My Life, As Told Between (Baby Cakes') Naps

Confused

17th January 2006

Confused

posted in The Slightly Deeper End |

I just don’t get it. I’m utterly and completely baffled by socially conservative ideology.* Admittedly, I tend to be overly logical (believe it or not) and am devotedly non-religious, so maybe that explains my fundamental inability to grasp what I perceive to be logical loopholes. My most recent, “Huh?” moment came today as I was reading about the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Oregon’s assisted suicide law (oh, and it most definitely looks like the Roberts, Thomas, Scalia bloc is quickly solidifying – scary!). Anyways, I just don’t understand those on the right who vehemently oppose assisted suicide but whole-hearted embrace the death penalty (*cough* Bush administration *cough*). Nothing I’ve ever read (which admittedly hasn’t been that much) has done anything to resolve this apparent contradiction to me. Anyone?

* I realize that I’m painting with a very broad brush and that even within the group I’m loosely defining as social conservatives, there are varying viewpoints. I also realize most people reading this are probably in my camp and are similarly baffled, but if anyone could shed some light, it would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, feel free to rant with me. =) Oh, and yes, it is sad that I can no longer write anything without multiple disclaimers. D*mn you law school/legal career!

** And as a complete non-sequitur (which is really my goal for this blog), has anyone seen Banana Republic’s new premier purses line? Part of me winces because some of them are blatant rip offs of “It” bags, but part of me simply rejoices in the cuteness of it all. There are some seriously cute, almost affordable bags (it’s all relative after all) in their collection.

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There are currently 10 responses to “Confused”

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  1. 1 On January 17th, 2006, ch said:

    Oh, common, that’s simple. Social conservatives believe in the sanctity and value of life, at any cost.
    Case 1 – Against Assisted Suicide: It doesn’t matter if you’re in searing pain. Life is the most valuable thing, regardless of its quality, and should be saved at any cost. Period. Now quit your whining.
    Case 2 – Death Penalty: According to the Becker-Posner Blog in December, the death penalty saves lives by deterrence, so using the premise that life is the most precious thing in the world, it makes sense.
    Case 3 – Abortion: Enough said.

    posted on January 17th, 2006 at 6:11 pm

  2. 2 On January 17th, 2006, echan said:

    BR purses, including the new line, have always been a little blah to me. You’re a second year now, fork it out for an “It” bag.

    posted on January 17th, 2006 at 6:29 pm

  3. 3 On January 17th, 2006, Y. said:

    Nope, I refuse to be one of “those” people (no offense to “those” people, many of whom are my dear friends!). Besides, I’ve drawn a completely arbitrary line on how much I can spend on a purse and it’s below $400 (which is the starting price for a low end It purses). Lastly, I refuse to purchase an It purse no matter how much I covet it!

    posted on January 17th, 2006 at 6:38 pm

  4. 4 On January 17th, 2006, Y. said:

    Totally don’t buy the sanctity of life argument. Was going to include that in post but then it got too long. Most of what I’ve read indicates the death penalty does not work as a deterrent (in fact – much of the penal system doesn’t work as a deterrent). The only “valid” rational for the death penalty is retribution, which is completely at odds with the sanctity of life argument. Thanks for trying ch!

    posted on January 17th, 2006 at 6:45 pm

  5. 5 On January 17th, 2006, echan said:

    Well, perhaps not an IT purse. But a cooler than an It purse, tiny LA designer brand. Just don’t do BR!

    posted on January 17th, 2006 at 8:21 pm

  6. 6 On January 18th, 2006, Y. said:

    Ohhh, but come on! The “harness tote” is totally cute…even if it does resemble the “Kooba Sienna”. But yes, not getting a BR bag. Mostly because I’m not buying any more purses in general and don’t particularly want one half the office will recognize…um, not that stuff like that matters…

    posted on January 18th, 2006 at 2:42 am

  7. 7 On January 18th, 2006, JPN said:

    I hate to generalize too much, but I think the social conservative mindset results in large part from a desire to avoid any ethical gray areas. “If you kill someone, we’ll kill you” is straightforward, easy to understand, and tells you exactly how to act. It’s not that conservatives are dumber than liberals, or always looking for the easy answer – it’s more like a form of OCD where you try to put everything into its place and make it fit. The conservative version fits more cleanly, without those blurry edges.

    Hope this helps. Being raised in Ohio Catholic schools oughta be good for something =)

    posted on January 18th, 2006 at 11:31 am

  8. 8 On January 24th, 2006, Y. said:

    Hmm, interesting. Thanks!

    posted on January 24th, 2006 at 12:48 am

  9. 9 On February 2nd, 2006, ch said:

    This is where I got my information on the death penalty. Where are you getting yours?

    http://www.becker-posner-blog.com/archives/2005/12/

    ch

    posted on February 2nd, 2006 at 4:05 pm

  10. 10 On February 2nd, 2006, Y. said:

    I actually took a class on the dealth penalty in law school so we read a variety of things. I find this site particularly good though: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/. Of course, it’s certainly slanted, as are most sources of information concerning the death penalty.

    posted on February 2nd, 2006 at 5:18 pm