MASS Gallery
Setting Up the Perfect Straw Man
RECEIVED Mon., June 27, 2005
Dear Editor,
Well what do you know, Louis Black (“Page Two,” June 24) is angry. Or depressed, or annoyed, or had a bad beer. But, wow, did he have to go and call people traitors? Is the land really “torn up and destroyed”? Just as that political hack Karl Rove says something stupid about liberals and how they embrace those who attack this country, off pops Louis who does just that.
It isn't really clear what Mr. Black would have us do. If he wants Americans to stand up, take the gun belt from our waists, hand it to the marauding hordes in the name of peace, there will be peace. If he wants us to take our toys home and stay on our side of the water, maybe the other guys would be nice to each other and work it out around a round table. At least it wouldn't be our people in the crosshairs.
One day, Mr. Black and his ilk will state the truth about themselves. One day, liberals/progressives will have the guts to say:
1) When they attack us, pull back, turn a cheek, understand them, and apologize. Peace will reign upon the people of the weak.
2) Organized religion is a danger to all and produces drones who oppress the nonbelievers. Stop the religion before it hurts somebody. Lord knows it's done a lot of damage.
3) Other religions are OK, even if they do say everyone else is an infidel.
4) Happy people are always right and only see the truth.
5) Mean people are the ones who don't agree with the happy people.
6) Mean people are wrong and should be ignored or reformed.
7) All people are in some oppressed class. Except the rich, white, male religious people.
8) Free enterprise is just a way for the classes to be oppressed.
9) Anyone who has more than anyone else is a threat and should be equalized.
10) It is impossible to believe that abortion is murder and also believe in recycling.
11) Right is wrong and left is right.
One day, we'll get it right, but we are Americans, proud of what we have done, have some regrets, working on our problems, and looking toward a better future. But I don't think you get there by sitting on a beach giving everyone the finger.
Well what do you know, Louis Black (“Page Two,” June 24) is angry. Or depressed, or annoyed, or had a bad beer. But, wow, did he have to go and call people traitors? Is the land really “torn up and destroyed”? Just as that political hack Karl Rove says something stupid about liberals and how they embrace those who attack this country, off pops Louis who does just that.
It isn't really clear what Mr. Black would have us do. If he wants Americans to stand up, take the gun belt from our waists, hand it to the marauding hordes in the name of peace, there will be peace. If he wants us to take our toys home and stay on our side of the water, maybe the other guys would be nice to each other and work it out around a round table. At least it wouldn't be our people in the crosshairs.
One day, Mr. Black and his ilk will state the truth about themselves. One day, liberals/progressives will have the guts to say:
1) When they attack us, pull back, turn a cheek, understand them, and apologize. Peace will reign upon the people of the weak.
2) Organized religion is a danger to all and produces drones who oppress the nonbelievers. Stop the religion before it hurts somebody. Lord knows it's done a lot of damage.
3) Other religions are OK, even if they do say everyone else is an infidel.
4) Happy people are always right and only see the truth.
5) Mean people are the ones who don't agree with the happy people.
6) Mean people are wrong and should be ignored or reformed.
7) All people are in some oppressed class. Except the rich, white, male religious people.
8) Free enterprise is just a way for the classes to be oppressed.
9) Anyone who has more than anyone else is a threat and should be equalized.
10) It is impossible to believe that abortion is murder and also believe in recycling.
11) Right is wrong and left is right.
One day, we'll get it right, but we are Americans, proud of what we have done, have some regrets, working on our problems, and looking toward a better future. But I don't think you get there by sitting on a beach giving everyone the finger.
Mark Gindin
[Editor's Note: One has to wonder if the writer really believes I or anyone has such a puerile worldview or that it's just easier to dismiss the arguments of someone you disagree with if you don't actually listen but simply describe them yourself, making them as stupid as possible.]
