Op/Ed Week in Review
That is why I have chosen to spotlight just two content producers in this column. One represents the far left and the other represents the far right. The differences between them, however, go beyond that. I know that I will be subject to allegations that I am favoring the writer from the left. And I admit it. I also admit I’m an unabashed liberal. That being said, I fully suspect that any critique I may make of the conservative writer will be taken as nothing less than a ringing endorsement of her points of view by a large segment of Associated Content visitors. In essence, I feel that taking a critical view of the writer with whom I disagree will do her much more good than harm because most of those who will actively search this writer out will probably be people who are also deterred from reading the writer from the left precisely because I believe he is right.
I definitely think everyone should get to know the writing of Brian Rice. Brian’s content clout is currently at a 5 and I think it should be much higher. He has produced an extraordinary portfolio of insightful and critically engaging articles on a vast number of issues. Brian approaches his topics from a perspective that is increasingly difficult to find in America: genuinely leftist and not just socially liberal. If you have no idea what that means, then the first article of Brian’s to read is Criticisms of the New Left. What is considered a liberal in American politics would barely constitute a left-of-center moderate in most other countries. In this article Brian traces the de-evolution of the meaning of liberalism in America from its Marxist-Leninist beginnings to its status denoting one’s view on social issues. Before you go around insulting people by calling them a liberal, why don’t you read Brian’s article so you can better understand why you’re probably making a mistake.
Brian’s article Ethical Justification for Terrorism is sure to raise the hackles of those with a conservative bent. Although he’s not the first to take up thorny issue of examining the difference between terrorism and freedom fighting-even I have written about it-his is one of the more intelligent articles on the subject. Brian visits this issue from a unique perspective that seriously ponders whether terrorism is ever ethically justifiable. Many, if not most, of the literature on this topic merely tries to prove a point by making comparisons between such things as America’s fight for independence and the acts of Islamic terrorists. (I myself have done this.) Brian goes beyond this to force us to ask not only can certain comparisons be made, but whether conditions can ever become severe enough to justify the use of terrorism. If you are particularly firm in your belief that the answer to that question is no, then I urgently request you read his article. You just may find yourself questioning your commitment to that belief.
In On the Question of National Healthcare and Insurance in the United States Brian published an exhaustively comprehensive overview of the failings of the American health care system. I would suggest that Senate Majority leader-and medical doctor-Bill Frist should be required to read this, but alas he’s too busy with that other major problem facing Americans: allowing law-abiding homosexuals to get married. The brilliance of this piece lies in how Brian makes his case from a variety of arguments. It’s a long piece-seven pages plus a bibliography page-but Brian makes terrific use of length. He makes his case using both statistical data and ideology.
As a counterpoint to the basic ideological stance taken by Brian Rice, you may want to take a look at the writing of Melissa Rhiannon. I have to admit right off the bat that I share none of Melissa’s beliefs or views that she has shared in her writing so far. I mean for crying out, she actually describes Bill O’Reilly as a socialist! She is also fervently committed to her belief that liberal socialists are destroying America. How this can be when no liberal socialist holds any political or economic power in this country is never explained.
I do not feel is it my job in this column only to spotlight those writers with whom I am in agreement. Again, let me reiterate that I do not share Melissa’s political viewpoint, but I know there are plenty of visitors to Associated Content who would find a kindred soul in her. She writes for a specific audience and I think it would be a shame for her if that audience didn’t know she was there. A perfect example of Melissa’s writing was published last week, titled “Official English” is Not “English Only”. Melissa is vehemently and defiantly anti-leftist in her stance and this article is an example of Melissa writing at her take-no-prisoners ranting best. If you are the type of person who agrees with such sentiments as the US has been “invaded by twelve million illegal aliens” or still remain convinced that Jane Fonda is a communist insurgent despite being one of the richest women in America then Melissa is where you want to go next.
I think the main problem that I have personally with Melissa is that she seems content to go after the same old targets that conservatives have been railing against since the beginning of the Cold War. For instance, she had back to back articles ranting against the United Nations published. (I realize that she has no control over the publication order of articles submitted closely together). And I also realize that the UN remains a hot button issue among conservatives. Heck, I live in a town where more than a few yards have signs posted on the lawn reading “Get US out of the UN.” Therefore, it would not surprise me at all to find that her UN articles are among her most viewed.
But Melissa’s number one target would have to be what she considers socialists. Now, I’m not exactly sure what Melissa’s definition socialism is, but I know it has something to do with not being able to get chives on your baked potato.
Seriously though, Melissa is definitely committed to a brand of extreme conservatism that many will find appealing; just as those committed to extreme liberalism will find Brian’s writings appealing. Aside from the vast political divide that separates these two Associated Content writers, there is also a significant difference in style. Brian Rice is analytical and almost academic, whereas Melissa Rhiannon is unbridled emotion. Both writers are equally passionate about their political beliefs, but put across their messages from opposite ends of the writing spectrum.
OPINION OF THE WEEK
My choice this week actually isn’t from the op/ed section, but it qualifies as an opinion piece nonetheless. In The Baseball Video Game Review Guide Erik Fest has written perhaps the ultimate opinion piece on baseball video games. The subtitle of Erik’s article promises a comprehensive review and he isn’t kidding. At nine pages long, one might very well take a look at it and move on, but that would be a mistake. This is literally a history video game baseball, beginning with the pioneering Earl Weaver series and working forward to include probably every single legitimate baseball video game ever made. You probably won’t agree with every one of Erik’s detailed ratings, but you’ll definitely get a little nostalgic.
