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National Review 29 Jan 1996 ^ | 29 Jan 1996 | Digby Anderson

Posted on 02/04/2004 4:16:09 PM PST by AreaMan

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To: AreaMan
But the stick can cause rebelious attitudes.
21 posted on 02/05/2004 9:44:35 AM PST by Paul C. Jesup (Voting for a lesser evil is still an evil act and therefore evil...)
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To: Paul C. Jesup
We all have rebellious attitudes about something, so what?

The fact that rebellious attitudes arise from using "the stick" does not mean that the use of "the stick" is incorrect or inappropriate.
22 posted on 02/05/2004 9:52:16 AM PST by AreaMan
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To: AreaMan
One of the strongest defenses against outlandish ideas and behavior was ridicule. Ridicule is not now permitted. And a society that is condemned to take all claims seriously will soon be a society whose eyebrows cannot be raised in disbelieving amusement, whose gaze cannot turn down in scorn, whose mouth cannot laugh. It will have lost its best defense of order the sense of the comic. Do I hear the sound of spades against graves?

The article makes many good points. However, one does not need to accept the writer's suggestion that ridiculing unacceptable social conduct is no longer permitted. At my website, there is some in virtually every article. We make no concessions to the pretensions or pseudo-intellectual newspeak of the Twentieth Century Left, and we intend to step up the attack in this new Century.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

23 posted on 02/05/2004 9:53:14 AM PST by Ohioan
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To: Ohioan
I haven't read your website yet but I'll take your word for it. I commend you for taking the time to start a website and do the work you do.

I think the author was referring to the society at large and not the realm of the web where you can publish your ideas with very little backlash.

In a business, educational, political or other social setting if you disparage unacceptable social conduct you will most likely have your head handed to you.

Remember Murphy Brown and Dan Qualye? And that wasn't even ridicule.

24 posted on 02/05/2004 10:06:09 AM PST by AreaMan
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To: AreaMan
In a business, educational, political or other social setting if you disparage unacceptable social conduct you will most likely have your head handed to you.

If you mean that some jerk may take a swing at me, I suppose I should be careful--although I haven't been so yet. Still, one must admit that the aging process doesn't make it too wise to take on people more than 20 years younger than one finds oneself. But the only question, really, is whether to fight or prosecute for assault. I have no intention to pretend that I find certain conduct acceptable, and will continue to make politically uncorrect jokes, whenever they help make my point.

On the other hand, if you are suggesting that there is on this planet a "Liberal," who can take me on in a debate, and not end by my handing him, his head, I can only say that I have yet to meet such. A former Governor of Ohio used to be able to debate me on fairly even terms for 45 minutes. After that the pressure started to get to him.

I studied the thought processes of the modern "Liberal," in my teens, and came to a clear understanding of just how loosely they are wrapped. They do not start out, as we do, trying to determine something real and true, on which to structure the formulation of an opinion. From the smartest to the dumbest of the breed, it is all wishes for horses, and flying pigs for ideas--in short the wish list of neurotics who are into major denial of the realities on which human existence is based.

If this taunting tone prompts some lurking Lefty to try his luck in a little typed debate, I just might demonstrate the points. But again, thanks for posting the enjoyable background article.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

25 posted on 02/05/2004 10:39:20 AM PST by Ohioan
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To: AreaMan
I am just stating it may be counterproductive this case.
26 posted on 02/05/2004 11:02:59 AM PST by Paul C. Jesup (Voting for a lesser evil is still an evil act and therefore evil...)
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To: Ohioan
If you mean that some jerk may take a swing at me, I suppose I should be careful

On the other hand, if you are suggesting that there is on this planet a "Liberal," who can take me on in a debate, and not end by my handing him, his head, I can only say that I have yet to meet such

I meant neither of those.

Back to the example of VP Quayle and the Murphy Brown incident.

It is demonstrably superior to raise children in a loving two parent heterosexual home.

Most anyone asserting this to the exclusion of other "arrangements" will be shouted down by hordes of unthinking moral relativists that don't have the common sense of a street dog. A good example of this Dr. Laura Schlessinger and the homosexual activists that forced her off of TV.

These people will not pause to debate you. They will bring the intellectual equivalent of torches and pitchforks and carry you out naked and beat you to death (metaphorically speaking of course). They are a senseless and emotionally violent mob that, in many cases, cannot be reasoned with.

27 posted on 02/05/2004 5:23:34 PM PST by AreaMan
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To: AreaMan
It is demonstrably superior to raise children in a loving two parent heterosexual home.

Yes, it certainly is. And not only for the immediate benefit of the kids and parents. It is in strong reproducing families that Society achieves its continuum, the ongoing character of its institutions. Without a sense of the progression of generations, within the family, in a society composed of such families, most--if not all--of the progress achieved within each generation (both material and other), is likely to be lost, as the incentive to build and retain for the purpose of passing on, is lost.

But I know I am preaching to the choir.

You are right about the lynch mob psychology. But with a little concerted attack--particularly one directed by those who understand how to provoke just the reaction you describe and then counter-punch it; a great deal could be done to teach the pervert bullies a lesson. Quayle was a little naive. He should have hit back, and let the chips fall where they might. He would have saved his political career, in my opinion.

Dr. Laura has not really been whipped. The organized perverts had the clout to get her thrown off of TV, but the battle isn't really over. Indeed, it really needs to be persisted in. The visual media is doing our society a lot of damage; but it is not one sided. A lot of people who were never ideological in their lives, are ready to wretch at the steady diet of homosexual glamorization. If the President would stop apologizing for opposing the Homosexual agenda, and use the "Bully Pulpit," he could quickly neutralize at least the last couple of years of propaganda. (No, I know the Leftists in the media would start howling like stuck pigs. But with the right sort of gentle quips, and references to the wholesome images that most people still secretly long for, most people will embrace normal sexuality over organized deviancy.)

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

28 posted on 02/05/2004 7:46:27 PM PST by Ohioan
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To: AreaMan
More generally, Western societies have seen a series of behaviors, once thought evil, perverse, or just plain barmy, solemnly argued for as normal and very quickly accepted as such. Take the case of illegitimacy, once thought an occasion for shame; or that of vegetarianism, once thought, for instance by Orwell, to be the sure sign of a crank; or that of homosexuality.

Let's not forget interracial sexual relations and marriage, there used to be hangings for that. What about slavery going in the opposite direction, from good to evil?
29 posted on 02/05/2004 7:52:30 PM PST by Quick1
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To: Quick1; Ohioan
Let's not forget interracial sexual relations and marriage, there used to be hangings for that. What about slavery going in the opposite direction, from good to evil?

Race is a morally neutral or benign characteristic. Sexual behavior has a moral component to it. If you cannot discern the difference between interracial marriage and homosexual marriage or you think they are moral equivalents then have problems. Thinking ability problems.

And as for slavery, the Christians (which I can only assume you regard as troglodytes) were at the forefront of the abolitionist movement.

30 posted on 02/05/2004 8:31:57 PM PST by AreaMan
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To: Quick1; Ohioan
If you cannot discern the difference between interracial marriage and homosexual marriage or you think they are moral equivalents then you have problems.

That's what I meant to write.
31 posted on 02/05/2004 8:33:11 PM PST by AreaMan
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To: AreaMan
And as for slavery, the Christians (which I can only assume you regard as troglodytes) were at the forefront of the abolitionist movement.

Assume makes an ass out of you and me. I state no opinion either way, simply pointing out additional facts, and yet you jump all over me for it. Don't assume I'm a commie liberal pinko Atheist and that I regard Christians as trogoldytes (the persecution complex some people have gets old however), because it makes you look like an idiot.
32 posted on 02/05/2004 8:39:16 PM PST by Quick1
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To: AreaMan
One other point: Christians were at the forefront of the abolitionist movement, but there were also Christians who used the Bible to justify slavery. However, I don't want to threadjack.
33 posted on 02/05/2004 8:44:12 PM PST by Quick1
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To: Ohioan
(No, I know the Leftists in the media would start howling like stuck pigs. But with the right sort of gentle quips, and references to the wholesome images that most people still secretly long for, most people will embrace normal sexuality over organized deviancy.)

I don't think the gentle quips will get the amount of air time (if any at all) that the attacks by the "stuck pigs" will get.

True, the alternative media, i.e. talk radio, the web, some of Fox News, will give you som air time. But the waves of hysterical leftist drivel or thoughtless libertine rationalizations will eventually wash over the "gentle quips" like a red tide in which nothing can live for very long.

I know this sounds pessimistic (I'd like to think realistic) but we are outnumbered. The majority of the population are as Orwell's Smith said to his lover, "...a rebel from the waist down" Ultimately I hope you are right and I am wrong and the gentle quips can win.

34 posted on 02/05/2004 8:44:46 PM PST by AreaMan
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To: Quick1
: Christians were at the forefront of the abolitionist movement, but there were also Christians who used the Bible to justify slavery.

True. Now that we know that how can you tell which ones were right?

In Moral Relativity World....it is impossible to tell. The one with the most guns or gold will get to impose his will.

In the sane world, you appeal to absolute truth and/or logical interpretation of the Bible to surmise that the slavery supporting Christians are wrong.

35 posted on 02/05/2004 8:49:18 PM PST by AreaMan
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To: AreaMan
BTTT.
36 posted on 02/05/2004 9:37:23 PM PST by spodefly (This is my tagline. There are many like it, but this one is mine.)
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To: spodefly
I saw your profile and I think you should take a trip, if possible, to CarHenge in Nebraska. You can experience the American version of Stonhenge.

Also they have a webpage if you just want to check it out.
37 posted on 02/06/2004 11:27:32 AM PST by AreaMan
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To: AreaMan
Actually, I did not intend the suggestion of the "gentle quips," to be understood as a meek approach--and I am not sure from your comments, that you took me to so intend, but I do want to clarify.

The stuck pig reaction, we agree, is predictable. The "gentle quips," is to avoid being lumped with the Rev. Phelps, or is that the name of the Minister who goes so far out of his way to inject hate into the debate, almost to appear as an agent provacateur for the benefit of those whom he attacks? When the stuck pig reaction sets in, a less gentle response would be in order to the "stuck pigs."

The media are as biased as you indicate, but in that bias, they are so full of their own presumptions and prejudices, that they can be expected both to overreact and also to lead with their chins in the smug assumption that they can expose "bigotry," etc.. That leads to additional opportunities to make points. I see confrontations of this sort as the way to turn the tide. I have many personal experiences with using the media bias against the Left.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

38 posted on 02/06/2004 3:51:48 PM PST by Ohioan
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To: Ohioan
Meekness, as used Biblically, is power under control but I understand what you mean.

The problem is that most who take on such issues are not able to use the media's own bias against them. Most of the people who call in to radio or are guests on television programs are made to look like fools by the hosts. Print "journalism" is far worse.
39 posted on 02/08/2004 8:43:03 AM PST by AreaMan
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To: AreaMan
I agree that most vocal Conservatives do not know how to effectively counter the Left. That is why I have created the Conservative Debate Handbook--which is full of arguments for which the Left has no real answer. (Debate Handbook)

You cited something the other day, which frankly caused me a touch of sadness. When the media went after Quayle over the comment on their glamorizing bastardhood--my nasty term--we (Conservatives) did not take up the gauntlet, generally. That was actually an important issue--if not for Quayle's short lived campaign, certainly for the American future. We should have made a lot more noise on that one--maybe, just maybe reaching a few folk, still capable of rational analysis.

On the subject you raise--the poor quality of some call ins--there is probably a lot of material being posted at Free Republic, which is being relatively wasted, as preaching to the Choir, which could improve the quality of such call ins. (Don't misunderstand--for all the preaching to the Choir--we do a lot of good here, sharpening our wits, and also reaching a lot of lurkers surfing by. It is just important that we do not confine our outspokenness to this venue.)

Bill

40 posted on 02/08/2004 9:50:41 AM PST by Ohioan
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