News and Events => Opinions & Editorials => Topic started by: LostInTime on June 18, 2007, 07:15:40 AM Return to Full Version
Title: We All Need Protection from Hate Crimes
Post by: LostInTime on June 18, 2007, 07:15:40 AM
Post by: LostInTime on June 18, 2007, 07:15:40 AM
Dissident Voice (http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/06/we-all-need-protection-from-hate-crimes/)
More importantly, how many movement conservatives protesting the new hate crime bill on free speech grounds heckled, harassed, and shouted down anyone who had the temerity to point out the administration's transparent lies as we marched into Iraq? Free speech doesn't mean much when you can't be heard. Or seen — how many objected to the creation of "free speech zones" that pen peaceful demonstrators far from the person or place they're protesting?
Far from believing in an equal, open exchange of ideas, the religious and political right believe very strongly that they have a lock on absolute truth; they disparage intellectual humility, tolerance, and evidence-based decision-making as "moral relativism." These attitudes have eroded public support for all human rights, not just the right to free speech.
More importantly, how many movement conservatives protesting the new hate crime bill on free speech grounds heckled, harassed, and shouted down anyone who had the temerity to point out the administration's transparent lies as we marched into Iraq? Free speech doesn't mean much when you can't be heard. Or seen — how many objected to the creation of "free speech zones" that pen peaceful demonstrators far from the person or place they're protesting?
Far from believing in an equal, open exchange of ideas, the religious and political right believe very strongly that they have a lock on absolute truth; they disparage intellectual humility, tolerance, and evidence-based decision-making as "moral relativism." These attitudes have eroded public support for all human rights, not just the right to free speech.
Title: Re: We All Need Protection from Hate Crimes
Post by: rhonda13000 on June 18, 2007, 07:44:46 AM
Post by: rhonda13000 on June 18, 2007, 07:44:46 AM
I have noted with cynicism that there seem to be two consistent identifying characteristics of the so-called conservative mindset:
1) Incongruity between profession and actual behavior.
2) Nauseating hypocrisy.
I expect to be in heated discussions in the future with 'family' over...what they perceive as true and absolute morality.
Morality and truth are indeed absolute. But these so-called conservatives would not know truth, 'if they tripped over it'.
They are in reality defining and proscribing what they want to believe constitutes morality and absolute Truth and as a result of self-delusion, pride, arrogance and cowardice, they appeal to and cite God as the Source of their delusions and beliefs.
This doesn't fully explain the effect and mindset but, it came to mind,
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."
Proverbs 14:12
1) Incongruity between profession and actual behavior.
2) Nauseating hypocrisy.
I expect to be in heated discussions in the future with 'family' over...what they perceive as true and absolute morality.
Morality and truth are indeed absolute. But these so-called conservatives would not know truth, 'if they tripped over it'.
They are in reality defining and proscribing what they want to believe constitutes morality and absolute Truth and as a result of self-delusion, pride, arrogance and cowardice, they appeal to and cite God as the Source of their delusions and beliefs.
This doesn't fully explain the effect and mindset but, it came to mind,
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."
Proverbs 14:12