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Message
The overuse of the term Hypocrite
Posted on 6/18/14 at 6:03 am
Posted on 6/18/14 at 6:03 am
Watching the Glen Beck thread, it really just has to be said that in politics, and, in social life in general, the American use of the term hypocrite has become complete bull shite and, it is a close relative of the term "flip flop". Both terms have real meaning, but not in today's debate. Now, they're just overused nonsense.
The simple fact is, if you used to believe X 5 years ago and the influx of new information, the digestion of the other side's arguments or just epiphany hits you so now you believe Y, that is NOT hypocrisy. And really, it isn't even flip flopping.
Hypocrisy is when you say one thing and do another AT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME. And, as far as I'm concerned, flip flopping is when you simply take whatever position is convenient in a moment.
But frick people. What is the point of debate if it isn't to convince the other side of your argument and see them convert in whole or in part? We've degraded so much into team politics that most of you dumb asses spend weeks, months, years trying to convince people only to then gripe when you look up and they're convinced!!
I used to be pro-choice. Vehemently. Now, I'm not. I used to be pro-death penalty. Vehemently, now I'm not. I used to hold a relatively positive view of world wide interventionism. Now, not even fricking close. Those aren't flip flops or hypocrisy. I was convinced by a combination of other people's argument, my own aging and acquisition of information and, just observing events.
Running around and crowing how you "knew it all along" is just stupid. It's a recipe for people being 100% entrenched in whatever they think and completely immune to new information or re-understanding old information.
That's great if you think the whole fricking point of politics and debate is to be able to go "rah team, we were right on this one". If you think the point is to make the damned place better, then grow the frick up.
The simple fact is, if you used to believe X 5 years ago and the influx of new information, the digestion of the other side's arguments or just epiphany hits you so now you believe Y, that is NOT hypocrisy. And really, it isn't even flip flopping.
Hypocrisy is when you say one thing and do another AT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME. And, as far as I'm concerned, flip flopping is when you simply take whatever position is convenient in a moment.
But frick people. What is the point of debate if it isn't to convince the other side of your argument and see them convert in whole or in part? We've degraded so much into team politics that most of you dumb asses spend weeks, months, years trying to convince people only to then gripe when you look up and they're convinced!!
I used to be pro-choice. Vehemently. Now, I'm not. I used to be pro-death penalty. Vehemently, now I'm not. I used to hold a relatively positive view of world wide interventionism. Now, not even fricking close. Those aren't flip flops or hypocrisy. I was convinced by a combination of other people's argument, my own aging and acquisition of information and, just observing events.
Running around and crowing how you "knew it all along" is just stupid. It's a recipe for people being 100% entrenched in whatever they think and completely immune to new information or re-understanding old information.
That's great if you think the whole fricking point of politics and debate is to be able to go "rah team, we were right on this one". If you think the point is to make the damned place better, then grow the frick up.
Posted on 6/18/14 at 6:20 am to ShortyRob
A Prohibitionist who gets blasted on the weekends is a hypocrite. Listen to the song "Harper Valley PTA." This song does a good job of defininig the term "hypocrite."
Posted on 6/18/14 at 6:23 am to Tchefuncte Tiger
quote:Well, I know this. But, apparently, many would use the term hypocrite for a person who gets blasted on weekends but was a prohibitionist 5 years ago.
A Prohibitionist who gets blasted on the weekends is a hypocrite.
Posted on 6/18/14 at 6:36 am to ShortyRob
Politicians flip flopping on issues does make me very leery of their convictions. Common sense tells me that the majority of their flip flops are politically motivated to garner votes. For people like Beck, you and me that do a 180 on something we once believed, is more credible imo because basically we have nothing to gain from our change of opinion concerning our fellow man.
For us three I think it's a personal doing for whatever reasons. Politicians, not necessarily the case. I'm sure there are some politicians that honestly have a change of heart but they chose to lay down with dogs and it's not an easy accomplishment to stay free of the fleas.
For us three I think it's a personal doing for whatever reasons. Politicians, not necessarily the case. I'm sure there are some politicians that honestly have a change of heart but they chose to lay down with dogs and it's not an easy accomplishment to stay free of the fleas.
Posted on 6/18/14 at 6:52 am to Homesick Tiger
quote:I think convictions are obviously important, but, as a voter, they are somewhat overrated in that, the reality is, since we can't read their minds, we really can't know who is HONESTLY convicted on an issue and who isn't just saying what they think is best to get them elected. All we can do is hear what they say and see how it matches up with what they do at the same time.
Politicians flip flopping on issues does make me very leery of their convictions.
Functionally, of course, there's no difference as it relates to my OP. If I've been arguing for 10 years that position Y is correct and some of the people who used to argue X 10 years ago are on board with me now, I can choose to run around saying "I told you so" or "shut up, you have no right to talk".............OR, I can say "welcome aboard". The latter is the only one that makes sense.
I mean, if the latter isn't the only one that makes sense, then what's the point of debating and arguing in the first place? I mean, it should be to convince people of your point, right? So why bitch when they say they're convinced?
Posted on 6/18/14 at 6:58 am to ShortyRob
Good post. There are several issues that I have changed opinions on. Mostly formed when I was young and changed with experience. Some I have never wavered on though. One being legalization of drugs. I have somewhat changed my views on abortion. Never wavered on we all have a right to live here regardless of faith, race, etc until we show we can't criminals, religious fanatics etc.
Posted on 6/18/14 at 8:33 am to ShortyRob
quote:
ShortyRob
fricking Hypocrite!
Excellent post.
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