The Superdome vs Qualcomm Fallacy

[leftist.]

I've already heard two of the "big names" in hate radio - Limbaugh and Boortz - make this comparison and I'm sure many will follow. It's absurd that poorly constructed arguments continue to work on their listeners but apparently they do. Anyway, in comparing the two stadium evacuations Limbaugh even countered his own conjecture by pointing out that Qualcomm isn't threatened by fire in the same way that the Superdome was threatened by flooding, but that still didn't stop him from asking his listeners to compare the behaviour of the "conservative" population in San Diego to the "liberal" population of New Orleans. Amazing construct - start with an already invalid comparison, point out a massive flaw in it, but then leave it on the table as though it were still valid!!! Hate Radio 101!

I should also mention that as with hate radio, and especially with these two (remember Cynthia Mckinney's hair?), there were also racial overtones included in the comparison. Pretty sad.

[haele]

1. The other difference is that the Navy and businesses in the area are donating resources -

There are lots of volunteers there, the people in Qualcomm Stadium aren't trapped in their own filth with no power, food or services available; there's still plenty of places to go and come back to, and a good number of the evacuees can continue going to work while they're basically "camping out". There are medical and emergency facilities available and they have their pets and large animals with them. Most people there also had at least a good half hour to an hour notice to evacuate, so most of them have their important items with them. Its as if they're camping out under stressful conditions, but they can still come and go - and even just leave the city - should they please. The community leadership is also making visits and taking care of issues as they come up. The majority of the city is still capable of taking care of the evacuated minority. And with the smoke and closures, people are happy to be looking for something to do to feel like they're part of disaster relief - so it's easy for someone who's business has told them "stay home, you aren't essential right now" to decide to pack up the old tent and a few old clothes that don't fit anymore, drop by Costco, pick up a couple pallets of water, and head down to the Q to drop off the booty for someone less fortunate. And you can also hang out and visit with the people who are there.

The people stuck in the Superdome were trapped in an damaged, enclosed cesspool without any power, surrounded by rising polluted water for over a week, no emergency services, no food or medical supplies, no ability to leave. And apparently, by their perspective, abandoned.

No comparison at all.

On Edit - there is a comparison. We're three days, almost four into the disaster. And FEMA is just starting to wander it's way into the area.

Haele

[BOSSHOG]

2. In typical limbaughian fashion he is regurgitating lies

he and his kind spun two years ago. The SuperDome bad activity was mostly in the minds of reporters which was corrected at a later date on a local basis. But ya know how the conservative mind works.

[EST]

3. Hate radio, as with most propaganda, and

all elections, is absolutely dependent on emotions. It is only democrats, and a surprisingly few of them, who, somehow, think well constructed arguments, with proven, documented facts, are a high calling.

What is it that attracts to the democratic party, with all its spots, people like you and me? Sure, it's the people who are already here--people of high ethical standing, people of compassion, passion, and unflinching dedication to a better world.

What about "honest" republicans? Republicans who also have a dedication to a better world? Their biggest downfall is that they think the world would be a better place without liberals, totally unaware that their attitudes, direction and even the words they use are force fed to them through their emotions.
They cannot evaluate complex situations--either they tire quickly and give in to boredom, then pursue something more immediately interesting or they reject the necessarily complex answers and let someone else do their thinking for them.

Democrats are not immune to this same tangle. Most democrats can't even explain lucidly why they are dems, any more than the average puke can explain why they aren't. There's usually a natural bent in that direction or an experience that woke them up to the real world.

There are far more democrats who are thoughtful enough to have explored the heavy issues and found out the truth, not because it was handed to us by some overpaid fatass on a radio or tv program, but because we got into it and got dirty.

The hope of the real world really is the liberal and progressive people, people who band together and hang out under the democratic flag. We did not develop our political ideas because they were handed them, but in spite of it.

The only reason I'm a democrat is because you guys are. I cannot and will not be comfortable surrounded by selfish, murderous robots, but that's okay, they are attracted to their own kind.

[slackmaster]

4. Nobody was forced to go to Qualcomm Stadium

The parking lot is completely full BTW. I live a few miles away from it.

The sanitary facilities are working just fine. Volunteers are bringing large quantities of food, bottled water, etc. It's quite orderly.

[2rth2pwr]

5. No bodies piled up in the freezers?

How about violence and rape, is that happening there?