Sunshine and Light

Ave Maria - Crunchy Con Central?

Hmm, this story dovetails nicely with a book I just finished reading called "Crunchy Cons". And it sort of ticks me off with the ACLU. Again. Why CAN'T like minded people live in community and say "we will not allow pornography, strippers, condoms, or abortions in our community?" Presumably you're not going to move in without knowing this. So why not? Get your porn across the border for heaven's sake. Hit the Planned Parenthood in South Dade for your abortion. I think the ACLU has lost sight of the real things in life.

As for the book, Crunchy Cons by Rod Dreher, I liked it overall, but it's definitely a flawed treatise. First of all, it refers to "conservatives" when I think what's really in question are "Republicans". Not necessarily the same thing. Secondly, I think most of what he's trying to encourage are ultimately personal decisions, not policy decisions. You choose whether to buy organic/free-range food, live religious lives, homeschool your kids, fix up old rather than buy shiny new, etc. Those aren't things that can be legislated. Nor can everyone afford them. But I think what he's hoping for from a policy standpoint is an open-ness to supporting people who do adopt that way of life. Better environmental laws, more understanding guidelines of homeschooling, reasonable support of the old vs the new. A very interesting read, even if you're not crunchy or conservative, and if nothing else, a reminder that the stereotypes of Dems and Republicans aren't always true.

Update: Two blogs who have expressed my feelings on Ave Maria but done a much better job can be found here and here

posted by MyHusbandRules @ 12:20 PM