Guest post: How to tell who is objective
Originally a comment by Screechy Monkey on Are they objective?
He’s implying that that’s not “objective”…But an objective observer (who hadn’t just popped out of an eggshell fully mature yesterday) has a million reasons to think Comey is more likely to be telling the truth than Trump is. An objective observer can remember that clip on Air Force One when Trump lied about who paid Stormy Daniels and whether he knew about it, to name just one item. Trump lies constantly; Comey not so much.
No, no, that’s not how it works. You can’t go using evidence to reach an uncomfortable conclusion. “Objective” means that you either (1) are “keeping an open mind” and refusing to decide whether you believe the allegations; or (2) have decided, like Giuliani, that the allegations are false. Disagreeing with Rudy is, ipso facto, proof of a lack of objectivity.
Have you learned nothing from sexual assault and harassment cases?
“I can’t possibly come to any sort of opinion on the allegations against Famous Dude. All I have to go on is detailed eyewitness accounts from the victims and other witnesses, corroborating accounts from people they complained to, documentary evidence, and Famous Dude’s generally skeevy attitude towards women. As a true skeptic, I couldn’t possibly form an opinion until all of these witnesses are brought before me in a courtroom, which I know will never happen.” = OBJECTIVE
“Although I remain open to further evidence, and any actual criminal punishment would have to await a prosecution and conviction, it appears from the detailed eyewitness accounts from the victims and other witnesses, corroborating accounts from people they complained to, documentary evidence, and Famous Dude’s generally skeevy attitude towards women, that Famous Dude has harassed women. And so perhaps that should have some social consequences.” = NOT OBJECTIVE
“I’ve had beers with Famous Dude, and I believe him when he says these women are all lying bitches.” = OBJECTIVE
Someone really needs to write a book about this sort of thing.
It could look at how and why modern thought and culture lost sight of the importance of truth. It could also be eloquent and inspiring argument for restoring truth to its rightful place.
It could even be called “Why Truth Matters”.
Or possibly, “Why Truth Matters Even More Now”.
There were originally twelve biblical commandments, carved by God Himself into twelve stone tablets. But Moses on his way down Mt Sinai tripped on a rock and dropped two of them. His exact words were “Israelites! God has given me these twelve (stumble, crash, smash)… God has given me these ten… these ten commandments! “
All done without turning a hair. I know, because I saw it in a movie featuring I think Marty Feldman as Moses. Or was it Charlton Heston? Or Mel Brooks?
Anyway, Hebrew, Christian and Islamic scholars and theologians down the centuries since have been racking their brains trying to figure out what those two missing commandments might have been. My guess is Number 11: ‘Thou shalt not cheat, dissemble, speak always in generalities, or be evasive when interviewed, especially on TV.’ And Number 12: ‘Thou shalt not become a politician.’
In that case, President Pussygrabber accidentally performs above average on No. 11, usually because his ego and deficiency of self-awareness get the better of him, and he blabs; violating the old rule which says: Be sure brain is engaged before putting mouth into gear.
But he is a disaster in every sense of the word on Number 12. My guess is that he will have a lot of explaining to do when he at last reaches them Pearly Gates.
If I’m right.
@ 1 and 2 – or “Truth Matters God Damn It!!”
Okay, Ophelia, I am now putting that book on my must read list. That will be difficult to do before it’s written, so you have a job on your hands…
Pardon me, that should be I am now putting that book on my must read list. Too tired. Must go home. Must rest. (Not possible until grades are in…dang).
[Fixed, but correction not deleted, because. Ed.]
OB: “Truth Matters God Damn It!!”
Publication eagerly awaited. Though Why Truth Matters is a hard act to follow.