We are no better than the Germans.
The dangers of the mob mentality are more pronounced on the Obama Left than there are on the Right. Why? I repeat over and over and over again: I do not agree with the thrust of most right wing thought. But Conservatives usually have guiding ideas. Many of these ideas are powerful and WRONG in my estimation. Nevertheless they are core beliefs. There are no guiding principles on the new Obama "Left". There is only a mindless defense of a particular person. This is the road to hell. We must never think we are better or smarter than the Germans were. We are not. We, along with every other society, are always one or two crises from ceding all power to a demagogue.
From Juan Cole:
The notion that we should not say something critical of the policy of a Democratic president because it might give aid and comfort to the rightwing enemy is completely unacceptable. It is a form of regimentation, and equivalent to making dissent a sort of treason.
I can't think of anything I've read this year that:
A. Gets to the truth of the Pod people.
B. Damns the Huffington Left so completely. People like Taylor Marsh are not liberals. They are cult members, and should be regarded as such.
From Juan Cole:
The notion that we should not say something critical of the policy of a Democratic president because it might give aid and comfort to the rightwing enemy is completely unacceptable. It is a form of regimentation, and equivalent to making dissent a sort of treason.
I can't think of anything I've read this year that:
A. Gets to the truth of the Pod people.
B. Damns the Huffington Left so completely. People like Taylor Marsh are not liberals. They are cult members, and should be regarded as such.
Labels: Germans, Juan Cole, Taylor Marsh
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