5 ms·
I think part of the issue is the tactics. The original post was pointing out that the way that bad ideas are being defeated is through force, not through reason
by Veelox 9y ago
I think part of the issue is the tactics. The original post was pointing out that the way that bad ideas are being defeated is through force, not through reason. If the law says "Be happy or else" everyone is "happy". The problem being pointed out is that SV is becoming a place where you must believe the right things or else. The or else part is what makes it McCarthyistic.
- rectang 9y agoIt's hard for me to get worked up over this when the injustices suffered by those who are now being heard were many times worse.
- Veelox 9y agoJust to clarify, it is okay to treat people poorly because people were treated worse in the past?
- rectang 9y agoMany people continue to be treated worse today. But those who are accustomed to dominance cannot tolerate even a single setback without screaming bloody murder. Their endurance is paltry compared to that of the historically oppressed, and their empathy and perspective even more lacking.
- asabjorn 9y agoTwo wrongs does not make a right. For instance, I fail to see how you can fix things like racism, bigotry and sexism with more of the same.
- rectang 9y agoThe indefinite perpetuation of a one-sided wrong does not make a right, either. Relentless oppression must be broken.
- Veelox 9y ago>Relentless oppression must be broken. I am going to quote the man who has arguably done the most to end oppression in the USA. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - MLKJ
- rectang 9y agoDefend the unjust status quo, squealing at the most minor affronts and drawing false equivalencies. It will last as long as you live, and you'll never give up. Society will just have to leave you behind.
- asabjorn 9y agoMany of the opinions listed in this article are held by sometimes a majority of the population, so this is not about the rule of the many because if so you could legislate this and resolve it through the courts. As MLK said, you do not drive out darkness with darkness.
- rectang 9y agoThose who decry darkness by the oppressed yet tolerate darkness by the dominant are not fit to quote MLK.
- asabjorn 9y agoOur democracy is fragile and is not the default state of our society, and speech is central to democracy. I defend all sides right to speak and if appropriate advocate for a change of laws. One of the last times this happened it was McCarthyism, and many communists and socialists had their freedom of speech taken away. However, that time it was done through the judicial system so this time is arguably more dangerous as it is done in an extrajudicial manner. I think what you are arguing for is a non-inclusive society where democratic discourse is not possible, and where mob-rule is tolerated and rule of law is not expected. Edit: I would like to point out that MLK was a strong believer in democracy and justice.