Andew Sullivan on Bush's similarties to Nazis and others

[JohnnyLingo]

Originally Posted by BYU71

As far as Johnny's quote goes. There are things far worse than death.............. Where did you here that quote, from Bin Laden.

Mike.

http://www.cougarboard.com/noframes/...tml?id=2764605

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

It's when you refuse to see any level of comparison with evil on any level whatsoever, that you enter nutjob-land. Because at that point, you can justify almost anything.

I think it's equally nutty for the liberal wing of America to run passionately into the arms of the Nazi regime every time they hear of a terrorist getting an untreated hangnail while in prison.

And if that's too hyperbolic for you, welcome to just about every Nazi-comparison I've ever heard.

It's almost like you've never heard of Godwin's Law before.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.co...fte_verne.html

I really hate people that pretend there is no moral cost to what we do. Especially Mormons who pretend this.

I agree with this and as usual I agree with Sullivan's view. But I find people who take our liberties for granted even more loathsome. They evince an understanding of the arc of history that goes back only about forty years and is limited to a relatively small area and subset of peoples on our planet. History shows that republican forms of government are fragile and ephemeral, and they become most vulnerable when taken for granted. Only through diligent maintenance of an ethos that cherishes and resolves doubts in favor of civil liberties, can we postpone America's probable inevitable decline to authoritarianism. I fear that Bush and his people don't even have that ethos.

[MikeWaters]

Tex and JL and BYU71, it is called a "slippery slope."

No we are not the Nazis.

It's like my seminary teacher said, "It's not where you are on the ladder, it's which direction you are climbing."

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I agree with this and as usual I agree with Sullivan's view. But I find people who take our liberties for granted even more loathsome. They evince an understanding of the arc of history that goes back only about forty years and is limited to a relatively small area and subset of peoples on our planet. History shows that republican forms of government are fragile and ephemeral, and they become most vulnerable when taken for granted. Only through diligent maintenance of an ethos that cherishes and resolves doubts in favor of civil liberties, can we postpone America's probable inevitable decline to authoritarianism. I fear that Bush and his people don't even have that ethos.

Amen.

[BYU71]

What are we not on a slippery slope toward. Pardon me for saying this, but what a stupid argument slippery slope is.

I could say you and those who agree with you are putting us on a slippery slope to losing to and becoming overrun by Islamic Fundamentalists.

How do you like it on CB when you discuss a religious topic and don't agree with them. Then they tell you, "you are on a slippery slope to apostacy."

Come up with something better. Slippery slope doesn't cut it.

[MikeWaters]

I agree with SU. The 2nd law of thermodynamics suggests we will end up as a dictatorship.

So I fight against the weakening of our civil liberties.

Others like you argue that the threat from terrorists is greater than the threat of giving up our civil liberties.

We disagree.

[FMCoug]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I agree with this and as usual I agree with Sullivan's view. But I find people who take our liberties for granted even more loathsome. They evince an understanding of the arc of history that goes back only about forty years and is limited to a relatively small area and subset of peoples on our planet. History shows that republican forms of government are fragile and ephemeral, and they become most vulnerable when taken for granted. Only through diligent maintenance of an ethos that cherishes and resolves doubts in favor of civil liberties, can we postpone America's probable inevitable decline to authoritarianism. I fear that Bush and his people don't even have that ethos.

"It's the economy, stupid." Never was a truer statement made. We have become so fat and lazy that as long as we have good jobs and the S&P 500 keeps going up, most Americans don't give a crap about politics and all of the above. Sad but true.

With a strong economy, authoritarianism would work great in this country today.

Not saying I agree with that, but I think that's where we're at. The Greatest Generations has given way to the most selfish/self-absorbed generation.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

IBut I find people who take our liberties for granted even more loathsome. They evince an understanding of the arc of history that goes back only about forty years and is limited to a relatively small area and subset of peoples on our planet.

Funny enough, I would use this same logic to defend my position.

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Tex and JL and BYU71, it is called a "slippery slope."

No we are not the Nazis.

It's like my seminary teacher said, "It's not where you are on the ladder, it's which direction you are climbing."

That's a nice bumper sticker, but as usual, real life is more complicated. "Slippery slope" also happens to be a favorite logical fallacy.

Just standing in front of the mirror and shouting "Slippery Slope!" three times each morning doesn't replace making a cogent argument for how we are becoming Nazi Part Deux.

I simply don't see it.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by Tex

I think it's equally nutty for the liberal wing of America to run passionately into the arms of the Nazi regime every time they hear of a terrorist getting an untreated hangnail while in prison.

And if that's too hyperbolic for you, welcome to just about every Nazi-comparison I've ever heard.

It's almost like you've never heard of Godwin's Law before.

I am well aware of Godwin's Law. And it doesn't surprise me that you would be a fan of it. It's perfectly binary.