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December 23, 2007 at 09:26:19

The Abyss of Intellectual Fencing Online

by Cheri Roberts     Page 1 of 1 page(s)

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In an era where rights are shrugged away by an administration bent on curbing dissent I have to wonder if that combined with the anonymity of the internet has possibly done us a disservice as a People. Where does free speech end and being an asshole begin?

Let's step back a second and take a hard look at this. Does my right to free speech also afford me the right to offend or insult for the sake of offending or insulting? In a court of law I would imagine so, but in a court of our conscience does it make it right in the end? Do we evolve with compassion and the ability to be civil or do we allow the certainty of our disguise online to empower us into that alter ego we would rarely let loose in the real world?



Most message boards require one to attack the idea and not the person. Is this possible to do? I don't know. Often times I find myself not opining at all because it is difficult to separate one from the other when there is so much passion or faith put behind it. I ask myself if my disagreement would matter and encourage furthered learning or understanding on whatever the issue, or would my sarcasm or disdain merely stir a pot of distraction. Do I want to be the antagonist without a real agenda towards the cause?

I try to think in progressive terms in what I do. I am not always on target and I sometimes find myself in circular circumstances when I lose sight of what I hope to accomplish as an activist. I want to be better. I want to do better. I want to truly be a part of what makes a difference. The change begins and ends with us.

 

http://www.mtrnews.com/ C Piper, Aka Cheri Roberts, lil...is a longtime activist and writer who has worked in mixed media for 15 yrs. With 911 Truth as her primary focus, she participates in and organizes for events both locally and nationally always striving to get people out of their chairs and in the streets. She believes the biggest strength of the 911 Truth movement is the one strength they have yet to embrace, unity.

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Hater of Nazis above all. Hobbies include activism, military model building, military history, exciting and vital conversation with retired crooks. Retired
John HanksHater of Nazis above all. Hobbies include activism, military model building, military history, exciting and vital conversation with retired crooks. Retired

Personal attacks are sometimes a smoke screen

Personal attacks and endless moralizing takes people away from the subject and can lead to many endless attempts to "milk the rat".  Liberals are particularly prone to moralizing and moralization.  Yes we are up against human filth.  They are just a bunch of crooks.  But, that is not the main point.  Crooks incite fear and ANGER in order to produce demoralization and gullibility.  This process creates blind spots.  It stops thought and insight dead in its tracks.   

The scum practiced their vicious tactics with the help of Newt Gingrich and others for years.  If they can incite fear, anger, and moralizing  they can blind you and take you down.  Never try to educate or deal with these people in terms of facts or ideas.  They seek only advantage.   Facts and ideas are like kitchen knives.  They will pick out the ones they want so they can stab you in the chest or the back.

Fear and anger are tiresome.  Cold black hatred is serene. 

by John Hanks (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1094 comments) on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 12:13:34 PM
 


I live in the heart of America, and am haunted by the saying:
"Evil succeeds because good men do nothing." by Edmund Burke.

Albert Einstein had another way of saying it:
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."

So I do what I can.

Edward Ulysses CateI live in the heart of America, and am haunted by the saying:
"Evil succeeds because good men do nothing." by Edmund Burke.

Albert Einstein had another way of saying it:
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."

So I do what I can.

Sociopaths On-line

People can agree to dis-agree. People can have a variety of opinions, facts and what-not. But they MUST demonstrate empathy and a conscience to be taken seriously. We may not agree on how to make the world better, but must demonstrate that we want the world TO BE a better place for all. If not, you're just dealing with a sociopath. There is NO way to win, except not to play. These are not just my opinions, there's more here:

http://greatreddragon.com/ref/conscience.htm :: ::

I hope that just the knowledge that others have written about such things, will be of benefit. I'm 60 now, and have only known about this for a few years. Sure wish I'd known this back in my 20's. Just naive, I guess.

by Edward Ulysses Cate (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 217 comments) on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 7:56:08 PM
 


57Yo m I'm a "been there, done that! Bought the tee shirt,to hide the scars!" type of person Ive worked�many jobs from�a chicken slaughterer to managing a branch of a multinational and many jobs in between.Raised in colonial PNG Left School 16,Grad Hi school 22 Night School, University 36� BBus (majored in Psyche and Marketing), Dip Comp prog and project Mmnt.at 50 I've been in 48 different community org ,23 on board with 18 prez or deputy prez.First social campaign at 17 for the aborigine...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Andris57Yo m I'm a "been there, done that! Bought the tee shirt,to hide the scars!" type of person Ive worked�many jobs from�a chicken slaughterer to managing a branch of a multinational and many jobs in between.Raised in colonial PNG Left School 16,Grad Hi school 22 Night School, University 36� BBus (majored in Psyche and Marketing), Dip Comp prog and project Mmnt.at 50 I've been in 48 different community org ,23 on board with 18 prez or deputy prez.First social campaign at 17 for the aborigine...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Catchy line but isn't that the same

 old name calling? Sociopaths are people with a real diagnoseable disorder. How do you know they are infact sociopaths without testing and protracted psychiatric  observation? You don'ttherefore aren't you indulging in exactly what you condemn. By the way Sociopaths have no conscience they are usually very charming convincing and totally self obsessed.

I think you were refering to expressed imaturity of some. Recent brain tests showed that the reasoning part of the brain may not reach maturity untill the mid 20's. Then again I think we can all point to some who seem never to mature.

It is interesting to note that mathematicians usually peak before 40.

Einstein's best work took place before he was 38 and spent the rest of his pioneering life trying to recapture the high ground of his youth.

Philosophers tend to create their best works later.

I think it is more than co-incidence that most tribal peoples revere the widom of their elders. Yet our commercialy orientated societies focus on youth and as a consequence are nowhere near as stable more emotionally manipulated.

by Andris (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 532 comments) on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 8:43:08 PM
 


57Yo m I'm a "been there, done that! Bought the tee shirt,to hide the scars!" type of person Ive worked�many jobs from�a chicken slaughterer to managing a branch of a multinational and many jobs in between.Raised in colonial PNG Left School 16,Grad Hi school 22 Night School, University 36� BBus (majored in Psyche and Marketing), Dip Comp prog and project Mmnt.at 50 I've been in 48 different community org ,23 on board with 18 prez or deputy prez.First social campaign at 17 for the aborigine...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Andris57Yo m I'm a "been there, done that! Bought the tee shirt,to hide the scars!" type of person Ive worked�many jobs from�a chicken slaughterer to managing a branch of a multinational and many jobs in between.Raised in colonial PNG Left School 16,Grad Hi school 22 Night School, University 36� BBus (majored in Psyche and Marketing), Dip Comp prog and project Mmnt.at 50 I've been in 48 different community org ,23 on board with 18 prez or deputy prez.First social campaign at 17 for the aborigine...

to see more of bio, click on member name

It is unacceptable but don't throw the baby out with the

 Bath water. Consider not every one is articulate, inellectually capable or as wise as they should be.

Cheri the US is one of the few nations in the world that allow such scurulous lies distortion on the individual to happen. Australia has strong vilification  and libel laws. Many of the articals I've seen on the net would get the authors sued and or prosecuted here. Is this suppression of freedomf of speach I don't think so it comes down to matter of self disciplin. I can get stuck into some poli but I simply need to be able to prove what I say.

Comments I have seen on Oped that have bothered me where they refer to a particular politicion as a whore to corporations, gutless, spineless animals etc. I simply ask how does the above purple prose achieve ? who does it convince? One thing is for sure she won't be disposed to listening to that persons point of view.

That sort of vile prose tends close discussion not open them up for an exchange of ideas. and if a respose is given offten it is equally vitriolic starting a free fall into defence and ever increasing bile.

Mr Hanks is right when the response from power is agression one can then judge how close to the uncomfortable truth you are. The harder the response the near is the truth.

by Andris (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 532 comments) on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 8:52:51 PM
 

 

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