re: #2 thecommodore

I wonder about this with people like Carson, Beck, Coulter, and others. While they say incredibly idiotic and loathsome things (especially Coulter), they are all smart people, so do they really believe even half the shit they say? There was an interview with Beck in Esquire or somesuch mag soon after he became big, and he suggested that sometimes as a broadcaster you exaggerate things to keep your edge with people. Limbaugh has said the same thing, as a matter of fact. I have a feeling that in the right circumstances - like after a couple of drinks - Carson would admit that his comment about people going to prison straight and coming out gay, or his comparison between Obamacare and slavery, and some of the other things he’s said (like the birther and creationism stuff) were pulled out of his ass on behalf of pandering to his constituency. I definitely think Coulter would say the same thing. Beck pretty much has, as I said. So if this thesis of mine is true, it pretty much means that Dr. Carson, et al, are this generation’s Professor Harold Hill, which is worse than being an actual nutcase.

I agree. I think they’re opportunists pandering to a crowd.