Ed Brayton is a journalist, commentator and speaker. He is the co-founder and president of 
This is quite a shock. Dick Armey, a former Congressman who was always on the side of the religious right, is now out of politics and telling the truth:
In the interview, Armey responded pointedly when Sager asked why he thought Christian conservatives seemed more powerful now than in the 1990s."To a large extent, because Dobson and his gang of thugs are real nasty bullies," Armey said. "I pray devoutly every day, but being a Christian is no excuse for being stupid. There's a high demagoguery coefficient to issues like prayer in schools. Demagoguery doesn't work unless it's dumb . . . These issues are easy for the intellectually lazy and can appeal to a large demographic."
Truer words are rarely spoken.
Comments
Unfortunately, religion encourages intellectual laziness. I know a few Christians who think for themselves, but not many. Most are content to sit at church every Sunday and let their preacher tell them what to think.
Please note I said "most". I know that there are a few who don't behave that way. If you're one of them, great, I'm not talking about you.
Posted by: Russell Miller | September 29, 2006 3:02 PM
While thats great and all, it doesn't really accomplish much like it could have if he had taken a stand while in politics. Active politicians need to start standing up to these guys
Posted by: James Allen | September 29, 2006 3:09 PM
Wow, folks. You should really read the link Ed supplied. Once again the SS Dobson goes into full damage control mode. It's quite the hit piece on Armey, with all the predictable "he's a fraud," "he was really never really committed to the movement," "He's just bitter," knives you might expect the kristian reich to stab Armey in the back with.
Oh, and the obligatory boot-licking from Tom Coburn, reliable senatorial sycophant 'Oh, Dr. Dobson is such a great manly man.' Bleah.
Posted by: SharonB | September 29, 2006 3:19 PM
Isn't Dobson the one who talked about slapping his wiener-dog around because it wasn't respecting his authority?
Posted by: MJ Memphis | September 29, 2006 3:21 PM
"Isn't Dobson the one who talked about slapping his wiener-dog around because it wasn't respecting his authority?" -MJ Memphis
Please tell me this is a reference to his penis.
Posted by: CaptainMike | September 29, 2006 3:23 PM
Having entered politics in the Jesse Helms era here in NC, I've always had to have some respect for politicians I never agreed with but who were at least consistent in their principles. Dick Armey was always one I liked (Vin Weber, Bob Barr -- why are all these guys out of politics?), in that he never really wrapped himself up in either his religion or the flag, although he made it clear where he stood on both.
And if Dobson isn't a bullying arm-twister, why did the White House think it was so important to get him on board the Harriet Myers nomination last year?
Posted by: kehrsam | September 29, 2006 3:43 PM
"Please tell me this is a reference to his penis."
Sadly, no, I just looked it up. Google "Dobson dachshund". Short story, he felt the need to chase the family's 12-lb miniature dachshund with a belt because it wanted to sleep on a furry toilet-seat rather than in its kennel.
Posted by: MJ Memphis | September 29, 2006 3:48 PM
From the article:
HakkafcoffHorseshit!
Yeah, just about as much as Pat Robertson with his fatwahs.
Posted by: mark | September 29, 2006 4:12 PM
I don't understand why Dobson didn't lose credibility with conservative Christians when he recommended fathers taking showers with their sons as a means of "gay proofing" their sons?
Posted by: Bill Jarrell | September 29, 2006 4:46 PM
Yeah, what I liked best about it was that they vindicated pretty much everything that Armey said. Anyone who expresses a negative opinion about them gets smeared.
Posted by: Steve Reuland | September 29, 2006 5:02 PM
SharonB is right. Their defenses are just proving his point.
Posted by: Phobos | September 29, 2006 5:04 PM
And doncha just love the Dobsonite, "an attack on Dr. D is an attack on all of us Christians!" ruse.
The man has the thinnest skin.
Posted by: SharonB | September 29, 2006 7:50 PM
The author of the Contract On America, Armey is the guy who called Barney Frank "Barney Fag". Speaking of smearing people.
I wonder what the real deal is between Armey and Dobson.
In "The Glory of Their Times", Ty Cobb was described by a contemporary as "a real gem of a prick." That describes both of these worthies.
Posted by: Lettuce | September 30, 2006 2:50 AM
I love how there has to be some ulterior motive / revenge motivation. This is where they come from, the truth matters none, it's all about your motives.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp | October 2, 2006 9:25 AM