Defining Progressivism

[canpakes]

One of the many frightening aspects of our current GOP is that its trajectory will probably lead to full authoritarianism regardless of intentions. Maybe people intend to take us there (I think Trump does), maybe they don't, but our present path will likely lead us there all the same.

While awaiting Hound’s definition of progressivism (although, to be frank, I suspect that most folks know that a definition isn’t forthcoming), I wanted to ask if you or any of your associates have been the subject of any reports or investigation under the Trump Administration’s new End DEI reporting site.

NPR was doing a segment on this, and interviewing Moms For Liberty member Tina Descovitch, when this exchange took place:

DESCOVICH: A lot of (Trump’s) executive orders speak to the struggle that our organization and many other organizations have experienced over the last four and five years. I hope that government will be much more open. I think people in the administration really want to see changes that will open up the government more, and that's good for all Americans - left, right, Republican, Democrat. I have a lot of hope.

(NPR Host) LEILA FADEL: You know, I think there were people who felt like what you were advocating for was dangerous for certain Americans. I'm just wondering, in this moment, if it's free speech for everyone or just free speech for some.

DESCOVICH: Well, the Constitution of the United States of America guarantees free speech for everyone. And if anyone in America is being silenced in the way that we were silenced the last several years, they need to do the things that we do. They need to organize. They need to petition their government. We have filed lawsuits, and we've been victorious because the legal system in America does work. It may take time, but it does work. You know, I am willing to stand with someone - anyone - for their right to speak.

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5349474

The question was largely dodged, amidst the implication that when MFL attempts to shut down whatever it sees as ‘uncomfortable’ - and using ideologically partisan government decision makers as their enforcer - then this is an exercise in free speech, and that anyone believing contrary to their opinion must seek redress via the courts, which are increasingly ignored by that same set of partisan government decision makers.

With regard to authoritarianism, we are definitely entering interesting times.

[Xenophon]

Seeing the same person demand we define freedom before discussing it while adamantly refusing to define progressivism before discussing it gives me a right tickle.

[Kishkumen]

While awaiting Hound’s definition of progressivism (although, to be frank, I suspect that most folks know that a definition isn’t forthcoming), I wanted to ask if you or any of your associates have been the subject of any reports or investigation under the Trump Administration’s new End DEI reporting site.

The university was purged of DEI and everything on its online presence that dealt with DEI. People who held positions devoted to DEI either lost their jobs or were reassigned to other positions. We had a DEI committee that was repurposed to other things. Honestly, I find the whole mess wearying. I am tired of extremists on both ends of the spectrum causing drama. I have to confess that I did feel worried that I might inadvertently say something that someone might take the wrong way in the classroom and end up in trouble back in the days of peak DEI. I deal with a lot of people, and my job requires that I speak a lot. In such a situation, the possibility of making an error goes up. All of these self-appointed extremist police cause me stress, be they on the Left or the Right. I am tired of all of them. I just want to do my job.

NPR was doing a segment on this, and interviewing Moms For Liberty member Tina Descovitch, when this exchange took place:

I don’t have much sympathy for these busybodies. I wish everyone would settle down and stop making everything about their own political perspective.

The question was largely dodged, amidst the implication that when MFL attempts to shut down whatever it sees as ‘uncomfortable’ - and using ideologically partisan government decision makers as their enforcer - then this is an exercise in free speech, and that anyone believing contrary to their opinion must seek redress via the courts, which are increasingly ignored by that same set of partisan government decision makers.

With regard to authoritarianism, we are definitely entering interesting times.

And, honestly, America’s so-called conservatives, really right-wing nut jobs, have had the upper hand since the rise of fascism in the 20th century. They get a lot of mileage out of claiming victimhood, and they whine about having to listen to other perspectives, but the Left has always struggled in this country. I have very little patience with MFL, an organization dedicated to preventing children from receiving life-saving vaccines and other stupid things.

[Hound of Heaven]

Alright, Gunnar! Having provided the board progressives nearly 10 pages to demonstrate that progressive ideology is founded on hatred, I believe it is now an opportune moment to begin defining progressivism.

Understanding progressivism is crucial, as it parallels religion in that both offer a sense of satisfaction by presenting you with adversaries. One of the advantages of adhering to an ideology that provides an enemies list is that it enables you to believe that all the negativity in the world resides with your adversaries, while all the positivity is found within yourself!

Essentially, embracing an extreme ideology like progressivism can lead to a feeling of superiority, which in turn may justify labeling others as Nazis, white supremacists, or whatever term is currently popular. It becomes instinctive to belittle others and to look down on anyone who doesn't share your progressive beliefs. Everything you do or believe, as long as it aligns with the extreme ideology you have embraced, becomes acceptable to you. You are not only combating the perceived evil outside the group but also feel justified in attacking others, as you believe you are defending what you see as the only true and acceptable way of living. Consequently, any differing perspectives on how to live life are deemed evil, and those who choose to live differently are viewed as evil as well.

Gunnar, what I just explained to you isn't limited to the cult of progressivism, extremism can also be observed on the far right. Many religions, including Mormonism, are structured with the same partial definition I just provided for progressivism.

The primary aspect to consider regarding the allure of extremism for its adherents is the belief that all virtue is contained within themselves, while all malevolence is attributed to their perceived adversaries. The two prime examples I can provide from this board are Some Schmo and Moksha. They both firmly believe that anyone who disagrees with their far-left perspectives is a Nazi or a white supremacist. They can be described as orthodox progressives, indicating that they have embraced the ideology with such intensity that they struggle to attain genuine happiness until everyone who does not align with their progressive beliefs is compelled to join their progressive community.

Alright, Gunnar, this marks the initial stage of my explanation of progressivism. This will serve as the foundation for my work. Keep in mind that the aim of progressivism, or any extreme ideology, including those on the right, is to create a sense of moral justification for all actions taken to defend the group. Anyone who is not part of the cult is considered an adversary, and they are deemed immoral until they embrace the tenets established by the cult.

Having completed this post, you are about to see the progressives on the board respond to me, as I had the audacity to clarify the inner workings of an extreme cult such as progressivism. Prepare yourself, the progressives are about to label me as ignorant, claim I lack education, suggest that English is not my first language, accuse me of being racist or a Nazi, call me mentally challenged, or assert that I am a Republican pretending to be a Democrat.

However, it's important to remember that as you encounter the insults directed at me, they stem from my honesty. For those individuals, belittling me serves as a form of catharsis. In their perspective, they believe they are entirely justified in taking any action required to defend their beliefs.

[canpakes]

what I just explained to you isn't limited to the cult of progressivism, extremism can also be observed on the far right.

Then you are also describing MAGA.

[Molok]

Alright, Gunnar! Having provided the board progressives nearly 10 pages to demonstrate that progressive ideology is founded on hatred, I believe it is now an opportune moment to begin defining progressivism.

Understanding progressivism is crucial, as it parallels religion in that both offer a sense of satisfaction by presenting you with adversaries. One of the advantages of adhering to an ideology that provides an enemies list is that it enables you to believe that all the negativity in the world resides with your adversaries, while all the positivity is found within yourself!

Essentially, embracing an extreme ideology like progressivism can lead to a feeling of superiority, which in turn may justify labeling others as Nazis, white supremacists, or whatever term is currently popular. It becomes instinctive to belittle others and to look down on anyone who doesn't share your progressive beliefs. Everything you do or believe, as long as it aligns with the extreme ideology you have embraced, becomes acceptable to you. You are not only combating the perceived evil outside the group but also feel justified in attacking others, as you believe you are defending what you see as the only true and acceptable way of living. Consequently, any differing perspectives on how to live life are deemed evil, and those who choose to live differently are viewed as evil as well.

Gunnar, what I just explained to you isn't limited to the cult of progressivism, extremism can also be observed on the far right. Many religions, including Mormonism, are structured with the same partial definition I just provided for progressivism.

The primary aspect to consider regarding the allure of extremism for its adherents is the belief that all virtue is contained within themselves, while all malevolence is attributed to their perceived adversaries. The two prime examples I can provide from this board are Some Schmo and Moksha. They both firmly believe that anyone who disagrees with their far-left perspectives is a Nazi or a white supremacist. They can be described as orthodox progressives, indicating that they have embraced the ideology with such intensity that they struggle to attain genuine happiness until everyone who does not align with their progressive beliefs is compelled to join their progressive community.

Alright, Gunnar, this marks the initial stage of my explanation of progressivism. This will serve as the foundation for my work. Keep in mind that the aim of progressivism, or any extreme ideology, including those on the right, is to create a sense of moral justification for all actions taken to defend the group. Anyone who is not part of the cult is considered an adversary, and they are deemed immoral until they embrace the tenets established by the cult.

Having completed this post, you are about to see the progressives on the board respond to me, as I had the audacity to clarify the inner workings of an extreme cult such as progressivism. Prepare yourself, the progressives are about to label me as ignorant, claim I lack education, suggest that English is not my first language, accuse me of being racist or a Nazi, call me mentally challenged, or assert that I am a Republican pretending to be a Democrat.

However, it's important to remember that as you encounter the insults directed at me, they stem from my honesty. For those individuals, belittling me serves as a form of catharsis. In their perspective, they believe they are entirely justified in taking any action required to defend their beliefs.

*squints* yeah I'm still not seeing a definition.

[canpakes]

*squints* yeah I'm still not seeing a definition.

Same here.

Looks more like Hound is - as even he admits - just loosely describing some general behaviors within extremism as could manifest on either side of the political fence.

If Hound spent less time grousing about his own imagined persecution and more time on the topic, I’d suppose we’d get to some sort of definition of progressivism … someday.

[huckelberry]

Some schmo has an ideology? I have not seen any indication of that. He is clear he does not like Trump. I certainly does not require ideology to not like Trump. All sorts of people do not like him, he provides all sorts of reasons.

Hound, l wonder if you know what ideology would be progressive. So far you described qualities of rigid group control which as you observed can develope in a variety of extremist groups

What is your view of the majority of progressives such as myself who are not part of such groups and learned to mistrust such over fifty years ago ?

[canpakes]

You are not only combating the perceived evil outside the group but also feel justified in attacking others, as you believe you are defending what you see as the only true and acceptable way of living. Consequently, any differing perspectives on how to live life are deemed evil, and those who choose to live differently are viewed as evil as well.

[canpakes]

Anyone who is not part of the cult is considered an adversary, and they are deemed immoral until they embrace the tenets established by the cult.

First step: golden lapel pins of Dear Leader.

The flag pins that normally reside here must be replaced, as Trump comes before Nation.