One good way to start would be to drop the pretense that “the left” adopted Cindy Sheehan as a spokesman, or that “the right” adopted Ann Coulter, or that there is such a thing as a monolithic “left” or “right” hive mind at all. Reasoned political discussion does not involve the use of false equivalences at all. Therefore John’s claim to desire it is somewhere between a partisan delusion and a lie.
But then I’m telling that to someone whose idea of reasoned political discussion is along the line of “Is Bush merely the greatest President ever or is he an actual saint?”
You really need to read Funk and Wagnels to discover the different things that putting something in quotes can mean. John used quotes around both the left and right to indicate precisely what you are saying in your post here.
Yep. “They” don’t really exist, but it’s a lot easier than listing a bunch of individual names and individual organizations. Since “they” often have common political beliefs and goals, it often looks like “they” coordinate things, even if “they” don’t.
No one bats any eye around here if someone posts something about the religious right, even though “they” don’t actually exist as a clearly defined group either.
Actually, Elvis, I wasn’t supposed to tell you this, but there are meetings. Ask one of your fellow lefties on this board why you’re not invited to them.
