The Genocidal Morality Umbrella of Acquitting Plurality

 

America’s most famous high school student, Kyle Rittenhouse, has applied for college. As many of his peers have done. His application to Arizona State University has stimulated more interest than one might expect from some kid from Wisconsin. Remarkably for a 17-year-old kid, he has supporters and detractors. Here’s a quote from one of his ASU student supporters: “He’s an American who has committed no crime. He contributes to society the way any other American contributes to society who is not imprisoned. We should have zero bias towards him whatsoever, of what school he goes to or where he wants to be educated at, because he was acquitted. He has not committed any crimes, so he is free to go where he wants to go.”

Compare that to a statement from one of Rittenhouse’s ASU student detractors: “The American justice system does not acquit plurality. They are not the objective morality in America … they are founded on genocide … slavery … Their morality is based on White supremacy, so the American justice system does not work for people outside of that umbrella.” 

I find it easy to agree with his supporter because I understand her point. On the other hand, I find it difficult to argue with his detractor because I honestly don’t understand what on earth he’s trying to say. I suspect that if I did understand him, I would probably disagree. But I’m not sure. Because, well, honestly, you try to translate that steaming pile of academic insight. I’m too far removed from college — I’ve been immersed in reality for too long. I’m no longer fluent in bull$%&#. The conservative student sounds earnest and straightforward. I wonder how the other student can say such things and not giggle. But he does. So he probably gets good grades. Because, as former President Barack Obama said, he’s been taught to believe his own bull$%&#.

If my belief in my own ideology required me to make no sense whatsoever, I’m not sure how long I could keep up the charade. Perhaps the plurality morality umbrella kid will grow out of it one day.

But Bernie Sanders hasn’t yet, and he’s nearly 80 years old.

Leftism has progressed from a short-term affliction to a lifelong, chronic disorder with no known cure.

We need to find a treatment. Quickly.

And if you think that the treatment will simply be exposure to reality, I think you’re being optimistic. Perhaps naive. In fact, even at 17 years old, Rittenhouse might think you’re somewhat beyond naïve …

Published in General
Ricochet editors have scheduled this post to be promoted to the Main Feed at 7:05AM (PT) on December 3rd, 2021.

There are 42 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Paul Stinchfield Member
    Paul Stinchfield
    @PaulStinchfield

    Dr. Bastiat: “The American justice system does not acquit plurality.

    Marxist word salad?

    • #1
  2. Phil Turmel Inactive
    Phil Turmel
    @PhilTurmel

    When this popped up in my notifications as “Dr. Bastiat published … gobbledegook ….” I rolled my eyes and clicked to see what excess bourbon had inspired today.

    Sheesh.  One can’t make this [expletive] up.

    • #2
  3. Saint Augustine Member
    Saint Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    Acquitting Plurality might make a good band name, so there’s that.

    • #3
  4. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Phil Turmel (View Comment):
    When this popped up in my notifications as “Dr. Bastiat published … gobbledegook ….” I rolled my eyes and clicked to see what excess bourbon had inspired today.

    Perfectly understandable response. 

     

    Phil Turmel (View Comment):
    Sheesh.  One can’t make this [expletive] up.

    No, one can’t make this stuff up.  The modern left defies satire. 

    I thought that perhaps what you dismissively refer to as ‘excess bourbon’ might clarify the gobbledygook.  I did my very best to test that hypothesis.  For science.   

    Bourbon did not clarify the gobbledygook, despite my best efforts.  But it somehow shifted the gobbledygook from horrifying toward amusing.  Not quite amusing.  But closer to amusing than it was before.  Because, you see, it sort of, well…

    Never mind. 

    Those who suffer from excess sobriety wouldn’t understand.  Or, perhaps, they would understand that horrifying things can be amusing.  Under certain circumstances.  Like less sobriety.  Because, um…

    Never mind.

    • #4
  5. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    • #5
  6. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Dr. Bastiat:

    Compare that to a statement from one of Rittenhouse’s ASU student detractors:  “The American justice system does not acquit plurality.  They are not the objective morality in America … they are founded on genocide … slavery … Their morality is based on White supremacy, so the American justice system does not work for people outside of that umbrella.” 

    I find it easy to agree with his supporter, because I understand her point.  On the other hand, I find it difficult to argue with his detractor, because I honestly don’t understand what on earth he’s trying to say. 

    The detractor has a mortal lock on magna cum laude,  and that tells you everything you need to know about ASU.

    • #6
  7. Nohaaj Coolidge
    Nohaaj
    @Nohaaj

    This sounds vaguely like the readings you would hear in the late ’60,s and ’70,s in coffee shops and tea rooms of the socialist left hippies.  Back then they would snap their fingers and say “groovy”, “right on”, and smoke another joint.  Today they hear these words and put on black face masks, pick up crowbars and skateboards, and smash storefronts and people’s heads.  

    • #7
  8. Sandy Member
    Sandy
    @Sandy

    This person was spared a basic education in the English language while exposed to leftist cant. I would find the result amusing if it were not so sad. 

    • #8
  9. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Percival (View Comment):
    The detractor has a mortal lock on magna cum laude,  and that tells you everything you need to know about ASU.

    And our educational system in general. 

    That sort of muddled thinking should never get out of junior high. 

    • #9
  10. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Sandy (View Comment):

    This person was spared a basic education in the English language while exposed to leftist cant. I would find the result amusing if it were not so sad.

    Fortunately for the detractor’s career prospects, “Do you want fries with that?” is only six short words.

    • #10
  11. Paul Stinchfield Member
    Paul Stinchfield
    @PaulStinchfield

    Nohaaj (View Comment):

    This sounds vaguely like the readings you would hear in the late ’60,s and ’70,s in coffee shops and tea rooms of the socialist left hippies. Back then they would snap their fingers and say “groovy”, “right on”, and smoke another joint. Today they hear these words and put on black face masks, pick up crowbars and skateboards, and smash storefronts and people’s heads.

    Don’t forget the arcane Marxist jargon. It could be very strange, and even after it was explained you would wonder what drugs enabled them to embrace such rot.

    • #11
  12. Saint Augustine Member
    Saint Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    Sandy (View Comment):

    This person was spared a basic education in the English language while exposed to leftist cant. I would find the result amusing if it were not so sad.

    Shoulda done more Kant.

    • #12
  13. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Saint Augustine (View Comment):

    Sandy (View Comment):

    This person was spared a basic education in the English language while exposed to leftist cant. I would find the result amusing if it were not so sad.

    Shoulda done more Kant.

    I knew that was coming…

    • #13
  14. Barfly Member
    Barfly
    @Barfly

    One does not simply acquit plurality. There is oppression and slavery there that does not sleep. No, not with a thousand supremacists could pallor find justice, not even with both hands and a flashlight.

    • #14
  15. HankRhody Freelance Philosopher Contributor
    HankRhody Freelance Philosopher
    @HankRhody

    Dr. Bastiat: On the other hand, I find it difficult to argue with his detractor, because I honestly don’t understand what on earth he’s trying to say. 

    If you’ll excuse me self promoting; don’t get buried in the details.

    Dr. Bastiat: “The American justice system does not acquit plurality.  They are not the objective morality in America … they are founded on genocide … slavery … Their morality is based on White supremacy, so the American justice system does not work for people outside of that umbrella.” 

    The speaking jackass has already written off the justice system. Since they believe it’s inherently evil then they’ve got no confidence in any result it produces. Instead they’ve reverted to a brute tribalistic method of determining guilt; Michael Brown was black so he’s innocent. Rittenhouse is white so he’s evil.

    Parsing the specific lies they’ve told themselves to work themselves into that froth isn’t very useful. I have some sympathy for the broad claim that the justice system is broken, but not because of any made-up history of genocide. I have no sympathy at all for racists who see the world only in shades of race war.

    • #15
  16. EHerring Coolidge
    EHerring
    @EHerring

    I would consider it a moral inadequacy of my character if I had anything in common with the left. There will come a time when our two sides will no longer peacefully share a country. in fact, the cities  have already showed us the future.

    Ok, I have corrected all the scribble errors so my comment now makes sense.

    • #16
  17. The Scarecrow Thatcher
    The Scarecrow
    @TheScarecrow

    God, if I could only talk to him for a half hour. Maybe I could talk him out of college, at least for a couple of years. Time for all this to die down (read: become obscured under the flashing lights and klaxons of the next twelve media circuses waiting in the wings).

    He could come and work for me for a year; I would do everything I can to teach him the ins and outs of a construction site, and the electrical trade in particular. 

    If he decided then to go to college, at least he would have a fighting chance, some practical knowledge to use as a bulwark against the onslaught of academic woke BS he would be paying an outrageous sum to be subjected to.

    • #17
  18. Barfly Member
    Barfly
    @Barfly

    Dr. Bastiat: Compare that to a statement from one of Rittenhouse’s ASU student detractors:  “The American justice system does not acquit plurality.  They are not the objective morality in America … they are founded on genocide … slavery … Their morality is based on White supremacy, so the American justice system does not work for people outside of that umbrella.” 

    Y’know, the sick thing is that I can parse and understand that – assume that it makes sense, then derive the new definitions and perspectives. plurality becomes something like “the substance of the communal body of unwhite people”, is that right? Next, if we excuse the misplaced sense of They and expand our grammar to understand it as a reference to the system, then we can see the speaker claims objective status.

    And so on. It’s depressing.

    • #18
  19. HankRhody Freelance Philosopher Contributor
    HankRhody Freelance Philosopher
    @HankRhody

    Barfly (View Comment):
    plurality becomes something like “the substance of the communal body of unwhite people”, is that right?

    I think you can read “plurality” as everybody, meaning “They” don’t acquit everybody; only white people. But like I said, don’t get bogged down in the details. It’s all “You’re racists therefore you’re racist.”

    • #19
  20. Saint Augustine Member
    Saint Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    The Scarecrow (View Comment):

    Maybe I could talk him out of college, at least for a couple of years. . . .

    If he decided then to go to college, at least he would have a fighting chance, some practical knowledge to use as a bulwark against the onslaught of academic woke BS he would be paying an outrageous sum to be subjected to.

    And he can learn some great texts in philosophy from me, and all I charge is not taking away the YouTube ads.

    • #20
  21. Blondie Thatcher
    Blondie
    @Blondie

    Dr. Bastiat:

    Compare that to a statement from one of Rittenhouse’s ASU student detractors:  “The American justice system does not acquit plurality.  They are not the objective morality in America … they are founded on genocide … slavery … Their morality is based on White supremacy, so the American justice system does not work for people outside of that umbrella.” 

    This sounds like a grade A, #1, masters dissertation. Neal Boortz used to read them on his radio show and that’s been probably 10 years ago. It was better than any joke Jay Leno could have come up with. This word salad is nothing new. 

    If Rittenhouse is still wanting to get a nursing degree, he’d be far better off going to a community college than a traditional 4 year school. Get your license then get worry about getting that useless BSN while you work and let your employer help pay for it. 

    • #21
  22. Buckpasser Member
    Buckpasser
    @Buckpasser

    Just another in a long line of issues that had me stop giving to my alma mater (ASU) many years ago.

    • #22
  23. Phil Turmel Inactive
    Phil Turmel
    @PhilTurmel

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):
    you dismissively refer to as ‘excess bourbon’

    It wasn’t dismissive–I clicked through!

    Enviously, perhaps.  I don’t get to excess bourbon myself as much as I might like.

    • #23
  24. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    Biden is doing everything possible to make leftism look bad.  You gotta give him props for that. A choice between Bidenesque idiocy and AOC/Bernie idiocy as the destiny for young leftists is likely a self-limiting phenomenon.

    We are undergoing a horrible experiment in which a preferred fantasy of academics and Silicon Valley tycoons is being played out.  Democracy has been suspended in favor of rule by the academically and bureaucratically credentialed who claim to be The Science.  We no longer deploy policies that are based on data (ooh, math, icky!), general welfare or popular will but instead are all solely grounded in a conscious effort to promote the idea that even when they are obviously wrong, the preferences and sensibilities of the credentialed must be obeyed.  The data is unambiguous that lockdowns, school closings, wearing masks between forkfuls are futile and that vaccines do not stop the spread.  As with climate change (another self-serving fetish of the credentialed), “studies” that support the operant narrative get published and receive media hype (a recent travesty in the BMJ touted as a 53% efficacy for masks being the latest example) while fact-based contrarians (like the Great Barrington people) are attacked and censored.

    The lefty menu currently offers only the combo platter: Crime, urban destruction, waves of illegals, spectacularly stupid dogmas about sexuality, fiscal disaster, the collapse of international order, and class warfare.  The last item is historically atypical because it is the well-off manipulating all power centers (and the poor) to destroy the middle.  Not all young people are dumb enough to believe they will get to join the elite by being foot soldiers in the destruction.  A career path from Antifa thug to global portfolio manager for Jeff Bezos is a rather unlikely outcome.

    I don’t see a cure.  Just a generation that will have some useful antibodies when the fever breaks.

    • #24
  25. GrannyDude Member
    GrannyDude
    @GrannyDude

    Blondie (View Comment):

    If Rittenhouse is still wanting to get a nursing degree, he’d be far better off going to a community college than a traditional 4 year school. Get your license then get worry about getting that useless BSN while you work and let your employer help pay for it.

    I was thinking “Game warden.” 

    • #25
  26. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Percival (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat:

    Compare that to a statement from one of Rittenhouse’s ASU student detractors: “The American justice system does not acquit plurality. They are not the objective morality in America … they are founded on genocide … slavery … Their morality is based on White supremacy, so the American justice system does not work for people outside of that umbrella.”

    I find it easy to agree with his supporter, because I understand her point. On the other hand, I find it difficult to argue with his detractor, because I honestly don’t understand what on earth he’s trying to say.

    The detractor has a mortal lock on magna cum laude, and that tells you everything you need to know about ASU.

    This may be a section from the “detractor’s” application to Harvard or Yale law school. 

    • #26
  27. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Old Bathos (View Comment):

    Biden is doing everything possible to make leftism look bad. You gotta give him props for that. A choice between Bidenesque idiocy and AOC/Bernie idiocy as the destiny for young leftists is likely a self-limiting phenomenon.

    We are undergoing a horrible experiment in which a preferred fantasy of academics and Silicon Valley tycoons is being played out. Democracy has been suspended in favor of rule by the academically and bureaucratically credentialed who claim to be The Science. We no longer deploy policies that are based on data (ooh, math, icky!), general welfare or popular will but instead are all solely grounded in a conscious effort to promote the idea that even when they are obviously wrong, the preferences and sensibilities of the credentialed must be obeyed. The data is unambiguous that lockdowns, school closings, wearing masks between forkfuls are futile and that vaccines do not stop the spread. As with climate change (another self-serving fetish of the credentialed), “studies” that support the operant narrative get published and receive media hype (a recent travesty in the BMJ touted as a 53% efficacy for masks being the latest example) while fact-based contrarians (like the Great Barrington people) are attacked and censored.

    The lefty menu currently offers only the combo platter: Crime, urban destruction, waves of illegals, spectacularly stupid dogmas about sexuality, fiscal disaster, the collapse of international order, and class warfare. The last item is historically atypical because it is the well-off manipulating all power centers (and the poor) to destroy the middle. Not all young people are dumb enough to believe they will get to join the elite by being foot soldiers in the destruction. A career path from Antifa thug to global portfolio manager for Jeff Bezos is a rather unlikely outcome.

    I don’t see a cure. Just a generation that will have some useful antibodies when the fever breaks.

    What was Obama’s career path?  

    Lots of the leftist foot soldiers believe there is a career in the future.  Not unlike the many high school athletes who hope to play professional sports. 

    • #27
  28. GLDIII Purveyor of Splendid Malpropisms Reagan
    GLDIII Purveyor of Splendid Malpropisms
    @GLDIII

    Dr. Bastiat:

    Leftism has progressed from a short-term affliction to a lifelong, chronic disorder with no known cure.

    We need to find a treatment. Quickly.

    Perhaps there is a vaccine for this?

    • #28
  29. Barfly Member
    Barfly
    @Barfly

    HankRhody Freelance Philosopher (View Comment):

    Barfly (View Comment):
    plurality becomes something like “the substance of the communal body of unwhite people”, is that right?

    I think you can read “plurality” as everybody, meaning “They” don’t acquit everybody; only white people. But like I said, don’t get bogged down in the details. It’s all “You’re racists therefore you’re racist.”

    I read it as more restrictive than you – I sense a division in plurality, sort of an opportunistic riff on the meaning of the real word “plurality”, which is something like “the majority if you add all the groups together except the majority group”. In my projection, the mind behind plurality is thinking that he’s in the majority because the real majority isn’t suffocatingly dominant.

    You’re probably a better person than I.

    • #29
  30. Doug Watt Member
    Doug Watt
    @DougWatt

    Jargon creeps into the Left much like the jargon of art critics. All the explanations, and psycho babble from the art critic describing a painting that isn’t fit for your refrigerator door is rather amusing, and tiresome at the same time.

    Unfortunately minimalist thinking does not lead to a minimal stream of commentary.

    • #30
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.