07/25/2008 07:21:23 AM EST

Information is too important to keep secret.

posted by TheRob91

Have you ever noticed that when a conservative talks to a progressive the republican is generally boisterous and pushy while the progressive mostly appears to honestly tries to bring the conversation to a consensus? The reason is this: conservatives rarely hear progressive views.

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If information is the currency of democracy then republicans are broke, and its partly the democrats fault. Have you ever been talking to a conservative only to come to a "why bother" moment and start avoiding political conversation what that person? I know I have, and I never will again, because they will never hear a progressive's views on their own, which is almost mind blowing. In a day when progressives are constantly scouring Fox News and MSNBC, and the internet, and the republican media for the truth and all possible views on a subject the republicans listen to one thing - themselves.

Do you know anyone that listens to Rush or Savage religiously and can tell you the democratic stance on anything short of just saying its "exteme", "looney", or "communist"? Do you know anyone that tunes in to O'Reilly regularly and actually knows about things like McCain's CONSTANT foreign policy mistakes or even Mccain's voting record? No, you don't, because these people are extremely arrogant, and as such they don't even bother to take the time to see the other sides point of view. Republicans will consider themselves informed on a subject if they hear about it from ONE fellow republican, be it a fellow misinformed friend or a propogandist like O'Reilly.

Of course, they couldn't all be isolated completely on their own, it also takes the apathy of many democrats around them in their daily life to allow them to isolate themselves, partially due to the misguided "don't talk about religion or politics" idea that many have, which is possibly the worst idea in the history of mankind, and I'm being completely serious. Many people, out of sheer cowardice or apathy will ignore the most important and impactful topics of the day so they don't get in an argument. Well, the next time you see someone say something about politics that is biased, malinformed, or blatantly wrong, think about this : Their vote is as good as yours and you are voting for men that will decide the LIVES of millions of people. If any progressive fails to inform someone around them of the true nature of the issues they are just as guilty of misinformation as the republican who merely chooses the wrong source to get information from.

 

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Information is too important to keep secret. | 3 comments (3 topical, 0 hidden)
Part of the problem... (none / 0)
First of all, thank you for your post. Since I'm considered 1 of the few Conservative trolls here, please allow me to put my 2 cents in on these thoughts... I think the main problem with conveying this "progressive" message to the masses is that even though its a nice utopian ideal, there is no such thing as "consensus" when it comes to key political issues - basically, "we're not going to agree" on some basic premises, and inasmuch trying to convince one side or the other on ones "superior" ideas is cause for much distress. If we all agreed on anything, we'd be like thew Stepford Wives... Secondly, "progressives" either on radio or on blogs tend to be very intolerant and unopen to believing that their ideas might not be the ONLY correct answer - the reason Conservative radio is so much more successful (and more entertaining) is that the hosts (and by extention their membership or following) allow people at least the illusion of choice in believing what or what not to follow - I can listen to Rush and be entertained without having to buy all the BS he may spew at any given time ... Progressives don't give the listener that kind of leeway - instead, if you disagree with a progressive, you are labeled a "mouth breather" or "Racist, bigot, homophobe" if you don't bow down to whatever mantra they spew... Plus, progressives are very negative and many are just whiny, and no one wants to subject themselves to that all the time (I must be a glutton for punishment myself!) Thanks again for your piece... :)

by bobo1 on 07/25/2008 01:28:17 PM EST

"Balanced" Talk Shows (none / 0)

Bobo's insanity aside (isn't he proving everything the original post says?)

Late;y, I have been watching more of the shows where there is a couple of cons and a couple of libs and the throw out a topic and each person addresses it.  I quit watching this crap about a decade ago but my hunger for info is so great these days I have slummed on occasion.

Here is what I see happens.

1) Topic is introduced (usually with Republican framing): Despite what is apparent on its surface, what are Obama's weaknesses? (actual topic from last nights Race for the White House).

2) Republican throws out ridiculous, often unrelated talking point.  Example: Obama is going to be in trouble because he is too much like Bush.  (Actual response by some Indian neocon last ngith).

3) Democrat argues insane point made under biased framing.

4) Show turns into discussion of exactly how much like Bush Obama is. 

5) Thirty minutes later, the public has been "informed".

AS Colbert says, "George Bush: great president or greatest president?"  Love that line.

The problem is Republicans (at least the pundits) have no problem lying, deceiving and pushing their talking points regardless of reality.  Democrats have this undeniable desire to find some objective truth.  If you put nonsense in front of a Dem pundit the attack the nonsense and get all caught up in it like a tar baby and it becomes the story.  They should probably learn to just keep screaming their talking point over and over.

"McCain knows nothing about the surge!!!!"

Instead of getting into some discussion about the exact date some obscure outreach program in some province people don't really know much about.  Then the GOP can make the conversation a little confusing and throw up their hands and claim it just some political bullshit.  There is no way to know what is true and what isn't.

 

by ProfRich on 07/25/2008 02:07:22 PM EST

Welcome to TYT! (none / 0)
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by Tom Hanc on 07/30/2008 09:39:48 PM EST

Information is too important to keep secret. | 3 comments (3 topical, 0 hidden)
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