General Discussion

Laelth

(32,017 posts)

50. Interesting question.

Sat Sep 13, 2014, 07:24 AM

Sep 2014

I'd rather not make this conversation about me, but here's what I can say in response to your specific questions. I think that people can see and recognize the same facts and then come up with different strategies to address those facts. For this reason, I try to avoid telling people what they "should" do, what they "should" believe, or how they "should" worship.

The key to essential liberalism is seeing the world as it is. The best way to do that is to be perpetually open to new facts--especially when those new facts contradict old facts about which one was once certain but that have now been proven to be incorrect. Essential liberalism is all about being able to change one's mind once new facts come to light. Essential conservatism is all about holding on to old, cherished beliefs, no matter what the facts say. Essential conservatism invites people to close their minds to any new facts because those new facts may threaten old, cherished beliefs.

-Laelth

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Yes, this is all about energy--Syria, Iraq, IS, and the President's Speech. [View all] Laelth Sep 2014 OP

But what's the point of democracy CJCRANE Sep 2014 #1

We must defend our allies. Laelth Sep 2014 #2

So we're just along for the ride? CJCRANE Sep 2014 #3

Nobody's lying here, as far as I can tell. Laelth Sep 2014 #5

A whole bunch of countries CJCRANE Sep 2014 #7

I see no evidence that "the rest of the world" sees this as absurd. Laelth Sep 2014 #8

That's just a couple of our allies. CJCRANE Sep 2014 #12

I read or watch whatever gets posted on DU and Discussionist. Laelth Sep 2014 #21

Our "European allies". Does that include the citizens of said countries CJCRANE Sep 2014 #22

The "citizens" of those countries appear to be opposed to further war. Laelth Sep 2014 #24

You make some good points but that's only part of it. CJCRANE Sep 2014 #26

I certainly expect politicians to advance the interests of the people in a republic. Laelth Sep 2014 #56

GE, Citibank, GM, Boeing, BP, Tyson Foods, KFC, Procter&Gamble leftstreet Sep 2014 #4

wow. that top pic. grahamhgreen Sep 2014 #39

Indeed....Laeth does package it beautifully....But leaves out the ugly parts... KoKo Sep 2014 #6

But you are spouting reality! MohRokTah Sep 2014 #9

Essential liberalism, as I have often argued. Laelth Sep 2014 #10

Very well said! MohRokTah Sep 2014 #11

Quite true. Laelth Sep 2014 #28

There is no doubt that mistakes were made. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #29

Agreed. Quite fully. n/t Laelth Sep 2014 #30

Damn, Laelth, this is perfect: riqster Sep 2014 #16

Thanks. n/t Laelth Sep 2014 #27

How well do you think you precieve reality? ZombieHorde Sep 2014 #46

Interesting question. Laelth Sep 2014 #50

I really like your version of liberalism. nt ZombieHorde Sep 2014 #57

Me too. Thanks. n/t Laelth Sep 2014 #58

well worth the long read. kick. Sheri Sep 2014 #13

Thanks for the kind words. n/t Laelth Sep 2014 #34

Excellent, Laelth. brer cat Sep 2014 #14

This is a delicate and complicated matter. Laelth Sep 2014 #15

Humans have been killing each other over resources since the beginning of time. Doesn't make it liberal_at_heart Sep 2014 #17

No. It doesn't. Laelth Sep 2014 #35

No, this is just another aspect of the clash of cultures. randome Sep 2014 #18

Interesting perspective. Laelth Sep 2014 #36

Uh-huh. randome Sep 2014 #48

Atrocities? Laelth Sep 2014 #55

This starts out looking informative and ends up saying absolutely nothing of consequence Maven Sep 2014 #19

In all fairness, the post isn't self-contradictory. Laelth Sep 2014 #20

Not much unless it is your family being bombed. JEB Sep 2014 #43

Violence is STILL not the way. RoccoR5955 Sep 2014 #23

It's about politics and economics. Laelth Sep 2014 #51

Like I said RoccoR5955 Sep 2014 #53

I am open to any program you have in mind ... Laelth Sep 2014 #54

UnRec bvar22 Sep 2014 #25

I'd love to hear about the "other options" you have in mind. Laelth Sep 2014 #52

You did not provide any links for the gas going from the Kurds to Europe. former9thward Sep 2014 #31

The information you seek can be found from the links below. Laelth Sep 2014 #32

Europe uses 21,000,000 barrels of oil a day. former9thward Sep 2014 #33

The post is thoughtful and locks Sep 2014 #37

The fuck? For a fraction of the cost of war(s), we could be up and running on renewable energy. grahamhgreen Sep 2014 #38

The problem for oil would be if ISIS threatened the oil production areas in southern Iraq, amandabeech Sep 2014 #40

I have great respect for you, but this post is mostly horseshit hueymahl Sep 2014 #41

Cross-post. Laelth Sep 2014 #42

Kick their ass and take their gas! J_J_ Sep 2014 #44

I think you mean Phil and Wendy Gramm, right? Bongo Prophet Sep 2014 #59

Yes, basically true. kentuck Sep 2014 #45

We need more war to win elections? ZombieHorde Sep 2014 #47

I think Laelth is trying too hard to be subtle and sarcastic. randome Sep 2014 #49