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General : Can the culture war in America be won?
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Message 1 of 14 in Discussion

From: Noserose (Original Message)

Sent: 9/10/2008 11:58 PM

Can the American culture war be won?

I once asked in an OP when the "culture wars" in America began. I was amazed that some folks went as far back as the Civil War and many others to the tumultuous sixties. Some blamed it on the depression and FDR. Some blamed Vietnam. Most blamed the other side for the first shot.

My question now is....can it be won and at what price?

Is it likely that this is truly the war that will never end? Can you see one side or the other giving up or being persuaded that the other side is right? Is there any chance for peaceful co-existence? Do the Libertarians have a way out of this mess?

Will this war end with a whimper or a bang?

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Message 2 of 14 in Discussion

From:

Hayekian

Sent: 9/11/2008 4:13 PM

What do you mean by "culture war"? Who is fighting whom?

Message 3 of 14 in Discussion

From: Noserose

Sent: 9/11/2008 4:51 PM

Hi Hay: The culture wars between the right and left in America.

The issues that divide us seem huge and I doubt many Americans are untouched by it. I see it around me eveywhere and everyday and it really does seem like a culture war to me.

" I have been up the hill and have seen the enemy....... and he is us."

......Pogo

Message 4 of 14 in Discussion

From: Noserose

Sent: 9/11/2008 4:58 PM

BTW ....Hay and BadBob: I would really appreciate if you guys both took a look at my board " The United States of America". We are small but it's a very good mix of people and we don't fight with each other. It's civil and a pleasant place to debate. We have one "Classic Liberal "who is sort of lonely and we need a Libertarian.

I would love to have you both as members. I have put up a link to my board in your "links" section.

End of recruitment.......

Rosie

Message 5 of 14 in Discussion

From: codify

Sent: 9/11/2008 5:14 PM

I had a look, but no thank you. I know I'd be a highly prized catch, but I decline. I don't wanna get a reputation of being too easy.

Message 6 of 14 in Discussion

From: Noserose

Sent: 9/11/2008 5:52 PM

Is this your work codify?

Hayekian_&_BadBob
We are one now.
[email protected]

Message 7 of 14 in Discussion

From: Noserose

Sent: 9/11/2008 10:54 PM

Of course it is......you little troll.

Message 8 of 14 in Discussion

From: codify

Sent: 9/12/2008 12:58 AM

You were able to detect it was me even though I used the best stealth tactics known. Dang it! Shux!

Rosie youv'e got wake up pretty early in the morn to get something by you.

Message 9 of 14 in Discussion

From:

Hayekian

Sent: 9/12/2008 4:52 AM

The culture wars between the right and left in America.

OK - I don't see much difference between the sides - they both want to force others to their will.

Their "differences" are only in what they want, who they patronize, and who they punish.

The issues that divide us seem huge ...

Not really - just stuff used to justify loss of liberty.

I see it around me eveywhere and everyday and it really does seem like a culture war to me.

Rush and Hannity think they're in a culture war, too.

I guess I'm non-aligned - I oppose all sides of this "war". People ought to be left alone.

I'll check out your site ...

Message 10 of 14 in Discussion

From: Noserose

Sent: 9/12/2008 8:54 PM

Thanks Haye. We have one classical liberal and he's kind of lonely.

Where's that Bad Bob fellow anyway?

Message 11 of 14 in Discussion

From:

Hayekian

Sent: 9/13/2008 3:16 AM

Perhaps dodging Ike?

Where is your site's link?

Message 12 of 14 in Discussion

From: Noserose

Sent: 9/13/2008 11:51 AM

Here you go.

http://groups.msn.com/UnitedStatesofAmerica -

The United States of America -

United States of America......http://groups.msn.com/UnitedStatesofAmerica -

United States of America

Message 13 of 14 in Discussion

From: govols

Sent: 9/13/2008 2:35 PM

In the current climate, no, the culture war cannot be won. In fact, I think the extremes in control of most American political institutions actually work to fuel the conflict. It's like the movers and shakers of both parties perpetually attempt to drive wedges using emotional issues as a hammer. Sadly, the politicos responsible for the constant pounding seem often to care little about the issues themselves, but instead for simply using the conflict to maintain control of the process.

Do the libertarians have a way out of this mess? Sure. It's the notion of limiting the functions, and methods, of government--reserving the use of governmental authority to a few specific tasks, and shackling the methods with a robust respect for personal liberty. In that way, the extremes of both sides are prevented from actually imposing their will through force of law. They still get to bitch and moan--indeed declare, "There ought to be a Law!"--but their ability to impose their morality would be so curtailed that the rest of us could relax a little. The threat we feel from "those guys" would be minimized in a way that would lessen our desire to oppose them through the dubious method of supporting "the other guys."

So, no. The culture wars can't be won so long as it's considered normal that government have a role in every social discourse. Yes, libertarians have a way out of the mess--the limitation of governmental authority to only a very few, and very specific, functions. Functions that may only be executed through methods that leave in tact a vast degree of individual autonomy.

Message 14 of 14 in Discussion

From: Noserose

Sent: 9/13/2008 4:57 PM

Hope Bad Bob is alright?

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