Civics for Dummies

The title of this post was inspired by this comment in the corresponding post at Witness LA:

I wish that liberals were as concerned and wrote as many books about the horrible crimes committed in the name of Islam.

This is such a willfully dense statement, yet so typical of the kind of silliness that pops up on the right like mushrooms in cow pies after a hard rain. Here's why this is dense:

• We know that Islamic terrorists are bad actors. We do not expect them to commit benevolent acts nor show mercy towards those they regard as their enemies.
• We have zero political influence over Osama bin Laden and his fellow travelers, sympathizers, etc. No matter what we do or say, it is highly unlikely that we can convince them to change their ways.
• Accordingly, writing books "about the horrible crimes committed in the name of Islam," will have virtually no effect on the status quo. It's reminiscent of the old saying about urinating in a blue serge suit: it leaves you with a warm feeling, but nobody notices.

Why do we criticize our own government's actions?

• If we as citizens find our government's behavior objectionable, we have every right and responsibility to call attention to such behavior. In other words, we have the ability and possibility to influence our government; we have zero possibility to influence Al Qaeda.
• However, there is a potentially large group of people in the world, who, if our government stops torturing, stop imprisoning people without trial, "[stop being] an arrogant nation, they'll [stop] resent [ing] us; if we're a humble nation, but strong, they'll welcome us." We are neither bovine nor ovine: we have the right and duty to speak our minds.

An ounce of common sense would certainly seem to indicate that creating a world in which those who resent us stop resenting us is far better for the long term than continuing to foment anger towards us.

That concludes this edition of Civics for Dummies.

Comments

[Woody]

It's such an honor being attacked on your site without even such a mention to me that you were doing it. Your post doesn't surprise me, as you have said that patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels. If so, I'm proud to be in the company of scoundrels rather than that of enemies and traitors.

[Randy Paul]

It's such an honor being attacked on your site without even such a mention to me that you were doing it.

Well, I know you visit here, so it's not exactly a secret is it?

Your post doesn't surprise me, as you have said that patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.

Actually, that's a quote from Dr. Samuel Johnson.

If so, I'm proud to be in the company of scoundrels rather than that of enemies and traitors.

Given the fact that you have presented absolutely zero proof that anyone who has the temerity to disagree with you is a scoundrel or traitor, that's just another in the long line of non-sequiturs and strawmen you toss into the mix. That's all you've got and if I tried to throw that out there to adults, I'd be embarrassed by how weak it is.

You're still trying to punch above your weight, Woody. It's downright amusing.