Some thoughts on Politics

It's occurred to me, as I wade into political conversations in recent times, that I often make one of two mistakes when I discuss them: one, I lead with a knowingly controversial claim (e.g., I am opposed to abortion in all cases where the life of the mother is not at stake, and that I consider myself pro-Israel)  whilst forgetting that while I have spent hours struggling to come to a position that honestly describe my views, others don't know the minutia that accompany them (e.g., that I feel that abortion should always be legal, just that it is the responsibility of private citizens to work towards a world when it is no longer a chosen one by advocating for birth control, amongst other things and that I am actually pro a two state solution and an independent, secularly maintained Jerusalem that ensures that all religious groups have equal access to their holy sites, but that if push comes to shove, that yeah, I think having a Jewish state is more important than having a Palestinian one.) My second mistake is that I will critique arguments (such as those of Conservatives who argue that the government should against the Mosque near the World Trade center site, or earlier today when commenting on a friends Facebook post regarding border policies between Israel and Palestine) without necessarily disagreeing with the general conclusion (I think that, in large part because the original name of 'Cordoba House' implies that either the group seeking to build the Mosque was intentionally trying to be insulting or is amazingly stupid, that they shouldn't be involved in such projects. If they do choose to do so, I maintain it's their right. I also think Israel's border policies are stupid and counterproductive to peace. So yeah.)

So how should I avoid people going beyond my claims? I wish to be able to participate in political conversations, without either selling out my ideals (I really do believe abortion is wrong. Or rather, I think that pretending there is a clear line where life begins is stupid. Or rather, that picking any line other then conception and birth is stupid) and I want to be able to argue that without people thinking that I believe abortion ought to be illegal. Yet my positions are often filled with nuance. As leftist/anarchist, I of course believe in the freedom of religion. Yet I no more want to count fundamentalists Muslims, such as the Iranian government among my allies than I do fundamentalist Christians, such as Sarah Palin. Because at the end of the day, both think that I'm a sinner who deserves to born in Hell. Honestly, I think my opinions are generally pretty right- that's why I have them- but I'm tired of peopling reading more into them then they mean.

There are plenty of things I think are wrong that I don't believe ought to be illegal or prohibited. There are plenty of times when I see someone make a point I agree with but I seem that justify it with poor arguments which undermine the argument by being bad.

So in conclusion, please pay very careful attention when I make an argument. I am frequently depending on precision. I am against abortion in all cases where the mother's life is not at stake.  This is not the same, nor do I believe that Abortion ought to be illegal in all cases where the mother's life is not at stake. And yes, in my mind abortion shares the same distinction as a variety of acts including smoking pot every day, drinking every day, being fat, snorting coke, committing suicide, and listening to Lady GaGa. I believe that a Jewish state ought to exist and be maintained in Israel.  This is not I am opposed to a peaceful, two state solution.  I believe the Park 51 group has a perfect and legitimate right to build a mosque two blocks north of the World Trade Center site. This not I think they should. I believe that whether someone is evangelizing for Christianity, Islam, or yes, Atheism, they should shut up and go home, and that evangelism is the single greatest problem the world has faced for the past 2000 years. This is not I think evangelical  religions ought to be illegal. 


Just been frustrated a lot lately.

Source: http://readytoroddy.blogspot.com/2010/08/some-thoughts-on-politics.html