"Mr. Political Science Major" has his knickers in a twist (about tolerance) this morning...

[bbernardini]

First, some background on Mr. Political Science Major:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=5843826

Friend of mine from high school, hardcore right-winger. Thinks he knows everything because he was a political science major, and isn't afraid to tell other people. Today, he seems to be ranting about tolerance. He started with this:

"Reason and critical thinking are elements that are sorely lacking in modern culture where emotionalism that is unattached to reality rules the day."

Then he moved on to this:

"We need less so-called "tolerance" (meaning the modern equation of tolerance with unconditional acceptance without respect for dissent) and more mutual respect of people as individuals."

[HughBeaumont]

1. Fiscally Comfortable White Male Libertarian Who Refuses to Admit He's Republican.

Bulls Eye?

Facebook, unfortunately, seems to be littered with them; migrants of Yahoo and AOL.

Also, I noticed these people are vastly lull on Economic knowledge and have outer-limits visions as to what caused the problems we see today. Most of them blame the "have too littles" while giving the "have way too damned muches" a free pass. Amazing.

[bbernardini]

2. I'm not totally sure about the fiscally comfortable part...

He's been looking for a job. The right-wing paper he worked for closed, and he just got a gig with Newsmax. Pretty accurate otherwise.

[JHB]

3. I think the Newsmin/Spoutmax gig says enough n/t

[FormerDittoHead]

4. I'm not clear on the tolerance thing

I have no idea what "the modern equation of tolerance with unconditional acceptance without respect for dissent" means, and how it differs from respect for individual rights.

[bbernardini]

5. I think he's trying to say...

...that liberals are not tolerant of dissenting opinions in regards to things like gay rights, etc. What he really means is that he should be able to say whatever he wants, but we shouldn't be able to say or think that he's a dumbass for believing it.

[JHB]

7. It means people actually objecting to a lack of respect for their individual rights...

...especially if they're outside of what this person reflexively thinks of as "normal".

On edit: broadening the comment.

[Odin2005]

6. Both quotes seem agreeable to me, but I don't know the context.

The first quote looks like something I say all the time (and get routinely bashed for it by New-Agers and people peddling nonsense and snake oil). The second one looks like something I would say in regards to cultural relativists defending barbaric cultural practices and misogyny.

[laureloak]

8. I've been wondering..Are any political science majors liberals?

[bbernardini]

9. There are some on this very board.

See the link I posted in the original post.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. "I know what I'm talking about, I'm such and such a major."

I see that a lot. "I know what I'm talking about! I'm a biotech major."

Yeah, first off, that's an appeal to authority.

Second, "majoring" in something carries about as much authority as an elementary student volunteer crossing guard. Sure, it's cute. But it doesn't really mean anything.

[Ikonoklast]

11. This is the guy that equates fascism, socialism, and communism?

I wouldn't listen to his opinion on anything, if he believes that.

I never majored in PoliSci, but I sure as hell know there are vast differences in those philosophies.

[bbernardini]

12. That's the guy. nt