Leftist decries left-wing intolerance, w/ predictable results

[Perd Hapley]

NY Times article

In a column a few weeks ago, I offered “a confession of liberal intolerance,” criticizing my fellow progressives for promoting all kinds of diversity on campuses — except ideological. I argued that universities risk becoming liberal echo chambers and hostile environments for conservatives, and especially for evangelical Christians.

As I see it, we are hypocritical: We welcome people who don’t look like us, as long as they think like us.

It’s rare for a column to inspire widespread agreement, but that one led to a consensus: Almost every liberal agreed that I was dead wrong.

“You don’t diversify with idiots,” asserted the reader comment on The Times’s website that was most recommended by readers (1,099 of them). Another: Conservatives “are narrow-minded and are sure they have the right answers.”

There are sympathetic comments, and not-so-sympathetic:

If conservatives relied on science, facts and empirical data, I would agree that they should be welcomed at my table or at any university of merit. Unfortunately, they don't. I have a number of friends who are very conservative; we have learned not to discuss political issues. Universities, however, require a higher standard for inclusion, and people who eschew science, facts and empirical data should be excluded. It's no wonder that university professors are typically liberal and progressive.

And from somebody calling themselves "Socrates" -

Conservatives are not oppressed by anyone, except to the extent they oppress their own minds in rejecting common knowledge, facts, history, science, and cause and effect --- the very building blocks of a university education....

And let's be honest about conservatism and evangelicals; they have a strong preference for 4th century religious authoritarianism.

[TommyGunn]

It sounds as though, if you disagree with the liberal agenda, then you must disdain science & the scientific method.
Conservatives "are sure they have the right answers."
 
Talk about "projection!!"
A lot of arrogance floating around academe these days........

[BlueStarLizzard]

If conservatives relied on science, facts and empirical data, I would agree that they should be welcomed at my table or at any university of merit. Unfortunately, they don't. I have a number of friends who are very conservative; we have learned not to discuss political issues. Universities, however, require a higher standard for inclusion, and people who eschew science, facts and empirical data should be excluded. It's no wonder that university professors are typically liberal and progressive. 

This is like saying "I have gay friends so..." or "I have black friends so..."

[Perd Hapley]

This is like saying "I have gay friends so..." or "I have black friends so..."

I will admit I have no black or gay friends. Out of my 6 friends...

[Hawkmoon]

I have a number of friends who are very conservative; we have learned not to discuss political issues.

I suspect the truth of this statement is that the "gentleman's" conservative friends have simply given up on trying to reason with him, and have decided to tolerate his bone-headedness out of sympathy.

[zxcvbob]

I will admit I have no black or gay friends. Out of my 6 friends...

That you know of.  (some of them might be closet blacks)    

[Perd Hapley]

That you know of.  (some of them might be closet blacks)    

I could tell. I have black-dar

[BlueStarLizzard]

I will admit I have no black or gay friends. Out of my 6 friends...

Well, I am impressed. I didn't even know you had any friends.

[BlueStarLizzard]

I suspect the truth of this statement is that the "gentleman's" conservative friends have simply given up on trying to reason with him, and have decided to tolerate his bone-headedness out of sympathy.

It is something I've remarked on several times, but I guess I'll go ahead and say it again since it's relevant. The vast majority of my friends who are really tolerant of others are the "conservatives". It's the so called tolerant liberals who are obnoxiously intolerant.

[lee n. field]

NY Times article


There are sympathetic comments, and not-so-sympathetic:

And from somebody calling themselves "Socrates" -

I think we should stop selling them food.

[Perd Hapley]

Well, I am impressed. I didn't even know you had any friends.

Good. See, if people find out that you do that whole friendship thing, they get the idea you're looking for more.

[BlueStarLizzard]

Good. See, if people find out that you do that whole friendship thing, they get the idea you're looking for more.

Don't you worry, fistful. I'm not looking for anymore friends, so you are safe from me.

[Perd Hapley]

Don't you worry, fistful. I'm not looking for anymore friends, so you are safe from me.

And I had such plans for us... 

[BlueStarLizzard]

And I had such plans for us... 

 

[lupinus]

This is like saying "I have gay friends so..." or "I have black friends so..."

If I have a black gay friend does it kill two birds with one stone? Or can I use it like a wild card and knock off one or the other?  Or are ethnic gay friends their own category to check off?

[BlueStarLizzard]

If I have a black gay friend does it kill two birds with one stone? Or can I use it like a wild card and knock off one or the other?  Or are ethnic gay friends their own category to check off?

But do you have a conservative black gay trans friend? because I'm pretty sure that would just knock any debate point you had out of the park.

[lupinus]

But do you have a conservative black gay trans friend? because I'm pretty sure that would just knock any debate point you had out of the park.

Not handy.

[brimic]

and people who eschew science, facts and empirical data should be excluded.

Unfortunately for the left, consensus is the same thing as facts/data/science.

Their whole world view is based on consensus and everyone agreeing to their reality. They cannot afford even pinprick attacks on their consensus reality bubble, because if it pops, they lose consensus. It is a reality at least as anti-science as those who claim the Earth is 5000 years old.

[Perd Hapley]

It is a reality at least as anti-science as those who claim the Earth is 5000 years old.

 

Also, isn't "data" just another word for "facts."

[BlueStarLizzard]

 

Also, isn't "data" just another word for "facts."

STOP OPPRESSING PEOPLE WITH YOUR FACTS!!

[KD5NRH]

Also, isn't "data" just another word for "facts."

Nope; it's the plural form of "anecdote."

[KD5NRH]

But do you have a conservative black gay trans friend? because I'm pretty sure that would just knock any debate point you had out of the park.

What if he actually understands what those bits between his legs mean about his actual identity, but just likes to cross dress at home on the weekends?

(Maybe I should get him to sign some sort of friendship certification so I can just smack liberals who want to argue with me with it and declare myself the winner.)

[Mannlicher]

political intolerance and political violence, are almost the exclusive province of liberals.

[MechAg94]

Unfortunately for the left, consensus is the same thing as facts/data/science.

Their whole world view is based on consensus and everyone agreeing to their reality. They cannot afford even pinprick attacks on their consensus reality bubble, because if it pops, they lose consensus. It is a reality at least as anti-science as those who claim the Earth is 5000 years old.

We will have CONSENSUS!!!  We will just get rid of everyone who disagrees until we achieve it.

[Perd Hapley]

We will have CONSENSUS!!!  We will just get rid of everyone who disagrees until we achieve it.

The FEMA camp fear-mongering gets more reasonable by the day.