Intellectual honesty

Thursday, July 18, 2002

A friend pointed me to a Washington Times commentary by David Limbaugh, Rights vs guilt by association, where Mr. Limbaugh chastises Democrats for abandoning their dear principle of not judging individuals based on their membership in a particular group. (As a minor digression, this is far from being a principle peculiar to the Democratic Party – they and other liberals are merely the ones who constantly accuse others of violating the precept) Where Democrats are overwhelmingly outraged when they think someone is being condemned merely because he or she belongs to a particular group, they're more than willing to sink to that kind of conduct if it's a group they don't like, as is currently the case with their broad attack on business leaders. Board Chairmen, Directors, CEOs, etc., are all bad because of the apparently illegal and certainly unethical and immoral acts of a few, liberals say. What they don't mention is the fact that they don't like those folks as a class, never looking beyond the labels to the individuals. Just the sort of thing they accuse others of doing when the group is one they particularly like: blacks, Hispanics, women, homosexuals. Where's the intellectual honesty, hmm?
 

Don't get me wrong; treating someone poorly because they're black, Hispanic, female or homosexual is wrong. I'll probably undermine my own case by admitting that I've done it myself. I've made mistakes in the past, and I'll probably make them in the future despite my best efforts. I know I shouldn't, I try not to, but at some point I'll probably fail, and I'll feel regret over it when I do.
 

On the other hand, our liberal neighbors seemingly fail to admit their own shortcomings in this regard. Understandable, since this is one of the most serious and frequent accusations they make against others. It would seriously undermine their position were they to admit that they regularly and unashamedly participate in the very activity they so vehemently despise. So rather than do a little introspection, self-evaluation and self-improvement, they just keep pursuing the "bad guys." Where's that intellectual honesty again?
 

And liberals and other Democrats aren't the only ones lacking in the intellectual honesty department, either. Many Republican and other conservative leaders also explode the misdeeds of their opponents while minimizing their own involvement in questionable practices. Bill Clinton was a constant target during the 90s, very often deservedly so. But not always. But conservatives would undermine their staunchly held positions if they ever gave an inch by admitting that Bill Clinton ever did a single thing right.
 

If it weren't such an irresponsible and damaging practice, we could be amused at the reluctance of the majority party in the U.S. Senate to act on the President's judicial nominations, when that President represents the "other" party. They spout nonsense in defense of their inaction. They know it's nonsense, we know it's nonsense, but it just continues. My own straightforward nature wants to call them lies. It sounds like a lie, it certainly smells like a lie. But I won't be so bold and judgmental to call such esteemed elected representatives, of both parties, liars. But I will say that it's another profound example of intellectual dishonesty.
 

Too many people feel such a strong impetus to win, and win at all costs, that honesty falls by the wayside. They convince themselves that a lie is the truth. But I'm convinced that they know, deep down inside, that it's a lie. Come on, folks, admit it when you made a mistake, or when your opponent has a valid point. Concede the fact that you reacted emotionally to bad news. Stay away from tortured mangling of facts, half-truths and rumors just to make someone you don't like look bad. Bring a little intellectual honesty into your life, and into our world.
 

And I'm still waiting for a liberal to say, "Some of my best friends are corporate executives!"