Letter: Getting it right

The quote, "I reject your reality and substitute my own!" is only acceptable within the context of Adam Savage and Mythbusters.

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• Posted by G_E on November 12, 2009 at 2 p.m.
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Letter: Getting it right

Mr. Forson:

What are the "least biased" sources you relied upon for your polling data? I'm not smart enough to be a science major, but I do know the value of source checking (particularly for those who give any leeway whatsoever to 9/11 truthers)...so please let us know!

While you're at it, do you have a "least biased" source to support your claim that the Bush administration demonstrated many of "the historically agreed signs of a fascist" government? It seems like many of the opinions you espoused here are unsupported (unsupportable?), which is ironic given the theme of your letter.

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• Posted by RTBatKU on November 12, 2009 at 3:20 p.m.
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Letter: Getting it right

I actually created an account because I do think RT does bring up a fair point that does deserve an answer.

Let me say that when I said "I give Truthers more leeway" I mean that when I hear what junk they spew I don't groan quite as loud. It's still absolute drivel, just slightly more tolerable drivel without the constant Godwin's Law being enacted.

But I had to keep it below 300 words so some stuff had to be cut, like my citation of sources. Yes, I find that delightfully ironic too.

As for the historically agreed signs of Facism, you can find the works of political experts everywhere but I think Dr. Lawrence Britt nails it with 1.) Powerful and Continuing Nationalism, 2.) Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights, 3.) Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause, 4.) Supremacy of the Military, 5.) Rampant Sexism, 6.) Controlled Mass Media, 7.) Obsession with National Security, 8.) Religion and Government are Intertwined, 9.) Corporate Power is Protected, 10.) Labor Power is Suppressed, 11.) Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts, 12.) Obsession with Crime and Punishment, 13.) Rampant Cronyism and Corruption, and 14.) Fraudulent Elections.

Individual points are debatable, but I think any objective viewer would see Bush hit at least the majority. In my humble opinion definitely 12 out of 14 with strong arguments for both the the remaining points- but that's a discussion for somewhere else. One again, 300 words- something had to be cut.

And for the record, I do find that people who question Obama are getting written off as racists too often for comfort- but I find it hilarious that anyone who questions the people who question Obama are automatically accused of bringing about a new McCarthy Era. Double standard much?

Dude, I'm a scientist. I question everybody and everything, in every possible way- because that's my job.

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• Posted by JasonForson on November 12, 2009 at 6:22 p.m.
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Letter: Getting it right

I agree with Forson's identification of a double standard here. You can't assume that because I disagree with Chet Compton on just about every single thing, that I think he is stupid or uneducated. He clearly can't be uneducated. However, I do think he's wrong, and that he's creating a cognitive dissonance that allows him to alter facts to support his opinions. Over the course of commenting on these political columns, you should notice, that not very often do respondents just spam the word RACIST or WRONG. I would say most of us, both those agreeing and disagreeing, have legitimate arguments and refutations. I'm not going to say someone is wrong just because they disagree with Obama. I disagree with him on a lot of things he's done. Also, I would not assume anyone is a racist just because he or she disagrees with Obama. They are two mutually exclusive things. For instance, Lindsey Graham or Kit Bond, not racist. Rush Limbaugh telling an African-American caller, "Take that bone out of your nose and call me back," or the NY Post running a cartoon portraying Obama as a chimpanzee = racist.

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• Posted by dlowell on November 12, 2009 at 7 p.m.
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Letter: Getting it right

I like how SiriusBlue brought up the McCarthy era in reference to criticism about the Obama presidency being shut down. I accidentally tuned in to Fox News once, and it was Glenn Beck holding up people and yelling "Socialist". I do not exaggerate.

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• Posted by reuben on November 12, 2009 at 10:02 p.m.
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