Pubdate: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 Source: Naples Daily News (FL) Copyright: 2003 Naples Daily News. Contact: http://www.naplesnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/284 Note: Note: Publisher prints several newspapers - please indicate which newspaper in LTEs. Author: Flo Beckler Focus Alert: http://www.mapinc.org/alert/0279.html CREEPING OR JUST CRASS? Editor, Naples Daily News: Addiction is a dreadful disease and deserves our deepest compassion. However, when addicts-in-denial hold themselves up as models of virtue, and pontificate against "the fallen," it is more difficult to rally to their side when their own personal addictions are uncovered. With the recent examples of Bill "Book of Virtues" Bennett and now Rush "Throw the Book at 'em" Limbaugh, it is considerably more difficult to rally to their support. Enter politics. Despite the fact that addiction is both ecumenical and nonpartisan, the Religious Right moralists, along with many conservative politicians and rabid talk-show hosts, close ranks, justifying the addicts in their midst and exuding unlimited compassion for their plight. In great contrast, just a few years ago, these same moralists exhibited extreme moral indignation at President Clinton's sexual addiction. Their response? As crucifixion and burning at the stake were no longer options, impeachment was the punishment of choice. These moralists preach total adherence to "right living." Is it possible that they are now suffering from "creeping relativism"? Or is it crass politicization? Flo Beckler, Naples - --- MAP posted-by: Josh