RSS Feed MenuI wasn’t at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this year. However, I was able to read at FrumForum about Ryan Sorba’s “condemnation” of CPAC and his subsequent confrontation with FF contributor Alex Knepper. Alex published his account of this confrontation at Race42012.Com.
I consider myself a strong cultural conservative. I support traditional marriage, oppose gay marriage and actively support “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” But “condemnation” isn’t part of my vocabulary. Conservatism, after all, is not about condemning; it’s about supporting and sustaining.
Conservatism is about supporting and sustaining the institution of marriage, the integrity and viability of the traditional American family; and the health and well-being of America’s Judeo-Christian military culture.
Ryan Sorba’s brief remarks before CPAC inadvertently depicted social conservatives as an angry, snarling bunch. For starters, of course, he “condemned” CPAC for accepting co-sponsorship from GOProud, a group that represents gay Republicans. When the CPAC audience booed him, Sorba retorted:
“Bring it! The lesbians at Smith College protest better than you do!” And to someone in the audience named Jeff, I think, Mr. Sorba said: “You just made an enemy out of me; thanks a lot.”
There is a principled conservative case to be made against conferring special legal privileges, and a consequent special legal status, on gay men and women. However, that’s not the case that Sorba made. Alex Knepper, then sought out Sorba and the two almost came to blows.
I hope, as they grow and mature, that Alex and Ryan will realize that good and decent people can harbor seriously mistaken but well intended views.
I know and like Alex. I especially liked this post by Alex, which prompted me to email editor David Frum with a note that said in effect: “Wow, who is this guy? He does great work!”
Unfortunately, Alex’s post about his CPAC altercation amounts to a tasteless and nasty ad hominem attack on Sorba, whom he calls a closet homosexual.
Here are two young men, understandably quick-tempered. But the conservative tradition which both young men inherit is not so young. I hope that Alex and Ryan will study and learn this tradition and benefit from it; for it has much to teach them. Among its myriad lessons: the importance of social and intellectual tolerance, good humor and good cheer, and personal grace and decorum.
ferruccio // Feb 22, 2010 at 2:33 am
Problem is, for some of us (and it’s not a matter of age: it’s been a _long_ time indeed since I was “a young man”, for example;-), many conservatives’ hostility to gays and lesbians is as morally objectionable as, say, slavery: it does not allow space for tolerance. I’m sure many social conservatives feel just as strongly the other way. To me, conservatism is about defending fundamental human rights: freedom to trade (including freedom from confiscatory taxation), freedom of speech (though I’m not all that hot about corporations and unions getting it, in the form of a license to inject even more money in an already money-soaked political system — but that’s a separate issue), freedom to live the sexuality nature has slapped you with in decent ways (meaning the right to marry the one you want to share your whole life with, rather than being forced to choose between total celibacy and sex outside of marriage — which, should *that* be surprising to a conservative?, some of us do *not* find at all an appealing prospect!). I’m not willing to sacrifice one fundamental human right to get a coalition with somebody who shares my support for another such right — any more than you’d be inclined to accept violation of two Commandments to get support for upholding the other eight;-).
Brad Smith // Feb 22, 2010 at 8:33 am
Knepper’s encounter with Sorba, as reported at the Race42012 site linked in the main post, is not flattering to either participant.
balconesfault // Feb 22, 2010 at 8:36 am
Seriously … CPAC accepts co-sponsorship from the freaking John Birch Society that William F. Buckley spent so much time and effort pushing out of the mainstream conservative camp decades ago … and someone is upset because some gays want to be a visible part of the party?
Why is the correct response not to treat Ryan Sorba like a lunatic and just ignore him?
sinz54 // Feb 22, 2010 at 9:49 am
I hope, as they grow and mature, that Alex and Ryan will realize that good and decent people can harbor seriously mistaken but well intended views.
Sorry.
Bigotry is never a “mistaken but well intended view.”
It’s a view based on hate.
It’s one thing to lament some of the excesses of gay activists. And some issues, like the intersection between gay rights and the religious rights of faith-based public institutions, are difficult.
It’s quite another to tell gays and lesbians to their faces that you don’t want them around.
I suggest you read the account of the confrontation.
The details make clear that Mr. Sorba despises gays personally as immoral and unnatural.
Don’t invite him back to next year’s CPAC.
GOProud // Feb 22, 2010 at 10:16 am
JohnG, well said. Thank you.
Carney // Feb 22, 2010 at 10:21 am
It’s a standard smear of “gay rights” activists to bait social conservatives by calling them closeted homosexuals. Anyone doing that should, at the very least, have his conservative bona fides called into serious question, regardless of what he has to say about the flax tax and winning in Iraq.
PracticalGirl // Feb 22, 2010 at 11:02 am
Guardino does a good job of highlighting while many who are otherwise conservative have fled from the ranks: The difference between the public posture and what they do and say within their organizational structure. And it extends well beyond their stance on the gay community.
seeker656 // Feb 22, 2010 at 12:38 pm
“Conservatism is about supporting and sustaining the institution of marriage, the integrity and viability of the traditional American family; and the health and well-being of America’s Judeo-Christian military culture.”
As the patriarch of a large and diverse traditional family, I would argue that attacking any member of my family because of his or her sexual orientation is not consistent with authentic family values. Nor do I understand how my granddaughter being able to marry is a threat to the institution of marriage. On the contrary, honoring her commitment to her partner enriches our family and validates her relationship.
I believe Admiral Mike Mullen was very clear about the issues of integrity that the DADT policy raises for our nation and the individuals involved. Senator Santorum’s comment that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has been brainwashed is an insult to the Admiral and all that he represents.
I think the Israeli military have a better understanding of Jewish values and they allow openly gay and lesbian persons to serve without any obvious negative impact on combat effectiveness.
I wouldn’t presume to know of Sorba’s sexual orientation, but he clearly has a issue with irrational fear and prejudice.
Carney // Feb 22, 2010 at 12:45 pm
seeker656, you do realize that you agree more with the left than the right on this.
Carney // Feb 22, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Also, the officer corps, particularly flag-rank officers, have been systematically weeded by Senate Armed Services Committee staff, and not all on the Dem side, of all those who are not Politically Correct. Ambitious officers realized what it took to advance; those more committed to winning America’s wars than pushing “diversity” or losing the culture war either left in quiet disgust or were pushed out in the military’s “up or out” system. (See Pace, Peter). Traditional values, unit cohesion, and combat effectiveness will suffer as a result, but nobody is allowed to say so.
And those wringing their hands about the dishonesty involved in DADT should enthusiastically support re-instituting the pre-Clinton policy of a simple, absolute ban. Problem solved!
seeker656 // Feb 22, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Reply to Carney
“seeker656, you do realize that you agree more with the left than the right on this.”
Really!!
Are comments restricted to conservatives only?
ratgov // Feb 22, 2010 at 2:58 pm
“There is a principled conservative case to be made against conferring special legal privileges, and a consequent special legal status, on gay men and women.”
Just a point of clarification: Do you believe the marriage between a man and woman is a special legal privilege as well? Or do you think it’s a right for men and women and a privilege for homosexuals?
Also, the truth is, your going to lose on this issue. Ask anyone younger than 30, and a vast vast majority just don’t care. It’s going to bring down some other good ideas that the republicans have. Because frankly, people aren’t going to forget this, even when you switch sides. Think of how long republican had to wander the wilderness because of Nixon.
Carney // Feb 22, 2010 at 3:48 pm
ratgov, many young people skew socially liberal, when they are more focused on sowing their wild oats. But marriage and having children are consistently shown to heavily shift people to the cultural right. It’s called growing up and realizing that your fuddy-duddy parents may actually have had a point or two.
And the grand total Nixon wilderness time was 4 years, and even there, Ford nearly came back to beat Carter.
seeker656 // Feb 23, 2010 at 12:58 am
Reply to Carney.
“It’s called growing up and realizing that your fuddy-duddy parents may actually have had a point or two.”
I am reminded of Spencer Tracy in “Look Who’s Coming to Dinner” wherein the liberal father was forced to confront his own racial prejudices by his daughter’s choice to date a Black man. Sometimes the parents learn from their children. Growing up can lead to a more authentic wisdom.
Paging The Lesbians At Smith College « Around The Sphere // Feb 23, 2010 at 11:27 am
[...] John Guardiano at FrumForum: Ryan Sorba’s brief remarks before CPAC inadvertently depicted social conservatives as an angry, snarling bunch. For starters, of course, he “condemned” CPAC for accepting co-sponsorship from GOProud, a group that represents gay Republicans. When the CPAC audience booed him, Sorba retorted: [...]
Sorba’s Sodomy Obsession | FrumForum // Mar 13, 2010 at 5:26 am
[...] contributor John Guardiano and many others have criticized me for accusing Sorba of being a closet homosexual. Growing up gay, [...]