A First Real Definitive Failure?
Longtime readers by now know full well that One of our my ongoing efforts here at TIWWWB is to (to coin a phrase) "Win the Hearts and Minds" of those who are so desperately in the Wrong about what the Iraq war was. Keep in mind that I don't have to do this; nobody makes me and it's not part of the regular duties of this Blog (I do it in my spare time). Most right people would just give up on the wrong folk's (for dead, relly) (figuratively). But not me. Why do I do this? Out of a sincere moral compulsion. That the wrong can be made right (sometimes). I need to believe this to believe in a better, future, tomorrow wolrd.
My most recent outreach effort, however, seems destined to be a disheartening failure. I focused on the well-known prolific USS Clueless writer (an Engineer (I think)), Steven den Beste. I'm admit, don't always have time/attentionspan to read more than .5-1.5% of typical Steven den Beste post (if that), but from what I can glean, it has always been apperent - he is one of THE MOST Wrong persons out there on the WWW web. With high circulation and rankings too (rivalling Charles LGBF - this is dangerous/enemy territory I'm stepping into. But all the more reason to make the effort at the conversion. (Just think if my effort's could produce fruits in a case like this - cascading/chain reaction effect)!
To this end, I dashed off friendly gentle email to Steven's corraspondence address, probably something simple/direct (but forceful) along the lines of
Subject: You are wrong about what the Iraq war was.
Hello,
Sorry but you are wrong about what the Iraq war was.
It was wrong and not right. Just thought you should
know,
iraqwarwrong.blogspot.com
Similar letters to what I have wrote dozens of times now, relly (to various AEI/NEocon/Bush administration officials). Usually with no response. But this time PING a response, rather quickly. As follows:
Subject: Re: You are wrong about what the Iraq war was.
On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 12:33:58 -0700 (PDT), you wrote:
>Sorry but you are wrong about what the Iraq war was.
>It was wrong and not right. Just thought you should
>know,
>
>iraqwarwrong.blogspot.com
You're entitled to your opinion. I stand by mine.
--------
Steven C. Den Beste sdenbes1@san.rr.com
Home page and web log: http://denbeste.nu/
Well Now I know what you're thinking. Seems pretty definitive, right? Not a lot of opening/wiggle room in this - he seems pretty obstinate relly (not open to even the most persuasive of arguments evidently). And I'm admit , for a few seconds RELLY disheartened/hangdog expression on my face as I pondered the abject failure of my efforts. (No moral fruits whatsoever here). Is it all a waste? Does my life have meaning? Should I give up on humantiy?
Well (long story short) HELL NO. That's not my style, as you know. So (deep breath) I calmly/carefully comprosed a response - I know the probabilities are small here but the payoffs are huge (semi analogous to Pascal's wager) - thus here was my response (I tried polite approach),
Subject: Re: You are wrong about what the Iraq war was.
Hello,
Thanks for getting back so soon, but I'm admit (a bit)
perplexed by your answer. This is not a matter of
opinion yes/no this is a matter of right/wrong (here).
I can see it's a longshot but. Reconsider?
iraqwarwrong.blogspot.com
As always, I promise to keep you posted on ongoing basis as to the progress of these efforts.
UPDATE 17/8/2004 2:12 A.M. ZULU meantime: Steven has responded back and His response (mine too) is here
posted by iraqwarwrong @ 2:10 PM
9 Comments:
If you want to change people's minds, you are going to have to actually make an arguement that convinces them. Simply saying "Hello. You are wrong." is simply a statement of opinion.
Try presenting logical arguements that support your opinion. Let me help.
http://www.virtualschool.edu/mon/SocialConstruction/Logic.html
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/langc/skills/argument.html
Start with a premise or source. Factual, verifiable information. You then infer from the premises which leads you to a conclusion.
Now, many people make mistakes in logical arguement, usually they use false premises or skip steps in inference. False premises will lead to false conclusions, so you have to be careful what you believe.
I look forward to more convincing and thoughtful conversation on this blog than stuff like: "I am smart" or "You are wrong"
Did you see the Iraqi Olympic team. Fine looking men who no longer fear being tortured by Uday.
My mind waited down by heavy Iraq wrong war matters like (this). How can we (right about wrong Iraq war) outreach our message to the masses of (ignurant) electorat?
Needed imh opinion- simple (catchy) tune to, catch there attention and provoke deep thougts on Iraq wars wrongness (wrongevilty). Hare Krishna sect (large religon) (find followers mostly in airports) has GRATE little tune which, magikly cure societil problems and bring converts to theyre cause. Can use (barrow relly) may be help outreach Iraq war wrong message? ie,
(sing to Hare Krishna tune):
Iraq War, Was Wrong, Iraq War, Was Wrong, Iraq War/Was Wrong, Iraq Wrong, Wrong Wrong, War War
May have to adapt (just a little) (make more catchy) BUT power of HK tune undeniable. Suggest sing at busstops, karioki clubs, store lines etctera (crowded places). Could also add word like, (blog), direct people here to learn more about Iraq (wrong) war and its wrongness.
Just some idle musing (there). Not copywriting (this) (yet).
Anon@4:29 - I did not get chance no to see mens's Urak olympic team but I'll take your word for it about they're attractiveness/sexy
what you need is convincing arguements, not catchy tunes.
Leon "BIP": Good idea (in principle) but I think somehow, Hare Krishna tune alreddy used (a little hackneyed). Much prefer to work something into tune of Hanson pop classic gem, "MMM Bop". (VERY catchy) (help are cause)
dabnast typ many lie, many word as lie, makeslepy
There? You see? (Doubters)? I'm not Puce
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