HuffPost Book Review: Republican Gomorrah

About twenty years ago, I read an article about a death row inmate who had shot a clerk in a convenience store. The way the murder was presented by the man on death row was mysterious--his hand just rose up and the gun went off. Shooting the clerk in the face in the midst of a robbery wasn't in fact his fault. He never said, "I shot a man." It just happened.

I thought of that man while reading Max Blumenthal's terrific, but also, of course, appalling new book, Republican Gomorrah. Apparently there isn't a single person in the present incarnation of the Republican party who does anything. Things happen--God does it. Satan does it. No Republican is an agent of his or her own success or failure, sin or redemption. It just happens.

The consequences of this lack of responsibility are there for all to see--screaming threats, guns at rallies, unhinged behavior every time a Republican doesn't feel the way he or she wants to feel, absolute sense of powerlessness leading directly to an absolute will to power. Because that was the thing that struck me about the murderer in the 7-11--he had the power and in his own last moments, the clerk knew it. But the killer, no matter how well armed, never felt it.

Republican Gomorrah is a frightening book because it is clear to all of us on the outside that the various Republican operatives who surround James Dobson and his ilk have no consciences and will stop at nothing. They invoke the name of God for purposes that shame God absolutely--hurting, destroying, maiming, and damning others who either don't accept their beliefs or don't acknowledge their power and righteousness. Of course that is frightening.

But Blumenthal's cast of characters, beginning with Dobson and his prodigal son, Ryan, and including John Hagee, Sarah Palin, Ralph Reed, Charles Colson, Judith Reisman, Christina Regnery, Donald Wildmon, et al. strike the reader as above all else very small--egocentric, narrow minded, uneducated, selfish, and resentful. Each of these qualities is destructive in and of itself. The combination is turning out to be coercive. Even those of us who are immune to the emotions these people play upon are getting more and more nervous about the power that they wish to exert.

Blumenthal does two things that no one else I have read manages to do--the first of these is that he organizes the network. He shows how Ted Bundy is connected to James Dobson is connected to Gary Bauer is connected to Erik Prince is connected to Ralph Reed is connected to Jack Abramoff is connected to Tom Delay is connected to Tony Perkins is connected to David Duke is connected to Mel Gibson, and so forth, and in the course of tracing these connections, he informs us, or reminds us, of the crimes and misdemeanors these people have committed.

Two of my favorites are James Dobson's son Ryan's messy divorce (Dad seems to have paid the settlement--did he not dare to discipline? Or did he discipline too much?) and David Vitter's habitual recourse to a brothel in New Orleans where Republicans "wanted to be spanked and tortured and wear stockings--Republicans have impeccable taste in silk stockings" (the madam is talking about men). Republican Gomorrah is full of crimes--both those we've already heard of, such as Abramoff's and Ted Haggard's, and those we haven't (there is good evidence that Texas billionaire T. Cullen Davis, funder of the right wing Council For National Policy, ordered hits on his estranged wife, and succeeded in murdering his step-daughter and the wife's boyfriend).

This aspect of the book reminds me of a Scottish novel called The Private Memoirs And Confessions Of A Justified Sinner by James Hogg, in which, once a man believes he is among the saved, he can commit any sin he wants to and be sure he will go to heaven. Once Davis was "saved," for example, he said, "My goal is to get to heaven. I'll do anything it takes to get there, and I'm not going to let anything stand in my way." He must have thought getting to heaven was just another power play.

And power plays are the key to right wing psychology. Right wing psychology is the other thing that Blumenthal has to offer. At the periphery of this world is your run-of-the-mill bully, a man like Jack Abramoff, whose brutality is well remembered by his high school classmates, but who sang like a bird once he was caught. At the center of is James Dobson, a much more destructive figure than Abramoff, who advocates, in the strongest terms, child beating, and not only child-beating, but dog-beating. At one point he brags about going after the family canine (who weighed twelve pounds) and engaging in "the most vicious fight ever staged between man and beast." As for children, the goal is to keep beating the child until "he wants(s) to crumple on the breast of his parent." In other words, Dobson is a proud sadist who thinks sadism is kind of funny, and who, over the years, has successfully advocated sadism as the only workable form of child-rearing.

It order to understand the deeply disturbing effect Dobson and his theories have had on our culture, Blumenthal cites Erich Fromm's Escape from Freedom, about the psychology of Nazism and authoritarianism, and Eric Hoffer's The True Believer. Insofar as he finds the documentation, Blumenthal points out how many of these powerful Evangelical Christians were beaten and abused as children (including Dobson). It's a high number. The beatings, often arbitrary, cruel, and frequent, were then, in many cases, backed up with constant lessons about God--that he is arbitrary, that he is cruel, that he demands obedience above all things, and that he surpasseth understanding. The point of these exercises is to establish the powerlessness of the child, his shame and guilt as a worthless sinner, and his absolute fear of thinking for himself. He will then take his place in the hierarchy and thereby reinforce the existence of the hierarchy.

Blumenthal goes pretty far with this psychology, but, in my view, not far enough. I'm sure he was reared by liberal parents, who gave him a sense of responsibility, curiosity, and autonomy, and since he is only in his thirties, I don't think that he really empathizes with the tortured and damaged souls that he has been interviewing and watching for the last few years. I don't think he understands their fear--how deep it is, how constant it is, and how arousing it is. I don't think, in fact, that Max Blumenthal looks within and sees evil. I think he looks within, and says, "I'm okay; you're okay." That's the goal of liberal parenting, and as we can tell by statistics he cites concerning unwed pregnancy, divorce, and occurrence of STDs, liberal parenting works--atheists and agnostics, for example, have a much lower rate of divorce than Evangelicals, and states that have sex education in the schools, rather than abstinence-only education, have lower rates of teen pregnancy.

But a child who is beaten enough eventually comes to understand two things above all--that the world makes no sense (and so why try to make sense of it?) and that the world is so dangerous that to be oneself, or even to try to figure out what oneself might be, is a death-defying exercise. There is safety only in two things--conforming to a group and, as a part of that group, dominating and even destroying other groups. The rules of the group can be anything at all, as long as the members of the group abide by them. And other groups have to abide by them, too, or the painful and arbitrary rules that group abides by are meaningless. The beaten child's sense of terror can only be assuaged by evanescent feelings of power, because in relation to his parents and to God, he is defined as powerless. When he "crumples" on the "loving" breast of his parent (and in my view a person who administers a beating to a living being who is 1/16th his size doesn't know what love is) he accepts his powerlessness and he also accepts that power is what defines this life.

That's where your freedom and mine come in.

Many of the Evangelicals Blumenthal discusses are Christian Dominionists--that is, they differ from the Taliban only in their choice of doctrine. Their uses of that doctrine (to dehumanize women and other groups, to never share power, to control every aspect of every life within their power, and to create society as a steeply hierarchical structure with them at the top) are those of the Taliban.

It's an eye-opener to read about R.J. Rushdoony, son of Armenian immigrants who fled the Armenian genocide of 1915. You would think that a man whose family escaped mass murder would go on to espouse peace, love, and understanding, but Rushdoony went the other way, taking literally the 613 laws in the Book of Leviticus. In his book, The Institutes of Biblical Law, he advocates capital punishment for "disobedient children, unchaste women, apostates, blasphemers, practitioners of witchcraft, adulterers," and homosexuals. Gary North, the Presbyterian Christian Reconstructionist, is his son-in-law, and, while not backing down on the mass death penalty, advocates stoning rather than burning at the stake, because stoning is cheaper (and of course that is a factor, because there would be a lot of people to exterminate). As for who would be doing the killing (of you and me, if they could catch us), well, Christians would, but not because they wanted to. Ever unable to accept responsibility, they assign agency to God, who wants us killed, who will beat us until we "crumple" on his "loving" breast, a God who has given us all sorts of talents, skills, and interests, but is, like these Christian Dominionists, interested only in power. I believe his motto is "Adore me or I will hurt you."

Can you believe in a God so small? When I was a parent of young children, I, too, got frustrated, and I, too, thought a spanking might be a good thing. I soon realized that my motives for administering physical punishment were highly suspect--more anger and frustration than care for the child or knowledge about effective methods. I then saw a show about child-rearing, in which a woman who firmly believed in child-beating aroused far more resistance in her beaten daughter, and had much more family disruption, than the parents who ignored the tantrum and then used the technique of redirection to train their toddlers. Works with horses, dogs, and other animals, too. It was then I decided that if I, in my human weakness, could put two and two together concerning free will and proper behavior, surely God could, also. I didn't want to believe in a God who was a smaller being than myself. And I don't.

The ray of hope in Blumenthal's book is that the right-wingers he talks about tend to be so psychologically unstable that they don't have much staying power--think Ted Haggard. But they have numbers. The bad thing about that is that they could take control. The defeat of Sarah Palin, Conrad Burns (R-MT), George Allen (R-VA), Rick Santorum (R-PA), James Talent (R-MO), and Mike DeWine (R-OH) brought us "back from the brink" according to the website Theocracy Watch. But only back from the brink. The good thing is that they would not be able to maintain what we call a government for very long (see George W. Bush). The bad thing is that they would destroy the country as we know it while they were trying. If I take the long view, well, I think, Stalinism lasted about 25 years, Nazism 12. The Iranian Mullahs have been at it for 30 years. Russia and Germany survived, Iran might, as well. But generations were lost in all these places. And Stalin and Hitler didn't have nuclear weapons.

I think about the 22-year-old clerk in that convenience store, looking down the barrel of that pistol. He probably had no idea that his killer had no sense of agency, hardly even knew what he was doing, was seeing his hand as separate from himself. But I have to feel sorry for the killer, too, subject to feelings that he could not label that were terrifying and overpowering. I bet he was beaten, shamed, and neglected as a child. I bet, afterward, he wished someone, somehow, had stopped him.

Don't forget to buy one: Max Blumenthal, Republican Gomorrah, Nationbooks, available at your local bookstore and anywhere else that
books are sold.

 

 

Comments

[seanseamour]

This is frightening, although most of us are aware of this emergence notaby tduringhte Bush administration we must fear their will to regain power, I take the livberty of necessitiy to draw a paragraph of Gorge Soros' "Nw Wrold Architecture" in Project syndicate http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/soros52:
"In fact, democracy is in deep trouble in America. The financial crisis has inflicted hardship on a population that does not like to face harsh reality. President Barack Obama has deployed the “confidence multiplier” and claims to have contained the recession. But if there is a “double dip” recession, Americans will become susceptible to all kinds of fear mongering and populist demagogy. If Obama fails, the next administration will be sorely tempted to create some diversion from troubles at home – at great peril to the world.
President Obama has a daunting task, we must not let him fail through lack of support.

[ThePeoplesKey]

A couple of years ago, while walking to my car in a grocery store parking lot, a couple of teenagers (boys) dressed to the nines approached me with bible in one hand and pamphlets in the other and asked me if I'd heard the good news. Because they were children, I allowed them a moment to speak with me about their cult . . . err religion. I don't remember the entire pitch but I do remember one of them assuring me that ALL of life's answers could be found in the bible they were holding up for me to see. I said, "Boys, have you ever heard of dinosaurs?" They both nodded enthusiastically. I then said, "Can you show me where dinosaurs are covered in your bible and what happened to cause their extinction?" Their enthusiasm quickly soured to looks of bewilderment. "Pastor" must not have covered how to answer that question in sales . . . err I mean Sunday school class.

The best answer I ever got was when a "believer" matter of factly stated, "They died in the flood," then briskly turned on his heel and walked away without waiting for a response from me. I'm guessing he was referring to the Noah's Ark story in Genesis. Interesting because the way I remember the story, Noah was supposed to have SAVED all of earths animals two by two. I guess he forgot the reptiles, saber toothed tigers, woolly mammoths, etc . . .

My guess is

[ThePeoplesKey]

That should read "My guess is that their parents are republicans?"

Yours?

[larry278]

This review gives me more reason than ever to avoid extremely radical, reactionary, right wingnut, rabid, fundie, neo-con, Christer, pseudo-Christian, apostate, Republicans who proclaim that they 'know' Jesus, the Christ, but don't know or lack the stamina to follow the word of someone called Jesus. It's no wonder that confirmed atheists say, "Thank God that I'm an atheist.", when they encounter these Christers, aka the religious right. Reading of the religious right is a tedious trial. Meeting & associating with these creatures is an ordeal & trial by fire.
If humankind is created in the image & likeness of the Christers divinity, he/she/it/they is/are the patent
for schizophrenia. Is the song, "I'm schizoid & so am I & I & I..." a Christer hymn?
This review/blog is prompting me to read a Buddhist text.

[jalowe1957]

Perhaps, in paraphrasing Thomas Jefferson, those whom Blumethal discusses in his new book (which I just ordered the other day via Amazon.com) must have trembling hearts when they think God is just.

[blisster]

Great book a must read, and a very well written insightful article. Thank you Jane.

I've always maintained that most of the radical religious right suffer from psychological and sociological disorders. The most salient point in the article, that they; surround themselves with people who fell similarly, can not be under emphasized. Within these groups they feel protected and vindicated of their world view, and will do anything to defend it and justify any means necessary to maintain it, even, if it is contradictory to their own beliefs. And the vicious cycle persists from generation to generation, feeding upon itself, with complete insatiability.

Now before Conservatives or Republicans attack, this point of view is reserved for the radical sect of the party of "Goldwater". There are many more reasonable well articulated members of that party as well as many more among moderates and independents. The problem is that fringe group has hijacked the party, both in message, by political leaders and in it's portrayal in the MSM. We need a good two party system this ain't it.

[MajorKong]

This is what happens when your Bible stops at Leviticus and picks up again at Revelation.

[demockracy]

Nice to hear that the insanity defense is available for the right. Insanity is really the only thing to explain it.

Of course this current anger may simply be part of the process of change-- you know, right after Denial, but before bargaining.

One encouraging note: If you have a vasectomy, they have to tie the little tubes down after severing them, otherwise, they may spontaneously re-connect (in the dark, no flashlight!)... In other words, healing is a natural process. Knowing this has made a vas deferens to me...8^)

[klmebane]

"One encouraging note: If you have a vasectomy, they have to tie the little tubes down after severing them, otherwise, they may spontaneously re-connect (in the dark, no flashlight!)... In other words, healing is a natural process. Knowing this has made a vas deferens to me...8^)"

roflmao. some a & p humor.... i love it.

[BartRoberts]

Another to add to my "To read list."

[LewisWalsh]

Another extraordinary article by Jane Smiley. I suggest that we should except the fact that the evolutionary process does not move along evenly. There are always members of a given species that lag behind long after the core group has advanced.

The behavior of those radical types has been with us throughout recorded history. It is simply the lingering characteristics of primordial humans. They will one-day catch up with civilized man. In the meantime, we must do what we can to control our less fortunate brethren.

[lesterbud]

Excellent!
I have forwarded your article to several folks that I know will appreciate your logic and sincerity.

Therein lies the problem, doesn't it. Those of us that think logic should play some role in decision making, and feel that sincerity (or, shudder, empathy) is a positive attribute akin to honesty and morality, are labeled and socialists or, as of late, even "racists" (??).

What point is there in debating people that see logic as a deterrent to decision making and sincerity as a sure sign of weakness?

What point is there in trying to change the minds of those whose minds are so tied up in the support of all that is unsupportable that they can not for one second even listen to the devil whispering facts at them?

We need to move them back to the margins and let them rant on. Otherwise, the fears they are so apoplectic about will be made true - by them.

[seawolf77]

The Bible. What else can you say. As an adult and knowing that religion was a parental technique at mind control, I wonder what is so appealing about controlling people. What's the high from getting what you want. Would it have killed them to tell us i don't know instead of this utter pile of **** when we asked where we came from. Would we not have tried to find out. Ahhhh now we're getting somewhere. If we have religion, we don;t have to figure out where we came from. A myterious white bearded man who we rarely see made us for grins and giggles, then wanted us all dead by drowning, then loved us again, then sent his son for crucufixion duty, then .....sheesh I am exhausted. Anybody else can finish this horror novel.

[Bailey Reynolds]

Jane,
Thank you for an excellent review. This book is actually next up on my to-read list.

These people and groups covered within it are a truly freakish bunch. I say that as a Christian who, thankfully, has a mother who raised me to read the scriptures for myself. She wanted me to know and understand what the bible says, so that no man should mislead me. I believe that is a very Christ-centric teaching; for that is the example Jesus gave us. If more people armed themselves with true knowledge and practiced a higher degree of love, this evil wouldn't stand a chance.

[cordyc]

Thank you. I hope that you are part of a study group so that you may express your opinions to others within a group to keep everyone "thinking".

[ideasmatter]

Thanks Jane! You really are a brilliant blogger. Not sure if I should read the book, finding confirmed what I already knew and getting terribly depressed in the process. The question is, how do we deal with these people, prevent them from getting to full power? Can they be helped and overcome their fear? Can they be prevented from dominating even more innocents? Anyone has an answer?

[AgnesBankhead]

allowing yourself to become "terribly depressed" about something that has already happened is disempowering and counterproductive -- and, not in-coincidentally, is exactly how they WANT you and i to react in response to their evil

"...how do we deal with these people, prevent them from getting to full power? "

the crucial first step is to understand that "these people" have, for all practical intents and purposes, ALREADY gotten "to full power" -- with all due respect to a man i truly believe to be of high moral character, president obama is, either by design or by coersion, another smokescreen, obscuring the truth

"...Can they be helped...? "

no --

"Can they be prevented...? "

sadly, this is no different from asking if cancer can be "prevented(or cured)" -- there is only one response to an imminently life-threatening disease, and that is immediate intervention with radiation and/or surgery to remove and destroy the cancerous cells -- whether We the People can stop the cancerous and ever-invasive corruption that has hijacked Our government remains to be seen

perhaps "Republican Gomorrah" will finally shine a bright enough light of truth to force them out of their dark little places

[cordyc]

Lets' be respectful of traditional conservatives. What Rushbo now terms the "country club conservatives". The key issues for these folks is fiscal responsibility and the role of government. OK, genuine responsible debate is needed with these folk.

As for the X-stain led GOP. Let's keep calling out the hypocrisy. The GOP registration is down to something like 20% and shrinking.

[MajorKong]

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[seawolf77]

I am. And armed.

[MajorKong]

Likewise.

[ThomRm]

When I first learned of the extremely high rate of infant circumcision that started in the 60's in the United States I was shocked an appalled and convinced that your country was headed to generations of neurotic, psychologically damaged people.
It is certainly not the only issue, but to hear American feminists speak about women's rights while they continue to circumcise their sons is surely the sign of a failed culture

I can't help but think that being genitally mutilated contributes to a persons intolerance, disgruntledness and sexual perversion. Its the worst kind of sadism. Coming from religious backgrounds, many of these people were mutilated with the expressed intent of diminishing "evil" sexual pleasure and making a covenant with God. (The smallest of gods) Something that traumatic must surely incite people to the most awful kind of thoughtless religious fervor.

[aftershock]

Wow... a medical procedure that helps in hygiene and and has been proven to reduce the risk of HIV is "sadistic"? Just wow...

[EbonBear]

It doesn't reduce HIV. Not to argue for or against circumscision but the HIV part hasn't been proven at all, it's a myth. The HIV infection rates in western Europe (where very few people are circumscised) are comparable or lower than those in the US (where most men are).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_HIV/AIDS_adult_prevalence_rate