Prometheus 6

He did, however, get the response he deserves. Not that he's any worse than the rest of the media.

Good Riddance To The Gingrichites
CBS' Meyer: GOP 'Chess Club' Ruled The House For 12 Years And Won't Be Missed

This is a story I should have written 12 years ago when the "Contract with America" Republicans captured the House in 1994. I apologize.

Really, it's just a simple thesis: The men who ran the Republican Party in the House of Representatives for the past 12 years were a group of weirdos. Together, they comprised one of the oddest legislative power cliques in our history. And for 12 years, the media didn't call a duck a duck, because that's not something we're supposed to do.

I'm not talking about the policies of the Contract for America crowd, but the character. I'm confident that 99 percent of the population — if they could see these politicians up close, if they watched their speeches and looked at their biographies — would agree, no matter what their politics or predilections.

I'm confident that if historians ever spend the time on it, they'll confirm my thesis. Same with forensic psychiatrists. I have discussed this with scores of politicians, staffers, consultants and reporters since 1994 and have found few dissenters. 

Dick Morris is saying a bunch of crazy guys have been running the country, everyone on the Beltway has known it all along...why? Because they aren't supposed to? And no less a personage than Rush Limbaugh had admitted he doesn't believe in the issues he's supported since his post-Oklahoma City Bombing rehabilitation and return to radio. Seems members of our pundit class range from liars to cowards.

Okay, that's a little cruel (the "liars to cowards" part, not the Limbaugh part). I say so because I think I understand the problem.

Historically, European societies got rid of their crazies by sending them to the colonies. The USofA started as colony, a joint military and economic venture, and so is an incredibly violent place. The society was built around that joint military and economic framework. Aggression is rewarded, but it must be directed outward and controlled.

In my public discussions, I've found people get insulted when you demonstrate they hold a position that simply cannot be true. What you're supposed to do is explain things in a way that doesn't disturb their "personal facts." People understand that words can be an aggression and you're not allowed to walk up and pimp-slap another productive member of society.

The problem, of course, is these rules of engagement allow...encourage...the insertion of absurdities as a tactic. And the only reason I moderate that little cruelty above is because I want folks to be able to see it without bugging. 

Ed. Oh, not disturbing their "personal facts," huh? Nice...

P6: Right...shift the ground enough to force a change in the optimum grip on reality

Ed: And you can do that.

P6: I only have a local effect. It's that or nothing.