> I don't think that honest or even intelligent discourse
> is served by demanding the silencing of every commentator
> who expresses "politically incorrect" opinions. There is
> a great deal of intolerance in shouting "Shut up!" rather
> than patiently explaining why you disagree.
Thanks Peshe, and you're so right. As you also stated in your
post, a good deal of the article is based simply on ignorance
and ethnocentricity, rather than real racism. However, the
same can be said about most cases of racism, and ignorance
doesn't excuse it, especially not in someone who is supposed
to be a respected national journalist.
But, just to give him the benefit of the doubt (choke), I've
been working on a rather detailed reply to Rooney's article,
which I intend to send to him. I am also sending a copy to CBS.
In my reply, I attempt to "patiently" (and sometimes not so
patiently) explain to him exactly WHY he is a piece of lowlife
pond scum.... oops, I meant, where he errs in his discourse.
If anyone is interested, I'll post it here. It's quite long,
but I was QUITE pissed off!
I don't believe people like Rooney should be prevented from
expressing politically incorrect opinions; however, I don't
think a show like "60 Minutes", which prides itself on "objective"
journalism and thorough research, is benefitting much from having
a guy like Rooney on their staff, who has obviously done next to
NO research on this subject!
No one should be fired for his opinions, but you certainly CAN
fire someone for irresponsible journalism.
= Lee =
Lee A. Flier
lee@cavern.vortex.com