Comments on: The Methodology of Media Matters, AKA Media Antimatter http://www.newsrealblog.com/2009/07/17/the-methodology-of-media-matters-aka-media-antimatter/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:34:39 +0000 hourly 1 By: David Swindle http://www.newsrealblog.com/2009/07/17/the-methodology-of-media-matters-aka-media-antimatter/#comment-3568 David Swindle Sat, 18 Jul 2009 04:11:46 +0000 http://newsrealblog.com/?p=2644#comment-3568 Tex, When I was a leftist I wanted dialogue. Many -- most -- of my "progressive" friends seem to want dialogue also. Many on the Left certainly don't, they might as well be Neo-Stalinists who take the "I can't be your friend if you don't share my politics" attitude of Che Guevara. It's still worth talking and debating with many of them, though. (However I'll agree with you that some are certainly a lost cause and that argumentation alone often isn't enough to change minds.) Perhaps my enthusiasm for dialogue comes from the fact that if it weren't for David Horowitz being willing to debate and dialogue with me then it's most likely I'd be writing for Media Matters instead of him. Minds can be changed, he and I are both living proof. For more on understanding the Left as a religious movement I can't recommend Horowitz's "The Politics of Bad Faith" with greater enthusiasm. It's my favorite of his texts. It's the quintessential book on the subject, though Jamie Glazov's recent "United In Hate" also has some compelling insights that build on Horowitz and others' work. See my essays on Glazov's book: http://www.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=34919 http://www.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=34758 Thanks for your comment, David Tex,
When I was a leftist I wanted dialogue. Many — most — of my “progressive” friends seem to want dialogue also. Many on the Left certainly don’t, they might as well be Neo-Stalinists who take the “I can’t be your friend if you don’t share my politics” attitude of Che Guevara.

It’s still worth talking and debating with many of them, though. (However I’ll agree with you that some are certainly a lost cause and that argumentation alone often isn’t enough to change minds.)

Perhaps my enthusiasm for dialogue comes from the fact that if it weren’t for David Horowitz being willing to debate and dialogue with me then it’s most likely I’d be writing for Media Matters instead of him. Minds can be changed, he and I are both living proof.

For more on understanding the Left as a religious movement I can’t recommend Horowitz’s “The Politics of Bad Faith” with greater enthusiasm. It’s my favorite of his texts. It’s the quintessential book on the subject, though Jamie Glazov’s recent “United In Hate” also has some compelling insights that build on Horowitz and others’ work. See my essays on Glazov’s book:
http://www.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=34919
http://www.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=34758

Thanks for your comment,
David

]]> By: WR Jonas http://www.newsrealblog.com/2009/07/17/the-methodology-of-media-matters-aka-media-antimatter/#comment-3567 WR Jonas Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:44:23 +0000 http://newsrealblog.com/?p=2644#comment-3567 I personally feel so much better knowing there is a liberal out there trying to understand conservatives . It helps knowing I am not a drooling , raving idiot to love my God and my country. Now , if we could get a few Republicans Senators to feel that way we may be making some progress. Nah, not a chance . To ask any Republican to stand up and cast a vote for white guys is probably over the top. I personally feel so much better knowing there is a liberal out there trying to understand conservatives . It helps knowing I am not a drooling , raving idiot to love my God and my country.
Now , if we could get a few Republicans Senators to feel that way we may be making some progress.
Nah, not a chance . To ask any Republican to stand up and cast a vote for white guys is probably over the top.

]]> By: TexGEOas http://www.newsrealblog.com/2009/07/17/the-methodology-of-media-matters-aka-media-antimatter/#comment-3566 TexGEOas Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:36:12 +0000 http://newsrealblog.com/?p=2644#comment-3566 Oh, let them play, David. I don't think liberals and progressives really want any dialog. Most of the lib replies I see on blogs are simply personal attacks. Almost never see a discussion on issues using real facts! With liberals its always like a religious argument... you know... like they can't permit themselves to discuss any alternate viewpoint. Reminds me of the defenders of Biblical inerrancy. There are just no voices on this earth they wish to hear but their own. Let them play. There's no use in messing with them. Oh, let them play, David. I don’t think liberals and progressives really want any dialog. Most of the lib replies I see on blogs are simply personal attacks. Almost never see a discussion on issues using real facts! With liberals its always like a religious argument… you know… like they can’t permit themselves to discuss any alternate viewpoint. Reminds me of the defenders of Biblical inerrancy. There are just no voices on this earth they wish to hear but their own. Let them play. There’s no use in messing with them.

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