Why I stopped being a Right-Winger...

[Centexfarmer]

With all of the outrage today about some "talking head" on MSNBC today, and the hard on that "conservatives" have gotten over high ranking Democrats over their "nauseating" feelings about how Obama is going after Romney and Bain Capital.

I thought it would be nice to put things into perspective from a Reagan Conservative:

As a conservative, I disagree with the political opinions of liberals. But to me, a verbal assault indicates insecurity and weakness on the part of the assaulter, as in “Is that the best they can do?” This playground bullying – the name-calling, the screaming, the horrible accusations – all are intended to stifle debate, the very lifeblood of a democracy.
Meanwhile, these people who practice shutting down the opposition through shouts and smears accuse President Obama of having dictatorial dreams?...

As a longtime moderator of this forum, and I can speak for my fellow moderators here, we welcome a full throttle discussion of Current Events and Topics here.

But when one "side" uses the same tactics as the other to stifle discussion, and to bully or shut down debate, who really is taking the high ground here?

Or anywhere for that matter?

I see everyday on things that my friends post on Facebook, to letters to the editor in my local Newspapers, to comments left on blogs, and articles published online that there's this stupid idea that it's "us vs them."

We're are the US (as in United States), and THEY are our Government.

Do "they" want us railing against "them?"

Of course not.

So the "right and the left" prefer that we rail against each other while they do the bidding of their Corporate paymasters/sponsors/campaign contributors.

As an American, a Veteran of the United States Military, and a weekend "historian" for both American and World History, I'm absolutely appalled at the bullshit that passes for "political discussion" in our country these days.

While those of us who care enough to pay attention to the news, and to vote we viciously attack one another either for the political views that we hold, or for the groups, parties, or individuals that we support.

And we as Americans are encouraged to do so. If for no other reason than to defend reason of all things.

Anyway, it's worth a read, and your comments are welcome.

[h=1]Why I Stopped Being a Right-Winger -- Modern Conservatism Has Become a Form of Mass Hysteria[/h]Please take the time to read the linked article above, there will be a quiz at the end of this thread.

 

[palbert]

No comment. (Forum mods.)

 

[Jack Springer]

Is the article available anywhere else?

Alternet has a habit of republishing articles and putting their own views into the articles.

 

[opinterph]

Is the article available anywhere else?

Alternet has a habit of republishing articles and putting their own views into the articles.

My break with the extreme right - Salon.com

 

[Centexfarmer]

Is the article available anywhere else?

Alternet has a habit of republishing articles and putting their own views into the articles.

My apologies.

My break with the extreme right

Source: Salon.com

Or is Salon to <gasp> Moderate for you?



I'm sure that I could find a few "conservative" websites to your liking where they use his article as an impeachment of why any "conservative" that in fact agrees with him is in fact a RINO.

If you find or discover that Alternet has in anyway "edited" this article for publication from Salon.com to their website, please feel free to point that out.

I'm really disappointed Jack, I figured that you'd at least read the article first instead of start harping about where it was linked from.



But here ya go a source outside of Alternet: Salon.com.

 

[Benvolio]

No comment. (Forum mods.)

Reading it one would think the Conservatives were the most radical, the most rude, the most given to personal attacks. One has only to scroll through one of the controversial threads on this forum to see the falsity if that claim. It is the Conservatives who are able to discuss without personal attacks against other posters. Most of the liberals seemingly cannot make a comment without a rude insult against another poster. Even on the national level the criticisms of Obama primarily focus upon his policies and apparent agenda. Some exceptions, of course. The reverse is true for liberals; name calling and personal attacks are the rule, not the exception.

 

[maxpowr9]

To be fair Benvolio, it is only a few of the posters that berate others [on both sides] while many users try to keep the conversation civil. There is also the problem, again on both sides, that few people even bother to understand each side of the coin and are close-minded politically.

 

[Rolyo85]

Reading it one would think the Conservatives were the most radical, the most rude, the most given to personal attacks. One has only to scroll through one of the controversial threads on this forum to see the falsity if that claim. It is the Conservatives who are able to discuss without personal attacks against other posters. Most of the liberals seemingly cannot make a comment without a rude insult against another poster. Even on the national level the criticisms of Obama primarily focus upon his policies and apparent agenda. Some exceptions, of course. The reverse is true for liberals; name calling and personal attacks are the rule, not the exception.

Attacking people with accusations of wanting to destroy Democracy, Capitalism and puppies is a sign of idiocy,

Attacking people for being idiots is a service to society ^_^

 

[JayHawk]

So Ben would you say that Rush Limbaugh is a constant and honored voice in the conservative community? Have you ever heard his broadcast?

I won't even mention Sandra Fluke.
Harry Reid is Dirty Harry or Dirty Greasy Harry.
Michelle Obama is Uppity and plays songs like Baby's got back while referring to anything the First lady has done.
Nancy Pelosi " As I've often wondered, is she genuinely this uneducated, uninformed, silly, stupid, whatever -- and I've concluded there isn't a word to describe the status of her brain."

I could go on until JUB ran out of storage space as his show is one insult after another while leaving out the other side of the argument.

But he is but one.

Bill Oreilly : "Bill O’Reilly had Dr. Marc Lamont Hill as a guest on his show and they were discussing President Barack Obama’s plan to bring 1,200 troops to the Mexican border. O’Reilly then brought up the issue of drugs and told Dr. Hill that he looked like he sold cocaine."

Sean Hannity: "Today while attempting to insult the President, the little lost boy tripped over his own limited knowledge of basic English as he was whining that Obama is a “crybaby.” Sean explained that since “crybaby” is an “adjective,” it’s not a name and hence, Sean is not name-calling.

Only crybaby is not an adjective. Crybaby is a noun. Sigh. And Sean is whining. Sean is the cry-baby. Someone make it stop."

Joe Wilson isn't a personality that could be excused for just working ratings or being funny. He is a congress critter (Yes I insult all of them). Yet that position doesnt stop him from failing to discuss the issue but shouting "You're a Liar" to the President in a moment of ZERO class that would have most of the previous congressmen rolling in their graves.

There is no doubt that both sides engage in name calling to satisfy their petty viewers need to feel superior. However you ignore a large portion of American media and influence if you think Republicans don't hurl insults just to make a splash.

Just like the idiot who choose to use Memorial Day to bring up the subject of the military being heroes JUST so he could make headlines with his rather ignorant viewpoint.

No it is an evenly played game.

 

[Jack Springer]

My apologies.

My break with the extreme right

Source: Salon.com

Or is Salon to <gasp> Moderate for you?



I'm sure that I could find a few "conservative" websites to your liking where they use his article as an impeachment of why any "conservative" that in fact agrees with him is in fact a RINO.

If you find or discover that Alternet has in anyway "edited" this article for publication from Salon.com to their website, please feel free to point that out.

I'm really disappointed Jack, I figured that you'd at least read the article first instead of start harping about where it was linked from.



But here ya go a source outside of Alternet: Salon.com.

Centex, I didn't ask for a conservative site -- I asked for a site that didn't distort what the author was saying.

Please don't be disappointed. I rarely read the the blog - I'd rather read the original -- hope you're sitting down -- even on right wing blogs.

First thing I noticed on the alternet site was the photo of the formerly fat Rush Limbaugh.

Headline and sub-head are different -- not being picky - but if you're a regular reader of Alternet you know how they tweak their articles -- the same way The Daily Caller does theirs.

 

[Centexfarmer]

To be fair Benvolio, it is only a few of the posters that berate others [on both sides] while many users try to keep the conversation civil. There is also the problem, again on both sides, that few people even bother to understand each side of the coin and are close-minded politically.

Thank you maxpowr9.

We all know and recognize the easiest part of this discussion, "who to blame."

I say that it's all of us.

We only have ourselves to blame.

Each of us find that one little "factoid" that speaks to, or represents a piece of our own personal narrative, and we embrace that.

And we share it with our friends, and shun those who don't agree with it.

The Author of this op-ed piece/editorial (though he's an admitted "conservative" with the credentials to prove it) speaks to one of my truths; we're all Americans first.

The Author of this piece is railing against what passes for "conservative" and "conservatism" in America today, and how there's this hysteria that permeates the whole of our politics today.

It speaks to me on a level more thought provoking than anything currently presented by "libruls" and/or the so called "Liberal Media."

I felt it worthy of discussion for individuals here who regularly post in this forum, and for many of whom I respect though don't always agree with. Which is why I presented it for discussion.

Please read the whole article, and share (if anything) that you might find agreeable.

 

[Centexfarmer]

Centex, I didn't ask for a conservative site -- I asked for a site that didn't distort what the author was saying.

Please don't be disappointed. I rarely read the the blog - I'd rather read the original -- hope you're sitting down -- even on right wing blogs.

First thing I noticed on the alternet site was the photo of the formerly fat Rush Limbaugh.

Headline and sub-head are different -- not being picky - but if you're a regular reader of Alternet you know how they tweak their articles -- the same way The Daily Caller does theirs.

That's funny because on one page on alternet I'm seeing a political ad where Sarah Palin is endorsing Ted Cruz for Texas Senate, and on the next page a political ad supporting Obama's re-election campaign.

You and I can agree that Limbaugh is disgusting to look at without even knowing what his political views are, but for Sarah Palin to tell me that I should be voting for Ted Cruz for Texas Senate even after Mike Huckabee told me on page three while reading that article that David Dewhurst is the "true conservative" for Texas Senate, I thought that you might be showing yourself to be more than a little pretentious.

So, you now have the same link to Salon.com where you can get peppered with recipes and invitations to buy exciting cookbooks, and to sign up for stuff.

 

[Jack Springer]

Wait a second... personal attacks? I haven't seen much in the way of personal attacks by those on the left in this forum. I've seen it mainly coming from those on the right, when they are questioned about their viewpoints. Many on the right have a victim mentality, and think everybody is ganging up on them.

Man you are delusional.

Maybe I should share the not so nice personal attack on me you made in a private message.

 

[Jack Springer]

That's funny because on one page on alternet I'm seeing a political ad where Sarah Palin is endorsing Ted Cruz for Texas Senate, and on the next page a political ad supporting Obama's re-election campaign.

You and I can agree that Limbaugh is disgusting to look at without even knowing what his political views are, but for Sarah Palin to tell me that I should be voting for Ted Cruz for Texas Senate even after Mike Huckabee told me on page three while reading that article that David Dewhurst is the "true conservative" for Texas Senate, I thought that you might be showing yourself to be more than a little pretentious.

So, you now have the same link to Salon.com where you can get peppered with recipes and invitations to buy exciting cookbooks, and to sign up for stuff.

Welcome to politics Centex.

Yeah, I'd be happier if we all got along and there were more civil disagreements her on CEP, TV, the radio and print. Do I need to point out that Obama is the first sitting President to open a re-election campaign with negative, attack ads?

For people to get along there has to be agreement to do so on both sides. If you've read my posts, you know I'm not a big fan of Romney or Obama. I really don't look forward to voting this fall.

Why does the author live in Columbia?

 

[palbert]

Centex, I didn't ask for a conservative site -- I asked for a site that didn't distort what the author was saying.

recte: "what the conservative author was saying."

 

[Centexfarmer]

I didn't make any personal attack to you in personal message. In fact, I don't even remember the last time I private messaged you. Keep your personal attacks to yourself.

GiancarloC:

Te amo como un niño gordo ama torta.

However!

The next post that I expect to read from you in this thread should have something directly related to the article (that's quoted here from no less than two separate sources), or find your posts lost in the ether.

 

[Centexfarmer]

Welcome to politics Centex.

Thank you Jack, and here I was prepared to welcome you to the Internet.

 

[Lostlover]

Very good articles. I know it is best to keep things civil, but when you see so much wrong, all of the time, it gets tempting to try to rip the other side a new one.

While these two authors have stood up to the extremism of the right, a lot of people have held on to the nonsense. For example: it's party doctrine of the GOP to malign scientists if their findings don't fit conservatives' belief systems (religious or economic). Who is raised to hate scientists? No one. But for a party that's ideology goes against research and common sense (climate change, evolution, economic theory, etc.), these scientists have become bogeymen.

I always try to remind myself of who do I like the most in grad school and it has generally been conservative classmates. While I disagree with them politically, I found their straight talk refreshing. (I butted heads with an uber liberal in my class. And I thought I'd have a lot in common with her.) I found the most smug classmates to be Huffington Post readers.

 

[Centexfarmer]

Very good articles. I know it's good to keep things civil, but when you see so much wrong, all of the time, it gets tempting to try to rip the other side a new one.

Really?

You actually read the article?

Here's that quiz that I was talking about earlier: "Which portion spoke to you the most, and why?"

I'm being serious, this is a chance that I hope that we can all connect on some level.

 

[Lostlover]

Reagan was a little before my time, so I can't comment on what I think Reagan would have said. The same goes for William F. Buckley, Jr.