Math, Logic, and Ideology

[Andrew Fletcher]

In the United States, liberals are regularly criticized for not having any fundamental principals. In contrast, conservatives have an ideological viewpoint that is based in moral absolutes. Conservatives know what they want while liberals are constantly changing their position based on circumstance.

Let’s apply this logic to math class. I love the number 5. It’s always been my favorite number, ever since I was a little kid. How would I do in a math class where I refused to consider any answer but 5?

I used to think that there were universally shared values between liberals and conservatives, coming out of the French Revolution-- liberty, equality, and fraternity. Reccent political developments and the resulting discourse have made me reconsider that assumption.

[Beer and Pizza]

[ QUOTE ]
I used to think that there were universally shared values between liberals and conservatives, coming out of the French Revolution--

[/ QUOTE ]

Where am I?

Did I stumble on the French version of 2+2?

Why would anyone base their principles on the one revolution that ended in utter failure?

I have always been amused how the French messed it up, while America succeeded.

England and Canada did a good job of evolution into solid societies too, while France and Germany and Japan had to go through their "dictatorship" phase and be rescued from the outside. As an aside, Iraq is sort of like a future France or Germany.

[Andrew Fletcher]

It's like some sort of alternative universe.....

[Beer and Pizza]

You don't understand. Conservatism is not about having the right answer, its about having solid values and principles that usually lead you to the right answers, more so than not having good principles to guide you.

[Cyrus]

[ QUOTE ]
Why would anyone base their principles on the one revolution that ended in utter failure?

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you referring to the 1789 French Revolution ??

[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

You are saying that it ..failed. In what sense please? (Challenge: Try to respond without using the name "Napoleon Bonaparte"!)

Ane I see you are implying that ALL the other revolutions more or less succeeded!

[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Beer and Pizza]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Why would anyone base their principles on the one revolution that ended in utter failure?

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you referring to the 1789 French Revolution ??

[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

You are saying that it ..failed. In what sense please? (Challenge: Try to respond without using the name "Napoleon Bonaparte"!)


[/ QUOTE ]

Heres two much more evil personages than the eventual dictator you mention:

Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre.
[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]

Ane I see you are implying that ALL the other revolutions more or less succeeded!

[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I only mentioned one other revolution, the American. Please read my posts, and now for some more grins....
[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]
It's like some sort of alternative universe.....

[/ QUOTE ]
What did you expect? If you mention France, even in an offhanded way, conservatives just go off. It's like a red flag for a bull, or like poking a dog in the butt.

[Cyrus]

[ QUOTE ]
I only mentioned one other revolution, the American.

[/ QUOTE ]Well, you did write the following, in your usual fine English language (should I be saying fine American language? [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]) :

[ QUOTE ]
Why would anyone base their principles on the one revolution that ended in utter failure?

[/ QUOTE ] You gotta admit, it's written as if all the others did not fail !

But, anyway, enough joshing. Stand up straight.

[ QUOTE ]
Heres two much more evil personages than the eventual dictator you mention: Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre.

[/ QUOTE ]

And this ...is proof that the French Revolution failed? Aye, brother, you are in dire straits.

OK you can invoke Bonaparte now. So try again.

So because the French revolution failed, you believe that liberty, equality, and fraternity are bad values?

[Beer and Pizza]

Review the history of France for the 100 years after the revolution.

If your definition of success is overthrowing a monarchy, then you can call it a success (if you overlook the fact that that monarchy was later reestablished, and also an "emperor")

Why do you think it is a success? Just because 200 years later France is now something of a democracy (however disfunctional)?