The Cult of No Criticism

[kurth]

The Cult of No Criticism
Kathleen Reardon
Fri Jan 13, 10:56 AM ET

Judge Alito had a cakewalk this week and I suspect he knows that... I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would think that Judge Alito suffered in any way other than fatigue over the last few days. If it hadn't been for Senator Kennedy and a few other challengers, the process would have seemed a rubber stamp. Why do we want a judge on the Supreme Court for life who can't answer difficult questions, considering he will spend the rest of his days asking them of others? Do we really want to give a simple pass to a judge who can't remember why he included an item on a 1985 job application he prepared while seeking a federal position that was likely to be crucial to his career? Would a businessperson being questioned by his board of directors on a similar lapse of memory be given such a bye? Ask Donald Trump.

Of course questions should be asked -- and they should be tough ones. Judge Alito's entire career revolves around questioning. If he can't deal with them competently and persuasively, he shouldn't be on the Supreme Court.

A cult of no criticism is emerging in Washington, evidenced once again at the Alito hearings. It's like an invisible bubble contrived to protect the White House and most Republicans from challenges. I'm to some extent reminded of my father's view of the presidency -- "Respect the office if not the man." But I have no recollection of hearing "And don't ever question or you'll be rightly demeaned and denounced for aiding the country's enemies."

If the American people and a free press demure from questions and are suckered by baseless claims of incivility, democracy will be undermined and the path for extensive power abuses will surely be paved...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20060113/cm_huffpost/013737;_ylt=A86.I24Z2MdDhGEBRw39wxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA--

[sui generis]

1. Unfortunately the cult of no criticism ONLY applies to republicans

The worst possible thing you can suggest to someone with authoritarian personality disorder is that you are capable of observing and thinking for yourself, that "authority" isn't always right.

[justabob]

2. I don't know about that

criticism is sometimes a problem on this very board, as is hero worship which is evidenced by thousands of 'who should we run' threads.

[sui generis]

3. I was being sarcastic

sorry I've been stunned into near catatonia by a big lunch -

You are dead on though - even so, questioning authority goes against some fundamental component of our psyche. That's why this administration likes to claim that we shouldn't question der Führer or his minions, "just because".

[JAbuchan08]

4. I'd rather be have a sharp tongue than a dull wit