Taliban or Tea Party?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Gingerdeltaz

First I will identify myself as the lone conservative Republican commenting on this thread...so let the feeding frenzy begin.
. . .
I will step off of my "soap box" now and end my rant with the hope that we can disagree in a civil manner. Thank you.

I won't participate in the feeding frenzy -- as a moderate Democrat, I agree with almost all you said. I do, though, agree with others that the comparisons you make are apple and oranges, and I do tend to think that the 'left wing liberal" in "left wing liberal Samuel L. Jackson" risks moving away from the civil discourse you rightly call for. It seems to me that labels like "left wing liberal" and "right wing conservative" have pretty much ceased to have any meaning beyond the pejorative "extremist."

I would also say that I have seem some Tea Party rallies that made some Occupy protests I have seen look like garden parties -- the level of vitriol and, well I don't know how else to say it but ignorance about our government, was disconcerting to say the least. I'm certainly not saying all most Tea Party folks are like that, nor am I saying all Occupy protests are garden parties. I'm agreeing with your assessment that there are extremists and loonies at both ends of the political spectrum. I don't think it's helpful to have a contest on whose extremists are the looniest or scariest.

I do also think there is a tendancy among all of us to think that the "other side" gets more of a pass from the media. Sometimes it may be true, but not always. There's Todd Akin, there's Anthony Weiner. As for the Palin kids, I have a hard time thinking a comparison to the Obama kids is apt. I don't think the Obama girls have being doing reality TV. Yes. as you say comments about Bristol Palin began earlier (though she was 18/almost 18 at the time), and as I recall, there was lots of condemnation from all quarters about those comments.

As for Samuel L. Jackson's tweet, accuracy matters. He didn't say anything about "wiping out" those in attendance at the GOP convention. He tweeted "Unfair S---t: GOP spared by Issac ! NOLA prolly F-----d Again. Not understanding God's plan!" (Later, he tweeted "Daayum! Poked a Hornets nest, hunh? Apologies to God, Tampa, da GOP& Isaac(sp)! Who played the Race card?!") Was he being funny or offensive (or both)? Certainly up for debate, and there's a lot of it out there. But he didn't speak of the possibility of "wiping out" those in attendance. Criticize what he said by all means, but if civil discourse is what we're after, let's not attack what he didn't say or put what he didn't say in quotation marks.

Meanwhile, I heartily recommend (again) Patriotic Grace: What It Is and Why We Need It Now by Peggy Noonan.

[pbear19]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I don't think it's helpful to have a contest on whose extremists are the looniest or scariest.

This. Gingerdeltaz, this is the problem I have with your post. It sounds like you are trying to say that the Tea Party extremism is ok because there are people on the left who are worse. Do you really want to start a competition where we all trot out examples of idiots on either end of the spectrum? How about the guys who got kicked out of the GOP convention for throwing things and making racist comments to an African American cameraman? Threats on the lives of House Democrats after votes on health care reform?

I'm doing exactly what I agreed with MC is silly to do, but only to illustrate the point. I don't think anyone here is going to say that extremists on either side are ideal. The problem is that many (most?) Tea Party members can be numbered in the "extremist" category, and it's starting to make it look like the entire Republican party belongs in the extremist category, which I do not believe is reality. I would think that more moderate Republicans would be concerned about the image that the Tea Party is giving to the rest of the right.

(I will also agree that comparing a professional political pundit like Limbaugh, someone whose family has long been associated with politics and who is known synonymously with the Republican party, with an actor like Samuel L. Jackson, who is known for being an actor, is laughable.)

[Gingerdeltaz]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I won't participate in the feeding frenzy -- as a moderate Democrat, I agree with almost all you said. I do, though, agree with others that the comparisons you make are apple and oranges, and I do tend to think that the 'left wing liberal" in "left wing liberal Samuel L. Jackson" risks moving away from the civil discourse you rightly call for. It seems to me that labels like "left wing liberal" and "right wing conservative" have pretty much ceased to have any meaning beyond the pejorative "extremist."


Meanwhile, I heartily recommend (again) Patriotic Grace: What It Is and Why We Need It Now by Peggy Noonan.

Your comment about "left wing liberal" and "left wing" really made me stop and think. I must admit that I have used those terms so casually and carelessly, that I did not give enough thought to the fact that they are labels and can certainly be inflammatory.

That was definitely a "teachable moment" for me. You are correct. I have an aversion to labels, yet I was using them myself without having thought them through. It's time to remove those labels from my discussions. Thank you.

I looked at the Peggy Noonan book on Amazon and was impressed by what I saw. I'm getting ready to download it now.

I appreciate that you did not join the feeding frenzy. It's certainly not enjoyable, but I did know that I was setting myself up for it when I chose to share the only differing opinion. I don't take it personally at all and respect that the others submitting posts are simply expressing their views as well.