Argue with them, don’t just write them off as ignorant

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Letter to The Guardian

The flaw in the argument for denying far-right propagandists a platform is the failure to address how else the mass of us who oppose the unacceptable views can turn voters away from supporting them if we do not engage with their facile and untenable arguments.

The strategy of ignoring them or excoriating them has led to the present dangerous situation. They must be taken on in debate at every opportunity. If those who believe in liberal values are not able to expose the dangerous consequences of the hatemongers’ arguments, then they ought not to be in politics.

The best current example is France. For more than 30 years, the mainstream parties tried to deal with the odious National Front by ignoring or attacking it. Over that whole period its vote steadily increased. But when its leader, Marine Le Pen, was taken on by Emmanuel Macron in televised presidential election debates, she visibly crumpled. It is no accident that today the National Front is in disarray, with a much-criticised change of name and a reduced status in the polls. The lesson should be urgently learnt.
Michael Meadowcroft, Leeds, 31/3/2018

Epicurus reportedly spent hours in his garden in discussion and debate about life. No doubt some visitors strongly disagreed with his views, but he heard them out and, presumably politely, and set out his own beliefs in a measured manner. As is true today, there was plenty to debate, but he listened and was respectful. This we deduce from extant accounts.

We, likewise, should listen and understand contrary viewpoints, acknowledging their validity where appropriate. To be threatened in coarse and vulgar language is scary, and I deeply sympathise with politicians whose lives and families have been threatened by bullies. But it is better to try to calm these people down by asking them questions and trying to discover at least one mutually agreed point, if only to get them to talk, not rant. On a blog like this it is easy to ban coarse people whose English is inadequate. It happens infrequently, but I do try to engage with them quietly. Banning is a last resort.

A country being picked apart

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Epicureans are not encouraged to involve themselves, or to comment on politics. Quite right. But there has to be a limit if you see your country, not to mention your planet, picked apart and lied to. How can we have peace of mind seeing Russian agents actively subverting the country in full sight and the rulers of the country (millionaire political donors) doing nothing about it?

When I first traveled in America in the 60’s politics were dirty, as they are everywhere, but both parties wanted the best for America, debate was polite and compromises were struck. Few used foul language or ascribed unpatriotic motives to others, or spread clearly false news. One couple I encountered hitchiking believed the United Nations was an agent of the devil who had sent white-painted tanks which were, at that very moment, advancing through Pennsylvania and occupying it, proving that wingnut mews is not a modern invention. The crazies are always with us, usually in tiny numbers. Things have changed.

The pattern is obvious to anyone who can read. Trump says something patently untrue and corrects himself the next day. Fox News only reports on the comments on the first pronouncement but says nothing about the correction. This happens every day and has been scrupulously documented. This is euphemistically called “governance”. The result is that, according to a CNN poll, 67% of all Americans doubt there was Russian subversion of the general election and thinks that Trump did a fine job cloistered alone with Putin without so much as a secretary to record the conversation. What has happened to integrity and love of country when this has become the norm, fiercely defended by the political party once the staunchest defender of the American way of life? How can we stand by and see the country picked apart by Putin with the help of nearly half the US population?

This is the Epicurean dilemma. Personally, I think it is irresponsible to ignore it and hope it goes away, but I realise I am opening myself to justifiable criticism. But then this is not about me – it is about truth and integrity.

The reactionary ayatollahs should be ashamed of themselves

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Liberals in Iran have recently been outraged by the arrest of a teenage gymnast who posted videos of herself dancing in her bedroom. Maedeh Hojabri, who has tens of thousands of social media followers, was seen crying on state TV last week during what some suspected was a forced confession: under Iran’s sharia law, it is illegal for women to dance in public or to go out without a headscarf. Since then, Iranian women have been protesting by using the hashtag #DancingIsNotACrime and posting videos of themselves dancing. (The Week, 13 July 2018)

I am posting this to illustrate the depravity and stupidity of organised religion at its worst. This ban on dancing is a manifestation of an age-old male domination and bullying that may have been near universal in the 7th Century but has no place in the 21st. Dancing is an act of joy; the rules of the right wing ayatollahs and their thought police are instruments of oppression of a youngish population wanting to be modern and free.

The Americans and the British brought the ayatollahs to power years ago by force, installing Pahlevi and his corrupt gang against the wishes of an unwilling nation, seizing its oil. By now we should have been wise and man enough to have made amends, to have a rapprochement with Iran. So many years of aggravation indicate a moribund and incompetent foreign policy, mainly driven by prejudice and fear.

I don’t support Trump’s threats and bullying or his scrapping of the Iranian international nuclear deal. Rather, it’s a case of “a pox on both your houses”.

Truly sick

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Grizzly bears today occupy only about three percent of their historic range in the lower 48 states. Yet last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took the Greater Yellowstone grizzly off the Endangered Species list, relinquishing management to the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, which border Yellowstone National Park. The result? The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission announced that it will allow trophy hunting of grizzlies for the first time in 40 years, starting September 1.

Would someone explain to me why it is “fun” to kill bears? – large targets, slow moving, even the most incompetent shot could kill a grizzly. They only threaten humans if they feel threatened themselves. I have (brief) experience to fall back on in this regard.

This is yet another grovel towards the heartless, immoral, wealthy idiots who pour cash into election campaigns. We should be protecting wildlife, not shooting it for “fun” and mounting heads on plaques in the living room of vulgar, multi-million dollar mansions. Of course, Epicurus couldn’t, wouldn’t shoot any animal for the hell of it, but then I am sure he wouldn’t have wanted to.

Epicureanism simply put

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Epicureanism was never meant to be a dry academic philosophy. In fact, it is best kept away from academia, where, as usual with philosophy, long words render it dull, if not incomprehensible. Rather, it is a vital way of living which seeks to free men and women from a life of unhappiness, fear and anxiety. It is a missionary philosophy for the practical-minded with common sense. Let others complicate it if they wish, but I prefer it simple.

The following eight counsels are a basic guide to Epicurean living.
1) Don’t fear God.
2) Don’t worry about death.
3) Don’t fear pain.
4) Live simply.
5) Pursue pleasure wisely.
6) Make friends and be a good friend.
7) Be honest in your business and private life.
8) Avoid fame and political ambition.

I would add:

– Think of others;
– Be polite and considerate to everyone, regardless of race, age, class or gender;
– Try to see the other point of view;
– Meet others half way, if possible.
– Take the smooth and pleasant road, as free from stress and conflict as possible.
– Aim to be moderate in all things.
– Try to laugh and make others laugh. We don’t do it enough
– But don’t be put upon!