Confronting the 'Open Minds' of the Right-Wing

A right-wing friend of my wife's recently paid us a visit from out of state. Our conversation inevitably drifted to Bush and his illegitimate regime. Though our tones remained friendly, my wife and I stated our opposition to Bush's policies - from his offensive war in the Middle East to his destructive, corporate-payback environmental schemes. Sharon's friend was equally adament that Bush was on the "right" path. Of course, that depended on one's definition of "right."

"We have similar goals," Ann told us. "We just have different ideas of getting there."

I could not even agree with that statement, believing that my goals of "liberty and justice for all" and the goals of people like Bush to help mostly the rich get richer are miles apart. Still, Ann is not an obnoxious conservative, and we found some common ground. We departed amiably, with her leaving a copy of the late Barbara Olson's twisted diatribe against the Clintons. Among Ann's message written on the inside cover page of "The Final Days": "Always keep an open mind."

Keeping an open mind is a philosophy I try to maintain, but I'm not sure right-wingers like Ann always attempt to do likewise. To many conservative Republicans, the open-mind creed is one steeped in deeper hypocrises, like with that sticky "Thou shall not kill" commandment. It is more an axiom to be mouthed than acted upon; more a philosophy to be chanted until most people become weary of arguing that the chanter does not practice what he or she preaches.