Liberals feel-Conservatives think.

Consider your interactions with the Liberals you know. Your mileage may vary.

I think the statement is generally correct. Liberals don’t need evidence in order to hold a position. They only care about how it makes them feel. They probably haven’t even considered any facts in formulating a position. If we can calmly lead them to consider facts they MAY someday realize their logical failures. Then again, they probably won’t. If you are in a Don Quixote mood, have at them.

I have followed most of these reccomendations for several years. It usually works out pretty well but you won’t be on the repeat guest list for very many parties. I don’t usually have repeat encounters with the same people. It is the very rare Liberal that likes to have a rigorous intellectual discussion with someone who holds a differing opinion.

Very nice post Neocon and Oblio. I look forward to reading your blog in the future.

One thing I have found to work is too agree with them while demonstrating a head tilt accompanied with a yoga smile while simultaneously giving a single nod of the head and being sure to close your eyes slowly on the down nod and opening them on the up nod. If done correctly it relly throws off their timing and is very distracting. How can they argue with you when you remind them of their yoga instructor?

Usually I get responses like, “Well, everyone knows that,”, or “It’s obvious.” I point out that those are opinions, not evidence, and press for the evidence, data, historical facts, etc. Most people either get embaressed and change the subject, or stomp off in a huff.

I want to print off a PALIN 2012 bumper sticker just to see how many libs’ heads explode from the thought. Why does this bring scenes from The Exorcist to mind??? 😉

Progressives can be compared to bright highschoolers, able to imitate adulthood and logic at need, and understand it when willing, but driven mostly by their need to impress their peers. The sign/countersign comment was spot on, and I have referred to their motivations as primarily tribal. They are asserting membership in the tribe they have chosen for social, mating, and employment purposes. Being accurate is well below appearing accurate.

Occam’s Beard, the Coexist one drives me into foaming at the mouth incoherence.

In an effort to stay civil though, I’ve started carrying around a sticky pad (like the one used in offices. Totally non-residue leaving, etc.) and attaching a note to some bumperstickers and/or the driver’s side window. The last one was “Imagine all the world/Living in Peace” — or whatever the stupid Lenon song says — my note said “Imagine you know history and understand human nature! Oh, wait. Too far fectched.”

Yes, yes, I know “mean conservative” but maybe they’ll start thinking before plastering their car with this stuff. Maybe they’ll start thinking “Uh… I might sound like an ass. Better not put that one on.”

In a way I can’t blame them for being as idiotic and aggressive as they are. Most of us are polite and feel a little sorry for them, so we shut up. So they assume EVERYONE agrees with them.

I find it incredibly ironic how many people have the bumper sticker with the just the Obama logo without any wording* and it’s UPSIDE DOWN. Says it all really.

Rick

* I think it’s a nice design regardless of the evil it stands for.

One person stated something (positive) about religion placing Jesus and Mohammed on the same footing. When I pointed out that Mohammed was nothing like Jesus, and this is objectively provable, he became very defensive. (The person is not a Muslim.) We took the discussion off-list and while I was polite and factial, the person sent me the most vicious, hateful e-mail that I have perhaps ever read in my life. And of course, he always signs his e-mails, “Peace and Love”.

After that horrendous attack the person insisted I not e-mail him back any more, so I responded on the mailing list, calmly and logically. Of course, the idiot was incensed that I “violated _his_ privacy” by showing to the group at large what an ass he was. He was very openly showing himself to be a hypocrite by insisting it was wrong for me to show what kind of person he was in public. I also pointed out that his “Peace and Love” wish at the end of his messages must clearly only be a front, since he intended neither peace nor love towards me, who never wished any ill of him in word or deed.

No one else commented on the exchange, but one person thanked me in private for standing up for what is right. I have found when talking to liberals very often it is very easy to allow them to make themselves out to be rude, bigoted, or even entirely stupid, with no direct accusations or name-calling on my own part. If someone says something clearly bigoted, against conservatives or Christians (for instance), I point out that I must be misunderstanding them because only a bigot would say… and then restate their point. People tend to back down really quickly when you make them look bad in front of others. I never actually call anyone any of these things. I never have to. I can usually point out how they are acting, imply what it means, and give them an out by not specifically accusing them of anything. It’s very effective at getting all but the most knee-jerk bigots people to stop being obnoxious. It might not change any minds, but I never argue with liberals to change their minds. Most of them are too brain-washed and closed-minded for that. The other participants in the conversation are my real audience, and I’ve received many nice comments in private that show my tactics are effective in making my points and disarming my opponents, often without them apparently even realizing it.

2) In social settings especially in gatherings more than 8, I’ve found there’s always of few of “us” in attendance regardless of location. Best thing to do is remain calm once a BDS/ObamaisGod rant starts.

Then at the end of said rant: “So, buddy, got any P and E?”
“Huh?”
“You know, proof and evidence.”
….
“Any proof or evidence to back any of that up, chief?”
….
….
“So, uh, the bean dip is good.”