acceptable.

   I…can’t…stop…laughing…

   Seriously, Salter, where’s the tolerance for diversity at Liberty that you so piously describe? They have a frigging McCarthy Committee to review skirt length, for the love of Jesus!

Dresses and skirts should be no shorter than the top of the knee (sitting or standing). Skirt slits should be modest; open slits should be no higher than the top of the knee, closed slits should be no higher than two inches from the top of the knee. Shoulder straps should be no less than two inches wide. Anything tight, scant, backless, see-through, low in the neckline or revealing the midriff (in any position) is immodest and unacceptable. Slips should be worn under thin material. Earrings and plugs are permitted in ears only. No other facial piercings or plugs are allowed, including tongue.

   Oh—and don’t forget—

NOTE: Shorts are never acceptable in convocation or in classes (regardless of time), with the exception of physical fitness classes.

   What is even more pervasive is Liberty’s reprimand system, where demerits are issued for everything from curfew violation to “hair code violations.” See for yourself.

   Wow. Just wow. So, keeping in mind that 18 demerits in consecutive semesters could mean you getting shown the door, check out the penalties for “improper sign out,” “missing convocation,” and “music code violation.” What the Hell is a music code violation? “Improper sign out?”

   Take a good look at fundy America. Six reprimands for attending a dance, entering the entryway of someone of the opposite sex on campus, and gambling. Twelve reprimands for viewing an “R” rated movie. I am dying here.

   And don’t think that the culture policing stops at the campus’s borders: twelve reprimands for “students of the opposite sex visiting alone at an off-campus residence.”

   Eighteen reprimands for just “association with those consuming alcohol.” Oh my LORD. Same deal for “failure to properly identify oneself” and “entering the bedroom of the opposite sex on/off campus.”

   Jerry really lowers the hammer in the 30 reprimand category for things like “involvement with séances” and “possession or consumption of alcohol,” which, sadly enough, is the same penalty for sexual assault and dealing drugs.

   That’s it for me gang. I’m sure the Liberty School kids were very tolerant of McCain’s speech. I can only imagine what would have happened to them if they weren’t.

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