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Confessions of an American Skeptic By: Rizzuto Tue Feb 19, 2008 - After several months of introspection, since the whirlwind of media covering the emergence of this ?new breed? of punk, the Conservative Punk, began, I?ve come to a conclusion about myself. It was always at the tip of my tongue, in the back of my mind, and something I assume I had known about myself for a long time but failed to ever articulate. I am a rabid, and fanatical skeptic of the American left. It is similar in many ways to the skeptic who applies intellectual argument to Atlantis, bigfoot, UFO?s and ghosts, deconstructing them fact by fact. The most glaring difference, however, is the fact that we are not debunking fantasy, or wishful thinking; we are in fact affixing doubt upon the methods, and motivations of an ideology that is very much real and in our faces. This is why I am indeed saddened at the fact that my skepticism of the left has bore so much fruit. I assume it began while sitting in college classrooms, listening to professors who turned literature classes into introductions to liberalism. It was egged on by anthropology professors who placed more importance on Noam Chomsky?s political screed, rather than his more relevant work in the field of linguistics. It continued through history classes where Howard Zinn?s America replaced the history lessons, through which I had developed a love for historical studies. It was spurned by film classes where the movies of touted socialist weasel Michael Moore were hailed as brilliant social commentary, with little further analysis. Yes, you can definitely pinpoint the birth of my love for leftist skepticism to my college experience. This is not to say that there were not times when I found these writers and film makers ideas downright attractive. What?s not to love about Moore?s ability to compress a social issue of such magnitude as gun violence into a palatable 2 hour film, capped off by Joey Ramone?s cover of Lois Armstrong?s What a Wonderful World. The puzzle pieces seemed to fit together so well, revealing a portrait of an America gone mad with bloodlust and fear. Then I discovered something wonderful, something that gave me even more of a thrill than having the answers conveniently laid out for me by a man who?s credibility was no greater than my own, I discovered critical analysis and skepticism. At first I learned of the distortions slowly, a few misleading dates and connections, some images which gave the wrong impression. Eventually I would be exposed to Moores complete fabrications. My attraction to the work of Michael Moore had ended as quickly as it had begun. Fahrenheit 9/11 followed, once again offering all the answers, neatly packaged and ready for mass consumption, and once again, packed with distortions and fabrications. Knowing that we all have access to the same information it, truly saddens me that this man commands the respect he does. His film has been so thoroughly deconstructed that it seems to me, that it is no longer a matter of truth and fiction, but rather a matter of ignorant and blind acceptance of a documentary which affirms pre-existing beliefs...the height of intellectual dishonesty. I?ve always had a morbid fascination with the ?fall of the mighty?. People who command respect being exposed to the masses. But I thirst for this man?s fall, as I have come to the conclusion that his popularity is dependent upon American ignorance, the very ignorance he takes all too much pleasure in communicating to his screaming fans in Europe, ready to be spoon fed every minute of film, and hang on every word of commentary, all too willing participants in ignorance. Professor Noam Chomsky provides us with an interesting chance for skepticism. His warts and all (or more accurately, warts and warts) analysis of American foreign policy point all fingers in one direction, the cause of misery conveniently placed upon our own shoulders. Authors like Professor Chomsky have made self-loathing the new religion of the left. This is not to say that Chomsky is not worth reading, or that he?s never right. I firmly believe that in order to understand the history of ones own country, you must be aware and accepting of its faults as well as its strengths. However, the hatred I have seen in this mans words and conjectures is startling (and professor Chomsky does hate this country, to those who doubt it, please read What Uncle Sam Really Wants .) I assume it could have just as easily turned out the other way and I could be railing against the right at this moment, although there aren?t too many college campuses on which Ann Coulter is required reading, or Rush Limbaugh mandatory listening. The right, of course, should be subject to the same scrutiny and skepticism as the left. Moore, Chomsky and their radical ilk are no one?s friends, they are especially no friends of the American left, and do them no favors. If we all applied a little more skepticism to the works of Moore and Chomsky (and I stress Moore because of his mainstream acceptance) we would see them crumble before the alter of reason, and the Democrat left will return to being the party of John F. Kennedy, rather than a vehicle for extremists. But...and I direct this at the American left...until that day comes, these men will act as anchors for your causes, rather than sails.
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