Look closer. Think harder. Choose the sound argument over the clever one.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Dissent as Patriotism

From the Corner:

[H]ere's the problem I have all too often with the "dissent is the highest form of patriotism" line.
...
[I]t's a very subjective standard. You're dissenting on whatever the h*** problem is your own hobby horse. Feminist A is upset about the state of women and is patriotically "dissenting"; Klansman B is upset about the state of white folk, and in his mind, he's equally patriotic in his "dissent." There isn't a h*** of a lot in the "dissent" principle that can distinguish the two. ... The former may be offering a constructive criticism, the other clearly is proposing a destructive one, but both are equally ideological and neither is expressing a love of America qua America, but rather a love of what they think America should be.
Well put.

Comments:

(Please keep in mind that each commenter's opinions are only his/her own.)



Yeah. Should say "Dissent isn't always anti-Americanism".
 


Good to hear from you Bones! My comment notify was busted and I didn't know it. Hope it's fixed now.

Thanks for your two cents.
 

Post a Comment



<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?