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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: LindyBill who wrote (172798)7/7/2006 1:47:35 PM
From: ig  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 793880
 
If you wonder why the Left hates America...

I just reread Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It's about stirring up revolution. There's a Lunar colony that is under the tyrannical Earth-based "Authority." The Loonies develop a plan to liberate themselves.

I'd read this as a kid. I noticed it on the shelf a few weeks ago and I remembered that it was a neat little handbook on organizing revolution and insurrection, so I thought I'd take a look at it again and see how it harmonizes with current events.

There are lots of interesting connections, but the one that stands out the most -- and the one that I'd totally overlooked as a kid -- is that the entire enterprise depends on creating and amplifying hatred. The hate factor is laced throughout the book. The Loonies are constantly working to drum up hate among their constituents.

And of course we see the same thing everywhere today. Internally, we see it between the Left and the Right. Limbaugh, Coulter, Hannity, et al, hammering "liberals" while Kos, Air America, the DNC, FSTV, et al, hammer "rightwingers."

Externally, we've got -- well, the list is too long and obvious to even start. But it's a nasty infection and it seems to be spreading. It's spreading because of the increasing acceptance of the idea that it's ok to hate; that hatred is natural; that hatred is effective. If hatred is natural and effective, then hey -- let's use it! Let's start with the justified grievances people have and amplify them. Agitate!

We'd better get a grip.



To: LindyBill who wrote (172798)7/10/2006 3:17:59 PM
From: TimF  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 793880
 
I'm reading a book right now that is sort of a choose your own adventure book, but its not for kids like the original series by that name. One minor point that I don't like is that the protagonist (who is in effect you, as you are making the choices) is very anti-Thatcher in all the different possible outcomes for his life.