Rick Santorum: Because he can

Well, this article written by Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) three years ago is making the rounds in the blogosphere today. Of local interest, it includes this hilariously vile howler:

It is startling that those in the media and academia appear most disturbed by this aberrant behavior, since they have zealously promoted moral relativism by sanctioning "private" moral matters such as alternative lifestyles. Priests, like all of us, are affected by culture. When the culture is sick, every element in it becomes infected. While it is no excuse for this scandal, it is no surprise that Boston, a seat of academic, political and cultural liberalism in America, lies at the center of the storm.

Wow ... I didn't know whether to be angry, or laugh, or throw up. That's worthy of the pathetic rambling of some drunk AM radio talk-show caller -- or maybe Jack D. Ripper from Dr. Strangelove. But instead it's the considered, published thoughts of a U.S. Senator -- someone who is referred to as "The Honorable".

Of course, we know about Santorum's weird tendency towards rhetorical free-association: "man-on-dog", anyone? This comment reveals a constellation of so many ideological neuroses that it's really hard to pick apart. So let's start with this: it's cognitive dissonance, i.e. an attempt to rationalize an opinion that's at odds with the facts. In other words, Santorum thinks: Catholic Church = good. Child rape and coverups = bad. Therefore the Church must not be wholly responsible for that bad thing that happened, and therefore there must be another culprit: Liberalism! And how conveeeeenient that the Seat of Liberalism is the "center of the storm": Boston!

So, why do Santorum, Karl Rove, and others feel free to say rotten, slanderous things about liberals -- and even putatively liberal cities? Why do dogs lick their balls? Because they can. Look, until Rick Santorum gets his hat handed to him by the voters of Pennsylvania, until liberals tar Karl Rove with all of the disgusting things he's done over the years, until liberals start sticking up for themselves in the media and at the ballot box, this will continue.

Rick Santorum needs to apologize to Boston. I want to hear demands from Mitt Romney, Tom Reilly, Deval Patrick, Menino, Travaglini, DiMasi, and all the local mayors that Santorum apologize.

And by the way, if anyone from the beautiful state of Pennsylvania is reading this: This is a matter of self-respect for you guys. Is anyone proud of this clown? (Not that many, it would seem.)

Update: Here is a fine post that points out that most importantly, Santorum has insulted and trivialized the victims of clergy abuse by treating them as a political football.

Another update: Speaking of Karl Rove and his continuing exploitation of 9/11 for power, see 9/11 widow Kristen Breitweiser's extensive takedown at Huffington Post:

It was only after your invasion of Iraq, that Bin Laden's goals were met. Because of your war in Iraq two things happened that helped Bin Laden and the terrorists: al Qaeda recruitment soared and the United States is now alienated from and hated by the rest of the world. In effect, what Bin Laden could not achieve by murdering my husband and 3,000 others on 9/11, you handed to him on a silver platter with your invasion of Iraq - a country that had nothing to do with 9/11.

Which leads me to my final questions for you Karl: What are your motives when it comes to 9/11 and are you really sure that you understand 9/11?

Thanks to Liberal Oasis for the steer.