http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9658826&postcount=9
In this thread about Muslim prison inmates who requested a different mealtime and the ACLU lawsuit that followed, Richard Parker tells them to “go back to Iran”; there is no indication whatsoever that the people in question are from that country. The ignorance displayed here is vast enough to render commentary almost trite, like a bad PSA about anti-Muslim prejudice. Next, the poster drops the lovely
…you know, like blacks, and Jews, and gays! There are two elements of stupidity here; first, the idea that the majority of people hate Muslims and that if they do, it’s ok, and the equally evil idea that people hated by the majority don’t deserve civil rights. Why don’t you “go back to Iran” if you don’t believe in the universality of civil rights, Richard Parker?
I’m not very good at pitting; I think the comments standing alone are self-pitting enough. But I felt it would be remiss to let them stand unopposed, and my words were too strong for GD.
Three. The third being your inability to recognize the giant whooshing sound as Richard Parker’s obviously sarcastic, over-the-top parody of the attitude in question is accepted by you as real.
Richard Parker is misguided at times, no question about it, when Constitutional interpretation is discussed ( ), but I assure you that the attitude expressed in the quote you offered is not literally his, and his view is 180[sup]o[/sup] from that position.
I couldn’t have told you anything about Richard Parker’s general viewpoint, but that was so over the top it seemed obvious to me that it was parody. I don’t think even the most anti-ACLU posters here would ever say anything as stupid as “Who cares about civil liberties for people the majority hates, anyway?”. Well, I hope not.
While we’re in thread about mistaken labels of trollery, I owe you an apology FoieGrasIsEvil. I had selectively remembered some of your posts which I thought were inflammatory. As I have paid more attention these last days, I have changed my mind about that being your MO. I’m sorry I made such a hasty judgment.
), but I assure you that the attitude expressed in the quote you offered is not literally his, and his view is 180[sup]o[/sup] from that position.