My fear is that "centrist" is merely the latest think-tank generated euphemism for "StPaul Chamber of Commerce approved." The opposite of "centrist" is "extremist" - a label the CoC might love to drape around the shoulders of their adversaries (ie ordinary citizens).
So stadiums, freeways, SUVs, corporate welfare, closed schools and libraries, dirty air, chain stores, big boxes, etc, would be "centrist" - ie good, sensible, realistic, practical, and (ta-da!) American. Small businesses, co-ops, public transportation, organic food, clean air, parks, etc, would be "extremist" - ie awful, terrible, yucky, ishy, unthinkable, and (god forbid) unAmerican. The CoC took a beating in the last election when their candidates were identified as their candidates. So this time they might like to slow critics with a thought-confusing euphemism. For decades the US govt has labeled "moderate" anyone who kowtowed to US corporate takeover of their country, and "extremist" anyone who resisted colonization and exploitation. It worked for decades to bamboozle American citizens into going along with corporate robbery, genocide, assassination, coups, dictators, etc. Some intellectuals without scruples dreamed up the "moderate" line; I wonder about the origin of "centrist". --David Shove On Fri, 5 Nov 2004, M Charles Swope wrote: > St. Paul Topics - This Week: Light Rail > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul-topics > ----------------------------------------- > > "Centrist" is a nice word but does it have any widely > agreed upon meaning when we're as polarized as we are. > My idea of centrism may look extreme to someone else > and vice versa. > > On an issue-by-issue basis there may be no-one in the > center or there may be no center position at all. What > was the centrist position on the GSE matter or on Ayd > Mill? My guess is that most parties to those disputes > would say their position was a centrist one that took > account of all sides concerns. Problem is that no-one > else saw the other side's position as anything but an > extreme one. > > Incidentally, the Pioneer Press is reporting today > that Chief Finney will not be running for mayor. > Politics are too "divisive." > http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/columnists/ruben_rosario/10103109.htm > > > Charlie Swope > Ward 1 > > _____________________________________________ > To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > _____________________________________________ > NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul > > Archive Address: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ > _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ St. Paul Topics - This Week: Light Rail http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul-topics _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
