On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 12:14:10 -0600, Alma J Wetzker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
[snip]
>
> These are more traditional definitions but I think that part of them is still
> largely accurate. These are also greatly simplified and do not cover any
> depth or nuance that we have seen in the "discussions" on the list. As an
> example: The left now uses the terms religious (as applied to christianity)
> or christian as an assault to discredit a persons actions or views. I am not
I hate labels. They are used to stigmatize, marginalize people or
otherwise obfuscate issues. Churchill labeled his detractors
"defeatist". Bush does the same, labeling detractors "un-American" or
"un-Patriotic". Label him and leave him to the press or the village
idiot. Only an idiot argues with an idiot (who pays attention to an
idiot?). Labeling someone is a good way to avoid answering that
person's questions/arguments directly.
Besides, it's just as likely that any given person will lean to the
left on some issues and to the right on others, making the label
little more than a distraction.
> sure if this is an honest attempt to keep the mainstream religion out of
> society or a pragmatic way to marginalize those who are traditional opponents
> (or a combination of both). In any case, the thoughts and principles behind
> these schools of action are living and changing to adapt to our society's
> growth. My personal observation is that the conservatives are adapting better
> to society in this generation in America.
The way I see it (and how the discussions have _not_ gone on this
list) is there are well-defined issues and opinions (or navels) to go
with them.
Perhaps we can get away from the "your candidate is a war-mongering
misfit" or "well yours is a yellow-bellied idiot" to something along
the lines of: I agree with my candidate in that the only way to deal
with terrorism is to kill all the terrorists; or well, I think my
candidates option to negotiate with terrorists is a better policy.
Now we have something to discuss rather than labels to dodge.
Ciao,
David A. Bandel
--
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
- Nemesis Air Racing Team motto
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