Extremism: reactions to bad party behavior and other walks on the wild side

Extremist behavior does not require logical thinking, but often dresses up and attends the party as an intellectual. Every so often I find myself at an event that has nothing to do with politics and zut alors, I realize I've been ambushed by a zealot. Suddenly bunches of data are offered in support of some sort of thinking. Only the data is couched in terms like, "I was watching the Sunday morning lineup...there were all sorts of well regarded journalists...but he said he could pretty much do whatever he wanted." This is not in fact data. But it is wearing the costume of expert opinion and it is ready to boogie.

Because you are not seated at the internet or armed with a copy of the Special Presidential Powers, He Can Do Anything Act (see next paragraph, Joint Auth), you will LOSE any argument you make in return because your data will not be as upsetting as their data. Here's how the argument starts. The president says he can do whatever he wants (who does he think he is, Oprah?). Move on to This is how he trampled all over your civil rights (not mine in fact because I am secretive and do my dirty business on the El where it's so loud, nothing can be tapped, taped or even seen as a rule, but you have the principal).

In rejoinder and because I now AM in my seat in front of the great and powerful INTERNET I refer you to the Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq, here noted verbatim from the White House website. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/10/20021002-2.html. You can pretty much skip the Whereas's and go directly to the Now therefore department. I'm not saying it's pretty, but it most certainly does not say I now pronounce you King and Ruler of the Dominion. So there!

How, you may ask does this apply to art, artists, artistic voice? Well it's a reach, but this was bugging me (get it?). And I do not do my best work when I'm bewitched, bothered or otherwise betwixt myself and someone behaving badly. And besides, if Bush is King, what will we do if a tree or forest erupts on the scene? I cannot create my art when I'm worried about being ambushed at my next social affair. Pass me the crudites.