# Long: If conservatives could think... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 3, 2009, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233 "2009-02-03T09:25:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/121 "2009-02-03T20:58:07Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > **ElvisL1ves** , **Bricker** may be a conservative, but I believe him to be no more a liar than the OP. For what that’s worth. :shrug: I already provided evidence of his lying in this thread. Nobody has provided evidence of the OP lying. Spend more time in GD if you want to see more of **Bricker** ’s act. You might change your mind. **Lamar** , those documents were forged by somebody, and broadcast by CBS. It is possible to parse **Sinaijon** ’s assertion in such a way as not to make that link. His assertion that I was “defending” them, though, is not only a very silly lie, but utterly misses (or, perhaps, assiduously avoids, **Bricker** -style) the broader point about Bush and his sense of responsibility. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/122 "2009-02-03T20:59:07Z")
> [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > How’s that? Weaselish. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/123 "2009-02-03T21:01:05Z")
**If conservatives could think…** They would agree that **ElvisL1ves** is a complete moron. So, this one, at least, can think just fine. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/124 "2009-02-03T21:02:12Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > **Lamar** , those documents were forged by somebody, and broadcast by CBS. It is possible to parse **Sinaijon** ’s assertion in such a way as not to make that link. His assertion that I was “defending” them, though, is not only a very silly lie, but utterly misses (or, perhaps, assiduously avoids, **Bricker** -style) the broader point about Bush and his sense of responsibility. I understand that the documents were forged, but they were forged by someone and given to CBS. IMO, the poster clearly makes the assertion that CBS forged them. I know a lot of conservatives who believe Dan Rather forged them personally. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/125 "2009-02-03T21:05:58Z")
Elvis you are really looking like an idiot in this thread. You may want to quit before the OP asks you to stop under-cutting the point he attempted to make in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/126 "2009-02-03T21:06:53Z")
And those forgeries \*still \*don’t fucking matter. Never did, except to give the Bush loyalists a screen to hide behind. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/127 "2009-02-03T21:13:21Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > **If conservatives could think…** > > They would agree that **ElvisL1ves** is a complete moron. > > So, this one, at least, can think just fine. > > Regards, > Shodan **Elvisl1ves** reminds me of those occasional psychofans you meet at a sporting event who really believe that the opposing team is pure evil; that the refs never make bad calls in favor of his team; etc. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/128 "2009-02-03T21:15:00Z")
Keep on denying global warming, friend. Thanks for the entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/129 "2009-02-03T21:18:12Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Elvisl1ves reminds me of those occasional psychofans you meet at a sporting event who really believe that the opposing team is pure evil; that the refs never make bad calls in favor of his team; etc. Actually, he reminds me of the guy who sat next to me on the bus years ago, who told me that the CIA was sending mind control rays out of his TV set. On the other hand, he was a better debater than **ElvisL1ves** , and I was sure that he really meant what he said. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/130 "2009-02-03T21:37:25Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > No it wasn’t. Although I didn’t include it in my quote, he was quite clear that the comment was made under his breath to himself. He wasn’t interested in pursuing a hypothetical. Really??? Maybe he made the comment under his breath, but only after it was obvious that taking the conversation further would be equal to banging his head against a brick wall. Simply repeating the same basic statement (especially when it offers no sort of evidence to support the position) does not exactly scream “I’m interested in pursuing a hypothetical.” ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/131 "2009-02-03T21:48:39Z")
> [@Sarahfeena](#): > > No, two posters…you and **Elvis**. And neither of you has challenged the OP. Not really. I think one person reporting real anecdotes and one person generating plausible but fictional anecdotes are two different things, and I wanted to point that out. When **Bricker** clarified he was relating real anecdotes as well, I withdrew my point. I have as much reason to doubt him as the OP, and I choose to take both at face value without evidence to the contrary. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/132 "2009-02-03T21:52:43Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Keep on denying global warming, friend. Thanks for the entertainment. You’re welcome. And thank you too. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/133 "2009-02-03T21:57:01Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Not really. I think one person reporting real anecdotes and one person generating plausible but fictional anecdotes are two different things, and I wanted to point that out. When **Bricker** clarified he was relating real anecdotes as well, I withdrew my point. I have as much reason to doubt him as the OP, and I choose to take both at face value without evidence to the contrary. I’m glad you clarified that, because the whole exchange seemed to indicate that you didn’t believe him. First of all, because he never said they were hyopthetical at all, so I’m confused as to why you thought they were, and secondly, because your response “As you say” doesn’t acknowledge the fact that you were wrong and had no basis for believing his examples were hypothetical…it kind of sounds like another version of “if you say so,” which typically does not indicate acceptance of what the other person has said. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/134 "2009-02-03T21:58:15Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > I IMO, the poster clearly makes the assertion that CBS forged them. POOF!!! Look at all that straw go flying! Wow, nice joust sir! That straw man was right justly skewered! In case you didn’t now, forged can also be an adjective. No, no… thanks aren’t necessary. Just fighting a little ignorance here. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/135 "2009-02-03T22:18:54Z")
> [@Sarahfeena](#): > > I’m glad you clarified that, because the whole exchange seemed to indicate that you didn’t believe him. First of all, because he never said they were hyopthetical at all, so I’m confused as to why you thought they were, and secondly, because your response “As you say” doesn’t acknowledge the fact that you were wrong and had no basis for believing his examples were hypothetical…it kind of sounds like another version of “if you say so,” which typically does not indicate acceptance of what the other person has said. Well, he didn’t say they were real either. Someone asked for a similar conversation with the political roles swapped, and **Bricker** showed up with some. I inferred he was just putting out hypothetical examples. “As you say” does sound like “if you say so”, so that was a goof on my part. “Fair enough” would have been better. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/136 "2009-02-03T22:33:11Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Well, he didn’t say they were real either. Someone asked for a similar conversation with the political roles swapped, and **Bricker** showed up with some. I inferred he was just putting out hypothetical examples. “As you say” does sound like “if you say so”, so that was a goof on my part. “Fair enough” would have been better. No, he didn’t explicitly say they were real, but **Kolga** didn’t ask for “examples of similar conversations with the political roles swapped,” but rather, if anyone could give “concrete examples of liberals doing the same thing,” and **Bricker** said, “Of course I can. Borrowing the format of the OP:” whereupon he did exactly what the OP did. I really don’t see how you could infer anything other than he was recounting conversations he had, just as the OP did. But, either way, I understand now that you did not mean to call **Bricker’s** honesty into question…I just wanted to explain why I construed it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/137 "2009-02-03T22:40:31Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Well, he didn’t say they were real either. Someone asked for a similar conversation with the political roles swapped, and **Bricker** showed up with some. I inferred he was just putting out hypothetical examples. “As you say” does sound like “if you say so”, so that was a goof on my part. “Fair enough” would have been better. For what it’s worth, I didn’t take away any impression except that you weren’t sure if I was being hypothetical or real, I clarified, and that was that for you. I could have added a couple more examples, but they were way out there (think “All property is theft!”) and I didn’t think it was accurate to call proponents of those ideas “liberal.” ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/138 "2009-02-03T22:44:07Z")
Sounds like we’re all good. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/139 "2009-02-03T23:14:17Z")
**John Stuart Mill** : Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservative. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233/140 "2009-02-03T23:16:13Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > The concept that intelligent people, after some thought, need to come to the exact same conclusion, especially regarding something as amorphous as politics, is a bit of amazing logic. But I didn’t say that, did I? I’m talking about facts. Not opinions. > [@](#): > > Just because you know some people who are conservative and intractable in their beliefs does not mean that all conservatives are intractable in all of their beliefs. I certainly know some liberal people that believe some crazy ass shit and also wouldn’t change their position despite evidence to the contrary “That’s just what _they_ want you to believe!” > > Posting threads generalizing conservatives from the actions of a few opens up liberals to the same spurious generalizations. True, it was a small sample size. It’s gotten bigger with this thread, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-if-conservatives-could-think/484233.md?page=8)