[MD] subject / object logic

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Platt]
Yes, I understand that it is "quite disturbing" to a liberal to have 
a conservative viewpoint expressed.

[Ant]
No, what is disturbing is your continued uncritical use of the 
parameters set in debate by neo-con ideology rather than Zen 
orientated philosophy.

[Arlo]
Greetings Brother Puppy-torturing Commie! I'm curious, what 
"conservative viewpoint" did Platt express other than the gratuitous 
smear assault on DMB? Any?? Like with his reply to me, Platt has 
nothing whatsoever to offer except ad nauseuam rehashing of tired 
one-liners like "leftist loony" and "radical left Marxist fringe". He 
offers nothing to the dialogue except inane polarizing ideology that 
serves nothing, certainly not the topics as were being discussed.

With me, of course, there was the smallest hint of condemnation on 
consumerism, and a mention that government (in its provision of 
infrastructure such as courts, currency, roads, public lands, EMT 
services, police and military protection, schooling, labor 
regulations, libraries, museums, mass transit, etc.) is not "the 
problem". The "problem", to any rational mind, is the abuse of power, 
whether attained by vote or by wealth. But of course, the mere 
mention of these government programs brought the most moronic of 
comments I've seen in a while, "Arlo should visit the Holocaust 
Memorial". That one comment demonstrates beyond any words I could 
type the singularly vile and despicable rhetoric that flows from this man.

[Platt]
Liberals would love to shut down talk radio, a frightening wish 
remindful of a dictator's first move -- silence opposition.

[Ant]
Yet another smear.

[Arlo]
This is the Mightly Wurlitzer of the season here on the Limbaugh and 
Hannity programs. "Liberals want to silence talk radio". Never mind 
the perennial assault on the Academy brought year after year by the 
same trumpets, an attempt to silence that nearly cost Pirsig his job. 
I, for one, love that talk radio is on the air. It provides a 
never-ending river of stupidity by which I can teach students how to 
begin applying critical reasoning skills. And since Platt is simply 
doling out more "fear rhetoic", let me remind here that the 
"dictator's first move" has historically been to vilify the Academy 
and marginalize the media. Hitler's effectiveness in attaining power 
stemmed directly from his two-front vilification of these social 
branches. All professors are evil "lefties", and the "media" is 
nothing but lies and propaganda. By effectively drumbeating the 
message that the only "fair and balanced" viewpoint was that 
sanctioned by the Reich, forces that would normally function to 
counter this power were made impotent. Let's also remember that the 
"dictator's first move" also always includes the condemnation of 
criticism to the regime as "unpatriotic" and "treasonous". Those who 
would condemn the dictator would be branded as "aiding and abetting 
the enemy", vilified as traitors and enemies of freedom. So, yes, 
let's consider these "frightening wishes remindful of a dictator's first move".

[Platt]
There must be something to the conservative worldview that appeals to 
many. My guess is: individual freedom.

[Arlo]
My guess is: ignorance, propaganda, greed and/or an overly 
materialistic outlook.

[Arlo]
Witness the absurd dichotomy. The only "wordview" that encompasses 
"individual freedom" is conservatism. Inane. But that's part of the 
ongoing rhetorical distortion of talk-radio. "Libs hate freedom". Its 
a pathetic reminder of the ideological war raging with this vile rhetoric.

But there is little doubt that you are correct, Ant. Fear, propaganda 
and greed, appeals to xenophobia and the rise of "Nightmare 
Politicians" are what lay behind the modern pendulum swing to the far 
right. Just as they did in the late 1890s, I have full confidence, 
people will grow weary of the constant fear demanded by the right and 
begin seeing that the sacrifices they made to elect Nightmare 
Politicians were hardly worthwhile. If it means anything, two of my 
oldest friends who have been conservative-faithfuls for years, have 
both expressed to me this summer their disgust with the right, and 
how they see they were duped. It may mean little, and we may have a 
while to go before the pendulum swings back, I have every confidence it will.

Ultimately, however, what we need is another "hippie" revolution. One 
that does not repeat the past mistake, but moves us forward in a 
Dynamic leap of Quality. In the meantime, we can expect the same-old 
tired "return to Victorianism" rhetoric we've come to love.

Anyway, good to talk to you Comrade Puppy Killer and Enemy of Freedom.