Did Liberals Cause 9/11?

Bloggers On The Left Bash Dinesh D'Souza's New Book

(CBS)  Blogophile is written by CBSNews.com's Melissa P. McNamara

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Did The Left Cause 9/11?

Dinesh D'Souza, a conservative critic and Hoover Institute fellow, has a new book out, and it's generating plenty of its own publicity. In "The Enemy at Home," D'Souza identifies more than 100 people and organizations as part of a "domestic insurgency" that is "working in tandem with [Osama] bin Laden to defeat Bush." But his most controversial assertion is that "the cultural left in this country is responsible for causing 9/11."

According to his Web site, D'Souza contends that the cultural left is responsible for 9/11 in two ways. They fostered "a decadent and depraved American culture that angers and repulses other societies — especially traditional and religious ones — and by promoting, at home and abroad, an anti-American attitude that blames America for all the problems of the world."

In his book, D'Souza explains his thesis further: "I am saying that the cultural left and its allies in Congress, the media, Hollywood, the nonprofit sector, and the universities are the primary cause of the volcano of anger toward America that is erupting from the Islamic world."

But the "cultural left," or at least liberal bloggers, are not buying it and have taken to their keyboards to blog their disgust.

Kathy at Liberty Street analyses D'Souza's theories and concludes his "arguments are shallow, uninformed, and unconvincing. The right's standards for intellectualism are laughably low."

"D'Souza is also wrong in principle. If extremists and jihadists despise our culture and are using violence and threats to try and compel us to change, isn't it the grossest kind of cowardice to throw up our hands and say 'they're right, we need to align our culture with that of our enemies?' " PZ Meyers writes at Pharyngula. "That's basically what D'Souza is suggesting ..."

Others say D'Souza's message is historically inaccurate. "I can't help thinking that he makes a fundamental flaw," Alberto Testudo writes at The Ark and the Dove. "And that's assuming that there's only one cause. A common historical fallacy is to argue over 'the cause.' But in reality decisions usually come about because of the convergence of several factors. Analysis becomes all the more complicated the more people you have to deal with."

"If people are calling him on a clumsily articulated, overreaching, and dishonest argument, he's got only himself to blame," a blogger at Vanity Press adds.

Still, D'Souza has a loyal following online as well. A blogger at Worcester Right calls it an "excellent read."


Bloggers Discover Gay Sheep

When a scientist set out to understand sheep sexual orientation — so that others could determine which rams are likeliest to breed — it set off a firestorm in the blogosphere, the New York Times notes.

The heated controversy began, the newspaper reports, after the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals campaigned against and publicized Dr. Charles Roselli's research.

That sparked more criticism from animal rights activists and gay advocates who said the study would lead to sexual eugenics. Part of the criticism was misinformed, based on an article in the Sunday Times in London, which incorrectly stated that Dr. Roselli tried to "cure" homosexual rants and the work could lead to devising ways to "breed out homosexuality in humans."

Dr. Roselli told the New York Times he is as repulsed as his critics by the thought of sexual eugenics in humans. But word had already spread online. As the New York Times described it: "The story of the gay sheep became a textbook example of the distortion and vituperation that can result when science meets the global news cycle."

While some bloggers have corrected their posts, many stand by their notion that the research hurts animals, and perhaps people.

"In addition to being forced to endure invasive surgical procedures — only to be killed and then have their brains dissected — the sheep are kept in solitary confinement for up to nine days," PETA's Research Associate Shalin Gala blogs at The PETA Files.

Many say the speed at which this story spread raises interesting questions about the worth of the "global news cycle." Cerblogus blogs that it's "the same news cycle that I believe is willfully misused by political parties to spread misinformation about their opponents."

Coerulus offers a solution. "Universities ought to send the 'prominent' bloggers e-mails to tell them where they're wrong — something the article points out was done in this case — but don't wait more than a day to do so or else it'll be out of the news-cycle and may not be picked up," she writes.

But many say the frenzy to bash Dr. Roselli is unwarranted and misdirected. "The majority of the public reaction was based upon mis-information and media frenzy. As scientists are ever more pushed to justify their research for the good of humanity, society..whatever...we are checking them into boxes they just can't find their way out of," Anna blogs at InkyCircus.

"What can be known, will be known. What science does with the information is where we need to be vigilant," Joe writes at Joe.My.God in what is unlikely to be the last word.


An "Ic" Heard Around The Blogosphere

When President Bush delivered his State of the Union address last week, he left out a small suffix that had a big consequence to many bloggers. After honoring Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Mr. Bush said, "I congratulate the Democrat majority," he said, dropping the last two letters from "Democratic."

According to the prepared text of the speech, which the White House sent out, Mr. Bush was supposed to say, "Some in this Chamber are new to the House and Senate — and I congratulate the Democratic majority."

So was the slip on purpose or merely a grammatical accident, many continue to ask. The president said it was merely an oversight, that he wasn't trying to disparage the party now running Congress. But many liberal bloggers are not convinced.

"For all of Bush's talk tonight about crossing party lines to work with the new Democratic Congress, it is the missing two letters that may offer the clearest indication of whether partisan tensions are really like to fade in the waning years of Bush's presidency," a blogger at Dem Bloggers writes.

"Dropping the 'i' and the 'c' at the end of the Democrat Party's preferred pronunciation and spelling, as Democratic, is an old Republican Party move. It riles the Dems something fierce--who seem to think they have a special right to be considered small 'd' democratic...," Dick Stanley notes at The Texas Scribbler.

Some conservative bloggers, however, point out that people have poked fun at Mr. Bush's speaking abilities for years. "Understand, that these are the same people who have mocked Bush for 7 years about his mangling of the English language," a blogger at Crazy Politico's Rantings writes.

Others say the Democrats are just being petty. "Of all the things to get upset about," Rick Moore at HolyCoast blogs.

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[debatable]

I saw this guy on a panel about 8 years ago and he was a bit frightening then, now, after 9/11 his rhetoric has just become disgusting. He is just trying to horn in on Coulter's audience.

got a new blog that talks about conservative propaganda, check it out debatablepolitics.com

[debatable]

I tell I saw DSousza on a panel at Ohio State about 8 years ago, he was frightening then. 9/11 have just made these types disgusting in their use of rhetoric!

Looking for feedback on my new political blog www.debatablepolitics.com

[m_kotyk]

Muslims hated us before Clinton took office. They hated us during Reagan's administration too or did everyone forget our disasterour deployment to Lebanon?

[kreuz4]

Read over the posts, who exactly are the hatemongers here?

BTW (regarding infiltration): Iraqi generals implicated in kidnapping, kiling of US soldiers-

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Two_Iraqi_generals_suspected_of_complicity_0201.html

[lambofgoth]

Getreal, getsomeone1 and helpsomeone1 (The latter two being the same critter - there's a liberal in your closet (probably hanging out with the preacher)... better hunt 'em down.
Don't forget your meds when you are done.

[caseyjm]

Liberals and Conservatives...........have we all not made enough mistakes in this country? Why is it that we have to use the above words as name calling.........You Liberal!!!!!!!!! You Conservative!!!!!!!!! Well guys I am a little of both and I bet most of you are too. I know it is our nature to blame others but isn't enough.....enough..... Lets' get out of Iraq as soon as possible and take care of our citizens here next. Do any of you know of any Senior Citizens who can't buy their medicine. What about groceries? Most have to decide if they want to eat or take their medicine. We got problems right here at home that need fixing..........Have a blessed day to you all

[erichsh]

"It depends upon what the meaning of the suffix 'ic' is" - to paraphrase a famous parser. Jeez, the same crowd that calls Bush everything from a murderer to a Nazi gets bent over two lousy letters, sandwiched, as it was, between Bush's praise for Pelosi and an expressed desire for bipartisanship. What a touchy bunch of hypocrites.

[cbs_oliver]

I would rather talk about the possibility that someone in the US government carried out the Anthrax attacks as a psych operation intended to terrirify most Americans and push them towards war with Iraq.

I am inclined to think that reproducing the ravings of a right wing nut is as bad as originating them. The reproducer spreads the foul message while avoiding the accountability of being the original author.

I am suprised that the reporter in this case would do such a thing. I guess its just a mistake.

[getserious1]

Watch out for bluestardad, he is evidently a muslim terrorist. Just read all of his pathetic posts....nothing but vile and misleading information...Just like bahgdad bob!!

[hillaryin08]

cantshutup

you douchbag. Your not going to get drafted and the Army does wouldnt want your whiny *** anyways. If your upset about a draft bill in congress, thank your liberals for that. What makes are army good is the fact we have the only volunteer army this size in the world. Not a bunch of pacifist conscrips with less than two years experience. This is right out of the 60's playbook.

[bluestardad]

It is common knowledge that Iraqi units are infiltrated by all types of Insurgents, Terrorist, and Execution Death Squads members of Both Religions. The Sunni supported by Saudi Arabia who are killing most of American troops, and Shiite supported by Iran. Those people who support this Surge of Troops in Iraq are forcing American Soldiers to sleep with the enemy in small units exposing them to undue kidnap threat. Americans soldiers who are captured by these enemies are without mercy, tortured and mutilated beyond recognition by their captors. Still our political leadership is planning to send these Brave Men and Women in to this environment. Would those Neocons or Chicken Hawks that pushed so hard for America to go into this war like to volunteer to live with death squad members? If American proceeds with this deployment our troops will be kidnapped and America will see such beheadings, torture and captivity that have never been seen before on Cable, Internet, and National Television. If you support this surge in troops and the tactics it brings you are responsible for every one of these deaths. Be prepared to watch American men and women begging for their lives on television while they are decapitated. Here is the contact address for your Senator! Send them a message of your opinion. All Class Two Senators are up for Reelection in 2008. http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_in
formation/senators_cfm.cfm

[feelfree1]

Why is this gossip article in the Sci-Tech section?

Anyway, for an interesting look at the events surrounding the attacks of 9/11/1, I would like to recommend these 2 films:

%u201CImprobable Collapse%u201D 9/11 WTC

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUMKP4WaMgM

& 9/11 Press For Truth

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5589099104255077250

[cantshutup]

THE DRAFT IS HERE. Universal Nat'l Service Act of 2007.
NOT TO ALARM YOU OR ANYTHING. Just passing this along.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/
query/z?c110:H.R.393:

Universal National Service Act of 2007 (Introduced in House)
HR 393 IH
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 393
To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the favorable treatment afforded combat pay under the earned income tax credit, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 10, 2007

[rafterman1]

"How could the Liberal's cause 9/11? We all know it Bush's fault! Posted by gunnerv1 What a stupid comment!"

Uh, I think he was being sarcastic. No one will confuse gunnerv1 with a liberal.

[toolmangler-2009]

How can it be Bush's fault. Nor is it Clintons fault. It 'is' your fault, my fault and anybody else's fault that promotes the use of fossil fuels by purchasing and/or using automobiles, Airplanes and any other machinery that uses oil for fuel or lubricants. Force the "Powers that be" to find or make another form of energy that is cheap and easy for any country to get and use and you take back the world for the common man.

[caldwellptr]

This brings my memory back to 9/11/2001. I had just seen one of the towers erupt in a fireball from 5th avenue. I had walked back to the office in Rockefeller Center. I was watching a monitor in a conference room. The scroll along the bottom of the screen while depicting the first tower collapsing quoted Pat Robertson blaming ***, Lesbians, and Witches.

[grbradsk]

The problem with the democrats and the republicans is that they both fight over their extreme fringe and not over the large group of American's in the middle who are neither conservative or liberal but pretty moderate. A one time only political party has just formed to take the presidency centered around the middle. The idea is to get the parties focused on the middle again: http://www.unity08.com/

That said, I am just amazed at conservatives. Fault for war: Bin Laden and co. Reason: They want to weaken America so they can take Saudi Arabia. Who lost the war: Bush, by gross incompetence.

If it was the dems fault, then there's nothing to correct on the repubs side. Nonesense. Bush brought in the biggest group of losers this nation has ever seen. We, dems, repubs, and the vast middle NEED repubs to self correct and never select this sort of head-in-the-sand, overspending, state is religion fools again!

[fleshmonger6]

I find it curious that the only entities of the U.S. culture that has ever had contact with the middle east in general have been the military because they were sent to protect American interest there, the U.S. secret police who were also there to insure the safety of American interest there, and the U.S. banking and oil businesses who are the American Business interest there and yet somehow all those middle easterners according to the premise of this book ignored what was happening in their own countries and became fans of the American political scene and somehow got imspiration for developing an urge to attack America because of the "liberals" in this country... Interesting... Crazy but interesting...

[linfinster]

911 was a set up. The Pentagon wan't hit by a plane. All carefully orchestrated by our Government.

[tibu987]

There is no shortage of imbecilic thoughts about anything and everything in this world.
I have not read the book but I will. Still, just the totally ignorant assumption that liberals were somehow responsible for the terrorism of 9/11 is just that, ignorant.
The hatred that the Muslim terrorists hold for the U.S., democracy, capitalism, education, is far more explained in the ancient teachings of Islam. That a preponderance of that hatred reared it's ugly head more visibly in the last twenty years is a culmination of many, many things, and with many many, causes.
The book's title would, perhaps, be to make it more saleable. It worked, I'm going to buy it.