Progressives and the Ron Paul fallacies in Off Topic
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Progressives and the Ron Paul fallacies by Glenn Greenwald @ Salon.com
The simple fact is that progressives are supporting a candidate for President who has done all of that things liberalism has long held to be pernicious. I know its annoying and miserable to hear. Progressives like to think of themselves as the faction that stands for peace, opposes wars, believes in due process and civil liberties, distrusts the military-industrial complex, supports candidates who are devoted to individual rights, transparency and economic equality. All of these facts like the history laid out by Stoller in that essay negate that desired self-perception. These facts demonstrate that the leader progressives have empowered and will empower again has worked in direct opposition to those values and engaged in conduct that is nothing short of horrific. So there is an eagerness to avoid hearing about them, to pretend they dont exist. And theres a corresponding hostility toward those who point them out, who insist that they not be ignored.
The parallel reality the undeniable fact is that all of these listed heinous views and actions from Barack Obama have been vehemently opposed and condemned by Ron Paul: and among the major GOP candidates, only by Ron Paul. For that reason, Pauls candidacy forces progressives to face the hideous positions and actions of their candidate, of the person they want to empower for another four years. If Paul were not in the race or were not receiving attention, none of these issues would receive any attention because all the other major GOP candidates either agree with Obama on these matters or hold even worse views.
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Its perfectly legitimate to criticize Paul harshly and point out the horrible aspects of his belief system and past actions. But thats worthwhile only if its accompanied by a similarly candid assessment of all the candidates, including the sitting President.
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