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Friday, September 12, 2008
ICYMI: The Golden Rule makes Southerners think twice about torture
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A survey commissioned by Mercer University, shows that Southern evangelicals are more likely to approve of torture than the average American.
But it also shows that, if evangelicals are reminded of the Golden Rule, opposition to torture grows substantially.
The survey was released at the opening of the National Summit on Torture on the university campus in Atlanta. Here’s the AJC piece on the topic.
Click here to see a summary of the poll plus graphics. The following is from a press release:
Among the findings of the poll: close to six-in-ten white evangelicals in the South say that torture can be often (20 percent) or sometimes (37 percent) justified in order to gain important information. This compares to roughly half (48 percent) of the general public who believe that torture can be justified, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll (February 2008).
A majority (52 percent) agree with the Golden Rule argument against torture—that the U.S. government should not use methods against our enemies that we would not want used on American soldiers. This movement represents a 14-point increase from the 38 percent of white evangelicals who initially said that torture is rarely or never justified. Appeals to three other moral and theological frames did not significantly influence views on torture.
A majority (53 percent) of white evangelicals in the South believe that the government uses torture as part of the campaign against terrorism, despite repeated claims made by government officials that the U.S. does not engage in torture. Only about one third (32 percent) say that the U.S. does not use torture as a matter of policy.
Among white evangelicals in the South who are registered voters, 65 percent support Republican John McCain, 14 percent support Democrat Barack Obama, and 21 percent remain undecided. These findings are consistent with the recent Time Magazine poll (Aug. 4) that showed 66 percent supporting McCain, 17 percent supporting Obama, and 17 percent undecided among white evangelicals nationwide.
Two thirds of John McCain’s supporters say torture can often or sometimes be justified, compared to only 46 percent of Obama supporters and undecided voters.
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Grover Norquist; ‘Gang of Ten’ plan breaks any anti-tax pledge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson have now run afoul of the anti-tax crowd with their “Gang of Ten” attempt at a bipartisan energy bill.
This is on the CBS web site:
Several Republicans who have tried to break gridlock on the energy debate and signed on to an $84 billion energy package have broken their anti-tax “pledge,” according to a powerful watchdog group.
Americans for Tax Reform, led by anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist, say that Republicans who have signed on to the Senate “Gang of 10” plan _ which has grown to 20 sponsors _ are violating their no tax increase pledges because the legislation would increase taxes on oil companies.
“On net, this ‘compromise’ is a violation of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge because it increases net income taxes” on oil companies, the group said in a statement released this evening.
On the other hand, a Washington Post editorial today gives them kudos for trying:
…the bipartisan “Gang of 20” in the Senate has tried to bridge the differences between Democrats and Republicans to reach a compromise on broad energy legislation. It is sorely needed.
The energy crisis facing the United States and the questions about how to address it without exacerbating global warming require a comprehensive approach that will include expanded offshore drilling, nuclear power and increased reliance on wind, solar, geothermal and other renewable sources of energy. Until Congress can find the political courage to make tough decisions, such legislation will never become a reality.
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So a vice presidential candidate walks into the vet’s office….
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Someone in Washington decided that, after all the somber ceremonies of 9/11, a few laughs were required on Thursday night.
So they held a contest for the funniest politician.
According to the ABC News web site, Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr said this:
“Does anybody know what the difference between a bulldog and a hockey mom is?” the former Georgia congressman asked. “The bulldog gets vetted.”
Badump-bump.
But the winner was former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who declared himself disappointed that he wasn’t picked as the vice presidential nominee.
“John McCain didn’t even vet me,” Huckabee said. “But he didn’t vet Sara Palin either.”
You’ve probably noticed a certain theme here.
