The Snail and the Saltshaker
Liberalism and the Truth Don't Mix
In another forum, one contributor, taking note of the ad hominem attack strategies consistently employed by leftist participants, admonished the group to engage in “polite discourse”, show tolerance for the views of others and “learn from each other”.
My response:
A "polite discourse" presupposes in the participating parties some minimal respect for objective truth and a decent commitment to get at it by honest means. Indeed, since nobody knows everything and everyone knows something a little different from everybody else, those who bring such qualifications to an honest, truth-oriented discussion create an interesting, edifying exchange and can truly learn from each other. We have a decent number of such high-quality people in this forum, and I find it a real pleasure to be in their company.
On the other hand, the idea of the existence of non-negotiable objective truth - a self-existing reality independent of their arrogant, delusional La-La Land vision - is repugnant to leftists, who arrogantly attribute to themselves the godlike power to change reality to suit themselves - say, for example, the belief that one can change one’s gender simply by taking thought - and then demand that everyone else acknowledge the change - or the right to erase any inconvenient fact that might challenge their nonsensical surreality.
The forum has a few of those, too. They thrash frantically about in their desperation to avoid having to confront reality - the inexorable pin prick certain to burst their delusional bubble. Lies and deceit - and, as always, ad hominem attack - are all they have. Though they contribute nothing of substance or value in this forum - or in the broader national discourse - by creating a necessary and useful contrast between sound and corrupt thinking, they do serve a purpose:
"For it must needs be that there is an opposition in all things. If not so... righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad."
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:11
A "polite discourse" aimed at getting at the truth of things - the way things really are and really work - is anathema to the leftist mindset. Simply stated, their "platform" is based on lies, deceit and a repudiation of reality. They know it, and thus, of necessity, consider truth inimical and a threat to their interests and objectives. They are as welcoming of facts as a snail is to a saltshaker. Their stock in trade is ad hominem attack, and their deceitful, intellectually insulting methodology - designed to cater to the intellectual, moral and spiritual dregs of society - is effortlessly easy to identify:
The credibility of WHAT you see argued is directly a function of HOW it is argued.
Find the truth in the methodology of argument. The truth cuts its own way and can be argued for in an honest, open manner that does not insult the intelligence of those it seeks to persuade. Deceit cannot be so argued.
Street fight, not a garden party, and everything is at stake.
Here is what it all boils down to:
Right vs. wrong, truth vs. lies, reality vs. fantasy, law vs. lawlessness, justice vs. injustice, liberty vs. tyranny, light vs. darkness, good vs. evil, God vs. the Godless...
There is no injustice in labeling a thing for what it truly is.
Time to call a spade a spade and pick a side. You will, one way or another.
If you can be fooled, you will be.
These are the times that try men's souls.
Torquemada