I have to give a speech in front of Freepers tonight and I am screwed

[GingerSnaps]

My Western Civilization class meets tonight and I have to bump into the freepers that I had an argument with last week. I have been down with the flu and I haven't been able to write a paper on Socrates & Plato and the Apology and The Republic.

I don't want to sound like an idiot since that is what they said that all of us Democrats are. One of the freepers made a comment that we didn't even know how to vote and to prove his comment he said that we screwed up in Florida. I missed my class last week and I am stuck.

I have to be able to represent myself like I have some intelligence and I don't know how or what I am going to say. The whole time that I was sitting in class the freepers that were making comments were in the back of me and they couldn't make fun of anything so they said that Democrats were unamerican and stupid. One of the guys called me a communists and I freaked out. My Professor left the class for a few minutes after the argument started. We were discussing Mesopotamia/Iraq and Dictators and relating it to today and I said that Bush wanted to be a dictator and then one of the girls said that Bush was selected by God and hell broke out in the class.

I need help and I don't know what to say about my topic. I am afraid to speak in front of a large class especially after I was ridiculed about my party affiliation.

[Fridays Child]

1. Intimidation of people of good will is their game. You don't have to play.

Call them out in front of the entire class, make an example of their behavior and weave it into your remarks on Socrates and Plato. I'm not a philosophy wonk so I can't help with specifics. I suggest you start a thread asking for insight on "Socrates' Apology" and "The Republic."

[Lars39]

2. You have let yourself be royally distracted.

Zone them out. Your knowledge/class/grade is what matters now. Put aside politics and study/prepare. Good luck! :)

[el_gato]

3. quit being a wimp

get a spine

redicule is their only weapon, they have no facts so blast their asses with facts.

[GingerSnaps]

8. Who do you think

Started the argument after the comment was made the Bush was selected by God?

I went nuts on them with facts and they were having a field day using all of the freepers points and I was commenting back and that is when the Professor left the classroom. The girl sitting next to me was helping me out but she was afraid to speak.

[WoodrowFan]

11. that was unprofessional of your prof

the professor should have made certain it was civil in the classroom.

[Beware the Beast Man]

4. too bad it's not on Aristotle

He did a discourse on the traits of a dictator, and they eerily resemble what's going on in this administration. You'd be the life of the party!

[starroute]

5. The Apology is very relevant to current events

I don't have the details at my fingertips, but I was in college back in the 60's and it seemed very relevant to Vietnam at the time. The main question is whether one individual has the responsibility to oppose the state if he believes it is doing wrong.

The Apology isn't that long -- just reread through it quickly and pull out any quotes that seem useful. Then put your passion into it -- and damn the Freepers, full speed ahead!

[MissMarple]

6. Ignore them, don't get involved in stupid arguments.

Sometimes I just raise my eyebrows, look skeptical, say nothing, an maybe smile a bit. I refuse to get involved in dialog with freeper types. Just do your thing, and keep the high ground. They will just look petty, as indeed they are.

I hope you are feeling better.

[rot0r_head]

7. The most serious charge Socrates faces

in The Apology is for his role as a sophist: making the weaker argument defeat the stronger. If he presents a weak argument to refute this charge it would not stand up in court. If he directly exposes how ridiculous the charge is, he'll be guilty of what he's trying to deny. The paradox smacks slightly of the media's treatment of Kerry. If he goes after the right-wing with intensity he's seen as arrogant, aristocratic. If he simply presents his side he's taken to being weak and out of touch.

I haven't read Plato in years but I think there's more than one opportunity to make it genuinely uncomfortable for the Freepin' listeners. Also, dressing a cat up like Benjamin Franklin could help deflect their scrutiny.

[GingerSnaps]

10. I am going to wear my black hoodie tonight

Do you think that will make a statement.

His name is Randy Andy and he is an independent because he doesn't share his food with any other cat. He is very selfish and if it were left up to him he wouldn't pay his kitty taxes and he doesn't remember that he was homeless and he should be thankful and give back to his community. O8)

[MatrixEscape]

9. Re: Plato's Cave

Freepers are chained by fear and ignorance in the cave. They are happy with shadows cast by the media on the cave walls. The chains make them feel safe and secure. The shadows are reality and truth to them.

Liberal Democrats have had their chains removed. They see what the shadows merely represent and what is casting them. They are brave enough to risk true freedom and do not desire to be chained again to the norm of ignorance and bondage to illusive projections.

Having been freed and aware of the scenario of the cave and its constrictions, Liberal Democrats and others see the opening in the cave and a hint of light emitting from it. They are ready to step outside, as brave Americans. They can already sense that the bright sunlight of truth is near. It is an illumination that will bring Democracy back to glory. Freedom, honesty, compassion, and strength are the promise it holds.

No sense calling back to the Freepers as we join together and emerge from the cave. They will accept no rhyme or reason for giving up the security of the chains, the comforts of their cave, and the entertainment of the parade of shadows.