I also love reading people's twitter descriptions about themselves, and as an OCD wannabee wordsmith of sorts, I fiddle with mine on a weekly basis. How to summarise ones entire being in 160 characters? 'Die-hard lefty' me thinks and I love that there are so many other liberals in the world, if not in governments, at least they are on Twitter! So what defines left and right-wing? Well the terms originated from the French revolution according to the seating of Parliament. Those who advocated secularisation and eradicating social and economic inequalities sat on the left, those who believed inequality was inevitable and natural and were pro-aristocracy, monarchy and Church sat to the right. It is a fascinating and exhausting divide to this day and one in which more social media interaction can just exacerbate. (The tweets from @moronwatch, dedicated to exposing right-wingers on twitter is particularly informative and hilarious.)
I also notice that there are some who state that they do not want followers who do not have the same views, this is disappointing to me as the only way to change people's minds is through dialogue and if possible embracing them in a way. Plus personally, although sometimes it is torturous and near enough heart-attack inducing, I seek out right-wing views to see what their views are on certain things, it always unsurprisingly serves to remind how stupid and brainwashed they can be and at times just outright disgraceful. One American right-winger invited to today's 'Cross Talk' on Russia Today, on the subject of Newt Gingrich said he 'did not like the Palestinians anyway' and cited the 'fact' that on 9/11 'THEY danced around when 9/11 happened'.
WOAH NELLY (sound of cars screeching to a halt). No he diduuuunt. Yes he did. Cue me effing and blinding at the TV. It's no shocker that right-wingers are typically anti-immigration, pro-Israeli to the point of defying common sense and generally just stupid, but this crossed the line to outright racism.
FIRST of all, 'that' footage was long ago found out to be misinterpreted, i.e. it was filmed before 9/11 so 'they' were in fact dancing over something totally unrelated. The fact that the footage came out in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 to further demonise Muslims when surely there were more important things to be concerned about is deeply suspicious not to mention disconcerting.
SECOND of all, even if this obvious fact was not pointed out to this douchebag more than a decade after 9/11 had surpassed, can you blame an entire race of people on the actions of few? Bigot much?
THIRDLY, the crimes against humanity that the US government has perpetrated on the Middle East is of microscopic proportions in comparison with celebrating the murder of innocents, as sick as that would be, which I repeat THEY DID NOT ACTUALLY DO.
FOURTHLY, it would be almost be funny if it was not so tragic, that so many people do not even think that outsiders have a reason to hate America. Of course I would never advocate hating an entire people for the crimes of its governments, cos then I'd be just like right-wing douchebag of the day but the reasons why 9/11 occurred to begin with, must be acknowledged. The fact that this has not happened and that politicians have simply said that 'the terrorists are jealous of our freedom' is an absurdity and a gross lie perpetuated to the masses to redirect the hate and absolve state liability. To use a British example, when little Madeline McCann was abducted, who were the blameworthy? At first, there was much animosity toward the slow reaction of the Portuguese police in investigating the missing child. Then there was the obvious indignation that her parents should not have left a small child alone in the first place, no matter how near they were and how safe the place was meant to be. In all the hubub that ensued, not much was mentioned of the evil perpetrator(s), although admittedly he/she has yet to be found. Yet when it comes to the ability to surpass lax airport security and the interventionist and immoral foreign policies of some Western governments, the blame is attributed solely to the terrorists who take advantage and take revenge.
Who is to blame? The incitement to hatred or the ensuing hatred? Is it an either or? Although I am a die-hard lefty, I can stomach the right, what I CANNOT stomach, is the downright WRONG.
See also http://anbarrockny.blogspot.com/
