Current Events — HabitableZone

Current Events » in reply to P.S. FWIW, I don't agree with the use of the term gulag

re: P.S. FWIW, I don't agree with the use of the term gulag
gbaikie — (archived)

"They may have used it for shock value, but it's clear it was the equivalent of shouting Nazi at someone in an argument. Automatic loss. How quickly the right can go from "harmless pranks" at Abu Grhaib to "No way it's a gulag!!!" at Gitmo. And how quickly they can latch on to those memes while ignoring reality. "

I think you are missing some points.
Amnesty International loses big time by doing this. But it's possible that some people employed at Amnesty may not give a rat ass about this organiation or it's purpose.

They could actually desire that this organization is destroyed. So the fact that Amnesty International loses could be no big deal or even a bonus to these people- strictly on a intellectual level. And on a personal individual fame/finanical gain aspect this could also be a "good" way to gain. Finally assuming "company loyality" from the loony lefty is simply feverish wishful massive delusion.

Look at another "bright side" of this, if Amnesty International cease to exist, the Lefties then have something else they can blame on the fascist rightwingers. And finally Amnesty International is on a spiral downward path, so of course, if someone/something is weaken, the best thing is to kick when it's down. Pulling together, and trying to get through the difficult times is something the "LOSERS" do.

The other part of this, the meme war if you like, is the "have you stopped beating your wife?"
If there too much attention on how well our soldiers are doing their job [an absolutely steller performance, btw, an effort that may actually dim the performance of the America soldiers during WWII]. Then lefties everywhere are going be depressed. "How did we come to this?", they will moan.
So if you accuse the US miltary of being comparable to the Soviet gulag. You win in two ways. First you get to associate the inhumane Soviet with America- this is emotionally satifying- it's a morale boost. Second your enemy the rightwing fascists will focus on defending and defeating this idea- and it's very very easy to do, so lots of them waste their time doing it. So you get your enemy making lots of noise about "not beating their wife" and addition it will *actually* change how they think to some extent because whenever one is defensive if one has any conscience [is not true of all people] there is a tendency to question yourself or postion.

[This last thing in my opinion is similar to the worst aspect of torture, for example, victim completely blameless, can wonder if he deserved it. "What did I do wrong to deserve this. If I had only done this then maybe it would not have happen." It has nothing to do the person choices, and everything to do with the person having a conscience.
Quickly I'll define conscience: someone who willing to consider other viewpoints or possiblities. As different than someone that only considers that there are no choices, thing just happen, takes no responsiblity for anything, God/fate controls everything, etc.
Now this the worse aspect about torture for numerous reasons, lots of people know these reasons and this is why some people can prefer to die, rather than be tortured.]

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (88 posts)