Identity and Swords Crossed
Proust in his epic, In Search of Lost Time 
Since this site has been up, we have seen many contributors come and go. Some commenters have left and a core group remains. Recently, we have seen an influx of new voices, but there is a threat (if not finalized) of losing a member also. We have seen some interesting personalities leave for better and for worse. With GoRight's and Ender's
recent diaries in mind, I began to think of the way we think about others and how others see themselves. Pico says this site is great for humanizing opposition, a contention I agree with. We are able to see opposing points of view not as simple talking points (well, sometimes) but as the perspectives of real-life Americans (and others) trying to create what they believe is the best vision for this country.
What do we mean by humanizing the opposition? Is this a way of creating an identity for another, specifically our opposition? We may break away from the political scene and perhaps discuss what we think of others on this site. It may be uncomfortable to speak about how we view others, but it could also be a healthy exercise in establishing common grounds here also.
Specifically, how do you characterize yourself and what do you think about others? What do you want others to think about you? Are we overly simplistic political stereotypes on this site, or do our individual voices shine through complicating the way we see representatives of the political scene? Stating your opinions about friends and foes is difficult, and self-evaluation is even more difficult (and narcissistic?). But I thought I would throw this out to see what others have to say.
This discussion could range from roll-call entries to what you see in others, and then others can respond in turn. Of course, try to stay civil and maintain some level of maturity when referencing others. We could also return to the political realm and state our vision for the US which may say a lot about our identities too. We could also discuss the concept of on-line identities (anonymity and freedom of expression with limited consequences, etc.). I do not expect this diary to get too much attention, since we have other political news to talk about, but I thought it might be fun as a way to understand each other in light of recent conversations and as a way of creating group cohesion on the site (and to prepare for Brendan’s proposal of working as a group to debate other sites).
- Specter's diary
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Comments :
Hmm
Alright, my narcissistic answer: I characterize myself as a moderate liberal interested in using debate to uncover the most effective approach to current political challenges. I view the conservatives here as tenacious and prolific, usually wrong (heh) but forcing me to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in my position. I find SC to be a better environment for this than e.g. RedState or dKos because there is more balance in the comments here, less heavy-handed moderation trying to stamp out opposing viewpoints, and more intelligent discussion in most cases (IMHO). I also like that SC is relatively small; I'd prefer we grow somewhat but I don't want 20,000 users.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
You
seem to be one of the more level-headed contributors here. You definitely state your opinion, but I don't think you feel the need to jump into every conversation, which amplifies your moderate stance. I sense you putting a lot of thought into your replies also.
I like your vision of the site. It seems practical and it doesn't suggest that you plan to change the world one commenter at a time. :)
I was wondering what you meant by the terms 'tenacious' and 'prolific' in your estimation of the right-wing commenters?
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
By tenacious and prolific
I mean that the conservatives here stick around and manage to engage the more-numerous liberals. For example, last week the most active commentors were missliberties (147), GoRight (136), and Ender (128).
On the front page right now, LZ has 4 stories and Ender 3.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
Commenter Stats
Yes, I respect the right-wingers for sticking around considering the odds. They tend to somehow counter/answer the left-wingers points and questions regularly. The liberal FPers need to step up their stories a bit more.
How did you get the commenters stats? Is that accessible to us peons or is it a special function for the FPers?
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
Heh
The button marked "Temp. Disabled" of course!
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
Shoot, my bad,
I guess access to those stats is restricted to editors and administrators.
I don't see any reason not to change that but I'll wait until Ender's around just to make sure.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
Thanks
The results are interesting. I think I can pass CLC soon since he doesn't post here much anymore.
Ender definitely is 'prolific'.
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
I changed the access on that
but I'll change the button later when I get a chance with the photoshop.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Brendan: Although I haven't been posting here very long,
You seem to be one of the real pillars here on Swords Crossed and have lots to contribute and offer. I've enjoyed reading your diaries and comments thus far. I've peeked on some of the other blogs around, including blogs such as RedState, dKos and I even post sometimes on MLW, and I totally agree with what you're saying about SC having a more balanced outlook for people whose politics don't lean one way all the time, and it helps me think more, especially because I've also enjoyed reading the various opinions that posters here offer on different issues.
Although my ideology is basically Liberal, and I'm a Democrat, my liberalism has been tempered, over the years, with a streak of independence. While I am liberal on most things, I'm admittedly against mandated school busing on principle, not because I've opposed integration, but because I firmly believe that the problems that mandated school busing has set out to correct are extremely complex societal problems that have been ingrained into the fabric of our society since day one, and are far too deeply-rooted and far too complex to be solved by a solution such as mandated school busing. Imo, it's yet another attempt at treating the symptoms of the problems without really even attempting to treat the underlying root causes. While mandated school busing worked in some places here in the United States, in many of the Southern areas, it did not work so well in many of the Northern cities. Boston, unfortunately, is a particularly telling example of that. Some people here may well disagree with me, and that's OK.
I'm also prochoice, because I think it's one of the biggest, if not the biggest crime(s) against humanity to force any woman to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term, and yet I also favor birth control, and the Plan B program, as well as making vaccines against the virus that causes cervical cancer available, because any woman or girl, or any age, can end up in a nasty situation and require emergency back-up birth control.
I'm also pro-union because unions have also done much to help protect
workers against unfair labor practices, unnecessary lay-offs, and also against retaliatory firings, and to protect against abuse by some management figures
and are necessary if a worker needs to file a grievance for whatever reason.
Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I believe that both sides are right, but they're also wrong. Both sides need peace, security, and self-determination in the form of both the Israeli Jews and the Palestinians having their own independent, sovereign nation-state. (which Israel already has). In this respect, they've been right. They're both wrong, however, in that, over the decades, they've committed horrible, unspeakable atrocities against each other: Israel, with the continued occupation of West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, the destruction of Palestinian homes, maiming and killing of innocent Palestinian civilians, and depriving them of food, water, electricity, and even medical care, and the humiliating checkpoints, and the attacks on Palestinians by right-wing Israeli settlers, has been extraorodinarily harsh. This has to stop, and Israel has to pull their settlers and their troops out of those territories. It's long overdue.
The Palestinians (many of them), on the other hand, also have a long history of terrorism against Israel that dates back to even before they came under Israeli military occupation: Use of the now-occupied territories as launching pads for attacks and raids on Israel, planting bombs at bus-stops and killing and maiming innocents in the process, the storming of schools and killing innocent school children, the history of hijackings of Israeli El Al aircraft as well as Israeli buses, the slaughter of Israeli athletes at Munich during the 1972 Olympics, and another attempt at a similar thing at Entebbe four years later, which was successfully foiled by Israeli commandoes. The more recent suicide bombings inside Israel by Palestinians, inside dance halls, pizza parlors, etc, which have also resulted in the killing/maiming of innocent civilians are also rather ugly.
All told, imho, the only safe, sane solution to the decade-long conflict is the two-state solution.
Gun control: Due to the extreme power and sway of the Gun Lobby, a outright ban on handguns is not realistically possible. However, I believe that a background check, along with a waiting period, for screening perspective gun buyers, is essential, and gun manufacturers should at least be required to install safety locks on guns, to prevent unauthorized use of a firearm in the event that a gun is lost or stolen, or to prevent young kids from fooling around with them. I also believe that most murders are crimes of passion/premeditated, committed by people against those known to them. Most guns that do fall into the hands of criminals are stolen from private homes, so it helps to lock the guns up in a safe place, where burglars can't get to them.
People with a history of mental illness or substance or alcohol abuse should not have access to firearms. Contrary to popular belief, most people don't end up using their guns to kill people in self-defense.
Well--running of of steam--got to get going. More later.
Thanks, and glad you like Swords Crossed so far
Regarding busing -- you're right that it's hard to address the underlying social problems in such a brute-force manner, and certainly things got ugly in Boston (have you read All Souls
by any chance?). But people are slow to change on their own. Maybe the debate about gay marriage now is somewhat similar in terms of promoting acceptance in the most effective way. I tend to think a little prodding is often necessary, myself.
Good safety locks on guns, tied to the owner if possible, would prevent a lot of the accidental deaths, the impulsive murders, and the thefts. My impression is that with the current technology they would also unfortunately prevent rapid use of a gun in self-defense. It's a technological problem that we'll solve eventually (maybe fingerprint locks).
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
Yup--you're right: people are often quite slow to change.
I did read the book "All Souls", which is an excellent book. I bought it and read it when it first came out, about 8 years ago. Really fantastic book. There are other books I've read on the subject, and talking to people has also helped. I agree that prodding to some degree or other is sometimes necessary, but the ways in which it's done don't necessarily and always produce the best results, as Boston's busing debacle indicates.
Regarding same-sex marriage: I've admittedly not been following too closely, so I don't know too much about it. Debate is the best way to go, and with listening to different perspectives on things.
My goal, here and everywhere:
I want to stamp out dumb statements like cockroaches!
skymutt: accept no substitutes!
haha n/t
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
I suppose I should answer myself
Rereading this diary, I noticed I might have presented too many issues, but I thought this could be a nice open-thread on meta-issues concerning the site. I wanted to frame it in a way that brought attention to pico's statement about individuality of the participants here, so I thought too many ideas to discuss is better than limiting discussion.
I view myself as an ideological liberal, but a 'postmodern' (for lack of a better term) version. In other words, I don't strive for a communist or socialist utopia, but I would like a mixture of the best of all worlds to make this country better. I think capitalism has its benefits. I also know that capitalism has its faults and leaves some behind not because they are lazy, but for various reasons most often out of their control. For this reason, I think a mix of socialism and capitalism works best. I love complication more than simplicity. I can get into greater detail if someone wishes, but I don't want to bore everyone with an elaborate explanation.
I pride myself in trying to use evidence to argue my points instead of only using mere opinion based solely on ideology. I can get 'emotional' about issues, but I try to reason through my thoughts as much as I can before I present a knee-jerk reaction. This shows in my politics also. I believe the war on terror is important, but I think we are fighting it emotionally (crush them like cockroaches is both unrealistic and based on a wrathful emotion) instead of logically: why do people become extremists? How can we nip this extremism in the bud without totally appeasing or causing more hate, etc.
I hope I do not toe the party line just to win arguments. When I do engage in that, it is more of a strategy to form cohesion among my party. I really wish to avoid that in the future as my party's existence does not depend on me agreeing with every point.
Anyway, I enjoy the discussions here, and I hope we do not get too self-centered to believe that our goal is to change others' minds so much as to learn about various perspectives.
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
Agreed
We ought to put more pressure on our allies to stop enabling (or promoting) extremist teachings. We should also try to encourage more freedom in repressive countries. In combination with a military response where appropriate, this is the only way to minimize terror (not possible to eliminate it, of course... which a cynic might suggest is exactly why the phrase "war on terror" was chosen, ala "war on drugs").
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
I, too agree.
As a new poster, I think I'm going to like it here.
Sometimes
it can be a circus, but the people here are mostly good and get along relatively well, all things considered.
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
Well....
I'm mostly here because I heard there would be free doughnuts and coffee. I'm still waiting.... !!!
Really though, I think this place has a certain potential to be a home for disaffected folks on both sides who are looking for something a little different than what's available on DailyKos, or RedState. Not that I'm slamming DailyKos or RedState - I read them both, and think they're both valuable... primarily because they give me a sense of what people are really thinking, whether I agree, disagree, or am undecided. But they're both hyper partisan... so I rarely comment at either place.
Truthfully, it's really hard to converse with 'true-believers' of any political stamp. I consider myself to be sort of an old-school liberal. I identify more with the Democrats on most issues than I do with Republicans... but I'm open to learning new things, and my positions continue to evolve and change as I learn.
Ideally, I'd like to have stimulating conversations about things that interest me with anyone who isn't a rigid ideologue. Right v. Left partisan bashing holds little interest for me. We've got a little too much of the latter and not enough of the former here, but so does everyone else.
I don't trust anyone who thinks he/she has all the answers. That's my political philosophy in a nutshell. Well that, and we should all try to be nice to people. Pretty sophisticated, I know.
But I do like making fun of Ender. So at least there's that! :)
A politician is an arse upon which everyone has sat except a man -- e e cummings
I appreciate Ender...
For one thing, he's recced one of my diaries
on DailyKos before, and since he has only recced 55 diaries there, I'm going to take that to mean that I'm one of his 55 favorite diarists there :-) I just checked your recs, thepuppethead, and I seem to see an absence of my diaries ;-) Pico and missliberties, whom I recognize as frequent participants over there keep their diary recs hidden, so I can't tell.
skymutt: accept no substitutes!
Whoops!
Well, checking my recs at DKos will show an almost complete absense of recs.... hmm. Dang me!
I do feel bad about that, though. I should be supporting the good stuff over there. I'm going to go read your diaries.
A politician is an arse upon which everyone has sat except a man -- e e cummings
Hehehe pay no mind to me...
I am notoriously obsessed with getting on the rec list over there...
skymutt: accept no substitutes!
I didn't even know
recs could be hidden!
I will go check it out.
I'm only half stupid
It was just added around the time...
...they added the personal blogrolls...
Ah, there are missliberties recs... you have pretty good taste, but a little light in the skymutt department there ;-)
skymutt: accept no substitutes!
I think I might've recommended
2 of your diaries, though not sure, it could've been someone else. Even though I come from a very different point of view than pretty much everyone at dkos, I do get very human concern for you guys sometimes (heh) and recommend diaries like yours that notice serious problems that could negatively affect dkos.
Obviously no one there wants or needs my concern but I can at least express it through recommending good stuff.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Longtemps, je me suis couché...
...de bonne heure. " Heh, like that ever happened.
You know we're moving up in the world when Specter's throwing down the Proust!
Really good diary, by the way. I have to think a bit about my own responses, but I'd also like to throw out a few more observations along your lines:
I'm fascinated not only by the way we construct each other as personalities, but they way we do it via text alone. When you meet someone in person, you have an ability to create a more rounded image: word, tone, gesture, bearing, etc. When I mentioned in GoRight's diary about hanging with a conservative gay friend this weekend, I wondered if that friend and I would get along in an all-text environment. Even better: since internet boards like this are (somewhat) anonymous, I wonder if I've ever crossed paths with him online, and not realizing who he was, considered him a total loser. And vice-versa.
Since I've gotten involved with political blogs, I've met about a dozen people from online. Every single time, it's been an amazing experience, even if I ultimately dislike the person (I haven't yet), because my brain goes crazy trying to absorb all this new information into a personality I'd already constructed. Who knew that so-and-so was so old! Or so funny! Or so short! I'm hanging on to every spoken word and gesture because the little compartment in my brain where I'd previously stored his/her info has suddenly exploded. It's weirdly exhilirating. And yes, I'm a dork.
Plus, it's so hard to gauge another person from words alone. Мысль изреченная есть ложь, as the (by now cliché) line goes: The thought spoken aloud is a lie. We have a culture built on suspicion of the written word, but I think we face the double problem of having to piece people together by fragments about politics - as if any of us could create a reasonably accurate image from another's view of tax policy.
Worse still, you wonder sometimes how your daily ups-and-downs get reflected in your fleeting comments. Really bad day at work, and you're cursing another user for not understanding your point - but we don't see your bad day at work, only your curses.
Ha - speaking of fleeting thoughts: you know what would be a fun and incredibly embarrassing exercise? We should go through image databases and pick photos we think best represent our visions of other people on this site ("For some reason, when I think of X, I think of a jolly fat man drinking beer"). Talk about relavatory!
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
We should go through image
I see MDY's self-imagery is racoon. I would find a picture of a boy genius for you drinking russia vodka (I know you are a beer guy, but I thought the vodka a fitting symbol for your academic interests, but I am too lazy to go through the whole process-finding said picture, posting at photobucket, . . .).
How did your meeting go? Also, why do gay people find it in their interest to vote republican? Self-loathing or more pertinent interests that override their personal lives? Strange.
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
Humanizing the opposition
Very few people are criminally insane.
Whenever one of them gains a position of authority, all decorum goes out the window for me.
Aside from THAT, I have no problem seeing people who hold ideas opposed to my own in a compassionate light.
I will not flinch from using logic and the observation of facts to debate, and I have little patience with abject delusion or persistent superstition.
But people who are simply MISTAKEN, whether they agree with me or not, deserve more kindness from me than I usually give. And I regret that.
I am a liberal in every sense of the word. I'm a spiritual and religious liberal. I'm a political liberal. Socially, I'm a liberal. Philosophically, liberal. Economically, egalitarian.
Consistently narrow minded in my embrace of free-thinking, openness and tolerance, my intolerance is reserved for bigotry and oppression. Poetic, eh?
I can't think of anything left to do with my life but become a saint. Just stop doing anything harmful to myself or others. Just stop rebukes and begin adorations. Just give until I die without thinking about myself anymore.
Ive got a long way to go! I just quit smoking.
One last thing. I am grateful when someone shows me my errors. How else do we learn?
Man....
.... I just quit smoking too. It's been 2 weeks. I would like to take this opportunity to say that not smoking isn't all it's cracked up to be.
A politician is an arse upon which everyone has sat except a man -- e e cummings
Not yet.
Hang in there the end result will be.
I'm the Bugs Bunny of Swords Crossed!
-4 Strongly Disagree - 0 Meh - Strongly Agree +4Definitely poetic
I like your internal paradox.
I like to show people their errors. How else do I teach! (just kidding).
Good luck with the quitting smoking. I smoke during the semester, especially on school days. I am able to turn it off in the summer and even on weekends. I am weird in that way. A semi-addict. One day I should quit altogether, but I find it a great stress-reliever. Plus it makes me look cool. (just kidding)
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
Introspection and Prioritizations
I'm a moderate liberal on most topics. Liberal in that I tend to be on the liberal side on most of the divided issues but moderate in that I believe that conservatives can disagree with me on some of these topics without being fools or hypocrites.
I work with a lot of ex-military and am used to having respectful discussions on politics with thost who strongly disagree.
Since I had this discussion previously with my boss and it would be interesting to see other folk's take
My priorities in order
1) Rule of Law
2) National Security
2) Privacy Rights (These are tied for a reason)
Other principles that folks want to add?
thanks man
Interesting diary Specter, thanks. I think I've written so much crap about myself and my beliefs that there is not much I can say about my ideology that the regulars here don't already know.
But this first comment will just be about me and my thoughts in general and afterwards I'll write a brief synopsis of how I feel about some of the regulars :)
I am somewhat of an idealist and a radical yet very easy going and interested in pragmatic compromise. I do get emotional and don't always succeed in keeping myself in check.
I am obviously conservative economically (depending on my mood I can be very libertarian or at the opposite end almost allowing for government doing some things better). I am an atheist/agnostic (whichever is not important because I don't dwell on the existence of God) and not spiritual at all. Since I've been on this site, I've moderated socially - from neutral on abortion to somewhat more defined as pro-choice (though still would vote for anyone pro-life), and from very negative on gay rights to almost friendly to gay rights. So change is possible especially on issues that are not as crucial to our ideology.
I am always willing to listen and read everything here, including of course all the responses to my comments and diaries. I don't respond to everything for many different reasons including time and mood. But rest assured that I take all your thoughts into account.
Because I am very idealistic and love my country, I spend a lot of time thinking about how to make it better and wishing I could help.
I think very highly of science.
Ideologically I am an opposite of a liberal. I don't believe we are all equal. I am not interested in even equalizing opportunity because I believe it is up to individuals to do everything for themselves. So you can imagine how I feel about equalizing or redistributing wealth.
I like logic and reason even though I often fall short in that department.
Even though I am not a liberal I dream of making this world a better place.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
You are full of
yourself, but at least you know yourself and self-reflect.
I am waiting for your analysis of others. I had one written for you, but it got a bit long and then it got erased. I'll try to write one up later today.
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
hehe
I am thinking of whether I want to post it. It got big because I wanted to be fair and post a small blurb on everyone I know here. I don't want people to feel bad though :)
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
I think
there are 'tactful' ways of going about it. Perhaps it could be cathartic. I didn't see anyone else brave a reading of another, so I won't put you on the spot. It could spark interesting conversation though.
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
Equality
When liberals speak of equality, they are speaking of justice, not conformity. After all, they are coming from a foundation of cultural relativity; as opposed to conservatives, liberals feel that the more diverse our country is, the stronger it is. Homogeny is a weakness.
But equality under the law is paramount, and that is what liberals speak of when they talk of equality. That is, when poor ol' Country Jim goes to court, he should expect the same treatment as rich Uncle Ned from the city. It means that both President and the lowliest tramp live under the same laws: they are equal.
Nobody ever claimed to say that the President and the tramp were equal in some other way, so let's not use straw men. They have the same rights and obligations, no more, no less.
And yet you say you hold an opposite view. I'm curious.
(Remember: things like giving out trophies to every kid in the karate contest -- the "equality" I think you are referring to -- is a Baby Boomer thing, and should not be confused with liberalism, which has nothing to do with Baby Boomers at all. It's how we ended up with George W. Bush for president.)
Socialisme ou Barbarie!
I obviously
did not mean equality under the law because that is an unassailable right of all Americans. I meant as human beings I do not believe we are all equal to each other in terms of potential, ability, intelligence, and pretty much anything else.
I don't even think government should be in the business of equalizing opportunity. Government should definitely oppose any repression of opportunity, but trying to equalize everyone's opportunity flies in the face of a free society where everyone should be responsible for their own fate. I can compromise in terms of offering everyone some form of primary education but that's where it should end.
Everyone should have the same rights but everywhere else meritocracy and capitalism should rule.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Lurker from Day 1
I am not much of a debater as you can all tell :-) Lack of time and also that I know that my knowledge base is still too much in the "teen" stage as I like to call it. I know that I CAN get emotionally wrapped up in a position so I am not going to 'put myself out there' just yet. Politically I started out as a moderate Republican in my 20s and have drifted left with each life experience. I am still learning many things about politics and issues, but unlike a true teen I do know that so I prefer spending time right now reading and learning. This site does a great job of allowing me to be a voyeur into political debate :->
Where am I now? Well, the only things I know for SURE are that I am passionately pro-choice and pro-gay marriage and AGAINST the recent invasion of religion into politics. I am also a staunch environmentalist. On other issues, I lean left, but am not necessarily devoted to a position completely yet. Though I have to say that most of the time Ender makes me shake my head in disbelief so perhaps I am more invested in my left leaning ideas than I think! I've been called very pragmatic by my friends. I do tend to check out both sides of any new issue rather thoroughly before picking a side - and often I never DO pick a side! I do believe in respect all around. While I am a loyal Dkos reader and participant in the community diaries there, the more strident commenters make me cringe.
Anyway, I hope that the regular posters here do not mind that I am mostly here to read and learn. I really appreciate everyone's comments and how well this site has evolved and maintained it's core value of respectful debate.
I saw you post
the other day... glad you delurked, however temporarily =) I remember seeing your comments on and off since waaay back. Feel free to jump in and correct Ender anytime!
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
Snippets of text
I can only imagine how others see me through the snippets of text we post on this blog. I would venture partisan, liberal, passionate, off base, unclear, opinionated....... but human? I like the anonymity of blogs that leaves personal appearance to the imagination, maybe she's beautiful or maybe she is ugly with warts and hair on her chin. Then suddenly if you would meet that person the picture you had in your head bursts with an overload of visual input the pitch of the voice, the gestures, the inflections. (as per pico's description which I loved)
A biography that nips and tucks at you, by your views of current political events, or perhaps even more the style of your writing. Yet we see that Ender and pico both have distinct backgrounds that filter their thinking.
So here I am, pitchfork and all.
A get your hands dirty, right brained type, always asking way too many questions.... If I can talk about me for just a moment.
My life has been interesting. I am not from academia, though I did go to college (uncompleted). I don't understand methodogy or care to. I have built a house, been married to the son of the Undersecretary of Defense, been married to a brillaint outlaw, of sorts, and am now married to a Yugoslavian carpenter. Yes thrice.
I have lived on an isolated island in Canada, studied organ for eight years, sung in the choir, entered into successful verbal contracts without getting shafted. I have never lived in an apartment. I tended bar in a redneck tavern. I play guitar and have sung with several bands. I hiked 200 miles of the John Muir trail in one trek that took three weeks.
I have never been overtly political. I chose to tune-out not owning a television during watergate, or the reagon years. (ignorance is bliss). I like many others have been motivated to enter the political fray with the advent of the Bush Presidency. I was so disturbed by the Supreme Court decision that I went immediately to the library and had a printed copy made of the whole decision which I have filed away for future referance. My foreboding was not misplaced.
As a young girl living at home I used to stand in the bathroom and practice winning arguments with the neighbor boy. (???) I like philosophy and took a class in college where I read the book, took the test and got a D. The test I took on the book I didn't read, for the same class, I got an A. Riddle me that. I argued with my English teacher and she uprated my grade. (She was wrong.) I have fought city hall three times and I have won. So don't tell me it can't be done.
Overall, humanizing thru snippets of text is a good thing. It is how we make friends out of those we thought were our enemies. I think people should do more of it, both in and out of the internets.
(Later I will write about my journey into the blogging world, since we are talking about finding humanness thru blogging and because I love talking about me! Me Me Me. No, because it is a little bit interesting.)
If I ever wrote a book, I would call it. "The Junkyard Sandwich Co.".
I'm only half stupid
Cool
This is fun, thanks for posting your story.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
Thank You for
thanking me.....lol.
I have to say that one of the things I like about this site as opposed to other huger ones is that at least you know that someone will take the time to, hopefully, read what you write!
I'm only half stupid
Wow,
talk about a well-lived life. That's a seriously impressive resume you have. Have you ever considered writing a book? "Undersecretaries, outlaws, and carpenters" would make a great title.
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
John Muir trail
That's spectacular country there. I've done many hikes in that area but nothing that long or remote. If I were ever to do a hike of that length, the John Muir would probably be my choice.
skymutt: accept no substitutes!
Missliberties...
.... wins the thread!
A politician is an arse upon which everyone has sat except a man -- e e cummings
That's silly
I don't want to be the "winner." It is not about winning. But now I have learned something about you....;-#)
and Specter says:
If lordzorgon had picked the events to describe my life, he would have painted a wholly different picture.....! If she had only invested in this and that fund she wouldn't have to worry about dying alone with no toothpaste.
I'm only half stupid
You are definitely
one of the more spirited people here. Nixon? You come across as much younger in your writing because of your energy and zeal.
Academics is overrated but underappreciated.
I hiked half of the Colorado Trail
(Denver to Salida) which is about 250 miles over a month period. One of the best times of my life. I want to finish the rest when my kids get old enough/can go stay with grandma without freaking out.
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
Identity
That's the position I try to take, although I realize that speaking from the independent and murky middle can be aggravating. The "real-life Americans" are out there and they aren't all ideologues or dyed-in-the-wool partisans who've become haters of their opposites. Most of the time the average voter is satisfied with a competent government that keeps necessary services going, watches the budget, and keeps corruption and cronyism to a minimum. Compromise (not capitulation) used to be recognized as a necessary part of a functional representative democracy. Now it's like it's some four-letter word or something.
While I see some occasional evidence of blind allegiance to ideology on this site, mostly I see reasoned positions and a willingness to listen. The individual voices are clear to me. Many of you marshall powerful arguments and I'm glad you take the time. I accept the idea that we are all in this together and I personally do not feel this nation is threatened by the existence of either the very liberal or very conservative POVs. This Administration will take its place in history as one of the very worst, but it will pass and we'll get a fresh crop of 'em in 2008. Oh the joy. The process works; maybe not as fast as we'd like, but it does work.
What do I want you to think of me? I really don't know. I don't know that that crosses my mind when I write something; maybe it should? I don't approach this like an assignment; I see this site as more of a rambling conversation, where people say unsupported and sometimes stupid stuff, but if the point concerns you then you can always follow it up and demand specifics and "proof." I try to be reasonable and fair, and would like to radiate more light than heat. I know I do not always succeed. But feel free to tell me what you think about my participation here and how I can improve.
I think the point that this interaction humanizes the other is a very valid one. Like travel, it broadens the mind.
"The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire." --R. Heinlein
I agree with you "real-life American" description
I came across it this weekend at my son's baseball game. Some people I know very well were talking about hosting a fund raiser for Guiliani (yes, these are some very wealthy folks - Big Players in real estate locally). I heard reactions like "Most likely to be able to defeat Hillary" and "Most moderate choice from either side" come out. Certainly I think Rudy will appeal to the California Republicans who are not at all socially conservative. But mostly I know that people in general are NOT as partisan as most of us hanging out on political blogs. Probably also why such low percentages actual register and vote :-> I know the purely partisans hate it when candidates play to the middle, but hey, that IS where a very large group of potential voters sit.
Great and Necessary diary ...
Specter. In response to your roll call, I see myself as representing the patriotic left. For too patriotism has been defined only the center-right in this country. I believe one can be proudly liberal and patriotic. Too often we liberals have responded with shrillness when called names by the opposition. I prefer to fight fire with water.
Humanizing the dialogue between left and right is an important and worthy concept. I like Ender for example. Disagree with just about everything he writes and I suppose he disagrees with everything I write. But I appreciate the civility and intelligence he brings to his point of view.
Intrepid Liberal Journal
thanks man
I feel the same way about the way you write despite disagreeing with most but not everything that you write.
I even listened to your latest podcast of the liberal activist lady and boy did I disagree with what you guys said :)
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
At least you are fair!
That says a lot.
This has got to be my all time favorite comment you've made.
See there. We agree on something. It's just how to get there.... pitchforks, or bullets! ;)
I'm only half stupid
hehe
well now, making a world a better place is not all about destroying our enemies (that's just overcoming current obstacles) but also of course improving the current economic and social systems and scientific research.
But yeah, of course I want us to evolve to a better future where we all can live in peace and prosperity.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Ha! ...
that podcast must have been real torture for you! Two left wing peacniks!
Intrepid Liberal Journal
heh nah
it's not like I've never heard those views before :)
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
The patriotic left
is alive and well. For a while after 9-11, the conservatives treated patriotism as if it were only in line with their perspectives, goals, and agendas. The American flag lapel-pin (among the flag stickers on SUVs) seemed to be a code for that belief. Where is your lapel-pin? Obviously you are not a true American.
I often wonder where you get the time to write your often under-appreciated and passed over diaries. The topics you focus on are worthy of discussion and I thoroughly enjoy your input on this site .
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
As the "sophomore.."
As I look over the varied lives of people on this site, I sometimes wonder to myself if I'm too young to be here. Should I be doing something else, like sowing wild oats or going to the Club rather than watching a lot of CNN/History Channel and listening to Glenn Beck and Ed Schultz?
(You can stop cringing now).
Not too much about me you don't know already. Born in and raised in medium-to-large cities in Red States, now I'm in a very large city (NYC) in a blue state. My political leanings ebb and flow, but I'm a registered independent. As such I tend to be liberal in some areas and conservative in others.
- Economically Conservative: I'm not too good with labels, but if this means anything like "I can keep more of my earned money" then that's where I stand. I think too many taxes are being collected. I think people can manage money in a better way, and I try to facilitate that by blogging on finances and speaking on the topic.
- Religion: As a born again Christian I would of course prefer that there not be an attempt to completely erase religious symbols from the public square, especially if it's within a collection of symbols or if it's been historically in place.
- Education: I subscribe to the school of "If the current system doesn't work, let's give it a try." So I wouldn't be against programs like school vouchers and charter schools, and teachers should be paid according to demand and skill like most other professions do.
So in many instances, like Ender, I believe in making sure people have equal (or close to it) opportunity or access to succeed, but not equal outcome--outcome depends on you and your choices.
Oh, and I generally try to take emotion out of arguments and do try to ask a lot of questions on issues that I even feel comfortable with.
Oh, and I still end sentences with prepositions--but my English teachers tell me that it's a practice I should refrain from. :-)
http://wealthweekly.blogspot.com
Wii FC:2805-8311-8040-2678 Brawl: 2277-7051-2186
Hey Charles
can we add Wealth Weekly to our blogroll under "Member Blogs"?
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
Sure!
I would very much appreciate the referral. Of course, I'll add a link to SC as soon as I get home (blocked by firewall here at work).
http://wealthweekly.blogspot.com
Wii FC:2805-8311-8040-2678 Brawl: 2277-7051-2186
Sowing Wild Oats
Is now illegal. History Channel, CNN and the radio at least are not likely to get you arrested!
I like how you take the time to look at both sides of.
:+)
I'm only half stupid
If I were to describe myself...
If I were to describe myself I think that the above picture says a thousand words. Personally I prefer to let my ideas be that which people identify as me, so I like to remain mostly anonymos (plus if I ever piss the wrong person off they'll be looking for a raccoon). What were you saying about de-humanising?
On that note, the internet and anominity does have an important advantage. Although ideas and arguments do sometimes require the "human touch", alot of the time it interfers with the point in question. Emotion and insults cloud logic and reason (unless of course your reasoning the logic of emotion).
Anyway, I'm 24, from London England and I work in Tesco (Europes Wallmart). I suppose you could call me an anti-social socialist. I'm not political but I have a strong ideology and a love of philosophy, classic and the more recent (Descartes and onwards). I've recently become involved in trade unions as I feel they have a greater potential for democracy and am a supporter (and member) of the working class. In regards to this site and fellow bloggers, I'm relativly new so my opinions are still forming, but in general the intelectual quality of the blogs and responses are very good. Contrary to this blog I've not really had any off-the-point remarks (maybe 'cause I'm relativley new!). Overall people seem to read what's been said before commenting, an integral part of progressive discussion especially on the net. Here, we are our words
It's neat how many Europeans
are involved on blogs primarily focused on US politics. Brings a new perspective and also broadens the content of the blogs.
Nice pic but you need a shave.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
U.S politics
World politics. Give it a few years when the economic balance switches and I'll be hitting up the chinese blogs.
Glad you like the pic, here's one of me in a more philosophical pose
I've got to kick the habit!
Great description
I have a friend who calls himself the same thing.
Does Tesco have a union? I had a neighbor from England who said that America is much more commercialized. But with your description of Tesco, it sounds like you guys have much the same system as us.
I always picture London as still having ma and pa type stores with apprentices and what-not. I guess I'm reading too much Dickens or something. I enjoy your philosophical diaries. I want to comment in them more, but they seem more oriented toward the anglo-american analytic philosophy (Descarte material) rather than my specialty which is continental and political philosophy.
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
Originality is dead
Unfortunetly my continental philosophy only goes so far as Marx and Sartre. I'm (very) slowly getting through being there and nothingness, but it's a long read. Mainly I focus on skeptisism and Idealism, Socrates and Plato to Descartes, Hegel, and Nietzsche.
Londons pretty much like Dickens except there's alot more McDonalds around. More comercialised, dirtier and getting bigger. USDAW, (union of shop, distributive and allied workers) is the union for Tesco. They're closely linked to the Labour Party (Blairs Govt.) although it seems they now stand for very different things. Funny what power does to you.
I am glad you are here
even if we do not agree on much ideologically. I appreciate civil discourse that helps us sharpen our minds and seek understanding. It's also nice to be out of the comfort zone of like minded fellows once in a while :) Of course it's also cool to have a European participating with us.
Rightwingers in US don't automatically hate all Europeans despite anything you might've heard!
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
United We Stand
I would classify myself as a libertarian socialist. I would like to see a highly unionized workforce running a capitalist, free-market society in which plutocrats and governments alike play passive, not active, roles. People can be self-organising, it's our nature, which has been corrupted by technology which allowed fat, lazy parasites to run major corporations (not build them, of course, but run them into the ground, along with all the workers that actually make up the corporation).
I see capitalism and communism both as inherently un-democratic, and would much rather vote at the ballot box than with my wallet. To wish otherwise is to say the rich are entitled to consolidate their power, wheras I believe that an atomized power structure is the most stable and productive kind there is; a centralized, top-down organizational model is inehrently rickity.
Without touching on specific issues, the general philosophy is to spread power out as evenly as possible, and to do this in a merit-based manner (which corporations and governments can't seem to manage) using the free market and an organized workforce. I don't see why someone would think it's a good idea to let citizens vote on who is president, but it's antithetical to let employees vote on who is CEO. Non-democratic unions, just like non-democratic governments, should be reformed, and the division of power into the hands of as many people as possible is the surest way to econmic progress and national wealth. When it gets concentrated in the hands of a few, the market ceases to be "free" -- and usually only happens when those who work under said plutocrats are not organizing themselves.
There's a reason the mine companies and the government both had an interest in breaking strikes back in the day. Both are gravely threatened by actual democracy, but once we have it, their concerns will be moot. Until then, we can only have half a democracy, and do all our voting in the voting booth, but someday economics will be democratized, and we will find both Karl Marx and Adam Smith can finally rest in their graves.
We won't see so much a change in our day-to-day lives from what we have now, except the rich and powerful will dissapear, and we will have their money in our pockets. And it will all be 100% voluntary; nobody will ever be required to be in a union, they will just think it's stupid not to.
Socialisme ou Barbarie!
Jiminy Christmas
11 recommends! I didn't think this diary was that important. People love meta.
Thanks everyone. Hopefully this makes a positive impact on the site in the midst of the ongoing confrontations.
Ender has my permission to take it down when he gets tired of seeing it (unless you've figured out the timed phase-out of recommended diaries). Just don't erase it like the last one. :)
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
Meta introduced with a
discussion on Proust is rare =)
Your diaries seem to consistently generate a lot of discussion and interest.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
Thanks
My output diary-wise is fairly sparse. I am not that good at writing 'topic du jour' posts, but if it is something I can dwell on for a day or so, I feel content putting it out for public consumption.
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
I guess I'm late to the party
Well, I consider myself a liberal, although I'm probably to the right of a lot of DKos.
I'm a fiscal conservative; I support the death penalty and I am in favor of military intervention (by people who know what they are doing) when the occasion calls for it.
Here is the coolest thing I've ever done:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0ph0rA-A9U
qui tacet consentire
That is way cool!
Can't match that. It took us two years (of weekends) to build our cabin, but that was just two people with a 4 hour one-way drive. We lead a team from work on a weekend home-improvement project for an 80 year old woman, but that was only rotten window sills, broken siding, and painting, stuff that your average cubicle resident could do.
Construction is fun. And it's truly amazing what people can do when they work together. It must be nice to see how your work changes someone's life.
"The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire." --R. Heinlein
Impressive!
Is that listed in the Guinness book of world records (why does that name always make me want to have a beer)?
I think physically helping someone else is one of the most important things we can do. I volunteer at various organizations including a local homeless shelter/kitchen and am involved in 'service learning' projects in which we take at-risk students to various volunteer projects. But I've never seen cooperation and organization like that. Amazing.
I appreciate your complexity. Moderates (even though you refer to yourself as liberal) are rare on political blogs, so it is interesting to get the take of people like you and Purpleface.
I am not religious myself, but I appreciate people who focus on the positive aspects of it such as helping others rather than focusing on the judgemental negative attacks on particular groups. You seem to fall in the former category. You're also a liberal from the south, aren't you? We definitely need more like you and pico in our camp.
We are all mediators, translators. - Derrida
http://signicide.blogspot.com/
Not in the Guinness Book
It is a world record for building a Habitat for Humanity house. The Guinness folks said they didn't have such a category. We checked.
I talked to the homeowner the other day. She said people still drive by to look at her house. It's become a tourist attraction.
Yes, I'm in the South, Heart of Dixie aka Alabama to be precise. Down here we're called Yellow Dogs.
qui tacet consentire