Disagree Without Being Disagreeable

Ryan Sorba, a conservative activist who attacked CPAC for accepting a co-sponsorship from a gay Republican organization and FF contributor Alex Knepper, who subsequently confronted him, can both stand to learn a lesson about civil discourse.

I wasn’t at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this year. However, I was able to read at FrumForum about Ryan Sorba’s “condemnation” of CPAC and his subsequent confrontation with FF contributor Alex Knepper. Alex published his account of this confrontation at Race42012.Com.

I consider myself a strong cultural conservative. I support traditional marriage, oppose gay marriage and actively support “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” But "condemnation" isn’t part of my vocabulary. Conservatism, after all, is not about condemning; it’s about supporting and sustaining.

Conservatism is about supporting and sustaining the institution of marriage, the integrity and viability of the traditional American family; and the health and well-being of America’s Judeo-Christian military culture.

Ryan Sorba’s brief remarks before CPAC inadvertently depicted social conservatives as an angry, snarling bunch. For starters, of course, he “condemned” CPAC for accepting co-sponsorship from GOProud, a group that represents gay Republicans. When the CPAC audience booed him, Sorba retorted:

“Bring it! The lesbians at Smith College protest better than you do!” And to someone in the audience named Jeff, I think, Mr. Sorba said: “You just made an enemy out of me; thanks a lot.”

There is a principled conservative case to be made against conferring special legal privileges, and a consequent special legal status, on gay men and women. However, that’s not the case that Sorba made. Alex Knepper, then sought out Sorba and the two almost came to blows.

I hope, as they grow and mature, that Alex and Ryan will realize that good and decent people can harbor seriously mistaken but well intended views.

I know and like Alex. I especially liked this post by Alex, which prompted me to email editor David Frum with a note that said in effect: “Wow, who is this guy? He does great work!”

Unfortunately, Alex’s post about his CPAC altercation amounts to a tasteless and nasty ad hominem attack on Sorba, whom he calls a closet homosexual.

Here are two young men, understandably quick-tempered. But the conservative tradition which both young men inherit is not so young. I hope that Alex and Ryan will study and learn this tradition and benefit from it; for it has much to teach them. Among its myriad lessons: the importance of social and intellectual tolerance, good humor and good cheer, and personal grace and decorum.