--- David Brin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- Gautam Mukunda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > The> South is part of the United States. > > and went on to screech at me that I am a bigoted so > and so.
Actually, Dr. Brin, the word is _snob_. You're a _snob_. Do you have a coherent objection to WalMart? I have no idea, although I rather doubt it. But your problem with WalMart, it's pretty obvious, is the people who shop at it. And losing a policy argument would imply that you're making one (you're not - a hint - ad hominem attacks and calling everyone who disagrees with you a traitor does not an argument make). And, Dr. Brin, given the history of our discussions, and your repeated (and unreturned)personal insults of not just me, but everyone who disagrees with you (but, to be fair, particularly me and John) insults so obvious that _even you_ have occassionally had to take them back, I don't think you're well placed to talk about screeching. Not at all. I _loathe_ snobbery, so I react rather strongly to frothing at the mouth ravings by an elitist, well, bigot, yes, I guess that is the right word. Thanks for suggesting it. Those Southerners. They like to watch cars racing and shooting guns and it's just *icky*. If they'd just go away this would be such a better country. That about summarizes your point. Why else would you rant about NASCAR? As if you could tell the difference between Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jarrett if one of them passed you on the highway. There are two Dale Earnhardts, by the way. Bullshit. Those Southerners who fight our wars and stiffen our collective national spine - and, Dr. Brin, for all your politically convenient hagiography of veterans, your lack of respect for the culture that produces a vastly disproportionate number of them is both overwhelming and nauseating - are an essential part of the cultural fabric of our nation, and the key part of what makes us different from Sweden (for example). The Democratic Party hasn't drifted left on any issues? What nonsense. The moral blinders are astonishing. Abortion. Pro-gay rights. Pro gun control. I might agree with all of those things (in fact, I do with at least the first two, and sort of the third). Affirmative action (where I'm more ambivalent). Obscenity. Pornography. The steady coarsening of American culture. This would be the Democratic Party that nominated George McGovern and wanted to "come home America"? The one that spent the second half of the Cold War emulating Neville Chamberlain? Compare the national consensus in 1970 to where we are today is obvious. The difference is that these are _cultural_ issues and (as they usually do in wealthy countries) cultural issues are more important than economic ones. Your particular source of rage is they have the gall to think for themselves, instead of just listening to you tell them what's good for them. Well good for them, because sure as hell _you're_ not looking out for their interests. So don't even think on standing on your high horse and yelling at me. It ain't that high, and I've gone toe to toe with people a _lot_ more intimidating than you. I'm not some scared undergraduate you can bully to cover up your own inadequacies. The sheer arrogance, the self-righteousness and moral shallowness, of thinking that a discussion between peers (which is what John is to you, whatever you think) is enlightening them boggles my mind. Why he bothers to engage with you I have no idea, but all your abuse of him does is show the roots of rage that lie at the heart of what you believe, not in any way demonstrate that what you say makes sense. ===== Gautam Mukunda [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Freedom is not free" http://www.mukunda.blogspot.com _______________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today! http://vote.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
