I am frequently amazed, but rarely surprised, by the level of hate coming from those on the left who pretend to embrace diversity, tolerance, multiculturalism, freedom of speech, individual liberties, free public discourse and all the rest.
Geoffrey R. Stone wrote an essay titled "What it means to be a liberal" back in 2006. Here are his first three, of ten, principles:
1. Liberals believe individuals should doubt their own truths and consider fairly and open-mindedly the truths of others. This is at the very heart of liberalism. Liberals understand, as Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once observed, that "time has upset many fighting faiths." Liberals are skeptical of censorship and celebrate free and open debate.
2. Liberals believe individuals should be tolerant and respectful of difference. It is liberals who have supported and continue to support the civil rights movement, affirmative action, the Equal Rights Amendment and the rights of gays and lesbians. (Note that a conflict between propositions 1 and 2 leads to divisions among liberals on issues like pornography and hate speech.)
3. Liberals believe individuals have a right and a responsibility to participate in public debate. It is liberals who have championed and continue to champion expansion of the franchise; the elimination of obstacles to voting; "one person, one vote;" limits on partisan gerrymandering; campaign-finance reform; and a more vibrant freedom of speech. They believe, with Justice Louis Brandeis, that "the greatest menace to freedom is an inert people."
But we see just the opposite in real life. In real life we have:
Diversity--When all colors and creeds are free to believe as liberals want them to. Or else!
The level of hate directed toward anyone who does not remain on the liberal plantation, and kowtow to liberal expectations, is simply amazing. And very informative.
As stated in #1 above, "Liberals are skeptical of censorship and celebrate free and open debate."
In fact, the exact opposite is the case. As an example, any Blacks who don't slavishly follow the liberal line are attacked unmercifully, and destroyed as quickly as possible as a lesson to others, and lest their ideas spread.
So, is this opening post is a good example of tolerance, respect for diversity of opinion, etc.? Or is it an example of pure hatred and intolerance? I'll leave the answer as an exercise for the student.
But I certainly would not like to live under the rule of someone who exhibits so much hate and so little tolerance for other opinions.
[Dons asbestos underwear, as "Hell hath no fury like a liberal scorned" - Dick Gregory]
Religious belief does not constitute scientific evidence, nor does it convey scientific knowledge.
Belief gets in the way of learning--Robert A. Heinlein
How can I possibly put a new idea into your heads, if I do not first remove your delusions?--Robert A. Heinlein
It's not what we don't know that hurts, it's what we know that ain't so--Will Rogers
™ Version 4.2
