“We can dream all we want about “everyone” being “equal” and capable of the same things, “if only we give them the chances they deserve”, etc., etc. (me)
But, here you’re saying nurture makes no difference. Those statements are conflicting.” (you)
I never said that. Dreams do not make things real. I suggest reading comprehension 101.
“the baseline for true conservatism is being able to see the reality of the human condition for what it is. (me)
No, conservatism is about natural law, individualism, and free will. Conservatives judge what people do as individuals, not as members of a group. Grouping people is what the Left does. And conservatism is about taking responsibility, not making excuses.” (you)
Your definition of “what conservatism is” is what _you_ believe it to be. It may not actually be what it is.
Conservatives at times behave as irrationally as we believe liberals do as a matter of course. That is to be expected, for all people are subject to the same failings, regardless of political persuasion.
One of the most striking “conservative” statements I ever read was a simple line:
“Reality is what it is. It is not what we believe it to be”.
That guy said it all. Without being able to see things squarely “as they are”, we’ve no chance to deal with the problems those truths present before us.
There are those in this thread who have chosen (at great risk, even on a forum such as FR) to confront “reality” squarely as it is, without glossing it over or slurping on psuedo-conservative platitudes. Those platitudes often become a balm, a salve to alleviate our inner guilt and frustration. They become a vector for us “to make excuses” (your words above) so that we _don’t_ have to “take responsibility” and deal with the dilemmas before us.
Where am I going with my reply? I think the “reality” of what confronts us (regarding the thread title subject) is that there are some problems that really don’t have “solutions” — at least not those of an “egalitarian” nature.
There are some “gaps” that cannot be closed.
(Suggestion: read “We Are Doomed” by John Derbyshire. A seminal, modern conservative work.)
Indeed, dreams do not make things real. But, don't take your own statement out of context. You said much more than "dreams do not make things real." Taken in context, your entire post makes the statement that some races are bestowed genetically with intellectual gifts, while others are not, and no amount of "chances" given to them would change their fate.
So, on the one hand, you're saying that one group is bestowed genetically with a gift that, OF COURSE, must be nurtured. Well, why must it be nurtured at all, if, on the other hand, giving people "chances" wouldn't make a difference? For the record, I would be in favor of ending "free" public education for everyone and all financial aid for college. Anyone who's intellectually gifted wouldn't need the help, anyway. Right?
Your definition of “what conservatism is” is what _you_ believe it to be. It may not actually be what it is.
No, I didn't make up the definition. It's the correct definition. And group identity politics is the game the Left plays.