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 …

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  1. Ray Gunner Coolidge
    Ray Gunner
    @RayGunner

    Acquitting Plurality….

    Didn’t they used to open for Bowie? 

    • #31
  2. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    This is what college teaches now form what I have observed in a previously post. (I went back a year or so ago to take two courses.) 

    In college, you are “taught” that the rich are rich because the poor are poor. I use the scare quotes because this isn’t so much argued as just assumed and then all the arguments are based around the assumption without first examining the original assumption.

    Along with the zero-sum fallacy young students are taught a series of beliefs that lead to depression. In no particular order, I will briefly go through these beliefs.

    You are taught that capitalism is exploitative and we live in a time and place of severe material deprivation for poor people (the fact that poor people have flat-screens TVs and computers are ignored).

    You are taught that we live in a society that is rife with racism and that whites are wealthier than people of color only because of their privilege (Asian-Americans, Alexander Hamilton, and George Jefferson moving on up from their past poverty are ignored).**

    You are taught that past American traditions were based around oppression and exploitation and all that “all men are created equal” stuff was just a rhetorical flourish. (All the immigrants who wanted to come to America are ignored).

    You are taught that the great works of Western literature are corrupt and patriarchal. Shakespeare and Dostoevsky and all the Greeks were just straight white men. (That straight whites have produced some of the best literature is ignored as is the homosexuality of many Greeks).

    You are taught that religion is, at best, a silly superstition for weak and dumb people and, at worst, the source of all wars. (Islam isn’t depicted as a serious philosophy to debate but rather a brown-person thing and opposing a brown-person thing is racist).

    You are taught that all masculinity is toxic and that it is more important for women to be strong and aggressive like men. You are also taught that a man can be a woman. Above all the contradictions, you are taught that society is terrible and oppressive based on something sexual.

    What’s more, we live in a rape culture. If our culture was different, then nobody would rape anyone, but we are just so terrible we don’t want to change our culture. In a way that is equally both impressive and troubling, it makes sex less fun.

    You aren’t taught anything about family. That would be judgmental. You aren’t taught that men have a duty to protect women. You aren’t taught that you are part of the greatest experiment in freedom that humanity has ever done so, at the very least, don’t screw it up. You aren’t taught that you are made in the image of G-d and therefore you have meaning no matter how bad things get or how lonely you are. 

    • #32
  3. Barfly Member
    Barfly
    @Barfly

    Doug Watt (View Comment):

    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.

    The Police were a minimalist rock band. I guess that makes your remark racist.

    • #33
  4. Paul Stinchfield Member
    Paul Stinchfield
    @PaulStinchfield

    Doug Watt (View Comment):
    Jargon creeps into the Left much like the jargon of art critics.

    And for much the same reason: They do not want to be understood.

    And every one will say,
    As you walk your mystic way,
    “If this young man expresses himself in terms too deep for me,
    Why, what a very singularly deep young man
    this deep young man must be!”

    • #34
  5. Goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    Goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    The only thoughts I’ve had since the trial ended are how this kid from a poor family can afford to go to a university so far from his home.

    • #35
  6. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    The only thoughts I’ve had since the trial ended are how this kid from a poor family can afford to go to a university so far from his home.

    He works two jobs.

    • #36
  7. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    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.

    That’s a relief.  I was wondering, “Am I a dummy?  I do not comprehend what this guy is saying.”

    • #37
  8. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    The only thoughts I’ve had since the trial ended are how this kid from a poor family can afford to go to a university so far from his home.

    Some universities go to pains to get talented kids from poor families in order to create a social mix.  There are scholarships.  Whether this kid is that kind of student, I don’t know. 

    • #38
  9. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    The only thoughts I’ve had since the trial ended are how this kid from a poor family can afford to go to a university so far from his home.

    Some universities go to pains to get talented kids from poor families in order to create a social mix. There are scholarships. Whether this kid is that kind of student, I don’t know.

    Grants, loans, discounts, scholarships, and “family contribution” all go together to make up a financial aid package.  

    • #39
  10. Buckpasser Member
    Buckpasser
    @Buckpasser

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    The only thoughts I’ve had since the trial ended are how this kid from a poor family can afford to go to a university so far from his home.

    When I went to college the out of state tuition at ASU was cheaper than the in state tuition at Illinois.

    • #40
  11. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    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.

    That’s a relief. I was wondering, “Am I a dummy? I do not comprehend what this guy is saying.”

    I’m not sure he does, either.

    • #41
  12. Stina Member
    Stina
    @CM

    Percival (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.

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

    Except with today’s clown world, I’d expect him clerking for Roberts.

    • #42
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