| May 2012 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | ||
"May you live in interesting times," goes the proverb. Many people, (including me until five minutes ago), believe this to be an old Chinese saying. However, contrary to popular belief, the saying appears to be neither old nor Chinese.
This is a perfect example for how easy and commonplace it is for people - even a whole lot of people - to believe things that aren't true.
Just because "everybody knows" something, is not a proof that the thing is true.
At the same time, it's also an example of how the truth does exist, and is identifiable. In this case the power of the Net, used by Wikipedia, makes it possible for the work of many individuals to be brought together so as to identify the facts and publish them for others to use.
We certainly live in interesting times today. This is a time when the country is about equally divided between Liberals and Conservatives; strangely, the thinking of the Conservatives seems incomprehensible to the Liberals, and the thinking of the Liberals seems incomprehensible to the Conservatives.
It appears to me that one of the key beliefs of the Liberals, is that those who are less successful in life, are that way specifically because they are oppressed by those who are more successful. And so, since America is the most successful nation in the world, many Liberals believe that therefore it follows that America is the most oppressive nation in the world, and that all the world's troubles would disappear if America would stop doing the things that have made it successful.
Conservatives don't buy that. Conservatives believe that those who are less successful in life, are that way because they are less well adapted to their environment, and that if they improved their own behavior, they would become successful.
One of these two groups is believing something that's not true, despite the fact that "everybody" on their side, knows that it is true.
On both sides it is believed that the outcome of the disagreement between the two groups will determine the future of America.
Conservatives believe that we're in a global war with radical Islam which we must win in order to avoid being nuked.
Liberals believe that there is no global war; they believe that the Conservatives are "just" trying to be successful, and so, must be stopped.
Interesting times, indeed.
#1
#2For an essay on the subject, follow the link included in the post.
But Ruth, really, why are you so rude all the time?
#3The essay is more of the same: one unsupported assertion after another.
Rude? I believe my comments are rather polite compared to the tone of your own posts. Do you think your fabricated caricatures of liberals aren't rude?
#4Rude? I believe my comments are rather polite compared to the tone of your own posts. Do you think your fabricated caricatures of liberals aren’t rude?
There you go again, Ruth. "Fabricated"; "caricatures". Rude, rude, rude.
#5You can feign offense all you like. The reality is that you're simply trying to divert attention from your inability to provide any evidence to support your assertions.
#6What makes you think I'm "feigning"? For someone who likes to throw around accusations of a lack of supporting evidence, it seems that you rarely offer any for your statements.
#7I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. There are two possible explanations for why you claim to be taking offense. "Feigning" is the more charitable of the two.
#8What makes you think I'm not really offended?
#9Genuine offense is not plausible in light of the rude remarks and name-calling you have embraced elsewhere on your site.
You’re simply trying to divert attention from your inability to provide any evidence to support your assertions.
#10Ruth, are you really claiming you know more about whether I'm offended, than I do? Talk about implausible.
#11I made no such claim.
I am sure you are equally aware that you are feigning offense and simply trying to divert attention from your inability to provide any evidence to support your assertions.
#12You made no such claim? That statement is contradicted by your own posts.
#13Where did I say that I knew more about whether you were offended than you do?
Once again you have resorted to simply making stuff up.
It appears to me that one of the key beliefs of the Liberals, is that those who are less successful in life, are that way specifically because they are oppressed by those who are more successful. And so, since America is the most successful nation in the world, many Liberals believe that therefore it follows that America is the most oppressive nation in the world, and that all the world's troubles would disappear if America would stop doing the things that have made it successful. [...] Liberals believe that there is no global war; they believe that the Conservatives are "just" trying to be successful, and so, must be stopped.
And it appears to me that you have simply made up a set of beliefs and attributed them to liberals, without offering any evidence to support your claim.