We, the human race have lost a pearl of great price, something irreplaceable. Our ability to discourse, to understand, to be able to walk a mile in the other guy's moccasins as the old saying went, to see beyond black and white has vanished. If we see someone else's view point or change our view based on new information, we are vilified as a "flip-flopper" or "not fit to lead". Our current political leadership is that way. John Kerry made to look like a fool for changing a position, GWB holding firm to his way is the only way despite evidence to the contrary. Compromise, It was drilled into me in my high school history classes, was the key to a democratic, representative form of government. I think we have lost that..descending into totalitarianism.
My friend Grant talks of the "Me first world", referring to the US and Allies. I think the whole damn world is the "Me first world" anymore. From the Islamic fighters willing to die to spread their beliefs over the world, feeling they are the only ones who are right. The same with the zealots on the Christian side as well.
Even a discussion over dogs gets everyone riled up. I administer, along with 3 others, a website devoted to pugs. I am sure everyone by now has heard the story about Ellen DeGeneres and her battle with a dog rescue agency over her giving the dog away to someone else, violating the contract she had with the agency. This discussion has lead to everyone having "hurt feelings", people ceasing to be members of the forum since their views were challenged, "so and so said this", "so and so is inflaming the discussion", bla bla bla bla bla. So now, instead of everyone getting along and being adults and talking about dogs, we admins are getting bombarded with whines and sneers and haruumphs. It is getting old.
What about looking at the issue, seeing both sides were wrong, coming to a compromise?? The people at the center of the controversy, Ellen and the agency, don't seem to want to compromise either.
I don't know where we went wrong. When discourse and courtesy to another's views became passe. Our political leaders have been the leaders of it in many ways. When the previous Democratic Governor of Missouri was speaking to he house, an opposition member farted into the microphone to display his displeasure. When childishness and disrespect like this go unpunished, what do you expect?
I guess I expect more disrespect, ignorance and intolerance. Sad.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
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2 comments:
Wow, what a great point.
Look at the latest politics. We're in a disastrous war that the American people hate and they hate the president that took us there — he's as unpopular now as Nixon was in Watergate days. Bush just vetoed one of the most successful and popular health programs we've ever had, and his Republican buddies in Congress followed him down the sinkhole. Also, with full Democratic help, Congress has put the 4th amendment being through a shredder. The issue isn't Pete Stark, it's the cruelty of a Republican party that will let children go without health insurance; the issue isn't MoveOn, it's the waste of lives in an escalation of the Iraq war that achieved nothing; the issue isn't being "weak on terror," it's saving the Constitution.
It's really as simple you point out, Don.
The issue isn't merely Ellen's situation (as if she doesn't care about the dog's welfare), it's about both sides being mature enough to agree to disagree. And what better place to do so than in a forum? I've frequented a lot of tech forums over the years and they ebb and flow based on members. There's always one or two trolls; that is, someone who gains pleasure by starting fires and flaming others. Then they sit back with glee whenever anyone responds. They have a choice to go elsewhere, and new people will come with good, fair administration.
I've lost several friends over the past decade because of what I consider their intolerance. They're conservative, I'm liberal. They speak their piece, but when it was my turn to share my view, I always got shouted down, personally attacked, and told how stupid and ignorant I was. When I pointed out that they got to have their say, now I get to have mine, give-and-take, they bellowed in protest.
Life's too short for that kind of horseshit, and I cut the friendship off, allowing them to find a more suitable "friend" to while away their golden years warmongering and whining about all the once-bosom friends they had managed to alienate with their crotchedy grandstanding.
I couldn't have said it better myself Don. It's a sad state of affairs when the adults running our country aren't acting like adults. There's no fault in admitting that things are going according to plan and you have to change course. In fact, I respect people a lot more who can take a good look at their own views and admit when they've fucked up.
And don't get me started about the childishness on the Ellen issues. Can't we all agree to disagree?
I'm constantly reminded of this great piece of advice when controversy stirs over issues:
"Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one and they usually stink."
Hey, it's true.
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