[lit-ideas] Re: The Heil Heidegger Effect

Eric asks, ". . . why is this syndrome more characteristic of liberal
zealots than conservative zealots? If you disagree with a conservative
zealot, you are 'stupid and wrong.' But if you disagree with a liberal
zealot, you are 'evil.' Why this tendency?

Suggested answer:

Conservatives, at least American Conservatives, hark back to the idea that
all power belongs to the individual citizen.  The power government has is
delegated to it by the citizenry.  Individuals have certain rights, such as
free speech, that cannot be taken away by government.

Leftists (I have trouble with your term "liberal" in this context) admire
Socialism.  They admire a big government that can "fix things."   Thus, if
they see a problem, they have no qualm about asking or expecting a
centralized government to take care of it.  

You don't like non-Leftists?  Then get government to ban them, or their
books, or their free speech, or at least try to.  Any person or idea that
endangers big government in the process of "fixing things" is dangerous.

Lawrence  




-----Original Message-----
From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Eric Yost
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 12:08 PM
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lit-ideas] The Heil Heidegger Effect

Phil: Heidegger was a supporter of Nazism His writings are hard to
understand Therefore ban his books and block any future publications. Wow.

The Heil Heidegger Effect: I'm in a somewhat similar argument with a
well-known poet on Facebook, a guy who should know better. He wants
HarperCollins, his former publisher, to ban Sarah Palin's new ghostwritten
book, and he considers it a strong moral issue.

Called said poet out on his intolerance: should publishers only publish
books by those who agree with his politics? He doesn't get it. He compares
Palin to Pinochet. Refuses to see that the best answer to a bad book is a
better book. Says Palin's book is "politically dangerous." I remind him that
the people who burned Wycliffe regarded his English Bible translation as
"politically dangerous." Still doesn't get it.

How can the author of so many books be so intolerant? Celebrate Banned Book
Week then go after Palin as though she were Pinochet writing about mass
murder from the grave?

Moreover, why is this syndrome more characteristic of liberal zealots than
conservative zealots? If you disagree with a conservative zealot, you are
"stupid and wrong." But if you disagree with a liberal zealot, you are
"evil." Why this tendency?

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