It seems to me that the idea of “protest movement” is, in the conservative mind, one of persuading people that you are right. But in the liberal mind, protesting is synonymous with bullying and overpowering your enemies into silence. There’s probably a philosophical reason for this. The denial of absolute truths leads to a view of truth-claims as being synonymous with power-grabs. To declare a position on an issue is to exert brute authority and seize power over others. They cannot properly distinguish between speaking the truth and forcing people to accept that truth.
Wesley J. Smith Reply: December 12th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Indeed. And it can also be “knee jerk” as opposed to thought through.
I think Pearls Before Swine is brilliant in that it hoists all of us on petards. Goat is a smug, liberal activist. I recall one cartoon making fun of him for having 20 bumper stickers on his hybrid car. We’ve all seen the type. Rat is a cynic who never contributes to anything, but is always criticizing others. (NO I AM NOT LIKE RAT! REALLY! I’m NOT!) Pig is lovable but utterly naive. The Crocs are predatory and always scheming, but end up hurting themselves. Guard Duck is a militarist monster. Etc.
December 12th, 2009 | 2:22 pm
It seems to me that the idea of “protest movement” is, in the conservative mind, one of persuading people that you are right. But in the liberal mind, protesting is synonymous with bullying and overpowering your enemies into silence. There’s probably a philosophical reason for this. The denial of absolute truths leads to a view of truth-claims as being synonymous with power-grabs. To declare a position on an issue is to exert brute authority and seize power over others. They cannot properly distinguish between speaking the truth and forcing people to accept that truth.
Wesley J. Smith Reply:
December 12th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Indeed. And it can also be “knee jerk” as opposed to thought through.
I think Pearls Before Swine is brilliant in that it hoists all of us on petards. Goat is a smug, liberal activist. I recall one cartoon making fun of him for having 20 bumper stickers on his hybrid car. We’ve all seen the type. Rat is a cynic who never contributes to anything, but is always criticizing others. (NO I AM NOT LIKE RAT! REALLY! I’m NOT!) Pig is lovable but utterly naive. The Crocs are predatory and always scheming, but end up hurting themselves. Guard Duck is a militarist monster. Etc.