I Apologize to My Fellow Americans

[Bob Butler 54]

(01-28-2017, 09:57 AM)SomeGuy Wrote: Whew, lot of Whiggish historical assumptions in this thread, that somehow the norms, mores, and values of early 21st century white Yuppies are hardwired into the fabric of the universe. 

The libertarian argument is that you have the right to associate with who you want (free association), and that nobody else has the right to abridge this, no matter the ideological justifications waved around.  The only role of the government is to prevent force and fraud, not wrong-think.

Quote:Is bigotry an inherent aspect of libertarianism?

I mean, really Bob?  Would you like to dump any more poison in that well before continuing this discussion? 

I would go back to the Enlightenment rather than to the Whigs.  I see the many recent S&H crises in Anglo American civilization are moving things from the Agricultural Age pattern of autocracy, absolute values, religious thought, hierarchical class privilege and heavily militarized government towards the Industrial Age pattern of democracy, scientific thought, economic centered government, equality and human rights.  I see nothing to be ashamed of in observing and advocating such transitions.  The world has been moving in a consistent and to my mind favorable direction.  

Consistent over a long period of time doesn't mean forever, but I don't see the most recent children of the Enlightenment backing down.  The values of Jefferson's self evident truths are still flowing strongly.  It's not just the whites or the yuppies or the early 21st Century.  For many and for a long time, the Enlightenment principles have been important.  I wouldn't underestimate or lightly dismiss them.

And, sure, yes, I'll poison the well.  Can you or anyone make a solid distinction between prejudice against blacks at the Woolworth lunch counter in the middle 20th century and prejudice against someone with non-traditional gender preference in a hypothetical modern bakery?  To me, segregation is segregation, bigotry is bigotry, and doublethink to try to hide this needs to be called out.  In either case, one is denying a service due to prejudice.  Does libertarian 'right to free association' imply those running hotels and restaurants in the south in the mid 20th century had a right not to associate with blacks?  Does the government not have the power to enforce the Bill of Rights?  Have you read the Constitution recently?  Hint: the founding fathers were children of the Enlightenment even more than 21st century white yuppies.

Those thinking the bigots are 'core America' need to be challenged in said belief.