There has been a mild aggravation from some readers when I mentioned for probably the tenth time that front page contributors at RedState are all pro-life.
It is nothing new. We’ve had this requirement since 2004, the year we came online.
I guarantee you that for all the complaints from a very few people, we’d have a heck of a lot of complaints if we abandoned the rule. Our credibility, candor, commitment, and cause would all suffer.
I had intended to write a longer post on the subject, but instead, let me just say, “What he said” and him too.
Oh, and Gunnar Lee Erickson is quite glad to have the rule.
UPDATED: Some of you (looking at you Birdmojo) have misread this whole post. “Front page contributors must be pro-life.” Front Page Contributors equals those people who have direct access to the front page. I never said anything about people who write diaries. Anyone can write a diary. And I’ll gladly front page a diary on any issue from any person if the diary is good. I don’t care where that person stands on abortion. I’m talking about Front Page Contributors. A diary poster who gets something promoted to the front page does not a Front Page Contributor make.
Clear?
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
Daniel Horowitz
It's not kicking people out of the tent.
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:39PM EST (link)It’s just telling them to sit over there.
Anyway, I personally think that this site would benefit from a “no pro-choice diaries get front paged” rule more than it would the current one.
If someone out there writes a perfect “Support The Troops” or a perfect “We need a tax cut and we can pay for it by cutting spending!” diary, it should be able to be front paged… even if the author believes that IUDs should remain legal.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
Whoosh (nt)
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:41PM EST (link).
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
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“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Dude, that was sincere.
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:46PM EST (link)If I was insincere, I would have talked about front paging diaries that talked about the importance of supporting the 700 Billion Dollar bailout.
I am not certain that purity tests are what Republicans need right now.
Purity? Sure.
Purity Tests? Sorta counter-productive.
But, hey. Maybe the website will be better without Mayo on it.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
What Aaron Gardner said. -nt
Leon H. Wolf (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:47PM EST (link)-nt
————
We can’t stop here. This is bat country.
And that's a double whoosh
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:48PM EST (link)(Whoosh) is the sound of the point going over your head entirely.
Maybe you should read what the policy *is* before you start whining about it.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
The policy, as I read it at the time...
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:52PM EST (link)said something to the effect of “if you want front page privileges, you need to be pro-life”.
I had thought that “front page privileges” extended all the way to “promoted from the diaries”.
Now that I understand the policy, allow me to retract my criticism and say that it’s a good rule that, if anything, doesn’t go far enough.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
Frankly, I don't know
Leon H. Wolf (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:56PM EST (link)That we have any big-government folks on the FP. Whoops, forgot: Francis and I are socialists for supporting TARP.
————
We can’t stop here. This is bat country.
We're all freaking Commie Nazis Leon
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:59PM EST (link)For supporting Bush and his runaway fascist takeover of our civil liberties.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
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“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Dude.
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:01PM EST (link)I have seen diaries on the front page explain that the bailout debate was between people who saw a human need for a bailout and people who saw a human need for a bailout but had reservations about implementation.
This is not me saying “EVERY SINGLE FRONT PAGER IS A SOCIALIST!!!”
Just that if the policy for pro-small government were as strict as the policy for pro-life, that I would have seen these diaries on the side in the “member diaries” rather than on the front page.
That’s all.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
I can't really rehash that particular debate.
Leon H. Wolf (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:04PM EST (link)For various reasons. I was just trying to make a funny anyway. Carry on.
————
We can’t stop here. This is bat country.
Bird...promotions from diaries don't require the diarist to be pro life...
Attack Mode (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:44PM EST (link)The rule is only for permanent FP contributors
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Oh!!!
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:50PM EST (link)Well, jeez.
Allow me to apologize.
I had thought that the rule applied to *ANYTHING* front paged.
Yeah, I suppose I can see the point in saying “you must be at least this conservative to have front page privileges.”
Heck, seeing it *THAT* way is making me turn around and even agree with the rule.
Hey, it’s not like Pacifist Isolationists get front-paged either.
If anything, they should extend the rule and have it cover small government conservativism.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
Bird I agree with you there...
Attack Mode (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:54PM EST (link)If i had my druthers the FP would consist only of those who adhere to all three legs of the stool all the time, but it ain’t my site.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Just about all of us do
Jeff Emanuel (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:59PM EST (link)But the diversity that does exist leads to some lively debates
JE
I know that Jeff...
Attack Mode (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:06PM EST (link)Some recent events on the fiscal side have really gone away from the idea of limited government though. Now I know that some of it is just reporting what is, but some of the comments that come after the reporting come off more as cheer leading of Keynes…err Paulson, when we should be standing against Keynes..errr Paulson.
It gets especially hairy when those who offer limited gov’t, free market solutions get treated like they are nothing more than idiots on the subject. Further it is irritating that those same people who were cheer leading the TARP now refuse to admit that it was wrong, not only in principle but in its implementation.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
LOL
Erick Erickson (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:03PM EST (link)I think all of them do think they uphold all legs of the stool.
Heh.
Who will stand on either hand and keep this bridge with me?Follow @EWErickson
Erick...that was very philosophical...
Attack Mode (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:10PM EST (link)I think I uphold all legs of the stool…therefore I am.
Heh
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Funny thing
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:32PM EST (link)My impression is that of the three ‘legs,’ our contributor community has greater consensus on national security than social matters. I’m pretty sure we have more dissenters on marriage than we do the War on Terror.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Was there a point there Neil??
Attack Mode (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:37PM EST (link)If so I missed it…not being snarky, I really missed your point.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Yes, I think it's funny
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:39PM EST (link)For all the moaning about this policy, it doesn’t really make us a hardcore ‘socon’ site at all.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Oh yeah, that is ridiculous...
Attack Mode (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:45PM EST (link)On social issues I think the site as a whole takes a federalist approach, which I believe is the more conservative approach to the issue, oddly enough.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Those who do not toe the line...
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:49PM EST (link)Tend to do so for Conservative reasons, for the most part.
All of the support for gay marriage, for example, is for reasons pertaining to the importance of the institution, the importance of family, and the importance of ceremony.
Heck, even the half-hearted pro-choice positions seen focus on stuff like privacy and limits of government power.
It’s not a “reasonable people can’t disagree on this topic” situation but a “being conservative means something” position and it’s an attempt to not distill the position of the site.
Which, now that I understand it, is totally cool.
I just wish that Fiscal Conservativism carried the same amount of passion for its defense.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
If you're referring to the contributors
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:54PM EST (link)I think you will find an equally strong commitment to fiscal conservatism as you would to pro-life (or pro-defense, for that matter). Per Neil’s comment – homosexual marriage is the one issue where I’ve noticed a substantial, but respectful, difference of opinion.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
Reasonable people can disagree on what is "Fiscal Conservativism"
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:59PM EST (link)I have seen support for the $700 Billion ballout on the front page.
If you consider this fiscal conservativism, would you consider the position that abortion in the first trimester is an issue of conscience between a woman and her doctor but second and certainly third trimester abortions should be illegal and banned (with exceptions for rape, incest, and the mother’s life being in danger) to be “pro-life”?
Or would you merely consider it to be a less extreme example of the liberal position that says it’s okay to murder womb occupants?
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
Just wait and watch.
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:39PM EST (link)We’ll see a return to the “not isolationism, non-interventionism” that bubbled up under Clinton once Obama explains that, no, we totally need to send the US Military into Somalia to bring peace to the region.
What, you think that it’s good that these people live with boots stamping on their faces?
And the Congo! And Rwanda!
Surely you must understand that the turmoil in these countries is contributing to the lack of security of Our The Children here in the US.
And then Zimbabwe! And then Burma!
What, you seemed to understand that Iraq was better off without Saddam, surely you think that Russia would be better off without Putin, don’t you?
Anyway, I think we’ll see a nice little divide in the whole “War On Terror” debate in the next 8 years.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
This is a joke, right?
Jeff Emanuel (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:46PM EST (link)I *almost* refuse to believe anybody could be that dense….
JE
Birdmojo, see my update
Erick Erickson (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:01PM EST (link)I’m looking at you.
That is our present policy.
Who will stand on either hand and keep this bridge with me?Follow @EWErickson
Dude, that update? Splendid.
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:04PM EST (link)I love it.
As a matter of fact, I applaud the policy and think that it is truly an excellent one.
There are some topics where principle is far more important than the points where “reasonable people can disagree”. As one of those cosmotarian libertines, I understand that more than anybody.
Allow me to say clearly and consisely:
I misunderstood the policy and I was a dunderhead in doing so.
I apologize and thank you for your patience in explaining the deal to me.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
Thanks Man
Erick Erickson (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:07PM EST (link)I really do appreciate it.
Who will stand on either hand and keep this bridge with me?Follow @EWErickson
It's sincere as well.
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:11PM EST (link)I don’t hang here because I enjoy trolling.
It’s because discussing theory here actually gets somewhere every once in a while. I’ve tried to discuss theory with lefties and all I get in return is free psychoanalysis.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
Free psychoanalysis from lefties?
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:31PM EST (link)Oh, is that where they call you a earth-hating Facisti and tell you to F yourself with a frag grenade?
I have enjoyed that kind of free psychonalysis a time or two on lefty sites….
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
More of a...
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:40PM EST (link)“You think that there shouldn’t be an auto bailout because you either hate or merely don’t care about the plight of African-Americans” sort of thing.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
Erick - this post should go into the RS Posting Guidellines
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:08PM EST (link)as the PERFECT example of what an apology should be.
bird, you’re a genius.
I've been *SAYING* that!
birdmojo (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:10PM EST (link)Now let me explain my theories on the 9th Amendment…
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. –Voltaire
Be happy to listen, but I'd rather talk about the
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:14PM EST (link)non-existent 10th Amendment. :>)
Theories about the 9th
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:17PM EST (link)My theory is that it’s unenforceable by the courts, but plenty enforceable in Congressional debate.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Actually, it was inserted at the last minute to make sure
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:22PM EST (link)that Alexander Hamilton would never be President.
As opposed to the 15th
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:24PM EST (link)Which was inserted to ensure John McCain would never be President.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Heh. That's a 10.
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:27PM EST (link)nt
"Oh, and Gunnar Lee Erickson is quite glad to have the rule."
speciallist (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:44PM EST (link)Back….Back……Back…….Back…..Gone!……that my friends, clears the Base(s)
I'm pro-life.
Loren Heal (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:51PM EST (link)I’d probably post here more often if I had front page privileges.
But seriously, I probably would.
I’ll watch my email.
–
Join the Concord Project, and follow @lheal, if you dare.
That was supposed to be to the main post.
Loren Heal (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 10:53PM EST (link)I hate when a good gag is spoiled by a typo or something.
–
Join the Concord Project, and follow @lheal, if you dare.
Oh speciallist....that is the best ever comment!
JadedByPolitics (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:04PM EST (link)I do not think you will ever be beaten with that statement. He’s going, going he’s GONE!
Unified Patriots – How-To:
Activists Taking Action
By the way, if there's any question as to who the FP contributors are...
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:13PM EST (link)one can find the (almost) complete list here:
http://www.redstate.com/about
(There have been recent additions, such as myself, Skanderbeg, and James that haven’t been added to that list yet.)
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
Don't compromise on this one
LoneStarLizard (Diary) Wednesday, December 10th at 11:31PM EST (link)It is important that conservatives continue to defend the rights of the most helpless among us. 20% of all pregnancies in the U.S. now end in abortion, resulting in 48 million American lives that have been terminated before they have even begun. I appreciate you holding the line on this one.
http://www.lonestarlizard.com/
Life, the first unalienable Right
atemely Friday, December 12th at 2:35AM EST (link)90% of Down Syndrome babies are aborted.
I'm all for the policy
JoeG Wednesday, December 10th at 11:48PM EST (link)I’d be really, really mad if there was a pro-abortion front page post.
About the only way you might consider relaxing it is to allow someone front page privileges if they are anti-life is if they promise that they won’t go near the subject… and that if they do, they will be promptly banned and forever exiled.
Sounds Great
Mike Friesen (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 12:08AM EST (link)Erick – Here is one vote in support of your pro-life stance for permanent front page contributors. As a father of four, I appreciate your policy.
Best regards,
Michael
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...
olsmithie (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 12:28AM EST (link)The second two items don’t mean much without the first one.
BTW, congratulations on your new addition!
Regards
I want to know
Loozianajay (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 1:35AM EST (link)How does one become a front page contributor?
Various ways.
Leon H. Wolf (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 10:18AM EST (link)Write quality stuff for an extended length of time is probably the easiest.
————
We can’t stop here. This is bat country.
I want to know
Loozianajay (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 1:35AM EST (link)How does one become a front page contributor?
A Line In Concrete
OccamsRazor (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 1:42AM EST (link)Not in water, not even in sand.
What brings me here...
Knightbrigade Thursday, December 11th at 1:44AM EST (link)is That RED STATE (STANDS) for something….
That something is called CONSERVATIVE.
Now HOW could this site be a great example of ‘Everything that is Conservative’ while not having the starting team/FP all on the same page regarding an issue such as PRO-life?
Answer: It couldn’t!!
As a complete (3) leg complete conservative, I say BRAVO RED STATE!!
Keep up the policies that makes this site great!
“From MY cold dead hands”
Pro-choice Anti-Roe
newagegop (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 7:16AM EST (link)If you come across a talented Pro Choice Anti Roe blogger I wouldn’t mind hearing from them. In fact if our RINO’s were all states rights folks I could have voted for them. As long as the decisions about education, abortion, marriage, ect. remain at the state level and out of the hands of our federal government I could see myself voting for a pro-choicer.
For me it’s a 2 strikes your out kind of thing. I can agree to disagree on question of when life begins. I can agree to disagree on what the constitution says. What I can’t tolerate is Washington DC telling me abortion is both in the constitution and we have to allow it in Florida. B.S.
You got the votes to keep abortion fine. The Judicial Tyranny method to kill babies is immoral and unconstitutional.
Here is what I don't get about the state's rights argument.
Staunch_Libertarian (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 9:25AM EST (link)Big government is big government. If the federal government can’t tell consenting adults what to do with their body/health then how in the world can the state government have that right?
I oppose higher taxes at the federal and state level because I believe the lower the taxes the freer the people.
I oppose nanny state policies at the federal and state level because I believe they are counterproductive and not the job of government.
Just because it is a state government does not allow it to be big government. The abortion issue is one of personal responsibility and personal autonomy for me. So to say let the states decide is a non-starter. This is a matter of individuals not government bureaucrats. I shouldn’t have a vote on what another person does with her doctor.
————————————————————-
I am a Positivist Pastafarian for the alliteration alone.
Its a constitutional argument.
newagegop (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 12:03PM EST (link)Abortion appears no where in the constitution of the U.S. Abortion may or may not appear in your state’s constitution I don’t know which state you are from.
The states rights argument is not whether or not issue X is right or wrong. It is only making the point that issue X is not allowed by the text of the U.S. Constitution.
At a practical level it’s about being able to live in a state that agrees with your principles. I’d like to have the option of living in America with people I agree with. I want to be surrounded by folks who believe in the things I believe in and live their lives similarly to how I live my life.
How you wish to live. The principles you base your live on, if your principles are shared by enough people, should be represented by at least 1 state in America. The concept of having 50 experiments in democracy has enormous appeal to me. Only by having such experimentation, such creativity, will representative democracy survive and thrive.
I would love LOVE to see the fruits of a liberatarian state vs. a liberal state vs. a conservative state vs. any mix of all three. I’m conviced my principles and beliefs would be victorious if a free and fair competition existed, but the human condition insists on learning lessons the hard way so we should allow states/cities to decide for themselves how their citizens wish to live. Only by allowing San Francisco to exist is the rest of America reminded why they shouldn’t adopt any of their ideas.
It is (or perhaps I should say "should be") a federal role
scottbomb (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 1:31PM EST (link)At least it SHOULD be a federal role to defend the civil right to be BORN (referring to all that mumbo jumbo about “…right to life, liberty, & persuit of happiness….). An unborn baby is a sovereign human being, apart from anyone else. He or she has their own blood, DNA, etc. A woman killing the child inside her is deciding the ultimate fate of someone else’s life, not her own. Justifying the act simply because the child has yet to leave the womb is repulsive.
www.HowObamaGotElected.com
“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” – Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948
We Pro-Choicers are separate, but equal.
Staunch_Libertarian (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 9:21AM EST (link)When, Lord when!? When’s gonna be our time?
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I am a Positivist Pastafarian for the alliteration alone.
I want to get on the front page!
Loozianajay (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 10:04AM EST (link)Such boundaries are essential for institutional officers...
asleep06 (Diary) Thursday, December 11th at 5:06PM EST (link)… of any community. It is necessary due to the nature of communities, without which the freedom of assembly is moot.
As to the wisdom of this particular boundary, it seems amply justified on the basis of life’s foundational place in a philosophical and historical conservatism summarized by the pithy formulation “life, liberty and property–in that order.”
I do sympathize with the plight of libertarians, even as I disagree with their philosophical anthropology.
Small is beautiful.
'front page contributors at RedState are all pro-life'
atemely Friday, December 12th at 2:13AM EST (link)‘The Holy Womb’ Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
“The North American continent is honored by the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe near Mexico City. On Dec 9, 1531, the Blessed Mother appeared to a simple Amerindian convert, Juan Diego. Her picture was miraculously impressed upon his cloak. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, showed herself as a tender and compassionate mother.”
Hail, holy Mother! The child to whom you gave birth is the King of heaven and earth for ever. (Sedulius)
Source: Vatican ll Weekday Missal, Pauline Books & Media www.pauline.org