From a Constitutional standpoint, Greenwald argues for the due diligence of the Congress and courts to check the power of the president, and just as forcefully, make the argument that the citizenry have some responsibility for their leadership.

It is impossible to avoid generalizations when discussing political groups and the rhetoric and tactics those groups use.

Therefore, say anything!

In short, Drudge posted disinformation regarding “lefty” book sales. Hordes of winger bloggers ran with it on pure faith. When correct information exposed Drudge’s disinfomation, many posters were proud to shrug off mere facts. (They’ve learned well from their leader.)

People who mock inconvenient facts while clustering into a mutual admiration society are kinda creepy, if you think about it.

Some replies above mock the title of Glenn’s book, further backing Glenn’s point. Many of you — those without your fingers in your ears shouting “la-la la” — will be shocked to learn that he makes a classically conservative argument.

Mark: Anytime someone sticks to their guns for a number of years and is proven wrong by evidence that slowly appears over time you can easily say “They were being stubborn and keep disregarding the evidence etc. etc.” but it’s very difficult for people in general (not just those on the right) to admit when they are incorrect and make the correction, especially when they hold onto their belief that they were right or had good intentions, etc.. If the big right wing bloggers would admit their mistakes graciously, the comments from Glenn would not have been made. The left is just as guilty of this, but it is not as apparent as they are not in power and have no policy control at all. In other words, it is currently impossible for the left to make a bad policy decision as they don’t decide on what policies are passed.

relish: Pretending that partisanship does not exists is absurd. The Repulican leadership is just as guilty of sticking to talking points. When confronted (which is a very infrequent occurrence wit the media hacks out there) they stammer and look like blathering fools, just as the Dems do. Half-truths is what political discourse has been degraded to. Why can’t you condemn both parties for this practice?

And that really is the point, (from my point of view) liberal blogs are far more critical of Democracts than conservative bloggers are of Republicans and I think that is why I see some truth to Glenn’s comments. I agree he sounds like a speech writer and the generalizations aren’t as broad as he thinks they are, but Dailykos, Atrios, liberaloasis, TPM, Glenn, all of the lefty blogs I read are quite critical of Democrats and I don’t see that when I’m reading righty blogs like powerline, political teen (aka expose the left), Malkin, etc. It always ends up looking more like a pathological need to support the party at all costs. Of course, that might be because I read 90% lefty blogs vs. 10% righty blogs, but still, I think my observation is [generally] true.

“It’s a world-view which conflates desire with reality, disregards all facts and evidence that conflict with the decreed beliefs, and faithfully embraces any assertions and fantasies, no matter how baseless and flagrantly false, provided that they bolster the mythology.”

Um…he’s talking about the Democrats, right? I mean, in recent years, we’ve had the constant refrain of horrific conditions at Gitmo, Bush lied, no WMDs, Bush knew the levees would breach, Bush hates blacks, Bush was AWOL, etc.–half-truths, exaggerations, and downright lies. And that’s not just from fringe Democrats, that’s from the leaders of the party–constantly.

You could make a drinking game out of the nightly news. Every time Chuck Schumer, Harry Reid, or an MSM talking head repeats a discredited talking point, take a shot. You’d be drunk by the first commercial.

For the most part, I agree with Mark about not making sweeping generalizations about a group of people. I know some Democrats who are intellectually honest and will engage in debate without resorting to lies, damn lies, and statistics. Too bad the Democratic leadership is so wedded to its talking points that it doesn’t follow this practice.

Wait a minute.. That title.. “How Would A Patriot Act?” … is he talking about the football team or a missle? Does he celebrate Patriots Day? Does he even know what that holiday is? Ah shoot…..

Yeah, I can be rather inflexible on some issues, but it comes from my experience, not from some personal belief based upon what others have said. The author is beginning to sound more like a speech writer than a reporter, and that’s too bad.

respects,

Gwedd

In other words, my hat’s off to you!…

I really appreciate what you’ve created here. Yes, you’ve got a conservative mindset, and so have I, but you don’t give in to those pathetic instincts to treat those who disagree with you as the enemy of all that’s right and good. You may not have a book contract, but you can’t buy self-dignity.