I think it’s far past time to get this straight. The most recent NYT article on the Bush administration’s use of torture illustrates, if more proof be needed, that the Republicans in power in the executive branch are psychopaths and sadists.

The Times also recently revived the old Mommy Party crap in a headline. Googling “Mommy Party” brings some reasonable refutations, as well as this quaint conservative view from 2005.

The New York Times deserves blame for keeping such an obvious piece of Republican propaganda in play. And, from where I stand, Democrats really are the Parent/Adult/Smart/Patriotic Party, and Republicans are the Baby/Teenage/Stupid/Traitorous Party.

We can see this with the issue of torture- it’s not only morally repugnant, dangerous to Americans and American interests, but ineffectual. It’s role is to satisfy the perverse appetites of sadists and psychopaths, and there is a clear strain of sexual gratification that accompanies it. Those who endorse or defend it politically are acting like children, or psychos, or are stupid.

My main point, however, is that liberals remain stuck playing with propaganda formulated by the right.

How about this on the torture issue-

George Bush and his administration are incompetent failures.

Starting a war for a bad reason makes you a mass murderer.

Torture is worse than murder, and deserves the same punishment.

Torture is morally equivalent to slavery.

George Bush and his administration, will go to jail once they’re out of office, because they violated the law in horrible ways.

Why don’t we hit those talking points a couple times?

The slogans need work*, and smart guys will be quick to point out that I’m overstating the case. The opposition has yet to show such delicacy, and their very successful efforts to corrupt American democracy, not through rhetoric but through illegal and unethical actions inside the Executive branch, remain uncorrected and unpunished.

*”Waterboarding is a waterboarding offense”
*”Torture is treason”
*”Torture means the terrorists win”
*”Bush = Pinonchet”, or maybe “Bush loves Putin” the B + P appeals… These aren’t very good either.