[at-l] OT/semantics is our friend: consensus =|= compromise

[optimyst at gmail.com (Richard C Evans)]

Not only that, but I was wondering how Barry Goldwater, who uttered
this famous quote:

"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the
pursuit of justice is no virtue"

has any connection at all with the concepts of consensus or compromise.

Happy trails,

Solar Bear




On 8/29/05, Sloetoe <sloetoe@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Somebody posted recently:
> "consensus which means compromise"
> 
> And it does not. Consensus means a common vision has been
> hammered out, either deformative of persons or values or both.
> Consensus in a contentious debate means that some party(s) lost,
> while others may have not. The result is a shared vision.
> 
> Compromise is seeking a common vision acceptable to both
> party(s), through give and take. No one is *forced* to accept
> otherwise unacceptable terms, rather, one may "horse trade" a
> bad point here for a good point there. The result is a shared
> vision where each side only sees what it wishes of the total.
> 
> Consensus *sounds* good, but mostly is accomplished by bullies
> holding people hostage against bathroom breaks, meals, A/C,
> anything. Conformity hell. Compromise sounds like wheddling
> (since when has anyone been admired for being a "Great
> Compromiser"?), but allows people to have different opinions at
> the end of the day -- even to the point of disagreement -- but
> they did reach a (heh!) compromise position.
> 
> heuresthecitaltoe
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