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This is possibly one of the bigger tells for Liberalism vs. Leftism* as coherent** philosophies
*not all leftism
**definitely not all leftism
No but seriously: Liberalism has symbols. Federal architecture, with grand rotundas evoking awe and reverence, held secularly sacrosanct https://twitter.com/andersleehere/status/1347319409451421698
*not all leftism
**definitely not all leftism
No but seriously: Liberalism has symbols. Federal architecture, with grand rotundas evoking awe and reverence, held secularly sacrosanct https://twitter.com/andersleehere/status/1347319409451421698
So a great deal of the reactions we're seeing today is outrage at the violation of those symbols. The sacred ground. The blasphemy against the American Civil Religion, which is a fundamentally Liberal (in the classical/jargon sense) thing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_civil_religion
Meanwhile, the Leftist folks, who think the above is pointless and/or brainwashing, are concerned about material purposes and outcomes
Like, these rioters tried to bring about a world many of us wouldn't survive
And, holy shit, the pros brought flex-cuffs and built a gallows
Like, these rioters tried to bring about a world many of us wouldn't survive
And, holy shit, the pros brought flex-cuffs and built a gallows
It comes down to the idea of just force, and the just authority to use that force
Leftists think that the masses *can* use just force, and evaluate the justness of an action by the goals/side effects
Liberalism typically gives the state a monopoly on the just use of force
Leftists think that the masses *can* use just force, and evaluate the justness of an action by the goals/side effects
Liberalism typically gives the state a monopoly on the just use of force
(This is also where modern American Conservatism, a Liberal (in the jargon sense) movement, becomes contradictory:
1) Law and order, back the blue! <--gives the state a monopoly on force
2) I'll shoot the government taking my guns! <--tries to deny that monopoly
)
1) Law and order, back the blue! <--gives the state a monopoly on force
2) I'll shoot the government taking my guns! <--tries to deny that monopoly
)
So on the Left, it's entirely coherent to support one prison riot (to escape a camp), and condemn another (the white prisoners have risen up to murder the black ones)
Most* tactics do not effect the inherent justness of an action. We apply our moral reason to judge the goals.
Most* tactics do not effect the inherent justness of an action. We apply our moral reason to judge the goals.
(*does not apply to flex-cuffs and gallows, for ex., which do affect inherent justness. Sexual assault for tactical purposes is also unacceptable, as is killing without justification. Violations of personhood is the dividing line here)
And that sounds hypocritical to folks who support freedom-fighting while it's safely a long time ago or far, far away, but find reasons to condemn any concrete examples in the here and now
Because what rioting, for good things or for bad things, ALWAYS does is shift the balance of power away from established authority. It ALWAYS denies the monopoly of force from the state, and ALWAYS "blasphemes" against our civil religion
So there's a clear line between those who think that is never acceptable, and those who think it *can* be when it serves the overall good
The former would be just as outraged if civil rights protestors broke in with non-Confederate, pro-liberation flags
And the latter would not
The former would be just as outraged if civil rights protestors broke in with non-Confederate, pro-liberation flags
And the latter would not
That said, the fact that *everybody* is on the same page re: *this* riot being unjustified is useful
Hell, half of the right wing is trying to convince themselves it was a leftist false-flag, despite all evidence and supporting it when it kicked off, as it's clearly backfiring
Hell, half of the right wing is trying to convince themselves it was a leftist false-flag, despite all evidence and supporting it when it kicked off, as it's clearly backfiring
(Side note: if you try to do a revolution for real, and aren't just LARPing, getting pushed down and maced shouldn't be a surprise. Even if you only got a foot inside the area you're forbidden from.)
