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Friday, Jul 3, 2009
This article did a good job of showing how the different branches of "conservatism" are at odds with each other. As a libertarian with progressive tendencies who hangs out mostly with people who would classify themselves as "liberals", I see a paradoxical attitude toward immigration in their beliefs. On the one hand they give a great deal of vocal support to unions and on the other hand label as a "racist" anyone who points out that the tide of illegal immigrants undercuts the value of labor for native-born American citizens. And most liberals are also environmentalists, sympathetic to any effort to preserve wildlands, parks, etc. Of course, the human assault on the natural world is largely a consequence of overburdening the planet with an excess of people, most of whom develop consumerist tendencies in our culture. Most of the continuing increase in U.S. population has been shown due to the influx of recent immigrants.
Personally, I find the labels of "conservative" and "liberal" unduly divisive and useful mainly to those who plainly manipulate politics in this country through media control. Much more useful is the effort to build communities of interest from across the "political spectrum", to get people to think about issues themselves individually rather than just going along with what they have been told is the "liberal" or the "conservative" position.
The unstated premise of every torture debate -- that it was safely applied to a handful of detainees -- is false
The media outlet's use of Bush euphemisms sparks a much-needed debate on journalistic standards.
An inflexible right wing is allowing the Golden State to drown in debt. But it's not alone
And so are his Fox News pals, who lambasted Sen. Al Franken's "stolen election"
A common affliction: a willingness to opine pedantically followed by a refusal to engage criticisms.
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