Saturday, February 21, 2009

In Reply: Inviting American Power Readers to Discuss Me with Me, For A Change

In reply to the following comment at the post: American Power: Jesus Christ: Dead Nihilist of the Week?:
Donald Douglas said...
Repsac3: I've blogged about this already. I get many e-mails from people who either do not blog or who do not want you and your hordes attacking them in the comment threads at their blogs.

You have a blog with all of your buddies. You link to it in my comment threads. I have a considerably large readership, and I ask permission before I post e-mails. Perhaps some folks will come out and confront you directly and reveal themselves as the authors of the e-mails. But that is not my decision to make, and this is a free-speech zone. The best ideas will win out, I'm sure, and your blogging hordes are certainly helping me the case for traditionalism.
February 20, 2009 5:12 PM
---
Donald, my comment was not directed at you, but at the very people who're contacting you privately...

While they have every right to write you privately and secretly to say nasty things (or in fact any thing) about me, and whether they do so because they do not blog or because they fear retribution/discussion/reply, I see nothing wrong with giving them a polite invitation to discuss "me" with "me," directly, rather than hiding behind a far worse anonymity--allowing their words to flow through you--than you attacked not all that long ago as cowardly. ("What's all very interesting here is that each and every one of my antagonists goes by an anonymous online handle. Now that's cowardly. And worthy of a little analytical consideration.") Analytical consideration, indeed... Who's more anonymous; a person with no name or voice at all, or one using a consistent pen name?

Regardless, my comment wasn't directed to you, so you've no need to defend yourself... I'm sure your super-secret readership will contact you if they have a reply for you to offer on their behalf.

February 21, 2009 7:56 AM

Friday, February 20, 2009

In reply: Are American Power Readers Really As Cowardly as Dr. Douglas Makes Them Out To Be?

In reply to: American Power: Jesus Christ: Dead Nihilist of the Week?, and in particular, Donald Douglas' quote of an "...e-mail from a reader commenting on Repsac3 and his fellow bloggers"
---

I invite Donald's anonymous pen pal to write me personally at repsac3blogs@gmail.com if s/he wishes to discuss my faith, as there's little chance Donald knows a thing about it, despite his being such a learned, learned man. (Just ask him...)

Barring that, I'd appreciate it if you folks who lack the courage to confront me directly, and who choose instead to chat about me behind my back, do what you can to keep your private conversations private, including asking those with whom you speak do the same...

While Donald seems to get some perverse thrill from repeating the words of these anonymous pen pals--this must be the 4th or 5th "reader e-mail" critical of a "nihilist" he's blogged about just in the year or so I've known him--he's making a good portion of his readership out to be cowards unwilling to stand up for their beliefs, which if true, would be a sad state of affairs.
And that assumes he's not just making these folks up out of whole cloth... While Donald seems to be what he claims, who can really say, for sure? As long as these critical "readers" of his remain anonymous and allow Donald to speak in their absence, they may just as well be disembodied voices in his head...
---

Posted February 20, 2009 4:20 PM

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Yes Donald...

With All Due Respect X-post

If you say stuff like this:

"Spencer's essay continues with an explanation of the intrinsic brutality among Muslim men, indicating that primordial violence against women is a central component to 'Islamic tradition.'"


or this:

"The notion that Asiya Hassan's husband was not in fact a moderate, and that he murdered his wife according to ancient Muslim culture and tradition, puts the lie to left's claims that Islam is just another religion - culturally equivalent - and that conservatives are 'racist' by identifying Muslims as a clear and present danger to national security on the basis of their beliefs. This backlash illustrates anti-Americanism through and through, and the left's pushback on this story just makes the entire case that much more significant for the debate over creeping Islamization of the West." (and dig the subtle defense of Geert Wilders, who wants to ban books, but whines about his fellow Dutchmen (& others) curtailing his own free speech)


...chances are pretty good that you're a racist (though perhaps, "religious/cultural bigot" would be more accurate). At the very least, you ought to get used to many of your fellow Americans saying you are... ...because they will.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Reply to American Power: Nihilist Muzzies aren't the only ones punishing their wives...

American Nihilist X-Post

The comment: American Power: Muzzammil Hassan and Islamic Primordial Violence: Shoprat sez: "This is a religion whose leadership argues over how big of a stick the Koran allows a man to hit his wife with." February 18, 2009 11:16 AM

My reply (Before Donald deleted it, calling it "spam.": Christian Domestic Discipline - Loving Godly Christian Marriages

(I simply left the link. The rest was up to the reader.)

Further info (now that the Donald has forced me to turn my single comment into a blog post, with his weird, weird ways...):

(From the link)
This site is meant to be a haven for married couples who practice safe and consensual Christian Domestic Discipline, or for those who would like to learn more about it.

This site and the information presented here is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This website is intended to provide a home for couples involved in a Christian Domestic Discipline marriage where they might find information and share fellowship with other CDD couples without having to wade through pornography, warped practices, or distorted ideals of what God created for marriage.

This site is not the typical "spanking" site that is prevalent on the web. This site focuses mainly on improving marital relationships by learning to follow God-given guidelines and roles, as listed in God's Word. God keeps His Word. When we obey His principles, blessings will follow.


Yet more info & comment: Spare the rod, spoil the wife - Broadsheet - Salon.com

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

In reply: "if you ever intend to "take me down," you're going to have to do better than that"

In reply to the following American Power blog comment at the post "(O)CT(O)PUS = CYBER-BULLY" (reprinted below):

The comment:
Donald Douglas said...
PrivatePigg:

Here's Repsac3:

"Donald posted his employer info himself. The college has a website, and anyone willing to look can find Donald's public page--or the public page of his department head."
Don't be fooled by this dodge. Repsac3's information is public:

W. James Casper

Repsac3 has no claim to anonymity. It took me a second to find it on Google, so what you're seeing here is Repsac3's evasion on the issue at hand.

This is a red herring, and moral cowardice, which is what we usually get from Reppy.

I'm not going around posting people's information in a campaign of intimidation. Indeed, the only reason I even used Repsac3's real name is to see how much he likes it, and apparently not so much. And therein lies your double standard.

Repsac3 and (O)CT(O)PUS are making explicit threats that if I don't stop blogging about their nihilism they'll contact my employees and initiate a lawsut. Obviously, this is the only sense of power they can have over me, since they're unable to make an argument more compelling than those I've made against them; they are so incapable of winning a battle of wits and ideas that they'll in fact seek to suppress those ideas. Naturally, I'm showing the world that these are just awful, horrible people, and Repsac3's defense of himself is pathetic. It's evasion and obfuscation.

Repsac3 built a blog to smear and snark and vilify me and American Power. Why? Because, like David Denby indicates, their goal is to attack and ridicule to cause pain and sow fear, even death. It's not a joke here or a laugh there. It's a project of diabolical vengeance. I'm being libeled right now, as a worthless lying dog, a right-wing freak, a cut-and-paste neocon robot.

I can handle debate like this, clearly, but this has gone on to harassment. The phone numbers for President Eloy Oakley or Executive VP of Academic Affairs Donald Berz are not on my department's website or on my personal information page. There's no reason to post them other than to intimidate me.

This is why you blog anonymously, PrivatePigg, and I don't blame you. But don't be fooled by Repsac3's attempt at moral equivalence. There isn't any. He's not an anonymous blogger, and he's said so himself above:

"For awhile I was very careful, but in the last year or so I've let my guard down a bit."
That's putting it mildly. He let down his guard all the way by posting his name online. Repsac3's a dishonest, vile man out to slander others and stifle debate. The current post is a record of their deeds in case of legal action. -= Donald Douglas - February 17, 2009, 3:26 AM comment (AmPow blog time)
---

And my reply:
Here's Repsac3:
"Donald posted his employer info himself. The college has a website, and anyone willing to look can find Donald's public page--or the public page of his department head."
Don't be fooled by this dodge. Repsac3's information is public.
I'm pretty sure I said as much, Donald... Both from older and newer info, one can find either of us if one looks... If you're now arguing that this makes it alright to offer such things maliciously, I'm not with you. It wasn't right for (O)ct(o) to do what he did, and it wasn't right for you to do what you did... It's one thing when one releases one's own information, but another when it is offered by a third party... That was my point. I still wonder what yours is...
Repsac3 has no claim to anonymity. It took me a second to find it on Google, so what you're seeing here is Repsac3's evasion on the issue at hand.
Neither of us has any claim to anonymity, Donald. Anonymity isn't the issue. Maliciousness is the issue. It isn't for (O)ct(o) or for you to decide how & where to release another person's info without their consent. And once one asks the question why either of you chose to do so, things get even more sticky.
This is a red herring, and moral cowardice, which is what we usually get from Reppy.
Pray tell, what is the red herring here, Donald? What is the issue I'm avoiding?
I'm not going around posting people's information in a campaign of intimidation. Indeed, the only reason I even used Repsac3's real name is to see how much he likes it, and apparently not so much. And therein lies your double standard.
Considering I said as much not two hours earlier, in a comment you pretty obviously read, your malicious little experiment might've easily been avoided, no? (And should I hunt on back into the archives for the previous time or two when you've done the same, or would you have a snappy answer explaining your reasoning behind those, as well?)
Repsac3 and (O)CT(O)PUS are making explicit threats that if I don't stop blogging about their nihilism they'll contact my employees and initiate a lawsut.
Donnie... Baby... You're lying. I have never made any such threat, and you know it.

Go ahead. Quote my threat. Link to it. Prove what you say, or admit you cannot. (as though you would ever do either...) You're making it up, Donald.

The closest thing to a threat I've ever made is to tell you that as long as you keep acting the fool, I was going to keep laughing at you. Neither of us have stopped, so far.
Obviously, this is the only sense of power they can have over me, since they're unable to make an argument more compelling than those I've made against them; they are so incapable of winning a battle of wits and ideas that they'll in fact seek to suppress those ideas.
Again with the tell... Never with the show... Stop claiming victory, and start showing the victories, Donald...
Naturally, I'm showing the world that these are just awful, horrible people, and Repsac3's defense of himself is pathetic. It's evasion and obfuscation.
It looks to me like alot of questioning from me, and no answers from you... But ymmv...
Repsac3 built a blog to smear and snark and vilify me and American Power. Why?
Because you're a funny character, Donald. You claim to "take down" all these "nihilists"--the definition of which appears to be "doesn't agree with me," based on common usage, here--and I got to wondering whether all these folks on your "enemies" list had anything in common, and whether any of them had ever gotten a straight answer out of you as to why they fit any definition of nihilist. (I know I certainly haven't--and I must've asked a good 25-30 times--between day one and today.)

Because of your constant use of the word and your equally constant refusal to coherently explain it, it's become a joke around the leftwing blogesphere. YOU have become a joke around the leftwing blogesphere. I intended for American Nihilist to be a one off joke on the silly "nihilist" meme you created. I sent invites to all the "nihilsts" I could find, thinking we'd all just have a quick laugh at the expense of the silly little meme, & that'd be it... But some of 'em wanted to sign up, and once they did, and started writing--in character--it became something better than the one off joke I intended... You've caused alot of people to want to laugh at you, Donald. You've not made many friends over here in "nihilist, enemy" territory...
Because, like David Denby indicates, their goal is to attack and ridicule to cause pain and sow fear, even death. It's not a joke here or a laugh there. It's a project of diabolical vengeance. I'm being libeled right now, as a worthless lying dog, a right-wing freak, a cut-and-paste neocon robot.
Gee... You really are a drama queen, aren't you?

You do tend to be a cut-n-paste neocon robot, but it's a part of your charm.
Donald, you're reaping what you've sewn. Everyone who writes for AmNi, and many of the people who read it, have been slandered by you here. Almost as many have had you over on their sites with one line versions of your schtick here. They're laughing because they get the joke, and they get the joke because they've seen you in action.
I can handle debate like this, clearly, but this has gone on to harassment. The phone numbers for President Eloy Oakley or Executive VP of Academic Affairs Donald Berz are not on my department's website or on my personal information page.
They are both on the website of the college though, aren't they? Doesn't that make them "public information," just like my name? Or do you want to have that cake & eat it, too... (It's wrong when (O)ct(o) posts public info, but fine when Donald posts public info... Mmmm... Yummy double standard icing...)
There's no reason to post them other than to intimidate me.
No, I'm pretty sure the college wasn't thinking of you at all when it posted them, Donald...

Now, (O)ct(o). on the other hand... (But then, one might say the same about you... Pot, meet kettle.) I say both of you were wrong... What say you, Donald?
This is why you blog anonymously, PrivatePigg, and I don't blame you. But don't be fooled by Repsac3's attempt at moral equivalence. There isn't any. He's not an anonymous blogger, and he's said so himself above:
"For awhile I was very careful, but in the last year or so I've let my guard down a bit."
I never said I was an anonymous blogger, Donald. (In fact, I'm pretty sure that was you who said that, in your original post.) I said I prefer not to use my real name on blogs. Then--& I submit, BASED on my saying that--you chose to use it... Not good, Donnie. Too much of your character showing through, there...
That's putting it mildly. He let down his guard all the way by posting his name online.
If that is your standard, then you have nothing to complain about as regards these guys from your college. Just like my name, the information is on a public website where anyone can find it.

Personally, I think you should set the bar higher, and say that individuals have the right to disclose or hide their own information as they see fit, but that third parties do not, but to do so, you'd have to admit personal fault, and I've never seen you do any such thing.
Repsac3's a dishonest, vile man out to slander others and stifle debate.
The fact that I keep coming here asking the same unanswered questions is evidence of the lie in those words... Man up, Donald. Stop telling people what to think about me, and start providing evidence of your allegations. If childish names & unsubstantiated labels and theories about my motivations is all you have, fine. But if you ever intend to "take me down," you're going to have to do better than that...
---

Comment posted February 17, 2009 4:59 AM (AmPow blog time)

In reply: "Even if you buy into 'an eye for an eye,' I'm not the guy... It's not my eye."

In reply to the following comment from PrivatePigg, posted at AmPow on February 16, 2009, 9:47 PM (reposted below):
Repsac3 - I can say openly that Dr. D should not post your name, but I'll admit I might be compelled to do as much if someone posted my personal information and employer info. I don't know all of your and Dr D's history. In any event, it would not be right of me to do it.

That said, posting simply a name is not even remotely as egregious as posting specific employer info. Whatever your name is, I'm sure I could put it in to google and never find you, your family, your employer, or anyone related to you in this big country of ours. I have a pretty uncommon name, but have found people all over the country with the exact same name, and even some guy who has registered "my" name and uses it as his personal website/business. Considering the size of the US, ones actual name ("John Anderson") without accompanying info. would probably leave one as anonymous as any clever moniker. There is not a high probability that anyone will find you based on simply your name. So Dr. D's listing of your name, with nothing else, in these comments does not aid me if I wished to harass you.

However, posting Dr. D's employer, including phone and address, obviously allows people to intimately interfere in the Doctor's life, going so far as to permit me to disrupt this man's ability to earn a living (which, truthfully, can be the only point in publishing such information).

Again, personal information should be off limits, but some personal information is worse than others.

---

I'll admit I might be compelled to do as much if someone posted my personal information and employer info.

Hmmm... I didn't see you as a two wrongs make a right kinda guy...

Second, Donald posted his employer info himself. The college has a website, and anyone willing to look can find Donald's public page--or the public page of his department head.

Also, you understand that I am not the "someone" who posted any of Donald's info, right? (O)ct(o)pus writes on several blogs, including one I created, but he isn't me.

Even if one does buy into that stupid "eye for an eye" thing, I'm not the guy... I'm not the eye.

For all your clever defense of Donald's posting of my real name, it isn't about the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of his doing so, but about his doing so in the first place. Why do you suppose our fair associate professor posted my name here less than two hours after I agreed with you about the benefits of using a nom de keyboard? Personally, I think he threw a petulant little fit of maliciousness, but you're free to draw your own conclusions. (It isn't hard to find the info in question, PPigg... Just go back & read Donald's 10:43am comment in this thread. It's one or two comments down from my initial reply to you...)

One more time, I agree that (O)ct(o)pus shouldn've repeated the info he found on the Long Beach City College- History & Political Science Department website. He did so for the express purpose of doing harm to Donald. But I'm not (O)ct(o)pus, and fail to see why anyone's beef in that regard should be with me, or why any action some other blogger took should justify Donald's outing of my real world name in anyone's eyes...

Everyone who posts or comments at American Nihilist is responsible for their own words and ideas, and I've no intention of editing or censoring the posts of others, whatever I may think of what they have to say. They're all big boys, and can all defend themselves... I understand that Donald and some others of his ilk like to lump folks together, and hold every _____ (Democrat, liberal, "nihilist," ???) responsible for the bad acts of the one _____, (Check out Donald's posts blaming Kos as a whole for any racist/antisemitic comment, or every homosexual marriage protester for the few reported individual acts of prop 8 violence or bigotry) but I refuse to be held to such silly, sweeping generalization standards. I'm willing to accept my own credit or blame, but I've no use for anyone else's...
---
Posted to the American Power blog post"(O)CT(O)PUS = CYBER-BULLY" on/at February 16, 2009, 11:30 PM (AmPow blog time)

Monday, February 16, 2009

In reply: "Right or left, leave the personal information out of it. It's wrong every time"

In reply to PrivatePigg's February 16, 2009, 6:34 PM comment at American Power: (O)CT(O)PUS = CYBER-BULLY (Quoted below):
repsac3: "Do I think Octo's wrong for getting your job involved?
Yeah, probably....

Really? Only probably? I don't need to read your blog or anyone else's to be able to draw a line like that...It's wrong.

When I was at Libery Pundit with Brian the guys from Iowa Liberal would always respond to Brian with personal attacks, talking about his wife, even going so far as to do a criminal records / personal records search and posting the contents (maybe there was a past divorce they posted, I forget). They were doing that prior to our move to LP, too, so I learned early to keep private info. close to the vest. It's a disgusting practice, to say the least.

Divulging personal information is never relevant unless the post is specifically about that. You should be able to debate by using the poster's or commenter's words alone. There should never be a time and a place for mentioning personal information, or asking people to harass an employer. I might go so far as to say that interfering with one's employment, simply because of an online debate, is un-American. To each his own to earn a living, eh? Even Obama got himself all pissy when his girls were mentioned, even though he's the damn President and his girls are paraded before the cameras! Funny, I remember how Obama smeared Joe the Plumber's personal reputation after being exposed as a socialist...Well, with role models like that...

Anyway, right or left, leave the personal information out of it. It's wrong every time (unless someone makes their own personal information the actual subject of their own post). Even if you disagree with Donald, even you should recognize his personal information is completely irrelevant, no?

---
Even if you disagree with Donald, even you should recognize his personal information is completely irrelevant, no?
If that's the whole of your response, PPigg, I'm good with that. While you are free to play with the affect I put on my response ("Yeah, probably..."), I do agree that Octo was wrong to do as he did.

As I've said several times, it isn't something I would do (or anything I did do, contrary to the "blame game" distributive properties with which Donald likes to play), but I still maintain that the guy who was responsible for posting that publicly-found info is a big boy who can stand up for & defend himself and his actions... ...or do you think I should've removed his post (or that portion of it), simply because I had the power to do so?

I'll refrain from asking you to publicly repudiate Donald's mention of my given name here on this blog less than two hours after my explaining why--perhaps like the phone number of his department chair--I prefer to keep it out of the public realm.

Having read some of your stuff here & on your own blog, I believe you are intellectually honest, and do repudiate Donald's action as strongly as you do Octo's, though perhaps just a tad bit more quietly... It's cool... That final paragraph was clear enough for most of us here to understand, even if you weren't so willing to spell it all out...
Posted February 16, 2009, 7:48 PM (AmPow blog time)

In reply: "To blame Peter for the words of Paul always was stupid..."

In reply to Donald Douglas' February 16, 2009 3:13 PM comment at the American Power blog post "(O)CT(O)PUS = CYBER-BULLY," I offered the following:
---
repsac3 said: "I trust that those who read these exchanges are intelligent enough to decide for themselves..."
I trust so as well,...
If that were true, you wouldn't claim victory over others as often as you do. I don't believe you trust the readers to decide for themselves at all...
...especially on the fact that you refuse to address the subtantive points that others have raised, like your eminently "bad" behavior at American Nihilist that "sort of speaks louder than your words ... "
I'm pretty sure I did address any and all of my behaviors at American Nihilist, as well as here. I have a blog that mocks you. If PPigg thinks that says I'm not a nice guy, he's welcome to feel that way... If you want to blame me for every word any blogger on my site posts, you're welcome to do that, too.

To PPigg, I can only urge him to visit the site & see for himself what is & isn't posted there.

To you, I will again say that to blame Peter for the words of Paul always was stupid, & ever shall be so. I don't know what did or did not happen between you and Octo, but I've seen you "shade" truth far more often than I have him. (Tell me again about Fogg threatening the FoxNews people with death, by saying that if the ratings & finances don't improve, "heads will roll." That's classic Donald...)

Do I think Octo's wrong for getting your job involved?
Yeah, probably....
But does that mean I'm going to censor his post? No, of course it doesn't.

Octo's a big boy. He can defend his post as he sees fit, assuming you ever stop trying to place the blame for his (mis)deeds on any/all other "nihilists," and deal with Octo, directly...
Again, as usual, that's called avoidance, prevarication, and moral cowardice.
Avoidance of what, exactly?
Prevarication about what?
Cowardice? You're dreaming, Donald.
Just keep it up. I'm sure it makes you feel good that you can play dodge ball all day, and all the while real moral clarity consistently alludes you.
I'll simply again point out who is dodging the questions here... I've repeatedly asked for quotes of anything I've said or done to warrant all these silly names and adjectives Donald has used in reference to me. I invite anyone here (but especially the man, himself) to point out Donald's substantive reply(s) to my queries...
---
Posted February 16, 2009 3:53 PM (AmPow blog time)

IRT: "...pure scab of shame"

In reply to the following comment at American Power: (O)CT(O)PUS = CYBER-BULLY:
------
Repsac3: I need to point you back to what Private Pigg said above:

" ... if you do have a blog dedicated to mocking a blogger with whom you disagree...well, that sort of speaks louder than your words ... "

The evidence for what you seek is in the mirror, Repsac3. You are not a good, decent man. And you're intellectually capable of argument or truth.

You started American Nihilist because I repudiated you so completely and unequivocally in my post, "About the Comments," from Januay 18th.

You're a dying to find a way to get out from under the diabolical plague afflicting you but you cannot, because you have no goodness or sense of right or wrong, and what the people are posting at your blog is not debate or ideas, but personal, rank, ad hominem attacks and threats to me and my employer.

I just wrote a post, and this fits you perfectly, you pure scab of shame:

"You must realize the Left's effort is not to gain the moral high ground, it is only to squat and defile that land once they have tricked you into leaving it. Make no mistake, their intention is not to act morally or enact decent policies or truly help the individual. It is to take the moral high ground from you so you will have no place to stand."

If Leftists can successfully make you feel as though they will take care of the moral needs of this nation (do you realize how absurd that sounds?), then you will stop daring to interfere, they hope. And when you stop interfering, when you retreat, the Left's own hypocritical inaction guarantees this nation will be condemned by their god of nihilism, narcissism, and self-hate.
- Donald Douglas - February 16, 2009, 1:13 PM
---
Yes, Donald, I have created a blog that mocks your incessant and unprovoked use of the word nihilist... If that is the hook on which you choose to hang your whole "evil," "nihilist," "denialist," "demonic" hat, I guess you've got me, bud...

I still maintain that you're making ridiculous charges and refusing to back them with actual facts (and that the remainder of your latest comment is just more of the same... Lotta you talking, but no substance in support of your words--If you want, I can prove that my AmNi blog predates your "About the comments" post by about a week, though I suspect if I did, that'd only cause you check back in your archives for some other post where you "repudiated me, completely and unequivocally" (whatever the hell that means)--but you go ahead & declare your victory, if it helps you sleep better. You're always welcome to your own delusions.

As usual, I feel no need to tell folks who "won" or "lost" anything... I trust that those who read these exchanges are intelligent enough to decide for themselves...
---
Posted February 16, 2009 2:23 PM (AmPow blog time)

IRT: "YOU MAKE THREATS! YOUR BLOG MAKES THREATS!"

In reply to the following comment at American Power: (O)CT(O)PUS = CYBER-BULLY:
Repsac3: No, it's not goose for the gander, because I do not threaten your livelihood or place of employment. YOU MAKE THREATS! YOUR BLOG MAKES THREATS! THEN YOU BLAME ME FOR NOT BEING CAREFUL ENOUGH! HAVE YOU NO SHRED OF DECENCY, SIR!

That is what your blog is about, and your ideology itself is all about destruction, of morality and traditionalism. You cannot rebut arguments with reason, so you deny any argument exists, and continually ask for evidence of your own perfidy and moral bankruptcy. That's called postmodern denialism.

This post is about all of you at American Nihilist. Yes, that's what you are. You have no values, no truth, and no God.
- Donald Douglas - February 16, 2009, 12:40 PM
---
We are all our brother's keeper.

What any "nihilist" / conservative / Democrat / Catholic / demonist / black / white person does, EVERY white / black / demonist / Catholic / Democrat / conservative / "nihilist" person is responsible for.

Donald's "distributive law of nihilism" at work.

I ask for evidence Donald, because you fail to offer any on your own... You accuse and accuse, and show nothing that would substantiate your charges...

I invite anyone to look at what Donald does and does not say in his last comment (or if you prefer, the one before, or the one before that), and decide for yourself whether there's any there in there, or whether it's just a bunch of spurious noise that anyone or his brother could post about anyone else.
---

Posted February 16, 2009, 12:59 PM (AmPow blog time)

IRT: Donald makes many hysterical charges...

In reply to the following comments at American Power: (O)CT(O)PUS = CYBER-BULLY:
Donald Douglas - February 16, 2009, 10:43 AM
PrivatePigg - February 16, 2009, 10:44 AM
PrivatePigg - February 16, 2009, 10:47 AM
Donald Douglas - February 16, 2009, 11:01 AM
-----

Donald makes many hysterical charges, but is hard-pressed to back them with much of anything of substance...

I could ask Donald to put up some post or comment of mine in furtherance of this nebulous "destruction" he's on about, but I already know he won't, if for no other reason than he can't. There is no such post or comment.

I could ask him to point out any lie I've told, but again, I know he won't.

I could even ask him, as I have so very many times before, to show how anything I've written fits any definition of nihilism published in any mainstream non-partisan source. Donald never has; Donald probably never will...

I really don't wish to silence anyone. I have a blog that exposes Donald's incessant cries of "nihilist!" "nihilist!" for what they are... The calls of a bird unwilling to back such ad hominem namecalling with actual fact. I intended it to be a place where the many bloggers who've been attacked by Donald Douglas on their own blogs and his could get together & post what they chose to an audience of like minds. The snarky humor of the thing took off, and it has become a satire of what we all think Donald just may mean by this whole "nihilist" meme of his...

No, PP, I have never personally posted any information about Donald or anyone else that the person in question did not reveal on their own. (Of course, thru the new math of Donald's "distributive properties of nihilism," if anyone did so on a blog with which I am associated, that means I did, too... In that case, I guess I'm guilty.)

But I will point out that in his first comment in reply to me, Donald did choose to reveal something about me that I just stated I preferred remain private, for reasons I can only allow you to surmise for yourselves. (Yep, that is my name, Donald... You must be so proud as having ferreted it out for broadcast.)

I am not hiding anything... My blogs are available for any/all to see and read... Donald (and everyone else) is free to attack, defend, laugh, cry, or react in any other way he chooses, here, there or anywhere else... No one's stopping him. No one even wants to stop him. Most of us think he's quite funny, and we're all too glad to point it out as often as we can.

Quite simply, Donald has been claiming to "take down" other bloggers (frequently by calling them nihilists, strangely enough) for a long time. What's good for we "nihilist" gooses is certainly good enough for the glandular gander that is Donald.
---

Posted February 16, 2009 12:22 PM (AmPow blog time)

Memery - Sheila - Tommy Roe

1. Put Your itunes/ipod on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button, and the title of that song is your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS
4. Put any comments in (brackets) after the song name
5. Tag those to finish the survey as well
-----------------------------------

1) Describe yourself
Moonlight Sonata - Beethoven

2) What do people feel when they're around you?
Eubie's Classical Rag - Eubie Blake

3) Describe your current relationship?
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah - Aly & AJ

4) Where would you like to be right now?
In the Beginning (Radio Edit) - 2 Souls & Bari Koral

5) How do you feel about love?
I Tawt I Taw Ol' Tanty Cwaus - Mel Blanc (as Tweety Bird)

6) What is your life like?
The Central Scrutinizer - Frank Zappa

7) What would you wish for if you only had one wish?
Silence - Gomez

8) Say something wise
The Other Side Of The World - Dishwalla

9) How would you describe yourself?
Lord, I Used To Know 150 Songs By Heart...And Waterbound - Dirk Powell

10) What do you look for in a girl?
Shriner's Park - Melissa Etheridge

11) How do you feel today?
Stairway to Heaven - Neil Pepper

12) What's your life's purpose?
Zombie - Nellie McKay

13) What is your motto?
Rastaman Chant - Bob Marley, Busta Rhymes & Flipmode Squad

14) What do your friends think of you?
You Vote Does Count Skit - P.Diddy

15) What do you think of your parents?
You Can't Always Get What You Want - Luther Allison

16) What do you think about very often?
The Dick Van Dyke Show Theme - The Dick Van Dyke Show

17) What do you think of your best friend?
Sink, Florida, Sink (Electric) - Against Me!

18) What do you think of the person you like?
Life in a Northern Town - The Dream Academy

19) What is your life story?
Ill Angel - Jeb Loy Nichols

20) What do you want to be when you grow up?
Herbei, Oh Ihr Glaubigen (O Come All Ye Faithful) - Mannheim Steamroller

21) What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Didi Tera Devar Deewana - Lata Mangeshkar & S.P.Balasubhramaniam

22) What will you dance to at your wedding?
Cornflake Girl - Tori Amos

23) What will play at your funeral?
Jamie's Crying - Jajuya

24) Biggest fear?
Odds And Ends - Dionne Warwick

25) Biggest secret?
Frankie and Johnny - Tuts Washington

26) What will you post this as?
Sheila - Tommy Roe
----------------

Used my whole iTunes music section (all 43,274 items) on this... Not that impressed, for the most part. I'm a firm believer that the answers are right there in front of you, most times--just concentrate on a problem, then open a random book to a random page, and your answer will be there, if you read it right--but I'm guessing there wasn't enough concentration for this to work as well as it could have...

Fun, nevertheless... 8>)

Monday, February 09, 2009

Memery - That High School Meme

Fill this out about your high school experience or SENIOR year! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be!! Thought you all who knew me back then might get a laugh out of some memories! Share yours!

1. Did you date someone from your school?: Yes

2. Did you marry someone from your high school?: No

3. Did you car pool to school?: I almost always walked, but did get a ride occasionally. (More rides home after school, though...)

4. What kind of car did you have?: I had no car in high school.

5. What kind of car do you have now?: 2006 Saturn SL1

6. Its Friday night...where were you?: Woks (work) then Mr. Dees Pizza (play)

7. It is Friday night... where are you now?: Home

8. What kind of job did you have in high school?: Woks - Dishwasher/Busboy

9. What kind of job do you do now?: Retail Management

10. Were you a party animal?: Not really, though I think people thought so...

11. Were you considered a flirt?: More'n'likely... The majority of my friends were pretty girls, and they were hard to resist...

12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?: I was in "Voices of Walt Whitman," the select chorus.

13. Were you a nerd?: I don't think so... I talked like one sometimes, but was a bit more cool...

14. Did you get suspended or expelled?: I know I was in detention, a bit... I don't think I was ever suspended, though... (but there was "in-school suspension," & I don't remember if there was a difference between that & "detention.")

15. Can you sing the fight song?: Not a note.

16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s): Mr Peskar (Nature of Language), Mr Tripp (Voices, & faculty advisor for stage crew)

17. Where did you sit during lunch?: I think I had two lunch periods that year (because I dropped--that is, stopped attending--a class) I know I was in the North Cafeteria, but (if this is the year I did that) I spent my "other lunch period" in the South...

18. What was your school's full name?: Walt Whitman High School

19. When did you graduate?: 1982

20. What was your school mascot?: Wildcat

21. If you could go back and do it again, would you?: Only if everyone else came back with me... I'd hate to go through it all again with new people, and I'd love seeing some of the old ones again, particularly the one or two who've died since...

22. Did you have fun at Prom?: I did not go to my prom, but I did attend the 1984 prom. I think that my date enjoyed it more than I did, but it wasn't bad.

23. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with?: We had a falling out, but I'd like to repair it, if I can find her.

24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion?: Nope... I really wasn't all that close with many of the people in my graduating class (most of those pretty girls were older or younger, and the few friends I did have were/are not "reunion people." Besides, they charge a small fortune...

25. Do you still talk to people from school?: Not too many, but there are a few...

Friday, February 06, 2009

Born Again American

Watch the video. If it moves you, go to the site. If you agree with the message, get involved. There's been enough negativity and tearing down. It's time we build ourselves, each other, and our country up.



"Born Again American is committed to the rebirth and re-expression of citizenship through informed and thoughtful activism. It is an initiative of Declare Yourself, a national non-partisan, non-profit (501(c)3) organization dedicated to increasing young voter participation and civic involvement. Declare Yourself’s on-line voter registration tool has been used by almost four million people since 2004. Declare Yourself grew out of the 2003’s Declaration of Independence Road Trip that toured an original 1776 copy of the Declaration to schools, town halls, and other locations all over the country." - Born Again American

h/t to my friend Barrie, a "coo-coo for Christ" crazy christian (& Sarah Palin supporting) lover of America, for letting me know about this. (If she has a public blog or website, I don't know about it... But if she does and wants some traffic, I'll gladly post a link here.)

(Wingnuts & Moonbats x-post)

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Memery - 25 Things

In Facebook, I'm only tagging the folks who tagged me and the people I mention. On the blog, I'm not tagging anyone.
I invite any/everyone who reads these words to play (particularly if you haven't yet--It can be enlightening), but the choice is yours. If you do choose to play because you read this here (wherever "here" is for you), I would like a tag back, however...
---------------------------------

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people - in the right hand corner of the app - then click publish.) DON'T FORGET TO TAG ME!

1) I am a packrat. If it’s not rotting or actually in pieces, I probably still have it… somewhere.

2) The roads to most of my personal hells are paved with good intentions and actions never taken.

3) I have at least a thousand records, and just as many CDs, and I’ve listened to every one.

4) I am much less fortunate book-wise. While I probably have 400-500, I have read very few of them. (I do try, but tend to doze off.)

5) I walked to school from kindergarten through twelfth grade. I could’ve ridden the school bus to high school (& maybe jr. high, too) but I preferred the open air.

6) I’m seldom right on time. Usually, I’m late for stuff, but because I know that, I sometimes overcompensate & show up way too early. (That prolly had something to do with my not taking the bus to school, too.)

7) I miss everyone who isn’t in my life anymore, but I’m not so good at keeping in touch with the people who are.

8) I consider myself a Unitarian Universalist, but I seldom attend fellowship.

9) I miss my old Honda Accord hatchback. I liked having the ability to fit small pieces of furniture in my car on a whim.

10) I haven’t been clean-shaven since 1984. (Even then, I left an almost indiscernible soul patch.)

11) I sleep about 5-6 hours in any 24. If I fall asleep early, I wake up in the middle of the night. (It’s 4am as I peck this out.)

12) When I get involved in something, I forget to stop and eat. I’ve gone whole days without food, and not even noticed.

13) My dad, my cousin Lee, and my friend Andy have had the most influence on my taste in music. All of ‘em were & are willing to explore new sounds.

14) My wife, doesn’t know how much I love her. I’m to blame for much of that because I don’t express it nearly enough, but then, I’m not sure she’d believe me anyway…

15) We do own too many cats for our home & lifestyle. (We have 7 of ‘em.)

16) While I’m very organized at work, I’m a mess at home. Some of it has to do with that packrat thing, but it’s also because I don’t set the same “everything in it’s place” rules at home.

17) I seldom drink anything but water, anymore.

18) I don’t carry a realistic image of myself in my mind. I see myself as that thin guy I was in my 20’s or so, and am kinda surprised every time I see myself in a mirror or current photograph.

19) The opposite happens with my dad. Every time I see him, I’m amazed at how much thinner he is than I thought he was (& actually used to be.)

20) When it comes to women (& most men, as well) though, unless you’re very large, very small, or have changed a whole lot since the last time I saw you (& I can actually remember what you looked like the last time I saw you), I don’t really notice your weight.

21) I have a pretty good memory for song lyrics, plot lines, and general trivia, but I have a whole lotta trouble with proper nouns. Too many conversations go “It’s like that movie—I can’t remember the name--where the guy—nope, can’t recall the actor, but he was the same guy in—you know, that movie we watched last spring, with the monster eating the town… It was called… Oh, nevermind.”

22) I prefer the temperature to be about 65 when I’m working, and just slightly higher when I’m at rest.

23) One day, I hope to earn enough to keep us from worrying about money. (I’d settle for “winning” or “being left” enough, but I really would prefer to earn it.)

24) I have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in my chest.

25) Like most folks who’ve done this thing, I had a tough time coming up with 25 things to say, and like most, I end this list by saying so.

Monday, December 08, 2008

Homophobia inherent in macho bullshit

Maybe it's because I've been writing alot about the issue of gay marriage over on the political blog (& elsewhere), but I was kinda struck by the nasty implications of an incident that happened yesterday at my job.

Due to illness (see below), I had to call in sick to work on Saturday. The kid who runs the place (22?, 23?) was busy, & I was feeling crappy, so the call was short & to the point. "I won't be in." "OK... Feel better."

Afterward, I realized I'd forgotten to let him know I had an appointment Wednesday, & couldn't be there then either, so I sent an e-mail to inform him. Because I had just called out sick & was now asking for MORE time, I titled the e-mail "That [repsac] has a lot of balls..." (We're a pretty informal company, & besides, we're closing soon anyway... Even if such a subject header is either in bad taste (yeah, I suppose it is) or a breech of the computer policy (perhaps not... They tend not to make/enforce too many rules), it's not likely they're gonna fire me for it, given the short time we have left...)

So yesterday, this kid asks me "What was up with that e-mail title? Are you friggin' gay, or something? I thought you were hittin' on me..."

I was quite taken aback, & couldn't at first figure out whether he was just too stupid to understand the phrase "a lot of balls," or just trying to puff up his own diminutive manhood, again. (He's about 5'3", & appears to have a raging case of Napoleon complex as a result of years of abuse about it. Far too many of his stories are testosterone-laden adventures involving women he's had, or men he's beaten, literally or figuratively.) After explaining the former (yes, he had heard the phrase before & knew what it meant, but seemingly chose to willfully misunderstand it anyway, for effect, I'd imagine), I pointed out that if the word "balls" made him think about gay men & being hit on, that spoke to where his mind was at, not mine...

It wasn't until later that I began to comprehend the homophobia inherent in what he'd said (& I confess, in my retort to him, as well...)

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Why do people go to work sick & thereby spread their germs?

I realize the economy sucks, and that people need their jobs & the money they earn, and that in the particular situation I'm talking about, there really was no other option, as the guy running the store was the one who was sick, & had he not been there, the place couldn't've been open.

But as I sit here coughing my lungs out, dizzy from congestion, and generally feeling AWEFUL, none of that matters to me as much as wishing some idiot didn't pass his friggin' cold onto me (& apparently, at least one other person at the store) by showing up for work while he was contagious.

Selfish?

Yeah.
Sue me.
(But please wait until I feel better, first.)

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

In Reply: Hating One's Fellow Americans

In reply to American Power: America's Enemies Within, dedicated to me, as follows,:
"This post is inspired by two angry anti-American commenters at this blog, commenters who have called me a "hater" and "terrorist" because of their inability to rebut the opinions I have expressed: Ben Sutherland and James Casper.

When I first read Snooper's piece, Ben and James came immediately to mind."
...AND to the following comment by the man himself, Mark Harvey aka Snooper:
Thanks for the link and I don't want to give the wrong impression.

I swore an Oath in the service of my Nation. On a particular mission, I carried a wounded man on my shoulders - actually strapped on - for two days in a running fire fight. We won. Most of us survived (long story) but my friend did not. I lost a body part, considered "minor".

I return from a war to fight another here at home and that war is going to cost blood. People die and I am willing and the libtards are not. That is why they whine when I speak as I do.

I find it "ironic" that for the last 8 years the libtards have said much worse and they seem to think it was OK. It was not. Now, one of their opposition speaks as they did and do and it is apparently "shocking" and "bothersome".

The DNC Double Standard is quite comical.

A war will happen here in the States because of these Marxist assholes and I am calling them out...every single one.

The question is, will they be willing to give their all for their cause? I am very curious about that.

---
I don't know who I feel more sorry for; snooper (who served his country at least, but returned with such hatred for his fellow citizens), or Donald, who appears to come by it all naturally, and without any similar sacrifice.
---

Posted 12/02/2008 11:01 AM (AmPow blog time)

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!!

That pretty much says it all...

Hope you spend it with those who love you. (Thankfully, I am.)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

In Reply: "Let marriage be marriage, but don't base US law on a religious rite."

In reply to "American Power: Gay is the New Black?"


As I said in the Wingnuts and Moonbats post, "My thoughts on Homosexual Marriage," as well as the link Nero Dr Douglas provided above, where I respond to his "Gay Marriage is Not a Civil Right" post ("Wingnuts and Moonbats: Is there a right to marry whomever one wishes?"), I agree that the suffering of blacks under slavery & Jim Crow is far worse than the suffering of Gays in 2008 (or ever). This is a straw man, in that few if anyone is saying otherwise...

But that gays suffer less does not mean that gays do not suffer, and the same inalienable rights cover both groups.

I don't even know that many gays want to redefine marriage, if by "marriage" you mean the religious rite presided over by a celebrant of your chosen faith, and blessed by the God you worship. I have heard little of homosexuals demanding that a particular church marry them. So I don't really think it's about marriage, at all...

It's about rights & privileges under US law, which are currently bestowed on the basis of the word "marriage," but not necessarily the religious rite of marriage.

To the extent that domestic partners or folks civilly united receive the same rights & privileges as married people, I have no objection, & I don't really think many others on my side of the issue do, either. To the extent that they laws that oversee each are different, "marriage," the word, makes all the difference. Add "or domestic partnership" to every law that gives a legal right to marriage, and most--the vast majority, I'd guess--will stop pushing for gay marriage.

It isn't about redefining the religious rite of marriage, or what homosexual folks call their united bliss or significant other, but about treating citizens as equals under the law. Whether homosexuals get the rights by calling their unions marriages, or by changing the law, so that marriage remains marriage, but civil union or domestic partnership affords a couple all of the same rights & privileges as marriage, those citizens should be granted those rights.

As I've said before, I'd like to see the word "marriage"--a religious rite, performed by a religious celebrant--stricken from every local, state, & federal law, and replaced by the words "civil union"--a legal agreement between two people in love, officiated over by any individual recognized by the state, including clergy, judges, ship captains, etc.... Let marriage be marriage, but don't base US law on this or any other religious rite. Doing so tarnishes both the religiosity of "marriage" and the freedom of religious belief, embodied in the separation of church & state as espoused by several of our founders, inherent in America.
---

Posted 11/19/2008 04:07 PM (American Power Blog time)
---

Relevant Links:
RealClearPolitics - Articles - Is Gay the New Black?
Anna Quindlen: The Loving Decision - The Daily Beast

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

In Reply: "There is no intellectual or rhetorical vice exclusive to a particular side of any partisan debate."

In reply to the following two comments at the American Power blog post "Post-Partisan Obama Cult":
---
'Putting aside all the particulars that have nothing to do with the topic, of course the conflict will continue... The Left & the Right have different political philosophies, and the idea that anyone's asking or expecting anyone else to give up or give in is a myth. Disagree.'
"All well and good ... until someone starts turning ideology into policy.

Then, the particulars do matter ... as well as the intellectual honesty of those making the decisions.

If the decision-makers do not have the intellectual honesty to recognize their own errors in the light of history and reason (or hide them behind popular acceptance of their position ... hey, even slavery was popular in some places once), then place both their own error and that of their political opponents in actual historical perspective, then their credibility as decision-makers is compromised.

It's not like I have seen this game before, repsac ... and you need to remember that intellectual honesty is inherently in short supply among the morally relative that dominate ONLY ONE side of this debate.

While you might have a stash of that ... many of your fellow-travelers, some of whom are now decision-makers, threw theirs in the 7-11 trash receptacles a long time ago."

---
'Here, I prefer the traditional "conventional wisdom" that has gotten us through pretty much every conflict since we became a nation over your radical ideas about foreign policy.'
"Acutally, that conventional wisdom has only been applicable for the last 60 years or so ... before that, we usually decisively engaged our enemies and defeated them as expeditiously as possible, and did not engage in the perpetual paralysis-by-analysis/vacillation/navel-gazing/self-flagellation that is now the Left's stock-in-trade.

And it has also been in those last 60 years that technology, commerce, and (yes) freedom have combined to produce a highly-interconnected planet ... a place where a few dozen can stealthily leverage the above to wreak havoc on a scale that previously took years and armies -- both highly visible to the defenders of life and liberty before their use -- to perpetrate.

The game has changed ... so the conventional wisdom of the last century does NOT apply ... as if it ever did."

---
@ Rich: I don't suppose I need to mention that you're drifting off topic, again...

Yes, there are conversations & circumstances where the particulars you brought up do matter. This isn't one of 'em.

No, popularity does not equate with correctness. Most good ideas are opposed by the masses, at first, and many bad ones have come to be widely supported.

There really is no intellectual or rhetorical vice exclusive to a particular side of any partisan debate. That you believe otherwise, and are willing to spread such a sweeping generalization over so much of the left, in big bold capital letters, no less, calls your own intellectual honesty into question.
---

Posted Wednesday, November 12, 2008

In Reply: "Disagree. Don't demean & demonize."

In reply to the following comment at the American Power post "Post-Partisan Obama Cult":
repsac, when the Left expands the definition of "fair and balanced" beyond a debate between Bernie Sanders and Robert Byrd, perhaps your words will hold water.

Since November 2000 ... certainly since March 2003 ... the vast majority of Leftist opinion I've seen has been based upon the fairness-obsessed (at a kindergarten level), navel-gazing, self-doubting conventional wisdom of the 20th Century, as if human history started with the birth of the first Baby Boomer.

Not upon the wisdom embodied by those who founded this nation ... who declared that "we hold these truths to be self-evident", then acted accordingly.

And not in an intellectually-honest manner, but instead a manner that simultaneously called for "nuance" while swinging the broadest brush over the principles of human interaction ... even as they were demonstrated by events like the Awakenings.

What your fellow-travelers seek is not dialog, but capitulation to their worldview.

Until y'all acknowledge your own perceptual limitations ... your own errors of INACTION that made today's conflicts inevitable, harder, and longer ... how your conventional wisdom has time and again failed to secure peace and prosperity ... and your own incivility ... this conflict will continue.

And understand this ... if the price of civility is perpetuating the Leftist worldview as the dominant worldview of our culture, it is a price not worth paying.

If you want civility, the discourse has to be a two-way street, well beyond Sanders Avenue and Byrd Boulevard.

---
It's a good speech, Rich, but it's ultimately non-responsive to the topic.
"when the Left expands the definition of "fair and balanced" beyond a debate between Bernie Sanders and Robert Byrd, perhaps your words will hold water."
Yes, some folks on the left have a narrow view of things. The same is true on the right. Both have people who could open up, a bit. Narrow ideology, or being "fair & balanced" has nothing to do with respect for other people, though.
"Since November 2000 ... certainly since March 2003 ... the vast majority of Leftist opinion I've seen has been based upon the fairness-obsessed (at a kindergarten level), navel-gazing, self-doubting conventional wisdom of the 20th Century, as if human history started with the birth of the first Baby Boomer."
We've been over this & over this... Here, I prefer the traditional "conventional wisdom" that has gotten us through pretty much every conflict since we became a nation over your radical ideas about foreign policy. I'm not saying you're not welcome to have & hold them, but the vast majority of the American people do not appear to agree with you. To the best of my recollection, no one here at this blog has backed you, even. They all just remain politely quiet when you post your "20th century thinking for a 21st century world" spiel...

And again, whether you're ultimately right or wrong in your foreign policy views, it has nothing to do with respect for others.
"What your fellow-travelers seek is not dialog, but capitulation to their worldview."
Everyone on every side ultimately seeks capitulation by everyone else to "their" worldview, one way or another, but for some of us--many of us, thankfully--dialog is the way to get there... The people on 52/48 are trying to say respect for the other side and "hashing it out," is the way to go... It's not about giving in, but letting go of the bullshit hate and the labels that become meaningless through overuse, & TALKING to one another.
"Until y'all acknowledge your own perceptual limitations ... your own errors of INACTION that made today's conflicts inevitable, harder, and longer ... how your conventional wisdom has time and again failed to secure peace and prosperity ... and your own incivility ... this conflict will continue."
Putting aside all the particulars that have nothing to do with the topic, of course the conflict will continue... The Left & the Right have different political philosophies, and the idea that anyone's asking or expecting anyone else to give up or give in is a myth. Disagree. Don't demean & demonize.
"And understand this ... if the price of civility is perpetuating the Leftist worldview as the dominant worldview of our culture, it is a price not worth paying.

If you want civility, the discourse has to be a two-way street, well beyond Sanders Avenue and Byrd Boulevard."
The price of civility is civility. It's not about what either side believes, or how narrow one's mind is, but about remembering that it's likely you have a close friend or family member on the opposing team, and that when you toss out the "moonbat" or "wingnut" labels & all the meaning you attach to them, you're talking about that friend or family member, too... It's about treating the wingnuts/moonbats you don't know as well as you treat the ones you do know, just because people--even people who don't share your politics--deserve respect. (If someone hits, by all means, hit back... But don't throw the first punch, just because the person's not in your "tribe," and may hit you, maybe...)

---

Posted Wednesday, November 12, 2008

In Reply: "Seeing people left & right as individuals, rather than as groups that speak & act as one."

Apparently, Donnie thinks I fear you folks...

Not so much, actually....

No one at the 52/48 site--be they from the left or from the right (& yes, you folks do seem to ignore all the contributions from folks on the right, there)--is suggesting that you give up your principles, like Obama any better than you ever have, or adopt any other political philosophy... It's suggesting that you (& we) stop demonizing anyone & everyone who doesn't agree with you (or "us")...

That anyone would consider me any kind of Obama cultist is kinda funny. No Democrat, no Obama materials, & didn't even vote for the guy...

Jason has the right idea in his comment: "I suggest accurate, factual, but tough and firm criticism."

Sure, you can look to the way Bush was treated by some on the left (which many of you railed about incesently) & vow to to the same to Obama & Democrats (or "almost the same, except respectfully" in a sorry effort to appear less of a hypocrite than the vow itself evidences, given all that whining), but many Americans are tired of the whole thing, and will reject anyone on any side who goes that way...

@Griper:
repsac,
you ought to read your quotes of others with understanding and present them in that way before using them to promote yourself.
Promote myself? What in hell are you talking about, Griper? (What are the chances you'll actually answer?)

I copied what the man said... It's what the site is about. It's what many Americans are about. Not compromise, but respect & understanding for those with whom you differ. Yes, folks on the left need to be more respectful, too. Of course they do... We all do.

@Tom the Redhunter:
So what does "repsac" thing [sic] our reaction should be?
Respect for other Americans. Argument, based on the merits. Less divisive namecalling & appeals to worn out labels. Seeing people left & right as individuals, rather than as groups that speak & act as one.
I took a trip to his blog, where his last post is an attack on anyone who is not happy that Obama won. Conveniently, he doesn't say what our reaction should be, or what his would have been had McCain won.
My last post was about this same 52/48 site. It isn't an attack on those who aren't happy Obama won, but an "attack" on those who prefer divisiveness to respect. It wasn't about Obama, or anyone's reaction to the election results, at all... EXCEPT... I did post two RIGHTWING bloggers reactions to the election, as examples of folks who had the right idea as regards respect for others. (So much for Tom's "wingnut" theory...)

((Any of you folks who thought the fair professor was dead wrong about McCain from the start, and only voted for the runner up in the "Worst Republican Candidate (running) in the World" contest (I know... For most of you, Ron Paul was the "worst") because you had no other choice, you'll probably like Patrick M's "Sane Political Discourse" blog, one of the two I mention... Disagreement, without being disagreeable... (unless you throw the first punch... Then all bets are off, there...))
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 9:00 AM? (AmPow blog time)

In Reply: John McCain Sings Kumbaya...but some partisans refuse to join in

In Reply to: "Post-Partisan Obama Cult," a post discussing a website where Republicans and Democrats support coming together as one America after the election. (The author was not in favor, obviously.)
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"I urge all Americans ... I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited." - John McCain
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 8:00 AM (his blog time)

Sunday, November 09, 2008

In Reply: "Like marriage, sin is up to the church, not the state, to define & otherwise deal with."

In reply to the following comment at the American Power post Gay Marriage is Not a Civil Right:
Philip ... you are more honest than most. As an engineer, I am also quite aware of the sometimes-brutal honesty of mathematics.

And I won't say that I know what you went through on 11 September 2001.

But in my opinion, you have learned the wrong lessons from that act of war ... could it be because your antipathy for organized religion colors your view of the President who broke Leftist "tradition" and precedent, and acted to defend life and liberty?

We have seen it, time and time again in history ... without freedom and the respect for it, peace is just an illusion.

That abject lack of respect for freedom ... using Islam as justification ... is what drove those nineteen thugs to attack you.

And the most prudent defense was to go on the offense against them ... and others who were known to be of like mind and equal -- if not more -- capability, like Saddam & Sons.

Let's be honest here ... what really chafes y'all about Mr. Bush's approach to civil liberties is the lack of transparency. (Otherwise, you'd condemn Lincoln for suspending habeas corpus, instead of honoring him for emancipation ... and BTW the typical Leftist definition of "torture" is anything rougher than 3-hots-and-a-cot, much less something our own men are put through during SERE training.) But there is a reason for that ... for far too long, we allowed a very cunning and manipulative set of enemies to see what we were planning for them, in the event we went to war with them, in the name of "transparency".

And I am also aware of the religious roots of apartheid, and the use of religion to justify atrocity ... but I am also aware that the founding citizens of this nation believed that life and liberty were endowed to them by their Creator .... and therefore were not subject to even a majority vote for denial. Not a few of them wanted to abolish slavery in those early years, as well.

I am also aware of the believers who kept pushing against slavery, until it was eradicated ... and I would wager that other believers did similar yeoman work against apartheid.

And you need to be aware of the independent nature of the evangelicals that make up the vast majority of the Religious Right ... and how their independence is a powerful defense against the very theocracy you abhor.

Your brush is a little too broad, IMO, when it comes to condemning organized religion.

But that doesn't change the facts on the ground ... there are other ways to secure the blessings of liberty for those in GLBT relationships, that do not involve the codification of these relationships as morally equivalent to heterosexual marriage by force of law.

You ask, how does that affect me as a straight?

What it does is effectively close the public debate on the morality of the homosexual lifestyle ... and my, my children's, my grandchildren's, and my fellow believers -- along with others who oppose the practices on other grounds -- ability to publicly dissent from your viewpoint and have that dissent taken with even a pinch of seriousness.

In other words, in the eyes of the law, the question will be settled -- exclusively in your favor -- simply because you want it to be settled.

It is one more step towards making the secular fundamentalist worldview the ONLY acceptable view in our public discourse.

Again, we are not talking about immutable characteristics like skin color here ... we are talking about actions and choices.

Even as a believer, there are legal proscriptions against some actions I might take ... like say, handling venomous snakes in my Long Island church (not that I need/want/perform that kind of litmus test of my faith!).

What the gay community is asking for, is protection for behavior that goes beyond even the Constitutional protections for religious beliefs.

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Reply:
"There are other ways to secure the blessings of liberty for those in GLBT relationships, that do not involve the codification of these relationships as morally equivalent to heterosexual marriage by force of law."
Separate but equal accommodation has been tried before... and found to not comport with American values. US morality is an evolving standard in the first place, and for many--including many who do not share your faith, as well as many who do--the morality of what is essentially a secular contract is not at issue, or within your balliwick to judge.
"What it does is effectively close the public debate on the morality of the homosexual lifestyle ... and my, my children's, my grandchildren's, and my fellow believers -- along with others who oppose the practices on other grounds -- ability to publicly dissent from your viewpoint and have that dissent taken with even a pinch of seriousness.

In other words, in the eyes of the law, the question will be settled -- exclusively in your favor -- simply because you want it to be settled."
Nonsense. You can still teach your children as you see fit. You can still discuss & debate your opposition to gay marriage anytime & in any setting you wish.

Right now, the issue is settled largely in your favor. When it is settled as Phillip & I believe it should be, it will be because the masses have evolved, or because the courts have recognized that the rights are already written into constitutions in various states. It will be settled because rights are not given to you by the state, but are granted to you at birth (or conception, if you prefer), and cannot be taken away by law or statute.
"It is one more step towards making the secular fundamentalist worldview the ONLY acceptable view in our public discourse."
In an effort to create religious freedom, as well as freedom from religion for those who wish it, America is a secular & religion-neutral society. While your particular faith & denomination is the one true path for you, we allow the shinto buddhist, the hassidic jew, and the non-believer to also believe that their religious path--or lack of it--is the way to everlasting light & harmony, as well. In an effort to do so, we do not enshrine the morals & values of your religion, my religion, or any other religion into law.

There are many sins in this world, but relatively few are discouraged or criminalized by law, anymore. Like marriage, sin is up to the church, not the state, to define & otherwise deal with. (Do you really want the state defining such religious matters?) To do otherwise would be to impose one religious institution's set of morals on all Americans, including those who do not share that (& in some cases, any) faith.

We were born on the idea that the Puritans could do their thing, and the Penn Dutch could do theirs, and neither had to convert to & assume the faith of the other... Nothing's changed...
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Posted November 9, 2008, 11:00 PM

In Reply: "...religious beliefs should not be the basis for US law..."

In reply to various comments (noted below) at the post Gay Marriage is Not a Civil Right
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Response to the original post: Wingnuts and Moonbats: Is there a right to marry whomever one wishes?

Paco has it right. One's religious beliefs should not be the basis for US law.

bluespapa asks a good question about polygamy, in light of the two gentlemen's (& by implication of his quote, Nero's) citing of "thousands of years of universally recognized morality and practice".

@ Nikki "A few months ago I did a post on whether or not gay marriage advocates would be willing to extend their argument to include polygamy...not one would give it the same importance as gay marriage."

Of course they didn't. Very few people are asking for any such thing, and reducing an argument to the absurd does nothing to speak to the issue at hand. Should folks wish for & want polygamy, respond to it then... In the meantime, it's no better than counting the angels one imagines can dance on pinpoints....

@ That guy: "Proposition 8 takes away no rights from gay Californians. It simply overturns the rule of 4 state judges, and returns the law to the majority position as it had been prior, with a state constitutional amendment."

You say that as though you have no respect for our American system of justice and law. Those four state judges read the state Constitution before them as written, saw that there was no basis to deny equal protection to gay couples wishing to marry, and ruled that it was against the CA Constitution to do so.

"The majority of Americans agree with "these views," so why should they be beaten into submission by a crazed radical minority, many of whom are Godless and detest the very traditions that are the strength of this country?"

First off, if you're not gay, nothing will change for you. You're not being beaten into submission to anything.

Second, belief in God has little bearing on American rights & law. The Godless deserve as much protection under US law as the faithful.

Traditions are nice, but they are subject to change over time, as are the one's folks view as "the strength of this country"... Just ask those blacks who're descended from slaves (once viewed as the backbone of this country, and impossible to do without...), or the women who once had no right to vote, own property, ... Things change.

I believe Phillip Chandler has your number, dude. Please reply to him with the same thought he offered in his comment, as to do less would only increase the offense your post is offering him.
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Posted November 9, 2008, 12:16 AM

Nerd Score (Do nerds score?)