Hypocrisy
Just when I thought Bambenek had stretched himself beyond ridiculousness, he has outdone himself. In today's column, he whines about academic freedom ruining higher education. Of course, if a college graduate can't manage his own finances, it must be the university's fault, right John? After all, we can't expect an adult to take responsibility for his own shortcomings!
Bambenek seems to argue that academic freedom is the cause of all things wrong with college graduates. If a college graduate is illiterate, blame her liberal professors.
Bambenek is right in one respect. The liberal crowd that preaches "acceptance of all" needs to be more tolerant of conservative thought. If we are going to embrace everyone, we must include those who disagree with us. Doing so encourages true academic and intellectual freedom. The liberal zealots who immediately dismiss conservative thought as useless are no better than conservatives who dismiss liberalism. We must listen to each other.
However, Bambenek's pot-stirring column does little to make this happen. He blames all things liberal for the shortcomings of higher education, and arrogantly asserts that conservative thought is superior to liberal thought.
Bambenek seems to argue that academic freedom is the cause of all things wrong with college graduates. If a college graduate is illiterate, blame her liberal professors.
Bambenek is right in one respect. The liberal crowd that preaches "acceptance of all" needs to be more tolerant of conservative thought. If we are going to embrace everyone, we must include those who disagree with us. Doing so encourages true academic and intellectual freedom. The liberal zealots who immediately dismiss conservative thought as useless are no better than conservatives who dismiss liberalism. We must listen to each other.
However, Bambenek's pot-stirring column does little to make this happen. He blames all things liberal for the shortcomings of higher education, and arrogantly asserts that conservative thought is superior to liberal thought.
posted by Don at 8:38 AM
7 Comments:
So you called it hypocrisy, how exactly am I a hypocrit again? Oh that's right, you don't need to support these labels, you simply apply them to discredit ideas you disagree with.
I find the idea that the educational institutions aren't to blame for failure to educate their students novel and interesting...
but unconvincing.
So you called it hypocrisy, how exactly am I a hypocrit again? Oh that's right, you don't need to support these labels, you simply apply them to discredit ideas you disagree with.
I find the idea that the educational institutions aren't to blame for failure to educate their students novel and interesting...
but unconvincing.
I don't think I said you were a hypocrit, Mr. Defensive. In fact, I AGREED with you (gasp) and attacked liberals for being hypocritical. Many of my liberal friends talk about tolerance and are completely intolerant of anything that smacks of conservative thought.
As for your other protest, if you aren't convinced that's fine by me. I have no interest in attempting to persuade you of anything. You seem incapable of hearing anything other than your own opinion. Perhaps I am wrong on that. It's just an impression I get from your writings. Anyhow, I'm sure educational institutions can do better. However, I also know that no matter what opportunities some people are given to learn, they choose not to and at some point, individuals must be accountable for their own decisions. (This sounds like a conservative position; I'm surprised you don't embrace it.)
Oh, I think you should take a look at the title of your post again.
You'll excuse me if I think the title refers to me when you are writing about my columns exclusively in your post.
And I hear your opinions, but if educational institutions are getting tax dollars to educate, and that isn't happening, then can I have my tax dollars back? We aren't dealing with exceptions of people who "don't want to learn", the statistics show that it's basically "the rule".
It isn't a conservative position to look at society with loathing and think everyone needs a momma (government) to take care of them.
If I am writing exclusively about you, then what do you call the attack on narrow-minded liberals in the third paragraph?
However, now that you mention it, isn't your challenge to liberals to be open to conservatism a bit hypocritical when you brazenly declare conservative thought to be superior? (Of course, you'll say it's not. We'll disagree. Several comments later no common ground will be found. You'll declare yourself the winner. Let's save ourselves the trouble...).
Statistics can say anything. A random reference to stats that you don't cite? You can certainly argue more convincingly than that, can't you? If not, should we blame UIUC for failing to teach you?
Conservative thought is superior to liberal thought. That's not brazen, that's truth.
However, you'll notice the next fragment in that sentence which you apparently failed to read.
Seriously, Don, after the spanking I gave you last weak you'd think you'd stop trying.
First, you call it hypocrisy, then you deny, then you call me a hypocrit again.
It's called having an opinion. When you take a stand you are implicitly stating other positions are inferior. It's by definition.
But, because you are obviously unable to have a conversation, you need to turn your opponents into moral lepers. Thank you for your part in making the country a more Republican place to live.
What ever will you do without DI columnists to pick on?
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