tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post960211120090924454..comments2024-01-02T18:05:23.666-06:00Comments on Streak's Blog: How we think and speak about politicsStreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01443433745929880701noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-85380901591687637812009-02-14T11:41:00.000-06:002009-02-14T11:41:00.000-06:00BB, I had the same response to Air America. I agr...BB, I had the same response to Air America. I agreed with them more, but didn't think our tone would be improved with more shouting. Olbermann came pretty close to crossing the line there too, and I often couldn't listen to his special comments.Streakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443433745929880701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-91154915248673505132009-02-14T08:09:00.000-06:002009-02-14T08:09:00.000-06:00Steve"I also can't identify any lefty "Limbaugh" t...Steve<BR/>"I also can't identify any lefty "Limbaugh" that is feeding into these people." A few years back when I was at a desk more I started listening to the Air America feed when it was getting going. There was a commentator on there who sounded just like a female, left Limbaugh. Obviously she didn't have the influence that Rush has had (or I'd be able to remember her name:)). But I remember changing the station at the time thinking I liked some of what she said but couldn't take the her tone. I didn't have a name for what I didn't like at the time, but constant outrage, anger, demeaning labels for those we disagree with, and "counterfeit astonishment" fit the feeling I had. Granted, I agreed with her general sentiment but not the tactics.<BR/><BR/>The "Rush Limbaugh Effect" captures so much of my interactions with conservatives, even my current boss. Normally very reasonable, fair, and fun. However, if a topic comes up like prayer in school, for example, the rational discussion is over and the hyperbole and outrage kick in. He's a dittohead, btw.<BR/><BR/>Later-BBBootleg Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11842413990753418066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-23058913630752242612009-02-13T14:30:00.000-06:002009-02-13T14:30:00.000-06:00Hey Steve,While I do trust Pres. Obama more than I...Hey Steve,<BR/><BR/>While I do trust Pres. Obama more than I ever did Pres. Bush, I STRONGLY agree with what Pres. Reagan said : "Trust but verify"<BR/><BR/>Watch them all, that is the eternal price of liberty. :)Monk-in-Traininghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07373661525025912462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-28477282280579464272009-02-13T14:14:00.000-06:002009-02-13T14:14:00.000-06:00Thoughtful piece. I usually only think of Ebert a...Thoughtful piece. I usually only think of Ebert as a movie critic. I tend to agree that Limbaugh certainly doesn't encourage any kind of meaningful dialog and has made his living being outraged. I will admit that I found him entertaining and interesting back in the early 90's, but either he has changed or I have changed. I can no loger stand to listen to him.<BR/><BR/>I do see this zero sum game from the left, too. In discussing political issues with some of my friends on the left, there are a few that are unable to see any conservative positions as being valid, rather just that they are stupid, dangerous or evil. There is little room there for any discussion unless you agree with them. I don't think this is true of much of the left and certainly isn't true on this blog. I also can't identify any lefty "Limbaugh" that is feeding into these people.<BR/><BR/>As for economics, I will admit that I don't understand economics as well as I should, but I don't think most people do. I have heard some Obama defenders say they don't know either, but they just trust Obama. Frankly, that seems like a dnagerous position to take. I like Obama, but I don't think we should ever just accept government actions based on faith that they will always act in our best interests. I prefer some kind of oversight and informed decision making.steveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08862590608695420004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-21452084179613212662009-02-13T10:31:00.000-06:002009-02-13T10:31:00.000-06:00Thought you would enjoy that. Ebert's blog is a re...Thought you would enjoy that. Ebert's blog is a regular in my reading rotation.ANewAnglican@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037646467470700281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5397103.post-86429691654866061872009-02-13T09:26:00.000-06:002009-02-13T09:26:00.000-06:00The tone of voice observation is a good one. My au...The tone of voice observation is a good one. My aunt was apolitical until she started watching Fox News years ago, and now she can't talk about current events without a combination of outrage and a TV anchor's carefully measured cadence. I suspect this is part of why sites like Media Matters haven't had much of an influence outside the lefty blogosphere, since their commentary is restricted to text and thus forced to ignore the tone-of-voice component of the "news" they cover.leightonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07821884432248870789noreply@blogger.com