James Dobson is a fraud.
After James Dobson spent the last week bragging about the insider information he received about Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, the Focus on the Family founder went to the airwaves yesterday to cover his ass (via C&L) :
What did Karl Rove say to me that I knew on Monday that I couldn’t reveal? Well, it’s what we all know now, that Harriet Miers is an Evangelical Christian, that she is from a very conservative church, which is almost universally pro-life, that she had taken on the American Bar Association on the issue of abortion and fought for a policy that would not be supportive of abortion, that she had been a member of the Texas Right to Life. In other words, there is a characterization of her that was given to me before the President had actually made this decision. I could not talk about that on Monday. I couldn’t talk about it on Tuesday. In fact, Brit Hume said, “What church does she go to?” And I said, “I don’t think it’s up to me to reveal that.”
. . .
We did not discuss Roe v. Wade in any context or any other pending issue that will be considered by the Court. I did not ask that question. You know, to be honest, I would have loved to have known how Harriet Miers views Roe v. Wade. But even if Karl had known the answer to that and I’m certain that he didn’t, because the President himself said he didn’t know, Karl would not have told me that.
In other words, though his certainty about how Miers would rule on Roe is the reason for his endorsement, it never even occurred to actually ask about Miers’ views on abortion. Hey James, is lying a “family” value?
To translate my feelings about Dobson into a phrase easy for his followers to understand, I think the man’s getting way too big for his britches. It’s one thing to be outspoken on your own radio show about a political issue, but let’s not forget that Dobson also participated in the Administration’s conference calls to conservative activists as well. He’s gone from objective bystander to fully-integrated cog in the spin machine.
Dobson’s part-time job as a Bush shill is just the latest attempt to fully integrate himself into the political establishment. He wants to be an insider so bad it hurts, as you can tell from the first two paragraphs of his official biography :
For James Dobson, the stakes on November 2, 2004—Election Day—couldn’t have been higher. The renowned child psychologist, best-selling author, popular radio host, and founder of Focus on the Family had devoted his entire life to the preservation of the family, and now all he held dear seemed to be hanging in the balance. Although he had rarely before campaigned in a way that could be considered strictly partisan, this election year Dobson had become convinced that he had no choice but to jump into the political fray with both feet. And when he did, he determined to give all he had for the cause.By the time the 2004 campaign was over, Beltway heavyweights from Tom Daschle to Arlen Specter, media pundits, Democratic operatives, Focus on the Family listeners, and Dr. Dobson readers from coast to coast had gained a much better appreciation for who Dobson was and what he could accomplish.
Dobson seems keen on reinventing himself as a kingmaker in the Pat Robertson mold, and he’s already had good practice in using his multimedia empire to go after Big Brothers Big Sisters, Procter & Gamble, Disney, Macy’s, and Microsoft. The Miers nomination is just the latest test to see if Dobson’s homophobic armies can be mobilized to support political friends as efficiently as they’ve been used to destroy corporate enemies. There was a time when political activity was seen as an unseemly diversion from “God’s work”, but selling Jesus to the already-saved doesn’t feed the ego the way it used to.
Considering the direction that Dobson is steering his career, I think it’s just a matter of time before his hubris brings him down. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if God’s humble servant eventually finds himself brought down by a scandal. Real or fake, white collar crime or sexual affair, at some point Dobson’s activism is going to catch up to him. I can’t wait to see it.
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My favorite thing about Viktor Von Dobson, besides his obsession with boys showering with their dads, and his idea that one of the danger signs of homosinuality is that a boy child might not be an aggressive jock asshole, is the way he treats the Focus on the Family website like he’s nothing more than a pissed off art school student with a live Journal.
Whenever some conservative makes a public statement contradicting the fatwas of Imam Dobson, he posts an angry screed on the front page of the FOTF website. “OMG! I Am sooo over Bill Frist!!! I can’t believe he completely cockblocked me on that stem cell thing. If he thinks he’s getting an invite to my awesome Justice house party next Sunday, he’s gonna be sorely disappointed. I can’t believe I tried to get that jerkface a date with George Bush!”
Of course, I have the distinction of working for one of the first people, if not the first, to recieve the Von Dobson cold shoulder.
He’s definitely gunning to snake Pat Robertson’s position as American Talipsycho Numero uno. I hope you’re right about his reach eventually exceeding his grasp, with a subsequent downfall. Especially since Hubris is a concept much beloved by those homosexual pagans, the ancient grecians.
Comment by Ross A Lincoln — October 12, 2005 @ 12:09 pm
I love america! If you don’t like someones point of view, especially that of a 70 year old child psychologist, you can turn off the radio or the tv. But instead, your fear forces you to viciously attack someone with a different opinion than yours.
Without a political agenda, Dr. Dobson is faultless. It’s absolutely hilarious to me how you can attack his character… sheesh. Your extreme bigotry is appallinig! Just switch Christian with “Jew” or “Hispanic” or “Unitarian” and you’d get eaten alive. (I should have added my on ad hominem, “… alive, you little bitch!)
It’s a sad day when the extreme white radical, anti-life, anti-american, socialist/communist, self-centered, punk ass liberals get all bent out of shape from one man. Laughable in the least. ooo… james is comin to git ya’ll! You’re afraid because he kicks your ass… he knows your game… and he will always play his way.
I’m not even a right wing conservative in the least! And I’m still laughin. “… a fraud!”?? You’re the fraud, ya fucking pussy. LOL…
now, would a good christian call you a pussy? i think not.
and what of abortion being overturned? It’s pure racisit thinking as it is; Discrimination of age/race/gender, and place of residence. You fags can’t even use science to back up your weak political position. So go ahead. Keep abortion “legal” so 15 million women CAN’T have a CHOICE for their own LIVES. Yes 15 million women have died through abortions: And those women weren’t even birthed yet. Why do I say women? Because these same “fetus” as you call them, in the latin “little child” btw…. are females of the human species (half of all abortions kill a human female)–if you care to ask ANY and i mean ANY doctor, scientist, biologist, or for that matter, ANYONE with a thinking brain not defending his bias with ad hominem attacks because they have a weak argument on a non-existant platform, would understand this as easily as a child understands that the bump in moms belly is a baby.
So shut up and sit down, son. You’re reek is pathetically nasty smelling.
:)
Comment by OnTheRawks — October 12, 2005 @ 2:59 pm
What gave you the idea that Dobson doesn’t have a political agenda?
I don’t give a shit what he believes or says (which is why I haven’t used this blog to go after religious leaders like Billy Graham), but the fact that he’s using his multimedia empire to pursue political goals makes him a perfectly acceptable target for criticism. Especially when that “religious” leader has a plank in his eye.
What do these sentences have in common besides coming out of the same tortured mind?
I don’t remember saying anything bad about Christianity, but I suppose your larger point is true. For example, my first reaction to your comment was to say “FUCK YOU”, but if I replace the profanity with “Thank” instead, then the sentiment is reversed. It takes a real genius to come up with the idea that if you change the words you’re using, your meaning would be different. Bravo! Now hurry along. You don’t want to be late for your MENSA meeting.
Comment by greg — October 12, 2005 @ 3:22 pm
hey, Ontherawks, I have to assume you’re kidding. I love the name, and the illiteracy and ignorance of your poast can only be purposeful. I’m going to assume as much and let you know that I too am appalliniged.
Comment by Ross A Lincoln — October 12, 2005 @ 3:35 pm
Man, do I love a good troll!
I find the most insightful and gifted debaters often use the words “fags,” and “fucking pussy.”
Begone with ye! Let the doorknob hit you where the Good Lord split you!
Comment by tomN! — October 12, 2005 @ 3:52 pm
What gave me the idea? um… in 30 years he hasn’t run for any office, moron. Albeit, semantics notwithstanding, giving his advice to soccer moms about their children, to me, is not a political agenda. But go on! Be fearful! Be very afraid of the mommies and the 70 year old psychologist. ooo!
Of course you don’t give a shit what he says. Only a fucking moron like you would ever get BOTH sides of a story before making an informed decision.
You need to listen to the show, dimwit. (am i doing well in the personal attack area? Someday I hope to be just like you!) “Plank in his eye”? He’s a psychologist, boy, not a “religious” leader. Again, as unto a child, listen to the show, Biff.
Tortured mind? Again, boy, ad hominem attack. No sound argument coming from your witless mind much. huh?
Bigotry is politically correct nowadays, Biff. You can pick on Catholics and Christians, but not Jews or Hispanics or Blacks and get away with it… You’d be called a b-i-g-o-t. Getting it now, Gregory?? Come on… there you go… left foot… right foot… good boy!!
“Fuck you” was all you had? I still have yet to hear a legitimate argument from you. Sad really. This “tortured” mind is unimpressed. Reminds me of the time i debated Michael Savage for 15 minutes on the radio and had him frothing at the mouth. He had nothing either. I still have the recording.
And the “thank you” was yet ANOTHER ad hominem attack!! *yawn, looks at watch” SOMEday i’ll get someone with an opinion. Until that time, perhaps a couple classes at the local community college will help you.
:)
Comment by OnTheRawks — October 12, 2005 @ 3:58 pm
Did you even bother reading the post or the comments before posting your replies? He was part of a conference call in support of the President’s SCOTUS nominee. He’s campaigned for candidates and admittedly “jump[ed] into the political fray with both feet.” If you can’t recognize that as political activity, then you’re beyond help.
For your reference, here are the “guiding principles” from the Focus on the Family website :
Just because Dobson skipped seminary, it doesn’t mean that Focus on the Family is a secular organization. Just as it’s a self-described ministry, Dobson is, by virtue of his stated goals of spreading the teachings of Jesus, a religious leader.
By the way, I’d appreciate an example of how this post or its subsequent comments represents an attack on Christianity and not (as I intended) an attack on James Dobson. Additionally, the criticism of Dobson goes beyond ad hominem. If you’re really interested in refuting the points I’ve made, help yourself.
Comment by greg — October 12, 2005 @ 4:20 pm
James Dobson is either a closet homosexual or fucking some young employee or a child. His primary religious disorder is just a cover up.
Comment by Becky — October 13, 2005 @ 5:34 pm
Wow, what a hoot! Thanks, Ontherawks, for your cool name and totally bitchin’ argumentation. Many happy returns!
Comment by Joe — October 17, 2005 @ 1:55 am