Yes, Ben did unethical things. He got what he deserved.

However, threatening to rape his sister is not an appropriate way to criticize Ben.

That this happened should be enough to demonstrate to you that problems with civility exist on both ends of the political spectrum.

By focusing on the pundits, rather than the ideas expressed, we lower the level of the debate.

Domenech is a fraud and a liar. There is no reasonable explanation as to how he got the job he was so clearly unqualified for, unless it is another case, like Armstrong Williams, of a paid political operative using a journalistic platform. The prostitute James Guckert, who somehow was issued a White House press pass under a false name, also comes to mind. Bob Novak, who published the name of a CIA agent. Judith Miller, who was a conduit for disinformation leading up to the invasion of Iraq. There seem to be quite a few irregularities among conservative “journalists,” and I use that word only because there is no suitable synonym.

Instead of attacking those who criticize unethical behavior, try to figure out why so many conservative pundits are saddled with ethical shortcomings.

Well, just off the top of my head, how about this:

“While Haleigh clings to life, I’ve pondered how we might help persuade the plug-pullers to put off the child’s state-sanctioned death sentence. I propose nominating her for a Nobel Prize. It bought Tookie Williams five extra years.”

Her exploitation of that little girl and her family was pretty heartless. Of course, I try not to read her regularly, so I’m guessing you’ve seen many more examples and just read right over them.

But the whole point of the Bad Pundit blog that I hope to begin soon is that there is precious little debate — reasoned debate — of real issues today. Among politicians, pundits, media and –unfortunately — bloggers. And I think of all these groups, bloggers have the least excuse for not acting responsibly. Because since most of us don’t get paid squat, there’s NO ONE — not paid subscribers, or corporate overlords, or political donors — forcing us to degenerate the debate. We have no one to answer to but ourselves.