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This sounds like a reprisal of the common far right bigoted refrain to platform "both sides" when we all know that reality obviously has a liberal bias [0]. Thi

by ryandv 2y ago

This sounds like a reprisal of the common far right bigoted refrain to platform "both sides" when we all know that reality obviously has a liberal bias [0]. This dog whistle for free speech was also used by John Stuart Mill, an influential figure in classical liberalism, the movement that provided the ideological roots of the modern alt-right extremist movement, in his treatise On Liberty from 1859 [1]: It is also often argued, and still oftener thought, that none but bad men would desire to weaken these salutary beliefs; and there can be nothing wrong, it is thought, in restraining bad men, and prohibiting what only such men would wish to practise. [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43628756 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43628756 [1] https://www.gutenberg.org/files/34901/34901-h/34901-h.htm https://www.gutenberg.org/files/34901/34901-h/34901-h.htm

ConspiracyFact 2y ago
Ah yes, John Stuart Mill, that evil mastermind of reaction...
beloch 2y ago
For the record, I am to the left of U.S. democrats in most respects. To say that what I expressed above is a far-right dog-whistle or that the left does not have problems with disagreeing in a civil manner is just plain wrong. Case in point: Go take a look at the recent history of Canada's federal Green party. Several years ago, its leader stepped down and the party imploded over their views on Israel and Gaza. (This was well before the current conflict went hot.) What does a conflict in the middle East have to do with a political party focused on environmentalism in Canada you ask? Nothing at all, but the disagreement still tore the party apart. Both sides of the conflict could not tolerate opposing views existing within their peers. It turned into an ugly open feud. Elizabeth May had to return from retirement and take control again to stop things. She remains co-Leader (but really leader). Polite disagreement and understanding the other side, even while you disagree with it, is something everyone struggles with.

by ryandv 2y ago

ConspiracyFact 2y ago

Ah yes, John Stuart Mill, that evil mastermind of reaction...

beloch 2y ago

For the record, I am to the left of U.S. democrats in most respects. To say that what I expressed above is a far-right dog-whistle or that the left does not have problems with disagreeing in a civil manner is just plain wrong. Case in point: Go take a look at the recent history of Canada's federal Green party. Several years ago, its leader stepped down and the party imploded over their views on Israel and Gaza. (This was well before the current conflict went hot.) What does a conflict in the middle East have to do with a political party focused on environmentalism in Canada you ask? Nothing at all, but the disagreement still tore the party apart. Both sides of the conflict could not tolerate opposing views existing within their peers. It turned into an ugly open feud. Elizabeth May had to return from retirement and take control again to stop things. She remains co-Leader (but really leader). Polite disagreement and understanding the other side, even while you disagree with it, is something everyone struggles with.