HEAR WE ARE
J. David Velleman, philosopher, wonders into the blogosphere: “How can we better express our values? Can we learn from conservative critiques of those values?” The ensuing “conservative critique” is fantastic. And by fantastic I mean a completely predictable train-wreck.
Some gems:
“Mona”: I was astonished that none of the women’s studies courses I took even MENTIONED Ayn Rand, much less had us examine her works and philosphy. [I will never stop laughing at this.]
“R”: As a bush-supporting agnostic pro-choice gay marriage-supporting hybrid car driving non-white immigrant college student on a very liberal campus in a very blue state, i find this site very amusing.
Dr. David Layman, full-time part-time college teacher: I am willing to read what you have to say, but I want to warn you: it will be very difficult to get to get me to believe that you really want to hear me. I have spent years being insulted, denigrated, and alienated. I have listened to (and read and, best I honestly could, taught) liberal “arguments,” astonished that presumably sophisticated people really expect people to follow their “logic.”
[For best results, read this passage in your whiniest, suckiest dork voice. Be sure to physically emphasize the words "arguments" and "logic" with air-quotes. Really get your shoulders into it!]
“Former Democrat”: The ultimate point of the work you have committed yourselves to do is to learn how to win elections so that you can implement your ideas and policies. May I offer some simple pointers? Join a bowling league and golf league.
J. David Velleman, philosopher: The blog is not about how the Left can win more votes away from the Right: it’s not about political strategy. Nor is the blog intended to contain arguments by the Left addressed to the Right: it isn’t a Blue vs. Red debate, nor even the Blue half of that debate. It is meant to be a discussion about how liberal ideas and values — understood in the broadest, most inclusive sense of the word “liberal” — might be re-considered and re-expressed so as to facilitate real communication and dialog across political divisions.
“MarineWife”: So David, what you’re saying is, regardless of the stated intentions of the website, you don’t intent to listen or contemplate conservative ideas as compared to liberal ones. You say you want to communicate liberal ideas better. For what reason? To get more votes and win control of making policy. … You asked to talk to the right, and hear we are.
At which point J. David Velleman’s monocle popped out and landed in his brandy snifter.