With attribution to an on-line review of Thomas Sowell’s
The Vision of the Anointed, with my additions and amendments in square brackets:
The Elements of the Crusade
The Warning of Danger
A great danger to the whole society is asserted, a danger to which the masses are oblivious (but to which the anointed are uniquely sensitive). [What was it that Mr McCormick said about the CVD issue? “When we get to the point where we are pushing the boundaries, where we are pushing the science, looking for other ways to get around what could possibly be indicated from the clinical side is a dangerous thing to do, we are starting to impact on my ability to discharge my duties under section 9 of the Civil Aviation Act, and that is to provide safety as outlined in that act. … I agree we should move forward, but we are already way out in front of half of the world, if not three-quarters or all the world, and as we move forward we will do it at a measured pace. When O'Brien goes through the AAT, we will see what the AAT has to say, what their preferred decision is, and that will give us the basis from which we can move forward, whether it be a practical test or whether it be a clinical test or whatever combination is required. To do it now unilaterally would be dangerous.” (Bolding added.) John. Psssst John. Psssst: We already know what the AAT has to say, and we already know there is no new high level evidence about the risk of colour visions deficiencies and the safe performance of pilot duties.]
The Call to Action
Urgent action is demanded to avert the impending catastrophe. Again, while malevolent forces [the IOS and pilots with CVD] try to preserve the status quo, the anointed [AVMED and McCormick] --wiser and more caring than others-- are fighting to rescue [punters from the risk of the 30,000’ death plunge posed by pilots with colour vision deficiency].
The Invocation of Authority
The government is called upon to set stringent limits on the dangerous behavior of [pilots with CVD], in recognition of the prescient conclusions of [AVMED]. Since most people aren't as enlightened as the anointed [in AVMED], it stands to reason that [pilots with CVD and the IOS] are part of the problem. They are thus likely to resist the proposed change, so--for their own good, of course--they must be forced via the threat or actual application of state power to comply with the new required behavior.
The Demonization of Critics
[This sounds awfully familiar.]
Arguments which criticize any aspect of the crusade are dismissed as uninformed, irresponsible, or motivated by unworthy purposes. Since the self-esteem of the anointed rests on being perceived as a savior, anyone who threatens to reveal the truth --that the solution was worse than the supposed problem-- is by definition evil. Destroying such critics is a commendable act of "courage."
The Pattern of Failure
As all humans are imperfect, any human vision must be flawed as well. A key feature of any vision is the degree to which it recognizes its inherent imperfection and adapts itself to reality as new information is revealed.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the vision of the anointed is its astonishing resistance to accepting reality. So strong is the impulse toward moral superiority that evidence which contradicts claims made by the anointed is often ignored, dismissed, ridiculed, or shouted down. (bolding added)