Vox Blogoli: Jonathan Rauch

Here's the passage:"“On balance it is probably healthier if religious conservatives are inside the political system than if they operate as insurgents and provocateurs on the outside. Better they should write anti-abortion planks into the Republican platform than bomb abortion clinics. The same is true of the left. The clashes over civil rights and Vietnam turned into street warfare partly because activists were locked out of their own party establishments and had to fight, literally, to be heard. When Michael Moore receives a hero’s welcome at the Democratic National Convention, we moderates grumble; but if the parties engage fierce activists while marginalizing tame centrists, that is probably better for the social peace than the other way around.”

First thoughts: Anytime someone says "we moderates" I cringe. It reminds me of the saying that a liberal is a person who thinks their position is already a compromise with you. Second, I am confused by "religious conservatives." Does he mean conservatives who go to church at all? Conservatives who are consistent church goers? Those who use their religiousness as part of their politics? Does he mean just Christian conservatives or would religious Hindu conservatives count here too? Frankly, I'd be surprised if Rauch had put any thought into it. To a certain segment of the liberal population, we are all just one big amorphous group: religious conservatives. So, with that in mind, it is not surprising that he would tar the whole group with the "clinic bomber" brush. Where's the nuance when you need it?

Finally, I second what jim geraghty says about letting bad ideas die. Besides, what is the old expression about bad apples and spoiling the bunch? I mean, if Rauch can't discern even now between murderers who read the Bible and Christians passionate about outlawing abortion, imagine how broad his brush will be once the true crazies are "welcomed into the tent."