Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/04/AR2010020403698.html]washingtonpost.com[/url]

I thought this was a very good read. It's in today's Washington Post, written by a professor of politics at UVA.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

Excellent read. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

A lot of them have been locked away in academia running their very closed off circles so anyone outside of their "norm" is clinging to their guns and is a right wing wacko.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

We just can't help ourselves LOL.

Seriously I don't know what liberal means anymore. Pat Buchanan, who I agree w/ on a far range of issues, is a liberal by many of today's conservative standards. What does that mean?

I think the only observation I'm confident in is the difference in attitudes between nearly all the conservatives I know (which includes almost my entire family) and the progressives, liberals etc on the other side. Conservatives almost to a person are far more visceral in their political views. I tend to notice how extremely emotional they get over their bread and butter issues like abortion, homosexuality and religion in society. I can also honestly say outside of grad school I've never met a conservative well informed on the innards of public policy. That's not a sleight...it's just a matter of how people look at the world and you find a hell of a lot of people who don't want to bother w/ the details.

Take the fact our health care system is rated way behind all the other modern nations in overall quality (I believe we're 37th overall) and we spend WAY more on health (over 17% of GDP while most modern countries spend around 12%). Btw England and Canada spend less than 10% of GDP on health!!! Well...I only hear conservatives still saying we have the best medical care in the world and get it a lot cheaper than those single-payer socialized systems. There's just not a lot of attention to detail, or what some might call facts.

But generally yeah I'd agree liberals or whatever come off as assholes most of the time. They all seem insanely frustrated we can't do better and because their opponents are almost always telling the American people we have it great.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

If liberals actually consider themselves to be better, then I guess I'm missing the real meaning of a liberal. The conservatives speak of liberals like they're a disease or the plague of some kind. I've often asked myself what's wrong with being a liberal?

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

i guess the same reasons that Republicans are so radical....

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=dmek25;661240]i guess the same reasons that Republicans are so radical....[/quote]

Did you read the article? The thread title is the title of the article. It's actually a really solid read.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=GMScud;661246]Did you read the article? The thread title is the title of the article. It's actually a really solid read.[/quote]
Maybe he was to busy being condescending and argumentative?

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

Just for you Goat . . . . since you can't tell the difference between a leftist and a right winger.

[YT]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q3W7zcpIQwk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q3W7zcpIQwk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YT]

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

hahahaha

someone from UVA talking about condescending? that's absolutely great

it goes both ways.. repubs try to bully and dems try to make others look stupid.. it generally works decently each way

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=The Goat;661141]We just can't help ourselves LOL.

Seriously I don't know what liberal means anymore. Pat Buchanan, who I agree w/ on a far range of issues, is a liberal by many of today's conservative standards. What does that mean?

I think the only observation I'm confident in is the difference in attitudes between nearly all the conservatives I know (which includes almost my entire family) and the progressives, liberals etc on the other side. Conservatives almost to a person are far more visceral in their political views. I tend to notice how extremely emotional they get over their bread and butter issues [SIZE=4]like abortion, homosexuality and religion in society.[/SIZE] I can also honestly say outside of grad school I've never met a conservative well informed on the innards of public policy. That's not a sleight...it's just a matter of how people look at the world and you find a hell of a lot of people who don't want to bother w/ the details.

Take the fact our health care system is rated way behind all the other modern nations in overall quality (I believe we're 37th overall) and we spend WAY more on health (over 17% of GDP while most modern countries spend around 12%). Btw England and Canada spend less than 10% of GDP on health!!! Well...I only hear conservatives still saying we have the best medical care in the world and get it a lot cheaper than those single-payer socialized systems. There's just not a lot of attention to detail, or what some might call facts.

But generally yeah I'd agree liberals or whatever come off as assholes most of the time. They all seem insanely frustrated we can't do better and because their opponents are almost always telling the American people we have it great.[/quote]

Sorry but I have alot of conservative friends and those are really pretty much non issue for us. What I see is the liberal media and party pushing for everyone to think that they are main issues so they can tie all conservatives to the extream right. Just look at how they have tried to protray the people doing the Tea Party stuff. Yes we have an extream side that those are the main issues but for most its not the main issue. I can't even think of the last time I had a conversation with another conservative on any of those topics. The left also has their extream side.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=Trample the Elderly;661376]Just for you Goat . . . . since you can't tell the difference between a leftist and a right winger.

[YT]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q3W7zcpIQwk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q3W7zcpIQwk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YT][/quote]

Excellent video Trample.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=GMScud;661246]Did you read the article? The thread title is the title of the article. It's actually a really solid read.[/quote]

Liberals also do not like to clutter their minds wiih FACTS, it distracts them from their goals. :silly:


The whole brouhaha over the Tebow commercial before they even knew its content is another example of their "agree with us or you're trash" attitude. It turned out to be a harmless, non-offensive message that EVERYONE should be able to agree with, but since it was from an organization with a "hateful" name like "Focus on the Family", they automatically went into attack mode to censor anything they think they may not agree with...before they even heard it. This is not a unique liberal response. Support their ideas or you're racist/bigot/homophobe/etc, but try to share an idea they don't like, you must be shut up for "spewing hate speech" and "preaching".

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Great read.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Ive always hated the “Attack the messenger not the message” type attitude. It just comes across as so wrong and narrow minded to me. I dont understand how Rachel Maddow or Keith Olberman can constantly refer to the Tea Party Movement participants as t-baggers. Arnt they susposed to be journalist to some extent? I guess its just easier to discredit people instead of challenging them.[/FONT][/COLOR]

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=mlmpetert;661557][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Great read.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Ive always hated the “Attack the messenger not the message” type attitude. It just comes across as so wrong and narrow minded to me. I dont understand how Rachel Maddow or Keith Olberman can constantly refer to the Tea Party Movement participants as t-baggers. Arnt they susposed to be journalist to some extent?[B] I guess its just easier to discredit people instead of challenging them.[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/quote]

Exactly. This is also why it seems the media picks and chooses which "scandals" to expose. Sometimes, it fits their (the media AND Administration) agenda to discredit and ruin certain politicians' careers. Sometimes it would hurt their cause to lose someone so they protect them as long as they can. Pretty much every politician could be exposed for things IF the media was really fair and unbiased, and the President didn't choose to protect certain people. Some can utter a single off-color remark and be run out of town. Others can commit serious crimes, not pay their taxes and gravely insult people with no consequences. It's an ugly game, sadly controlled and led by the liberal media's selective morals. All should be exposed and covered, to let the voters decide who stays and who goes.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=TheSmurfs22;661140]A lot of them have been locked away in academia running their very closed off circles so anyone outside of their "norm" is clinging to their guns and is a right wing wacko.[/quote]

I've never understood comments like this. If academics, the brightest and best educated people in America, are liberals, doesn't that actually say something very positive about liberal politics?

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=Lotus;661567]I've never understood comments like this. If academics, the brightest and best educated people in America, are liberals, doesn't that actually say something very positive about liberal politics?[/quote]

"Those who can do. Those who can't teach."

Old Chinese Proverb.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=Buster;661552]Liberals also do not like to clutter their minds wiih FACTS, it distracts them from their goals. :silly:


[SIZE=4]The whole brouhaha over the Tebow commercial before they even knew its content is another example of their "agree with us or you're trash" attitude.[/SIZE] It turned out to be a harmless, non-offensive message that EVERYONE should be able to agree with, but since it was from an organization with a "hateful" name like "Focus on the Family", they automatically went into attack mode to censor anything they think they may not agree with...before they even heard it. This is not a unique liberal response. Support their ideas or you're racist/bigot/homophobe/etc, but try to share an idea they don't like, you must be shut up for "spewing hate speech" and "preaching".[/quote]

They also say they are prochoice so why are they upset about someone talking about their choice. The truth is they are really just pro abortion but that does not sound very good.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=Lotus;661567]I've never understood comments like this. If academics, the brightest and best educated people in America, are liberals, doesn't that actually say something very positive about liberal politics?[/quote]
I know some very book smart people but other then that they are pretty dumb. Two doctors I know I would let them both cut me open but I would not let either one of them run my office or work on anything I have.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=Lotus;661567]I've never understood comments like this. If academics, the brightest and best educated people in America, are liberals, doesn't that actually say something very positive about liberal politics?[/quote]

Let me preface by saying my statement does not apply to all well educated.

People can often study their way out of real context. Very much like too much government, people start believing idyllic versions of the world, and ignore the reality that humans have chaotic foibles. They move to a place where one can think that all problems have solutions if we just study one more variable. Academic studies have an important place in our society, but they are not the "best and the brightest" everytime. Many businesspeople(like bill gates), charitable people (sister theresa) and just everyday people who weren't for one reason or another did not choose college are as good, or better, and as smart or smarter, than the people who have chosen Academia as their life's pursuit and passion.

Respectfully, your very statement, that academics are the best and the brightest of this nation, points to -I believe- the condescending attitude the OP was possibly referring to. The concept that a life long pursuit of academic knowledge is more valuable than other forms of knowledge gained by toil, labor, corporate development, or even charitable acts is a false belief, in my opinion.

Life is fascinating, and each individual is worthy of respect and acknowledgement that they have a point of value to contribute. A man hammering away to earn enough to support 3 children may not know enough to argue Keynesian or Smith, or whether a ABM Radar needs to be stationed in Poland, but to his children he most likely is the best dang hammerer in their lives.

Sorry Lotus, again I respect academics, and think it is an important pursuit of mankind, but I wholeheartedly disagree with your statement that it represents the best and the brightest. Some do, but some are just blowhards, like any other walk of life.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

I hear John Murtha died?

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;661616]Let me preface by saying my statement does not apply to all well educated.

People can often study their way out of real context. Very much like too much government, people start believing idyllic versions of the world, and ignore the reality that humans have chaotic foibles. They move to a place where one can think that all problems have solutions if we just study one more variable. Academic studies have an important place in our society, but they are not the "best and the brightest" everytime. Many businesspeople(like bill gates), charitable people (sister theresa) and just everyday people who weren't for one reason or another did not choose college are as good, or better, and as smart or smarter, than the people who have chosen Academia as their life's pursuit and passion.

[B]Respectfully, your very statement, that academics are the best and the brightest of this nation, points to -I believe- the condescending attitude the OP was possibly referring to. The concept that a life long pursuit of academic knowledge is more valuable than other forms of knowledge gained by toil, labor, corporate development, or even charitable acts is a false belief, in my opinion. [/B]

Life is fascinating, and each individual is worthy of respect and acknowledgement that they have a point of value to contribute. [B]A man hammering away to earn enough to support 3 children may not know enough to argue Keynesian or Smith, or whether a ABM Radar needs to be stationed in Poland[/B], but to his children he most likely is the best dang hammerer in their lives.

Sorry Lotus, again I respect academics, and think it is an important pursuit of mankind, but I wholeheartedly disagree with your statement that it represents the best and the brightest. Some do, but some are just blowhards, like any other walk of life.[/quote]

You argued against several things that I did not say.

I in no way intended to imply that other forms of work are not as valuable. I completely agree with your point on that one. I said nothing about the relative value of careers. Every academic needs someone to make their clothes, grow their food, keep their electricity on, and so on. So if any academic tells you that their job is the only worthy one, then that academic is wrong.

Further there certainly are many bright people who are not in academia. Academia does not have a monopoly on smart people.

But to become an academic requires a high level of education. This level of education can only be attained if you have some intelligence. Thus, although there are exceptions, academics tend to be bright and well-educated. That is all that I meant.

In the end, you actually argued my point. When it comes to running our country, don't we want to listen to the people who, as you put it, do know "Keynesian or Smith, or whether a ABM Radar needs to be stationed in Poland"? I'm not arguing that we listen only to them, but their voice needs to be taken into account, doesn't it?

Writing off the insights of people who know such things as "Keynesian or Smith" simply because they might be "liberal" (as the post which I first responded to did) seems like a foolhardy waste.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

Has anyone written an article titled "Why Are Conservatives So Stupid?" yet?

Seriously, when you say/write things [I]I[/I] consider stupid/nonsensical I'm going to let you know. Now if what I have to say comes off as condescending so be it. I am not obligated to "to put aside [my] dignity or superiority voluntarily and assume equality with one regarded as inferior." As for the author's jab at Krugman, how is what Krugman said condescending?


WSJ:
[QUOTE]This is now the second time Republicans have been beaten in this kind of legal street fight. In 2004, Dino Rossi was ahead in the election-night count for Washington Governor against Democrat Christine Gregoire. Ms. Gregoire's team demanded the right to rifle through a list of provisional votes [B]that hadn't been counted[/B], setting off a hunt for "new" Gregoire votes. By the third recount, she'd discovered enough to win. This was the model for the Franken team.

Mr. Franken now goes to the Senate having effectively [B]stolen an election[/B]. If the GOP hopes to avoid repeats, it should learn from Minnesota that modern elections don't end when voters cast their ballots. They only end after the lawyers count them.[/QUOTE]

Krugman:
[QUOTE]...[A]ll of this follows on yesterday’s editorial asserting that the Minnesota senatorial election was stolen.

All of this is par for the course; the WSJ editorial page has been like this for 35 years. Nonetheless, it got me wondering: what do these people really believe?

I mean, they’re not stupid — life would be a lot easier if they were. So they know they’re not telling the truth. But they obviously believe that their dishonesty serves a higher truth — one that is, in effect, told only to Inner Party members, while the Outer Party makes do with prolefeed.

The question is, what is that higher truth? What do these people really believe in?[/QUOTE]I really can't figure out what's wrong with what Krugman said...is the expectation that WSJ's opinions should be treated with respect even when they claim the election was stolen?

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=Lotus;661636]You argued against several things that I did not say.

I in no way intended to imply that other forms of work are not as valuable. I completely agree with your point on that one. I said nothing about the relative value of careers. Every academic needs someone to make their clothes, grow their food, keep their electricity on, and so on. So if any academic tells you that their job is the only worthy one, then that academic is wrong.

Further there certainly are many bright people who are not in academia. Academia does not have a monopoly on smart people.

But to become an academic requires a high level of education. This level of education can only be attained if you have some intelligence. Thus, although there are exceptions, academics tend to be bright and well-educated. That is all that I meant.

In the end, you actually argued my point. When it comes to running our country, don't we want to listen to the people who, as you put it, do know "Keynesian or Smith, or whether a ABM Radar needs to be stationed in Poland"? I'm not arguing that we listen only to them, but their voice needs to be taken into account, doesn't it?

Writing off the insights of people who know such things as "Keynesian or Smith" simply because they might be "liberal" (as the post which I first responded to did) seems like a foolhardy waste.[/quote]

And I was not saying not to listen to academics, but that balance from the esoteric to the "feet on the ground" is needed.

The topic is why are liberals so condescending, I took your answer (paraphrased) as: if the best and the brightest are liberals that should tell you something. My point was that that argument or line of reasoning is an example of the condescension the OP is talking about. Admittedly I took a lot of tangents, but to answer the OP I believe many liberals are condescending because they see themselves as the best and the brightest, in some cases true, in others not so much.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=saden1;661685]I really can't figure out what's wrong with what Krugman said...is the expectation that WSJ's opinions should be treated with respect even when they claim the election was stolen?[/quote]Krugman is committing a logical fallacy, but not in a particularly condescending tone. He's basically combining limited intelligence and red-handed lying into a jointly exhaustive explanation for the editorial assertion. This, of course, is discrediting the possibilities that 1) the editorials are right, or (more likely) 2) the editorials are the columnist's attempt at a poorly supported conspiracy theory.

To suggest that 2) can only be caused only by limited intelligence or a flat lie and nothing in between is poor reasoning.

I think the author's point is that Krugman is condescending because he's not giving the necessary evaluation to properly discredit 1) ("this is par for the course for WSJ, so of course it's wrong"), although I believe that's a stretch by the author.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=firstdown;661522]Sorry but I have alot of conservative friends and those are really pretty much non issue for us. What I see is the liberal media and party pushing for everyone to think that they are main issues so they can tie all conservatives to the extream right. Just look at how they have tried to protray the people doing the Tea Party stuff. Yes we have an extream side that those are the main issues but for most its not the main issue. I can't even think of the last time I had a conversation with another conservative on any of those topics. The left also has their extream side.[/quote]

My apologies first. I somehow forgot to mention guns :silly:.

Seriously though there isn't a lot left for conservatives outside the social issues is there? Spending? Pssshhh. Reagan started the era of huge deficits, Bush senior tried to buck that trend but his own party basically gave him the boot for it in '91. Junior went right back to massive deficits and for 8 long years we didn't hear so much as a hiccup from the leaders of the party about deficit spending, government waste etc. It's like the only time repubs give two shits about overspending is when a dem is doing it lol. Education? Foreign policy? I mean where are the major differences? Health care is an obvious one but IMO it makes no difference...the insurance/hospital/drug lobby will make sure we don't ever see real reform. I guess the one area I see a real difference is immigration policy. Is this a major issue for you?

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

Anybody who takes the WSJ editorial page seriously shouldn't be taken seriously. Bob Bartley made the editorial page into a joke over 30 (?) yrs ago.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;661733]And I was not saying not to listen to academics, but that balance from the esoteric to the "feet on the ground" is needed.

The topic is why are liberals so condescending, I took your answer (paraphrased) as: if the best and the brightest are liberals that should tell you something. My point was that that argument or line of reasoning is an example of the condescension the OP is talking about. Admittedly I took a lot of tangents, but to answer the OP I believe many liberals are condescending because they see themselves as the best and the brightest, in some cases true, in others not so much.[/quote]

The post to which I originally replied essentially flatly did say, "Don't listen to academics," and to that both you and I disagree. That was the context of my remarks.

I was not arguing that academics are better than others. While academia does attract generally intelligent and well-educated people, so do some other professions. Even more, as Gandhi did, I believe that there is no such thing as a better or worse job. All jobs are valuable. Put more personally, I have professor friends who become frustrated with me because I do not hang out with them enough, because instead I often prefer to hang out with what you called "feet on the ground" people precisely because of their opinions. Maybe growing up on a farm leads me to be this way. An example of my behavior in this regard is the Warpath, where few people are academics. What I said clumsily was not meant to elevate academics or demean non-academics.

So I apologize for how I put things. Let me rephrase:

When I go to see a medical doctor, I listen and follow. When it comes to medicine, his perspective is more educated than mine. He might not always be right but he will always have a more educated perspective than I have. And if the doctor is conservative, then a perspective which is more educated than mine is also a conservative one. In this scenario, I have to give a conservative credit for being on to something.

If I then try to translate this scenario, what I would see is that an academic economist has a more educated perspective than I do. He may not always be correct but he will always be more educated about economic issues than I am. Further, if he fits the stereotype of academics, he will be liberal. Therefore, in this scenario, an economic perspective which is more educated than mine will also be liberal. In this scenario, I have to give a liberal credit for being on to something.

And academia produces more than just economists. There are also political scientists, historians, sociologists, etc., for whom similar argument may be made.

So, if we refuse to listen to academic opinions simply because they are liberal, we are throwing away collective wisdom. Not all of our collective wisdom by far, but wisdom from an important source. Not wisdom which should always be followed, because there are other important voices, but wisdom still.

The poster who provided context for my previous remarks came from a position of refusing to listen at all in this way. The poster's position was that academics are liberals and therefore their perspectives are always invalid. Such a position diminishes our store of collective wisdom. This seems to me like having a diamond and just throwing it away. I don't get it.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[url=http://politics.theatlantic.com/2010/02/condescending_liberals.php]Condescending Liberals - The Atlantic Politics Channel[/url]

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=The Goat;661778]My apologies first. I somehow forgot to mention guns :silly:.

Seriously though there isn't a lot left for conservatives outside the social issues is there? Spending? Pssshhh. Reagan started the era of huge deficits, Bush senior tried to buck that trend but his own party basically gave him the boot for it in '91. Junior went right back to massive deficits and for 8 long years we didn't hear so much as a hiccup from the leaders of the party about deficit spending, government waste etc. It's like the only time repubs give two shits about overspending is when a dem is doing it lol. Education? Foreign policy? I mean where are the major differences? Health care is an obvious one but IMO it makes no difference...the insurance/hospital/drug lobby will make sure we don't ever see real reform. I guess the one area I see a real difference is immigration policy. Is this a major issue for you?[/quote]
The only people I know that call Bush Jr. a conservative is the left and he was far from a conservative.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=Mattyk;661836][url=http://politics.theatlantic.com/2010/02/condescending_liberals.php]Condescending Liberals - The Atlantic Politics Channel[/url][/quote]

Good read there, Matty.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=Lotus;661786]The post to which I originally replied essentially flatly did say, "Don't listen to academics," and to that both you and I disagree. That was the context of my remarks.

I was not arguing that academics are better than others. While academia does attract generally intelligent and well-educated people, so do some other professions. Even more, as Gandhi did, I believe that there is no such thing as a better or worse job. All jobs are valuable. Put more personally, I have professor friends who become frustrated with me because I do not hang out with them enough, because instead I often prefer to hang out with what you called "feet on the ground" people precisely because of their opinions. Maybe growing up on a farm leads me to be this way. An example of my behavior in this regard is the Warpath, where few people are academics. What I said clumsily was not meant to elevate academics or demean non-academics.

So I apologize for how I put things. Let me rephrase:

When I go to see a medical doctor, I listen and follow. When it comes to medicine, his perspective is more educated than mine. He might not always be right but he will always have a more educated perspective than I have. And if the doctor is conservative, then a perspective which is more educated than mine is also a conservative one. In this scenario, I have to give a conservative credit for being on to something.

If I then try to translate this scenario, what I would see is that an academic economist has a more educated perspective than I do. He may not always be correct but he will always be more educated about economic issues than I am. Further, if he fits the stereotype of academics, he will be liberal. Therefore, in this scenario, an economic perspective which is more educated than mine will also be liberal. In this scenario, I have to give a liberal credit for being on to something.

And academia produces more than just economists. There are also political scientists, historians, sociologists, etc., for whom similar argument may be made.

So, if we refuse to listen to academic opinions simply because they are liberal, we are throwing away collective wisdom. Not all of our collective wisdom by far, but wisdom from an important source. Not wisdom which should always be followed, because there are other important voices, but wisdom still.

The poster who provided context for my previous remarks came from a position of refusing to listen at all in this way. The poster's position was that academics are liberals and therefore their perspectives are always invalid. Such a position diminishes our store of collective wisdom. This seems to me like having a diamond and just throwing it away. I don't get it.[/quote]

nice answer sir!

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=firstdown;661848]The only people I know that call Bush Jr. a conservative is the left and he was far from a conservative.[/quote]

Anyone who thinks GWB was a conservative has no idea what conservatism stands for.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

A better question would be "Why are partisans so condescending?"

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;661855]nice answer sir![/quote]

Yours was a good and apt challenge, buddy.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=firstdown;661578]They also say they are prochoice so why are they upset about someone talking about their choice. The truth is they are really just pro abortion but that does not sound very good.[/quote]
[SIZE=6][U][B]
CORRECT.[/B][/U][/SIZE]


There is no such thing as Pro-Choice. The choice to have sex or put yourself in a position to be in trouble has already been made. A child is alive because of your actions and CHOICES...the child now has a right to live.

You're either for abortion or against it. With a literal life-or-death situation, you can't be inconsistent and try to add variables to the situation, either you're for murdering the child or letting him/her live.

"Pro-choice" is a misnomer if there ever was one. I'm against abortion 100%, but I'm pro-choice in that I won't stop you from making the choices you do, just be responsible and deal with the consequences. Murdering a child because of your irresponsibility or because a baby would be an inconvenience is a heartless act. The emotional effects of an abortion on many could-have-been-mothers is enough proof that they made the wrong choice. There are countless families who would love to have that unwanted child for their own, but can't have their own and the waiting list for an American baby is years long...why? Because we're killing too many babies our of selfishness, immaturity and lack of morals.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=Buster;661913][SIZE=6][U][B]
CORRECT.[/B][/U][/SIZE]


There is no such thing as Pro-Choice. The choice to have sex or put yourself in a position to be in trouble has already been made. A child is alive because of your actions and CHOICES...the child now has a right to live.

You're either for abortion or against it. With a literal life-or-death situation, you can't be inconsistent and try to add variables to the situation, either you're for murdering the child or letting him/her live.

"Pro-choice" is a misnomer if there ever was one. I'm against abortion 100%, but I'm pro-choice in that I won't stop you from making the choices you do, just be responsible and deal with the consequences. Murdering a child because of your irresponsibility or because a baby would be an inconvenience is a heartless act. [B]The emotional effects of an abortion on many could-have-been-mothers is enough proof that they made the wrong choice[/B]. There are countless families who would love to have that unwanted child for their own, but can't have their own and the waiting list for an American baby is years long...why? Because we're killing too many babies our of selfishness, immaturity and lack of morals.[/quote]

This is an argument against abortion. It does not fare very well, however, in persuasively identifying why the "pro-choice" label is a misnomer, seeing as how you actually label the decision to have an abortion a "choice." A "wrong" choice is still a choice.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

I guess that makes me "pro abortion". Since we are killing all of these babies because we are immature and lack morals, we might as well throw the fetus into the freezer and have it for dinner next week. As a matter of fact Jimmy just lost his wife during labor after the doctor told her that she could die due to her endomitritis. She didn't listen though and tried to have the baby anyway; now they are both dead. Because of her immaturity and lack of morals we are going to save money on the funeral by storing her carcass for the winter. She didn't deserve a proper burial anyway. Aren't we just savage?

The above reading expresses how many of the Anti abortion people would depict those of us who are pro choice. If at any time during reading that you took me seriously then you need your effin head examined. There are always "variables" or circumstances that can affect how any course of action is taken...even when it comes to life or death. To say that "this is the way, the only way, and the right way" regardless of the situation is narrow-mindedness at its worst.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

Great link from Matty: "it is silly to accuse people of arrogance for believing that they are right and that people who disagree with them are wrong." Pretty much settles this issue for me. Accusing someone of condescension is usually a last resort after you've just lost an argument to them (you should have argued your case more politely!). Pretty absurd take.

Re: Why Are Liberals So Condescending?
 

[quote=firstdown;661848]The only people I know that call Bush Jr. a conservative is the left and he was far from a conservative.[/quote]

Agreed.

...However I still know a ridiculous number of republicans who love the man like he was their own kin. Jeez I've seen people get misty eyed talking about him. I gave up trying to understand humanity during his 2nd term.