HumidCity

Nancy Gibbs at Time Magazine brings us a very cheering piece about that Homegrown American Nuisance ™ — The Evangelical Minister.

It seems that the vast array of self important power mongers have basically shot themselves in the foot by showing their lack of actual clout during the dogfight for the GOP nomination. My favorite part is this:

Those who claim to be in public life to promote and defend certain values can least afford to look craven. We may expect that from the every-man-for-himself plutocrats; but the virtuecrats are supposed to believe in something. So when Robertson et al ignored the conspicuous apostasies of Rudy and, in his earlier more liberal life, Romney, in order to jump on the bandwagon, they exposed a much less lofty agenda: they just liked their seat at the table, they didn’t want to lose, and they didn’t seem to realize that by signing on with a frontrunner, they were following, not leading; demonstrating weakness, not strength.

What this plot twist has really exposed is that the shepherds have no sheep. You get the sense that rank and file evangelicals are just as sick of their own “leaders” as they are of the political arena in general. This actually represents a return to normal: evangelicals have historically been suspicious of getting too deeply involved in worldly matters, preferring a focus on individual salvation. So their willingness to vote their hearts with Huck and leave the rest to the Lord is perfectly normal behavior.

This looks like a small hint of sanity returning to the political arena (not that its ever had much to begin with). I certainly hope Ms. Gibbs’ analysis is dead on the money.

-Loki

As DC gets a little water many here in NOLA have made snarky comments on the subject. Only natural considering the fact that DC was the city that abandoned us in our time of need. Now I realize that seems harsh, unsympathetic and downright mean, but the point missed is that the vitriol is aimed at the seat of (ineffectual) government, NOT the population of DC itself. ScottyNOLA on LJ makes some very good comments on this (read the whole post on his journal and definetly read the commments!):

Queer and Loathing in America - Here Comes the Rain Again

I want to make one thing perfectly clear about my amusement at the flooding of DC:

My snide remarks were directed at every single member of Congress, or of the current administration, or whatever yahoo from wherever, who has made some similar remark about the rebuilding of New Orleans, and most especially that snotrag Orrin Hatch.

I have nothing but the utmost sympathy for those who are losing their homes, possessions, and in some cases, their lives. Having been through the same thing, and knowing what they are facing–I feel very sorry for them. FEMA and the insurance companies–better to suffer the plagues of Egypt.

I do wonder, though, why no evangelical (paying attention, Pat Robertson?) has not called attention to the idea that perhaps God is punishing Washington for its sins against the American people?

That’s right, Katrina was divine punishment for the sins of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast; this is merely “God moves in mysterious ways.” Gotcha.

Thanks to ScottyNOLA