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The Language of a Cult

One of the more satisfying elements of the controversy over Rush Limbaugh’s role in the GOP and conservative movement has been that David Frum, of all people, has been taken to the woodshed by his fellows for criticizing Limbaugh. Now, I see via Robert Stacy McCain, that Frum has taken to the pages of Newsweek […]

One of the more satisfying elements of the controversy over Rush Limbaugh’s role in the GOP and conservative movement has been that David Frum, of all people, has been taken to the woodshed by his fellows for criticizing Limbaugh. Now, I see via Robert Stacy McCain, that Frum has taken to the pages of Newsweek to plead his case. I give him some credit for figuring out what movement conservatism is becoming:

There’s the perfect culmination of the outlook Rush Limbaugh has taught his fans and followers: we want to transform the party of Lincoln, Eisenhower and Reagan into a party of unanimous dittoheads—and we don’t care how much the party has to shrink to do it. That’s not the language of politics. It’s the language of a cult. (emphasis added)

Movement conservatism has become a cult—and it’s a problem more pervasive than this recent tussle over Limbaugh—that has nothing of value say to anyone outside of the bubble.

UPDATE: Rod Dreher has an email encounter with a cultist:

Howdy – you Obama lovin jackass!! Only a good liberal journalism prick like you could write that piece of [delteted] & think you are advancing the good old USA. I had to sit next to the “bearded elitists” in journalism school at the University of Minn. Corduroy jackets – pipes of course – and an “I’m smarter than you” chip on their shoulder that made you want to kick their [deleted] [deleted]!!!!! I can see from your photo you have a face full of hair. Grow it yourself? Saw a PHD with a beard 20 years ago & fell in love? Hey, look mommy – I grew a beard!! Where’s your 20 million listeners? How come you don’t run for office if you’re so smart? Oh, I see. . . .

And it goes on like that.

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