After watching Stewart last night and Hayes tonight it has become apparent that the arguments have been one sided for one depressingly simple reason and one reason that has more to do with theater than substance.
The latter first. I have long been frustrated by the lack of unscripted give and take, the lack of argument in a sharp, on the spot, lawyer like manner on shows that are supposed to be providing us with an honest counter to the ideology of the current radical conservatives. These programs have seemed the result of a eight hours of script writing, listing the questions in advance, with no regard for repartee. So each side gets to make the predetermined points with no real debate or rebuttal. Mathews comes to mind as particularly frustrating. Bright and from the inside, but sucked into the theater of tv not the substance of the arguments. We get nowhere.
Then I wonder if the intellectual laziness of contemporary conservatives is simply being met with an equal laziness in making any counter argument. It is just too hard!
Well, last night I watched a true debate- Kruathammer and Stewart, and it was encouraging. It is so clear that the arguments against lazy thoughts require great effort, but Stewart was up to it.
Tonight, Hayes would not allow the reactionary argument (Stockman) go unchallenged. And it took a clear mind with facts and on the spot repartee, not a script. I have to admit it is exhausting. To counter myth, fear, racism and bias requires full mental engagement. We cannot be lazy.
Therein lies the great irony of countering ideology. It can't be done with ideology...
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