I have no illusions about us changing wingnut minds with discourse, just that we are likely to prevent our own from rotting with it.

There are certainly cases where there’s too much talk and too little action, and your point about the parasites is a great one. We should definitely focus on action. But that tendency to occasionally talk it out (or argue it out) amongst ourselves has a place, too. It keeps us honest, albeit painfully sometimes. Just my opinion.

Many groups exist like a parasite sucking off the blood of the ‘oppression’ they consistently say they are struggling to overcome. I don’t know if its cognitive among many of them, but most of their structure runs counter to finding true solutions as such would obviously mean their ceasing to exist. Having a clear of vision of what they want to accomplish includes their dismantling and who wants that?

No one who finds a good vein of power to mine wants to see it end.

And as for Twisty, she did her duty. She makes no claims to want to save the world from the patriarchy, nor to even save anyone at all. She expresses her frustrations, incites and entices and sits back and enjoys the fun. The grand overlord of her blogdom, she rules with impunity on her subjects and doles out punishment as she pleases.

What does come out of her are often pearls of good analysis and questioning which everyone has acknowleged is important.

Just please, don’t say, like I’ve heard for the umpteenth millionth time from some overpaid executive director of one or another consensus process chaired organization that we are better because we think and talk more and in good time, one day, the minds of the publicans will open up and accept our righteous and wonderful, all inclusive thinking and think in tune with us and all will be love and joy.

Makes me want to puke and keep my eyes and ears open for when the fascists will finally rule completely and I will need to get out of dodge lickety split.

If it’s any consolation, none of the comments I’ve made over there have ever made it out of moderation. I’m not entirely sure why. Must be something in my tone? Pffft.

so it’s not all roses and honesty over here on the left.

Even if the arguments turn ugly, though, I think it’s still preferable to be part of the group willing to challenge itself than the one cowed into submission by its overlords.

Maybe the blow job issue was too touchy to be the best example, but I still read a lot of damn provocative discussion on the issue.

Let’s say it, uh, leaves a sour taste.