Political Insults; Insulting Politics 2
The surest way to stop a real discussion of issues is to start insulting people; insults stop the brain from working.
I find myself both amused and dismayed these days when persons, usually of a right-leaning persuasion, accuse other persons, usually of a left-leaning persuasion but not always, of being “communists.” Communism is discredited and dead, dead, dead. But the insult still works–it brings reason to a halt.
Katrina Vanden Heuvel has a worthy suggestion in today’s Washington Post:
March 26, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Looks like “Hurricane Katrina,” as Rush loves to call her, got a whole column out of googling Hitler. But she’s right.
Years ago, I was in a computer political debate network where we had this agreement that comparing the other guy to Hitler was kinda like hitting the 8-ball in too early: you lose on the spot.
I admire her for finding that quote of Michael Savage comparing Soros to Goebbels. It’s the first time I have ever heard of Savage comparing someone to anyone BUT Hitler. (I have this deep suspicion that Michael Savage, if he has any political convictions at all, is actually a liberal, but plays a conservative on the radio and laughs all the way to the bank.)
And as an aside, I hope Camille Paglia’s quote sounds better in context than it does in Katrina’s column. Snitches??? Do these professors think they shouldn’t be quoted? And if so, why?
March 27, 2006 at 6:57 pm
I am unfamiliar with Katrina what’s-her-name; I just thought she had a point.
I have heard of the Hitler thing. It’s called Godwin’s Law.
Camille Paglia is a whackjob. She’s the Michelle Malkin of the left.