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Liberals Think Conservatives Are Nice
My daughter “Emma,” who has since graduated, was studying in the #1 Economics Dept in the world, at one of the best universities in America. She was also captain of one of the best basketball teams in the country. There was a big game that night – both teams in the top 15 in the country. ESPN was going to be there, and everybody was excited. After her multi-variable calculus class that morning, one of her friends from the class (“Charlie”) asked her if she could get a ticket for him. She said sure, and called one of the managers of the team & asked him to take care of it. The manager somehow got Charlie a really good seat, pretty close to the floor, near the baseline.
A couple days later, Charlie was talking to Emma and said, “Um, look, can I ask you something? Something personal? I swear I’ll never tell anyone. But I’m really curious…”
Emma looked at him and slowly said, “Well sure…”
Charlie said, “There’s no easy way to ask this, so I’ll just come right out and ask you straight up. Right. Well. Um, are you a conservative?”
Emma said, “Ah, I’m really not all that political. I just play basketball and study. I don’t really care about all that other stuff.”
Charlie pressed on, “I promise. I’ll never tell a soul. I’m just curious.”
Emma asked, “Why would you think such a thing?”
Charlie responded, “At the game the other night, I noticed that during the National Anthem, you were the only player with her hand over her heart.”
Emma raised her eyebrows and said, “And you think I’m conservative, just because of that?”
Charlie, “Well, I mean, I’ve suspected for a long time.”
Emma: “Why?”
Charlie: “Because you’re nice. You’re always nice to everybody.”
Emma thought for a minute and said “Are you conservative?”
Charlie’s eyebrows shot up and he half-whispered back, “Of course not! I’m a good guy – you know that!”
Emma looked confused and said, “But you just said that you thought I was conservative because I was nice. But you’re ‘a good guy,’ so that means you’re liberal?”
Charlie, “You know what I mean.”
Emma: * pause * “No, I don’t.”
Let me interrupt their conversation here and point something out. These are two students in one of the most difficult majors at one of our most elite schools. They both have IQ’s way above genius level. And their conversation, so far, makes no sense whatsoever.
Anyway, back to Charlie,
Charlie: “So c’mon – are you conservative?“
Emma looks away and rolls her eyes.
Charlie: “I knew it! I knew it! I really knew the whole time, but when I saw you during the anthem, that was the first time I really figured it out.”
Emma: “Charlie, I swear to God, I’m the just about the only white player on…”
Charlie: “I know, I know. I won’t tell anyone. I swear. You know that you can trust me. I swear. But – wow.”
Emma: “Why did you think I was conservative because I’m nice to people?”
Charlie: “Well, I don’t know, you know…”
Emma: “You can’t imagine me joining Antifa?”
Charlie laughed, “A conservative Antifa! Ha! No, that would be a little weird.” * pause * “Of course, you’ve got the KKK…”
Emma: “They were Democrats. And they don’t really exist anymore. Not enough for anyone to care, at least…”
Charlie, “Um…”
Emma: “So you think I’m conservative because I’m nice. You laugh at the idea of violent conservatives like me. Which is true – why would I threaten to beat you up to get you to do whatever you want? You only need to threaten violence to get somebody to do something they don’t want to do. Conservatives say you can live your life however you want. So they don’t have to threaten people to get them to do that. You understand all that, then you say you’re a ‘good guy,’ and then you’re horrified when I ask if you’re conservative. Does that make any sense to you?”
Charlie, “C’mon – Trump is an [expletive]“
Emma, “And I am too?”
Charlie, “Of course not.”
Emma: “Trump is a lot of things, but he is no conservative.”
Charlie: “Look, never mind. I was only curious.”
Emma: “Remember, you promised.”
Charlie: “Yeah, of course. I promised. I would never ‘out’ you. We’re friends. But I just had to ask. I’m sure you understand.”
Emma: “Yeah, I understand. Thanks for keeping this between us.”
Charlie, “I swear that I will keep this between us. I swear.”
And, to his credit, Charlie kept their secret between them. Good for him.
When my daughter told me about this conversation from a few months ago (just before the big tournament was canceled), I was surprised that I wasn’t surprised. Charlie had probably never been so close to an out-of-the-closet conservative. That conversation was probably an incredible experience, for him. She was an exotic find. And he probably is, as he says, ‘a good guy.’ He understood her need to stay in the closet.
As do I – I’m keeping her identity discreet. Those of you who know who she is, and have seen her on TV, I would appreciate it if you would keep her identity discreet as well. Thank you.
But it struck me how close Charlie was to realizing that he was a conservative as well. He probably had not given a great deal of deep thought to his political philosophy, because he has been taught since he was a child that independent thought was a sign of fascism. Such absurdities can only be maintained until Toto pulls back the curtain.
Perhaps Emma pulled back his curtain on that day. Perhaps that’s why he kept her secret. Because he realized that it was really his secret, too.
Or perhaps not. Perhaps he just shrugged, thought to himself, “Geez – you meet all kinds out there…” and he never gave it a second thought.
Hard to say, I suppose.
But I’m fascinated by Charlie’s analysis of Emma:
- A nice person. Nice to everybody.
- Has the guts to confess her love of country, even in a hostile environment.
- A sufficiently independent thinker to critically assess 16 years worth of propaganda and reach her own conclusions despite overwhelming peer pressure.
- Comfortable enough in her own skin to be able to resist the temptation to shove her beliefs in everybody’s face.
And I’m even more fascinated by Charlie’s reaction to Emma:
“That’s not me. I’m not like her. Nope.”
And remember, Charlie is a genius. An absolutely brilliant, hard-working kid. I’d probably like him a lot, if I ever met him.
But Charlie has been through a lot. What a powerful influence on his fertile mind – his schooling and upbringing have molded him. Quite successfully, apparently. Against overwhelming odds.
Imagine what the world looks like through Charlie’s eyes. Charlie lives in a strange world. As do the rest of our kids.
Just keep looking around, Charlie. It’ll all come together for you, at some point. I’m rooting for you.
So is Emma.
She got you a ticket. The rest is up to you.
Published in General
Have you ever not made a great post?
Charlie might be slow arriving at the big picture, but it sounds as if he might – might – be on his way . . .
Boy am I glad not to be young. I just can’t imagine what its like to navigate the stormy waters of young adulthood. Pray that the seals hold.
I pick up Doc’s slack in that regard.
Don’t we all (or most).
She got that right.
Trump is not a conservative.
He says inappropriate things. Goofy things. That leads people who jump to conclusions to think he’ll do goofy things. Instead he steals a march or two on them, as with the DHS deputizing the Oregon State Troopers, thus bypassing the idiot county DA. He leaves them flummoxed because the goofy things he says distracts them. He’s got a tin ear sometimes.
Trump is Richard J. Daley.
And the biggest problem the Democrats have is that they’ve run off all the Richard J. Daleys in their party.
Okay, I was writing up a post earlier today because I feel bad that I keep dropping in comments, rolling out some of what I think are funny lines (don’t burst my balloon if you know they aren’t), and not actually providing content.
I didn’t post it – I think I need some practice on making my points more concisely. As evidenced by this comment.
@drbastiat, your skill in writing is a bit intimidating. The fact that you are able to have the volume of output you have while also (I assume) fulfilling your work obligations, family demands, etc.
Ugh.
Couldn’t you make it look a LITTLE harder?!?!?!?!
To be conservative is to be countercultural. Who knew?
Good post, as usual, Doc.
I haven’t been around a campus in a long time. I was at a very left-leaning undergrad college in the late 1980s, during the first outbreak of political correctness. One of my professors told me that there were only 3 conservatives on the faculty, “and we’re in foxholes.” I was openly conservative anyway, and had plenty of buddies.
I also got along just fine with the Left-leaning students. I had one friend, named Nicki, who was a radical black feminist. It didn’t stop us from partying together and sharing exotic cigarettes (the legal kind of exotic, like cloves or something from Turkey).
I don’t know what’s up with students today. Maybe they’re tougher on each other. Maybe the conservatives are just too shy to speak out. They might find more support than they expect.
Your account is depressing, particularly in its indication that modern Lefty students would think that putting your hand over your heard during the Anthem is a sign of conservatism, which apparently means Nazism to them. What is wrong with these people?
I do think that it’s strong evidence that they hate America.
I’m really glad it’s in my DNA. The only problem is it makes it very difficult for me to understand those others.
I thought everyone knew that. It was already that way back in the 1950s, though conservatives were not nearly so isolated from the mainstream in those days.
Two observations:
When I was a kid back in the 1960s and 1970s, it was “understood” that conservatives were stupid. But my Dad was conservative and he was brilliant. He and I watched Firing Line every Sunday, so I knew that there were two smart conservatives in the world. I wanted to grow up to be the third. Of course, when I got a bit older, I realized that that position had already been filled many times over.
Dr B,
I think I am slowly witnessing the same evolution with my somewhat lefty Daughter in Law. She and my Son got married and have been living with us going on a year now, ostensibly to save up for a down payment on a home since they both quickly determine that rent was synonymous with flushing equity down the drain (lesson 1).
She is bright and intelligent with a newly minted degree in Mechanical Engineering. I managed to point her into her first professional job (it was not quite nepotism, just know who need what skills) and I got to see her (and my son’s) reaction to their first real paychecks (lesson 2).
One of her friends from school down in Texas had an post graduation intern type of research job with the University, which she knew was going to end last February, but lucked out with the timing for that sweet, sweet, unemployment money combine with the COVID $600 kicker. Said friend was telling my D-in-L some of the nice things she has been able to purchase with the windfall. Which dear D-in-L suddenly realized who is paying for her lack of diligent in finding another job rather then sitting out on the dole (lesson 3).
She will still argues with my fogey emeritus, and old world conservative views, but I notice less assuredness and vigor of her position these days. They plan on children in a few years because of listening to her older friends wrestling with irrefutability of diminished fertility and aging , so I think more lessons will visit her upon that milestone of parenthood.
I have learned lately to just smile, and refrain from pontificating, and let the lessons of personal experience do their magic. I hope I live long enough to hear her with my grandchildren to whisper quietly in her ears the joyous words of I told you so….
What the Frell?
How can those words come out of a real person’s mouth. This is Babalon Bee territory
I have a lefty daughter who was a Bernie Bro in 2016 but who is now a mother and starting to show signs of rational thought. She asked me if, the next time we drive over to California to visit, I could bring her another gun. She has one and knows how to shoot. Could be a sign of something (and yes I know it is illegal).
Slightly different theory here. Charlie is smitten with Emma and is trying to impress her by his openness and in the process is saying nonsensical things, as inexperienced young men are wont to do.
I ran across and essay by WFB, Jr. on gratitude. Thought it might be interesting to a former co-worker. I should have known better. He is an avid reader of the NYTimes who says with pride that his “guru for social and moral matters is David Brooks and his guru for economic matters is Paul Krugman” so of course he knows almost nothing about either area. He replied that he was surprised that a conservative such as Buckley could hold such liberal views. I guess that sums it up: If one is conservative, he is heartless, and if he is liberal he is a good person.
I wrote down what I wanted to say and saved it as a draft. The next day I re-worded it, but kept the sentiment. We’re still on speaking terms, barely.
What about us liberal conservatives? Are we heartless, good persons?
You can’t sell that here. Try Joe Biden as a customer.
I’ve heard he is a cheapskate who runs up big accounts but doesn’t pay up.
Cynic’s view here. It’s just as likely in 20 years Charlie will think back “I remember Emma. She was really nice, so I just can’t understand why she hated minorities and poor people and didn’t think she needed to pay her fair share.”
I’m also a cynic. ‘Nice’ isn’t necessarily a compliment. It’s a stamp put on a set of characteristics. ‘Nice’ is reliable and sometimes handy. You don’t have to worry too much about how you treat a ‘nice’ person even if you’re one of the ‘good’ people because there’s just something a little wrong with being ‘nice’.
The other thing is that lots and lots of conservatives – and others – are nice.
We’re nice to our neighbors.
We’re nice to people who need help.
We’re even nice to people who are rude to us and call us names.
We spend lots of time considering how our actions impact others, and ourselves.
The problem is, a lot of people don’t realize just how fast conservatives can suddenly not be nice.It’s a choice.
They hope that if you are nice, maybe you are recruitable. If only you were as in touch with their feelings as they are. It is a matter of consciousness-raising.
“How does poverty make you feel?”
It makes me feel sad.
“Don’t you think that we should do something about that?”
“About poverty, or about my feeling sad about it? Sadness is endemic to the human condition. And the poor will always be with us. In either case, get used to it because your ‘solution’ is more about your feelings than the underlying condition and if it won’t fix that condition, then what’s the point?”
And I always add that conservatives do, in fact, “do something” much more than progs — in religious tithing and donations to charities and volunteer work. I saw Biden’s numbers on this score and just shook my head.
And conservative policies are better for the poor, too.
And later Charlie denounced her at a struggle session as a counter revolutionary…
I’ll buy that for a dollar
Gotta pass on that one, Night Ranger.
There was a time when patriotism was bipartisan. So I guess now it is acceptable now to call Lefties Anti-American?
So, conservatives are known for being nice and being Hitler at the same time? That’s nice.