Comments on: Being Liberal Doesn’t Mean Being a Patsy

By: John Palmer

John Palmer — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 17:28:52 +0000

There’s an old saying about how, a free society is one where it’s safe to be unpopular. That’s something I agree with, strongly.

Do you have free speech if you can be harmed for speaking? No.

Does it really matter if that harm that comes is from the government or from others? No.

(Obviously, a person is not harmed by being unable to use private property/space, of course. Banning a person is not a violation of free speech.)

But there’s a more subtle issue as well… if someone were to attack the NY Times, would (ahem) certain people be able to say “That’s horrible! Look, I didn’t like the Times, but everyone who listened to me knew that I didn’t want anything like that to happen!”

Anyone who, if being honest, would have to say “Uh… no, I suppose not,” is not protecting free speech (well, the free press. You know what I mean!).

Tolerance of ideas, even abhorrent ideas, is the price of freedom. Those who love freedom pay that price proudly, if not always gladly.

By: The Mahablog » Reactionaries

The Mahablog » Reactionaries — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 17:19:11 +0000

[...] A commenter who labels himself “r4d20″ left comments to the “Being Liberal Doesn’t Mean Being a Patsy” post, here and here, and I want to answer these comments at length because the writer brings up some important points. Beginning with: Not to be a pendant, but the first step in elevating the culture is to at least get some terms more specific than “righties/lefties”, or “the right/the left”. I understand that its a quick and easy reference point, but I think that excessive use of generalities does interfere with clear thought. [...]

By: r4d20

r4d20 — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 00:29:27 +0000

Even as a “Rightie” I have more in common with a “moderate” leftie than with a Christian Conservative. As a “leftie” I have more in common with a moderate rightie than with almost any Anarchist or Socialist.

But if the moderates on each side have been conditioned to think of all the people on the “other side” as extremist stereotypes then they will naturally choose the extremists of their own side over those of the other. The only winners are the wingnuts who maintain their support out of hyped-up fear of possible doomsday alternatives.

By: r4d20

r4d20 — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 00:02:03 +0000

“This is one of those things that the rightwing has in common with pseudoscience and fringe science people.”
“Right on! Righties can dish it out but can’t take it. ”

Not to be a pendant, but the first step in elevating the culture is to at least get some terms more specific than “righties/lefties”, or “the right/the left”. I understand that its a quick and easy reference point, but I think that excessive use of generalities does interfere with clear thought.

While I choose to register Republican, like many/most people I stradle the line, which means that hardcore lefties call me “right” and hardcore righties call me “left”. According to the current ‘talking points’ I am both a jingoistic warmonger, and a pro-’Al Queda’ traitor - but at least both agree I should be shot :).

By: Donna

Donna — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 17:47:41 +0000

I like skippy’s comment about ‘greasy spoons’ and their signs, “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.”

‘Cept, I think of the Mahablog as a place to get really nutritious food for thought, not necessarily ‘greasy spoon’ fare….. unless you count those little cafes rated by their number of calendars [Blue Highways] where real home cooking is available.

By: c u n d gulag

c u n d gulag — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 11:27:14 +0000

Your post’s are alway’s like a cold beer and a shot of Tequila with lime and salt on Friday at 5:01pm.
Freedom of speach is not a licence for idiocy. One may write a
“Letter to the Editor,” but that doesn’t mean that it will be read or published.
‘Nuff said…
Keep up the great work. I love your site.
And remind some folks about why the 4th of July isn’t just about fireworks, BBQ and beer. Remind your friends, though, that if they decide to use fireworks to start their BBQ, they can always put the inferno out with the beer. What a waste of beer! Wait, it wouldn’t be if they decided to drink it first and then… Uhm, never mind. The whole house would be in flames by then.
Enjoy!!!
Have a great 4th!!!

By: SPIIDERWEB™

SPIIDERWEB™ — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 09:59:33 +0000

That had to feel about as good as having your back scratched when you itch where you can’t reach. Mmm…

By: zeus

zeus — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 08:17:05 +0000

maha -
A while back I wrote about being twit-filtered from hotair simply because I was identified as liberal. It bothered me for days. I also remember feeling perplexed at your lack of a response to my indignation. Now I get it. Also, I realized that trying to ‘reason’ with anybody at MM’s site is equivalent to repeatedly bashing my head against a wall and expecting a different result.

By: apikoros

apikoros — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 05:00:51 +0000

Maha,

YUP! that’s what I was after “Internets” started popping up on the blogs I read regularly and it was ugly! I missed the original and was left thinking, “What moron thought that up?” I retrospect it should have been obvious

By: maha

maha — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 04:10:02 +0000

apikoros — are you referring to the plural “internets”? That’s a joke — our dim bulb president spoke about the “internets” once.