May 12, 2004

The Quislings Among Us

quisling n : someone who collaborates with an enemy

REID STOTT ON SOME of our "fellow Americans": Losing Our Way

In my 45 years on this planet, I have never been more disgusted with "my fellow Americans" than this past week. The aberrant behavior of a group of soldiers and their chain of command has turned much of this country into a howling mass of moral midgets. As much as the actions themselves are shameful, it's the rationalization of victimhood and other morally incompetent comments I have heard in the past week that have made me ashamed to be an American.

I never thought I'd have to say that. Ever.

It is shameful that our eyes have become so clouded we no longer can see what was once simple truth. These terrorists use subhuman acts in an attempt to advance their cause, and their cause is to kill all who oppose their extremist beliefs. When we bicker among ourselves and point partisan fingers of blame in the aftermath instead of simply condemning the barbaric act of rabid animals -- we do their work.

And there's a lot of Americans working for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi today, whether they realize it or not.


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UPDATE: In the comments to this item, Mr. Stott rightly takes issue with another over the characterization of "fellow Americans" as liberals or leftists. In my response I say:" Mr. Stott is correct here and I did not mean, by posting his comment, to imply otherwise. If I gave that impression, I apologize to Mr. Stott.

My own response in the comments reads:

"Time spent at Photodude.com will reward you with a number of essays and comments by Stott in which he is actively searching for a "middle," "third" or "other" way out of the current morass of partisanship.

"His views are both compelling and instructive. Indeed, they are in the process of influencing my own thinking on these matters. This is not to say I am at present prepared to share his conclusions, but only that I am considering them actively."
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That may seem odd to regular visitors, but I find myself more and more these days returning to the thought that, no matter what views I may hold today, I may be in error. That is not to say I do not have firm convictions in the political sphere, but only that I also endeavor to keep constantly in mind that convictions, no matter how firm, can still be in error either through perception, ignorance, or a change in the world. And it is here that I find voices such as Mr. Stott's to be of great value.

One of the most instructive of Mr. Stott's essays can be found here: Make That Ugly Middle Disappear! There are a number of others.

Posted by Vanderleun at May 12, 2004 8:38 AM
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Comments:

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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

I totally agree with the commments by Mr.Stott on
the fact the liberals are co-operating with the
enemy.
They certainly are, and are spreading their anger and frustration they feel because they cannot understand the always steady base of conservatives
who understand the president's decision to remove
the terrorists.
But, they do not understand having integrity
in your character can be seen by people who
have it as part of their strength.

Posted by: Carole at May 12, 2004 9:21 AM

You may have the opinion "liberals are co-operating with the enemy," but I assure you that is not what Mr. Stott said.

Mr. Stott's disgust on this matter extends far and wide, beyond partisan boundaries. I can think of very few recent statements by "public officials" on this matter that did not attempt to make partisan hay rather than simply address the reality of the situation.

From Mr. Stott's view, this is not merely a liberal affliction, it is currently an American Affliction.

Posted by: Reid at May 12, 2004 9:52 AM

Mr. Stott is correct here and I did not mean, by posting his comment, to imply otherwise.

Time spent at Photodude.com will reward you with a number of essays and comments by Stott in which he is actively searching for a "middle," "third" or "other" way out of the current morass of partisanship.

His views are both compelling and instructive. Indeed, they are in the process of influencing my own thinking on these matters. This is not to say I am at present prepared to share his conclusions, but only that I am considering them actively.

Posted by: Gerard Van der Leun at May 12, 2004 3:50 PM

No apology is necessary, Gerard, you are all too kind. Though I do feel a bit like we're talking about my Dad, the *real* Mr. Stott.

These are heated times, and this is the most volatile of topics. No matter what your position, it's easy to spout off in anger and frustration on this one. I'm guilty of it, for sure.

It would be nice if we could keep our anger on the issue, and not let it overflow into the partsian and personal. But clearly, that's not something very many people are doing successfully. No matter the source, anger at the situation is often overwhelming rational thought.

Posted by: Reid at May 12, 2004 5:00 PM