----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 4:59 PM Subject: Re: Political Baiting Re: Thoughts on gay marriage?
> > For whatever it is worth, it is a common meme among conservatives that > > liberals consider themselves to be smarter than conservatives. > > > > > > > I don't consider myself necessarily smarter than anyone else. What I would > say is that liberals are much nicer people in their politics than conservatives > (not necessarily nicer as people; I know some conservatives who are lovely > people even though their politics make me sick - when I'm not shrieking in rage). But, your post sounded like a conservative parody of liberal position. You cannot persuade people because, unlike you, most Americans are either stupid or bad? I've argued with conservatives for years. Some of them are selfish, others don't think very carefully, and still others are caring, thoughtful individuals who just happen to be wrong on a point or two. :-) I've noticed that there are selfish, thoughtless individuals who think like me too....as well as others who have thought things through carefully. I would submit that it helps to understand opposing positions well, and to see where reasonable people can differ with you. I get very upset as fellow Christians who think folks like Gautam are damned for worshiping false gods. I also get upset at fellow liberals who insinuate that those who differ with them are either heartless or thoughtless. I would like to suggest that reasonable people can differ on a number of subjects. One of the comments on sci.physics was that there were few strong discussions on physics between the professionals. The answer was, with physics, reasonable people had few passionate disagreements. A theory was falsified, supported by data, or the data were still inconclusive. Rational people do not question the validity of special relativity; only crackpots do. But, in politics, things are so multi-causal that it is impossible to actually prove things. One only sees indications of various strengths, and reasonable rational people can weigh these differently. For example, I have tremendous respect for Gautam's views, even though I differ significantly with a number of them. I also know that some of the top liberal thinkers in his field also have that opinion. It is hard for me to fathom how liberal professors at Harvard can think well of him if he is a closed minded or evil conservative. It seems more likely that they value an original well thought out analysis that differs with them more than agreement that merely regurgitates their teachings. Finally, as far as persuading people, I found your post offensive and we agree on the basic issues. Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
