Debate, Ridicule, And The Right

I agree with Thers. Treating right-wing arguments as if they were valid is a fools game, one I do not play. I have links to a couple fabulists from the right not to engage them in debate - how do you "debate" someone who simply denies the facts of the matter, but rather begins from premises that are demonstrably false? - but to keep an eye on the various permutations of bullshit in which they are currently indulging. Yes, I point out errors of facts and logic when I post, but that is hardly "debating" with them. It is, rather, just what it is - pointing out how very wrong they are. As Thers says:

To be a conservative nowadays and not be Cast Forth from the Tribe, you need to believe:

1. Anthropogenic climate change is a Lie.
2. The "Main Stream Media" has a partisan bias in favor of Democrats.
3. The invasion of Iraq was based on an honest appraisal of the evidence.
4. Torture is acceptable, and also, we do not torture.

I could go on, but these will do to make the point. To be a conservative in the 21st century American sense, you need to believe things that are not true, and you need to tie yourself into knots to pretend otherwise.

It helps that our local variant on homo rightus ignoramus usually ends up spitting mad, calling names, and refusing to acknowledge just how wrong they are.

At the same time, I would have to say that I do not think it is "ridicule" to say, "Boy, you folks are just nuts, and full of crap to boot!" That is, rather, a pretty accurate description of what one encounters, for example, here, here, and most recently here. Rather than get sucked in to feeling bad for calling out nonsense, just remember one thing. These are the same people who believe there is nothing wrong with torturing Muslims because they are Muslims, but get their panties in a wad over a Presidential blowjob. Our recent history suggests that they will stop at nothing to end Democratic rule, so we should keep an eye on them. Take them seriously, though?

Feh.