Comments on: The Right and the Left are Both Wrong http://www.byron-harvey.com/2005/07/the-right-and-the-left-are-both-wrong/ refusing to drink the kool-aid for anyone Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Byron http://www.byron-harvey.com/2005/07/the-right-and-the-left-are-both-wrong/comment-page-1/#comment-1519 Byron Thu, 07 Jul 2005 15:41:03 +0000 http://www.byron-harvey.com/2005/07/05/the-right-and-the-left-are-both-wrong/#comment-1519 Well, yes and no. Of course we need a constructionist, but if it is political TERMS that are being used---and political thinking that is being employed---then we need a "conservative". My point is that there is a problem with the politicization of the process, that it should not BE about politics---though you're right, in the current climate, it IS. I believe, though, that when we allow it to be "about politics", then we simply get into shouting matches and power games. If, on the other hand, we elevate principle above politics, consistently saying to folks, "the liberals (yes, I realize that's a "political" term) are mangling the whole idea of our democratic republic in their politicization of the judiciary", then we assist the process (which would certainly be aided BY having constructionists on the court!) of returning America to some semblance of the nation that it was intended to be. If, on the other hand, we settle for political power ploys, then even though we are right on the end point, we've employed an invalid means, and have abrogated principle, making it that much harder to employ principle to the next issue we face. It IS about politics, but it cannot BE---and that is the point that we need to make. Well, yes and no. Of course we need a constructionist, but if it is political TERMS that are being used—and political thinking that is being employed—then we need a “conservative”. My point is that there is a problem with the politicization of the process, that it should not BE about politics—though you’re right, in the current climate, it IS. I believe, though, that when we allow it to be “about politics”, then we simply get into shouting matches and power games.

If, on the other hand, we elevate principle above politics, consistently saying to folks, “the liberals (yes, I realize that’s a “political” term) are mangling the whole idea of our democratic republic in their politicization of the judiciary”, then we assist the process (which would certainly be aided BY having constructionists on the court!) of returning America to some semblance of the nation that it was intended to be. If, on the other hand, we settle for political power ploys, then even though we are right on the end point, we’ve employed an invalid means, and have abrogated principle, making it that much harder to employ principle to the next issue we face.

It IS about politics, but it cannot BE—and that is the point that we need to make.

]]> By: jpe http://www.byron-harvey.com/2005/07/the-right-and-the-left-are-both-wrong/comment-page-1/#comment-1517 jpe Thu, 07 Jul 2005 15:29:46 +0000 http://www.byron-harvey.com/2005/07/05/the-right-and-the-left-are-both-wrong/#comment-1517 But it is about politics, which is precisely why you want a constructionist. But it is about politics, which is precisely why you want a constructionist.

]]> By: Hefe http://www.byron-harvey.com/2005/07/the-right-and-the-left-are-both-wrong/comment-page-1/#comment-1457 Hefe Tue, 05 Jul 2005 15:52:29 +0000 http://www.byron-harvey.com/2005/07/05/the-right-and-the-left-are-both-wrong/#comment-1457 Well said, sir. Well said. Well said, sir. Well said.

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