Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Between Left and Right, How Do You Know Which Side Isn’t Telling the Truth?
American Greatness ^ | 15 Nov, 2022 | Dennis Prager

Posted on 11/16/2022 5:47:28 AM PST by MtnClimber

There is no important area of left-right difference in which the Left does not call for shutting down dissent.

In a recent Fireside Chat—my weekly podcast for PragerU, half of which is dedicated to my taking questions from (mostly) young people around the world — a young man in his 20s asked how he was supposed to figure out who is telling the truth and who isn’t. He was undoubtedly speaking for millions of his peers. Given the opposing positions one encounters on almost every issue, how is one supposed to figure out which position is right, and which one may not only be wrong, but a lie?

In addition to obvious suggestions—such as finding individuals and institutions whom you trust, studying both sides of issues, learning as much as possible and using common sense—I offered what may be the single most important indicator of who is more likely to be lying.

It is not a perfect indicator of who is telling the truth—there is no perfect indicator—but it comes close.

With rare exceptions, the party that calls for censorship is lying. People who tell the truth can deal with dissent and different opinions. In fact, truth-tellers welcome debate.

If this theory is correct—and I cannot imagine a valid argument against it—it means that in virtually every instance of a Left-Right difference, the Left is lying.

There is no important area of left-right difference in which the Left—not liberals; the Left—does not call for shutting down dissent.

Take the university. Everyone knows how difficult it is for a visiting speaker to offer non-left-wing views on a college campus. Conservative speakers are often either not allowed to appear in the first place, canceled after being invited or shouted down while speaking.

(Excerpt) Read more at amgreatness.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: censorship

1 posted on 11/16/2022 5:47:28 AM PST by MtnClimber
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber

2 posted on 11/16/2022 5:47:39 AM PST by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber

3 posted on 11/16/2022 5:49:27 AM PST by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber
"Between Left and Right, How Do You Know Which Side Isn’t Telling the Truth?"

Gee. That's a tough one. I just cannot figure it out. Some things are just never meant to be understood. Everything is so complicated. I mean, everyone can't be wrong. I wish there were a way to figure this out. How could we ever determine who is telling the truth. If only there were a way.

4 posted on 11/16/2022 5:50:43 AM PST by rlmorel (Nolnah's Razor: Never attribute to incompetence that which is adequately explained by malice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber

A good rule of thumb, if the Left opens their mouth, they are lying, and the GOP will agree with them.


5 posted on 11/16/2022 5:52:26 AM PST by robel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber

Simple.
Judge Judy theory about teenagers:
How can you tell when a teenager is lying? Their lips are moving.


6 posted on 11/16/2022 6:06:40 AM PST by joe fonebone (And the people said NO! The End)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: robel

My truth resolution is, just read a Bible!!!

If something is stealing, killing and destroying...it’s Satan!!!!!!

If something gives you life and gives abundantly (Gal. 5:22 gifts!!!)....it’s Jesus!!!!

I chose life and Jesus Christ’s way as when I breathe my last breath, I want eternity I have dreamed and made decisions for!!!!!! AMEN!!!


7 posted on 11/16/2022 6:06:50 AM PST by YouGoTexasGirl ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber
Carlin was right, no matter who is in power.


8 posted on 11/16/2022 6:07:05 AM PST by Leaning Right (The steal is real.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rlmorel
Nicely said.

In practice, it gets easier as something matures to identify the liar. For example, covid...early on, it would be forgivable for most folks to be concerned and even supportive of 2 weeks to flatten the curve.

By May 2020, most thinking people realized this was a nasty virus for the elderly and those with comorbidities. The rest of us could go along happily.

But the covidians became shrill and unhinged. The MSM et al backed those Karens and Brandons.

Now, it's easy to ID the liars.

Frankly, the young folks at work etc can see through this nonsense. To be sure, the pandemic and riots etc rattled their young world, and I don't doubt there will be lingering PTSD and inability to trust, for some time.

But these kids will likely emerge more cynical and skeptical of Authority than the average FReeper. And that is a good thing.

9 posted on 11/16/2022 6:15:50 AM PST by DoodleBob ( Gravity’s waiting period is about 9.8 m/s²)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: DoodleBob

I feel the same way. I was prepared to be cautious, but mid-April 2020 (IMO) I think it was well understood, and everything after that proved to me it was less about COVID and more about control and power.

I hope by the time those “kids” have the appropriate lack of trust and skepticism of government, that it isn’t too late for them.


10 posted on 11/16/2022 6:46:57 AM PST by rlmorel (Nolnah's Razor: Never attribute to incompetence that which is adequately explained by malice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: rlmorel

He’s answering a question from a young person who doesn’t have the experience and years behind him to know.


11 posted on 11/16/2022 6:56:29 AM PST by beaversmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: rlmorel
A lot of the kidz are already there.

Everybody generation is different. But the spirit of 76 always come through.

The Boomers had political magazines and Firing Line and public broadcasting political shows. GenX had talk radio. Millenials had the Internet.

GenZ had podcasters and Joe Rogan and Crowder and Tim Dillon. I know these guys get beat up on FR, but their influence and reach cannot be denied.

Reaganism was about free trade, low taxes, a strong American presence globally, and the moral majority. Dubya was about crony capitalism. Trump was about Deplorablism. As such, every generation morphs into a new form of "Conservative."

The kidz today (who aren't rabid leftist freaks) tend to be libertarian - gays and pot doesn't bother them, but try to take away their guns or raise their taxes and tell them guys and gals aren't different they get peeved.

We need to recognize that change is inevitable but Truth is invariant with time. I'd sooner have a pro gun anti tax but gay tolerant GenZer at my back vs some of the unhinged folks calling themselves "conservative."

Your mileage may vary.

12 posted on 11/16/2022 7:15:32 AM PST by DoodleBob ( Gravity’s waiting period is about 9.8 m/s²)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right

So was Ronald Raegan

I’m from the government I’m here to help you

He didn’t trust to many in it too


13 posted on 11/16/2022 7:41:37 AM PST by Vaduz (LAWYERS )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber

Democrats always lie, and the GOP is a token party - so does it matter?


14 posted on 11/16/2022 7:52:59 AM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom

That is an important point you make which I am discounting.

Problem is, we have a generation of “mature” people who have not been given exposure to any kind of critical thinking.

Granted, if you have kids (or were once a kid!!) if you pay attention, you can actually see and hear deception, and that is the kind of thing that life-experience can give you.

But given that there were probably about 35-40% of people who really did cast votes for the likes of Fetterman and Biden, that means there is a huge population who cannot think or...don’t care.

Either way, it is a problem. Ignorant people are sheep to be led.


15 posted on 11/16/2022 9:17:59 AM PST by rlmorel (Nolnah's Razor: Never attribute to incompetence that which is adequately explained by malice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: DoodleBob
f 2 weeks to flatten the curve.

When I heard that, I knew we were being bullshitted.

16 posted on 11/16/2022 9:22:43 AM PST by NorthMountain (... the right of the peopIe to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: DoodleBob

The bottom line is, many conservatives DO care about 1st and 2nd Amendment rights, and in the past, would not have cared as much about someone being a homosexual even if they didn’t agree with it, and we would often have viewed it as a sexual peccadillo at worst. I was that way. Not my business.

The problem with that is, the Left won’t allow you to “not care much” anymore. They want you to celebrate and approve of it, often at the point of a gun as was done to the bakery near Oberlin College. They are intent on making it “our business”, so many of us rebel at it.

It is like Pelosi’s husband. Most conservatives would shrug their shoulders and say, yeah...looks like he was involved in a homosexual tryst gone wrong with some mentally ill guy, but they MADE it our business by implying that we were to cause for some mentally imbalanced guy ending up in their home.


17 posted on 11/16/2022 9:28:03 AM PST by rlmorel (Nolnah's Razor: Never attribute to incompetence that which is adequately explained by malice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber

Whichever side is moving their lips is the one that is lying.


18 posted on 11/16/2022 10:26:00 AM PST by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson