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February 10, 2006

Throwaway lines that show the love of the Tolerant Left™

Getting to the last of Jeff Goldstein's analysis of the attempt by some to compare the NSA intelligence gathering program with the Federal response to Katrina, Jeff links to one of his critics. The "critic" sneers at Goldstein as a "failed academic" because he no longer has a teaching job.

Was Goldstein fired? Let go for tippling in class? Groping the coeds? Did he appear in the University President's office drunk wearing nothing but pair of boxers printed with "Kiss it right HERE, Big Boy" on 'em?

Naw. Upon the birth of their son, Jeff and his wife made the decision Satchel needed a parent at home. And Jeff is that parent.

When the Left talks about how they are there when it comes to supporting Choice, one finds that it depends on what that choice is.

And being either a stay-at-home mom or dad is Just.Not.Done. How gauche, how trite, how middle-class, how traditional.

The Left doesn't really know what to make of children for children's own sake, so their attitude towards full-time parents runs from incredulity to hostility.

I recall the slings and arrows I have endured during flareups in the Mommy Wars, so this offhand remark caught my attention. A SAHP is not a failed anything. They are realists that understand that children are not pets and parenting is work.

Posted by Darleen at February 10, 2006 06:18 AM

Comments

Consider me one member of The Left who finds this a low blow. You're completely right. A stay at home parent isn't a failed anything.

Posted by: Lauren at February 10, 2006 02:55 PM

To paraphrase Jeff G, thank you Lauren.

Darleen: Personally I'd thought that the tipping point for Jeff's employers was that incident with the armadillo and the nude Lief Garrett photos. BECAUSE OF THE HYPOCRISY!

Anyway here's hoping the "critic" you mentioned has received his last links for awhile.

Posted by: David Ross at February 10, 2006 05:21 PM

I bet parenting is hard work.

Which is why I have no kids.

And I thankya JAYsus.

Posted by: Carl W. Goss at February 10, 2006 05:52 PM

Yes well Carl with that attitude, and for the sake of any kids you might have had, lets hope it stays that way..... Fortunately for you, your parents didn't see you as an inconvienience, but when you get right down to it the fewer lefties that reproduce the better. I sometimes wonder on election day when they count up the votes, if you rue all those babies murdered "by choice" that could have grown up to be good Komrad Marxists. As they say, every refuge has its price. Sometimes it takes awhile for the downside to make its appearence in life.

Posted by: Big Bang Hunter at February 11, 2006 02:20 AM

Well, BBH sure is a charmer.

Posted by: Lauren at February 11, 2006 09:34 AM

- Yes Lauren. I'm a real bad actor with anyone who attacks the basic family unit for any reason. Doesn't really matter what their politics are. When you see polls showing that unwed births and fatherless families have risen from 23% to 78% in Black American communities since 1970, and you watch certain "groups" working hard to deminish the role of parenthood even more, you don't have to look very far to see whats causing some of these problems......

Posted by: Big Bang Hunter at February 11, 2006 10:00 AM

I wasn't attacking anyone's family Big.

Posted by: Carl W. Goss at February 11, 2006 11:33 AM

- Didn't say you were Carl - Just agreeing that parenthood doesn't sound like it would be one of your strong points....

Posted by: Big Bang Hunter at February 11, 2006 11:59 AM

I'm a real bad actor with anyone who attacks the basic family unit for any reason.

Me too. Which is why I take issue with this comment.

Doesn't really matter what their politics are. When you see polls showing that unwed births and fatherless families have risen from 23% to 78% in Black American communities since 1970, and you watch certain "groups" working hard to deminish the role of parenthood even more

You diminish the work that families do, families that may not fit your "basic" unit above but are no less family, to ensure the well-being of their children. You insult me, and if my memory serves me correct, insult your webmistress and her family as well. All parents need help and respect, not just the married ones.

That said, I'm still appalled with the apparent ease it took for The Editors to attack Jeff in this way. One of the reasons I quit blogging is that I was so tired of the low blows and the broad brushes -- and tired of getting caught up in it myself. For shame.

Posted by: Lauren at February 11, 2006 12:06 PM

- The worst of the myopia of people that have bought into the "If it isn't based on marraige in the classical sense, then conservatives hate it" is that you undermine your own position as being deeply interested in everyones long time welfare.

- Debasing the "marraige contract and vows" in the classic Judeo/Christian sens,e gains the Liberals nothing and actually hurts their cause. The tent of tolerance gets bigger when ALL families are accepted, not when christian, and other faiths as well, are attacked and destroyed.

- Maybe you saw it as neccessary because a minority of "fundies", loud voiced and obnoxious, opposed progressive views. What you and a lot of agenda driven groups seem to miss is most people don't share those extreme views. I certainly do not, having raised my youngest child on my own at a time when I could have been enjoying my golden years in other fun pursuits. On the other hand I wouldn't have had it any other way. A little tip. Take the time to learn something about the other person(s) before reving up your engines lady. Assumptions are almost never very accurate unless you're Cleo......

Posted by: Big Bang Hunter at February 11, 2006 02:14 PM

"The tent of tolerance," he says as he bashes liberals.

I'm on your side, man.

Posted by: Lauren at February 11, 2006 02:21 PM

- Not really bashing anyone Lauren. Just don't happen to belong to the "you have to tear others down to make gains yourself" school of thought....

Posted by: Big Bang Hunter at February 11, 2006 02:24 PM

Ironic you say that -- while basjing liberals -- on a thread about needlessly tearing others down.

Sorry, Darleen. I'll quit now.

Posted by: Lauren at February 11, 2006 02:52 PM

Right after I correct my frickety-frackin' typo.

basHing

Posted by: Lauren at February 11, 2006 02:53 PM

I'll bite my lip in this instance, though I'd probably have a right after enduring the past 6 years of "BusHing" as a conservative... *smirkle*

Posted by: Big Bang Hunter at February 11, 2006 03:16 PM

- Come to think of it, lets stop this unproficious snipping..... Gimme' a lip lock you hot Lib you...... *chuckle*

Posted by: Big Bang Hunter at February 11, 2006 03:22 PM

BBH

Peace, buddy! I understand that families and parenting are a hot button for you, but as Lauren has said, she is on your/our side in this. While she and I may not see eye-to-eye on other political issues, you'll not find a more staunch supporter of doing what is in the best interest of children then in Lauren. I have a lot of respect for her (and Mieke, too, another liberal that is very pro-family), especially in this regard.

Lauren, I'm only sad you have stopped blogging. I'm glad you're around to comment and hope the 'writing monkey' might get to you someday and you'll resume.

Posted by: Darleen at February 12, 2006 09:45 AM

OT - From the desk of the “Friendly advice man”

- Try to stay away from hunting trips with the VP....

Posted by: Big Bang Hunter at February 12, 2006 12:52 PM