07-11-2003, 08:48 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-11-2003, 08:56 PM by Occhidiangela.)
Edit added: For what it's worth, Sirian and I disagree on a number of points on that issue as well. I figure that, hacks aside, I can find ways to deal with griefers and still have fun, he cosiders that an unacceptable solution.
As to Pendulums:
Chomsky has his own blinders, for all of his wit and erudition.
If you look at America for the past 50 years, you will see that social trends tend to swing back and forth. Compared to the direction of movement from 1953 to 1973, which was a considerable swing to "the left" the pendulum began to swing back toward center in the 1980's. One could say that a small swing to the right was evidenced, mostly for the reason that "the war on drugs" was put into place and reversed a trend toward liberalization on that score. It never swung all that far past center to the left during Clinton's presidency, but one reason for that is that the "centerpoint" may have moved a bit, as well as the Congress / Presidential balance being different that in other eras. :)
Like business cycles, which move up and down due to a myriad of factors, I'd suggest that the perceived "swing to the right" is a social reaction to a "swing to the left." The old "silent majority" appear to have found a voice they had lost, for better or worse.
What is nonsensical, in my view, is the assertion that the pendulum will ever stop swinging. The cries of despair of some seriouslyl reactionary folks in the 1960's, that the swing to the left would destroy (fill in the blank here) is now being echoed by some on the left of center as to the currently perceived "direction of swing" will (destroy civil rights or whatever the evil du jour may be.) I'd suggest that it will never stop swinging, though the center point will now and again move slightly.
IMO, it as about time, regardless of your location regarding "left / right / center" that the pendulum swung down like a sledge hammer on "political correctness" censorship that has infiltrated our universities. It smacks of a closed mindset of Orwellian magnitude, and it too could use a little correction back toward a reasonable center.
How ironic, that on campuses, the "Liberals and activists" of old have now become "the establishment." I wonder how the view is from where they sit?
As to Pendulums:
Chomsky has his own blinders, for all of his wit and erudition.
If you look at America for the past 50 years, you will see that social trends tend to swing back and forth. Compared to the direction of movement from 1953 to 1973, which was a considerable swing to "the left" the pendulum began to swing back toward center in the 1980's. One could say that a small swing to the right was evidenced, mostly for the reason that "the war on drugs" was put into place and reversed a trend toward liberalization on that score. It never swung all that far past center to the left during Clinton's presidency, but one reason for that is that the "centerpoint" may have moved a bit, as well as the Congress / Presidential balance being different that in other eras. :)
Like business cycles, which move up and down due to a myriad of factors, I'd suggest that the perceived "swing to the right" is a social reaction to a "swing to the left." The old "silent majority" appear to have found a voice they had lost, for better or worse.
What is nonsensical, in my view, is the assertion that the pendulum will ever stop swinging. The cries of despair of some seriouslyl reactionary folks in the 1960's, that the swing to the left would destroy (fill in the blank here) is now being echoed by some on the left of center as to the currently perceived "direction of swing" will (destroy civil rights or whatever the evil du jour may be.) I'd suggest that it will never stop swinging, though the center point will now and again move slightly.
IMO, it as about time, regardless of your location regarding "left / right / center" that the pendulum swung down like a sledge hammer on "political correctness" censorship that has infiltrated our universities. It smacks of a closed mindset of Orwellian magnitude, and it too could use a little correction back toward a reasonable center.
How ironic, that on campuses, the "Liberals and activists" of old have now become "the establishment." I wonder how the view is from where they sit?
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete