Originally Posted by
JamesWales
Well, I didn't say that. I said I agree with some things, and disagree with other things, but I appreciate you are a black and white kinda person. I was also making the point that it's less about what's being said; I admired the way he went around to campuses, engaged in a civil manner, took questions, asked questions, challenged positions, debated, probed etc. He did also do the kind of online solo polemics which I am absolutely not a fan of and are far too common online IMO.
So that is essentially what I said. But as you asked - and I paraphrase here - but I think he is right that a lot of identity politics, race politics of the last 20 years or so are dividing us more than uniting. I think he is right that there is a lack of critical thought and even the principle of challenging debates is refreshing. I think he is right that nation states matter and have the ability to unite and where they fail people will form themselves into other, less cohesive groups, often based around race. I think he's right that the far-left is dangerous. I think he is right to defend some western, liberal values. I think he's right to identify that defending borders is important and detaining violent criminals is important.
I disagree with him on his adherence to religion (but that is a personal matter), his stance on abortion, his support for guns, his overly nationalist approach and he is generally too 'right' on many things, including an inability to recognise that his side can also be very divisive.
So yeah, I agree on some things, disagree on others. I generally like the way he engaged with people, especially what he was doing two days ago in Utah.
Oh, and I just realised I have written about him in the present tense. My mistake. Past tense now, as his life is over. Shot dead by someone who couldn't tolerate different opinions.
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