[rainsford]

I used to have that perspective, but I actually think it's even simpler than selective application of principles or hypocrisy as the parent commentator put it. It's not so much that they believe in an ideal but struggle to apply it when doing so isn't in their favor and more that their guiding premise is that things should always go their way and they adopt the language, but not the intent, of a deeper principle because it sounds like a better justification.

[colechristensen]

We don't disagree. I suppose "their ideals only apply when... " and saying "they don't actually hold the ideals they claim" really are the same thing.