"Mt. Vernon Statement"

There is a new conservative declaration of principles circulating around the Internet, known as the Mt. Vernon Statement. As a non-conservative, I generally don't care much what kind of declarations and arguments they have within the conservative movement, but after looking at this particular example, I have to gripe a bit.

Here is the key paragraph setting up the whole idea:

We recommit ourselves to the ideas of the American Founding. Through the Constitution, the Founders created an enduring framework of limited government based on the rule of law. They sought to secure national independence, provide for economic opportunity, establish true religious liberty and maintain a flourishing society of republican self-government.

The whole reason why I am continuously pissed at conservatives in general in the US is that they seem to be diametrically opposed to two of the major points of this paragraph, the rule of law and "true religious liberty". That Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council could sign a document calling for "true religious liberty" shows how ridiculous and shallow the view of most conservatives is. Ditto for torture-loving, indefinite-detention-supporting Kathryn Jean-Lopez signing on for the "rule of law".

If we can ever get a conservative movement in this country that really respects the rule of law and religious liberty, then I will consider meaningful dialogue with said movement. As long as we get tripe like this from people who obviously don't believe it, I say to hell with them.