Another example of how the Young Conservatives of Texas live up to their name, especially the "Young" part. At the University of Texas, the group created a "Nativity Scene" with Gary and Joseph, no Baby (because of the ACLU's stance on abortion), Nancy Pelosi as an angel, a suicide bomber, and the "three wise men" (Stalin, Marx, and another communist). You can watch a video here from CNN.
While it is remotely humorous, it reminds me of other YCT "arguments:" Holding a cookie sale to show the disparity in racce-based admissions and marrying a person to a bike to protest same-sex marriages. The tactics in these two examples and in the Nativity are the same: (1) Lets create the biggest straw argument possible that does not reflect the opposition's position (the ACLU Demands that all humans read Marx and the ACLU mnust have supported Stalin-- it is in their creed); (2) Let's not have a reasoned debate about these topics (that is the problem with displays, you cannot argue with them); (3) Let's exclude all ideas that may counter our position (e.g. they don't have cookies for legacy admissions or for athletes); (4) Let's demean all people as possible even though they seem to be "religious" (nothing shows compassion more than an analogy between a bike and human).
It must be fun to be a YCT member: You can be compassionate and support a President that allows for toture. That is the Conservative Way. Oh wait, is that a straw argument? Well then, here are other suggestions:
The Young Conservatives of Texas: Because reality and empiricism do not need to be a part of our arguments.
The Young Conservatives of Texas: For over twenty years, we make facists look like sissies.
The Young Conservatives of Texas: We Demand Equal Time for Our Views.... (But we do not want to hear your views).
The Best part about this is if you play by their rules, you can say anything you like. Other suggestions?
4 comments:
I do have to ask, on what do you found the statement that YCT supports the war in Iraq or torture?
What is a facist, precisely?
Were you at the display? Have you conversed with any of the members of the organization to find out the argument behind it?
Oh, and the "other Communist" had to have been Lenin.
I've never heard of a YCT member saying that other views shouldn't be heard. But I've heard that sentiment come time and again from members of other student organizations, particularly ones claiming to promote civil rights.
Michele,
Welcome to our blog, first of all.
Now, are you suggesting that YCT has gone on record against the War in Iraq? And also, have they gone on record against the torture policy? Let us not descend into absurdity here.
You ask, what is a fascist? Have been asking that of the YCT and all those in the Repub Party and the Media who keep erroneously dubbing terrorists as fascists?
As for the display, solon provided a video clip. Are you claiming the clip somehow misrepresents what appears at this point to be an entirely silly display? If so, how did CNN misrepresent it?
Finally, like the fabled "War on Christmas," these vast Campus Gag Orders against "Conservative Views" is mere hype for shills like John Gibson Bill O'Reilly and David Horowitz to make money and hike ratings. On the very video linked by solon, we see students and an ACLU representative pointing out the very reasonable conclusions that:
A)its a silly and paranoid display
and
B)They're absolutely entitled to erect their silly paranoid display.
MIchele-
The point of the post was not to offer claims that the YCT is fascist or a fascist organization; neither was it to offer claims and evidence that the YCT supports the war in Iraq or torture. I would not be able to determine this without discuss this matter with a representative sample or with each member.
However, the purpose of the post was to discuss the rhetorical strategy of using hyperbole through a display. In this case, the YCT display avoids a discussion of why a Nativity Scene would be constitutional or unconstitutional and instead prevents a reasoned debate about the issue by (1) presenting claims that the ACLU would not make and (2) doing so through a display that reduces dialogue and the communicative process.
My comments simply try to turn the tables to show the absurdity when it is done and how easy it is to do so. By doing this, I do not have to take the views of any group seriously. Instead, my "responsibility" must be to do anything to gain attention to a cause.
Not to take away from your original point, solon (a point you nicely reiterate in the above comment), it must be pointed out that there is no reason to discuss the Iraq War or the Torture Policy with YCT Members. Their "dittohead" alegiances are clear. Only a cursory visit to their website shows where their bread is buttered.
For instance, here is a little gem from October where they pimp Rush Limbaugh on the UT Campus.
Yes, the very Rush who has been loudly pushing the Iraq Adventure from the beginning. The same Rush whose website proudly offers "Club Gitmo" gear for sale. Coffee cups, hats, travel bags.
Sickening.
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