December 02, 2002

Bootless but Unbowed Moira Breen,

Bootless but Unbowed

Moira Breen, always a reliable guide when it comes to sorting through the apparently unsortable, has zeroed in on what separates the mockers of the "religion of peace" platitude from the mockers of the mockers of the "religion of peace" platitude.

I have nothing to add to her schema, with which I wholeheartedly agree (not surprisingly, perhaps, since my own position-- that of mocker cum mocker of mockers of mockers-- comes off rather well in it.) But if I were to be honest, I'd have to admit that I share something rather fundamental with those who are so freaked out (or who feign being freaked out for effect, which is probably the larger group) by the ironic use of "religion of peace": the tendency to have such a low opinion of those who disagree with me on certain weighty matters that I cannot help but assume that their disagreement stems solely from feeble intellect and the wickedest of motives. This also inhibits useful discourse, though I don't see any way around it. I truly believe that I manifest this dangerous trait far less frequently, and in a far less damaging way, than many, but then I would, wouldn't I?

Nevertheless, I reserve the right to agree with my own opinions. Somebody has to.

Posted by Dr. Frank at December 2, 2002 01:12 PM | TrackBack