[Peace-discuss] [PBD - Progressive Blog Digest] 5/15/2011 06:52:00 AM

[Nick Burbules]

Thanks David,

There's really not much I can say to this except that we have very different
views of politics and of the process of change.

We also have different views of how to express our disagreements.

But I do want to correct the accusation that I haven't been critical of
Obama on a range of policies, especially his Bush-like national security
policies. I have been, repeatedly.

Anyway, my blog is not primarily about the presentation of my own views, but
a collection of a range of progressive opinions -- including some much
closer to your point of view than to my own. I'm sure another person would
make a different selection, of course.

Nick



On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 2:40 PM, David Green <davegreen84 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi Nick,
>
> I still don't get the relationship between what Paul said and how it was
> characterized. But of course, this isn't at all about parsing the specifics
> of what Paul said or meant. It's about lining up with liberals and
> conservatives who have "sensible" approaches to government, while avoiding
> the prospects for re-alignment in a true anti-war coalition. And it's about
> keeping the two-party corporate system intact. It's pretty clear that you
> are still down with the notion that Obama has good intentions, and honestly,
> the only reason I look at your blog is to marvel at the lack of any breaking
> point--regardless of Obama's consistently despicable behavior--in your
> ability to excuse Obama and demonize his opponents, among which there isn't
> a "dime's worth of difference." Is it gullibility or misplaced idealism? I
> don't care.
>
> I've recently, even apart from this, been asking myself why the university
> offers so few opportunities for honest and open political debate about these
> fundamental issues. I think I've got my answer. I have to say, honestly,
> that your approach to politics is at bottom extremely childish in your
> reliance on the assumption that your readers share your customary liberal
> stereotypes of those who don't identify themselves that way. You rely, in
> your own fashion, on stereotyping, scapegoats, caricatures, and (when
> necessary) lesser evilism. And yes, you're an elitist of the worst sort. For
> the record, let me make it clear that your approach is every bit as much of
> the fundamental problem as the Tea Party, the Koch brothers, Sarah Palin,
> and John Boehner. It is, in it's own fashion, equally dishonest, and a
> serious impediment to "progress" if that word were to ever be defined in a
> serious way.
>
> So there's your debate.
>
> Best,
>
> David
>
>
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