--- Gautam Mukunda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > --- Deborah Harrell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I'm not sure which remarks you meant to quote, but I hope it included the "prescriptions!" :) > Chomsky is generally repulsive - but people who claim > the dissent is marginalized should remember that this > anti-Semitic, anti-American bigot is the most cited > scientist in the world, and not just because of his > linguistics. When he spoke at Harvard while I was > there he spoke to a packed and laudatory house, > while Harvard professors introduced him as a > legendary "American dissident". Being an apologist > for totalitarian dictators gets you brownie points on > the modern left, apparently. Well, I truly didn't know who he was, nor did a couple of professional friends I asked - so I'd guess his views are next-to-unknown by the majority of middle America (or else we have our heads in journals too much!) I don't think anyone on this list approves of such radical and bizarre beliefs - certainly none of my RL friends. I do think you're lumping in the off-the-edge cases like NC with the moderate liberals, which is as inaccurate as ascribing all Muslims with Osama's radical views. (I'm still stunned to learn that by KP's definition I'm *rightward!*) > Katha Pollitt, among many other things, famously > forbade her daughter from flying an American flag > after September 11th because it was a symbol of, > IIRC, jingoism and hate. If you want to prescribe a dose of Saudi living for her, feel free. ;) > If that _doesn't_ bother you, then it explains why > the left has no traction in the United States. If it > does, remember that the right's extremists are > policed > by the right as much as by the left, and it might be > worth thinking why someone who believes that edits > _The Nation_, the most influential magazine of the > Left in America. Pat Buchanan doesn't exactly run > National Review. "Bother" - no, but it's petty and silly, and diminishes whatever else she has to say, even when it's true (as in the case of worldwide women's rights). <wry> You credit me with more political knowledge than I possess - I've never read anything from _The Nation_ until today, and I'm not sure of _National Review_. Here in the office we're talking about the rise in car insurance rates, Denver's ozone problem, and various tort and medical reforms/disasters. Compared to your Lefties, all my friends are "rightward-leaning" - and all but a few consider themselves liberal! I think the Northeast concept of "liberal" from the Mountain West understanding of it is very different - must be hanging off the edge of the world that gives you East and West Coasters such odd ideas! ;) Debbi __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
