Jonah Goldberg continues to act like a man who, having taken some introductory undergrad philosophy classes, has thereby weaponized his stupidity. But all his musings about the Buridan’s Ass paradox facing conservatives who can’t support Trump or maintain their credibility if they endorse Clinton are summed up in the following admission:
“But, there’s a practical point here too. I plan on being in this line of work for a while longer. In the future, I want to be able to continue to say character and ideas matter without someone shouting, ‘Oh yeah, then why did you support Donald Trump?’” – Jonah Goldberg, July 2, 2016
His essay is laced with obnoxious asides that have no other purpose than to try to demonstrate his wingnut bona fides. There’s the snide reference to Lena Dunham’s unattractive nude body, and suggestions that Bill Clinton patronizes the Bunny Ranch whorehouse and may be a murderer, and a preposterous statement that Victor Hanson Davis is “one of the finest historians alive.”
But this is all in the service of finding some kind of way to maintain a career “in this line of work,” while at the same time trashing the Republican Party’s presidential nominee in an Election year when his opponent is the notorious and nefarious she-demon, Hillary Clinton.
It’s not really a paradox at all. It’s basically what happens if you trap a wolverine in a burlap bag. They thrash about in wild and increasing desperation as they begin to slowly suffocate.
And, so, Goldberg is feeling the sting of the critics who say he’s a hypocrite for supporting a squish like Romney but failing to swallow his principles for Trump. And he wants to assure them that he’s still on their side…still a valuable soldier in the greater battle.
And, it’s true. In a few months, this election will be over. And those who refused to support Trump will actually have the upper hand and few problems continuing or resuming their line of work.
But, then, that’s really all that needs to be said. All this writhing about is unseemly. Just say that Trump should not be president and admit the obvious next step, which is that Clinton will make a more acceptable president regardless of whether you’re a conservative or not.
