Great Moments of (choose your label) Hypocrisy

Fellow philophronos blogger Laura has made a number of excellent points in a post titled Great Moments in Conservative Hypocrisy. Now I’m not linking back so I can crow and say, “See! Those conservatives were hypocrites all along, and finally one of them is recognizing it!”

First, I would have to note that I can’t bring up a case of Laura herself being hypocritical about any of these issues. That aside, however, I can mirror image most of her points. Let me just note one on abortion and one on free speech. I believe abortion should be legal. But others who would agree with me on that point tried for years to use the RICO laws (note libertarian Ed Brayton’s comments) against those who opposed abortion. It was an illegal trick to prevent legal protest. I don’t want to take the time to mirror every one, but I’m pretty sure I could. Many liberals are strongly in support of free speech when pornography is involved, but not so happy with it when hate speech is involved. (Let me note that I support free speech in all cases short of incitement.)

In addition, there is the matter of procedural issues. For example, partisans on both sides are much more favorable to the electoral college (it’s the law!) when their party will benefit from an electoral college with combined with a popular loss, but they don’t like it when their candidate loses (it’s unfair!). Thorough senate review of judicial candidates is good when the other side is nominating, but the senate should only consider qualifications when your own side is monitoring. This has been repeatedly demonstrated by both conservatives and liberals, resulting, I believe, in a number of mediocre choices, folks whose decision and publication record was minimal, and thus provided less of a target during confirmation hearings.

So Laura’s point is well aimed, but I want to help aim it at both sides of the aisle. We need to be consistent on all of this.