James Dobson: Popcorn Industry Benefactor

Digby highlights something I read earlier, but it didn't register with me then like it did today:

As the Jack Abramoff scandal unfolds, it is becoming increasingly clear how extensively he collaborated with the Christian right to advance his casino schemes. Ralph Reed was paid no less than $4 million by Abramoff and his Indian casino clients to serve as a liasion to the Christian right.

Reed managed to lasso Focus on the Family President James Dobson into a series of campaigns to stamp out competition to Abramoff's clients. Though Senate subpeonaed emails seem to confirm that Dobson was manipulated by Reed and Abramoff, he and his employees have repeatedly claimed that his activism against rivals to Abramoff's clients was a complete coincidence.

What we are seeing now is the natural conclusion - long overdue - of the shotgun wedding of pious social conservatives and economic "conservatives" thinking they had something in common. (Actually the Corporatists knew what they were getting while the Religious Fools™ were getting fooled once again.)

Dobson, Robertson, and Falwell took advantage of what Ronnie Raygun built. That's why he's their hero.

But the jig is up. It's going to be an ugly divorce. And I can't wait to see the shoes being thrown and the dishes crashing. I think it's time to buy stock in Reddenbacher's. And thank James Dobson, Ralph Reed, and that admitted crook Jack Abramoff for the boon.