Accidental Blogger

Since Ronald Reagan first began flirting with the religious right, the ultra conservative base of the Republican Party has become steadily more empowered. Although for both Reagan and Bush Sr. lip service to the far right wing was political expediency, nearly three decades later, the one time fringe players have become the king makers of the GOP. Paul Krugman chronicles the transformation of the wing nuts from the role of the exploited to that of whip crackers.  Conservatism is no longer defined merely by its opposition to taxes and social services. Anyone seeking leadership in the Republican Party must also prove their Christian credentials. Rather unsurprisingly, the party's politicians are caught in a trap of their own making. As Pakistan is finding out, you cannot cynically pander to religious fundamentalism for political gain and hope not to play by its rules. Newt Gingrich is the latest GOP hot shot to realize that to succeed in his own party, he must bear the cross.

In another part of the world, where the west is fighting an ill defined war, it is hard to tell between friend and foe. Sometimes therefore, friends end up paying a steep price. (Link: my sister, Mandira)