Right-wing demagogue and former Alberta Report publisher Ted Byfield, speaking at a commemoration for the late Joe Borowski (a socialist prairie populist and radical anti-abortion activist during the 70s) to fellow “social conservatives” about the sensitivity of the Harper government to the concerns of religious fundamentalists.
Byfield is now the director of the Society to Explore and Record Christian History (which makes for the clever acronym SEARCH) a non-profit organization registered in Virginia and Alberta with the stated purpose of researching documenting the history of the Christian church.
Notice he doesn’t specify what issues exactly the Conservatives have “compromised” too far on, although we know what they are: the absence of a policy to restrict the personal behaviour of non-social conservatives.
We’ve been dragged too far into discussions of morality to remember frequently enough that this is what social conservatives want; restrictions on the freedom of other people. This isn’t conservatism of any sort and certainly not any that can be tolerated in a liberal democracy. Not in the least.
Anyway, has anyone ever determined what is the genetic abnormality the Byfield clan suffers from? Is it a known pathology, or is it simply the result of inbreeding?
Regarding the latter question it might be better directed to Lance.
As to the specific issues, it doesn’t take much guesswork to figure out what he’s talking about. Although, I have to say that it’s incredibly annoying that these loons always speak in “code”…
And yes, there’s nothing “conservative” about “social conservatives” — it’s a complete misnomer. They’re the absolute worst when it comes to “social engineering” and legislating how other people should behave. A lovely bit of hypocrisy considering this is what they decry about “liberals”…
Although, I have to say that it’s incredibly annoying that these loons always speak in “code”…
To be quite honest, they’re speaking in code when they talk specifically about sexuality (abortion, pre-marital sex, homosexuality). These are the issues that tap into the visceral emotions of these low-IQ primitives of which they are only dimly aware…the conviction that other people should be compelled to behave in ways that suit them.
No one ever imposes much of anything on social conservatives. No one forces them to have abortions, or to engage in sex, or to watch pornography, or to limit how they rear their children beyond a general, minimum standard of good parenting, etc. etc.. and yet that simply isn’t enough. They have to have it all. They may be a minority, but they are in no way beleaguered. In many respects, when it comes to the public sphere, the majority of us have to go to great lengths to accommodate them.
If they’re worried about liberal fascism, they will end up getting just that if they don’t back off. Their recent forays into religiously-sanctioned hate and finding common cause with actual fascists and the resulting consequences should show them just how much liberals are invested in making sure they are not allowed to prevail.
Well said.
No, correct that — beautifully said.
It’s a one-way street with these folks. Nobody is actually imposing anything on them — it’s only because these people view matters exclusively through the Bizarro prism of religious fundamentalism that the secular-progressive, humanistic “liberalization” of society is a threat because it more openly presents temptations they seem to find irresistible (and must therefore eradicate or stifle by virtue of legislative edict). Well, who can blame them? They are, after all, weak creatures, fallen from grace, born in sin, etc. Victimhood is essential to their being.
I went drinking with Ted once although he’s more of a friend of friends. He’s a bit of a dinosaur, eh? I like him though.
10o bucks to anyone who can tell me what fundamentalist sect he belongs to.
Like anyone here would care anyway.
Opus Dei, I think.
If anyone gets it right I’ll say so
Bye!
Thanks for making my morning coffee so much better ; ).
On with life, hope to catch you again when / if you decide to post again.
Ti-guy,,your liberal arrogance is not surprising..yes, social conservatives are forced to do things,,,like a catholic magazine being forced to apologize to gays….wait..didnt you say the people weren’t forced to look at this? (ie have abortions, premaritial sex, etc)…like Mark Steyn/Ezra Levant being brought before HRC…no one was forced to read their magazines, etc…
Oh wait,,thats where I am wrong, and simply dont get it. Liberals know whats best for everyone. So be it that there were crooks within the party..better the devil you know,,right?
As well..Steven Harper will probably produce his hidden agenda with a majority,,right?
Just wanted to say good-bye and hope that you come back soon. I know you have to work and maybe you feel like doing something else with your time—but I think that you do this well.
I hope to see you when you come back, I will definitely subscribe to your RSS feed again.
Thanks. I doubt that I’ll be back as it’s really not worth the bother.
your liberal arrogance is not surprising..yes, social conservatives are forced to do things,,,like a catholic magazine being forced to apologize to gays….wait..didnt you say the people weren’t forced to look at this? (ie have abortions, premaritial sex, etc)…like Mark Steyn/Ezra Levant being brought before HRC…no one was forced to read their magazines, etc…
Re-read my comment, you moron. This is what happens…and will continue to happen…if the social conservatives don’t dial it down.
Don’t like that? Too bad.
You go away for a day or two…
Okay, if everyone else is posting good-byes, I will too.
Anyway, I can understand the need to turn away and deal with real life. You should only do this if it’s fun. I honestly wish you well. You will be missed.
Thanks. Real life is good. And it pays better too!
Too true.
(Lifts a glass.)
Ah well, to the real world.
Blogging is a complete waste of time and effort. Funny/sad/ironic that it took me years to finally accept that realization.
I wouldn’t say a complete waste. Gave some people a laugh on some things and made people think about others. Unfortunately, you can’t put a price on all of this.
Well, you certainly entertained me while I was on bedrest and for these past few months. And that is not a waste to me!
Again, thanks, and I hope you will come back at some point.
Glad to have been of service.
Ted is a member of the American Orthodox Church
“I doubt that I’ll be back as it’s really not worth the bother.”
Please don’t say that, RT. You’re one of the best, your voice is needed!!!
Take a break, then… whatever;)
At $0.0003 per post methinks not so much.
Family first , yourself as well….
Be good .
100 bucks to Gordon. You’re cheque’s in the mail. How did you know?
Actually, the Orthodox Church in America, not quite the same thing.
Sorry RT, I have to agree with the track you’re on.
Blogging can be quite detrimental to one’s lifestyle and outlook on life. Although maybe I’m wrong about exactly why you are quitting.
I had a hobby that I took wayy to seriously for seven years that in the end I had to give up cold turkey because of the way it was affecting me.
Might I suggest practicing mindfulness? It’s a helpful way of gaining perspective on what’s important in one’s life. And when it comes to politics, I’ve found (for myself) it’s not selfish or stupid to be wilfully ignorant for one’s own mental health.
Really, I’m not suggesting anything bad about you. But in the past I was a radical but finally
(happily) gave it up.
Take care. I’ve enjoyed this blog.
Hello,
My name is Neccia Celli I work for Newstex.com. We think your blog might be a good fit for syndication. If you’re interested, please send me a msg. at ncelli@newstex.com.
Thanks,
Neccia
When the Necciafiliacs start soliciting …..
Yes, I’m dead. I get it. Funny… ha, ha.
Wasn’t meant that way at all .
Sincerely , best to you and yours .
Whatever.
Do not become so jaded as to lose your sense of humour …
best regards , tom
No, we certainly wouldn’t want to that.
The inane treatment of Judeo-Christianity as a proxy for Western Civilization should be first to go. Tying the moral foundations of the American Nation with cultural archetypes of prehistoric Biblical Jews, or with those of devout Europeans emulating them is beyond preposterous. The dogmatic authoritarianism inherent in Judeo-Christianity and its ubiquitous tradition of framing Man as a wretched sinful creature fallen from grace since birth, are antithetical to a societal infrastructure built around individual freedom and dignity.
Judeo-Christianity provides no coherent moral justification for why humankind deserves freedom. The Bible presents men and women as fundamentally unequal and incorrigibly flawed, offhandedly condones slavery, and offers absolute monarchy as the sacrosanct form of government prescribed by God.
The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion. —John Adams
Religion and government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together. —James Madison
Our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions, more than on our opinions in physics and geometry….The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. —Thomas Jefferson