“I’m tired of all these ****ing RINOS!” (If you can define them)

Really well-done essay. Thought-provoking.

I agree with a lot of it, and that there aren't absolutely clear distinctions in some areas. Of course, the GOP does have official party planks, which you don't mention, though many of the issues you mention are party planks: 2nd Amendment, pro-life, etc.

To me there are a couple of litmus test issues, because they have larger ramifications than just the issue itself, and the main one is 2nd Amendment.

It's not simply a question of whether or not I can own my guns, but goes more deeply into an indication of whether or not the candidate has a true and clear understanding of the meaning of the Constitution.

If they don't support the 2nd Amendment, they very clearly do not support the original intent of the Constitution, and therefore they are not qualified to hold office. My view really is just that clear and simple.

There are some issues that are simply beyond compromise.

I think you use the word "feel" way too much.

Conservatives are naturally independent, therefore difficult to keep together as a group.

Imagining democrats laughing is difficult.

When you discuss the "big tent" aspect, notice you are advocating changing to attract others, instead of educating others to be attractive to you.

2nd Amendment: Congress shall make no law......criminals don't "stockpile" knifes, cars, fists.....to do their dirty work either.

I understand yer explanation of RINO, after six years of President Bush I have found that I have mistakingly called myself a Republican.

Can you explain your qualms about invitro-fertilization to me? I always thought it was a good option for couples unable to conceive on their own.

The trouble with in-vitro is as follows:

Generally speaking, In-vitro is for infertile couples. What they do is they get the man's sperm and multiple eggs from the woman's uterus. They fertilize five or six of them and hope that two or three "stick."

Afterwards, however, the woman says she only wants one baby, which means they do a "selective reduction," a fancy way of saying "abort all except one (or however many she wants)."

In short, in-vitro fertilization goes outside the natural processes of making children. The only function it serves is to provide children which have the genetics of both of their parents. It's a pride thing.

Now, at first brush this sounds harsh, but remember there are loads of newborn children that are just waiting to be adopted. Those children are glossed over in favor of in-vitro. In-vitro is an essential part of the "designer baby" model along with "selective reduction."

In-vitro promotes selfishness and the idea that only a "perfect" child should be born. Abortions are a standard part of the in-vitro process. It requires people to decide who should live and die. Finally, it creates an entitlement mentality. The idea that people DESERVE to have their own children DISPITE the hand dealt to them. I do feel badly for people who have the misfortune of being infertile, but it doesn't mean as a society we should be playing god and turning a child into a status symbol.

If a woman only wants one child, why would she go through the convoluted in-vitro process, knowing that in all liklihood she'll need a selective reduction? Why not adopt? The answer is that she won't feel its her child because it doesn't have her genes. At that point, raising a child is probably not a good idea for her. The child isn't being created out of love or a serious want to experience motherhood or raising a child to maturity, he or she is being created for the sole purpose of having a child.

In-vitro is also the method of choice for homosexual couples, for obvious reasons. I'm not even a fan of gay adoption, but in-vitro for gay couples? That's just compounding a problem. It isn't just condemning a child to a life without a mother and father, it is doing so purposely.

The end result of in-vitro is turning a child into a product, a status symbol. That is my problem with it.

Sorry if I was long winded, but it's a difficult topic and a touchy subject for many.

I've never heard it described like that. Thanks for informing me.

It's time for my shameless plug for my new essay, this week entitled "GOP Enablers".

Guess what it's all about! LOL.

If you're still around, time for my usual shameless plug, again.

I just posted my long-awaited new essay at the Island. Come on down.....!

Hi Brian,

I've seen your posts at HA. Have you tried going to patterico.com? It seems to be a much better place for dialog, with much less sophomoric behavior.
Good thoughts about the whole Rino thing. Sometimes it seems the denizens of Hotair are voting for the first time and only understand history if it was in the last ten years.

The truth is most conservatives can’t vote for Rudy because he is for abortion and gay marriage. And they don’t want someone who calls themselves Christian, but believes all kinds of strange things (take a guess). Nor do they want someone blaming America for all the troubles in the world either (if you guessed Ron Paul you’re right). Every time Thompson speaks America feels like taking a nap (yawn). And McCain is a career politician who doesn’t care what YOU want!

Bottom line: The best candidate for the Republican nomination is Huckabee.

There's one slight problem though: The Republican elites are attacking Huck. It is a well-coordinated effort to completely eliminate him. They are ruining the GOP mainstream chance of getting a President who will deal with their needs and not only Wall Streets and the Insiders. Thing is, their "talking points" propaganda warfare used against a fellow conservative who could very well be more of a conservative than they are provides a good look at their true colors.

Folks, it’s time to take AMERICA BACK!

A Whole New Race - Switch to Huckabee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3BMNKqzYHc

Huckabee - Cinderella Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILPcnn9Sf94

JOIN WITH US!

It's been a long time since your blog's been active, so at this point I'm removing it from mt Blog Roll.

If you start posting here again, let me know, and I'll put it back up.

Doing some housecleaning.