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Re: [Phys-l] The Perils of American Stupidity

I find it a bit stunning that a few words (none in caps) from me in response to an obviously political essay can rile Rick to such an extraordinary degree. It's a good thing that Rick doesn't go in for political stereotyping and all that other oh so inappropriate on this list stuff himself.

Double standard anyone?

John Mallinckrodt
Cal Poly Pomona

On Nov 9, 2010, at 6:20 PM, Richard Tarara wrote:

I find it EXTREMELY political--but your leanings, in fact those of most of
the 'regulars' on the list, are fairly transparent.

Maybe it is time to ask for a spin-off list here (Tap-L has something like
that) where anyone who wants to vent their political, philosophical, or
religious ideas can do so (maybe with some tenuous connection to Physics).

OTOH--if we are listing stupidity, look at the story today on what San
Francisco is trying to do.

I'll restrain myself from any other comments lest I be tempted to kick
myself off this list.

Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: John Mallinckrodt

I take strong issue with these posts characterizing the American Right as
stupid and/or ignorant.
These is often the characterization made by people on the Left. Since I
am a Conservative and a
scientist, it is my experience that these characterizations are largely
false. While it is true that there is
somewhat less support for anti-global warming initiatives on the Right, it
is largely because of the
politization of climate science and sloppy science. The Right is not
dominated by the Religious Right
presently, rather it is dominated by the Tea Party ideals, which are
primarily based on the Constitution
in its present form, the idea of smaller, more efficient government, a
properly-regulated capitalist
economy, and reduced government spending. The majority of Americans are
anti-abortion, but neither
side of the argument is stupid for holding the belief. The Tea Party is
not promoting Creationism, nor
Intelligent Design. I have also failed to see the anti-intellectualism in
the Tea Party that you all have
spoken about. You are speaking in stereotypes and repeating things you've
heard without taking time
to find out what people really think.

I hope it isn't "too political for this list" of me to note the simple fact
that there is a boatload of spin, understatement, proof by bold assertion,
and general misdirection in that paragraph.


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