That I Would Be Good

Atrios picks up on this, and yes, it is the hypocrisy, stupid. But the real issue here is being hoist on one's own petard. Which only happens when you ignore the call to humility of true religion, and start talking about being at war:

"Where we are in this world, [Rev. Mintz told a reporter] with not just the war on terror, but with the war with our culture that's going on, I think we need a man that is going to be in the White House like President Bush, that's going to stand by what he believes."

All well and good, of course, to praise someone for standing by what they believe; so long as you are doing that yourself. But it's the flip side of a story from the desert fathers.

Gathered together, they are complaining about one of the absent monks, who has harmed the community with his actions. Finally, the eldest of the group walks off, only to return with a huge sack on his back, a tiny one before him. What are you doing?, they ask the elder. These are my sins, he says, pointing to his back. But these are the sins of my brother, which I keep ever before me, where I can see them.

Ashamed, the monks all returned to their cells to confess, repent, and pray.

Hard to pray when you are bragging about who you are aligned with. Even if you are aligned with God, or whatever you think is the source of good and justice in the world.