Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Whatever You Say Bounces Off Of Me and Sticks To You
Remember that old rhyme you used to use when you were, oh, five-years-old? It re-entered the adult vocabulary in the '80's because of a very funny kid's show. I couldn't help bu7t think of that when I read this:
I don't normally waste much time on the silly saying ignorant things, but this one really gets under my skin, not so much becasue of it's content, or its source, but because of what it says about public discourse and what passes for argument in this country. That someone would consider such name-calling as valid is beyond my understanding.
"But doesn't the right-wing resort to such things too?" retorts my imaginary liberal friend. "No," I respond, "the right-wing weighs the situation and attaches an appropriate label." So what's the difference you my reader asks. For example, tyrant:
Come on Harry, if you're gonna resort to this type of stuff, at least find a word that applies!
"No matter what the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world, George W. Bush says, we're here to tell you: Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of the American people ... support your revolution," Belafonte told Chavez during the broadcast.Michelle Malkin takes a closer look including some of Belefonte's other memorable remarks.
I don't normally waste much time on the silly saying ignorant things, but this one really gets under my skin, not so much becasue of it's content, or its source, but because of what it says about public discourse and what passes for argument in this country. That someone would consider such name-calling as valid is beyond my understanding.
"But doesn't the right-wing resort to such things too?" retorts my imaginary liberal friend. "No," I respond, "the right-wing weighs the situation and attaches an appropriate label." So what's the difference you my reader asks. For example, tyrant:
1. An absolute ruler who governs without restrictions.Now, to whom would that label properly apply, a duly elected head of the executive branch of a government, or some guy that bullied his way into office with coup attempt and a rigged election?
2. A ruler who exercises power in a harsh, cruel manner.
Come on Harry, if you're gonna resort to this type of stuff, at least find a word that applies!
