When Washington Post Conservative Columnist Kathleen Parker came out against Sarah Palin last month, she was soon crying and whining about receiving 10,000 pieces of hate mail, some threatening from her fellow conservatives. This week she is again succumbing to her pity potty for the same reason, but this time they accuse her of losing the election for McCain.
Columns will survive or not as the market dictates, but the blistering response to a dozen or so fellow turncoats reveals something deeply wrong with the conservative movement, such as it is. Or was.
First, from my own mail a quick sampling for context: “It’s time you made it official and jump on the liberal bandwagon for good,” writes Tammy. “Bow down to your ‘messiah,’ who you helped to crown. And prepare for the ‘left-wing change’ you have brought upon us. I join 57 million loyal American patriots in asking you to please announce your departure from conservatism and Republican Party.”
Then comes this from Bill: “I would like to ask you politely to go away from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Conservative Republicans in Tarrant Co. will no longer read your column. You would save us the expense and headache of a boycott against your column if you would simply keep your column in The Washington Post where it obviously will pass for a conservative opinion piece.” Full Column
Well duh… Reminds me of a very old and very apropos story from the folklore of American Indians.
The Frog and The Scorpion
One day a frog was sitting by the bank of the river enjoying the warm sun and cool breeze. It so happened that a scorpion approached him rather quickly as to inquire about crossing the river.
“Frog”, said the scorpion, “I am in need of passage across the river upon your back. I am prepared to pay you with this mealworm that I have not eaten.”
The frog thought about it for a moment, then replied “Scorpion, I know that if I grant you a ride across the river upon my back, you will poison me on the other side. For that alone I shall say ‘no thanks’.”
“Frog”, again said the scorpion, “Please, I have no wish to harm you, a treasure chest I promise. I just need to go across the river to find more food. There is nothing left on this side for me to eat.”
The frog thought about it again for a moment and then agreed to help the scorpion get across the river. Half way across, the frog felt a rather sharp, stinging sensation in his back. The scorpion had stuck him with his venom.
“SCORPION!”, cried the frog, “You have killed me and you as well. Why have you done this?” “
Because I am a scorpion…and that is my nature.”
As I have been loudly screeching here for 15 years, ITS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST.