Knowing When to Resign

For John, BLUF:  Polarization won't end well  I will say this for Ms Lynne Lupien—she knewknows how to cut a political deal to make things happen.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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UK Party Leader Steps Down, Citing Christian Faith

This is from The [Boston] Pilot, for Monday, 19 June 2017. It is about British Liberal-Democratic Party Leader Tim Farron.

Here is the first part of the article:

London, England, Jun 17, 2017 CNA/EWTN News.- After facing backlash for his Christian faith, the head of the UK’s Liberal Democratic Party announced his resignation on Wednesday, claiming that leading the party was becoming incompatible with living his faith.

“To be a political leader – especially of a progressive, liberal party in 2017 – and to live as a committed Christian, to hold faithfully to the Bible's teaching, has felt impossible for me,” said Tim Farron, noting he would hold his position until the parliamentary recess begins next month.

Farron’s announcement follows significant media attention surrounding his answers to press questions on abortion and homosexuality.

During the recent election, Farron had been asked repeatedly by reporters about his views on the morality of homosexual acts.

Earlier this week, the party's home affairs spokesman Brian Paddick – a prominent gay politician – resigned abruptly, citing concerns over opinions held by the party’s leadership.

Despite the Liberal Democrats gaining several parliamentary seats under Farron, he faced opposition from within his own party. According to the Telegraph, one senior Liberal Democrat said Farron was “unhelpful during the campaign.”

He also said Farron’s “views [were] not compatible with being the leader of the Liberal Democrats.”

That was not the only mention of the resignation.  There was this:

"Tim Farron:  Christian Canary In The Coalmine"

This is from The American Conservative, posted on 16 June by Mr Rod Dreher.  Mr Dreher includes Mr Farron's resignation speech.  He also notes the following, which is the critical point for all of us, even Progressives, as Progressivism progresses and gets ahead of those who thought they were orthodox progressives, but didn't advance with the time.

Farron supports same-sex marriage and supports abortion rights, but that was not enough for his media inquisitors.  They wanted to know if he thought those things were sinful.  It wasn’t enough for him to pledge to defend gay rights and abortion rights.  It wasn’t even enough for him to clarify that no, he doesn’t think that gay sex is a sin (a heterodox position for a Christian to take, but he took it.)  No, Farron had to think correct thoughts, and to have thought them at all times, clearly, or be shamed and hounded out of public life.  As he has been.

At least in the end, he learned that it profits a man nothing to gain the world if he loses his soul.

There appears to be no compromise with the Progressives, no making a deal.  The likes of Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Nancy Pelosi aren't about the deal.  They are about "the truth" as they understand it.  I used to think the political solution to abortion was to go with Roe v Wade and pick 20 weeks as the point after which abortions of choice would be banned.  However, with people who think abortion should be allowed in the fourth trimester there is no cutting a deal, no recognizing that not everyone is in lockstep.

It is a sad day.

Regards  —  Cliff