Just because you’re sitting on the fence doesn’t mean you lose the right to a fencepost-free rectum…
Upon further reflection, I have no idea what that means.
The middle-of-the-road: where you can get run over from both directions.
I view all ideologies with equal suspicion. They too often limit the scope of discussion and define the terms of that discussion in a biased manner. I reserve the right to hop all over the so-called politcal spectrum depending on the issue and what the weather is like that day.
I’ve been hanging out in #islam and #israel chat rooms for the past few months, trying to gain insight in to current world events, and to the OP, I just want to say:
Yep.
Even an avoidance of extremist positions? 
Toss me in as another “me too”. This should be saved for posterity–you should submit this to Teemings, Ankh_Too,
It’s nice to know I’m not completely alone in my frustration.
This is the image which frustrates me to such a degree. The real world is not always made up of two yards and a fence. For myself, I don’t think that my viewpoints and ideas are so easily pigeonholed. We’re not always sitting on a fence, sometimes we’re standing in a yard just like everyone else. It’s just that our yard is in between the other two. Hell, sometimes there’s a whole slew of yards, like an ideological Levittown.
There seems to be a tendency for people on either end of the continium to refuse to believe that the beliefs or thoughts of those of us who might not agree with everything they propose are somehow less well thought out or less considered than either extreme.
I don’t mind that people think that my political or philosophical beliefs are wrong. I mind that people look at everyone outside of their own ideological circle as of the same stripe, “everyone who doesn’t agree with me is not only wrong, but they all believe the same thing.”
Is it too late to recall the Pulitzers? I have another nomination.
:big thumbs up:
Me too.
Ah, but the grass is always greener…
Seriously, is it inappropriate to take extreme stands when one is passionate about an issue? Or is it merely that the person who is a passionate extremist has no right to expect everyone else to be the same thing, and no right to judge those who are not – and is inclined to see an enemy everywhere he fails to see a friend. Examining things from the perspective of the other side need not conflict with holding a strong position – and may make your position or your arguments for it stronger.
Exceptional posts, both of them. Thanks.
Well, that wasn’t the point of the OP, I don’t think. It seemed to be saying more along the lines of “Just because I don’t entirely agree with you, that doesn’t mean I’m entirely against you” rather than “I’m a moderate so I should be immune to criticism”. There’s nothing wrong with being left-wing or right-wing… the problem is when you get so extreme in your stance that anyone who isn’t as conservative or liberal as you becomes the “enemy”.
For example, John McCain is a conservative, technically, but compared to folks like, say, Jerry Falwell, he’s very liberal. Politics is all relative… just because someone is more liberal or conservative than you, that doesn’t mean he is a Liberal or a Conservative.
Now, if only the whole country could see this OP…
Well, I’m a bit late…
I just read the OP. Absolutely wonderful. I second the various motions that it be preserved somehow.
tomndebb already made the joke I thought of when I read the title, bit I thought I’d go ahead and add this “me too” post anyway, because it was about to drop off the front page.
(By the way, I was going to say “DEATH TO ALL FANATICS!!”)
LEt’s not forget the more minor version of this:
Me: “I don’t really like Radiohead that much.”
Them: “THEN GO BACK TO YOUR BRITNEY SPEARS!”
Folks, there’s some music in-between the two. Why do you assume that because I don’t like your artsy band that I only enjoy the most vapid crap? This applies to TV shows as well. Just because I’m not interested in what you’re claiming is the best show on television doesn’t mean I’m enjoying Full House instead.
Likewise:
Me: “I wish they would make action movies that aren’t stupid.”
Them: “WELL IT’S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE CITIZEN KANE.”
Nor did I say it had to be. Is there no ground between a movie where you have to pretend to be an idiot to enjoy it and Citizen Kane?
It drives me crazy. If you don’t like what the like, then obviously you love its complete polar opposite.
And don’t forget, there are only SUVs and Geo Metros.
Hmm. Attacking extremists. Tough. Edgy. Controversial.
Brave work.
Ankh_Too: The real world is not always made up of two yards and a fence. For myself, I don’t think that my viewpoints and ideas are so easily pigeonholed. We’re not always sitting on a fence, sometimes we’re standing in a yard just like everyone else.
and SPOOFE: It seemed to be saying more along the lines of “Just because I don’t entirely agree with you, that doesn’t mean I’m entirely against you” … the problem is when you get so extreme in your stance that anyone who isn’t as conservative or liberal as you becomes the “enemy”.
Well, all well and good, but my point is whether or not a moderate sees an issue as complicated doesn’t mean the issue must be complicated. For instance, why on earth would a stout anarchist think Libertarians are any better than Fascists? They all want government, they all want laws, they all want cops. As far as the anarchist is concerned, they are all enemies, and they are all enemies for the same reason. The issue’s clarity or murkiness is strictly a function of the ideology one chooses to view it with.
I’ve got no problem with moderates, or wingers, just so long as they realize that ideological pigeonholing isn’t per se intellectual dishonesty. Sometimes it is a real perspective achieved from a real opinion on real issues.
Of course, sometimes it is intellectual dishonesty, too, but then, moderates aren’t the only victims of that.
hmm…sarcasm senses…tingling…
There’s also the dating equivalent:
Guy: “Sorry, but I’m not attracted to obese women.”
Girl: “FINE, YOU SUPERFICIAL PRICK. GO BACK TO YOUR BARBIE DOLLS!”
A variant: If you don’t like (X), you hate everything associated with the group related to (X).
Me: “I can’t stand gangsta’ rap – it’s just grating to my ears.”
Them: “YOU CLOSED-MINDED RACIST!”
And my point is that an issue need not be complicated in order for a person to take a moderate stance on it. You’re bringin’ up oranges in a discussion about apples.
Typical liberal whiner.