Another Repugnant devaluing a perfectly good metaphorical use of a word
Last edited Thu Oct 27, 2016, 04:14 PM - Edit history (1)
Republicans co-opting terms, often introduced by Democrats, changing their usage is a real pet peeve of mine. They like the sound of the word and in typically ignorant manner use it with their own meaning attached to it, thus bringing about its demise in political discussions. In an interview Newt Gingrich began his assault on the term "Alternative Universe" used so often to explain Conservatives stubborn adherence of screw-ball theories despite the preponderance of evidence which debunks their point of Conservative doctrine.
Megyn Kelly, Newt Gingrich and the Universe Wars
It's still another case of a Repugnant devaluing a perfectly good and useful metaphor. The use of the word "parallel" or "alternative" universe (or "reality" as Hillary Clinton used it in the last debate in reference to Trump's bizarre rants which defy rational explanation) has been used for some time now to legitimately characterize any one of the extended fantasies spun and elaborated upon by Conservative Propagandists with serene indifference to manifold documented facts which stand diametrically opposed to said Conservative doctrines.
Now, Gringrich devalues the word's metaphorical use by saying that both Democrats and Repugnants occupy "alternative" or "parallel" universes. IOW, it's merely a matter of opinion. But there's method to Gingrich's obtuseness. He WANTS to devalue the word's metaphorical usage to describe the penchant of Conservative's for parroting nut-job theories and Big Lies - serenely oblivious to the empirical evidence which neatly debunks their fantasies.
Democrats, presented with a problem, follow the facts and apply logical analysis to arrive at a practical, effective public policy. They don't assert a position unless the facts and legitimate studies provide proof that the position is valid.
It is NOT the case that people of both political persuasions hold equally empirically groundless policy positions. The Conservatives have made a lifestyle of being oblivious to the fact based reality the rest of us live in. It is only they who cling to a non-empirical 'Alternative' Universe.
= new reply since forum marked as read
And I don't see any legitimacy to the reasoning in the article. People of all stripes have been using it as a pejorative for a long time without owning it in any sense.
I also disagree with the idea that people who disagree with me are living in a fact free world. The disagreement is almost always rooted in how we prioritize the things we think are important. When we don't think something is important that another person values above all else, it seems like they don't operate with facts, but that really isn't capturing the nature of the disagreement in a way that is helpful.
ETA: And if you disagree with my overuse of the word disagree please submit your disagreement in writing for a disagreeable rebuttal to be issued within 90 days. 
