[Vision2020] Proof Positive the ID GOP Doesn't Care About ChildrenOnce They're Out of The Womb

[Joe Campbell]

Short answer: Ask a black person this question. See what he says. Then tell
him why you think he has a fear of ideas. See how far that dialogue
progresses.

Before I answer this question seriously, I'd prefer if you would tell me the
most painful part of your family history. Suppose for instance that numerous
folks in your family died of breast cancer. Try wrapping your head around me
saying "Why can't we even _talk_ about whether or not breast cancer is a
good thing? After all freedom of expression is a good thing. What do you
have a fear of ideas?" Can you imagine how insensitive that would sound? If
not, then pick another example. Keep trying until you want to punch me in
the face for saying what I said. Then you'll get it.

I'm a Professor of Philosophy. That would be a strange profession for
someone with a fear of ideas. A better explanation of why you can't see
what's wrong with asking whether or not slavery is wrong is that you are
seriously lacking in empathetic imagination. That's why I think it might
benefit you to find your own personal example and reason to my point of view
via some form of analogy.

Long answer: Kidnapping is clearly wrong. Putting someone in chains,
throwing them on a boat, and taking them to some other continent is clearly
wrong. Holding someone against their will is clearly wrong. Forcing someone
to work without pay is clearly wrong. Beating an innocent person is clearly
wrong. Rape is clearly wrong.

The history of American slavery is a history of kidnapping, unwarranted
incarceration, forced labor, physical violence, rape, etc. To entertain the
idea that slavery is not wrong is to entertain the idea that nothing is
wrong.

Now maybe that is your view. Maybe you believe that nothing is right or
wrong. But why not just talk about that issue? Why wrap it up in a
conversation that is offensive to a great number of people. If you're an
idiot I would understand. Likewise if you were part of some radical right
wing group. You offer another possibility: you could be completely lacking
in empathy, a sociopath who doesn't care whether or not he hurts the
feelings of others. I think that is covered by "idiot."

So here is a revision of my technical term "idiot" in case I use it again.
An idiot is someone who is so lacking in common sense or empathetic
imagination that he is willing to say something that even the below average
person would know better than to say.

Note that the quote I used by Wilson to begin this conversation was this: "The
Bible permits Christians to own slaves, provided they are treated well."
Clearly he can't adopt the view that there is no right or wrong since
slavery is only permitted by Christians if they treat the slaves "well." And
I don't think he's an idiot, given the my technical definition. That leaves
one option. Unless I'm wrong and he is a sociopath.

On Sat, Apr 2, 2011 at 11:35 AM, Paul Rumelhart <godshatter at yahoo.com>wrote:

> On 04/01/2011 09:29 PM, Joe Campbell wrote:
>
>> Anyone who thinks that talk of slavery should be tolerated is either an
>> idiot or a member of a radical right wing group.
>>
>
> Seriously?  We can't even _talk_ about it?  Why?  Or do you mean that we
> are free to talk about it as long as we condemn it?  Well, I'm not up for
> another rant on why freedom of expression is important even if you don't
> agree with what everyone says.  We've already been down that road.
>
> Do not fear ideas.  *That* is what is idiotic.
>
> Paul
>
> ^ not a fan of slavery, in case you were wondering...
>
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