I realize that this is just the type of observation that sounds as if it is coming from a overly sincere high school freshman or from an insipid Miss America contestant, but I think it is quite true nonetheless. There are just too many public figures (and web commentators) who use almost every news event to try to buttress their pre-existing political views, seeking to further polarize the country into good guys (those who think like them) and the evil despicable ones (those who don't). Detailed public dissections of the Philando Castile shooting must be made so as to make him either a martyr or a criminal, long before any of the actual facts are established. People urging restrictions on gun ownership must be intent on a coup d'etat, whereas those opposing these restrictions must be pro-murder. Abortion must be Satan inspired, or absolutely present no moral dilemma at all. Etc,
I have my own views in each of these and other topics, and I have expressed them, sometimes more dogmatically than I really would have preferred. But it is obvious to me that no country can continue in this fashion. Yes, I put the blame much more on one political grouping than another, but that I do not reveal which here because that goes against my central point. All sides of the public debate must stop this or destroy our country, our culture, and our selves. Especially the publicly prominent of all ideologies must stop this and no longer stoop so low as to use this strategy for personal political gain. I don't care who I feel has done this most in the past- it must stop as a general means of "discourse."
If one cannot each feel that the death of anyone is disturbing, whatever the circumstances, then that is a problem. If people look at the gunning down of scores of children at Sandy Hook as only an argument for or against gun control without first and primarily being torn apart by the death of the children themselves, that is a problem. If a politician cannot at least seek to compromise and improve a bill (or a nomination) proposed by someone with whom they disagree, but instead reject it out of hand, that is not only a problem but something that will soon doom our country's government. It is a democracy and multiple viewpoints must be incorporated into the legislation to reflect this, not winner takes all one year, and the other winner takes all the two years later. Saying no and stomping one's feet doesn't even work in kindergarden; nor does demonizing one's opponents help the country. I expect politicians to work together to pound out the best laws representing the best mix of ideas possible.
I certainly don't expect a "cure" from this OP- I just felt so strongly today that I had to post it. Perhaps I also hope that at least some other posters will try to join me in my current resolution to avoid this sort of "Let me see how I can spin this to show that I was right all along" in the future and try to truly consider and incorporate other posters viewpoints when possible as a way to better synthesize a less biased view of each topic at hand.
This plea goes against my own usual cynicism, but what is the other choice? And just because this concept sounds so hackneyed doesn't mean it is not accurate. I love this country (although I am pretty fond of some others too) and I fear that it will not survive what is going on now unless we pull away from this intense polarization that seeps down even into this Forum. And no, I will not be participating in the swim suit competition later.
I have my own views in each of these and other topics, and I have expressed them, sometimes more dogmatically than I really would have preferred. But it is obvious to me that no country can continue in this fashion. Yes, I put the blame much more on one political grouping than another, but that I do not reveal which here because that goes against my central point. All sides of the public debate must stop this or destroy our country, our culture, and our selves. Especially the publicly prominent of all ideologies must stop this and no longer stoop so low as to use this strategy for personal political gain. I don't care who I feel has done this most in the past- it must stop as a general means of "discourse."
If one cannot each feel that the death of anyone is disturbing, whatever the circumstances, then that is a problem. If people look at the gunning down of scores of children at Sandy Hook as only an argument for or against gun control without first and primarily being torn apart by the death of the children themselves, that is a problem. If a politician cannot at least seek to compromise and improve a bill (or a nomination) proposed by someone with whom they disagree, but instead reject it out of hand, that is not only a problem but something that will soon doom our country's government. It is a democracy and multiple viewpoints must be incorporated into the legislation to reflect this, not winner takes all one year, and the other winner takes all the two years later. Saying no and stomping one's feet doesn't even work in kindergarden; nor does demonizing one's opponents help the country. I expect politicians to work together to pound out the best laws representing the best mix of ideas possible.
I certainly don't expect a "cure" from this OP- I just felt so strongly today that I had to post it. Perhaps I also hope that at least some other posters will try to join me in my current resolution to avoid this sort of "Let me see how I can spin this to show that I was right all along" in the future and try to truly consider and incorporate other posters viewpoints when possible as a way to better synthesize a less biased view of each topic at hand.
This plea goes against my own usual cynicism, but what is the other choice? And just because this concept sounds so hackneyed doesn't mean it is not accurate. I love this country (although I am pretty fond of some others too) and I fear that it will not survive what is going on now unless we pull away from this intense polarization that seeps down even into this Forum. And no, I will not be participating in the swim suit competition later.
via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/29LV2Ur
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire