On Apr 6, 2006, at 1:27 AM, Ray Saintonge wrote:
Not to belabor
this meta-debate, but it's a simple matter of
historical fact that communists have committed large-scale mass
murder. Tacit implications that communism is "okay" is as offensive
to many people as implying that fascism is "okay". Since neither
question is of direct relevance here, let's just agree, for the sake
of avoiding conflict, not to say nice things about controversial
political ideologies.
But I was not the one to introduce communism into the discussion
with an
offensive comment.
Nor was I.
Now, in a pretence of innocence, you admonish those
who would say "nice" things about controversial political ideologies,
but do not apply the same standards to those who wouild say offensive
thingsa about the same ideologies.
Ideally we should drop the subject entirely.
Then you want to drop the issue when
you feel that you are ahead in the damage. The historical fact that
some communists have committed large-scale mass murder does not
justify
your innuendo that all supporters of a communistic economy have
done so.
We could say the same thing about fascism, but you don't find anyone
playing apologist for *that* ideology.
To whatever extent I feel that communism may be
"okay" I can express
myself directly; I don't need to rely on tacit offensive implications.
I know that this site abounds with anti-communist ideologues, and I
can
keep busy enough in unrelated areas without needing to actively
promote
ideologies. Be that as it may, I won't be bullied, and I feel quite
justified in rising to the occasion when someone trolls the list
with an
ignorant comment.
As do I.
--
Philip L. Welch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Philwelch