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The Authoritarians

2007-05-17 15:11:07.975254+00 by Dan Lyke 8 comments

As if I didn't already have way too much on my plate... okay, so I'll call this one "reserved for future reading": Bob Altemeyer's book The Authoritarians. Altemeyer is a psychology professor who's spent his career thinking about authoritarians. From the intro:

The last reason why you might be interested in the hereafter is that you might want more than just facts about authoritarians, but understanding and insight into why they act the way they do. Which is often mind-boggling. How can they revere those who gave their lives defending freedom and then support moves to take that freedom away? How can they go on believing things that have been disconfirmed over and over again, and disbelieve things that are well established? ...

(Snitched from Bifurcated Rivets). While we're on that topic, crasch had Wolf Blitzer interviewing Ron Paul on his altercation during the Republican debates with Rudy Giuliani. I would so like to see a Ron Paul vs Bill Richardson presidential election next year, but, being the cynical pessimist that I am, I'm guessing it's gonna be Mitt Romney or Rudy vs Obama or Hillary. Oh well, at least if it goes that latter direction there'll be no moral problems with voting for a third party candidate...

[ related topics: Books Privacy Psychology, Psychiatry and Personality Ethics Civil Liberties ]

comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment Re: Ron Paul made: 2007-05-17 17:58:58.756436+00 by: jeff

"I would so like to see a Ron Paul vs Bill Richardson presidential election next year."

Yes, Ron Paul rocks! Unfortunately, he's being "marginalized" by the mainstream press and the gatekeepers to call-in shows and such. There is definitely an "organized" machine out there to only promote the candidates through "their funnel" to make it to the last turn. Unless we can start a quiet revolution, great men like Ron Paul won't be given a chance to finish.

Sad. Ron Paul is as "true an American" as you'll ever find in this political landscape.

#Comment Altermeyer doesn't think left wing authoritarians represent a threat.... made: 2007-05-18 01:02:22.595468+00 by: crasch

"But the left-wing authoritarians on my campus disappeared long ago. Similarly in America "the Weathermen" blew away in the wind. I'm sure one can find left-wing authoritarians here and there, but they hardly exist in sufficient numbers now to threaten democracy in North America."

Bleah.

#Comment Re: made: 2007-05-18 02:33:37.329119+00 by: jeff [edit history]

I watched this video with interest.

While I like Wolf Blitzer for the most part, it's completely obvious why he and others are attempting to marginalize Ron Paul. Blitzer is a former AIPAC lobbyist, and any Middle-East solution (no matter how sane) which leaves Israel out of the equation will be met with categorical resistance by those in the media with direct or indirect ties to that country. Sad, but oh so true. Wake-up, America.

Ron Paul is a voice of reason in an otherwise crowded field of illogic and grandstanding (re: Guiliani). He is a true American, representing true American interests. Ron Paul is an American hero, and should be a household name. Pass the word.

#Comment Re: made: 2007-05-18 02:50:04.225993+00 by: jeff [edit history]

Oh, and for some rather stunning results in favor of Ron Paul, check this latest poll concerning who won Tuesday's debate.

Ron Paul: 86.7% Rudy Who: 1.4%

It would also appear that organized attempts at marginalizing Ron Paul are only partially working (nice try, FOX). Listen and view between the lines and watch for these attempts at marginalization to continue. Rudy Who? got his ass kicked twice in a row, but the special interests would want you to believe otherwise.

Maybe America (the sleeping Giant) IS waking up.

#Comment Re: made: 2007-05-18 02:51:05.341377+00 by: Dan Lyke

Crasch, yeah, that is kind of a blind statement given that... well... there were aspects of the Clinton presidency that scared the crap out of me.

Not as many as the present administration, but still...

But then I'm the kind of guy who'd like to see Ron Paul and Bill Richardson as viable candidates on a national scale, so I'm somewhere out there in the fringe that way.

#Comment Re: made: 2007-05-18 03:02:35.408522+00 by: BC

Don't believe it. Paul is not a fringe candidate. The only reason anyone would reach that conclusion is if they are paying too much attention to what the press is telling you. The press is lying to the American people. Paul has won both debates resoundingly yet the press will have you believe he is a flash in the pan. Have you seen the way Blitzer and Cavuto have treated him in interviews? This doesn't just happen. These guys are told in no uncertain terms what they want the perceptions to be for the American people. It is remarkable Paul has stood so tall despite the character assassination that is taking place at every turn. Go Ron Go! Don't give up the faith and for God's sake don't listen to the press.

#Comment Re: made: 2007-05-18 03:17:17.520921+00 by: jeff [edit history]

Agreed. He is only being "framed" as a fringe candidate by "special interest" orientations of our "free press."

They want Ron Paul's visibility to be minimized early, before "it's too late," and the word gets out. Well, the word is getting out, and it may not be to their liking. And that's good for America and our free society.

"He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future."

-- George Orwell

#Comment Re: made: 2007-05-19 12:56:51.171535+00 by: jeff [edit history]

Regardless of whether I did a Google search on Ron Paul unquoted or "Ron Paul", the same negative spin was pushed to the very top of the Google results.

The media gatekeepers and those who control perception are very hard at work, my friends.