[lit-ideas] Re: Do You Have a Moral Urgency?
- From: "Lawrence Helm" <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 10:26:32 -0700
Phil,
I read someplace in the past few months, probably more than one 'someplace,'
that in Europe attempts to oppose Islamist aggressiveness are invariably
denounced as "racism." If you oppose too vehemently anything the Islamists
are doing in Europe then you are a racist. This has the effect of moving
the discussion away from the threat of the Islamists and to the person
concerned about the threat -- that is, his presumed racism -- much as is
happening on this thread.
Lawrence
-----Original Message-----
From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Phil Enns
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 9:49 AM
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Do You Have a Moral Urgency?
Simon Ward wrote:
"It comes down to writing generalised phrases without thought."
Again, wrong. Generalizations are fine as long as one doesn't attempt
to draw more meaning from them than is fitting. I wrote about the
'unwashed Arab masses' and as a generalization it has as much meaning as
my point drew from it. Not more, not less. Only a sloppy reader would
take from the phrase a meaning regarding Arabs in general. Are you a
sloppy reader, Simon?
Simon wrote:
"Now if I were to warble on about 'moneygrabbing Jews', Stan would be
down on me like a thunderclap."
And rightfully so. What on earth would lead you to say such a thing?
Are you anti-Semitic, Simon?
Simon concludes:
"Or are you in denial Phil?"
I love seeing this rhetorical move in action. It has that 'Stopped
beating your wife yet?' quality. A bit much, though, combined with the
'You are a racist!' stuff. It's a matter of focus. Do you want people
to focus on your 'Racist!' hand-waving spiel or the psycho-babble? I
don't think it works if you have both. Eric knows more about writing so
he might correct me. However, it works if you are Omar or Amago, but
they are caricatures. Are you a caricature, Simon?
Less sincerely,
but entertained nevertheless,
Phil Enns
Toronto, ON
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