Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2016 13:21:51 GMT -5
This is turning out to be a busy day for me, but I wanted to grab a minute to say I read the articles in the OP last night (which I found interesting and provocative), and I've read all of the arguments in here. By and large I agree with most of Amadan's points in the OP. More specifics later.
Meanwhile, I leave you with this:
First, I have every possible kind of problem with Donald Trump and ten thousand fucktons of worries about him as President. I didn't vote for him and I didn't sleep on election night worrying about him. I'm still worried. I'm already writing letters, and stand ready to do more when and if I need to do so. So, yeah, I'm not a bit happy he won.
But I do not see anything served, ever, by exaggerating his many defects and taking them out of context. In fact, I think it fucking backfires and gives ammunition to those who would support his uglier side.
I will attack him to the exact extent I think he deserves, no more and no less. And if I think an attack on him is false or exaggerated, I'll say that, too. I'll do the same for anything and everything else. Because IMO, truth fucking matters. Context matters. Nuance matters. Other stuff matters, too -- damn straight -- most definitely including racism. But not at the expense of truth. Because I just don't see that as serving anything.
As a mod, you'll see that I haven't whacked Ohio49er, Haggis, Amadan or anyone else for anything, except to note that I don't want people dragging in stuff from other boards. Provided you don't all proceed to personal insults and slurs, and I trust you won't, I'm fine with the rest. (Rob is free to disagree if he likes.) Go at each other's arguments (note the emphasis) with fucking axes. Those of you who know me know I'll be fine with some sarcasm in the service of that, and, yes, some humor.
We have no sacred cows here. You want to assert something? Fantastic. But if someone challenges it, I'm letting them do it, and letting you support it. You're all grown-ups, and I'm trusting you can handle that.
I'll be back later, with my own ax, as a participant. If you're getting a mod note, I'll label it as such. But otherwise, consider this an invitation to go at my arguments with your own ax.
Welcome, Ohio49er, and indeed, all of you.
Meanwhile, I leave you with this:
John Keats said:
'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.'
'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.'
But I do not see anything served, ever, by exaggerating his many defects and taking them out of context. In fact, I think it fucking backfires and gives ammunition to those who would support his uglier side.
I will attack him to the exact extent I think he deserves, no more and no less. And if I think an attack on him is false or exaggerated, I'll say that, too. I'll do the same for anything and everything else. Because IMO, truth fucking matters. Context matters. Nuance matters. Other stuff matters, too -- damn straight -- most definitely including racism. But not at the expense of truth. Because I just don't see that as serving anything.
As a mod, you'll see that I haven't whacked Ohio49er, Haggis, Amadan or anyone else for anything, except to note that I don't want people dragging in stuff from other boards. Provided you don't all proceed to personal insults and slurs, and I trust you won't, I'm fine with the rest. (Rob is free to disagree if he likes.) Go at each other's arguments (note the emphasis) with fucking axes. Those of you who know me know I'll be fine with some sarcasm in the service of that, and, yes, some humor.
We have no sacred cows here. You want to assert something? Fantastic. But if someone challenges it, I'm letting them do it, and letting you support it. You're all grown-ups, and I'm trusting you can handle that.
I'll be back later, with my own ax, as a participant. If you're getting a mod note, I'll label it as such. But otherwise, consider this an invitation to go at my arguments with your own ax.
Welcome, Ohio49er, and indeed, all of you.