Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:MCB News | |
Posted by: | Alan Clark | |
Date/Time: | 07/05/15 23:31:00 |
I've avoided these Brown threads for a long time. They are very predictable and pointless. However there is merit in responding to the question "what's the problem with him posting his views"? On one level, promoting alternative and challenging views is a good thing. We should always challenge our own views and the views promoted by others. That is healthy. It is the opposite of taking things at face value. There is, however, a worrisome aspect to ill thought through challenge. That is, challenge without foundation. Such challenge would in any other circumstance be viewed as malicious or slanderous. But in the context of promoting a view that places the wrong-doer (eg the terrorist) as the victim rather than the protagonist - such forms challenge are dangerous. They give fuel to those who wish us ill. Why? Such challenge promotes the notion that the only bad people are the governments of western countries. There are no other bad people. This is exactly the propaganda that encourages people in the west to go to places like Syria to fight against the west. Maintaining and supporting this view is ill thought through and, I would suggest, malevolent. The simple promotion of the views of a tiny number of libertarian Americans (read: right wing, gun slinging, pay no tax, anti government nutters) by re-posting their diatribe is the opposite of considered opinion. It is lazy, simple repetition. Actually it is worse - it is the active promotion of anti-west believes. It is the propaganda that makes teenagers jump on a plane to Syria. Why do I see such shite conspiracy theories as evil? Not because I mindlessly trust our governments. But simply because of the wrong they promote. Yes, anyone (even idiots) can post their views here. But please - let us all act like intelligent people and shout down such idiotic and offensive views when we see them. |