I won't delve too deeply in this, but I am familiar with the stupidity of people trying to prove I am someone else or the paid shill of this group or that. The basic story is that a blogger at "Age of Autism" (a website I do despise intensely), is trying to "prove" that Sullivan over at "Left Brain / Right Brain" is actually not the father of an autistic child, but is instead… well, I'm not even going to give it more credibility than that. It's stupidity and evidence of how conspiracy minded the extremists are.
Sadly, these extremists seem to come from one side of the debate. They've sent people like me hateful e-mails, even threats. These are not people interested in learning or discussing -- they are like religious zealots. It is ironic that these zealots are often aligned with "progressive" politics. They find standing on Daily Kos, Huffington Post, and other forums.
Let's get this straight, the political community generally associated with faith in government, research, and education has no faith in government, research, or universities when it comes to health issues -- but they also want nationalized health care. Consistency is definitely the hobgoblin in this line of thought.
It reminds me of the colleague who regularly attacked Christians for their "silly faith" (I'm not Christian, so I guess it was assumed I would agree?) but she had crystals and dreamcatchers above her desk to protect her health. And this woman had a doctorate, demonstrating education and commonsense do not go hand in hand. She was also one who kept telling me I should seek out alternatives to the university medical clinic and its corporate shills.
And yes, I know getting political isn't wise, but there's a real problem here with the contradictions. They bother me, a lot. Of course, these same people will say it isn't the government but the corporate powers they distrust. That explains the crystals and dreamcatchers. Sure.
Sadly, these extremists seem to come from one side of the debate. They've sent people like me hateful e-mails, even threats. These are not people interested in learning or discussing -- they are like religious zealots. It is ironic that these zealots are often aligned with "progressive" politics. They find standing on Daily Kos, Huffington Post, and other forums.
Let's get this straight, the political community generally associated with faith in government, research, and education has no faith in government, research, or universities when it comes to health issues -- but they also want nationalized health care. Consistency is definitely the hobgoblin in this line of thought.
It reminds me of the colleague who regularly attacked Christians for their "silly faith" (I'm not Christian, so I guess it was assumed I would agree?) but she had crystals and dreamcatchers above her desk to protect her health. And this woman had a doctorate, demonstrating education and commonsense do not go hand in hand. She was also one who kept telling me I should seek out alternatives to the university medical clinic and its corporate shills.
And yes, I know getting political isn't wise, but there's a real problem here with the contradictions. They bother me, a lot. Of course, these same people will say it isn't the government but the corporate powers they distrust. That explains the crystals and dreamcatchers. Sure.
That nonsense from Handley would be hysterically funny, if it weren't for the fact that most of his followers gobbled it right up. "Zealots" is right, it's a cult over there, and they just won't be convinced they're wrong.
ReplyDeleteOuting "Anonymous" is a venerable tradition in American journalism. "Sullivan's" assailant may not be from the highest ranks of the Trade, but he is not terribly out-of-line in pursuing this.
ReplyDeleteThe meringue he whips-up with it however very nearly reaches the quality of the coverage of the Roswell weather balloon incident.
Another fine American tradition upheld.
@ Norton - "Sullivan" isn't an "anonymous", but a "pseudonym", just as "Norton Gunthorpe" is a pseudonym for "Socrates", aka "Harry Williams", aka "Zonker Harris", aka "Turner" of the defunct "Turner and Kowalski". But what's your real name?
ReplyDeleteAnother fine American tradition upheld.
My real name is Bonnie Offit.
ReplyDeleteNorton, people might not realize there is a "meme" out there mocking the AoA post, with everyone claiming to be an Offit...
ReplyDeleteIt is humorous that an supposedly serious article has opened up AoA to additional scorn and ridicule. The site's credibility won't matter to the extremists in the autism community -- they either love the site or hate it. I would rather it focus on helping instead of recycling tired debates.
As it stands, some of us have to respond to the conspiracy theories, which consumes time and energy.
You are right to concentrate on more useful activities - with all the anti-AoA blogging that's gone on over the last couple of years - I can see little change in the faithfull's attitude.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone gotten a PhD from studying Great American Conspiracy Theories? I'm sure there's more than one to be had...
But I still can't quite believe the desert JBH's created - it's the sort of thing I would write as a satire...