A less than civil quality

I've just been reading up on some articles which caught my eye during my regular perusal. I happened upon one of David Limbaugh's latest--a very good one. I highly recommend it. The following is an abbreviated excerpt, covering what I think are his most important points:

"I don't like abortion. I believe life does begin at conception. But I can't take my Catholic belief, my article of faith, and legislate it on a Protestant or a Jew or an atheist . . . who doesn't share it. We have separation of church and state in the United States of America."
-Senator John Kerry

Sen. Kerry's argument that he is personally against abortion, but wouldn't legislate his views on others who disagree, is entirely specious.

In the first place, by refusing to display the courage to stand up against his pro-abortion constituents and defend the unborn, Kerry is essentially imposing his views on others -- the babies -- by default. And they are the only innocent ones in this equation.

Secondly, as I've said before, we do (and must) legislate morality. Our entire system of criminal law and much of our civil law is based on our moral beliefs, from assault and battery to murder in the first degree. If we don't "legislate morality," we forfeit the rule of law and ordered liberty altogether.

Thirdly, it is embarrassing that a person seeking the highest office in the land so misapprehends the constitutional concepts involved in church/state relations that he thinks they preclude the state from basing its laws on moral principles. He couldn't be more out of phase with America's founding fathers.

I also happened on (more like tripped over) this article from the NY Times which I don't recommend reading because 1, you have to register to read the Times online and 2, because it is five lousy pages of free campaign advertising. Needless to say, having just finished the other Limbaugh article, I stopped reading the Times piece when I reached this quote attributed to Bradford Snell, a fellow Yale student:

"He was immensely respected," he finally replied. "You knew that he was incorruptible. He gave off, he sort of exuded this inner sense of moral probity and integrity."

Oh, I'm swooning! I must say, how touching!

I think that was my first venture on this blog into the wonderful world of sarcasm. You will learn to brace yourselves in the future when you see signs of this less than civil quality arising in my thoughts.