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Not sure about the productivity of it, but is it wrong? Consider the belief, widely held by American conservatives, that destructive weather cannot possibly be
by nate_meurer 8y ago
Not sure about the productivity of it, but is it wrong?
Consider the belief, widely held by American conservatives, that destructive weather cannot possibly be related to climate change, but rather is God's punishment of America for legalizing gay marriage. As stated publicly by such conservative icons as Tony Perkins, John Hagee, and Franklin Graham. It's easy to passively dismiss these guys' views as fringey, but they are definitely not fringe actors in D.C. All are influential in mainstream republican politics, and all are staples of mainstream conservative media.
Perkins is perhaps the most powerful evangelical lobbyist in America, whose endorsement has long been practically requisite for repubican candidates for both congress and the presidency. Hagee leads another of the largest political organizations in the country, was an ally and confidant to the Bush white house, and is now enjoying a surge in popularity due to Trump's enthusiastic support. And Franklin Graham, nearly as famous and influential as his father.
This is just one example I picked at random. There are many, many more. I can't offhand think of a comparable example from the liberal side of mainstream American politics. The nearest I can conjur is from Britain: Jeremy Corbyn's support of the Chavez/Maduro regime in Venezuela.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- tptacek 8y agoI wasn't hoping for a recapitulation of the argument.
- nate_meurer 8y agoYes, I understand that, but my question up there wasn't just rhetorical. I'm asking your opinion.
- socialist_coder 8y agoIt's not productive because it doesn't matter how much you're right and they're wrong. Yes, mainstream Conservatives and the GOP are anti-science. If they deny it and you try to argue, what is the point? What are you going to achieve by arguing with them about what side is worse? You should be focusing on how to reduce GOP political power. How can we actually get people elected who won't be anti-intellectual? How can we turn out more voters? How can we elect people who aren't corporate stooges? Another route: think about how you can better communicate with Republican voters that the Democratic party better represents their interests than the GOP. You definitely aren't winning their votes by telling them that they're the whole problem.