" The Psychomyopic Democrats " - Defining a Democrat.

For several months, I have felt like the little boy in The Emperor’s New Clothes. Standing in the middle of a crowd of my elders and betters, watching the current political spectacle, I have been waiting for someone to say the obvious, waiting in vain until I feel compelled to blurt it out myself.

Here goes: “Many Democrats want the US to fail in Iraq!” I don’t mean that they think we’ll fail—they want us to. They want a big embarrassing collapse of US military and political policy in Iraq and will do whatever they can to make it happen. There, I’ve said it and I feel much better.

That doesn’t mean that they are traitors, taking bribes from al Qaeda, or prepared to jeopardize their country’s welfare to advance their careers. Not all of them, at least. There are some prominent Democrats who are morally so far gone that they may just possibly think that way. (After all, a person who can think up Travelgate is capable of any infamy.)

But the vast majority of Democrats think of themselves as loyal Americans and a polygraph would show that they honestly believe it.

• The best thing for the United States would be for the Democratic party to come back into power.

• A really embarrassing failure in Iraq would tip next year’s election toward the Democrats.

Take another issue, illegal immigrants. I contend that, if for no other reason than homeland security, it is essential that we seal our borders against illegal immigrants and expel the ones we have now. The reason behind the Democratic party’s insistent call for amnesty for all illegal immigrants has nothing to do with compassion; the syllogism is rather:

• The best thing for the United States would be for the Democratic party to come back into power.

• Illegal Hispanic immigrants, if naturalized, would vote overwhelmingly Democratic.

• Therefore, the naturalization of illegal immigrants would be good for the USA.

To explain this peculiar logic, we must look to the emerging field of mental ophthalmology, which describes the aberrations of what Hamlet called “the mind’s eye.”

One such aberration is psychomyopia, or mental nearsightedness. Like most politicians in most parties in most countries of the world, these Democrats cannot see beyond the next election. Issues such as the fate of our nation, the fate of the Iraqi people, and the success or failure of Islamic terrorism are vague blurry background features that they cannot discern.. The only thing their brains can focus on is the nearby goal of getting into power and staying there.

The Democrats are not alone in this aberration, of course. Psychomyopia is a widespread affliction. Republicans are sometimes just as bad when they are out of office or with regard to certain topics that will not be discussed here. It flourishes in all kinds of settings.

Bureaucrats and (if you’ll pardon the double misnomer) civil servants are often so preoccupied with career survival that they cannot see even the most urgent assigned tasks in any other light. Journalists can be so obsessed with publishing a scoop that they are oblivious to the harm they may cause by doing so. And let’s face it, dear reader, haven’t you and I occasionally been guilty of similar myopias?

But psychomyopia can be a relatively mild aberration, due to stupidity and shortsightedness. It is often not culpable because “they know not what they do.”

It is even occasionally curable, not by glasses but by patient explanation. A notable literary example of a cure is described by Robert Louis Stevenson in “Father Damien”:

…he had originally intended to lay out [the money] entirely for the benefit of Catholics, and even so not wisely; but after a long, plain talk, he admitted his error fully and revised the list… I was struck by the fact that he had the honesty of mind to be convinced. I may here tell you that it was a long business; that one of his colleagues sat with him late into the night, multiplying arguments and accusations; that the father listened as usual with “perfect good-nature and perfect obstinacy”; but at the last, when he was persuaded — “Yes,” said he, “I am very much obliged to you; you have done me a service; it would have been a theft.”

It is rare, but it does happen. And it attests to the shortsighted honesty of at least some psychomyopics.

The symptoms of psychomyopia are easily confused with those of psychoglaucoma, or tunnel vision—a preoccupation with one aspect of a situation, coupled with a willful refusal to consider certain other aspects. As in physical ophthalmology, the latter is much more serious and (along with psychoastereopsis – failure to perceive depth) one of the few aberrations of the mind’s eye that can twist a soul into something evil.

Psychoglaucoma is culpable because it perverts the essence of free will. As Aquinas and others have pointed out, we are not free to refrain from choosing an obvious good or rejecting an obvious evil. Our freedom consists in deciding to ignore certain aspects of the choice—to avert our eyes from factors we don’t wish to see and confine our attention to the rest.

An intelligent and just man forces himself to see all aspects of a problem and therefore chooses the good. A psychomyopic cannot see some aspects but chooses as best he can. But a victim of psychoglaucoma chooses evil by seeing only what he wants to see and avoiding what he doesn’t want to see

The Bible provides us an example of psychoglaucoma, the elders in the story of Susannah, who

…suppressed their consciences; they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven, and did not keep in mind just judgments. [emphasis mine].

I remember a confrontation between pro-abortion and anti-abortion demonstrators, on a street in East Los Angeles some thirty years ago. One of the pro-life demonstrators held up poster showing a large picture of a baby-like fetus. He was surrounded by pro-choice demonstrators who were trying to cover up his poster with theirs—they didn’t want to look at it! Later, at a rally, pro-life advocate Susan McMilllan was asked about initiating a dialogue with pro-choice leaders.

“It doesn’t do any good”, she replied, “they know what they are doing and refuse to discuss it.”

Like the corresponding optical aberration, psychoglaucoma is a slow progressive disease. You develop it by first ignoring a few tiny unpleasant details and then, over the course of several years, you pile one self-deception on top of another until, without conscious dishonesty, you can be utterly oblivious to whatever you don’t want to see.

Unfortunately, detection of psychoglaucoma is not as easy as that little gadget in the optometrist’s office. It is insidious, often diabolically subtle. One telltale clue is reluctance to argue about certain aspects of a topic and impatience or anger when forced to do so. If you hear yourself saying something like “I don’t want to discuss it” or “let’s change the subject”, it’s probably a warning—perhaps the only one you’ll ever get.

So, whether you be Democrat or Republican, whether the topic be Iraq or immigration, keep your mind’s eye (and ear) open, and like poor Damien, be patient and try to comprehend what your opponent is trying to tell you. At the very least, you’ll set a good example. To misquote Mark Twain, you’ll “gratify some and astonish the rest”.

I thought that as summer approaches and Conservatives get out more with the nicer weather, they should start brushing up on some of the better " Explanations " - that they can give when they start up new converstaions with interested strangers or those who may ask ,

"...Gee!! YOU sound very knowledgable about Politics, Current Affairs and World Events !! ( You must be a Freeper!!) ...can YOU explain to ME just WHY these Democrats and Liberals are Saying & Doing things that will bring the Ruin & Down Fall of America??..."

Besides trying to be brief and pointed about MY beliefs as a Conservative so they can understand my orientation, ( and see it as being the RIGHT ONE!) I brush up also re-reading:

The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy Handbook by Mark W. Smith

and other Great, QUICK reference books.

But I thought that THIS article too would be very helpful in " Hitting the Nail on the Head " when it comes to explaining a Great Deal behind WHY Democrats/Liberals DO the Ignorant, Destructive, Anti-American things that Amaze/Confuse Americans--and this article also helps just bring to the front Democrats reasoning and logic that they may NOT be aware of--or want to BE made aware of themsleves too . " Pchomyopia Democrats " helps recognizing the reasoning behind the Liberal Think & Agenda!

And that some So-Called " Republicans " are as Guilty of the " Pychomyopia " that this author speaks of too is also a good reminder to all that it is in the THINKING and in the agendas that we should judge and not solely in one's Title of Allegiance. ( look at John McShame?)

I hope you enjoy this article.

Darth Airborne

p.s.- Yes...and also,

http://www.conservativebookclub.com

-- a very good site for Summer reading!!

Great point KJO!!

And it looks like you are also great with history too!

Would YOU agree with this premise I have been kicking around?? ( since you brought up the Early American history?)

Seeing HOW "America " and it's Founding is really VERY early , relatively, to History itself--

That--ONLY with the invention of the TV--had "Politics" and issues been accesable to the Regular American Voter--although on a very Ignorant " Buy-your-vote-for-a-NEW-BRIDGE-OVER-YOUR-TOWN'S-CREEK " ,

---WITH the LIBERAL, 50's/60's Communist Sleeper-Cells still running the mass media ??

And that it is ONLY with the " Alternative Media : INTERNET " --and maybe another 4-8 years --that we
WILL SEE THE DEATH OF THE DEMOCRAT/LIBERAL/SOCIALIST PARTY???????

If you like History..and besides looking back on Greece, Rome, Asia, etc....

And 1940's/50's had Pearl Harbor in an already Partiotic America---that SEPTEMBER 11th WAS the " Wake-Up " call??

And WITH the INTERNET---the Rush Limbaugh's, Bob Grants,
Mark Levins, Ingrahams, etc.

That the Liberal ; KENNEDY CLANS, CLINTONS' CAMELOT DREAMS, and ROCKERFELLER-World plans and the rest of the HOLLYWOOD ELITES really ARE " On the way out " ??

I see it now only because the LAST TWO things that Have been keeping the Liberals/Democrats alive and well: College Socialist Teachers Brain Washing the Youth and LIBERAL CONTROL of the MEDIA will be a thing brushed aside in the
NEW RICHES and Opportunties to be made NOW and Sites like Free Republic, the Swift Vets, ect. becoming ACCESABLE and NON-Controlable by the Left!!!

I see liberalism DYING--except where extreme poverty or racial/cultural divides can be taken advatage of by the left
as a Voter-Tool---mainly because we are no longer a " Young Country " Historically-wise.

Espcially with Great articles like the above that we can use in our spreading the truth about those who solely wish for POWER__even if it means the destruction of all that's great in AMERICA and all that's called FREEDOM or a chance at it! for others imprisoned and tortured and killed.

When do YOU se the " End " of democrats/liberals??

DAB

I noticed that too RC!

In fact--I think I have heard about 5-6 articles just in the last month with the very same intro!!

But--even with me--I use a " Dragon " dictation system--a voice opt. system for those who--for some reasons--can not physically type -- and when you happen to be a
" Funny/Sarcastic " type of person-- and emphasis on ,

"...THERE!! I said it!!! I feel better now..."

....That EXPECTED " Laugh-Line " you may have wanted to express/say doesn't come across as well in PRINT as it would in public or out loud to yourself while typing!

But....maybe it was the best " Openning Catch Line " he had always wanted to use?? and he finally had a chance to do so??"

Hell!! Old Dogs like ME still say things like, " That's the Bee's Knees!!" and " ..I wouldn't mind putting MY shoes under HER bed!!.." as sayings...and no one knows what we Old Salts are talking about!! 10-4 ?

But he IS Dead On about their " Liberal-Think " though!!

And it explains EVERY " Politician/Entertainer/Self-Proclaimed Enlightened Philosopher/ Hollywood and Media Personalities-- " ELITISTS " -- that are mainly 99% Democrats and Liberals/Socialists etc., anyhow!!

AAAAAANNNNDDDDDDDD this article Explains the thinking TOO behind just Why " some-people " feel that THEY can " ...self-excuse themselves from drunken TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS --blame EVERYONE But themselves for their Situations--and not even THINK ( nor care ) twice that their behaviors would ever come under scrutiny!!
Because " "I" am GOOD for AMERICA---and ME getting CAUGHT and being taken away from my WORK is BAD for America--therefore ME getting away with walking away from an accident-or letting a woman DROWN in a car--is REALLY " GOOD " for America when you think about!!..."

DAB

But WHY is it??

I STILL say " DRUGS " from the 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50/60's!!

Ever notice that liberalism always seems to spout it head out at Drug-College centers??

At Yasger's Farm type of environments and cities??

Not many people in the County--ONLY mainly in the Cities used the heroin, crack/coke and speed that was pushed withOUT guidances and legalities and knowledge by quakes and mail order?

is THAT one of the contributing reasons today?

Cause even a RATIONAL, Millionair driving a 80,000$ SAAB or VOLVO who has 48% of THEIR PAY taken out in taxes --shouldn't rationally VOTE for a candidate like KERRY & Co. who would TAX YOU EVEN MORE!!

But they DO!--and they BRAG about their Moms/Dads being inthe Front line at WoodStock and 60's college Love-ins smoking the wacky-tobacky!!

Great article!

Psychomyopia, mental nearsightedness.

Psychoglaucoma, or tunnel vision.

Perfect words to describe a common problem.

I can't believe the massively industrial and screwed too tight blinders I see some wearing. It's scary how many "tree people" there are, so short sighted, always posessed by the small picture and have themselves absolutely convinced they see the forest, the big picture.

It is a psychosis, what I've wondered how psychomyopia and psychoglaucoma happen? I think they are both a programmed psychosis, programmed in such a way the victim doesn't realize it has happened. These programmed victims cannot see they have psychomyopia and psychoglaucoma because of the third programmed psychosis, a psychosis of supersized self-rightousness, whatever the term for that would be. The psychosis of self-rightousness is so serious, because, since you are right, you will never change. There would be no point in objectively cross checking one's self since it is an up-front, pre-programmed given, you are right. That seems to be why there is so little hope of being cured of psychomyopia and psychoglaucoma.

One thing I have observed is how opinionated people become after receiving a "higher education". Along with this is an inability to admit or even consider the remote possibility one might be wrong. I've watched the before and after, taken note of it time and time again. It is almost warped to the point of demanding opinion being accepted as absolute truth. I had someone argue with me once over if opinion can be wrong. This person, a conservative, held that opinion can't be wrong!! Where in the world did he get that idea?? This is an example of the point I am trying to make, that the programming of the psychosis of subjective self righteousness plays a big part in psychomyopia and psychoglaucoma.

Great Break down of the whole problem!! Kuddos!

Know what else is funny too?

When I DO think of these PROFESSIONAL/CAREER politicians I think of the FAMILIES that They came from: like The KENNEDYS, or Cuomo and his son--and others "Raised" into these thought processes!! And then the Movie- One-Liners - you see--in the Comedies that hit the name on the head! In this article too--he IS very honest because he DOES include, "...and there are some Republicans just as guilty!" So I wonder--If there ever was any kind of "TEST" taken TOO to see on what Belief patterns this " Myopia " normally happens under!

Although--I STILL believe--for Dems & Libbies--it IS more that they think they ARE the ENLIGHTENED Ones!

While from what I have seen from those Conservatives--it is normally they think they are right ABOVE ALL OTHERS solely because they are thinking of "OTHERS"!-Namely AMERICANS!! rather than themselves! What would make sandy berger do what he did? Not for himslef! What made Gorelick, the NY Slimes editors--do what they do? Hollywierd??--of course THAT is for attention! But--look at Contra, or anything else a Conservative would do--it would be " NATIONAL SECURITY " V.S. $$$$ centered.

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