The conservative mind has become diseased

[workinclasszero]

The conservative mind has become diseased
By Michael Gerson Opinion writer May 25 at 7:32 PM

To many observers on the left, the initial embrace of Seth Rich conspiracy theories by conservative media figures was merely a confirmation of the right’s deformed soul. But for those of us who remember that Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity were once relatively mainstream Reaganites, their extended vacation in the fever swamps is even more disturbing. If once you knew better, the indictment is deeper.

The cruel exploitation of the memory of Rich, a Democratic National Committee staffer who was shot dead last summer, was horrifying and clarifying. The Hannity right, without evidence, accused Rich rather than the Russians of leaking damaging DNC emails. In doing so, it has proved its willingness to credit anything — no matter how obviously deceptive or toxic — to defend President Trump and harm his opponents. Even if it means becoming a megaphone for Russian influence.

The basic, human questions are simple. How could conservative media figures not have felt — felt in their hearts and bones — the God-awful ickiness of it? How did the genes of generosity and simple humanity get turned off? Is this insensibility the risk of prolonged exposure to our radioactive political culture? If so, all of us should stand back a moment and tend to the health of our revulsion.

The conservative mind, in some very visible cases, has become diseased. The movement has been seized by a kind of discrediting madness, in which conspiracy delusions figure prominently. Institutions and individuals that once served an important ideological role, providing a balance to media bias, are discrediting themselves in crucial ways. With the blessings of a president, they have abandoned the normal constraints of reason and compassion. They have allowed political polarization to reach their hearts, and harden them. They have allowed polarization to dominate their minds, and empty them.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-conservative-mind-has-become-diseased/2017/05/25/523f0964-4159-11e7-9869-bac8b446820a_story.html

[forjusticethunders]

1. "The conservative mind has [always been] diseased"

ftfy.

[workinclasszero]

2. True

But they aren't even trying to hide their inner Nazi anymore. Their congressman physically assault the news media and the deplorables exult in the violence.

They conspire with a foreign dictator to subvert our elections then invent a conspiracy theory to give cover to Trump dragging a poor guys family through the mud 24/7 like the heartless beasts they really are.

These fuckers are pure nazi evil. If they are not stopped this country is going down in flames.

Soon.

[GoCubsGo]

5. Yes. This.

And, it's not really anything new. They're no different than Henry Ford supporting the Nazis, or Prescott Bush doing business with Hitler, or strikebreakers beating up union workers. Same as it ever was.

[FSogol]

7. Agreed. The modern conservative is just an excuse to justify selfiness and greed. n/t

[SharonAnn]

3. This AM, Joe Scarborough said, repeatedly, "My party is going to Hell!

It was during a long, righteous rant.

[yardwork]

6. He would know. He helped lead them there.

[Cicada]

4. Gerson one of few rational Republicans

He wrote "axis of evil" but that was his edit of the previous "axis of hatred" wording. This column of his is stunningly great.