I lament the lack of self-criticism, truly open discussion, and analysis by many "progressives."

A friend of mine and a long time leftist or progressive told me a while back he never bothers posting to indiemedia anymore because "it's like throwing meat to hyenas. It's dogma first and no tolerance for diverse or nuanced thought."

To the above posted example, yes there is a rush to (blanket) defend certain people and actions with no real analysis. Is arson wrong? Is it wrong when a right-to-lifer burns a clinic? When the military burns a religious compound in Texas? When a guy named Jeff burns some SUVS?

Is arson wrong all the time or just when people you disagree with do it?

Mumia Abu-Jamal, Leonard Peltier, they are in prison and claim innocence. That's a part of their claim to being political prisoners. Now, an admitted arsonist; sure you can talk about sentencing length and appropriateness, mandatory minimums, prison issues, sure.

But when someone reminds people hey, first, he's an arsonist, admitted arsonist, not a hero. Not an example. Well, that's treated as blasphemy in certain circles.

There is a time and place for using any word. It's called context. You have a right to write and play a song called "What the fuckin shit is this" and maybe it's a good song. But it may not be favorable to your overall cause to perform it in a public park in the middle of the afternoon. If a cop pulls the power, yeah, that's disrespectful of the sound person and equipment; but there's an issue here on all sides that need addressed. Sometimes the outrage is wasted and misdirected; not at all well thought out.

"Patriarchy" and "Fascism" are overused words. Again, there is a time and a place, a use for most words. But some words tend to be used as weapons and power plays. Go ahead and use them. But be ready to ask or answer: Are you outreaching your efforts or making enemies needlessly?

On this board in reference to Patriarchy, I noted that I found both Patriarchy and Matriarchy unacceptable. Soon, someone said "I guess you really love patriarchy then." Sure I do. That's why I said both were unacceptable.

Unfortunately, more often then not I find words like patriarchy and fascism are used by progressives to shut down discussion; to call others "right-wing" or "misogynist" or "tolerant of hate" with little or no thought to the points raised. This is pure dogma. We support diversity as long as it does not mean open rational discussion.

Is that acceptable? Well, Do you like terms like "the patriot act."  "Cut and run" "love it or leave it" "support our troops" ?

Is Storman a man who "knows in his heart he is wrong" as a poster here said; or like most people does he have his own beliefs that are different than yours? Most people believe their actions and motives are good.

How do you choose to communicate to people who believe different than yourself? By telling them they "know they are wrong" that they are evil?

It's a wide area of discussion. Are progressives self-critical? Do they welcome open debate? How do they use words? To shut down debate in their own circles? To preach a message to the converted that is ineffective to the general public?