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Idiotarian is derisive blogosphere slang for opponents of Zionism and the Bush Doctrine, usually academics, journalists or entertainers. An apparent hybrid of libertarian and useful idiot, the term was originally coined by Charles Johnson, webmaster of the Little Green Footballs warblog.
Like Rush Limbaugh's coinage "feminazi", Johnson's "idiotarian" is sometimes employed in the service of ad hominem rhetorical attacks. Its use, however, does not in itself constitute such an attack. It is perhaps better understood as a pejorative political slogan.
Applications of the Term
Figures characterized as "idiotarian" by (largely neoconservative) bloggers include Michael Moore, Bill Maher, Al Franken, Noam Chomsky, Robert Fisk, Rachel Corrie and Jimmy Carter on the political left and Justin Raimondo, Pat Buchanan and Lew Rockwell on the political right.
That the figures named here hold wildly incompatible social and economic philosophies (e.g., socialism, liberalism, progressivism, paleoconservatism, libertarianism and paleolibertarianism) is wholly irrelevant; to qualify for this particular designation, one must only be a Western media figure with a perceived multilateralist, pacifist or isolationist geopolitical stance.
Willful and obvious contradictions in rhetoric or analysis
While most targets of the term could be fairly characterized as opponents of the Iraq War, fans of the "Idiotarian" label deny its status as a pejorative political slogan, arguing instead for its acceptance as an epistemological category with non-partisan applications. These note that most of the better-known "Idiotarians" in the public sphere (see above) have proven themselves adept at advancing fallacious arguments, regardless of their political views.
Notes one prominent "anti-Idiotarian":
"[the Idiotarian label] has typically been directed at those maintaining obviously or making arguments on premises that are unproven; because contradictory fact sets in their rhetoric, not just those on the other side. <p>
An recent example might be: UK Claire Short's claim, (that) despite the oil for food scandal and child abuse, the appointment of Libyan Human Rights experts; "the UN is the only institution with the moral authority" to coordinate - response to the Tsunami...<p>The key seems to be that idiotarians are not just stupid, or result of the unconscious, or unconfronted conflicts (cognitive dissonance); but rather the willful advocation of "idiotarian" ideas."
Alternative Terms
Some commentators uneasy (http://www.settingtheworldtorights.com/node.php?id=160) with the "idiotarian" label have suggested meaningful alternatives terms; "Villepinist" (after Dominique de Villepin, France's foreign minister during the run up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq) was coined (http://woty.davidsj.com/archives/00000014.htm) by Kolya Wolf. SEE ALSO: appeasement, axis of weasels
External links
Self-proclaimed anti-idiotarians
Opposing views
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