A New Low in Demonization
Generally speaking, most of the opinion and analysis we hear coming from major universities is well-reasoned and interesting. As in any field of endeavor, however, there are those who tend towards the embarrassing side of academia. Dogma, for some, has become the cloaking device du jour, eliminating the need to consider alternate viewpoints. Some on the left see nothing redeemable about modern Western society, and some on the right stop just short of advocating a Fascist police state.
In the latter category, we now have Dinesh D'Souza, who out-Fascists the Fascists. If the review in the New York Times is accurate, Mussolini would think to himself, "This guy is nuts."
In espousing a dogmatic, narrow view of 'Leftists', whom he views as 'domestic insurgents', he describes his rationale for believing that the 'Secular Warriors' are responsible for screwing up the American mission in Afghanistan, sabotaging the Decider's grand plan for Mideast peace and for advocating in favour of a godless, soulless America. I think he may want to check the dipstick on his own soul, before pointing any fingers.
The Times has posted the first chapter of his book, so you can judge for yourselves just how scary this guy is.
Update: Upon detailed reading of the excerpt, it seems relatively innocuous - the 'good' stuff must come later. It's a little disappointing, frankly. Sorry to get your hopes up.
If D'Souza is representative of the 'think tank' at Stanford University, it's pretty clear that in some cases, more education has nothing to do with more intelligence or clarity.
In the latter category, we now have Dinesh D'Souza, who out-Fascists the Fascists. If the review in the New York Times is accurate, Mussolini would think to himself, "This guy is nuts."
In espousing a dogmatic, narrow view of 'Leftists', whom he views as 'domestic insurgents', he describes his rationale for believing that the 'Secular Warriors' are responsible for screwing up the American mission in Afghanistan, sabotaging the Decider's grand plan for Mideast peace and for advocating in favour of a godless, soulless America. I think he may want to check the dipstick on his own soul, before pointing any fingers.
The Times has posted the first chapter of his book, so you can judge for yourselves just how scary this guy is.
Update: Upon detailed reading of the excerpt, it seems relatively innocuous - the 'good' stuff must come later. It's a little disappointing, frankly. Sorry to get your hopes up.
If D'Souza is representative of the 'think tank' at Stanford University, it's pretty clear that in some cases, more education has nothing to do with more intelligence or clarity.
D'Souza is delusional and the fact that anyone pays any attention to him whatsoever is itself a judgement of the sad state of political affairs today. Check out the Colbert Report on the Comedy Central website - he was a guest a few weeks back.
Posted by
kevvyd |
Tue Feb 06, 10:28:00 AM
This guy is the "True Believer" Eric Hoffer warned us about. Truly scary.
Posted by
Mike |
Tue Feb 06, 11:44:00 AM
But he does make some good points such as the narrow-minded knee-jerk reaction of the Left to alternate points of view. Liberals do their best to shut down debate with regards to climate change, race relations, social programs, gay rights etc. etc. - they insist that there is only one direction for all these issues to head.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Tue Feb 06, 01:44:00 PM
Yeah, and the Right never does this sort of thing with regards to evolution (Charles Darwin's not mentioned in the Bible!), Abstinence-only Education (teenagers who have sex deserve to DIE!) or half a million other things - give me a break.
Posted by
Dan |
Tue Feb 06, 02:02:00 PM
C'mon, Anonymous. You can't seriously believe that this badly-researched partisan hackery constitutes intelligent debate?
I'm always up for learning new things, I don't pretend to know anything. I have opinions, so does D'Souza. However, I don't base my opinions on wishful thinking or the way I think things should be. If you'd read any of my previous posts, I'm as willing to criticize left and right if I feel it's justified.
No matter who is espousing what philosophy, as long as it is intelligent, consistent and factual, I'll listen, whether I ultimately disagree or not.
This fool conforms to none of the above criteria for intelligent debate, he's just trying to lay blame on people who don't share his view of the world. That's small-minded and dangerous.
Posted by
Flash |
Tue Feb 06, 02:48:00 PM
Seriously guys, you have to watch this guy on Colbert - Colbert plays him like a fiddle.
anon -> Is it because those of us on the Left are actually open-minded that so many on the Right think appeals like this might work? D'Souza calling reactions to his views "knee-jerk" in advance is an attempt to deflect just how silly they really are; it's a warning, the kind that get stamped by most conspiracy theorists on their own work as a defensive measure. Not that he's conspiracy theorist, I would say that he is nowhere near as inventive or interesting as most.
Posted by
kevvyd |
Tue Feb 06, 03:29:00 PM