Shawn,
I have a tendency to react to criticism of Dobson the way an
African-American of a certain age might react to somebody going
after Malcolm X. For those of us who grew up in the age of low
rent televangelism, Dobson was a revelation (no pun intended). He
was extremely articulate, compassionate, and yes, righteously
indignant.
Instead of being yet another preacher, he was a superbly
well-educated man who gave up a very nice academic existence to
risk his career on this grass-roots radio ministry idea centered
around traditional values and the Gospel. It took a long time for
him to become a punching bag of the left because he addressed
politics only peripherally during most of his public life.
Since about 1997, he has been far more active. He is extremely
impatient with abortion, appalled by the idea of same sex marriage,
and I'm sorry to say, too easily taken in by the wrong side of the
Roy Moore controversy. Nevertheless, I and many others like me
will always be grateful to him for having done it all so much
better than his predecessors in the movement. You simply aren't
going to see Dobson claiming to turn the path of hurricanes or
having a television moment where he blames God's wrath on gays and
abortionists. He's not that kind of guy.
You also will never see him on the wrong side of an integrity
issue. No mishandled funds. No girl (or boy) problems. No
mansions and Rolls Royces. He's a pretty pure flame whether you
agree with him or not.
Certain Republicans resent him because they want to treat
Christian conservative voters pretty much the same way the
Democrats treat African-Americans. He won't let that happen and I
think he's right. I'm personally in love with free-market
economics, but it's simply not the priority issue for people who
are trying to figure it all out in the light of Christ.
Having said all the above, I understand your feelings, Shawn.
Dobson pushes hard and isn't easily satisfied. This
conservative-libertarian movement is tough to hold together. It's
very fortunate for our side that the Democrats are so tightly
wedded to socialism and big, international schemes of governance.
It's what keeps us together.
topics:
Television, Economics, Abortion, Africa, Socialism
