Thomas wrote:
Quote:I don't seem to be getting such a strong sense of reality-resistance when I visit German campaign stands. I think this is very dangerous, and that it's a big problem on both sides. But this is the Democrats' "What can we do to fix it?" thread, so I'm pointing out cases of Democratic reality resistence -- especially the meme about "we need to enlighten the benighted people in the red states who, unlike us, don't really know what they're doing. Then we'll win elections again."
Soz wrote:Quote:My first reaction is to wholeheartedly agree with you. My second is that this smacks a little bit of the "and now Ann Coulter with her evidence that the world is flat" equal time syndrome. The PIPA survey showed significant denial of reality in a way that reasonably had a major impact on the election. The segregation in the South thing is about two posters here, one of whom said not much more (dys) and one of whom backed away from "systemic" (Cycloptichorn.) Are those really equivalent?
I completely, completely agree about the dangers of the "enlightenment" concept. At the same time, I DO think the PIPA survey highlights a real problem that should be dealt with... somehow. (I don't know how.)
I agree with Soz here, Thomas. The PIPA report, however is but one example of a failure to be enlightened.
Also, these are the culture wars, they've been escalating since the 70s and 80s. The feelings are high and I believe this is the reason for an entrenched attitude on both sides. But a defensive stance doesn't indicate enlightenment (either the failure or the presence of it). We're talking about the mentality (on the part of the religious fanatics who have taken over the Republican party) of the Crusades. I'm absolutely frightened beyond words about the Fanatical Religious Right's success in taking control, not only of the Republican Party, but of the government of this country.
Too bad I didn't get the chance to take you to the services of a few evangelical churches in the South. You'd see the growing size of these congregations. They are growing exponentially. And I promise you, you would be as afraid as I am if you heard their message.
goerge and Timber try to tell us that the fanatics are small in number. They disparage my attempts to inform on this matter, saying I'm paranoid. Many on this board support him in his efforts in this regard. Fanatical religious activists are dangerous to our democracy. And they need to be stopped.
I don't believe there are enough fanatics to win an election alone. They depend, for their success, on convincing large numbers of decent, God fearing folks that the progressives are demons. They don't try, indeed, they seek to cover up the fact, that they consider us to be demons simply because we don't agree with their need to legislate morality.
In addition, they are dependent on those misinformed Republicans who want to believe that the fanatics aren't in control of their party (george and Timber, to name two.) I suggest to them, if they want to call me paranoid, to do their homework. They are claiming knowledge they do not have.
This is what I'm saying. Thank goodness the Dems are finally developing a sense of alarm and see a need to inform the electorate about their liberal values. If you sense an air of urgency and a failure to be sure to be open minded in the Democratic campaign camps, I say, it's about time. In a time of war (the Culture War) when our civil rights are in jeopardy, we have to unite and fight. We no longer have time for, "well, on the other hand."
Kerry has been criticized for his attempts to consider all possible aspects of cultural questions. For being too sophisticated in his arguments. And I agree, it cost us the election. Sad day that it is. The Dems have to stop their liberal tendency to include complex thought in their arguments. This is war, a guerilla war, and we must fight fire with fire. It's self defense.
Seriously though: maybe that's something related to what you mean.
