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ubertuber · 05-10-2007, 01:58 PM

Upon re-reading the article, I'm even less sure about where you're coming from Pan.

This was a debate between Al Sharpton and an atheist author who is currently promoting a book called God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. First off, in this context, SHARPTON is the bigot you're attacking? Secondly, even though I don't buy into the whole "hats" theory, you claim that Sharpton was primarily appearing as a Civil Rights Activist? That doesn't really make sense.

I really hate that I'm having to defend Al Sharpton, who I generally find reprehensible. However, nail him on the right stuff, not the easy stuff.

EDIT: We posted on top of each other.

I'm going to do the numbered list thing again to keep my points clear. I hope that isn't annoying you.

1) There's a difference between saying Imus needed to lose his job and predicting that he would. The people here, who you are talking to, mostly did one and not the other.

2) Imus made a general remark that could, at best, be characterized as a slur. Sharpton made a prediction that was based partially on a supportable view of the differences between his branch of christianity and mormanism, and partly on his knowledge of how his flock will likely discern between the two. Just because this difference is based on religion doesn't make it religionist. This is where I think the comparison is sloppy.

3) The outcry here may reach Imus like levels - it hasn't been that long, and think about how many days it took for CBS to let Imus go. Now, I predict, for many of the reasons enumerated in posts above that this won't happen. Most of all, the perception of wrongness and the ensuing outcry and reactions happen for a lot of reasons. As I said above, there isn't commercial pressure here as there was with Imus. That will substantially mute the furor, no matter what Sharpton says.

My interest in this is more strategic than tactical - I don't really have a dog in the fight. I could very well end up being wrong about the fallout in this incident.

I'm curious to see what shakran's take will be. He typically argues for equality among directions and types of discrimination. I wonder what he'll say about this.

05-10-2007, 01:58 PM	#186 (permalink)
ubertuber spudly Location: Ellay	Upon re-reading the article, I'm even less sure about where you're coming from Pan. This was a debate between Al Sharpton and an atheist author who is currently promoting a book called God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. First off, in this context, SHARPTON is the bigot you're attacking? Secondly, even though I don't buy into the whole "hats" theory, you claim that Sharpton was primarily appearing as a Civil Rights Activist? That doesn't really make sense. I really hate that I'm having to defend Al Sharpton, who I generally find reprehensible. However, nail him on the right stuff, not the easy stuff. EDIT: We posted on top of each other. I'm going to do the numbered list thing again to keep my points clear. I hope that isn't annoying you. 1) There's a difference between saying Imus needed to lose his job and predicting that he would. The people here, who you are talking to, mostly did one and not the other. 2) Imus made a general remark that could, at best, be characterized as a slur. Sharpton made a prediction that was based partially on a supportable view of the differences between his branch of christianity and mormanism, and partly on his knowledge of how his flock will likely discern between the two. Just because this difference is based on religion doesn't make it religionist. This is where I think the comparison is sloppy. 3) The outcry here may reach Imus like levels - it hasn't been that long, and think about how many days it took for CBS to let Imus go. Now, I predict, for many of the reasons enumerated in posts above that this won't happen. Most of all, the perception of wrongness and the ensuing outcry and reactions happen for a lot of reasons. As I said above, there isn't commercial pressure here as there was with Imus. That will substantially mute the furor, no matter what Sharpton says. My interest in this is more strategic than tactical - I don't really have a dog in the fight. I could very well end up being wrong about the fallout in this incident. I'm curious to see what shakran's take will be. He typically argues for equality among directions and types of discrimination. I wonder what he'll say about this. __________________ Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam Last edited by ubertuber; 05-10-2007 at 02:09 PM..