[Talk radio host and columnist Dennis] Prager observes that while those on the right think leftists are naive and misguided in how they attempt to apply their convictions, most of their underlying motives and intentions are good. By contrast, the left tends to think that conservatives' convictions stem directly from malign motives. In other words: we think they're incorrect; they think we're evil.An accurate assessment of the left--on all counts.
They want clean air and water, peace, prosperity, tolerance and freedom (to name just a few core ideals). And I believe them. It's just that I think they're going about getting those things in the wrong ways, while overlooking some important applications of those principles. I want those things too. They don't believe me. . .
It becomes impossible to move further not primarily because of the issues themselves, but because the left's primary tactic of late is to demonize rather than discuss. George Bush is equivalent to Adolf Hitler. We're only at war because of greed for oil. No sane comparisons or alternative motives are allowed. We are evil. Thus we are not eligible to debate.
Of course, lefties cite studies "proving" they're brilliant, unlike conservatives who are narrow-minded and dumb. Yet the most recent investigation tested recognition of the letters "M" and "W" flashed on a screen, which might sort eye-sight but is neither science nor about smarts. Besides, the subjects were inexperienced college sophomores whose political preferences were self-selected, may not have been normalized for family income -- and, given the sample of genuine conservatives in college, likely stop short of a statistical universe.
Still, such studies are useful for framing the debate: anyone who believes them is incorrect--and calls me evil.
9 comments:
To sum up my comment:
I know you are, but what am I!
Kobayashi Maru's comments suffer from the logical fallacies of "false dichotomy" and "hasty or faulty generalization." But more critically, he describes a problem that occurs on both sides of the aisle, unfortunately. A later statement in his cited post is:
Sure I occasionally joke about Hillary Clinton being the she-devil, but mostly she's just an ambitious opportunist filled with populist ideas that probably won't work very well and will likely cause harm on the way.
Doesn't that sound a lot like what he claims the leftists do? Look in the mirror!
Ergo, let's not condemn or praise either side, but try to engage in dialogue that just may lead to a better understanding (and possibly a change in view) of how to resolve some rather gnarly issues we face today.
-Cogito
Calling Hilary Clinton an opportunist is not quite the same as equating George Bush to Hitler.
Well said, NJ!
The cognitive studies actually weren't too bad, if you take them for what they are, and what the researchers themselves say about their meaning. It's when the fishwrappers pick it up and draw unwarranted conclusions that it gets dangerous.
Cogito, you are correct in theory, and we should all be careful not to exaggerate the faults of our opposition. But the one-sidedness of that is why I departed from the left in the 1980's and it has only gotten worse since. Evenhanded criticism when the offense ratio is unbalanced amounts to unfair criticism.
NJ-
I was referring to Maru's calling Hilary Clinton a "she-devil," which I guess is one step better than Hitler, ergo I will agree with you, Carl and the Assistant Village Idiot. One point, though, I do not agree with AVI's last statement, unless the word "offense" is intended to mean "offensive," as in "rude" or "abusive." On the other hand, if AVI meant it is unfair criticism when the "numerical" ratio is unbalanced, that statement undermines to some degree a key concept of democracy (albeit understandably imperfect).
-Cogito
AVI:
Help me out--why do you think the cognitive studies are good?
Dennis Prager is being waaaaay too generous here. Prager correctly points out that having good intentions does not translate automatically to good outcomes. But he fails to emphasize how intensely counterproductive the actions of the left actually are, and always have been, with regard to their stated intentions.
One can judge a tree by its fruit, and I am seeing something mighty toxic here.
No, I do not agree with Prager that that most, or even very many, of the leftists care anything about clean air and water, peace, prosperity, tolerance, and freedom - anywhere near as much as they want money, power, and acclaim for themselves.
Those things are all a cover. These leftists want other people to BELIEVE that the leftists have good intentions, without their actually having those intentions. Their actions betray them over and over as self-serving people who are as dishonest with themselves as they are with everyone else.
I do agree that the Left believes that the Right is evil. But that is only because those on the Left can never see past the contorted shadows of themselves that they project upon their rivals on the Right.
And most of us on the Right have no concept of what it is like to be that way. So we just think they're mistaken, and that we can educate them somehow!
For just one example, we have seen Hillary Clinton operating as an example of genuine 24-karat evil for the past twelve years. The evidence is all over the place. She was standing behind a door when the good was being handed out. Yet we have yet to wrap our brains around the fact that someone in power in modern-day America can actually be that cold, cruel, grasping, heartless, manipulative, lying, and hypocritical in real life!
I found your site through Stumbleupon, and it is hilarious. I like the title, no oil for pacifists. I did a doubletake.
I am a republican blogger. "The Tygrrrr Express" gets about 1000 hits per day.
I hope it is ok to ask a complete stranger for help.
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and vote for me for best political blog IF AND ONLY IF you feel my blog is of a high quality. If you are open to spreading the word, that would be cool as well.
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eric aka www.blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com
Eric:
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