[The Dude]

Of all the quotations you cited, only the first has any value aside from rhetoric. And even the first is surely used primarily as rhetoric, as you have used it in this case.

Now, there's nothing wrong with rhetoric, it's surely used by both sides, but understand it for what it is.

I doubt you truly believe the following statement, for example:
I still say a church steeple with a lightning rod on top shows a lack of confidence.