Disqus - Latest Comments for dmair

Re: Brainwashing? - Marysville Globe

dmair — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:02:54 -0000

So according to you Heartland is in the same league as Adolph Hitler, Idi Amin, Slobodan Milosevic, or the radical Baptist Fred Phelps. Well, why didn't you say so in the first place. Obviously we can discount anything they say.

I find it very sad that intelligent society feels the need forgo reasoned debate in favor of simple attack and innuendo. (That seems to be the de facto argument anymore. If we don't agree with it, lets compare it to Hitler. Although I must say the addition of Idi Amin, Slobodan Milosevic and Fred Phelps was a nice touch!!)

And on a side note: Once again study your history. Time Magazine Man of the Year 1938: Adolf Hitler. Time Magazine Man of the Year 1939: Joseph Stalin. Obviously many people at the time though these people had some perspective that was worthwhile. It was the totalitarianism that these people adopted in their methodology that made them inherently evil. The same totalitarian methodology that many in the environmental movement use today.

Re: Out-of-state special interest group applies dishonest tactics in Marysville - Marysville Globe

dmair — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:57:00 -0000

What you accuse them of doing:
"This is a common indicator that such groups lack the capacity of building up their own arguments, and instead focus on reactive attempts to ‘tear down’ their opponents."

Can you please explain this type of argument:

"a partisan, self-described ‘think-tank’ in Illinois called the Heartland Institute, filled with junk science and selective propaganda denying the impacts of global warming."

"Recognizing the notorious group as one which tried to run a publicity campaign denying the health dangers of cigarette smoke in 2006"

"propaganda, junk science, and misleading materials spread by special interest groups who continually seek to pollute the minds of our young students"

"white supremacists, extremists, anarchist groups, and other special-interest groups, like the Heartland Institute, are unable to effectively sell their special interest agendas"

Not to mention the section entitled "A History of Deception"

Seems to me like someone is trying to "focus on reactive attempts to ‘tear down’ their opponent".

Don't get me wrong, I'm not in the pay of "Big Oil" or "Big Tobacco". But I remain astounded at how much time and energy are being expended to tear down and discredit one editorial.

You also wrote:
"Fortunately, I have no doubt that the vast majority of those who read last week’s editorial have the intelligence to see through the false headline, misleading information, and innuendo spread by the special interest, right-wing activists from Heartland."

I guess I must count myself among the minority that does not have the intelligence of which you speak. You see, I support the debate and free exchange of ideas that has always been the hallmark of a free society. I will not immediately dismiss any idea without giving it due thought and consideration, regardless of the source. And although I certainly could, I try to hold myself above supporting my position by smearing my opposition.

Honestly though, after reading through your editorial, which was very well written by the way, I find I would have preferred you just to use the "Liar Liar Pants-on-Fire" argument. It would have been more to the point.

Re: Local control is a good thing - Marysville Globe

dmair — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:33:56 -0000

Absolutely correct. Yes there are a host of nutty theories out there. Some people believe Al Gore won the election. Some people believe 9/11 was a government conspiracy. Carbon Dioxide emission causes Global Warming. Ooops, thats right, that last one is a mainstream view so it must be true.

I too am glad we have local control of our schools, what other system were you proposing?

I find it so astounding that every single editorial I am seeing about this article does one thing: Attack Heartland. Lets not look at the arguments, just the source.

Although I will say thanks for being the first one to actually say that in the debate we are unlikely to come to a consensus. But that being the case, why stifle one side of the argument? Our public school system is the first institute of learning our children experience. A very great power: the ability of the school system to indoctrinate the next generation. I've heard many a global warming alarmist say "get them while they are young". Its a time tested method to shape social opinion. I don't want our schools shaping opinion. If the facts are in debate, then they should be taught the differing opinions and theories so that they can come to their own conclusion. Mr. Kundu seems unwilling to do this. Lets get back to teaching children, not indoctrinating them.

Re: Brainwashing? - Marysville Globe

dmair — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:44:23 -0000

Why is it that every dissenting opinion is labeled "industry-sponsored propaganda"? No, actually scratch that question. I have no doubt that you believe it to be true. And honestly, some of it might very well be true. But again, my opinion, which no one seems to want to mention, is that there have been many theories throughout the course of history that, as you state, have had "a tremendous degree of consensus about the key contention". The examples of what was formerly considered scientific fact but are now laughable are far to numerous to mention. How can we be sure, other than constant unrelenting questioning, that Anthropogenic Global Warming is or is not fact?

Again, all I see are the attempts to belittle and dissenting opinion. Yet we look at history and applaud the noble work of Newton, Galileo, Socrates, and a host of others. Why? They dissented against what was the accepted science of their day.

Only time will tell on this one which side is right and which side is wrong. But I find it more and more interesting that the only thing I am reading here is how Mr. Kundu is a saint and those attacking him are, in essence, Poo-Poo Heads. I use that term because honestly, this whole thing has dropped to a 1st grade "Nuh-Uh, I'm right and you stink" level. Lets all try to elevate it a tad shall we? Tell me why Mr. Kundu is right to reject another opinion, regardless of the source. Its been said that a good offense is the best defense. Yes, I've read Sal Alinsky as well. But in the free exchange of ideas, a good offense is simply misdirection away from honest debate.

Re: Political brainwashing endangers Marysville schools’ funding - Marysville Globe

dmair — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:47:07 -0000

Oh I just don't have the time to retort in a manner benefiting the flow of this conversation (besides, it seems that everything being said is personal opinion and not actual fact), but I found this tidbit on the web:

http://joannenova.com.au/gl...

These are apparently the e-mails in question. Take note of Mr. Kundu's tone and unwillingness to state anything other than argumentum ad hominem (since it seems in Mr. Kundu's e-mails that he like Latin)

Of course I'm sure Mr. Kundu and his supporters will say that these letters are either sheer fabrications or vicious lies propagated by, let me see if I have this correct, ah yes, big oil and tobacco industries.

I for one, have no idea weather or not these e-mails are authentic. But if they are, it gives a very telling portrait of Mr. Kundu and his political objectives.

(Of course I could be a plant by big oil / tobacco myself ;-)

Re: Political brainwashing endangers Marysville schools’ funding - Marysville Globe

dmair — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:38:22 -0000

In response to Cascadienne:

I find your use of verbiage very interesting: "an attorney, hired to represent "The Heartland Institute," a right-wing organization based in the Midwest". By stating it this way you are immediately dismissing anything that she says as politically motivated and profit driven. "The global warming deniers of the Heartland Institute represent those who reject science" Science IS skepticism. It supposed to be. That is how we discovered that the earth was not indeed flat as everyone though. That is how we discovered that the Earth revolves around the Sun and not vice-versa as was thought for generations. "Their claim to want "balance" in presenting science is unwarranted because children need to be taught what the "best available science" can teach us" The best available science has historically consisted of: Leaches for illness, geocentrism, and eugenics. These were all "settled" ideas at one point in time that had the "consensus" of reputable scientists. Study your history. I can only say that I am very thankful that someone has the wherewithal to ask for "balance" in presenting these "best available science" concepts.

Your response to this article is akin to someone who does not know how to react to an attack on their faith. You don't refute any claims, you simply attack the originator and try to marginalize the dissenting opinions. Its great that Mr. Kundu supports responsible land use. But I don't think that having a passion for trees is any substitute for teaching the scientific method; the first step of which is to ask a question. Mr. Kundu seems to not want some questions asked.

I applaud the Globe for printing this article and bringing Mr. Kundu's policies and politics to light. I would greatly like to see Mr. Kundu's response to this, because as it stands, I do not want Mr. Kundu to have anything to do with the education and instruction of our children.