I'd like to commend Kris for going the extra mile to point out the
obvious to Ed.
I think it's fine to use "fringe" sources but it seldom works when the
goal is to persuade. There has to be some mutually agreed upon
authority for what is more-or-less objectively true. Many
conservatives view the "mainstream" media as having thrown their lot
in with people whose values they do not share. I really have to
scratch my head at folks who insist the NYT is "conservatively
biased." But anyway, the point is, the NYT is no longer such an
authority, nor are the cable networks, nor is anything.
That's part of the reason our culture is becoming so fragmented, and
politics so bitter and loud... There is no authority, and our common
values are disintegrating.
</curmudgeon-mode>
- Bob
! -----Original Message-----
! From: profox-bounces .at. leafe DO.T com
! [mailto:profox-bounces@leafe.com] On Behalf Of Kristyne McDaniel
! Sent: Monday, October 31, 2005 6:00 PM
! To: 'ProFox Email List'
! Subject: RE: [OT] The Top Nine Plamegate Lies
!
! Ed,
!
! > Hardly. I read those links, and then google around for
! > similar stories. Usually it doesn't take much to put those
! > stories into context. I think anyone who dismisses
! > information simply because of the source is as foolish as
! > anyone who accepts the veracity of information simply because
! > of the source.
!
! If we're trying to figure out who is a fool, then this
! argument makes sense.
! If, however, we are trying to provide information to the
! uninformed, we need
! to use sources for our information that aren't pushing an agenda.
!
! The Village Voice web site is extremely condescending to
! conservatives in
! the tone used for its articles. We can't expect our
! conservative friends to
! wade through something that reads to them like a cesspool if
! we expect to
! have a meaningful discussion with them. We need to treat our
! conservative
! friends with respect instead of insulting them.
!
! My stepdaughter married a right-wing conservative. If I'm
! going to send
! something to her, it needs to be informative without
! alienating her. I have
! no interest at all in insulting my stepdaughter simply to
! provide her with
! an alternate point of view. She won't read it, and it will
! merely stiffen
! her resolve.
!
! -- Kris
! www.shamrocktrails.com
!
!
!
[excessive quoting removed by server]
©2005 Bob Calco |
