You are what you wear on your t-shirt

I'm not going to talk about the professional shrew who will not be named here again, but Digby brings up an interesting point. Although many on the right denounced her ill-advised remarks, do they really reject her content, or are they just displeased with her timing? As Digby points out, one can draw some conclusions from the merchandise they purchase.

The annual CPAC gathering has been selling items like "Happiness is Hillary's face on a milk carton" and "Muslim = Terrorist" bumper stickers like they were going out of style since they started. A popular t-shirt bears the legend - Rope. Tree. Journalist. Some assembly required.

In fact, the enormously popular Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler, which is run by a guy who calls himself Emperor, sells that one as the official t-shirt of his site. This guy also pimps for vendors who sell t-shirts and other paraphernalia with such charming democratic and tolerant legends as:

Pro-life for the innocent, not for people who enjoy seeing planes flown into our buildings

Who needs enemies on the outside when you have Congressional Democrats on the inside

Jihad, I'll give you jihad you miserable, ragheaded, heathen bastards

Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions

Even on Drugs Rush is right

It will be a great day when all children go to private schools and the money wasted on public education goes to building bombers

But perhaps one can't gain a full appreciation for the depth of their compassion without seeing the graphics, so click the links on these. I mean there's nothing threatening about protected by 2nd Amendment security, right? Club Gitmo is just a laugh riot and who could deny the tolerance in this map of patriots and evildoers or the oh so hilarious to do list? And there's no question about their respect for environmentalists and women.

Not to mention what could be more conducive to civilized debate than flashing such sentiments as these on their chests?

Save the seals, club a liberal

Liberals of the world ignite

Club liberals, not sandwiches

The best way to change a liberal mind is with a rock

Don't tread on me liberal

Certainly nothing demonstrates the conservative's deep and abiding respect for their political opponents as a do not resuscitate t-shirt. And you simply must scroll down to see which "tipping point" bloggers endorse this product line. And let's not neglect our high profile milbloggers who advertise I club hippies.

My pal, Michael van der Galien seems to think conservatives have turned against she who will not be named. I hate to disagree with him but I have to question the sincerity of many of those who spoke out, most probably out of political expedience. I have to think these two may have been the most honest about how they really feel about it.

I think Digby put his finger on the real truth here. "This hideous face of the Republican Party has been obvious to those of us who have been paying attention for a long, long time. It is the single most important reason why our politics have devolved into a filthy grudge match."