Topic: Political Correctness
Debate: The Lost Art Americans are afraid of debate, Their attention spans are short, and everyone wants control.by EJ Moosa
(Libertarian)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
What are we afraid of? Why are our debates so short? Why are we afraid to debate others on topics of importance? Why do freedom seekers seem to want to stifle debate at the first chance they get? Our presidential debates are not really debates. They are question and answer sessions. The candidates do not go toe to toe, and debate the underlying principles of their beliefs. Those that watch the debates do not have the patience to listen to such a dialog. Either that or they are not really interested unless what they hear reinforced what they already believe. This does not accomplish much.
Last evening I was engaged in a debate over Exxon and Venezuela in a Ron Paul Meetup Group email list, which is meant for general discussions. Had this debate been taking place in person, it would have lasted 5 minutes or less. Yet here come the emails wanting the conversation taken elsewhere. Here come the emails saying that they have heard enough on this topic. What was the underlying topic? Intellectual and personal property rights.
Our forefathers debated for weeks and months on issues. Yet here we are and we must be suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder. A five minute discussion and we have had enough.
Why are we afraid of debate? Is it because we must know what we believe to defend what we believe? That we must have absolute principles behind our statements?
We are told that we should not discuss religion, sex or politics with friends. Yet, are those three topics not the most significant in our lives?
We live in a sexually repressed society. Our political world is run amok with republicans and democrats overlapping so much you have to look for the D or R after their name to determine what party they are in. As for religion, you are on your own.
I challenge you to enter the debate. Do not stifle it. Do not encourage people to take it elsewhere. We need those skills to convey our message to others. Learn how to debate. Study it. it is the only way we are going to use logical arguements to defeat emotional arguements. It is the only way to defeat the fear that is generated by the emotional arguements we are presented.
And if you are seeking liberty and freedom, do not be the one to attempt to end conversations that you are not participating in. We must be the first to tolerate things we may not like or care for. We must not be the last.
Being chastized in a Ron Paul discussion board because we were discussing personal and intellectual property rights just makes me laugh. If that topic is not appropriate there, I only wonder where it would be appropriate.
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2008 EJ Moosa, all rights reserved.
Published: Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Last modified: Tuesday, February 12, 2008
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Posted By: an existentialist
Date: 2008-02-12 13:15:21
I agree, we need more debate. Which, in that case (as I chuckle to myself), I disagree with you.
But all humor aside, people are afraid of offending others, and that is the key issue, I believe. If you so much as make a critical statement about Islam, you could be fined, imprisoned, sentenced to "community service" (which consists of learning about Islam), because if you said anything, god forbid, critical of any religion, you'd be an intolerant. If we object to the war in Iraq, we are seen as cowards and enemies of the state.
And it is only natural for you and I to fear that kind of reputation, so we shut up and keep to ourselves. And that is why, what is actually called "intolerance" gains so much popularity.
We've entered into a stage of our society where everything has to be "politically correct." You can't call a homosexual "gay" because then you'd be discriminating. And who wants to be discriminating?
Anyway, in short, I agree that we need more debate, because debate makes beliefs pure and firm.
I agree with you on every thing but one; an email list is not a place for debate. I'm blessed with gmail and the beauty of conversations (emails on the same topic grouped together), but my email box still gets flooded with meetup group emails that I'm never going to read. Discussion boards should be used for disussion. Flooding subscribers email boxes is a good way to loose subscribers. Emails should be reserved for one on one discussion or important announcements.
Thanks for the feedback. The list was meant for discussion. As to when a discussion turns into a debate is anyone's guess.
I agree with existentialist's comments on being PC. If we are going to move people, we must not be afraid of being politically incorrect if we are factually correct. It is the only way to remove the emotion(and the tears) and get what can really matters. Under no circumstances should the truth not be told because it is not PC.
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2008 EJ Moosa, all rights reserved.